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15Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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FG to prosecute anyone engaging apprentice below 12 years

By Joan Nwagwu The Federal Government says anyone engaging an apprentice below the age limit of 12 will be charged with child labour. Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment said this at a roadshow sensitisation rally in Kugbo, Furniture market, on Thursday in Abuja. Represented by Alh. Mohammed Tolani, Director Skill Development and Certification, the minister said government had begun the enforcement of 12 years minimum age for individuals to engage in apprenticeship scheme in Nigeria. “This breaches the United Nation and International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and standards. “The policy has been clearly spelt out under Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN.,”she said. Onyejeocha said the ministry had commenced enforcement of the l...

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14Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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How Asagba Of Asaba, Edozien Died Few Months To His 99th Birthday

The Asagba of Asaba, Delta State, Obi Joseph Edozien, is dead. The monarch was said to have joined his ancestors on Wednesday. He was aged 99. The news of the monarch’s demise filtered in on Thursday with residents of the state capital describing his death as a great loss to the kingdom. A palace source, who is one of the monarch’s top aides, confirmed his death to our correspondent. The source familiar with the workings of the palace, however, said there would be no public statement on the development until after seven days. Recall that on January 9, 2024, 1000 trees were planted in his honour as part of the activities lined up for the celebration of Asagba’s 100 birthday anniversary.

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14Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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VON partners SMEDAN to boost SMEs

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, says the aim of partnership with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is to promote and propagate positive narrative from the sector. Ndace stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to his SMEDAN counterpart, Mr Charles Odii, on Tuesdays in Abuja. Ndace said his team had particular interest in what the SMEDAN boss and his team had been doing in the Agency. “VON is older than 1990; it was established as external arms of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria in 1960 and later became independent in 1990. “I am determine to build on the past legacies of my predecessors and founding fathers of the organisation. We broadcast in eight languages which include English, French, Arabic, S...

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14Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Union pickets NAFDAC headquarters over ban on satchet alcohol

By Joan Nwagwu The Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), has pickets the headquarters of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles. FOBTOB is an affiliate under the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria. It would be recalled NAFDAC had put a ban on the production and sales of alcoholic products in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml.That the ban was to protect minors. The agency also said the alcohol level of PET bottles and sachets was thirty percent, compared to four to eight percent in beer. Mr Oyibo Jimoh, National President of FOBTOB, described the action as ‘economic sabotage’. According to him, it is unjust that the government will take such a drastic ...

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14Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Inflation: Device ways of reviewing minimum wage law annually-Ajaero tells FG

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to device ways of reviewing minimum wage law annually due to the inflationary trend in the country. Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this the 2nd National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum, organised by the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) on Tuesday in Abuja. The theme of the forum is, :Strengthening Tripartitism and Social Dialogue (including alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a Sustainable Industrial Relations System in Nigeria. Ajaero said that the government should have a rethink as the five year cycle was not favourable to the Nigerian workers due impact of the high cost of living effecting workers salaries. According to him, no matter what amou...

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14Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Industrial harmony: NECA calls for consistent engagement in social dialogue

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the employers, employees and the Federal Government to consistently engage in social dialogue to improve Industrial harmony in the country. Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, President of NECA said this at the 2nd National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum on Tuesday in Abuja. The theme of the forum is, ”Strengthening Tripartitism and Social Dialogue (including alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a Sustainable Industrial Relations System in Nigeria”. Adeniyi noted that the country had witnessed several Labour upheavals in recent times. According to him, we firmly believe that maintaining a healthy employer-employee relationship is vital for fostering a thriving economy and creating a stable...

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13Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Trader Bags Life Imprisonment For Defiling Friend’s 12-Year-Old Daughter

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Monday, sentenced a 53-year-old rubber trader, Kenneth Mba, to life imprisonment for defiling a friend’s 12-year-old daughter. Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his judgement, held that the prosecution proved the charge of defilement against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge handed down the verdict after finding Mr Mba guilty of the offence of defilement of a minor. Mr Oshodi said the convict’s confessional statement that he defiled the survivor in his room three times and gave her N200 each time after sex was corroborated with the survivor’s testimony. He, however, said his oral evidence to deflate the charge did not hold water. Mr Oshodi referred to the convict as a pathological liar whose testimony was an af...

