Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • FG Proposes New Minimum Wage

    FG Proposes New Minimum Wage

    The Federal Government has reportedly proposed N54,000 as a new minimum wage.

    This follows a walkout by the Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress during the last meeting with the Tripartite Committee over the proposed N48,000 as minimum wage.

    However, a source from the ongoing meeting with the FG in Abuja told Punch that the government has agreed to increase the minimum wage to N54,000.

    The source said, “The Federal Government has now proposed the sum of N54,000.”

    However, it is uncertain whether Labour would accept this offer, as the new proposal is far from the N615,000 proposed by the organized Labour.

  • BREAKING: CBN raises interest rate

    BREAKING: CBN raises interest rate

    The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the benchmark interest rate to 26.25 per cent.

    This was disclosed by the Governor of the CBN who doubles as the Chairman of the MPC at the end of the 295th MPC meeting held in Abuja.

    At the March MPC meeting, the benchmark rate had been increased by 200 basis points from 22.75 per cent to 24.75 per cent.

    The MPC has maintained a hawkish stance since it resumed meetings this year in a bid to tackle Nigeria’s persistent inflation.

    As of April, Nigeria’s inflation rate had risen to 33.69 per cent.

    A number of analysts have projected a rate hike while some suggested that the apex bank may consider a hold stance as the growth rate of inflation moderated month-on-month.

  • US reveals reasons for Iran’s helicopter crash

    US reveals reasons for Iran’s helicopter crash

    The United States of America has revealed a number of reasons that might have led to the crash of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

    Raisi, alongside the country’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian lost their lives in a helicopter crash that occurred in a mountainous area in the province of East Azerbaijan, amid foggy conditions.

    Others on board the helicopter include East Azerbaijan Governor, Malek Rahmati, and Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, representative of Iranian Supreme Leader to East Azerbaijan.

    There were three helicopters in this convoy, two of which were carrying the ministers and officials

    US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin denied any US role in the crash.

    He said there was no reason to think it was anything other than an accident.

    “The United States had no part to play in that crash. That’s a fact, plain and simple.

    “It could be a number of things — mechanical failure, pilot error, you name it.

    “We continue to monitor the situation but we don’t have any insights into the cause of the accident,” he said.

  • FG Gives Important Update On Students Loan 

    FG Gives Important Update On Students Loan 

    Ahead of its kick-off on Friday, May 24,, the Federal Government has listed fresh criteria for student loan applications.

    Managing Director of the Nigerian Economic Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has revealed that a maximum of 1.2 million students across federal tertiary institutions will access the students’ loans in its opening phase.

    Speaking ahead of the portal’s formal launch for applications Sawyerr stated that students enrolled in federal tertiary institutions whose institutions have finished uploading their data would be able to apply in the first phase.

    He noted that potential candidates can start the application process as early as May 24, but noed that the loan application process has been simplified to provide simple access for all qualified students in federal tertiary institutions.

    According to Sawyerr, the program is an essential part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Its purpose is to give needy students financial support (obligatory fees and stipends) so they can pursue their academic objectives without worrying about the financial burden.

    He also added that the Fund will pay 100 percent of institutional fees directly to the institutions of learning account while also providing stipends to the students monthly based on when school is in session.

    He stressed the importance of some of the key features of the student loan including, No physical contact between the loan applicant and NELFUND, a user-friendly Loan Application portal, comprehensive support where applicants can access online support to assist and flexible repayment plans.

    He said: “We encourage all students in federal institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to secure the required financial assistance for their education. Applicants must submit their applications as early as possible to ensure timely processing.”

  • Military shut down Abuja shopping complex to ‘protest’ assault on soldiers

    Military shut down Abuja shopping complex to ‘protest’ assault on soldiers

    Officers of the Nigeria Army have shut down Banex Plaza, a shopping complex located in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja, following attacks on some soldiers over the weekend.

    A trader at the nearby Emab Plaza, Mr Somto, confirmed this to our correspondent via phone call on Monday.

    “Yes, Banex is locked down. We are not affected by it, though. Some men of the Army are here”, he said.

    Another shop owner, who runs an Apple Products store, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development, adding that traders are still in talks with the Army.

    “No, we are not open. You know it is because of the issue that happened. The Army has locked down the place. At each gate of Banex now, there is a Hilux vehicle, Army Hilux. They won’t even let you cross the place.

    “But maybe between tomorrow and next, it will be open, we don’t know. We are still on it, having meetings with them,” he said

  • Ex President Jonathan Sends Warning To Wike, Fubara As Rivers Crisis Thickens 

    Ex President Jonathan Sends Warning To Wike, Fubara As Rivers Crisis Thickens 

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has intervened in the escalating political tensions in Rivers State, urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike to prioritize collaboration for the state’s progress. 

