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Domestic workers must benefit from N70,000 minimum wage – Senate

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Domestic workers must benefit from N70,000 minimum wage – Senate

The Senate and the National Council for Women Society have sought to include domestic servants in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme.

The call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the national minimum wage came from both institutions at the National Assembly in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill seeking an Act to provide for Domestication and Registration of domestic workers and employers in Nigeria.

The public hearing on the bill, sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West), was organised by the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity chaired by Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central).

The call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum Wage scheme was spearheaded by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West), during his remarks at the public hearing.

He said, “As a member of this committee, I feel strongly that part of the provisions to be included in this bill is to include the domestic workers, housemaid or servants, in the proposed N70,000 national minimum wage law.

“As N70,000 is planned to be the lowest wage for the lowest public workers, so should be the case for the least domestic workers.

“We will put it in the bill for implementation by all employers.”

He, however, suggested that instead of domestication and protection of domestic workers and employers, the intendment of the bill should be changed to registration and protection of domestic workers and their employers.

In a similar call, the acting National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldeen Etuk, argued for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed national minimum wage law.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Diket Plang, said an agency would be set up for the implementation of the proposed law, but the Ministry of Labour and Productivity would drive the operation from the onset.

Law firm honours founders at 20th anniversary

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Law firm honours founders at 20th anniversary

A leading commercial and dispute resolution law firm, AELEX, has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and excellence in the ever-evolving legal landscape  as it marked its 20th anniversary with a dinner and awards ceremony in Lagos.

The event, held last week on Victoria Island, was tagged  “AELEX Celebrates 20 Years of Legal Brilliance.”

The dinner was graced by an array of distinguished guests, including lawyers from various firms and well-wishers of AELEX.

Notable attendees included the Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mrs Angela Emuwa, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN); daughter of Vanguard Newspaper’s publisher, Mrs Omasan Dudu; among others.

In his welcome address, AELEX Managing Partner Adedapo Tunde-Olowu (SAN), reflected on two decades of the firm’s excellence, innovation, and growth.

“Twenty years ago, AELEX was founded with a vision to create a law firm that not only provided exceptional legal services but also fostered a culture of integrity, collaboration, and social responsibility,” Tunde-Olowu said.

He lauded the founding partners — Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya (SAN), Mr. Soji Awogbade, Mr. Fubara Anga (SAN), and Mr. Theophilus Emuwa — for their visionary leadership.

“As I look around this room, I see the faces of those who have been integral to making that vision a reality. Each of you has played a significant role in our journey, and we are profoundly grateful,” he added.

Tunde-Olowu also expressed gratitude to AELEX’s alumni and retired partners, stating, “Your contributions have laid the foundation upon which AELEX stands today. Your legacy of excellence and leadership continues to inspire us. We are proud to carry forward the torch you lit and celebrate you as an indelible part of our history.”

Acknowledging the clients of AELEX, he noted, “Your trust and partnership have been the cornerstone of our achievements. You have challenged us to be our best and have entrusted us with your most complex and critical matters. We are honoured to serve you and remain committed to exceeding your expectations.”

Tunde-Olowu also praised the firm’s staff, calling them the “heartbeat of AELEX.”

He said, “Your hard work, dedication, and passion make AELEX a great place to work and a formidable force in the legal industry. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our clients and our firm.”

As AELEX looks to the future, Tunde-Olowu emphasised the firm’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

“This celebration is not just about our past achievements but also a toast to the future. It is a reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose and vision,” he said.

The event featured the presentation of various awards. Founders Legacy Awards were given to Mrs Olufunke Adekoya (SAN), Mr Soji Awogbade, Mr Fubara Anga (SAN), and Mr. Theophilus Emuwa.

 Emuwa, a founding partner and head of tax practice, presented the Pioneer Service Awards to Mr Adedapo Tunde-Olowu (SAN), Mr Olanipekun Orewale, Mr Olusina Sipasi, Mr Obiora Anyanwu, Mrs Olufunke Balepo, Mr Maxwell Bassey, Mr Bassey Jack, and Mr Emem Obot.

