Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Ibadan Airport goes international status

    Ibadan Airport goes international status

    In a significant milestone for Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde has secured the approval of President Bola Tinubu to upgrade Ibadan Airport to an international status, paving the way for increased economic development and regional integration.

    He made this known on Wednesday, while receiving the Chief of Air Staff of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar who paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Governor Makinde said he would be heading to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja later today to get necessary documentation to that effect, assuring that work on the project would commence as soon as all documentation had been perfected.

    He said further that the runway will be expanded and a new terminal will be built when the project commences, adding that a team had been constituted to implement the project which he said would boost the economy of the state.

    Governor Makinde solicited the input of personnel of the Air Force in the state in ensuring that the project meets the required operating standards.

    Recall that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde during state of the state address recently promised that pilgrims from the state for the 2024 Hajj will airlifted from the Ibadan Airport.

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar, earlier in his remarks, said he was in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital as part of an operational tour to Air Force formations across the country.

    He commended Governor Makinde for his administration’s support to the armed forces, especially the Air Force Base in the state.

  • JUST IN: Dangote Refinery contains minor fire at its effluent treatment plant

    JUST IN: Dangote Refinery contains minor fire at its effluent treatment plant

    The management of Dangote Refinery has reacted to reports of a fire incident at its refinery on Wednesday, saying the ‘minor fire’ occurred at its Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and has been swiftly contained.

    Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer for Dangote Group, confirmed the development in a statement made available to Tribune Online.

    He assured the public that there was no cause for alarm as the refinery continued to operate normally and no injuries or harm was reported among the staff on duty.
     
    “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP) today, Wednesday, 26th of June. There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating, and there is no recorded injury or body harm to all our staff on duty,” Chiejina stated

  • Atiku Departs Nigeria 

    Atiku Departs Nigeria 

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, departed Abuja for Europe on Wednesday.

    The former Vice President has faced significant criticism for often leaving Nigeria soon after each election.

    In contrast to the post-2015 and 2019 elections, Atiku stayed in the country for several months following the 2023 election.

    During this time, he engaged in party activities and consultations that many believe are in preparation for the 2027 elections.

    Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, stated on Wednesday that the former Vice President had gone on a brief foreign business trip accompanied by family members, friends, and associates.

    The statement read in part, “Nigeria’s leading opposition figure and former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has embarked on a business trip to Europe.

    “The former Vice President departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 11 AM on Wednesday, the 26th of June, 2024, for his first port of call.

    “He was accompanied to the airport by family members, friends, and associates.

    “This morning, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar proceeded on a short foreign business trip. He will be back in the country soon.

  • Raising Minimum Wage Above N62,000 Will Lead to Job Losses, NECA Warns

    Raising Minimum Wage Above N62,000 Will Lead to Job Losses, NECA Warns

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has warned that approving a minimum wage above N62,000 could result in significant job losses.

    NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, voiced this concern during a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja. His comments came during the third edition of the Nigeria Employers Summit, which focused on “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility.”

    Oyerinde emphasized that the organized private sector cannot afford a minimum wage higher than N62,000, a figure agreed upon during tripartite committee negotiation meetings. He cautioned that exceeding this amount could lead to non-compliance and subsequent legal battles.

    “Setting a national minimum wage that businesses cannot sustain will inevitably result in litigation and crises,” Oyerinde stated.

    In response to allegations of delays in the wage review process, Oyerinde clarified that there have been no unnecessary delays and that the process is actively progressing.

    “There is no waiting game, and I think we must put all this into context. It is misinformation,” he said.

    He explained that after the tripartite committee submits its recommendations to the president, a bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislation. He also mentioned that labor groups can advocate for an expedited process.

  • Federal Govt commences toll collection on Keffi- Makurdi Highway

    Federal Govt commences toll collection on Keffi- Makurdi Highway

    The federal government has commenced the collection of toll on the newly reconstructed Keffi-Makurdi highway.

    The rates as announced by the operator indicate that trucks shall pay a toll of N1,600 while commercial buses and light vehicles shall pay N500.
    Regular cars and SUV/Jeeps shall pay a toll of N500 and N800, respectively.

    Motorists who spoke to Nigerian Anchor expressed support for the collection of the toll, so long as the money shall be ploughed into maintenance of the road.

    Even though road statistics are not really up to date, estimates indicate that Nigeria has a total network of about 36,000 kilometres of federal highways.

    Most of the federal highways are in a very deplorable state. The current decision to toll some of the recently upgraded roads is to enable the government to derive revenue for maintenance and to extend repair work on other roads.

    Experts suggest that private funding should be harnessed through various concessional arrangements for the construction of the roads.

  • FEC Steps Down Minimum Wage Memo For Consultation

    FEC Steps Down Minimum Wage Memo For Consultation

    The federal Executive Council (FEC) has stepped down the memo on the new minimum wage.

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House Correspondents that 39 items were on the agenda and all were taken.