    Jonathan made the plea during the commencement of the N222.1 billion Trans-Kalabari Road construction, stressing the need for unity and cooperation among state leaders.

    Speaking at the project inauguration, Jonathan expressed concern over the heightened political tensions in Rivers State, noting that such discord hinders the state’s growth and development. 

    He urged Governor Fubara and Minister Wike to work together to alleviate the political climate and focus on advancing the welfare of Rivers’ residents.

    “The political tension in Rivers State is becoming too much. If Rivers state is destabilized, the whole Niger Delta and by extension the country will be destabilized,” Jonathan declared.

    The former president, however, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting development projects in Rivers State. 

    He said the commencement of the Trans-Kalabari Road construction signifies a tangible step towards enhancing infrastructure and connectivity within the state.

  • Iran appoints interim president after Raisi’s death

    Iran appoints interim president after Raisi’s death

    The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared Vice President Mohammad Mokhber the country’s acting president, effective immediately.

    Mokhber will remain the interim president until when “We will follow the path of Raisi in doing the duties entrusted without any disruptions,” he was quoted as saying by state media, according to Aljazeera.

    The development comes barely 24 hours after President Ebrahim Raisi, alongside his Minister of Foreign Affairs, died in a helicopter crash.

    Iran had earlier held an emergency meeting on Monday.

  • Why we rejected N48,000 minimum wage, Organized Labour

    Why we rejected N48,000 minimum wage, Organized Labour

    The Organised Labour has said it rejected the proposed N48,000 minimum wage because the Federal Government did not reveal how it arrived at the amount.

    Mr Etim Okon, the Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said this while confirming that labour will attendn the negotiation meeting of Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage slated for Tuesday.

    According to Okon, the government’s failure to provide any substantiated data to support its offer exacerbates the situation, adding that lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process.

    “The proposal falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations.

    “The Federal Government has apologised and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and we are going to appear and present our demand. 

    “We will still be presenting the N615,000. It is what we presented before we walked out, though our submission was not rejected by the government.

    “We only rejected the N48,000 that government presented because they did not show us how they arrived at that amount.

    “That is taking cognizance of transportation, housing, food, utilities, health, education among others which are basic needs of the people.

    “So government should come out clearly with what they are offering with the indices and variables and also how they arrived at that. This is all what we are saying,” Okon said.

    Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC had walked out on the negotiation meeting after the Federal Government proposed N48,000 as new minimum wage for workers in the country.

  • I may support Peter Obi in 2027 – Atiku Abubakar

    I may support Peter Obi in 2027 – Atiku Abubakar

    The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has hinted at the possibility of supporting his Labour Party counterpart in the last election, Peter Obi in 2027.

    The former Vice President, who is currently on a merger talk with stakeholders of some opposition political parties, said he will not hesitate to support Obi in the next election if the party picks the former Anambra governor.

    According to The Sun, Atiku gave the hint in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.

    Obi and Atiku recently met behind closed doors, sparking speculations about a merger of some opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Confirming the move by opposition parties to align in a bid to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2027 election, Atiku said, “We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.

    Atiku said if the new “party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.

    “I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it.

    “As long as it is the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party”.

  • Anyone Buying, Using Pre-Registered SIM Cards Risk Jail, NCC

    Anyone Buying, Using Pre-Registered SIM Cards Risk Jail, NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians against buying and using pre-registered Sim cards.

    The Commission in a warning alert posted on its verified X platform handle said that buying and using pre-registered Sim cards was a criminal act and could attract severe consequences including imprisonment.

    The Commission further stated that “Buying pre-registered SIM cards is criminal and may lead to imprisonment, implication in identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping and armed robbery.”

    According to NCC, buying and using pre-registered SIM cards leads to “Unreliable collation of consumer information,” and creates “Difficulty in tracking the real criminals using such telephones in the country.”

    It called on Nigerians to follow the proper procedures for registration of their SIM cards to avoid any legal consequences.

    Recall that NCC had in December 2020 directed Nigerian telecommunications companies to compel their subscribers to link their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

    The NCC made the linkage compulsory, directing all telecommunications operators to enforce complete network barring on all phone lines for which subscribers fail to link their SIM cards to their NINs.

    Following the enforcement of the directive, there have been two phases, on February 28 and on March 29 when some Nigerians’ SIM cards were barred by telecommunications companies for not having been linked to NIN.

    The Commission, however, extended the deadline for linking SIM cards to NIN (last phase) to from April 15 to July 31, 2024, stressing that the extension applies to subscribers with more than four SIM cards.