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President Biden tests positive for Covid-19

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President Biden tests positive for Covid-19

United States President, Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19, says the president and CEO of UnidosUS, Janet Murguía.
I was just on the phone with President Biden. And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon.
“The president has been at many events as we all know and he just tested positive for Covid,” Murguía told attendees.
CNN reports that Biden was expected to speak at the group’s conference in Las Vegas Wednesday night.
Biden, 81, had been scheduled to take the stage an hour and a half prior.
President Biden tests positive for Covid-19

PDP governors charge Nigerian govt, labour to consider states, LGAs in minimum wage negotiation

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PDP governors charge Nigerian govt, labour to consider states, LGAs in minimum wage negotiation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum on Wednesday urged the Federal Government and organised labour to consider the states and local government’s ability to pay the new minimum wage in their negotiation.
The governors made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu and read by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed.
President Bola Tinubu will meet with the leaders of organised labour on the new minimum wage on Thursday in Abuja.
The federal government had proposed N62,000 as the minimum wage for workers in the country while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are pushing for N250,000 because of the current realities in the country.
Mohammed noted that the minimum wage negotiation was becoming unduly protracted in the face of unprecedented hardship in the country.
He stressed that the parties must consider the ability of government at all levels to pay the minimum wage.
He said: “The labour demand which is substantially salary raise is eminently justified and therefore called for proper support of the forum.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraining of utterance and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately lead to the collapse of the economy.”
The post PDP governors charge Nigerian govt, labour to consider states, LGAs in minimum wage negotiation appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Southeast won’t join protest against President Tinubu – Umahi

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Southeast won’t join protest against President Tinubu – Umahi

Ahead of the planned nationwide protest in Nigeria over economic hardship, Minister of Works David Umahi has said that the South-East zone of Nigeria would not be part of any protest against President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi also stated that President Tinubu’s administration is making hard decisions to restore the country’s lost glory.
Umahi made this known in Abakaliki on Wednesday during the stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the alignment for the Ebonyi State 101km segment of the 477km Cross River-South East-North Central-Apo Abuja 6-lane superhighway.
He warned those who are fanning the ember of division in the country to desist from it, as it amounts to a waste of time.
He noted that South-East people are not endangered, and should avoid sit-at-home because of its economic sabotage and self-inflicted injury.
The Works Minister also urged Nigerians to support the legacy projects of Bola Tinubu, explaining that the coastal highway is coming with huge economic benefits that cut across the country.
The high point of the event was the formal unveiling of the third legacy project, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which cuts across Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, and Abuja.
Southeast won’t join protest against President Tinubu – Umahi

Osun Govt adopts DTT to curb unlicensed drivers

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Osun Govt adopts DTT to curb unlicensed drivers

The Osun Government has said it is partnering with stakeholders in the transport sector on Driving Theory Test, DTT, to reduce the number of unlicensed and unfit drivers on highways.
Salaam Adewale, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Senior Special Adviser on Transportation, disclosed this in an interview with journalists during the inauguration of DTT in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Adewale said the reason for the partnership with other transport stakeholders on DTT is to have drivers that are fit and qualified to drive on Osun roads.
He explained that the partnership would go a long way in sanitising the state roads of quack and unfit drivers who endangered the lives of passengers.
“The Driver’s Theory Test is one of the core mandates our Gov. Adeleke gave to the Ministry of Transportation on assumption of office.
“Gone are the days where you can sit in your house and get a driver’s licence, not minding if you can drive a vehicle or not,” Adewale said
He revealed that the Ademola Adeleke administration is working hard towards ensuring zero tolerance to accidents in the state.
Earlier, the Osun Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Inyang Umoh, stated that DTT will sanitise the state roads from unqualified drivers.
Umoh urged drivers to adhere to the DTT initiative, which will help keep their lives and passengers safe.
“The DTT is already operating in some states, especially in the South West. It is a good initiative and will help to checkmate drivers on highways,” he said.
In their separate remarks, Waheed Lawal, Director of Vehicle Inspection Services, and the State Coordinator of Special Marshals in Osun, Gbenga Aluko, said all other states in the southwest have keyed into the initiative to reduce the high level of quack drivers and accidents.
They explained that such collaboration would be of greater benefit not just to driving schools and heads of driver’s licence centres but to drivers and passengers on highways to help reduce accidents.
The theme of the inaugural event is “Ensuring Due Process in Driver’s Licence Processing.”
DTT is a system that ensures that prospective applicants for driver’s licences, after training under a certified driving school, undergo tests, including driving in the presence of Vehicle Inspection Officers, before being allowed to be captured for a licence.
Osun Govt adopts DTT to curb unlicensed drivers

Argentina racist chants video ‘taken out of context’

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Argentina racist chants video ‘taken out of context’

Coach of Argentina’s Olympic football squad, Javier Mascherano said Wednesday that a video showing racist chants by national team players after they won the Copa America was “taken out of context.”

“Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” Mascherano said at Argentina’s pre-Olympic training base in northwestern France.

The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.

“I know Enzo, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t have any problems like that. Often, as part of a celebration, you can take part in a video and take it out of context.

“If there’s one thing we are as a country, it’s an inclusive country. People from all over the world live in Argentina and we treat them as they should be treated,” insisted Mascherano.

The Federation of International Football Association said earlier on Wednesday it was opening an investigation into the chants which date back to the 2022 World Cup final after Argentina beat France.

“FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials,” said a spokesperson for the world’s football governing body.

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The song targets French star striker Kylian Mbappe and includes homophobic insults.

Chelsea have also launched an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez over the incident.

Mascherano also spoke of a “cultural” misunderstanding.

“Sometimes you have to understand the culture of each country, and sometimes what we perceive as a joke can be misinterpreted elsewhere.

“Enzo also made it known on social media that he apologised. Sometimes people try to make things much bigger than they are,” he said.

Argentina begin their Olympic campaign against Morocco on July 24 in Saint-Etienne. They also play Iraq and Ukraine in Lyon in the group stage.

AFP

Pate reaffirms govt commitment to transform health sector

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Pate reaffirms govt commitment to transform health sector

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the country’s health sector, which is aimed at improving healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.

Pate said this on Wednesday during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State.

At the hospital, the minister inaugurated several projects which include a 2,000-bed space medical complex, among others, and also the groundbreaking for the regional ultra-modern radio diagnostic centre for the South-East, among others.

Pate said the hospital represents a part of the FG’s efforts at ensuring quality health delivery to the people.

He commended the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, and his team for the feat, just as he acknowledged efforts of private sector investments in the health sector.

Pate said, “The health sector is undergoing a transformation under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu-led administration, who is focused on improving the healthcare delivery of every Nigerian.

“Such transformation is evident in the area of infrastructure, state-of-art equipment, and quality health services to save lives and prevent diseases.

“This hospital represents part of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure we deliver on our mandate. We also recognise efforts of the private sector in investing in the health sector.”

“We assure the hospital community and indeed the government and good people of the state of continued support to improving the health of the citizens,” the minister added.

In his remarks, the CMD said the event provided a veritable opportunity to honour the foundational members of staff who have contributed significantly to the institution’s development.

Ugboaja said, “Our objective for infrastructural development is to create a world-class healthcare facility that sets the standard for excellence in patient care, medical education and research.”

He explained that the hospital’s relocation to the permanent site was a calculated effort and strong determination to actualise the mission and vision of moving the health facility from analogue to digital operations.

Present at the commissioning was the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, among other dignitaries.

Dangote commends NUPRC interventions in crude supply

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Dangote commends NUPRC interventions in crude supply

Dangote Industries Ltd. has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for its various interventions in the oil company’s crude supply requests from International Oil Companies.

The Vice President of Dangote Industries, Mr Devakumar Edwin, commended the commission in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Edwin said that NUPRC should also be commended for publishing the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) guidelines to enshrine transparency in the oil industry.

He said: “If the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) guidelines are diligently implemented, this will ensure that we deal directly with the companies producing the crude oil in Nigeria as stipulated by the PIA.”

Edwin said that IOCs operating in Nigeria had consistently frustrated the company’s requests for locally produced crude as feedstock for its refining process.

He highlighted that when cargoes were offered to the oil company by the trading arms, it was sometimes at two dollars to four dollars per barrel, a premium above the official price set by NUPRC.

“As an example, we paid $96.23 per barrel for a cargo of Bonga crude grade in April (excluding transport).

“The price consisted of $90.15 dated brent price + $5.08 NNPC premium (NSP) + $1 trader premium.

“In the same month, we were able to buy WTI at a dated brent price of $90.15 + $0.93 trader premium including transport.

“When NNPC subsequently lowered its premium based on market feedback that it was too high, some traders then started asking us for a premium of up to four million dollars over and above the NSP for a cargo of Bonny Light.

“Data on platforms like Platts and Argus shows that the price offered to us is way higher than the market prices tracked by these platforms.

