A member of the House Representatives, Akin Alabi, has said not all businesses would be mandated to pay the N70,000 minimum wage.
Alabi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, said businesses with less than 25 employees would be exempted from paying the new minimum wage.
The member representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency of Oyo State, made the clarification via a post on his X page.
Alabi also said businesses that have part-time staff and workers on commission would not be mandated to pay the minimum wage.
According to Alabi: “Today (Tuesday), we amended Section 3 of the National Minimum Wage Act. Section 3 (1) was amended from N30,000 to N70,000. Section 3 (1) amended the period of review from 5 years to 3 years.
“Here are some points of note from the National Minimum Wage Act: The minimum wage as the name says is the minimum amount an employer of labor is required to pay the lowest worker. For example, in the civil service, N70,000 is for Level 1, Step 1.
“It is not binding on staff working part-time or on commission basis. It is not binding on establishments with less than 25 employees.”
Minimum wage: Rep identifies businesses that won’t pay workers N70,000
Minimum wage: Rep identifies businesses that won’t pay workers N70,000
Be patient with Tinubu, minister begs Nigerians
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu and give him more time to interpret his vision for the country.
Ekpo, in a statement by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, made available to our correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, said Tinubu had taken bold steps aimed at addressing the economic crisis occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
He revealed that some businessmen had taken advantage of subsidised fuel in Nigeria by diverting large volumes to neighbouring countries where they make huge profits, while ordinary Nigerians groan in acute scarcity.
The minister highlighted the huge gas deposits in Nigeria which at present stands at about 209 trillion cubic feet proven reserves with potential reserves increase opportunity to 600trillion cubic feet, adding that Tinubu meant well in ending fuel subsidy.
He added that the decision has allowed for increased focus and investments in the gas sector and the utilization of gas as an appropriate, more cost-effective, and cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel as vehicular fuels.
He said, “Mr. President has a good vision for the country. He has been a player in the industry, and he has seen that gas is cheaper, cleaner, and safer.
“Gas has been abandoned for years, but with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and other executive orders, we are now focusing on utilizing our natural gas resources.
“The President is working assiduously to fix things, I urge us all to be patient with him and give him more time to interpret his vision.”
He disclosed that licences have been granted to some companies to take out the gas flared in the country for commercial purposes, while efforts are ongoing through various government programmes and initiatives to ensure more Nigerians use LPG and CNG for cooking and transportation.
South East commission’ll curb agitation
The Special Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs, to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chijioke Chukwu, has said the newly signed South East Development Commission law will curb agitations in the region.
Chukwu expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the speedy action on the bill.
According to him, “It will not only help in dousing tensions in the South East but will also stop the agitations in the zone.
“I am calling on Ndigbo to see it as a welcome development and I am calling on all those agitating for one thing or the other to sheath their swords.”
This bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The commission will be charged with the responsibility of receiving and managing funds from the federation account to reconstruct and rehabilitate roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.
Kalu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, said the commission will also tackle the ecological problems as well as any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the region.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.
Contact: [email protected]
Nigerians donate over N4.2m to quadruplets family
Nigerians have contributed over N4.2m to the family of one Sodiq Olayode, whose wife, Abiodun, recently gave birth to a set of quadruplets.
A colleague of Olayode, identified as James, tweeting as #jamysax on X.com, shared the news on Wednesday.
James had written X.com on Tuesday, “Fun fact: A colleague of mine who had two kids already said he should do it and add one more.
“Guess how many his wife gave birth to? Four at once (quadruplets). The man wan craze. Na so so lament for status every day.”
He further shared a screenshot of what he said was one of Olayode’s WhatsApp posts about the number of diapers used in a short period.
The post read, “105 pieces of diapers in 6 days. Haaa, mo gbe mo daran. E shanu mi eyin quadruplet yi.”
James’ post on X.com gained the attention of netizens, with some highlighting the challenges of raising young children.
