Author: Yusuf Lawal

A meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Organised Labour on the minimum wage issue has ended without a resolution, Naija News reports. The meeting, called by the President, failed to yield a conclusive agreement. According to Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the positions of both parties remain unchanged. Labour is still demanding a minimum wage of N250,000, while the Federal Government is offering N62,000. Ajaero told journalists after the meeting that consultations with the Presidency will continue next week. He also stated that Labour leaders need to report back to their organs and discuss the President’s proposals…

Popular Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has revealed the reason behind his controversial shade at Wizkid during Davido’s wedding. In a recent interview on Backstage Banter with Isi Ijewere, Basketmouth explained that his comment was a deliberate marketing technique to ruffle some feathers and generate buzz for his Canadian tour. “I knew it was going to be edgy. I knew it was going to hit people. I knew they were going to get upset, and they did exactly what I wanted them to do. It worked,” he said, acknowledging that his shade was a tactical move to get attention.…

In a shocking move, Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont has publicly urged US President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, citing concerns over his age and fitness. This makes Welch the first Democratic senator to openly call for Biden to ditch his reelection bid. In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on Wednesday, Welch stated, “For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.” Welch’s bold statement has sparked intense debate and discussion among political circles, with many wondering if other Democrats will follow suit. The call…

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has announced October 9, 2024, as the date for the conduct of local government elections in the state. According to the Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji Cishak, the elections will hold across the 17 local government areas of the state, which are currently being managed by Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen. Cishak made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital. The election is expected to mark a significant milestone in the state’s political calendar, with various political parties and stakeholders expected…

Drake, the renowned Canadian hip-hop artist, has placed a staggering $300,000 bet (approximately N465 million) on Canada’s soccer team to emerge victorious against Argentina in the 2024 Copa América semifinal. If Canada secures a win, Drake stands to gain a whopping $2.88 million. Drake took to social media to share news of his bold wager, posting a message accompanied by a Canadian flag emoji: “This could get Messi.” Canada’s journey to the semifinals has been a remarkable achievement, with the team surpassing expectations under Coach Jesse Marsch. This marks Canada’s inaugural appearance in the prestigious tournament, with the team seeking…

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has cautioned tertiary institutions, particularly universities, against admitting underage students, describing it as “illegal” and “irregular.” Oloyede made this assertion at the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, themed “Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders.” Oloyede recounted a recent incident where a 15-year-old student applied for postgraduate studies in a European country, prompting questions about the validity of their graduation from a Nigerian university. He emphasized the need for accountability, data protection, and integrity in the education system, urging state-owned…

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has turned down ex-Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s request to transfer his N80.2bn fraud trial from Abuja to Kogi State. In a letter dated July 2, the CJ agreed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the trial should proceed in Abuja, citing the commission’s argument that the alleged fraud was partly committed in both Abuja and Lokoja. Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), had applied for the transfer on June 10, but the CJ rejected the application, stating that the case should be tried in Abuja, where…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the federal government a two-week ultimatum to meet its demands, failing which the union may embark on strike. ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Monday. According to Osodeke, the union had agreed with the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, to meet again in two weeks to assess the progress made on their demands. “We will meet to see the progress the government has made and determine our next line of action if they fail to implement the agreements reached,” he said. The demands include…

Lagos State is at the epicenter of a significant cholera outbreak in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The state recorded 104 new cases out of 113 reported cases nationwide in the last week, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.1%. The NCDC data revealed that Lagos State alone reported 533 suspected cholera cases in the last month, contributing significantly to the country’s total of 576 cases. Other affected states include Ogun, Rivers, Katsina, Oyo, Abia, Bayelsa, and Sokoto. The outbreak has resulted in 32 deaths across the country, with a CFR of…

Nigerian football fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has debunked rumors of his retirement from international football. Musa, who did not feature in any of Nigeria’s matches at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, clarified that he has only taken a break from the national team. “I only took a little break from the national team. But I didn’t exit the team,” Musa explained in a chat with reporters after a friendly match he organized. The winger, who last started a game for the national team in 2021, has been without a club…