Founded on July 1, 2004, by the merger of four leading commercial law firms—the first of its kind in Nigeria—AELEX has grown into one of the largest law firms in West Africa, with offices in major cities across the region.

The firm provides excellent legal services to multinational and local companies across various sectors.

AELEX, headquartered in Lagos with additional offices in Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Accra, Ghana, boasts 11 partners, two international counsel, and over 60 lawyers.

The firm is notable for having three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom). Over 300 lawyers have passed through AELEX, with its alumni excelling globally across industries.

AELEX lawyers are admitted to practice in several jurisdictions, including Nigeria, New York, Texas, Ghana, England, and Wales. The firm’s multidisciplinary qualifications extend to political science, economics, business administration, cybersecurity, data protection, and engineering.

The law firm is also known for providing legal advisory services on major transactions and projects across its practice areas.

AELEX has earned a reputation for excellence in litigation and arbitration, real estate, infrastructure, fintech, corporate/commercial law, international trade, media and entertainment, oil and gas, energy, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, labour and employment, banking and finance, foreign direct investment, intellectual property and technology, transportation, capital markets, environment, and telecommunications.

Hoodlum threatening residents with kidnapping, murder nabbed

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Hoodlum threatening residents with kidnapping, murder nabbed

A man known only as Gabriel, who had been threatening residents of the Ogbere area in Ogun State with abduction and assassination to extort money from them, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command.

Our correspondent learnt on Sunday that the suspect was arrested on July 17, 2024, while attempting to withdraw money sent to him by one of the victims at a Point-of-Sale operator’s shop in the community.

Our correspondent learnt from a police officer who was privy to the incident that a resident, identified only as Helen Orube, reported to the Ogbere Police Division that she had received a call from an unknown person named Promise.

According to the officer, the caller informed Orube that someone had paid him to abduct and kill her unless she transferred a specified amount of money to a particular account number.

The cop said, “She received a call from a man who identified himself to her as Promise on July 13, 2024. The suspect told her on the phone that he had been paid to abduct and kidnap her. Orube became frightened after receiving the call.

“While pleading with the suspect on the phone, Promise told her that the only way she could escape being kidnapped and killed was if she was willing to pay more than what the person who sent him was paying him. She sent the money to the account number that he provided.”

Terrified by the phone call, Orube immediately approached the Ogbere Police Division, where officers advised her to pretend to comply with the suspect’s demands.

The officer informed our correspondent that Gabriel was apprehended while attempting to withdraw the money he had demanded from the victim.

Reacting to the arrest, the command spokesperson, Odutola Omolola, stated that detectives from the division had positioned themselves at strategic locations where the suspect was expected to collect the money.

“The victim sent the money to a PoS account. The police division had earlier sent officers to key places in the area, waiting for the suspect to arrive. He was immediately arrested by the men of the division.Hoodlum threatening residents with kidnapping, murder nabbed

“Upon interrogation, he claimed that he was sent by another suspect named Jide to withdraw the money. Jide fled immediately after he realized that Gabriel had been arrested. Our men are working to arrest him.

“After identifying the arrested suspect, other residents made similar complaints that the suspect had received a huge sum of money, saying that he claimed he wanted to protect them from kidnappers. The suspect will be taken to the state criminal investigation department for discreet and further investigation.”

According Metro reported a similar incident involving a 23-year-old man named Edward Okache, who reportedly staged his kidnapping and sought N10 million in ransom from his parents.

Also, Olumide Openaike, a microfinance bank employee, was detained for reportedly arranging his kidnapping in Abeokuta to get out from under N1.7m in debt.

Mastermind of General’s murder nabbed in Kano

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Mastermind of General’s murder nabbed in Kano

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested one Hashiru Baku, the mastermind behind the murder of the late Brigadier General Harold Udokwere.

Udokwere, who was the national chairman of the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, was murdered by armed robbers who invaded his residence on June 22, 2024, and took away his gun.

The police had arrested and paraded Ibrahim Rabiu, Nafiu Jamil, Aliyu Abdullahi and Mohammed Nuhu in connection with the crime on June 24.

Addressing journalists on Monday while parading arrested suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, said Baku was arrested in Kano while trying to run away from the country.