    On the Minimum wage, he said there was a report by the Tripartite committee which comprises of local government, States , NLC/ TUC and the federal government.

    He said the Tripartite Committee submitted its report and there was a memo to that effect.

    He, however, said Council could not take a decision on it because it involves Local Government, states, FG, Organized Private Sector and Labour unions.

    He therefore said the memo on the new minimum wage was stepped down so that President Bola Tinubu could consult widely before a final submission is made to the National Assembly.

  • NLC Committee Storms Headquarters, Demands Abure’s Resignation

    NLC Committee Storms Headquarters, Demands Abure’s Resignation

    Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress national transition committee, on Tuesday, stormed the headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja, demanding the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, Julius Abure.

    The Acting Chairman of the transition committee, Aduwaheed Omar, led members of the labour union to the secretariat, chanting solidarity songs and calling for the resignation of Abure on grounds that his tenure as the chairman of the party had expired.

    Our correspondent at the scene of the protest noted, that when the officials arrived at the Party’s headquarters, the gates were immediately shut by security officials.

    However, in an attempt to force their way into the premises, the police fired teargas to dispatch the protesters.

    Protesters were later heard shouting endlessly at the security men to “open the gate”.

  • BREAKING: NELFUND postpones student loan application for state-owned institutions

    BREAKING: NELFUND postpones student loan application for state-owned institutions

    The Management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund on Tuesday announced a 14-day postponement of the application process for student loan for state institutions due” to low data submissions,” a statement by the agency said in Abuja.

    The Fund said the decision was necessitated by the failure of several state-owned institutions to upload the required student data and fee information to the NELFUND Student Verification System.

    “To date, only a limited number of state-owned institutions have successfully completed the data submission process. These include 20 state universities out of 48, 12 state colleges out of 54, and 2 state polytechnics out of 49.

    “While we acknowledge the efforts of these institutions, the failure to submit data from the remaining state institutions poses significant challenges to ensuring a seamless and accurate verification process for student loan applicants.

    “The application window, initially set to open on June 25, 2024, will now commence on July 10, 2024.”

    The Fund said the extension will provide additional time for state institutions to comply with the data submission requirements and ensure their students can benefit from the Federal Government student loan scheme.

    To facilitate an efficient and error-free application process, it is crucial that all state institutions provide complete and accurate information.

    This includes JAMB numbers, matriculation numbers, admission numbers, full names, level, faculties, departments, duration of program, fees, and gender of all eligible students.

    Incomplete or incorrect data submissions will result in application delays and potential disqualification for affected students.

    The fund urged all state institutions to expedite their data submission processes and ensure the accuracy of the information provided.

    It further warned that Institutions that fail to meet the revised deadline risk disadvantaging their students, who depend on these loans to support their education

  • Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    The Presidency has pleaded with Nigerians not to mount unnecessary pressure on President Bola Tinubu over the new minimum wage demand.

    The government assured that Tinubu would transmit the proposed bill to the National Assembly once it is ready.

    Speaking to Punch, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga wondered what the rush for the transmission of the bill was all about.

    Onanuga’s position is coming barely 24 hours after the Organised Labour asked the President to consult with them before transmitting the bill to the National Assembly.

    The Union had complained that the National Executive Committee which will accommodate about 300 Labour leaders, is being stalled by Tinubu’s delay to transmit the wage bill.

    The President, during his Democracy Day broadcast, disclosed that a consensus had been reached between the Federal Government and Labour on the new wage, a development which the Organised Labour debunked.

    However, Onanuga, while admitting that he had no idea when the bill would be submitted, called for patience.

    “People should be patient,” he stated.

    His appeal comes one week after he reiterated that the ₦250,000 wage being demanded by the workers’ union is unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channel all its resources to meet such demand.

  • Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

    Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

    Women from the IPO community in Rivers State have staged a blockade at Port Harcourt airport, leading to significant disruptions and leaving passengers stranded amidst the state’s escalating political tensions.

    As of Tuesday morning, the women were actively preventing vehicles from entering the airport, causing a long queue of cars carrying passengers. Some of the women were seen at the entrance with cooking utensils, firewood, and ingredients, engaging in food preparation activities.

    While the women had not communicated with the media at the time of this report, they were heard engaging in loud discussions among themselves.

    Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command had issued a warning regarding a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has been informed about the scheduled protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on June 24, 2024. While we respect the right to peaceful assembly, we have credible information suggesting potential infiltration by troublemakers aiming to cause disruption and chaos within the state.”

    She added, “Therefore, we strongly advise organizers to postpone the protest to prevent any potential breach of peace. The police will take all necessary lawful actions to safeguard lives and property in Rivers State. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt peace will be apprehended and prosecuted.”

    In response to the security concerns raised by the police, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to the headquarters of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain stationed there until the threat to peace is deemed to have subsided,” the statement concluded.

    Following the police advisory, NULGE subsequently called off their planned protest.