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October 24, 2024 Kebbi State Government Approves ₦75,000 Minimum Wage for Civil Servants
IFMNEWS

Kebbi State Government Approves ₦75,000 Minimum Wage for Civil Servants

The Kebbi State Government has officially approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for its civil servants. This announcement followed the presentation of the Minimum Wage Committee’s report, which had been commissioned by the governor.

The news brought relief to Kebbi State workers, who had long anticipated a salary increase, especially after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government agreed on a ₦72,000 minimum wage. Kebbi's new wage surpasses the federal minimum wage slightly.

During the announcement, attended by national leaders of the NLC, including President Joe Ajaero, the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala, explained that the decision was the outcome of extensive discussions between state officials and the labour union. Both parties ultimately settled on the ₦75,000 figure.

Governor Nasir Idris, a former labour leader, emphasized that the welfare of Kebbi workers is a top priority for his administration. After signing the new wage into law, he confirmed that the increased salary would take effect starting with the October pay, with payments to be made within 72 hours.

NLC President Joe Ajaero commended the governor for his commitment to workers’ welfare, contrasting it with other state governors who, despite higher oil revenues, have only approved minimal wage increases. He vowed that the NLC would continue pushing for fair wages in other states.

NLC leaders and workers celebrated the decision with solidarity songs, showing their appreciation for the governor's pro-labour stance.

October 24, 2024 FEC Approves $618 Million Loan for Fighter Jets and Ammunition
IFMNEWS

FEC Approves $618 Million Loan for Fighter Jets and Ammunition

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a $618 million loan from a consortium of financiers to procure six fighter jets and ammunition for the Nigerian Air Force. This announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing in Abuja following the FEC meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, according to reports by Voice of Nigeria.

Additionally, the FEC approved N740 billion for the rehabilitation of the Berger section of the Abuja-Kano Road, along with other significant infrastructure projects. Idris, who represented the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed several other decisions made by the council, including contracts for the Nigerian Customs Service and agreements to prevent double taxation between Nigeria and Hong Kong, as well as Nigeria and Botswana.

Idris disclosed that the approved loan includes a credit facility of €443 million and an additional $141 million for the purchase of six M346 fighter jets and ammunition. Earlier in October, the Nigerian Air Force announced plans to acquire 24 M-346 combat aircraft and 10 AW109 Trekker helicopters as part of a fleet modernization strategy. The first batch of M346 jets is expected to arrive by early 2025, with deliveries continuing until mid-2026.

The FEC also approved the establishment of the Creative Economy Development Fund, aimed at supporting Nigeria's creative sector. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, explained that the fund will allow members of the creative industry to access financial resources, using their intellectual property (IP) as collateral. Musawa highlighted the importance of developing basic structures such as IP policies to help the sector reach its full potential. She further mentioned that Afreximbank has already committed $200 million to the fund, with additional support from other sources. The goal is to drive economic growth, cultural expansion, and job creation, particularly for young people.

October 24, 2024 Tinubu Dismisses Five Ministers, Reassigns 10, and Nominates Seven New Candidates
IFMNEWS

Tinubu Dismisses Five Ministers, Reassigns 10, and Nominates Seven New Candidates

Months after mounting pressure for President Bola Tinubu to revamp his cabinet, the former Lagos State governor took action on Wednesday by dismissing five ministers. In addition, he reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios and nominated seven fresh candidates for Senate confirmation.

Tinubu, a prominent figure in the All-Progressives Congress (APC), initially appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate promptly screened and confirmed them. One minister, Betta Edu, was suspended in January, and another, Simon Lalong, transitioned to the Senate.

There had been growing demands for a cabinet reshuffle due to public dissatisfaction with some ministers' performance, particularly in light of the country's surging inflation, severe economic challenges, and increasing insecurity. In September, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the president planned a reshuffle but did not specify a timeline.

During Wednesday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Tinubu dismissed Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Minister of Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development).

In their place, Tinubu nominated several new ministers, including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, officially ending Betta Edu’s tenure. Other appointees include Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Idi Maiha for the newly created Livestock Development Ministry, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.

Additionally, the President abolished the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee various regional commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, South East Development Commission, and others.

Tinubu also scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development, transferring its responsibilities to the National Sports Commission to foster a more dynamic sports economy. The Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture were merged into the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

The reshuffle brought new appointments, such as Sunday Dare, former Minister of Sports, being named Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, and Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

In his closing remarks, Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing ministers for their service and urged the newly appointed and reassigned officials to dedicate themselves fully to their roles, emphasizing the administration’s determination to set Nigeria on a path of irreversible growth.

October 23, 2024 Umahi Gives Julius Berger Seven-Day Ultimatum on Abuja-Kaduna Road Project
IFMNEWS

Umahi Gives Julius Berger Seven-Day Ultimatum on Abuja-Kaduna Road Project

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given Julius Berger a seven-day ultimatum to accept the Federal Government's offer of ₦740.79 billion for the completion of the 82km section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road. This was announced during a visit to the Minister by Julius Berger's new Managing Director, Dr. Pier Lubasch, and outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter, at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement from the Minister's Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, the contract could be terminated if Julius Berger does not accept the offer. The Minister stressed that despite the Federal Executive Council's approval of the funds, delays in mobilizing for the project are causing significant hardship for road users, and the government is bearing the brunt of the situation.

Umahi criticized the company's delay tactics, which have led to the contract price increasing from ₦710 billion to ₦740 billion. He stated that if Julius Berger does not proceed with the project, the Ministry will find another contractor to complete the job within a reasonable budget.

He expressed disappointment that a company like Julius Berger, which has benefited from government contracts over the years, is being unreasonable in its pricing, especially given Nigeria's current economic challenges. The Minister urged the contractor to either accept or reject the reviewed contract amount within seven days, warning that the government would not tolerate being held hostage by inflated pricing.

Umahi emphasized that the offer is final and non-negotiable, stating that negotiations had dragged on for 14 months without resolution, and it was time to move forward. He also reiterated the need for construction companies working with the Ministry to offer realistic pricing and value for money in support of Nigeria's road infrastructure development under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The new Managing Director of Julius Berger promised to respond soon, hoping for a resolution that would allow the project to commence without further delays. Meanwhile, the outgoing managing director explained that the visit was primarily to introduce his successor to the minister.

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