By Salif Atojoko
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday increased the Federal Government’s offer on the national minimum wage from N62,000 to N70,000, with an assurance that it will be reviewed after three years, instead of five years.

Tinubu said he had to intervene in the negotiations, knowing the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians, and the need to provide urgent succour.

He said this at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.

“I have heard all your presentations. You came here with the intention to get something on behalf of your members. It has been tough globally. And if you review my track record, I have never been found wanting in ameliorating the problem of workers.

“I belong to the people and to all of you in leadership. Without you, this job is not interesting,” the President said, in statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, his spokesman.

He said the labour leaders challenged the thinking faculty of leadership, “and we have reviewed the position. I have consulted widely, and when the tripartite committee submitted their reports, I reviewed them again and started to think and rethink.

“Last week, I brought the workload to you because we have a timeline. We have a problem, and we recognise that you have a problem too.

“We are in the same economy. We are in the same country. We may have different rooms, different addresses, and different houses; we are just members of one family that must care for each other.

“We must look at the parameters of things. Here, I have a speed limit, and I must pay attention to traffic warnings; slippery when wet, curved roads, and be careful not to have an accident. That is why I went as far as having this meeting today.”

He said the government and labour leaders were driving the economy together.

“Let us look at the tenure of review. Let us agree on that, and affirm three years. Two years is too short. We affirm three years. We will review.

“I am going to move from the tripartite committee. I am going to edge a little bit forward, looking at the review that we have done.

“Yes, no one in the federal establishment should earn less than N70,000. So, we are going to benchmark at N70,000,” he said.

Tinubu explained that renewing the hope of Nigerians extended to providing infrastructure that would improve their livelihoods and create an inclusive economy that all could participate and benefit.

The President said the government was committed to reducing the cost of transportation with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, which would be cheaper and efficient.

He also assured the labour unions of providing buses that would be deployed across the country.

President Tinubu also said the entitlements of members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions would be considered.

He  urged the Ministries of Finance, and Budget & Economic Planning to look at the possibilities of clearing the backlog.

At the meeting, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, thanked the President for his consideration of issues as the “Father of the Nation” and scheduling two meetings to resolve the initial impasse.

“Mr President, at the tripartite meeting, and the resolutions of the government, Organised Private Sector and labour unions; we were all united as one family to promote and grow our economy, and deepen our democracy, by implication to the benefit of all.

“Basically, that is what we are saying today. We have a listening President here,” said Akume.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, and Comrade Festus Osifo, his TUC counterpart, thanked the President for creating time to host two meetings on the review of the national minimum wage.

The two labour leaders acknowledged that at the last meeting, the President directed the rescheduling of an official trip in order to attend the second meeting.

The labour leaders also expressed their appreciation to the President, applauding him for his clear show of commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja called for the enhancement of the economic value of bilateral relations between Nigeria and partner nations.

The president spoke when he received Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Portugal, Jorge Adao Martins Dos Santos; the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Biu Quoc Hung; and the State of Kuwait, Salim Khalifa Mohammed Almuzayen, at the Presidential Villa. 

Tinubu expressed his appreciation for Nigeria’s long-standing relations with Portugal and the shared interest in the areas of trade and culture, as well as partnership in oil and gas, which had translated into gains for both countries.

“It is good to have you in Nigeria. I am happy you are familiar with Nigeria and the environment.

“I believe that with your presence, our bilateral relations will be further improved. I am happy you are also present in other West African countries. 

“I have been informed of your economic interest in Nigeria. We need to work together for more localised productions as regards mineral deposits.

“I have an open-door policy, and you can always reach me through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and my Chief of Staff, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila,” the president said. 

To the Ambassador of Vietnam, President Tinubu said the manufacturing sector in Nigeria was ready to benefit from the automating skills and technology of the Asian country.

“Thank you for coming to work in Nigeria. We share a lot with Vietnam in terms of diversity and values. 

“We really value our bilateral agreements with your country, Vietnam, especially in the area of technology. We look forward to adding more value to the partnership with you in terms of collaboration for development,” he said. 

President Tinubu also thanked the ambassador of Kuwait for his country’s long-standing good relations with Nigeria and extended his appreciation to the Emir and the Crown Prince. 