By Wednesday, James stated that he had received permission from the couple to share the picture of the parents and the children, as well as Olayode’s bank account details, for those who had been asking.
He wrote, “I reached out to them yesterday for their permission to post their picture and that of the children, as well as his account details.
“Also, if you would love to send them diapers or anything else, kindly reach out to me. I will find a way to get it to them. Proper accountability would be done.”
Sharing further details, James stated that as of 9.42 a.m., Olayode had received N1,598,750, and some individuals had offered to give him baby items and diapers.
Sharing hourly updates alongside a screenshot, James revealed that, as of 10:03 a.m., Olayode had received N2,811,277.
“As of 11:03 am they have received N4,226,769. Husband and wife are both in awe. They are speechless. God is kind,” he added.
The Lagos State Government reported on July 7 that the state Health Management Agency recorded its first-ever quadruplets from Gbagada General Hospital under the State Social Health Insurance Plan, popularly known as “Ilera Eko.”
The quadruplets were said to have been born to Saka and Abiodun Olayode, who had been previously blessed with a child.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, also said that “LASHMA would ensure that the babies were enrolled in the scheme so that they could enjoy unhindered medical care.”
In an interview with Feelrightnewstv on Facebook, Sodiq stated that they had been blessed with a daughter before the arrival of the quadruplets (two boys and two girls).
He added that the quadruplets were born at eight months because the pregnancy was becoming “life-threatening.”
The couple also sought the assistance of the government to raise the children.
Earlier in January, a mother, Deborah Olaki (also known on X as Mummy Zee) became a millionaire in less than 48 hours after a post on X.com stating how she wakes up as early as 4.50 am to prepare her husband’s lunch.
Dangote: MAN cautions Nigerian Govt against demarketing local industries
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government against demarketing local industries.
The Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who issued the warning, said government agencies that provide regulatory oversight functions should promote an enabling business environment for local investments to thrive.
Ajayi-Kadir also called for caution from major actors, government agencies, and regulators in the oil and gas sector of the economy regarding the Federal Government-Dangote Refinery saga, stressing that no regulatory agency should cast a shadow over a homegrown investment like the Dangote Refinery.
According to him, the allegations of poor quality, and monopolistic tendencies levelled against Dangote Refinery by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, were unsubstantiated.
Ajayi-Kadir stressed that local investors in Nigeria, particularly the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) play a vital role in driving economic growth, paying taxes, creating jobs and fostering development within the country. As such, these investors must be protected and given the necessary support to thrive in this business environment.
He said a business colossus like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, with investments in diverse sectors of the economy and across the Continent of Africa, should be accorded all needed support to grow and invest in more sectors and positively impact the well-being of the people.
Dangote: MAN cautions Nigerian Govt against demarketing local industries
BREAKING: SGF, NSA, ministers in emergency meeting over planned nationwide protest
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, is currently meeting with ministers over the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.
The meeting, which is taking place behind closed doors, has all the over 40 ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet in attendance.
Some of the Ministers spotted are Nyesom Wike (FCT), Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs), Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties), Tahir Mamman (Education), and Abubakar Bagudu (Budget and Planning).
Others are Wale Edun (Finance), Mohammed Idris (Information), Bello Matawalle (Defence), David Umahi (Works), and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, amongst others.
Recall that the President had earlier on Tuesday pleaded with Nigerians to shelve the #EndBadGovernance protest slated to commence on August 1.
The protest against economic hardship, organized by faceless persons, has gained traction on social media and is scheduled to hold across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Details shorly…
BREAKING: SGF, NSA, ministers in emergency meeting over planned nationwide protest
US election: Kamala Harris radical, will destroy America – Trump
The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats nominee as a radical who will destroy the United States, US.
Trump disclosed that the United States, US, does not need Harris.
Addressing reporters, Trump said of Ms Harris: “She’s a radical left person, but this country doesn’t want a radical left person to destroy it.”
Trump also said he was open to debating her in September, when he was originally due to face Biden on ABC News.
