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  • 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.”

  • Enugu Tourism Board IGR grew to 243% in my first year of service – former GM

    Enugu Tourism Board IGR grew to 243% in my first year of service – former GM

     

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: The former General Manager of Enugu State Tourism Board, Chief Steve Odo, says under his watch he grew the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Board to 243 per cent increase in one year.

     

    Odo disclosed this to journalists in Enugu on Sunday while revealing the verifiable standard and other mile-stone achievements and records he set at the Board, which he met comatose.

     

    According to him, during my first one year in office the Board’s IGR increased from N2,571,000 in 2020 to N6,263,000 in 2021 (243.6 percent) representing 143.6 per cent increase.

     

    “In 2022, we generated the sum of N5,591,000 which is less than the previous year due to sit-at-home syndrome etc. However, this amount represents 217.5 per cent and an increase of 117.5 per cent of what was generated in 2020 before I took over.

    “In compliance with the Enugu State Tourism Law 2013 Section (18); I submitted detailed progress reports to his Excellency, the Governor through the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism every year as required by Law for the two years of my service.”

    “Before I took over, there was not even one hotel captured in the entire Enugu North and Enugu West Senatorial Zones as a result hotels and other tourism related enterprises were not aware of their responsibilities to the board requiring first that we have to create awareness which we embarked on and achieved.

     

    “We have captured about 150 hotels (big and small) in the two senatorial zones and registration/classification is ongoing.

     

    “This added to that of Enugu East Senatorial Zone comes to about 494 hotels (big and small) captured in the entire state,” he said.

     

    This, he said, was against a total of 150 hotels captured before I took over; while registration and classification of hotels were also ongoing before I handed over.

    The former general manager said that the Board’s Audited Accounts by an External Auditor was last done in 2013, which was nine years in arrears.

     

    “However, within my two years in office, the Board’s Audited Accounts have been completed up to Dec. 31, 2022 and the external auditors paid fully.

    “I also met a workforce of the lowest ebb of staff morale with over 80 per cent record of absenteeism and left a highly motivated workforce with less than 20 per cent of absenteeism,” he said.

     

    Odo noted that before he took over, the Board’s monthly overhead/subvention was far less than the basic salary of worker, adding that through financial data collection and reports to relevant arms of government, we were able to secure adequate monthly subvention/overhead.

     

    He revealed that the office had been in darkness since the closure of Hotel Presidential but he restored light (electricity) and procured a meter for the office.

     

    He said: “There were no functional toilets in all the offices of the Board, but I resuscitated the eight toilets in the offices.

     

    “It is on record that I initiated payment of staff pensions since the inception of the Board and have no record of arrears up to the month of May, 2023 when I handed over.

     

    “No retired staff of tourism board was being owed up till the date we were all asked to handover”.

    “The World Tourism Day, which is celebrated on Sept. 27 by tourism stakeholders all over the World, was first celebrated by the Board during my first year of service.”

     

    Odo said that during his period in the office, the Board launched a functional website on a special arrangement with a firm – Arichi Global Synergy – who have commenced registration and digitalization processes with the hotels before we were abruptly asked to land over.

     

    The former general manager said that he started the remittance of staff salary (PAYE) deductions to the State Board of Internal Revenue Service (EBIRS), which hitherto was being retained due to paucity of funds.

     

    According to him, my passion for hospitality and interest in Staff Welfare made me introduce End-of -Year Christmas Party for members of staff every Dec. 22 for the period I served.

     

    Asked his advice to Gov. Peter Mbah, he said that “Enugu State is a hidden treasure of tourism.”

     

    “I urge the new administration to focus on creating an enabling environment that will encourage private investors to partner with the government to achieve sustainable tourism development in Enugu State,” he said. (Flowerbudnews)

  • At 63, Nigeria is Fulfilling Founding Fathers Dreams Through 24 yrs uninterrupted Democracy – says Akobundu.

    At 63, Nigeria is Fulfilling Founding Fathers Dreams Through 24 yrs uninterrupted Democracy – says Akobundu.

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): As Nigeria celebrates her 63rd Independence anniversary, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, has described Nigeria’s 24 years uninterrupted Democracy as a fulfilment of the dreams of Nigerian founding fathers.

    Princess Akobundu stated this in her message to Staff and Stakeholders of the Agency to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary on Sunday, a statement by Marcel Anyatonwu,
    AUDA-NEPAD Media Unit disclosed.

    The AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Boss urged other African countries to emulate Nigeria:s good democratic governance gesture.

    She said that Nigerians ”have every reason to celebrate despite the few challenges facing the Nation which the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) had shown strong commitment in tackling since assumption of office”.

    According to Princess Akobundu, Nigerians, particularly the youths, should not give up on the nation, noting that countless opportunities abound in the country which could be explored to make a good living for all.

    “Youths of any nation is her strength and therefore, Nigeria is blessed to have nearly 65 percent of her population as youths.

    “President Tinubu has shown his great disposition to working with youth through his appointment of youths into key and sensitive positions in recent times.

    “I also call for concerted effort from all Nigerians in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda which encapsulates the 8 point Agenda of Mr President aimed at building the Nigeria of our dream,” she said.

    “No nation can develop without the full cooperation and contributions of her citizens,” Akobundu added.

    Princess Akobundu said that AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria would continue to attract partnership, investment opportunities, resource mobilization and other goodwill from well meaning organizations, countries and partners, desirous of contributing to the growth of the Nation.

