Parents Protest Boarding Fees Increase from N35,000 to N100,000 in Lagos

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Some parents of students of Oriwu Model College in Ikorodu on Sunday protested the sudden increase of boarding fees by the Lagos state government.

The parents who carried out the peaceful protest at the gate of the college demanded the immediate reversal of the boarding fees which was increased from N35,000 to N100,000.

Kazeem Oladuni, chairman, Parent Forum Association (PFA), Oriwu College, appealed to the state ministry of education to reverse the increment to enable their wards resume school.

“Our children were supposed to resume on Sept. 9; then we received a memo that one week has been added, which expired today, Sept.15.

“To our surprise, another memo came out on Sept. 13, indicating that the boarding fees have been increased from N35,000 to N100,000

“We held a meeting with Lagos State Coordination of PFA and resolved that the fees are outrageous for any parent at this time of hardship in the country,” he said.

Also, Adedoyin Badmus, who spoke on behalf of parents in the Igbogbo Area, Ikorodu, said education was supposed to be free.

Mr Badmus, however, said the government was making it difficult for the children of many average Nigerians to acquire education with the sudden and astronomical increase in boarding fees.

Similarly, another parent, Mary Enaayi, appealed to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consider the plights of many parents who are petty traders and struggle to ensure that their children access quality education.

Ms Enaayi urged the state government to urgently reverse the fees to allow dividends of democracy to cut across all strata of society.

“I am appealing to LASG to consider that some parents are traders, but because they want their children to have quality education, that is why they registered them as boarders.

“With this outrageous amount, the careers of those wards will be shattered because their parents can not afford to pay the N100,000.

“Some have two or three children in the school, which means they have to withdraw due to the sudden increment,” she said.

The parents carried placards with inscriptions like; ‘No reduction, No resumption’, ‘We need free education’, ‘Our government is wicked’, ‘N35,000 to N100,000 is too outrageous’, among others.

(NAN)

Lagos Govt increases boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 As Boarders Resume Sept. 15

By Yomi Durojaye 

In a major development, the Lagos State Government has announced a significant increase in boarding fees for all public secondary schools in the state.

Effective immediately, the new boarding fee has been raised from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, representing a 186% increase.

The decision was communicated in a letter signed by Olufemi Asaolu, Director of Basic Education Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

According to the letter, the government has directed that no additional fees should be collected by the schools.

Parents and guardians have been informed that the resumption date for the new session remains September 15, 2024.

The increased fee is expected to affect thousands of students enrolled in public boarding schools across the state.

FIRS imposes N50 Levy For Transfers From ₦10,000 & Above

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

OPay has announced a new charge on electronic transfers into personal and business accounts in compliance with Federal Inland Revenue Service regulations.

 FIRS imposes N50 Levy For Transfers From ₦10,000 & Above

Starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied to transfers of N10,000 and above.

In a notice to its customers on Saturday, OPay stated, “Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service regulations.”

The company clarified that the charges are requirements from the government and not a source of revenue for the payment platform.

“It is important to note that OPay does not benefit from these charges in any way as it is directed entirely to the Federal Government,” the notice read.

The introduction of this fee follows the Federal government’s efforts to generate revenue from electronic transactions through FIRS regulations.

FG To Use NIN For Verification, Others As It Begins Sale Of 50kg Rice At ₦‎40,000

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

The Federal Government has said potential buyers would have to present their National Identification Number (NIN) as commenced the sale of 30, 000 metric tonnes of milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50 kilograme bag.

FG To Use NIN For Verification, Others As It Begins Sale Of 50kg Rice At ₦‎40,000

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, inaugurated the sale of the subsidised milled rice on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the exercise would be carried out across the country.

Kyari said the rice intervention was timely due to the times and current challenges in the country. He said that the Federal Government was aware of the potential challenges associated with the sales of an important staple such as rice, at this critical period.

Verification of buyers

Kyari said that a multi-disciplinary machinery of government had been deployed to ensure the transparency, wider reach, and success of the exercise.

- According to him, the process is structured to ensure that one person does not get more than one 50kg bag of rice.

- He said that intending beneficiaries would be “verified using relevant identification mediums such as the NIN and phone numbers to forestall multiple accesses to the commodity by fraudulent individuals at the detriment of other citizens.”

“In view of the above, I urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies of government who will try to serve you to achieve this great initiative of government.