Igweh said the suspect was an escapee from the Kuje correctional centre.

He said, “ I did show you the four killers, kidnappers, and robbers who went and killed Brigadier General Uwe Harrod (retd.) Today, I will show you the organiser of the killing and the robbery.

“As well, we have recovered the General’s gun that was with him. We have recovered the wristwatch of the General and the wife’s jewelry which they stole from his house.

“The organiser is here and we have arrested him… He was in prison and during the Kuje correctional centre attack, he escaped.

“And instead of him to repent, he continued with more audacity. We arrested him in Kano where he was trying to exit the country.”

The CP said the police recovered 79 bottles of 100ml of codeine drugs in his residence saying that was what they took and they would continue to be high.

He also said the trio of  Ibrahim Yakubu, Uguwu Joseph, and  Mukhata Abdullahi were arrested for armed robbery.

He said, “They came to the FCT to rob. This red vehicle is their operational vehicle. So, as they organised to rob, they didn’t know we had the intelligence. So, we apprehended them where they were to rob. And we recovered these two English pistols and ammunition from them. “

He said eight suspects were arrested at the Kabusa Panteka spot and recovered a trailer containing used car parts, armoured cables, one pickup truck, and two buses with one containing burnt cables among others.

He also said two one-chance operators on the command watchlist had been arrested.

The suspects, according to him, are Saidi Mohammed and Miracle Felix.

Igweh said, “Saidi Mohammed and Miracle Felix, suspected armed robbery suspects who have been on the Command watch list were arrested.

“Suspects confessed to being a gang of one chance operatives who have been operating around Wuse II and Mpape axis for a while now. Suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

W’Bank, AfDB to invest $7.5bn in Nigeria’s power sector

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W’Bank, AfDB to invest $7.5bn in Nigeria’s power sector

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that the World Bank and the African Development Bank have concluded plans to invest $30bn in boosting electricity in Africa.

Of this sum, Adelabu said Nigeria will get about 25 per cent, being $7.5bn.

Adelabu disclosed this during a visit to Splendor Electric Nigeria Limited, a porcelain insulator company located in the Odogbolu area of Ogun State.

According to him, the banks would spend the funds on extending electrification to an additional 300 million Africans in the next five years.

He told the management of the Splendor to get set to partake in the electrification that would soon commence, adding that he was confident that 20 to 25 per cent of the fund would be awarded to Nigeria because of its large population.

“I want to inform you of the proposal or the intention, which is at an advanced stage, by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to spend about $30bn to extend electrification to an additional 300 million Africans within the next five years. And Nigeria is going to participate fully in this. I am confident that nothing less than 20 per cent or 25 per cent of this fund would come into Nigeria because of our population,” the minister disclosed.

Adelabu maintained that the focus of the project would be on the enhancement and upgrade of power infrastructure.

He said efforts were ongoing to revamp the power sector in Nigeria and Africa in general, adding that there would be regional collaboration to save the continent from energy poverty.

Speaking on the Siemens project, he noted that the Presidential Power Initiative involves the construction of thousands of additional lines and tens of new transmission and injection sub-stations.

The Ibadan-born politician mentioned that the pilot stage of the Siemens project is nearing completion, adding that Phase 1 of the project would soon commence.

With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria still grapples with an epileptic power supply, with millions of citizens still wallowing in darkness.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, there are less than 13 million electricity customers in Nigeria.

A report by the International Energy Agency stated that Nigeria’s national power grid collapsed 46 times from 2017 to 2023.

According to the report, Nigerians endured more nationwide blackouts in 2023, especially on September 14 when the grid collapsed due to a fire on a major transmission line. About four more collapses have occurred this year.

Buy me out, Dangote offers to sell refinery to NNPC

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Buy me out, Dangote offers to sell refinery to NNPC

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has made an offer to sell the Dangote Refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Premium Times on Sunday, the businessman expressed his willingness to sell the refinery to address allegations of monopoly in the industry.

He stated that if the NNPCL takes over the refinery, the allegations of monopoly would no longer be valid.

“Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist. That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s OK. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way.

“We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery,” Premium Times quoted him as saying.