“We recently had to escalate this to NUPRC”, Edwin said, and urged the regulatory commission to take a second look at the issue of pricing,” he added.

Edwin’s comments followed a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, who, in an interview on ARISE News TV, remarked that it was “erroneous” to claim that IOCs were refusing to make crude oil available to domestic refiners.

The statement also quoted Komolafe citing the PIA’s stipulation for a willing buyer-willing seller relationship.

“The NUPRC has been very supportive of the Dangote Refinery, intervening several times to help secure crude supply.

“However, Komolafe’s statement may have been misinterpreted; IOCs have indeed been difficult to deal with directly,” Edwin clarified.

Aside from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL), Edwin noted that the company had only purchased crude directly from one other local producer (Sapetro).

Other producers refer them to their international trading arms, which act as middlemen earning margins from crude produced and consumed in Nigeria without being bound by Nigerian laws or paying local taxes on their earnings.

Edwin recounted a situation where the trading arm of an IOC refused to sell directly to Dangote Refinery and instead suggested using a middleman.

After nine months of dialogue, the issue was resolved with the help of NUPRC.

“When we entered the market to purchase crude for August, international trading arms informed us they had entered their Nigerian cargoes into a Pertamina (the Indonesian National Oil Company) tender.

“We had to wait for the tender to conclude to see what was available,” Edwin said.

Edwin urged NUPRC to revisit pricing, emphasising that market liquidity was essential for a willing seller-willing buyer basis.

He suggested that domestic crude supply obligations should specify volume obligations per producer and a transparent pricing formula to prevent price gouging.
“The fact that the domestic crude supply obligation as defined in the PIA has gaps is no reason for wisdom not to prevail,” Edwin said.

NAN.

ASCSN crisis: Opposing group bars court-reinstated president from accessing office

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ASCSN crisis: Opposing group bars court-reinstated president from accessing office

The end of the leadership tussle in the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, appears not to be in sight as a faction led by one Tommy Okon on Wednesday barred the court-reinstated president of the body, Innocent Bola-Audu, from accessing the National Secretariat in Abuja.
Bola-Audu, with his supporters, stormed the ASCSN office to resume duty as the National President following his recent reinstatement by an order of court but the move was resisted by the Okon group.
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on July 9, 2024, voided the purported suspension of Bola-Audu and subsequently ordered his reinstatement as the authentic President of ASCSN until his tenure is completed.
In the judgement delivered virtually, Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola held that the suspension of Bola-Audu by the Central Working Committee of the ASCSN and his subsequent expulsion by the National Working Committee was “unlawful, illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
The court reasoned that Bola-Audu ought to have been reinstated as the President of ASCSN after a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, had dismissed all criminal charges filed against him by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP.
“The 3rd defendant (Tommy Okon) cannot continue to act as the acting president but can return to his position as Vice President if the union wishes,” the court stated.
In the bid to enforce the court order, the reinstated president got to the gate of the office complex but met it under lock and key with armed policemen and some members said to be loyal to Tommy Okon inside.
All efforts to prevail on the opposing group to respect the court judgement were rebuffed as a large crowd of ASCSN members loyal to Bola-Audu were turned back despite the presence of armed policemen and newsmen.
Reacting to the situation, Babatunde Adewusi, a lawyer for Bola-Audu, expressed dismay at the way the police handled the chaos.
“The President of ASCSN, Innocent Bola-Audu, is here to occupy his office following his reinstatement by the National Industrial Court on July 9, 2024.
“But in total disregard and disobedience to the court order and rule of law, some persons have decided to take laws into their hands by refusing the President access to his office.
“The people in question are not in doubt aware of the court judgement. The ambit of that judgement says he is now the President of the Association. It is a declaratory judgement.
“To begin to stay enforcement is to try and create another situation out of it. This is where the police should look at, and not at enforcement. Nobody is talking about enforcement here, let us not get it twisted,” he said.
Bola-Audu did not hide his feelings about the way the police approached the issue.
“These people escorted me to the office but we were denied access, and there was nothing the police could do about it.
“The DSP, the ACP, and all their senior officers came; they did not even border to respect anybody.
“Honestly, if the police had done the right thing, we would not be here. The police refused to invite them out and they locked me outside,” Bola-Audu said.
All efforts by newsmen to speak with Tommy Okon were bluntly refused, insisting he would not entertain any questions from the media over the matter.
ASCSN crisis: Opposing group bars court-reinstated president from accessing office

Shun protest, govt is aware of hardships –  Zulum 

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Shun protest, govt is aware of hardships –  Zulum 

Borno State Governor, Babagana  Zulum on Wednesday urged citizens to desist from protesting over hardships faced in the country.