“It is expected that with the injection of 30,000MT (1000 trucks of 30MT each of this important staple into Nigeria’s food balance sheet, it will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer food substitutes and alternatives,” he said.

Process of purchase

Highlighting the process Nigerians would have to follow to purchase the rice, the Director of Strategic Grains Reserve, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Haruna Sule, said civil servants could access the grains from the point of sale with their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“Once you have any of these three, you present it to the sales operators and it is logged on the platform that has been created.

“After this, you proceed to pay electronically with your ATM; once the payment is done, it is linked to the initial sales operator and it shows that you have paid; then a receipt will be issued with a code number,” he explained.

- With the code number, he said the buyer will be issued with a treasury receipt to show that he or she has paid to government.

- The buyer is then given a receipt which shows point of collection and time of collection; this is to eliminate any form of stampede.

- He noted that the point of collection is different from the point of sales, adding that “when you get to the collection point, you present your code to our officials and you will be given a bag of rice.”

- In Abuja, he said the plan is to set up about five to six sales points across the FCT and the duration of the distribution will be for the period they are able to finish sales.

What you should know

The sale of subsidised rice was first announced by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, in July. Following the announcement, the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Human Resources Management Department asked civil servants to register for the sale of the food item.

The government thereafter announced that it had halted the plan without any explanation about the reason.

Breaking News: We sold Malik Kareem’s head and legs to a woman at Ibadan market for N70,000 – Suspected ritual killer confesses

 By Ayodele Ifasakin 

In a chilling confession, suspected ritual killer, Adekunle Mohammed, has revealed that he and his accomplices sold the head and legs of their victim, Malik Kareem, to a woman at an Ibadan market for N70,000.

Adekunle, who was arrested along with four others, including Muniru Salawudeen, Rashidat Akanji, Ismail Olalekan, and Obaleye Sanmi, made the shocking confession during an investigation into the gruesome murder.

According to Adekunle, the group had killed Malik Kareem on August 7, 2024, and subsequently sold his body parts to a woman, who is yet to be identified, at a market in Ibadan. The police are currently working to identify and apprehend the buyer.

The suspects' arrest came after a foul odor was reported emanating from a building owned by Adekunle, leading police to discover a dry well containing mutilated human bodies. Three unidentified bodies were removed and taken to the State Hospital Morgue for autopsy.

The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for swift justice to be served. The investigation is ongoing, with further revelations expected.

Lagos Report 

Civil servants buy 50kg rice at N40,000, resell at N85,000 – Rewane

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Bismarck Rewane, a popular economist and the Executive Director of Financial Derivatives has alleged that some civil servants bought 50kg bags of rice at N40,000 and resold it at N85,000.

Rewane

Rewane disclosed this on Thursday in an interview with Channels Television

According to him, the price of rice which he described as a ‘Parallel market’ increased by 3.62 percent to N85,000 from 83,000 despite the government’s subsidized price of N40,000.

Our team went into the market Yesterday(Wednesday),… The price of rice coincidently went up by 3.62 percent to N85,000. This is happening at the time the federal government is selling rice to public servants at N40,000 per 50-kilogram bag. While in what I can now describe as the parallel market for rice stood at N85,000. What happens is that the civil servant will buy at N40,000 per bag and sell at N85,000, that is inefficient”, he said.

This comes as the federal government on Thursday announced the suspension of the sale of 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at N40,000.

DailyPost 

Agege LG Chairman, Egunjobi Empowers Residents with N5,000,00

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, High Chief (Alh) Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi (JP) has once again empowers 50 (fifty) residents with the sum of N100,000.00 naira each; amounting to the tune of N5,000,000.00 (Five million naira).

This gesture is aimed at empowering residents with a start up or boost  existing businesses of the beneficiaries.

At the cheque presentation event held at the council secretariat on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024; the council chairman, represented by the Supervisor for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Alhaja Aramide Abdulsalam admonished the beneficiaries to ensure the financial assistant is not used for frivolity.  She also enjoined other residents that have not benefited to be captured in the subsequent programme.

Recall that Egunjobi led administration has been empowering residents with the said amount on monthly basis since the inception of this administration in 2017.

The beneficiaries, who could not hide the joy in their faces, expressed appreciation towards the council helmsman or the financial assistant, prayed for him and the entire Agege for continuous growth and development.

Listed below are the beneficiaries.