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13Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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EFCC Nabs Four Brothers, 30 Others For Alleged Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four brothers and 30 others for alleged internet fraud. EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He gave the names of the siblings as Chukwuebuka Egbo, Chibuike Egbo, Francis Egbo and Victor Egbo. According to him, the other suspects include Great Eze, Ani Callistus, Ekpe Chigbo, Eze Eric, Nnaemeka Gabriel, George Tochukwu, Uche Divine and Chiamelie Ede. Others are Enenta Ebube, Treasurer Osinachi, Ejiakor Chidiebere, Kingsley Olisa, Ugwuanyi Ekpere, Uzor Godson, Tochukwu Firminus, Ebuka Comas, Okwudili John, Samuel Otti, Agada Olema, Odoh Nnabuike, “The other suspects include Okeke Harrison, Oriasotie Meshack, Ekperechi Ebube, Ugwu Sebastian, Eli Ogbonna, Martins Ugwu, A...

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13Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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2009 NSF Football team winners decry non-fulfillment of promises

The Football team and winners of 2009 National Sports Festival (NSF), have decried nonpayment and fulfilment of promises made to them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and organisers of the tournament. The Spokesperson of the 2009 and winners of the Football team, Mr Joel Tadanyigbe who disclosed this in a press statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, described the situation as worrisome.  "We the football team and winners of 2009 National Sports Festival were promised a plot of land in Abuja and till now the promise has not been fulfilled. "We filled FORMS for the Lands and later we hered that the Sports Director is trying to claim the lands for some group of people and that we are not included. "Those that took 2nd position of the FCT Football Team ha...

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12Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Declare state of emergency on security, NUT urges FG

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security given the spate of insecurity in the country. Comrade Audu Amba, National President of the NUT, made the call at the union's 6th Annual Solemn Assembly on Monday in Abuja. According to him, Nigeria has experienced unprecedented security challenges such as Boko Haram Terrorist attacks, Banditry, Herders and Farmers clashes, vandalism, militancy and kidnappings in recent times. "There was a report from the Joint Security Forces of Nigeria that 24,816 victims were killed while 15,597 were abducted since the beginning of the kidnapping to date. "It is, therefore, my humble plea that the Federal Government declares a state of Emergency as far as the security situatio...

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11Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Tinubu Mourns Wigwe, Ogunbanjo, Other Helicopter Crash Victims

President Bola Tinubu has described the death of Herbert Wigwe, his family members and Abimbola Ogunbanjo as a rude shock. Presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, saying Mr Tinubu had received official confirmation of the incident. Mr Wigwe was the chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc. and founder of HOW Foundation, while Mr Ogunbanjo was the former group chairman of the NigeriaExchange Group Plc. Ngelale said Mr Tinubu mourned the Nigerian business leaders and described their passing as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension. “The president commiserates with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident. “President Tinubu prays for the p...

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11Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Adequate Security Measures In Place For Remi Tinubu’s Visit To Kano- Official

The Kano state government, on Sunday, said it had made adequate security arrangements to ensure hitch-free activities during the visit by the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to Kano on Monday. The director-general of media and publicity to the state governor, Sanusi Bature, announced this while speaking with reporters in Kano. The first lady is expected in Kano to inaugurate the Faculty of Law Building named after her at the Maryam Abacha University, Kano. He said that the state government, alongside the police, had drafted a compressive security network on how to provide the required security at each of the places that the first lady would visit. The government, therefore, appealed to residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully and come out en masse to receive the fir...

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11Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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NDLEA Unveils New Strategies To Combat Drug Abuse, Trafficking In FCT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled new strategies and measures to address increased, constant abuse of drugs and illicit trafficking in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). NDLEA FCT commander, Kabir Tsakuwa, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Tsakuwa said that one of the strategies the agency was working on was to establish new Area commands and outposts in the FCT for effective drug control. He said the agency would also explore the existing relationships with all security agencies, particularly in information sharing, as this would curtail illicit drug trafficking in the territory. He added that the agency would improve its joint operations with a view to dislodging the identified black spots within the FCT. ...

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10Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Housing Minister tasks FMBN on identifying opportunities for housing development

By Perpetua OnuegbuThe Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, has tasked the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to identify innovative opportunities for housing development in the country. Dangiwa gave the charge in a Keynote Address at the 2024 Management Retreat of FMBN on Saturday in Niger State, with the theme: “Transformational Innovation for Sustainable Development in Uncertain Times”. He said that FMBN must transform, innovate and lead a new era of massive housing development and delivery even in difficult times of high construction costs and lower incomes. “This requires a radically new mindset, thinking out of the box and identifying the opportunities that these challenges present. Housing finance institution that delivers on the maxim that ‘Ev...

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10Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Access Holdings CEO Wigwe, Wife, Son, Others Die In US Helicopter Crash

Billionaire banker, Herbert Wigwe, the immediate past Managing Director of Access Bank and current Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, is dead. Wigwe alongside his wife, son and three other passengers were said to be onboard a chopper that crashed in California, United States of America. They were reportedly heading for Las Vegas to watch Super Bowl, the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States. The New York Times has confirmed the incident but kept the identities of the passengers.

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10Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Newly elected Sarkin Samarin of Nigeria harps on youth creativity

Inauguration By Diana Omueza The newly elected as the Sarkin Samarin of Nigeria, Mr Abdulhamid Haliru has harped on unity, peace and youth creativity for sustainable development of the country. Haliru, made the call on Friday in Abuja at his inauguration by the Council of Traditional Youth Chiefs Forum of Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sarkin Samarin is the leader of traditional youth chiefs. He said that the title conferred on him was a call to service and a heavy responsibility that he must carry out diligently with focus on youth development. “This is a heavy burden, and a heavy responsibility that I have looked forward to and am excited that with God’s grace and all the support of the people and the government I will succeed. “Part of my pl...

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9Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Oluwo Recommends Death Penalty For Looters Of Nigerian Treasury

Oluwo of Iwo in Osun, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Akanbi, has advocated capital punishment for corrupt leaders in the country. Mr Akanbi, while speaking with journalists in his palace on Thursday in Iwo, said with such capital punishment, corruption would be reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria. The traditional ruler, who noted that Nigeria was blessed with both human and material resources, decried the suffering experienced by Nigerians amid plenty due to corruption. What we can do now to nip corruption and kidnapping in the bud in the country is by introducing capital punishment, as it was done by the governments of Saudi Arabia and China. “When capital punishment is put in place and implemented, people will be afraid of looting our commonwealth. I believe that is the way to go,” ...

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9Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Four Killed In Lone Accident On Sagamu-Benin Expressway

At least four persons were confirmed dead on Friday in a lone accident involving a Toyota Camry car at Area J3 on the Sagamu-Benin expressway. Florence Okpe, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson in Ogun, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta. Ms Okpe explained that the accident occurred at 11:40 a.m. and was caused by excessive speed on the driver’s part, leading to loss of control. She said the vehicle marked BDG 184 FY veered off the road and somersaulted into a swamp. “A total of four persons, three men and one woman, were involved, and they all died from the lone crash. “The suspected cause of the lone crash was excessive speed, which led to loss of control, and the vehicle veered off the road and somersaulted into a swamp,” she said. Ms Okpe...

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9Feb By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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FCCPC To Punish Wholesalers, Retailers Hiking Food Prices Indiscriminately

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned participants in the food chain sector over indiscriminate price hikes. In a statement on Friday, the acting executive vice chairman of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, said the commission would not tolerate price gouging. Mr Abdullahi said legal consequences would be swift and severe. He said the FCCPC’s surveillance efforts suggested that distributors and retailers engaged in conspiracy, price gouging, hoarding and other unfair tactics and strategies. Mr Abdullahi added that participants in the food chain sector were taking advantage of consumers’ anxiety and vulnerability to inflate prices. He said the action restricting and distorting competition was obnoxious, unscrupulous, exploitative, and illegal. ...

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9Feb By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Strike: FG pledges full implementation of agreements with labour

By Joan Nwagwu The Federal Government has assured its commitment to expedite full implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with organised labour. Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment gave the assurance at a news conference on Friday in Abuja. It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), issued a 14- day ultimatum to the federal government to implement all the agreement reached on Oct.2, 2023. Reacting to the ultimatum, Onyejeocha said the federal government acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians and had demonstrated sincerity in its ongoing negotiations with the trade unions “We wish to reassure Nigerians that this government is fully committed to honouring its obligati...

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