This is coming when the Vice President described Trump as a cheat, rapist, and violent offender in her campaigns.
But, Trump’s campaign team accused Harris of bailing out “accused murderers, rapists and other violent offenders”, insulting Israel and deceiving the US public about President Joe Biden’s “cognitive decline”.
US election: Kamala Harris radical, will destroy America – Trump
Hardship: NLC clarifies position on withdrawing from proposed nationwide protests
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has dismissed a report alleging it has withdrawn from the proposed national protests.
This is even as labour said that it stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people over the current economic hardship and worsening hunger in the country.
In a release on Wednesday by its president, Joe Ajero, NLC said it cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise.
Ajero maintained that t is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide whether to pull out or continue with the protest.
“A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such story as patently false.
“The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest. The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms especially leadership decision-making processes that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.
“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that organised labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government. The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.
“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands. We have advised that it would be counter- productive for government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.
“Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” the statement read.
Hardship: NLC clarifies position on withdrawing from proposed nationwide protests
Stranded Nigerian scholars lament FG’s allowance cut, resort to loans
Foreign scholars under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship, on Wednesday, lamented the sudden deduction in allowances by the Federal Scholarship Board.
Some of the affected scholars and parents who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja lamented the government’s decision.
The scholars noted that the government had failed to release their allowances for over 13 months, leaving them to source for their means of survival in foreign countries.
The BEA scholarship is for the purpose of education exchange between Nigeria and the partnering countries.
The Federal Scholarship Board is supervising the scholarship under the Federal Ministry of Education.
The According reported how the Federal Ministry of Education announced a slash in allowances for foreign scholars who are currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others.
The ministry attributed the development to economic crises.
The government’s decision to slash the scholars’ allowances was contained in a memo signed by the Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Ndajiwo H.A., on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
“After due consultations, the Federal Scholarship Board has come up with adjustments in line with budgetary provisions in the payment of BEA scholar’s supplementation allowances for the 2024 academic year,” the memo, dated July 23, 2024, and addressed to the scholars’ association, read.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the affected scholars, Ronald Donald, said “Firstly, students have stayed 13 months without stipends, just promises upon promises. Now, the only thing the FSB could come up with is to reduce the stipends. Let me give you an idea of how living in Russia and Morocco looks like;
“In Russia, a student needs a minimum of $300 to survive. The bus fares are expensive, and the hostel prices are up. Bread used to be sold for 70 rubbles is now 120 rubbles. In Morocco, the students don’t have hostels provided for them. As such, they rent apartments (at a starting price of $200 a month).”
Speaking on how some of the stranded scholars are surving, Donald said, “Normally, the embassy in Russia gives out loans to students in difficulty. They take the money back when FSB pays.”
Another student who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation noted that some of the students had taken loans to finance their studies.
He said, “We were under the agreement to be paid $500 per month and we have not been paid since June 2023 which has resulted in students engaging in exploitative illegal labour such as washing plates, and construction. I personally have worked in a soap warehouse and restaurant for 12 and 14 hours at a stretch respectively with reduced pay against the agreement and host country’s visa.
“A few months ago after several agitations and representations by our parents, our parents were encouraged by the FG to take loans to the tune of millions because of the exchange rate and the rising cost of living in our host counties to send to us for our survival with the promise that the situation will be sorted out and our stipends would be paid suddenly yesterday they released a memo slashing our stipends by 56%. How are we to pay back the loans or even survive ?”
Speaking further, the student revealed that some students took loans from loan sharks.
“Yes, several students took loans from even loan sharks because no one in this economy would loan millions to a student that doesn’t have a definite payback period or collateral,” he said.
Also speaking, a parent who spoke on condition of anonymity while giving the breakdown said, “Each student now gets $3090 (2640 + 450) instead of the $6450. It’s only the medical students who get an extra 500 to make theirs $3590.
“So (500×12)+ 250 + 200 + (500) = $6450 and $6950 (for non-medical and medical students respectively) slashed to (220×12)+ 250 + 200 + (500)= $3090 and $3590 (for non-medical and medical students respectively).