1. Nifemi Fisayo Oladele

 08080030791

2. Adepeju Rachel Bolatito

08038232448

3. Ayinde Gbenga

08034483654

4. Bashiru Adeniyi Saka

08055061997

5. Okunuga Segun

08038033209

6. Taofeek Bolaji Adewale

08033679779

7. Adam Jubreel

09098848731

8 Muritala Amuda

07051010761

9. Akindele Akinola 

08060594374

10. Semiu Ogunbona

08022027083

11.Moshood Abdullahi Apata

08163804891

12. Adeyemi Sheyi

08160980315

13. Dauda Sulimon

07014765791

14. Sunday Olawale Morakinyo

08132446137

15. Komolafe Abimbola

08068137058

16. Saka Kudirat Nike

08103181956

17 Ibraheem Fausat

07051010347

18. Abdullahi Kehinde 

08032308826

19. Yahyah Auwal Muhammed

08066217909

20. Waliu Kareem

08023380277

21. Dele Ikulobuju Ibrahim

08026949190

22. Ojo Martins

08023102992

23. Sheriff Abanise

08080417847

24. Dauda Adedayo

08034147742

25. Titilayo Kuti Bidapo

08138210088

26.Olaleye Yemisi

08023594450

27. Salami Shakirat Toyin

07031864804

28. Mrs Toyin Ajibona

08056472475

29. Mrs Aishat Bello

08137249482

30. Mr Yusuf Adeniran 

08023721273

31. Lanre Ojuolape Smith 

08023740261

32. Kuburat Makinde 

08125211914

33. Jubril Akeem Jimoh

09036365512

34. Awobokun Gbenga

09019624005

35. Mrs Tokunbo Adekanbi

08023721273

36. Oroge Feyisayo Titilayo

09021447649

37. Samuel Victor

38. Adeoti Shakirat Titilope

08185715817

39. Deji Arogunyo

09020321484

40. Jimoh Isaah

08062909623

41. Adedokun Alirat Iyabo

09041508834

42. Sikiru Omotosho Kayode

08083153780

43. Bolaji Bello

08059153442

44. Muhammed A Abdullahi

07031823772

45. Biobaku Gbemisola

08123528084

46. Salami Raufu

08033656725

47. Rasak Adetoyinbo

08080997152

48. Adams Oluwatoyin Folasade

08185479660

49. Lateef Ibrahim Babatunde

08028463598

50. Musiliu Cole

09135811988

Picture credit: Esan Sefiu 

Agege LG 

Erin Jogunola 

 Ismaeel Garba Ismaeel

LASTMA GM Returns N52,000 Illegally Collected From Motorist In Lagos | AgegePulse Magazine

General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, has returned N52,000 which was illegally collected from a motorist in Lagos by one police officer.

This was revealed in a statement quoted by the LASTMA Boss, "On Monday, I investigated a case of extortion involving a lady whose vehicle was arrested wrongfully when the police squad attached to the LASTMA Enforcement Unit went to enforce the law on one-way driving without LASTMA personnel. 

"While making arrests, this innocent motorist was also picked up and her vehicle brought to the headquarters. The vehicle was not booked for any offence. They negotiated from N150,000 and ended up fining her N52,000 using a POS for payment. 

"She then called the LASTMA  contact number and the incident was brought to my notice. I insisted on investigating the issue, identified the officer involved and the money was retrieved.

"We called the lady to return to LASTMA Headquarters to collect her money. She came with her mum and they were extremely grateful. We will be sending a report to the Police formation for them to start the process of reprimanding the officer involved.

"We will not tolerate any negative attitude from our officers or those attached to any of our enforcement units. We continue to encourage road users to send reports of any errant officer via any of our complaint channels." Engr. Oduyoye Concluded.

How to collect federal government N20,000 Cash Transfer

AgegePulse Magazine

 The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N5000 to over 1millioin indigents across the country  – Submit CV here!

The disbursement came following the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately to beneficiaries.

The disbursement was done on Wednesday in Kwali Central Area Council of FCT by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq.

The Minister disbursed N20,000 as payment for four months to over 190 beneficiaries at the payment point in Kwali.

The beneficiaries were handed their stipends after their payment cards were verified and scanned by government-approved mobile money operators.

Speaking during the disbursement, the minister said: “The exercise commenced about five years ago and it is geared towards supporting the poor and vulnerable households of our society.

“We give them monthly stipends of N5000 every month and now that we have these restrictions, Mr. President has directed that we give them two months advance payment and we are here today to carry out that directive of paying the two months advance payment.”