    Akobundu recalled that at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly, the Agency was able to secure a partnership deal between Nigeria, Princeton University and the African School of Economics leading to the signing of an MOU by the Minister of Education on the sidelines of the UNGA

    Again it held a high level investment summit with investors and partners in collaboration with the AUDA-NEPAD Continental secretariat with a view to attracting investments in land restoration programmes of the government.

    She said with the huge interest shown by investors, partners and other participants at the event, Nigeria would soon start reaping the benefits.

    Akobundu hinted that the Smallholder farmers project initiated by the Agency had been attracting a lot of interest from local and foreign investors, adding that the agency would continue to implement with vigor, all its flagship programmes.

    It will be recalled that the Agency successfully conducted Nigeria’s APRM Second Peer Review and it’s recommendations and findings report was adopted as a guide to other African nations with similar challenges at the 2022 African Union Summit.

    The Review proferred solutions on five thematic areas namely: Economic Governance and Management; Democracy and Political Governance;Socio- economic Development; Corporate Governance; and Cross-cutting Issues. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • 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…

     

     

     

  • BREAKING: Gov Adeleke Approves Employment Of Health Workers In Osun

    BREAKING: Gov Adeleke Approves Employment Of Health Workers In Osun

    The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the employment of more health workers, to be posted to all primary health institutions as a means of revamping Primary Health Care services across the State.

     

    The executive secretary, Osun Primary Health Care Board, Dr Oluwole Fabiyi stated this on Imole Ayo, a sentization programme which promotes the activities of governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration on OSBC radio and television channels.

    The weekly simulcast Yoruba programme is put in place by the office of the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed to showcase the achievements of the present administration in the state

     

    Dr Fabiyi added that governor Adeleke has also approved the installation of solar energy in three hundred and thirty two Primary Health Centres in Osun State.

    According to the Executive Secretary, Osun Primary Health Care Board, aside the regular distribution of drugs to all Primary Health Care facilities, the governor has also approved funds as welfare package for health workers in Osun State.

    Dr Fabiyi advised the people of Osun State, most especially those at the grassroots to visit the Primary Health Centres nearest to them whenever they have any health challenges, saying qualified personnel are always there to attend to them free of charge.

  • Just in :US Court Orders Chicago University To Release Tinubu’s Academic Records To Atiku

    Just in :US Court Orders Chicago University To Release Tinubu’s Academic Records To Atiku

    A United States Court has ordered the Chicago State University (CSU) to release President Bola Tinubu’s academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by Tuesday.

    The presiding judge, Nancy Maldonado, dismissed Tinubu’s objection, issuing a two-day ultimatum to CSU to release the documents to Atiku.

    She also upheld the September 20 ruling of US Magistrate Judge, Jeffery Gilbert, who ordered the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records as requested by Atiku, stressing that the PDP candidate Atiku had the right to have access to the records.

     

    “For the reasons stated in the Court’s accompanying Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections (44] and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision [40] in full.

    “The Court therefore grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 1782. [1],” Justice Maldonado of the Northern District of Illinois ruled.

     

    According to the judge, CSU must complete all necessary filings regarding the release by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

     

    The court ruled, “Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. 1 through 4 (as narrowed by Judge Gilbert and adopted by the District Court in its opinion) in Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT, on Monday, October 2, 2023.

     

    “The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023

    Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the US District Court in Northern Illinois to compel the university to release Tinubu’s academic records, arguing that it would boost his suit challenging the President’s election in the February 25 presidential poll.

     

    The PDP candidate had requested the documents for use in Nigerian courts to support his argument that Tinubu forged a certificate he claimed to have obtained from CSU in 1979 and submitted to Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the 2023 presidential election.

  • Nigeria@63: 10 takeaways from Tinubu’s independence anniversary speech

    Nigeria@63: 10 takeaways from Tinubu’s independence anniversary speech

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday delivered his second nationwide broadcast since his inauguration. This time, it was in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

     

    Tinubu in the broadcast reinstated his pledge to “reshape and modernise our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people”.

     

    The President also highlighted the various policies his government has put in place so far including the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said was important for the country’s growth.

     

    Here are other key takeaways from Tinubu’s speech.

    1. Painful reforms undertaken by the government, (subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification) must be endured by all as it is temporary.

     

    2. Government is doing all it can to ease the load by;

     

    3. The introduction of N25,000 provisional wage increment to “average low-grade” workers for the next six months.

    4. Provision of fund states to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices.

     

    5. To ease transport costs, new Compressed Natural Gas conversion kits are expected to arrive soon while the government is also setting up training facilities across the country for transport operators.

     

    6. While the special investigator instituted to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria under the past leadership will be presenting its report soon, the bank’s new leadership will provide monetary policy to benefit all.

     

    7. The tax reform embarked upon will improve the efficiency of tax administration and address impediments to the country’s economic growth.

     

    8. In addressing unemployment and poverty, the government is increasing its investment in MSMEs. This is in addition to the 15 million vulnerable households that will be added to the extended social safety net.

     

    9. Priority will be given to the safety of citizens.

     

    10. The military will be equipped to function optimally while the service chiefs have also been tasked to rebuild the capacity of the country’s security services.

  • October 1: Tinubu approves N25,000 wage increment for low-grade workers

    October 1: Tinubu approves N25,000 wage increment for low-grade workers

    President Bola Tinubu has said the average low-grade worker in the country shall receive an additional N25,000 per month.

     

    The president also said discussions are ongoing with the organised labour and other stakeholders in the private sector on achieving minimum wage without causing inflation.

    Tinubu made this known in his address of the Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary delivered in Abuja on Sunday.

    Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation,” Tinubu said.

     

    “For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional twenty-five thousand naira per month,” he added