“I am glad we are pulling strings to enhance the value of our relationship. We are both committed to the development of our people and will explore opportunities for economic ties. I have an open-door policy so you can always reach me,” the president said. 

In his response, the Ambassador of Portugal said investors from his country had a keen interest in Nigeria, and that the trade with Nigeria on gas predated the war between Russia and Ukraine, and would be sustained. 

“I will work on our agreements on improving economic relations. There is no shortage of interest in the areas of development where we can be partners.

“We are one of the highest buyers of gas from Nigeria, and we remain grateful for the supplies. 

“Portuguese companies are also handling the rail line construction from Kano to Niger Republic. It will be ready in two years,” the Portuguese Ambassador said.

His Vietnamese counterpart said: “Under your leadership, I see Nigeria overcoming most of her challenges and taking its place among the happiest people in the world.”

Hung added that he was in the country to strengthen relations and improve economic ties. 

The Ambassador of Kuwait assured President Tinubu that he would do his best to strengthen bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both countries. (NAN) 

By Victor Okoye

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, on Thursday said that the Federal Government had approved more than N12 billion as the budget for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Paris Olympics, which is its 33rd edition, is scheduled to hold from July 26 to Aug. 11 in France.

Similarly, the Paralympics is expected to hold from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

He said, ”We have a budget of over N12 billion which has been approved by the federal government.

”The budget is divided into two parts; N9 billion for the Olympics, while over N 3 billion has been earmarked for the Paralympics.

”There are various provisions for the athletes and their welfare in the budget and before the team leaves for Paris I am going to have the opportunity of visiting them.

”Just as I did in Accra, Ghana, during the African Games, I am going to let them know from A to Z all what their entitlements are.”

He also said that the Team Nigeria were still at their training camp in Germany, adding that the team’s Captain to the Olympics would be unveiled shortly before their departure.

The Minister also said that his target was to ensure that the team surpassed the achievements of the 1996 Olympic Games, which he described as the best outing of Team Nigeria till date.

NAN reports that the 1996 Olympics remains Nigeria’s most successful games, with six medals won in total.

Chioma Ajunwa won gold in the Long Jump, while the U-23 male football team also won their event.

The quartet of Falilat Ogunkoya, Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf and Charity Opara won silver in the 4×100 meters relay.

Ogunkoya also won a bronze medal in the women’s 400-meter race, Mary Onyali also won a bronze medal in the women’s 200-meter sprint.

Also, Duncan Dokiwari earned a third-place finish in the men’s Super Heavyweight boxing event.

He said that he had tried to put forth ”a leadership that is personal and engaging on a constant basis” in order to motivate the athletes and get them to feel appreciated by the country.

”As the Sports minister, my aspiration is to surpass records that were earlier set.

”I am not talking about the Olympics of the last four years, but we are taking it from the Olympics of 1996, which remains our best ever performance.

”We are working really hard, both in terms of the arrangements and preparations by my performance team that have been in Germany ever since the camp opened.

”They have been working with the athletes and I am getting positive reports about what the team is able and ready to achieve,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation of President Bola Tinubu as well as other stakeholders for their commitment and support for the team.

He said that the House of Representatives yesterday (Wednesday), announced the sum of N100 million as their support for Team Nigeria.

He also thanked the media for their support to the team and in ensuring that all the ministry’s activities and achievements in the last one year were highlighted and given adequate coverage.

”We went for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire where the Super Eagles gave a good account of themselves, finishing as runners up in the tournament.

”We also went to the 13th African Games where Nigeria performed brilliantly, finishing second out of 53 participating countries in Ghana, with 47 gold, 34 silver and 40 bronze medals.

”There have also been in-between competitions involving our different sporting federations where our athletes gave a good account of themselves.

”We are immensely grateful to the media for your continuous coverage and reportage of all these events, in spite of all the challenges,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Salif Atojoko

The new N70,000 minimum wage adopted by the Federal Government after consultation with the Organised Labour on Thursday will be reviewed after three years.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while addressing State House correspondents.

He disclosed this after the meeting between representatives of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu and the Organised Labour.

The Minister also said President Tinubu agreed that the national minimum wage review would no longer be done every five years.

Idris also said President Tinubu would perfect the proposal on the new minimum wage in a bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly next week.