On the number of beneficiaries, Farouq said: “We have over a million people across the country. For the FCT and this particular area Council, we are giving about 5000 households in this area.”


How to collect federal government N Cash TransferOn how the beneficiaries were identified, she said: “It is a very long process and many people like religious leaders, community leaders, and different groups all came together to identify the poorest and vulnerable households in their community.”

On the claim that the beneficiaries were members of a particular political party, she said: “It is untrue and you can confirm from the beneficiaries of the process of selection.”

Also speaking, the National Programme Coordinator for the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Dr. Temitope Sinkaiye said the additional 1million beneficiaries would be added to the programme before the end of the year.

Explaining how the programme works and how it has impacted beneficiaries, Sinkaiye said: “The process of identification is a long process that involves community members themselves identifying those who are poor and vulnerable in their sight. So, the team moves from community to community and the community members determine what poverty means in their village and those who fall within their definition of poverty.

“Here, we are not talking about book or academic definition, we are talking of community members themselves deciding what poverty means and then identify people who by their perception fall into the category and then we collect the names from the community.”

On the impact of the cash, she said: “It has improved their livelihoods because they are now able to send their children to schools, they can feed with a better diet, they can attend clinics and for some communities where water is their problem, they have dug wells and renovated health centres. Some communities have also put up a classroom for their children because the children used to go to neighbouring communities to access education.

“Beyond the money, this programme also trains them on how to be self-sustaining, how to take care of their hygiene, we teach them on nutrition, environmental sanitation, and others. So, it is a full package for the households.”

On the number of people that have benefitted from the programme, she said: ‘The number of people currently on our register is 1.2million and we are going to enroll into the programme, another 1million for this year.”

OperaNews.

COVID-19: FG Commences N20,000 Conditional Cash Transfer To Poor Households

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N20,000 Conditional Cash Transfer to indigent households (poor) at the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to help reduce the effect of President Muhammadu’s lockdown order following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadia Umar-Farouk, said on Wednesday while kickstarting the disbursement that due to the scourge of COVID-19, the Federal Government is giving out N20,000 per person for the next four months starting from March 2020.

She explained that the President during his broadcast last week directed that the Conditional Cash Transfer should be given in advance of two months.

“We have directed immediate cash transfer to the poorest and most vulnerable households in the country,” she said.

“Because of this COVID-19, the vulnerable groups have to expand, because we are aware that there are people who live on daily wage, so we are also going to look at those groups of people to see how we can get this food relief intervention to them in this period.”

ChannelsTv

FAKE NEWS ALERT: FG is Not giving Nigerians with BVN N30,000-Femi Adeshina

FAKE NEWS ALERT: FG is NOT giving Nigerians with BVN N30,000

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, says the report that Nigerians with bank verification number (BVN) will be given N30,000 as relief fund is false.

The report, which went viral on Friday, said Adesina issued a statement to that effect.

The said amount was to help Nigerians “stock up their home during the stay-at-home order by the government”.

As a way of reducing the spread of COVID-19, both federal and state governments placed restrictions on public gathering.

In a tweet on Saturday, Adesina asked Nigerians to disregard the information.

“Fake news peddlers have concocted a statement, purportedly issued by me, saying FG will pay N30,000 to each Nigerian with BVN, to help them stock up before an impending national lockdown. Not me. The so-called statement is hereby disclaimed,” he tweeted.

The pandemic has led to a lockdown in some countries where relief materials are provided for citizens.

Taking on Adesina’s tweet, some Nigerians asked if the government has any plan to help its citizens at this time. 

Below are some responses to Adesina’s tweet:

The Cable

COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu To Provide FoodStuff For 200,000 Lagosians

AgegePulse

Few days after the Lagos State Government issued a stay-at-home directive to residents, in order to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled economic stimulus package for the indigent and the most vulnerable in the society.



The stimulus, which comes in food packs, to be distributed to every local government in the State is aimed at cushioning the effect of the fourteen days stay-at-home directive.

Speaking after an on-the-spot assessment of one of the State-owned food banks, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Agege, Sanwo-Olu said the economic stimulus will reduce the burden of the temporary economic downturn on the citizens caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.



The Governor said the food packs, which were put together by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will reach the most vulnerable communities and households across Lagos, saying that the indigents who rely on daily wages will be given priority.

