Flowerbud News

Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

  • BREAKING: Maritime workers cancel indefinite strike

    BREAKING: Maritime workers cancel indefinite strike

    The Executive Members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have directed their members to resume work at the nation’s seaports and oil and gas platform.

    Last week, the union had earlier ordered closure of all the nation’s Seaports, Jetties, Oil & Gas platforms and Terminals in compliance with the organized labour’s directive on the indefinite strike which was to commence on Tuesday, October 3.

     

    President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, in a statement on Monday night, said an agreement had been reached with the government and the strike would no longer hold.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly suspend the indefinite strike billed for October 3, 2023 following the removal of fuel subsidy.

     

    “It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress had directed its affiliate member Unions across the country to mobilize and shut down the country following the refusal of government to adhere to the seven points demand made by the NLC and the TUC to ameliorate the suffering of the teeming Nigerian Workers and the impoverished masses of the country”, a statement signed by MWUN media head, Com John Kennedy Ikemefuna

    .members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are still in a meeting with the federal government as of the time of filing this report

  • ‘Miracle of the century’ — Osun community gets power supply after 91 years

    ‘Miracle of the century’ — Osun community gets power supply after 91 years

    Wild jubilation engulfed Araromi-Okeodo, a community in Ife-South Local Government Area of Osun State following the supply of electricity to the town for the first time after 91 years.

    The Monarch of the town, Oba Abbas Akanbi, the Alara of Araromi-Okeodo, led his chiefs and subjects to the off-grid location of the 50-kilowatt sholep energy firm that is responsible for the feat during its inauguration.

     

    Oba Akanbi told newsmen that he did not believe that a power supply would be possible in his lifetime.

     

    “We have heard several stories about power supply to the community which never materialise and even when we were told of this solar power plant, we thought it is another fake promise but today, I am the most fulfilled person worldwide.

     

    “We, as a community, will ensure the sustainability of the plant and protect it adequately as a means of showing our gratitude. We are sure that the community will witness more growth and development”, he said.

     

    The Managing Director of Sholep energy Limited, Engr Olalekan Adeleke said the multi-million naira project was funded by the company in conjunction with the World Bank and the Rural Electrification Agency, REA of the Federal Government, saying the off-grid power plant will supply over 700 houses.

     

    He added that the mini-grid plant will supply 24-hour uninterrupted power to the community with a durable water supply to the community free of charge.

     

    Osun State Commissioner for Energy, Adeyemi Festus disclosed that the state is also collaborating with private investors to build more power plants in the state towards attracting investment, adding that Governor Ademola Adeleke would ensure adequate security for the power plant.

  • BREAKING: WAEC gets new boss

    BREAKING: WAEC gets new boss

    The West African Examinations Council has appointed Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, as the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

     

    Dangut succeeds Patrick Areghan, whose tenure ends this month.

     

    A statement by WAEC made available to The PUNCH on Monday revealed that Dangut, until his appointment was the Deputy Registrar/HNO’s office.

     

    The statement stated that he joined the service of WAEC in 1998 as an Assistant Registrar II and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Registrar in April 2018.

    He won the Nigeria Examinations Committee’s commendation for transparent conduct of examination between 2000 and 2006.

    reads in part, “He served as an Assistant Registrar/Subject Officer, Test Development Division, WAEC, Lagos (July 1998 – January 2005); Senior Assistant Registrar/Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller, Uyo Branch Office (January 2005 – January 2008); Senior Assistant Registrar/Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller, Bauchi Branch Office (January 2008 – December 2011); Senior Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller, Yola Branch office (December 2011 – January 2019); Deputy Registrar/Controller, Post Examinations Department (January 2019 – October, 2020); Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja Zonal Office.”

     

    His profile read further, “Dangut was born on October 2, 1967, in Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State. He attended Government Secondary School, Riyom (1981 to 1983) and Government Science School, Kuru (1983 to 1986), where he obtained his WASC/SC in 1986), both in Plateau State; from there, he proceeded to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, where he bagged the award of Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production in 1991.”

    The statement added, “For the past 25 years, he has leveraged Information and Communications Technology to innovatively improve processes in Test Development, Test Administration and Post Test Activities.

     

    “Dangut is an astute scholar with various educational publications in international and national journals. He has also presented numerous keynotes and other papers at international and national conferences/fora. “

  • UPDATED: Tinubu approves N35,000 provisional wage award for all FG workers

    UPDATED: Tinubu approves N35,000 provisional wage award for all FG workers

    President Bola Tinubu has approved N35,000 as a provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for a period of six months.

     

    Malam Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

     

    He said that this followed consultations between the federal government and the leadership of the labour unions at the Presidential Villa.

    At the meeting, the Federal Government also pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation occasioned by subsidy removal on PMS.

     

    The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next six months.

     

    It also announced the payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October to December

     

    Labour Unions made a case for higher wage awards.

     

    A sub-committee will be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

     

    The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State will be addressed urgently.

    NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the agreed resolutions.

     

    Gov. Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

     

    Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu.

     

    Others are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

     

    The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Okon, Deputy President, TUC, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, and the TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro

     

  • FG Removes VAT On Diesel For Six Months, Gives Labour Other Offers

    FG Removes VAT On Diesel For Six Months, Gives Labour Other Offers

    Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said this in a statement on Sunday after a meeting between government officials and labour unions over the latter’s planned industrial action.

