The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called on Tinubu’s government to introduce a revised minimum wage plan.

Minimum Wage: ‘Present Something, No De Yarn Cho Cho Cho’ – NLC Tackle’s FG

President Bola Tinubu urged the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage to hasten the process, calculate the numbers, and submit them for his approval.

He expressed a commitment to a wage exceeding ₦60,000, while the TUC and NLC indicated flexibility from their initial ₦494,000 demand.

After discussions, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reassured the public that all was well following a key meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Despite this, the labour union criticized the Federal Government for not presenting a new minimum wage framework after warning of an indefinite strike.

The president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, speaking on the development said, “Nothing has been presented yet. The minister of finance said they are still working on the template that the president mandated them to work on.

“All we were discussing were the principles behind some of these issues, but they have not presented anything beyond what was presented earlier.

“We hope when we come back tomorrow, we will have something to relate to.”

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NLC, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), called on the Federal Government to address the expired minimum wage since April instead of making unfavorable remarks.

The union shared a video of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, speaking at a press conference about the recent meeting.

“One Week Ultimatum. They have not presented any different thing yet. FG show Workings ooO! No be to dey yarn cho! cho! cho! One week is around the corner already. #We DEMAND A LIVING WAGE NOW!”

Cash crisis continues in Nigeria
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans investigations into cash circulation issues
Banks limit cash withdrawals to between N10,000 and N20,000 per day.

Possibility of Continued Cash Scarcity

Many ATMs remain empty for days, causing inconvenience to customers
Point of Sales (PoS) operators have enough cash while banks struggle to dispense cash.

Customers suspect collusion between banks and PoS operators
Allegations of bank officials owning PoS services.

Banks and PoS operators deny involvement in any illicit activities
PoS operators facing challenges accessing cash from banks, seeking alternative sources.

This summarizes the ongoing cash circulation issues in Nigeria, the actions of the CBN, limitations faced by banks and customers, suspicions of collusion, and the denial of any wrongdoing by both banks and PoS operators.

According to Vanguard News reports, Mrs Beauty Omobola, a PoS agent Said;

“It is difficult to get cash from the banks now. I don’t really know what is happening.

“Before I could withdraw N100,000 to N200,000 over the counter from my bank. But that same bank has now told that I can only withdraw N50,000.

“The situation is terrible that some banks will tell you it is only N10,00 or N20,000 they can pay over the counter even if you are a PoS agent.

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“I have to manage the little cash I have which is not up to N50,000 to do business.

“Even the traders who usually deposit money with us are not bringing it. I have been doing transfers with ATM card since morning today. No one has brought cash.”

Mr. Jerry Iduzogie, another agent said: “This cash scarcity in banks started recently. My bank that gives out up to N200,000 to PoS agents told me I could only withdraw N20,000 from across the counter or ATM. I was surprised and they are my friends

“I just had to collect it . It was my wife who assisted me in sourcing for cash from her friends who are traders. That’s why I am still in business this week. Our business of PoS will now be in danger if this situation continues.”

Miss Rebbeca Daniels, an agent said: “A friend of mine at the bank who confided in me said there is no cash as many Nigerians no longer take their cash to the bank.

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“If you go to any shop today, they have a PoS terminal where they are doing transfers and withdrawals.
“So most of the cash people use in buying goods from them still goes back to the public and not the bank.

“When I got to the bank today, I was given N10,000 over the counter.

“It is those mallams trading here that supply me cash. That is how I am surviving in this business.”
However, some banks’ teller service officers over the counter told Vanguard that banks have no reason to withhold cash from customers adding that they always have cash supply problem from both the CBN and the general public.

One of them stated: These days we practically dispense all the cash we receive from both the CBN and the depositors every day, but we ration it according to availability.

‘‘Some days we dispense at a maximum of N20,000, sometimes it is more even up to N50,000 per customer. It just depends on availability of cash’’.

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When asked why PoS operators near his branch always have cash for their customers he stated: ‘‘PoS operators have multiple sources of cash. They maintain multiple bank accounts. They go after businesses such as petrol stations, supermarkets and other traders for cash.’’

The Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) is concerned about banks experiencing a cash shortage despite providing them with full cash supply from its vaults.

The CBN plans to investigate this issue and will take action against any bank involved in cash malpractice.

Recently, the Currency Outside Banks (CoB) decreased by N27.5 billion or 0.55% to N3.6 trillion in April from N3.62 trillion in March 2024.

This marked the first CoB decline in 2024, following a previous decline in January 2024.

Analysts believe the 0.55% decline in currency outside banks reflects a decrease in cash availability in the system.

At least 30 people lost their lives, while over 100 sustained injuries during suicide bombings targeting Wedding and Funeral gatherings in Borno state.