This is coming after the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, made claims that the Dangote refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria.

“We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO and direct all marketers to the refinery, that is not good for the nation in terms of energy security. And that is not good for the market, because of monopoly,” Ahmed stated in a video interview with State House correspondents.

Ahmed also alleged that the refinery’s product is inferior.

“In terms of quality, currently the AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as the West African requirement of 50 ppm is concerned.

“Dangote refinery and some modular refineries, like Waltersmith refinery and Aradel refinery, they are producing between 650 to 1,200ppm. So, in terms of quality, their product is much more inferior to the imported quality,” he stated.

Dangote revealed to Premium Times that the challenges his refinery is currently facing have validated the warnings of his friends and associates, who advised him to exercise caution when investing billions of dollars in the Nigerian economy.

“As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.

“This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs,” he said

The Dangote Refinery, which started operations last year after a prolonged construction period, has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

The refinery is aimed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign fuel imports and conserve foreign exchange.

Don’t protest in FCT, CP urges residents

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Don’t protest in FCT, CP urges residents

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, has called on residents and indigenes not to partake in the nationwide protest.

Some groups and citizens had scheduled a nationwide protest for August 1 in response to the economic hardship in the country.

However, the FCT CP, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, urged residents to shun the protest.
He stated that the police have made significant efforts to ensure security in the FCT, adding that the protest could jeopardise it.

Igweh said, “I want to appeal specifically to the residents and indigenes and everybody in the FCT. Please, lions do not destroy their dens. You cannot see a lion who destroys its den. No, I would not like you to join this protest. I plead with you because we have worked hard to ensure your safety.

“We have fought those people outside Abuja. We have been to Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Niger to fight criminals so that you can be safe. I have lost men. Last week alone in Gidango, I lost two policemen. The other day, I lost two more. Let our loss pay for the protest. I want to plead with you.

“We don’t need you to be in the streets before somebody will say they are trying the police’s might. Or you will say, you will do this, you will do that. Please, please, don’t destroy where you are living.”

Igweh added that the government was doing its best by providing good roads.

“If you check, the government has provided good roads. Whether it’s from the minister of FCT or the president, check the streets in FCT, from Wuse to anywhere you can check, even in the hinterlands.

“They are trying their best. I don’t need to talk to anybody, but I’m saying it because we have been in the FCT. We know when there are changes. There are changes now in the FCT.

“And we don’t want miscreants outside the FCT to come and start destroying them. We will go back to square one where we were before. I plead, I beg of you, do not join this protest,” he added.

He urged the FCT residents to ensure the nation’s capital remains safe by shunning the protest.

“Let us continue collectively to make the FCT safe. Let them go and do what they want to do. But not with us.

“Act maturely. Act maturely. Act like people who appreciate. Even the losses we have suffered to ensure your safety. Use it to appreciate us. If you do this, we will be happy. We will continue to provide security for you. God bless all of you,” he said.

Firm seeks N590m to boost operations through commercial paper

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Firm seeks N590m to boost operations through commercial paper

SKLD Integrated Services Limited unveiled its Series 10 and 11 commercial paper issuances to raise N590m.

It disclosed in a statement on Monday that the issuance, facilitated by Afrinvest Capital Limited, was still open and would close on July 24, 2024.

The Group Managing Director at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, Ike Chioke, noted that the move was part of SKLD’s strategy to secure short-term debt capital to enhance its operations and support its ambitious growth plans.

“Afrinvest Capital Limited is pleased to inform you that the Series 10 & 11 Commercial Paper Issuances of SKLD Integrated Services Limited (“SKLD” or “the Issuer” or “the Company”) of up to N590m is still open and scheduled to close on July 24, 2024,” he stated.

SKLD is a provider of educational and office supplies, branded products, garment manufacturing, and humanitarian aid procurement services in Nigeria.

He added that SKLD Relief collaborated with international humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and international NGOs, to supply essential kits for various intervention projects.

Ike added that SKLD had established partnerships with over 500 schools across 20 cities in Nigeria, providing uniforms through its flagship brand, Marcel Hughes Apparel.

Additionally, SKLD’s e-commerce platform, skit.ng serves a growing customer base of over 25,000 annually.