“We’re happy to announce today that both the federal government and Organised Labour have agreed on an increase on the N62,000.

“The new national minimum wage that we expect to be submitted to the National Assembly for legislation is N70,000.

“But that is not all. Mr President has assured of massive investment in infrastructure. There is also a deepening of the investment of the Federal Government in renewable energy,” he said.

Idris said to complement the new minimum wage, the Federal Government would ramp up the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses in order to check the high cost of transportation.

He said that efforts were also being made to improve the economy and reduce inflation, including the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports to bring down the prices of food items.

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour, said that the issue of minimum wage was not that of the law and not who was right, or who would blink first.

“He said that he is our father, like he has always said. That, first and foremost, the review of this minimum wage policy has to be reduced to three years, that five years is too long a time to get any minimum wage review.

“And of course, that Labour should look at the indices of the economy and accept N70,000, minimum wage,” she said.

Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that the labour unions agreed to the new minimum wage, shifting ground from their original N250, 000 proposal.

“The amount of N70,000 happens to be where we are now. But the good thing about it is that will not wait for another five years to come for review.

“Rather than settling on a figure that we wait for five years, is like we’ll have to now negotiate even two times within five years, with a view to going up.

“That is one of the reasons we decided to reach where we are today. Because of the proviso that we can review in the next three years,” he said.

He also spoke on strike embarked upon on Thursday by the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

Ajaero said the President had asked the agencies concerned to work out the modalities for the payment of those workers in the universities.

Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the catch on the approved wage was the issue of five years review, which Labour had been pushing for.

“The next review will be in three years. And after that, pronouncement, we from labour we have received what the President has promised from both ends,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N70,000 minimum wage is about 133 per cent increase over the old minimum wage of N30,000, which came into effect in 2019.

President Tinubu had met with Organised Labour over the new minimum wage last week where he declared that Nigerian workers deserved improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions.

The President also said he was concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration was working on a wage that will beacceptable to all. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Salif Atojoko

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, said he was leveraging new opportunities for climate finance and de-risking platforms.

Ngelale said that this was aimed at boosting renewable energy technology manufacturing in Nigeria.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, he said that series of engagements with major stakeholders continue to be held towards this end.

“I welcomed the Executive Vice President of Oando Clean Energy, Mr Demola Ogunbanjo, Member of U.S. President Joe Biden’s Advisory Council on African Relations, Ms Mimi Alemayehou, and USAID Director for Economic Growth and Sustainability, Ms Michelle Corzine.

“Later, I hosted a virtual call with the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Supo Olusi and his team,” the Presidential Envoy said.

He said the participants discussed and profiled existing climate finance partnerships and projects with a view to expanding them.

Ngelale added that the meetings also discussed methods for establishing new linkages for the growth of the localised green industry in Nigeria.

He said he also held a productive discussion with a technical team from the British High Commission led by its Climate Head, Mrs Martine Sobey.

He said this meeting explore the new opportunities for deepened collaboration across multiple spheres of climate action.

“Later on Wednesday night, I compared notes with the Country Lead on NDC Partnerships, Mr Huzi Mshelia.

“We assessed current progress on adjustments being made and to ensure that nothing in the pipeline is delayed,” said Ngelale. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday charged African leaders to combat exploitation of the continent’s solid minerals.

The President said this when he received a delegation of African Ministers of Solid Minerals under the auspices of African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).

The group was led to the President by its Chairman, Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, at the State House.

“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.

In his remarks, Alake said the group was formed out of necessity and the realisation of the “divide and rule tactics’’ that had weakened the negotiating power of African countries in the global market.

He explained that the international fora held to strategise on solid minerals in Africa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier in the year, highlighted the need for Africans to seize the opportunity that the global energy transition offered.

“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,” he stated.

Alake said, “divide and rule tactics’’ had 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, 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,” he said.

According to him, at the Riyadh Conference, this group was formed to synergise among African countries to ensure uniformity of policies.

He said this would prevent a situation where an investor would come to Nigeria to invest in a particular area, and if the terms were too stringent, go to Benin Republic, Congo, or Malawi.

“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. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Salif Atojoko

Students loans is a tool to fighting poverty in the country, President Bola Tinubu says on Wednesday at the inauguration of the scheme.

Tinubu said the scheme also aligned with his administration’s commitment to inclusiveness, adding that it would be sufficiently funded.

