NIGERIAN NOTCH

NLC raises negotiation team; Labour President lists conditions •New regime expected to take effect April Against the backdrop of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his New Year address that his administration will implement a “national living wage” this year, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised a team to negotiate with the government. The subsisting minimum wage, negotiated in 2018, expires in April 2024. Each agreed minimum wage has a five-year lifespan. Therefore, the lifespan of the current national minimum wage will soon be over. Tinubu had said in the address: “The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected. “It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.” In this interview, the President ...

Ndiakwu Otolo community in Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA of Anambra state has held it's 2023 Ndiakwu day celebration and end of year general meeting. This event happens every 31st of December. Ndiakwu day is more of a home coming for the sons and daughters of the community, which also doubles as stock taking for the leadership of the community and the giant strides they have taken to see that the community lives in peaceful coexistence with others.  This year's event was spectacular in many fronts as the National Chairman of the community and it's executive used the event to give stock of what they have done in the last year of their administration.  Ndiakwu Project With The New Administration Led Hon Izuchukwu Nwankwo In his keynote address the National Chairman of the community, Hon. Izuchukwu Nwankwo stressed that the year 2023 has been a fruitful and an engaging year for everyone in the community and thanked God for his blessings.  He also thanked God for helping...

Former governor and ex-minister of labour and employment, Senator Chris Ngige, boldly predicts the All Progressives Congress (APC) will seize control from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra during the 2025 elections. Speaking from his residence in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area, Ngige assured journalists that internal divisions within the APC would not hinder their victory. He affirmed that efforts would be made to reconcile conflicting factions before the crucial 2025 gubernatorial contest. Acknowledging the existence of two APC factions in the state, Ngige, often regarded as the father and face of APC in Anambra, emphasized the need for unity among members. He lamented that new entrants sometimes overlook the contributions of longstanding members who have dedicatedly served the party through various political transitions. Ngige, a seasoned politician, highlighted the historical journey of the party from its roots in the Social Democrat...

Excerpts:  The former Police Service Commission boss during Obasanjo's regime has asked that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should release Nnamdi Kanu. This he said in an exclusive interview with newsmen at his Akartar Lodge Residence in Amichi, Nnewi South LGA of Anambra state. He also spoke on some national issues bordering on security, the Biafra agitation and the way forward for a peaceful and progressive Nigeria.  Let's meet you sir:   I am Chief Simon Okeke. I think before I start talking about the launching of my book and other issues, I wish Nigerians a happy 2024. I wish my Anambra state same,and the past year has been a year of turbulence both politically and economically. 2023 was indeed a turbulent year for everyone in Nigeria. It was in 2023, that we had the general election, when democracy was murdered and both the executive, legislative and judiciary came to judgement, but we leave it to the generality of the people and the country as a whole becau...

A yet-be identified Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped an Imo traditional ruler, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, from his residence in Odumara Orodo in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State on Saturday. It was learnt that the traditional ruler was kidnapped in the early hours on Saturday. A popular broadcaster and activist, Nonso Uba disclosed to our reporter that the four heavily armed hoodlums stormed the traditional ruler’s residence on a green colored Toyota Highlander and kidnapped former Ezeimo while his cousin escaped. Uba said the kidnappers abducted the traditional ruler and drove towards Umaka-Orlu road. An indigene of the community who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity said, “Eze Samuel Ohiri former Chairman of Imo state Council of Traditional Rulers has been kidnapped few hours ago in Orodo, his country home”. “The community, as I speak, is in palpable tension as many have fled for their dear lives. We are yet to hear from the family who came home for Christmas.” Ez...

The Federal Government has included a N100 billion Consumer Credit Fund in the 2024 budget in response to the growing cost of living and increasing borrowing trends among Nigerians. The move comes as Nigerians borrowed approximately N740 billion from banks between January and September 2023, reflecting the economic challenges posed by persistent inflation and dwindling purchasing power. More Insights Consumer credit, as reported in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) quarterly economic reports, surged from N2.31 trillion at the end of Q4 2022 to N3.05 trillion by the end of Q3 2023, marking a 32% increase or N740 billion in nine months. Personal loans constituted 74.8% of consumer credit, with retail loans making up the remaining 25.2%. Inflation in Nigeria has been on the rise, impacting the cost of essentials such as food, fuel, and rent. The World Bank estimates that inflation drove about four million Nigerians into poverty in the first five months of 2023. The Federal G...

The need to let Nigerians know the true facts of Senator Akpabio’s legal journey to the 10th Senate of the National Assembly, has always been in my thoughts for the past twelve (12) months. My interface with a colleague of mine within the premises of the F.C.T. High Court, Abuja, has further buoyed me to make this write up.  I tried to discourage a fellow senior lawyer from taking up a brief which in my view had no cause of action. His reply to me was that if I could prosecute Senator Akpabio’s pre – election brief, I should not blame him for taking up the matter in issue. The connotation was that the pre – election suits that involved Godswill Akpabio were tainted with some unethical hue and the judgments of the Courts were unjust and flawed.  Earlier to this, some public commentators like Datti Ahmed, Prof. Anslem Odinkalu and more recently Oby Ezekwesili have equally alluded to the fact that only a flawed judicial system could lead to the emergence of Senator Go...

The Police in Anambra has said that two members of a gang of hoodlums who killed two of its officers in Anambra State on 29 December were demobilized during a raid of their camp in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area on Sunday. Anambra Police Commissioner, Aderemi Adeoye, who confirmed this in an interview on Monday added that a 51-year-old lady was also rescued during the raid on the camp.  CP Adeoye added that a Lexus SUV, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) two Pump Action guns and 16 live cartridges. He said the IEDs had been defused. Adeoye however said that the manhunt for the assailants and every criminal element in the state would continue unabated He restated that the Anambra state command will remain resolute and determined to ensure the security of all and urged residents and holidaymakers in the state to go on with their lawful activities without fear.

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has disclosed that it has granted 34 companies tax exemption in the last three years. This tax exemption known as Pioneer Status Incentives (PSI) is an incentive programme of the federal government executed by NIPC which allows a company three years of tax exemption. Speaking over the weekend at a Media Parley, Lovina Kayode, Head of Incentives Administration, NIPC, said not all companies are granted the incentives due to stringent procedures followed by the commission on waivers awards. He said, “This process is stringent but our parent ministry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service are involved to make sure the right investors get this incentive. “So far this year, 34 applications have been approved and one of the things we intend to do is to ensure we are not just giving incentives to undeserving companies. However, there is already a notion that Nigeria gives out to...