News

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to collaborating with Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) to boost the Nigerian economy. 

During a courtesy visit by an NLNG delegation led by Managing Director Philip Mshelbila to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, CGC Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the visit and stated the importance of the longstanding partnership between the two organizations. 

“Your organisation’s contributions to our nation’s energy sector cannot be overemphasised. On behalf of all of us, I wish to let you know that we value the productive partnership between us – and we are committed to sustaining this collaboration to further our shared mandates of fostering national growth and development,” CGC Adeniyi said. 

He commended NLNG’s proactive engagement and dedication to compliance, noting that “such collaboration is essential for the smooth operation of the nation’s trade and economic systems.” 

NLNG Managing Director Philip Mshelbila appreciated the warm reception and reiterated NLNG’s commitment to extending its hands of friendship to NCS for Nigeria’s economic growth. 

The meeting concluded with an exchange of souvenirs, symbolizing the goodwill and mutual respect that defines the relationship between the two organizations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has announced his intention to pay the ₦70,000 new national minimum wage to workers in the state.

The position of the governor was presented by the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, PhD, who is also the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage Negotiation, Gombe State, during a press briefing at the conference hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Gombe.

Represented by the State Head of Civil Service, Alh. Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, during a Press briefing ,the Deputy Governor explained that the governor is highly committed to ensuring that civil servants in the state enjoy the 70, 000 new national minimum wage so that they can put in their best in serving the state.

He said, the governor has set a machinery in motion and the standing committee has been fine-tuning to see to the implementation of the new minimum wage.

“Government has set the machinery for the implementation of the new national minimum wage in Gombe State. Let me assure you that His Excellency the Governor is fully determined to pay the minimum wage. Unlike what you have been hearing in some quarters that the governor said he won’t pay. No, not at all. His Excellency is one of the governors in the fore front of payment of the new minimum wage”.

He said Governor Inuwa Yahaya has been magnanimous enough to willingly pay a 10,000 palliative in form of a wage award since September last year, across board to all civil servants in the state to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal which, automatically brought the minimum wage to 40,000 naira when other states couldn’t pay the 30,000 minimum wage.”

In the magnanimity of the Governor to alleviate the hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, he approved the payment of 10,000 across board to all civil servants without anyone putting any pressure on him in order to make the civil servants feel better in the discharge of their duties. The additional 10,000 naira was because of his concern, feeling and regard to civil servants and it has made the minimum wage 40,000 instead of 30, 000 even when other states couldn’t pay the 30,000″.

He however pointed out that the negotiation committee has decided to separate the monthly salaries from the 10,000 palliative pending when conclusion is reached in order to prepare the Civil servants on knowing their exact salaries when the minimum wage is finally agreed upon.

“Effective from this month of August, the normal salary will be paid, then after two days the ten thousand naira palliative will be paid to help the worker know his actual salary and this will continue until the new minimum wage is agreed upon. We are now waiting for the salary table from the federal government before we commence the negotiation. Once we reach an agreement the implementation will begin and the 10,000 naira palliative will stop”.

The Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman, Mr. Yusuf Aish confirmed that this was the position reached at the tripartite committee meeting on the new minimum wage.” we had a brief discussion during our negotiation in the last 30,000 naira minimum wage due to some balance of some payment where we have agreed that this committee is a standing committee of minimum wage negotiation in the state. As a result this same committee met to begin negotiation on the new 70,000 naira national minimum wage. However,in our tripartite committee meeting we have agreed to wait for the time the new minimum wage table as approved by the federal government will be released. Whenever it is released we will start full negotiation with a view to reaching an agreement on what is to be paid in Gombe State”.

He also explained that civil servants will receive two alert messages beginning from this month of August, being the normal salary and that of 10,000 naira palliative urging the civil servants to be patient pending when the negotiations will be concluded.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu warmly congratulates the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, MNI, as he marks his 55th birthday.

Governor Zulum is an academic, visionary, reformist, and statesman.

President Tinubu joins the family, friends, and people of Borno State in celebrating the young and dynamic leader who embodies the pragmatism and energy of youth, as well as the sobriety, prudence, and wisdom of the elderly.

The President commends Governor Zulum’s hands-on approach to leadership, demonstrated by his unchoreographed, pre-dawn inspections of rural clinics and critical agencies to ensure their smooth operations and that staff are on hand to provide essential services at world-class standards.

President Tinubu also applauds the governor’s courage, exemplified by his personal interventions in security situations in Borno State and in the recent resettlement of displaced citizens.

The President appreciates Professor Zulum’s facility for providing unifying leadership, epitomized by his efforts towards ensuring the welfare of citizens from other parts of the country and in the promotion of Nigerians of diverse ethnic backgrounds and faiths through the ranks of the Borno Civil Service on the exclusive basis of merit.

“Babagana is one of those luminescent northstars of meritocratic rise in the Nigerian political firmament. From humble beginnings, his tenacious pursuit of personal growth and later on, expeditious state and national development, is a guide to Nigeria’s future generations.

“Borno State and Nigeria at large are fortunate to benefit from his benevolent brand of modest, rigorous, and visionary political and administrative leadership,” the President states.

