Author: Binta Agboola

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants, surpassing the national minimum wage. Fubara’s approval came during a meeting with organized labour representatives at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The new wage takes effect in November 2024, with a technical committee formed to address potential arrears. Joint Public Service Negotiating Council Chairman, Emecheta Chuku, praised Fubara’s gesture, citing goodwill towards workers. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, noted Rivers State now has the highest minimum wage, surpassing Lagos State. Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, confirmed the…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued an ultimatum to the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) to provide documents explaining the cancellation of the 2025 AFCON qualifying Group D match against Nigeria. This development comes after Nigeria’s Super Eagles pulled out of the game, initially scheduled for October 15. The Nigerian team’s plane was diverted to Labraq Airport, where players were held hostage for 18 hours without access to basic necessities like the internet, food, and water. This incident sparked outrage and raised concerns about player safety. According to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel, CAF Secretary-General Nasser Al-Suwaie confirmed that both Libyan…

American rapper Cardi B has made a shocking declaration that she’s quitting alcohol for good. The nursing mother of three made the pledge after celebrating her 32nd birthday in style with a lavish party in New York City. In a candid Instagram Stories video, Cardi B confessed, “I will never, ever drink again. I will never. Pray for me. Wait, I’m still drunk.” This sudden change of heart comes on the heels of her recent birthday festivities. Cardi B’s vow to quit drinking follows a tumultuous period in her personal life. Last month, she welcomed her third child with estranged…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has categorically denied reports of a planned impeachment against him, describing the claims as baseless and malicious. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio attributed the speculation to “fifth columnists” spreading misinformation and mischief. Akpabio emphasized that every senator is focused on raising the bar of legislative agenda and nation-building, with no cracks in the Upper Chamber or plots against his leadership. He reaffirmed his commitment to transformational leadership, effective collaboration with other arms of government, and addressing pressing national issues. The Senate President’s response comes after…

The Nigerian Naira has joined the ranks of the Ethiopian Birr and South Sudanese Pound as the worst-performing currencies in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank’s latest Africa’s Pulse report. The report reveals that the Naira lost approximately 43% of its value as of August 2024, primarily due to increased demand for US dollars and limited dollar inflows. “Surges in demand for US dollars in the parallel market… combined with limited dollar inflows and slow foreign exchange disbursements to currency exchange bureaus by the central bank explain the weakening of the naira.” On Tuesday, the Naira plummeted to N1658.97…

The national electricity grid collapse on Monday evening has sparked outrage, with former presidential candidate Peter Obi describing it as a “national shame”. This recurring disaster has once again exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure, leaving many in darkness. According to reports, power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 pm to 3.56GW at 6 pm and 0.00GW at 7 pm and 8 pm. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the grid collapse in a statement on Monday evening. Obi emphasized that the repeated failures of the power system are a significant obstacle to the nation’s growth and economic…

In a significant political shift, approximately 1,000 All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Kano State have defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The defection occurred in Tofa and Ghari Local Government Areas, with the former APC members aligning themselves with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya Movement. According to reports, the state NNPP chairman, Dr. Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, warmly welcomed the new members during ceremonies held in both locations. The events also marked the launch of NNPP’s chairmanship campaign for the upcoming local government elections. NNPP candidates Yakubu Ibrahim Adis (Tofa) and Hashimu Mai Sabulu (Ghari) expressed optimism about…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Senator Ali Ndume, former Chief Whip of the Senate, to channel his advice to President Bola Tinubu through private means rather than publicly criticizing the government’s policies. This call was made by APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday. Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, had recently expressed concerns about the government’s handling of the economy, stating that certain individuals close to President Tinubu were pushing harmful reforms aimed at destabilizing the government. “Those who are bent on making the President look bad will stop at…

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has taken swift action by suspending his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Alhaji Bashir Ado, due to an alleged premature statement regarding the approval of a N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state. This decision was made public through a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim, in Dutse on Saturday. The Jigawa State Government expressed serious concern over the circulating statement, which claimed that Governor Namadi had approved the new minimum wage. However, according to Ibrahim, “This sounds embarrassing and premature as the committee headed by the Head…

The Nigerian currency ended the week on a sour note, depreciating against the US dollar at the foreign exchange market. Data from FMDQ revealed a significant drop, with the naira weakening to N1641.27 per dollar on Friday, down from N1622.57 on Thursday, resulting in an N18.7 loss. This decline marks a reversal of the naira’s previous gain, which had seen it appreciate by 0.16% to N1,622.57/$1 on Thursday. Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s interventions, the FX market has experienced persistent fluctuations. The naira has seesawed between losses and gains against the dollar throughout the week. Meanwhile, the black market…