He said: ‘‘We are here for an on-the-spot assessment, of our readiness, to see how we can fast track some of our stimulus package for our citizens. We are all aware that this is a trying time for our citizens and since the partial drop in economic activities, our government deemed it necessary to reach out to the vulnerable ones in the society. These people are those that fall below the pyramid, the aged and the physically challenged who need to move from one part of the city to another for them to have a living. We felt that as a government, the least we can do is to identify them and give them these stimulus packages immediately.’’



The Governor stated that the package will touch at least 200,000 thousand households in the first phase, saying the food packs are produced for a size of six people per household and would last for at least fourteen days.



“We have packaged dry food stimulus for about two hundred thousand families in the first instance for a household of husband, wife and about four children. We would be giving bags of rice, bags of beans, garri, bread, dry pepper and we are trying to see if we can add water and some elements of vitamin C. Each ration, we believe is going to be able to last them at least minimum 14 days just so our advocacy around stay at home, stay with your loved ones will be respected.



“This is a catalytic initiative of our administration with the hope that well-meaning corporate organisations and private individuals can step up to complement the efforts of the government’’ Sanwo-Olu said.



The Commissioner of Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal earlier said the Government would be working with the existing database of the state - using the Lagos State Social register and 4000 community development association register in 377 wards.



He said the economic stimulus is part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s initiatives tailored towards ensuring that food security is sustained in Lagos.

Nigerians will no longer pay N50 on every POS transactions above N1,000 from Next Year - FG

AgegePulse Magazine

The Federal Government has reviewed its policy on stamp duty charges, levied on electronic payments.

This is captured in the new proposed finance bill, presently with the Senate. The new bill ensures that the N50 stamp duty charge will now be levied on electronic payments above N10,000 as against payments above N1,000.

The new bill aims to repeal a provision of the Stamp Duty Act 2014, which had a threshold for receipts chargeable with stamp duty as N4 and above.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, during a panel session at the PwC Executive Session on Finance Bill and Tax Strategy, confirmed the Finance Bill will become effective on January 2, 2020.

So effectively, from next year the N50 charged on POS transactions above N1,000 will cease. It will now be charged on transactions above N10,000.

This is good news for Nigerians and Merchants who have hitherto been made to bear the brunt of this .....READ MORE http://bit.

Lagos Reporters

Grassroots Football: Bet9ja, Elephant Cup winners to get N500,000

AgegePulse Magazine

Ahead of the Bet9ja Elephant Cup, a grassroots football competition in Ogba Ashade, Agege, Lagos, the organisers have dangled N500, 000 for the winners at the end of the 2019/2020 season matches.

Mr Felix Ajanaku, the Chairman, Football Committee, made the disclosure at Ogba Ashade Palace during the draw and grouping of the 14 teams that would partake in the 2019/2020 season matches on Sunday.

According to him, 2019/2020 competition will be better organized than the last season.

“We are going to improve better than last season for both players and the best team this season.

“The most valuable player will be selected and the best team will all be compensated respectively.

“Also the best supporters group will be rewarded, all this has been put in place to encourage and engage our youths.

“The winners will be rewarded with N500,000, while the second and third place winners will also be rewarded with N250,000 and N100,000 respectively,’’ he said.

According to Ajanaku, all the teams are advised to appeal to their respective supporters during the matches to ensure there is peace and tranquility during matches.

Ajanaku said that with the cooperation of the teams and their supporters the 2019/20 season matches would be improved and advanced more than the previous ones.

“The success of the matches and security depend on our attitudes, we know ourselves very well and any team’s supporters that want to cause trouble will be sanctioned,’’ he added.

The committee’s chairman said stakeholders and team leaders had signed “No Violence Undertaken’’ to ensure everyone talked to his people when the matches kick off on Oct. 20.

Ajanaku also tasked each team to pay any fine allotted to them during the competition before coming to the next match.

“Every team must be ready to abide by the rules and regulations which is very vital for the progress of the competition.’’

The competition has been existing for over two decades where many of the teams’ players have earned both national and international offers.

“We thank the sponsors Bet9ja, Nigerbev, producer of Best Drink, CORMART, Ikeja and Agege Local Government Councils for their kind gesture toward the success of the Elephant Cup Competition yearly,’’ he said.

Chief Omokehinde Orejoko, the Matron of the Elephant Cup competition, also advised the players to imbibe fair play attitude during the matches, adding that the tournament was not a do or die affair.