“The Skit Shop subsidiary boasts the largest retail network for back-to-school shopping, with annual revenues of N2.78bn in 2022 and N3.86bn in 2023 and has expanded its retail stores from three in 2020 to seven today.

“SKLD, through its Skit Shop subsidiary, has the largest retail network in the country for all things back-to-school shopping with annual revenue at N2.78bn and N3.86bn in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Skit Shop increased its retail stores from three in 2020 to seven today. These stores are located across commercial hubs in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt,” Ike noted.

He stated that the N590m sought through commercial paper issuance would be used to finance SKLD’s working capital requirements.

“SKLD is seeking to raise to N590m in short-term debt capital to finance its working capital requirements to further consolidate on its growth and operations and diversify its sources of finances,” he stated.

My friend who warned against investing in Nigeria now taunting me – Dangote

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My friend who warned against investing in Nigeria now taunting me – Dangote

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that his friend who earlier warned him against investing in Nigeria is now taunting him for ignoring his advice.

Dangote disclosed this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday just as reports quoted the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority as claiming that diesel from Dangote Refinery is of inferior quality.

“Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his actions in the interest of his country.

“He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.

“That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right,” Dangote was quoted to have said.

He said he invested in the refinery to help solve a major issue in the country, wondering why some people were working against him.

He added, “As you probably know, I am 67 years old. In less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.’

“We have been facing a fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery.

“This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, and run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs.”

The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which came to life last year after a decade of prolonged construction, cost $19 billion, more than double the initial estimate, promising to help wean Africa’s biggest oil producer off its reliance on fuel from overseas and save up 30 per cent of the total foreign exchange spent on importing goods.

On Sunday, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, said it was expecting fresh reports to confirm the real sulphur content of the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery as the company debunked claims of inferior fuel production.

The NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita, in an interview with The According, said the agency had done its job and would not engage in a media fight with anybody over the claims made by the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, that Dangote’s diesel has more sulphur content than imported one.

According to Ene-Ita, the authority has about 15 engineers and scientists embedded in the Dangote refinery, whose fresh report about the refinery’s sulphur content will be out on Monday (today).

Africa’s richest man had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.

But last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority said the Nigerian government was yet to license the Dangote refinery to begin operations in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the state House on Thursday, July 18.

According to Ahmed, the claims of ongoing efforts to scuttle the operations of Dangote refinery due to lack of supply of crude oil by International Oil Companies were not true, adding that the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.

Ahmed added that the diesel product of Dangote was below international standard, a claim which the businessman had refuted.

Enugu warns against enforcing sit-at-home

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Enugu warns against enforcing sit-at-home

The Enugu State Government, on Monday, warned those considering enforcing sit-at-home order in the state to refrain from doing so.

The warning was handed down after a meeting of the State Security Council meeting comprising heads of security agencies, held at the Government House in Enugu.

The council, chaired by the state governor Peter Mbah, addressed the issue of sit-at-home orders, emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order in the state.

The council members stressed that individuals have the right to go about their lawful business without interference.

This follows reports of a call for a sit-at-home by Simon Ekpa.

The state Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, who briefed newsmen shortly after the meeting said, there would be no ungoverned space in Enugu state.

He said, “We are just coming out of the Security Council meeting with the governor and with all the security chiefs in attendance. We took some strategic and critical decisions to ensure that security architecture in the state is further strengthened. We have to give the good people of the Enugu State security guarantee.

“We also resolved that sit-at-home remains an aberration in Enugu State. People should go about their lawful businesses. Any activities or actions by any person or persons that are inimical to the peace of the state, we assure you, they will be ruthlessly dealt with. Any person that disturbs their peace and business, sorry is his name.

“The morale of all the security forces is very high. There is confidence building. Our men are ready to crush any criminal that dares the peace of the state. We are further positioning the security forces in every corner of Enugu State. We will appear to the criminal elements like a ghost and deal with them like a ghost.

“I can assure you that His Excellency has motivated us. We have built the confidence of our men. We have drawn our operational order in line with security needs. We are not relenting on our efforts. People should go about their lawful businesses.”

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