“Democracy is all about inclusiveness. Our target is to build a society on successful inclusiveness,” he said.

Tinubu said that education is essential for vision, development, and successfully combating insecurity, including terrorism and banditry.

The President presented cheques to students from each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), announced that N32 billion was currently available for disbursement to kickstart the programme.

He said since the portal opened on May 25, 164,000 students had registered, with 103,000 applying for loans.

“The effect of providing this opportunity for the most needy Nigerians, the people who probably will look after us, or whose decisions will impact on us in our old age, cannot be underestimated.

“And I’m sure you’ve all heard that fortune favours the brave and this courageous move will bring fortune not just to the President, but to the entire nation,” said Sawyerr.

Lucky Emonefe, President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said Nigerian students were happy that the loan has become a reality.

“It was first a Bill, then an Act and today the President has launched and disbursed it. We are very proud of this. We, as Nigerian students, will call it a new dawn in the education sector.

“During the presidential disbursement today, you could see people applying; whatever background you belong to, you can assess the loan.

“It is so transparent, once you apply you will get it, irrespective of your status, your age and your class.

“And we can say that, yes, Nigerian students now have access to higher education.

“We are proud of this. And this is a good legacy and a good investment in the development of our dear nation. We are all excited, it is a new dawn in the education sector and we are very happy.” Emonefe said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Pic 12. President Bola Tinubu presenting a cheque to Obilor Justice Ikechukwu, Student of Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo State during the Presidential launch of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (17/7/2024)

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Pic 13. President Bola Tinubu presenting a cheque to Fatima Hambali student of Bayero University Kano, during the Presidential launch of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (17/7/2024)

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Pic 14. President Bola Tinubu presenting a cheque to Favour Ishaya, student of Federal College of Education Pankshin Plateau State, during the Presidential launch of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (17/7/2024)

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Pic 15. President Bola Tinubu presenting a cheque to Aminu Garba, student of Federal College of Education Technology Gusau Zamfara State, during the Presidential launch of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (17/7/2024)

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By Segun Giwa

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has advocated for digital birth registration for children in Nigeria.

Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for South-West, said this at a two-day media dialogue on e-birth registration on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the media dialogue was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and National Population Commission (NPC), Lagos Office.

The event has as its theme: “A media dialogue to drive E-birth registration in South-West Nigeria”.

Lafoucriere said that e-birth registration was important to give every child the right to have an identity that he or she deserve.

According to Lafoucriere, e-birth registration is very important to national planning and development, adding that it should be a right of every child from birth.

She said that once the target of e-registration was met, it would be a game changer for Nigeria and help government to generate valid statistics for planning.

“It is important to give every child an identity and this can be achieved through the registration.

“E-registration is important to generate statistics for effective planning. If adequate statistics is not available, government might not be able to adequately plan for children,” she said.

In his presentation, Denis Onoise, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, said that NPC was targeting more than nine million birth registrations for children under five years and four million registrations for children under one year.

Onoise said that to achieve proper e-registration for children in the country, there was the need to partner with primary health centres.

The UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, however, said the available statistics shows that people in the rural areas registered their children during birth with 78.90 per centu than those in the urban areas with 44.8 per cent.

Onoise said the integration of birth registration with the National Identification Number (NIN ) would go a long way in providing adequate data in the country.

According to him, there are 4,000 registration centres across the 774 local government areas of the country.

In his remarks, Mr Bamidele Sadiku, NPC, Lagos State Director, said that e-birth registration platform would provide better lives for Nigerians and prevent double birth and death registrations in the country.

The NPC boss also said that the commission was planning to partner with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to link both registrations with the NIN.

“From time to time, we receive complaint from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other security agencies on the issue of birth registration.

“But e-registration, will solve multiple birth and death registration, because it will be linked with NIN. This will give identity to every child that is born in the country.

“The synergy with NIN is there already. It is good and it will help us to have a common database.

“We need the media to give us the support to send this message across Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Mrs Toyin Oke, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Youth and Social Development, said the state government was doing everything possible to secure the future of the children with e-birth registration.

Represented by Mrs Adeola Olabisi, the Director of Public Finance in the ministry, Oke said the media was very important in the drive for e-birth registration in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Tayo Ikujuni