“This is a competition, it is not a do or die tournament, and there must be fair play among the players.

“Teams must exercise brotherliness and ensure the matches are worthy to watch, the games should not scare the spectators away through violence because of the amount involved,’’ she said.

A player, Babatunde Baruwa, playing for Pokilee FC, also thanked the organisers, saying that such take away prizes would encourage them to perform better than in the previous seasons.

“I thank the sponsors of this year’s tournament, and the reward for the winners and I am still appealing to the ex-internationals to come and encourage grassroots football in the country.

“This will not only encourage the players but also take football to greater heights in the country,’’ he said.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that 14 teams were on Sunday drawn to groups to kick start the season’s matches at Ogba Ashade Place playing ground.

Group A has Great Achiever FC, Pokilee FC, Iyalode Mangoro FC, Sango Agege FC, and Oloke FC, while in Group B are Unique FC, Baddy Oosha FC, Keke United FC, Ghetto FC, Omo Better FC.

The third group has Getinge FC, Scope FC, Adura Obi FC and Successful FC.

AgegePulse also learnt that Elephant Cup competition 2019/2020 season will kick off on Oct. 20, with 5-A-Side matches that will be watched by over 1,000 spectators at Ogba Ashade Palace Agege.

(NAN)

Mother sells own baby for N200,000

AgegePulse Magazine

Police operatives attached to the Madalla Division in Niger State have arrested two suspects for alleged human trafficking.

The two suspects, Blessing Aluna, 23, of the Rimi Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, and one Oludare Jeprince, 36, of Giri Abuja, were apprehended in the Madalla area of Suleja for abducting a three-year-old child.

It was learnt that Aluna, who resides in the Madalla area of Suleja, had at some point allegedly sold her one-week-old baby for N200,000.

It was learnt that she was nabbed for allegedly conniving with Jeprince, who was said to be her boyfriend and accomplice, to kidnap and facilitate the sale of the three-year-old baby.

Northern City News gathered on Sunday that Aluna had in 2017 sold her week-old baby to one Nkechi Udo, of Tungan Maje, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Further checks revealed that Aluna had assisted one Precious Ade of the Gwagwalada area of Abuja to sell her 15-month-old baby for N250,000.

The suspect reportedly received the sum of N50,000 as her share of the proceeds of the crime.

In an interview with our correspondent, Aluna blamed poverty for her involvement in the crime.

She said, “Imagine me selling my child for money; that will tell you the level of hardship in the country.

“I sold my own child for N200,000 in order to open a provision store in Suleja at least to take care of myself and my siblings.”

When asked whether she regretted her action, the suspect said, “I have done the worst thing to humanity and especially to my own child. I don’t think I deserve to be alive, let the law  its course.”

Punch

Just In! Council Of State Approves N27,000 Minimum Wage For Workers

AgegePulse Magazine

The National Council of State has approved N27, 000 as the new National Minimum Wage for workers in the country.

This was one of the decisions reached on Tuesday at the Council of State meeting which took place in Abuja.

The meeting was presided over by the President, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari.
The Council of State consists of former rulers of the country and former Chief Justices of the Federation.

The organised Labour is pushing for a N30, 000 minimum wage. According to the organised Labour, they had agreement with the Buhari administration that the national minimum wage will be N30, 000.

The new pronouncement may again pitch the organised Labour with the government.

The Gazelle

BREAKING: Buhari Approves N30,000 As New National Minimum Wage | Sahara Reporters

The President gave the approval on Tuesday shortly after the report of the committee was presented to him.

While promising to forward new minimum wage bill to National Assembly for action, he urged Nigerian workers against being used as political weapons.


He said this while receiving the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The report was submitted by the committee’s chairman, Amal Pepple.

Buhari has also promised to send a bill to the National Assembly to effect the change from N18,000 to N30,000

Seun Egbegbe: Judge fines prosecutor N50,000

Oladimeji Ramon

The trial of a Nollywood film-maker, Olajide Kareem, alias Seun Egbegbe, was stalled on Monday as the trial judge insisted that the case could not go on except the prosecutor, Mr Innocent Anyigor, pays a  fine of N50,000 imposed on him during the  previous proceedings.

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, sitting at the Federal High Court in Lagos, rejected the plea by the police prosecutor that the N50,000 be waived.

The judge rebuked the prosecutor for the snail’s pace at which the case had proceeded since Egbegbe and his co-defendants were arraigned in February last year.