Attack at Borno Wedding and Funeral Leaves 30 Dead, 100 Injured

The First Class Emir of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, verified on Saturday that multiple suicide attacks occurred at different sites, such as a wedding celebration and a burial event in Gwoza town.

The synchronized attacks, occurring in the afternoon, led to chaos as individuals fled for safety.

Reliable sources said;

“More than 30 innocent civilians were killed, while over 100 sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Many of the victims have been evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention.”

Woman and two children

Confirming the incident to Vanguard exclusively, the royal father, Timta, said;

“The entire Gwoza council area is in serious mourning following multiple suicide attacks on our community.

“The first suicide attack was masterminded by an unidentified woman. She sneaked in with two children into a wedding reception of a popular young man in Gwoza. Then she detonated her Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, killing herself and many people.

“Few minutes after, another suicide bomber sneaked into a burial ceremony nearby and detonated IEDs. And as i am talking to you right now, the third explosion just occurred a few minutes ago with more casualties.

“At least, over 100 people were injured, and most of them who sustained serious injuries have been rushed to Maiduguri with military escort for proper medical attention.

“This is just a preliminary confirmation, as details of the casualties are still yet unknown. But I will keep you posted on any developments,” the Emir stated.

In response to the incidents, Ahmed Usman Jaha, known as Babawo, a member representing Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa federal constituency, expressed sympathy for the families of the victims of the multiple attacks. He prayed for the souls of the deceased to be granted Aljannatul Firdaus and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

Gwoza, located in southern Borno near the Cameroun Republic, was previously under Boko Haram control. Insurgents captured the town, resulting in numerous casualties, before it was eventually liberated by the military.

Credit: Vanguard News

Major Drug cartel dismantled in Nigeria

Drug Lord Captured in Rural Estate as NDLEA Seizes Meth, Precursors, and Firearms

A major drug cartel involved in the production and distribution of a deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘mkpuru mmiri’, has been dismantled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, after the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, and his associate in his mansion located in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

A statement from the spokesperson of the anti-drug agency, Femi Babafemi, says the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantities of methamphetamine in the South East, South-South, and other parts of the country.

‘’After weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered”

Babafemi said exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.

He stated that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideouts located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.

Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items. While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.

‘’Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.” Babefmi said

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers and men who participated in the successful dismantling of the meth syndicate. He emphasized that the way the operation was executed should serve as a clear warning to other cartels that there is no safe haven for them anywhere in the country.

American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have written to, and enlisted the support of the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, for the release of the “illegally detained” Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a British citizen.

American Military Veterans Seek Support from New British Prime Minister for Kanu’s Release

AVID, in a letter dated 19th July, congratulated Starmer on his emergence as the new British PM, and reminded him of Kanu’s ordeal following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021.

The letter, jointly signed by Dr Sylvester Onyia and Dr Godson Obiagwu, President and Secretary of AVID respectively, urged the new British PM to prevail upon the Nigerian Authorities to release Kanu.

AVID expressed concern over Kanu’s deteriorating health condition and urged action towards his release in compliance with court orders.

Below is a full text of the AVID letter made available to Vanguard: “The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) wishes to congratulate you and the people of the United Kingdom (UK) on your 5th July 2024 successful general elections.

“Your victory as the new Prime Minister is remarkable and timely. We appreciate your forward-reasoning stance on British imperialism and its impact on Africa with particular reference to Nigeria.

“We know your leadership would be a great success because of your broad scope and depth of knowledge on global affairs as well as your willingness to bring transformational changes.

“AVID is a not-for-profit Veteran entity composed of citizens of the United States of Igbo ancestry who honorably served or are currently serving in various branches of United States Armed Forces. Our organization was incorporated in the state of New Mexico, and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. We are not affiliated to any political party at home or overseas.

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“We bring to your notice the illegal extraordinary rendition of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, a political activist and British.

citizen by the Nigeria government from Nairobi Kenya to Nigeria.

” Since 2021, Mr Kanu has been on isolated detention in Nigeria Department of State Security Services (DSS) because he requested for referendum to create the Nation of Biafra out of the present-day Nigeria. Nnamdi Kanu has significant health problems and he is not receiving adequate healthcare.

“Just this week, Barrister Aloy Ejimako, a Special Counsel for Nnamdi Kanu wrote on X “Yesterday, during our visitation with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we found him ill, with shortness of breath, low BP & general malaise. For this reason, he requested to see his doctor & we submitted a letter in this regard.

Today, the Doctor arrived the DSS but was denied access to #MNK. 4:17 pm – 16/07/2024”.

“We need you to expedite a thorough review of this case and help release Nnamdi Kanu from Nigerian dungeon. AVID is knee-deep in support of democratic process everywhere.

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“A call for referendum is not a call for war or violence. We have high hope that you will set this British Citizen free from the clutches of cruel and inhumane treatment meted out to Mr Kanu by the Nigeria government.”