“Seeing that only supplementation was touched (others that concern us are still constant), that’s a 56% decrease.”
PARIS CLUB REFUNDS: Court rejects state Attorneys’ request to join FG’s suit on $418m payments
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday threw out an application by state Attorneys- General seeking to be made a party to a Federal Government suit seeking to block the redemption of promissory notes issued to some consultants/contractors in relation to the Paris Club refunds dispute.
The consultants/contractors had claimed to have been engaged by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to retrieve their shares of the Paris Club refunds. They got judgments against the states to pay them about $418 million.
Listed as defendants by the government are FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Ned Munir Nwoko, Gregory Lar, Riok Nigeria Ltd, Orji Orizu, Olaitan Bello, Ted Edwards, and Panic Alert Security System Limited who make up the consultants/contractors.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/896/2023, the Federal Government joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation as co-plaintiffs.
Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the Attorneys-General were not necessary parties to the suit.
He described the application as defective and affirmed that the suit could be effectively determined by the court without their involvement.
Ekwo however adjourned till October 22 for the hearing of the preliminary objection raised by the defendants against the competence of the suit.
The Attorneys-General had argued that being representatives of their states whose funds would be affected by the promissory notes, they ought to be heard by the court.
The Federal Government had while initiating the suit last year faulted the procedure for the issuance of 62 promissory notes in 2021 and urged the court to invalidate them.
It also asked the court to issue a perpetual order restraining the defendants and their agents “from exercising any proprietary rights” over the promissory notes.
READ ALSO: Court adjourns Emefiele’s case over $53m Paris Club debt
The 62 promissory notes, valued at $418,953,668 were issued to the defendants on September 27, 2021, by the Debt Management Office (DMO), following judgments and orders of mandamus obtained against the Federal Government and the Finance Ministry.
The government contended among others, that the promissory notes were invalid, having been wrongly issued in violation of relevant laws.
It however noted that although the promissory notes were executed by the Finance, Budget, and National Planning Ministry and the DMO, the notes were not signed as required.
“The promissory notes in issue were wrongly and unlawfully changed on the assets and revenues of the federation instead of the assets and revenues of the states and local governments, who incurred the applicable loans/debts,” the government argued.
A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Oyinlade Koleosho stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the promissory notes were wrongly and invalidly issued against the assets of the federation.
He stated that Sections 314 and 317 of the Constitution have separated the assets of a state or Local Government Council from the assets of the Federal Government.
Koleosho added that the promissory notes were charged on the assets of the government, which is not indebted to any of the contractors/consultants.
He said: “The debts upon which the promissory notes were issued were not incurred by the Federal Government of Nigeria or the Federation.
“The promissory notes charged against the assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria are only issued in respect of loans taken by it and not by the State Government or Local Government Councils.
“The promissory notes of the Federal Government of Nigeria can only be issued to offset Federal Government-owned debts.”
According to court documents, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited was issued 10 promissory notes valued at $67,925,661 at the rate of $6,499,561. per note (allegedly for the benefit of Nwoko)
Lar, who is described as Nwoko’s agent, was issued two promissory notes “for the account/ benefit of Nwoko for a total value of $732,511 at the rate of $366,256.00 per note.
Riok Nigeria Ltd was issued 10 Federal Government promissory notes worth $142,028, 941 at the rate of $14,202,895 per note. Orizu had 10 promissory notes for a total value of $1,219,440.00 at the rate of $121,944.00 per note.
Bello is said to have been issued eight promissory notes for a total value of $215,195 at $21,524 per note. Edwards got 10 notes for the value of $159,000,000 at the rate of $15,900,000.00 per one.
Panic Alert Security System Limited was also issued 10 promissory notes for the value of $47,831,920 valued at $4,783,192.00 per one.
The post PARIS CLUB REFUNDS: Court rejects state Attorneys’ request to join FG’s suit on $418m payments appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.