The judge  during the previous hearing awarded N50,000 cost against Anyigor after the defence counsel raised objection to the competence of a police officer, Godwin Omaka, to testify in the case.

Shortly after Omaka entered into the witness box at the last hearing, the defence counsel complained that they could not find his name on the list of the witnesses which the prosecutor served on them as part of the proof of evidence.

Responding, the prosecutor, Anyigor, apologised, saying it was an oversight.

But Justice Oguntoyinbo rejected the apology and awarded N50,000 cost against Anyigor, stressing that the fine must be paid before the next adjourned date.

When the matter was called on Monday   and Anyigor was asked by the judge why he had yet to pay the fine and urged the judge to waive it.

But the judge refused.

In view of the judge’s refusal to waive the fine, the prosecutor pleaded to be given two weeks to raise the money.

But Justice Oguntoyinbo said she could not grant any adjournment longer than seven days, noting that the case had already dragged.

“I am getting fed up with this case. There has to be an end to litigation; this matter must end.

“We are talking about human lives. Only one of them (defendants) has been able to secure bail, the others are in prison.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. These are young people, let them know their fate,” the judge told the prosecutor.

She subsequently adjourned the case till November 7, 2018, directing the prosecutor to ensure that the fine was paid.

The police charged Egbegbe and four others with alleged serial frauds involving N39,098,100, $90,000 and £12,550.

They were accused of fraudulently obtaining the money from no fewer than 40 Bureau De Change operators in Lagos over a period of two years – 2015 to 2017.

Egbegbe and his co-defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the 40 counts pressed against them.

MINIMUM WAGE: Labour draws battle line with govt; says no N30,000, no votes

LEADERS of Organised Labour, workers and their civil society allies, yesterday, trooped into the major streets across the country as part of the sensitisation of workers and Nigerians for November 6, 2018 commencement date of a nationwide indefinite strike to compel government to peg a new minimum wage at N30,000, threatening “no N30,000 new minimum wage, no votes” in 2019 general elections.


Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and United Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, had declared yesterday, a day of national mourning and sensitisation of workers and Nigerians ahead of the November 6, start date of a nationwide strike.

The federal and state governments have since declined any N30,000 minimum wage agreement.

Lagos In Lagos, protests rally which kicked off from Ojuelegba Bridge, through Ikorodu Road to Gani Fewehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, crippled activities on the ever busy road causing heaving gridlock on both sides of the road and its environs.

The protesters displayed  placards with inscriptions such as “No minimum wage, No work from November 6”, “Minimum Wage of N30, 000 not negotiable”, “Minimum wage will boost Nigerian economy’,  “Upward review of Minimum wage will not trigger inflation”, “Ngige and governors do not own Nigeria, Nigeria belongs to all workers,, “N30,000 minimum wage, no more, no less” among others.

Addressing the protesters at the Maryland roundabout and  at Ojota freedom park, leaders of the protesters and President of ULC, Joe Ajaero, declared that from November 6, it would to total war with government until the N30,000 new minimum wage was achieved.

According to him, whatever the governors meeting yesterday came out with would be of no effect unless they agreed to implement the N30,000 minimum wage, insisting that there would be no more negotiation because the Tripartite committee appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, had finished its assignment and submitted its report to the President.

Vanguard

Minimum wage: Accept the N24,000 we offered - FG tells Labour

by  Adeola Opeyemi -

The federal government has urged Organised Labour to accept its offer for minimum wages - The government is currently offering to pay N24,000 while Labour insist on N30,000 The federal government has urged Organised Labour to accept the new minimum wage proposal, considering the capacity and ability of the government and the private sector to pay.

Minister of labour and employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the call when he received the new Director-General of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Timothy Olawale, on a visit to his office on Friday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ngige had a few days ago, while labour leaders were threatening to call out workers on a full strike over the minimum wage issue, announced that the federal government had offered N24, 000 to the workers.

But, the workers’ leaders countered, saying that N30, 000 was the amount agreed on by the tripartite-partner committee saddled with the responsibility.

 The minister told the NECA DG that it was imperative for organised labour to accept the proposed figure instead of the N30, 000 in line with social dialogue and the overall interest of the nation. He appealed to NECA to weigh its influence on the organisers labour to accede to the new wage offer mutually agreeable to all the social partners.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford rounds of labour crisis in this country, so it is imperative for organised labour to accept the new national minimum wage figure Read more: