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November 29, 2024

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 IFMNEWS

Public Outcry as Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Detained by Army

Renowned investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been detained for three days by the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sparking nationwide outrage.

Soyombo, celebrated for exposing corruption and systemic failures, is being held without clear charges, raising serious concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday, November 29, FIJ denounced the detention, describing it as a direct assault on journalism.
“Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the organization declared, urging the military to immediately release Soyombo and protect confiscated evidence.
“All his devices have been seized. We demand the Nigerian Army safeguards this evidence to ensure the truth is not suppressed,” FIJ added.

This marks yet another instance of journalists facing persecution in Nigeria, where press freedom is increasingly under threat. Soyombo himself was briefly detained in 2021 following an exposé on police corruption.

The latest detention has sparked an outcry on social media, with the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow trending as activists, rights groups, and citizens demand his release.

Amnesty International Nigeria described the detention as "arbitrary and unlawful," calling for his immediate and unconditional release. Activist Aisha Yesufu criticized the Army's priorities, urging them to focus on arresting criminals rather than journalists.
“Dear Nigerian Army, go and arrest Bello Turji, who has killed Nigerians and your personnel. Leave Fisayo alone. Journalism is not a crime,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting echoed these sentiments, labelling the incident an attack on press freedom.

Despite mounting pressure, the Nigerian Army has neither confirmed the detention nor provided an official explanation. Attempts to contact Army spokesperson Clement Nwachukwu have gone unanswered.

Nigeria continues to rank poorly on global press freedom indices. In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the country was ranked 115th out of 180 countries, solidifying its reputation as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in West Africa.

The detention of Fisayo Soyombo underscores the growing challenges faced by the Nigerian press as rights groups and citizens rally for his freedom.

November 29, 2024

November 29, 2024 IFMNEWS

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed as WTO Director-General for Second Term

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed the reappointment of Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term. The announcement was made on Friday via a post on the organization’s official X account.

According to the WTO General Council, Okonjo-Iweala’s second term will commence on September 1, 2025, extending her leadership for another four years. The Council noted that the decision was made by consensus, reflecting widespread recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the organization’s future.

The reappointment process, which began on October 8, 2024, was managed by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council. With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Okonjo-Iweala remained the sole candidate. The process adhered to the WTO’s established procedures for appointing Directors-General.

During a special General Council meeting held on November 28-29, 2024, Okonjo-Iweala presented her vision for the WTO’s future and engaged in a Q&A session with member states. Following this, the Council unanimously endorsed her reappointment.

The Council commended Okonjo-Iweala’s achievements during her first term, stating:
“Amid significant global economic challenges, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization. Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.”

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made history when she first assumed office on March 1, 2021, as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO. Her first term will conclude on August 31, 2025.

Her reappointment reaffirms her pivotal role in navigating the WTO through complex global challenges and advancing its mission of promoting fair and inclusive trade worldwide.

November 29, 2024

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 IFMNEWS

Boat with Over 200 Passengers Capsizes in Niger, 8 Bodies Recovered

A tragic boat accident occurred early Friday morning along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger, claiming multiple lives. The boat, owned by one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm laborers, on their way to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State when it capsized.

Eyewitnesses reported that the boat overturned, throwing all passengers into the water. Local divers and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover the bodies of the victims. As of the latest update, eight bodies have been recovered, but search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.

This incident follows a similar tragedy in Niger State on October 1, 2024, when another boat accident claimed numerous lives on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area.

Preliminary reports indicate that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets, which may have contributed to the high fatality rate. Although authorities have not yet issued an official statement, an investigation into the cause of the accident is expected.

In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a series of deadly boat accidents. Last week, five people died in a boat collision in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, involving two speedboats carrying family members returning from a burial. The boats capsized, with most passengers lacking life jackets.

In September 2023, another deadly boat accident occurred in Niger State, where over 50 passengers were onboard. The boat capsized, leading to the deaths of 24 individuals, mostly farm workers on their way to harvest crops.

Despite regulations by Nigeria’s waterways authority prohibiting night-time travel and criminalizing vessel overloading, these safety measures are often disregarded, contributing to recurring boat accidents.

November 29, 2024

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 IFMNEWS

Minimum Wage: Labour, States in Final Talks Ahead of Monday Strike

With the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threatening a nationwide strike starting Monday, December 1, the remaining states yet to implement the N70,000 minimum wage are making last-ditch efforts to avoid disruptions.

While 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory have complied with the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, Katsina, Cross River, and Zamfara remain non-compliant. This comes after Imo State approved the new wage on Tuesday.

Several states have gone beyond the N70,000 baseline, with Lagos and Rivers offering the highest monthly pay of N85,000. Lagos further announced plans to raise workers' wages to N100,000 by the first quarter of 2025. Other notable approvals include:

N80,000: Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Oyo, and Niger
N77,000: Delta and Ogun
N75,000: Ebonyi, Osun, Benue, and Kebbi
N73,000: Ondo
N72,000: Kogi and Kaduna
N71,000: Kano and Gombe

Meanwhile, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Jigawa, Borno, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, Bauchi, Yobe, Imo, Plateau, and the FCT have settled for N70,000.

Labour unions in Cross River, demanding immediate implementation of the N70,000 wage, commenced a two-day warning strike from midnight on November 24 to November 26. The action follows a failed meeting with state officials, where union leaders accused the government of delaying the wage review until January.

During the meeting on November 18, hosted by the state’s Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, labour leaders staged a walkout after accusing the government of using stalling tactics.

Governor Bassey Otu’s earlier announcement of a N40,000 minimum wage during the May 1 International Workers’ Day celebration had sparked outrage among state civil servants. Otu cited limited federal allocation and the state’s weak GDP as reasons for the reduced wage offer.

However, workers argue that other resource-constrained states like Edo and Lagos have implemented higher wages, raising expectations for a similar commitment from Cross River.

With the NLC’s strike looming, Katsina, Zamfara, and Cross River risk a shutdown of state activities from Monday if no resolution is reached. Labour leaders have maintained that only full implementation of the N70,000 wage will avert further action.

The upcoming days will be crucial as negotiations continue, with both workers and state governments seeking to prevent disruptions that could affect millions nationwide.

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Author: IFMNEWS

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