As the governor marks this milestone, the President wishes him many more years in good health and renewed strength in his service to the nation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

President Bola Tinubu commiserates with the people of the Ningi Emirate and the Bauchi State government over the passing of the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya. 

The first-class monarch passed away in the early hours of Sunday. 

President Tinubu describes the deceased as an illustrious leader who deployed the power and resources of his throne in the service of his community. 

The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed traditional ruler and condoles with his family and all those grieving the loss.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, has passed away.

He died on Sunday morning in Kano, where he was receiving medical treatment for age-related health issues. 

The late Emir will be buried on Sunday evening at 4pm, following a funeral prayer at the Emir’s Palace in Ningi.

The funeral announcement was made by the Secretary of the Emirate, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi. 

In a statement, Alhaji Sule said: “We belong to Allah and to Him we hope. God bless His Majesty the King of Ningi, Dr. Yunusa Muhammadu Dan Yaya (OON), who passed away this morning in Kano.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, has made history by inventing Nigeria’s first electric automated tricycle.

The innovation, unveiled at the institution’s innovation centre, is a significant milestone in the country’s quest for sustainable transportation solutions. 

Rector Dr. Mukail Akinde stated the need for government and corporate support to commercialize the invention, stating, “Mass production of this tricycle will reduce importation, ease pressure on foreign exchange, and create job opportunities for youths.” 

The polytechnic’s Governing Council Chairman, Alhaji Garba Gashua, praised the innovation and promised to mobilize support for its commercialization.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council also commended the initiative, urging government assistance to expand the project. 

The innovation centre’s director, Jide Soyemi, highlighted the centre’s focus on cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence and robotics, with students contributing significantly to the projects. 

This groundbreaking invention has the potential to revolutionize Nigeria’s transportation sector, and with adequate support, it could become a reality.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Kano State court has released 40 minors on bail who were among the hundreds arrested during the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

The minors were freed following the intervention of Advocate for Justice Alliance, a civic organisation led by Barrister AK Musa. 

The Kano State Police Command had arrested 873 suspects for alleged crimes committed during the protests, which were held to demand solutions to Nigeria’s economic woes and insecurity.

The suspects were arraigned before magistrates and detained in various prison facilities. 

Barrister Musa confirmed the release of the minors, saying, “We’re pleased that 40 minors have been granted bail, but unfortunately, no adults have been released.”

He added that his organisation is working to secure the release and representation of more detainees, with the next court hearing set for September 11, 2024. 

The protests, which took place across the country, saw over 1000 Nigerians arrested and detained, according to Amnesty International.

The global human rights organisation criticized the government’s response to the protests, saying it failed to address the economic issues driving the demonstrations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced key management appointments and redeployments within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following the statutory retirement of some management team members.

BM Jibo has been appointed as Acting Deputy Comptroller General of Finance Administration and Technical Services (FATS), while OA Alajogun takes on the role of Acting Deputy Comptroller General of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (EI&I).

IG Umar has been redeployed as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Headquarters, OA Salefu as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), BA Makinde as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Human Resource Development (HRD), and T Bomodi as Acting Assistant Comptroller General of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (EI&I).

The appointments, made in acting capacity, aim to enhance strategic service delivery and are a testament to the officers’ exemplary services and dedication to the NCS.

Adeniyi congratulated the newly appointed officers, charging them to “redouble their efforts to ensure the Service achieves greater heights in its mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.”

The Comptroller General also thanked the retired members of the management for their meritorious services.

By Uzair Adam

A woman in Jigawa State has died by self-immolation after reportedly being devastated by her recent divorce.

The 40-year-old, whose identity has been withheld, set herself on fire in Garin Mallam village, located in the Guri Local Government Area.

The incident was confirmed by DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, in a statement released on Friday in Dutse.

According to Shiisu, the woman poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze on the outskirts of the village.

“On Thursday at about 7:40 a.m., the command received heartbreaking news from Guri that a woman had set herself on fire after pouring petrol on her body. The incident occurred in Garin Mallam village, and she was burnt beyond recognition,” Shiisu stated.

Following the report, officers from the Guri Divisional Police Headquarters were dispatched to the scene to verify the incident. The woman’s charred remains were subsequently taken to a hospital and later released to her family for burial.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman had been struggling with depression for several months after her divorce.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmadu Abdullahi, expressed his condolences and urged the public to seek guidance and counseling from elders when facing difficult situations.

He also encouraged people to entrust their affairs to a higher power for solace.

By Uzair Adam

A Chinese company, Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, has seized another Nigerian jet, this time in Canada.

The firm, which has already been involved in the seizure of three Nigerian aircraft in France and other assets in various countries, took custody of the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft after a Quebec court authorized the seizure.

This action is part of Zhongshang’s efforts to enforce an arbitration award of over $70 million against Nigeria, leading to the confiscation of several Nigerian assets overseas.

The dispute stems from a legal battle involving the Ogun State Government, which has seen the firm seize numerous Nigerian properties and aircraft as it seeks to recoup its claims.

Despite ongoing tensions, Zhongshang recently released an Airbus A330 aircraft, allowing Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to travel to France for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.