     

    “VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months,” he said, noting that it was part of the resolutions reached during the meeting with organised labour in Abuja.

     

    While one of labour’s demands is the cushion the rising cost of transportation via the use of alternative energy sources, the minister the government is “committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy”.

    While one of labour’s demands is the cushion the rising cost of transportation via the use of alternative energy sources, the minister the government is “committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy

     

    Apart from this, the government said it is committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.

     

    “NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” the statement further added.

  • Breaking: Ilebaye wins Big Brother Naija All Stars, ₦120m grand prize

    Breaking: Ilebaye wins Big Brother Naija All Stars, ₦120m grand prize

    Ilebaye Odinaya has been crowned as the winner of the Big Brother Naija All Stars.

     

    The 22-year-old won the ₦120 million grand prize ahead of Mercy Eke and emerged as the ultimate queen of the reality show.

    The six finalists were Cross, Ilebaye, Ceec, Mercy Eke, Adekunle, and Pere.

    Recall Ilebaye competed in the Season 7 ‘Level Up’ edition but was evicted after a few weeks.

     

    The‘Gen-Z baddie’ made a stunning return a year after her first show and managed to capture the nation’s heart throughout the BBNaija All Stars show.

     

    Despite enduring some harsh experiences within the house, her authenticity resonated with viewers and she dominated conversation on social media.

     

    From several altercations to winning wager games and then the ultimate HOH immunity, she served viewers with a plethora of highlights.

     

    Ilebaye competed in the toughest HOH game to claim the ultimate immunity card. After going head-to-head with eight other All Stars housemates she won the challenging game of balancing on a platform for over two hours.

     

    Ilebaye was sadly at the forefront of the receiving end of Ike’s meanest schemes, who littered her clothes on the bathroom floor while on the show.

     

    She came in as the youngest housemate and ever since has had fans and viewers with the constant thought of whether or not her controversial moments was a strategic ploy.

    She survived the challenging moments and has now been crowned winner of the ₦120 million grand prize

  • BREAKING: Tinubu extends N25,000 provisional wage to all levels of workers

    BREAKING: Tinubu extends N25,000 provisional wage to all levels of workers

    President Bola Tinubu has extended the N25,000 wage increment to all levels of workers in the civil service.

    According to NTA, this was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

     

    Gbajabiamila said the twenty-five thousand naira earlier announced by President Bola Tinubu for low-grade federal workers as intervention would now to cut across all levels of workers.

    recalls that Tinubu had announced earlier on Sunday a N25,000 wage award to low grade workers in the civil service, as part of measures to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy.

     

    The President made the pledge on Sunday during his nationwide broadcast to mark the Independence Day anniversary.

     

    He noted that the salary increase will last for a period of six months

  • BREAKING: BUA slashes price of cement to N3,500

    BREAKING: BUA slashes price of cement to N3,500

    BUA Cement PLC on Sunday announced the reduction of the price of its cement product to N3,500 per bag starting from Monday, October 2, 2023.

     

    It said the price reduction was in line with its commitment to spur development in the “building materials and infrastructural sectors”.

     

    The company announced the price reduction in a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page.

     

    This development is coming weeks after the company’s chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, promised to review the price of the product.

    The statement read in part, “We refer to our previous pronouncements regarding our intent to reduce cement prices upon the completion of our new lines at the end of the year, in order to spur development in the building materials and infrastructure sectors.

     

    “As per the commitment made to reduce prices and following a periodic review of our operations for efficiency, the management of BUA Cement Plc wishes to announce and inform our esteemed customers, stakeholders, and the public that effective October 2, 2023, we have decided to bring the price reduction forward. As a result, BUA Cement would now be sold at an ex-factory* price of 3,500 Naira per bag so that Nigerians can begin to enjoy the benefits of the price reduction before the completion of our plants.

     

    “Upon completion of the ongoing construction of our new plants, which would increase our production volumes to 17million metric tonnes per annum, BUA Cement PLC intends to review these prices further in line with our earlier pronouncements by the first quarter of 2024.”

  • BREAKING: FG calls organised labour to emergency meeting

    BREAKING: FG calls organised labour to emergency meeting

    To prevent the imminent nationwide indefinite strike organised by labor unions, the Federal Government has extended an invitation to labour leaders for a further discussion today, October 1, at 2 pm.

     

    The emergency meeting is to take place at the State House in Abuja.

     

    The government-Labour meeting at the State House on September 29 was canceled due to the absence of organised labour representatives.

     

    According to a memorandum issued by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Emmanuel Igbinosun, on behalf of the Minister, and addressed to the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, the meeting has been planned to convene in the Chief of Staff’s Conference Room at the State House.

     

    The statement read, “Further to my earlier correspondence on the above subject, I once again bring greetings from the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “I am directed to invite the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a meeting with the Government on the above subject scheduled as follows; Date:- Sunday, October 1st, 2023; Time:- 2 pm; Venue:- Aso Villa Conference Room of the office of the Chief of Staff to Mr President.

    Please be assured as always of the kind regards of the Hon. Minister of Labour & Employment.”

     

    The meeting is expected to be attended by the national leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress and that of the Trade Union Congress.

    Expected to attend the meeting on behalf of the government are the Chief of Staff to the President, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, along with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Honorable Simon Lalong, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honorable Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and several other prominent government officials.

     

    Details shortly…