The governor said that the hike in the prices of food and other commodities was temporary and assured that the government at all levels was working to ease the hardships.

Zulum disclosed this during a multi-stakeholder meeting he convened at the Government House in Maiduguri.

He said, “While the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, we must acknowledge the high likelihood of such actions being manipulated by anarchists and enemies of peace. These elements thrive on chaos and discord, seeking to derail our collective efforts and exploit our vulnerabilities.

“Such manipulation could lead to violence, property destruction, and a setback in the progress we have painstakingly achieved. It is within this context that I urge you all to reflect deeply on the path we choose to take.”

The governor noted that the impact is temporary saying, “While this hardship exists today, we are also aware that the negative impacts are temporary. It is our hope that we will ride the wave of this hardship to arrive at the shores of prosperity. We will do whatever it takes, and we are doing whatever it takes and more, to protect the dignity, pride and independence of our people. The leadership is not asleep. The leadership has not given up the fight for a better Borno State, despite our underlying problems. The leadership at the federal level has not given up on Nigeria.

“Our current socio-economic circumstances do not result from a lack of empathy for others’ plights or inaction to address pressing issues. The government (at the state and federal levels) is taking necessary measures to tackle challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment, and healthcare.”
Speaking further, the governor noted that with time, patience and the collective effort of all stakeholders the measures being taken to bear fruits.

“It is vital that we do not aggravate the situation or jeopardise the returning peace in our state. Any attempt to join the protest could have adverse consequences for the lives and property of our people.

“Therefore, I am appealing to all stakeholders to ponder the consequences the intended protest might cause our beloved State and consider how we collectively can address the challenges facing us,” the governor stated.

He said the people of Borno State cannot allow a return to the dark days of tears, fears and losses of lives and livelihoods.

“To bring back Borno State, as your elected leader, I have done and continue to do the very best for the people of Borno State. There is not enough time to list what we have done,” he said.

Defend Africa from illegal exploiters, Tinubu tasks solid minerals ministers

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Defend Africa from illegal exploiters, Tinubu tasks solid minerals ministers

President Bola Tinubu has asked solid minerals ministers across African countries to be patriotic and proactive in managing the continent’s natural wealth and combatting illegal exploitation.

Tinubu said this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation of African Ministers of Solid Minerals under the auspices of African Minerals Strategy Group led by the Chairman, Mr. Dele Alake, at the State House, Abuja.

He urged the ministers to defend Africa against illegal exploiters of the continent’s mineral resources.

“We will lead the continent to self-realisation on the value of our minerals and economic ingenuity, and this will occur as we free it from undue exploitation and abuse,’’ the President said.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed details of Wednesday’s talk in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu to Africa’s ministers of solid minerals: Defend Africa and extend sustainable uplift ment to our people.’

In his remarks, Mr. Alake, who is the Minister of Solid Minerals, said the group was formed out of necessity and the realisation of the “divide and rule tactics’’ that have weakened the negotiating power of African countries in the global market.

He explained that among the various international fora held to strategize on solid minerals in Africa, the one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, early in the year brought up many issues, especially on the need for Africans to seize the opportunity that the global energy transition offers.

“The world needs critical metals for energy transition; green energy, and these critical metals are largely deposited in Africa.

“So, African nations and representatives at that Riyadh Conference came together and decided that if we do not come together and speak with one voice, then those who have exploited Africans for centuries will continue to do so,’’ the Minister stated.

Alake said divide-and-rule tactics have been consistently used over many years to weaken the bargaining power of African countries and the real valuation of their natural assets.

“They have been employing divide and rule tactics so all ministers in Riyadh from Africa came together and we had presentations and adopted the local value-addition policies, which have been recommended for all African countries and a number of presidents have started making pronouncements on policies along the line.

“At that Riyadh Conference, this group was formed so as to synthesize all our ideas, synergize among African countries and have, where it is feasible, uniformity of policies so that no investor can come to Nigeria that he wants to invest in a particular area, and if our terms are too stringent, he goes to Benin Republic, Congo, or Malawi, and all that.

“We saw that if we all come together to form a common policy direction, and when an investor comes to Nigeria and meets a brick wall, he will meet a brick wall in all other African countries and will be compelled to return to the first country.

“So, the issue of divide and rule which has been a mechanism used to exploit our continent for centuries will no longer be tenable,’’ the Minister said.

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