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23Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Senate passes N70,000 new minimum wage bill

The Senate on Tuesday passed the amended National Minimum Wage Act to increase the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The bill which was submitted to the National Assembly was passed by the green chambers after the first, second, and third readings. The senate will await the concurrence of the House of Representatives before it is transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent into law. After the Bill titled: “Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 550)” was read for the first time, Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion that the Senate should suspend its relevant rules to enable the Senate to consider the Bill for Second and Third reading. All the senators unanimously adopted the motion when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. ...

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23Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Police Confirm Rescue Of Abducted Travellers In Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has said its operatives rescued the victims who were abducted on Friday in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. Recall that the victims were travelling from the South-East around 11pm when they were attacked by gunmen, killed a female passenger in the front seat and the driver. However, they abducted five others, two of whom managed to escape despite sustaining injuries. Meanwhile the rescue was contained in a statement on Monday, where the spokesman of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilana, stated that the assailants left the victims stranded in the forest. According to her, policemen from the tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, Olufemi Awoyele, had been combing the forest, which led to the abductors fle...

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23Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Tinubu Appoints John Obafunwa As New NIMR DG

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of John Obafunwa as the new director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s spokesman, on Monday, Mr Obafunwa will succeed Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23. The appointment takes effect on July 24. “President Tinubu extends his gratitude to Professor Salako for his service to the nation,” said the statement. The president expects the new director-general to bring his immense wealth of experience and qualifications to bear in this role to further drive the NIMR’s objective of leading research into diseases of public health importance in Nigeria. He also expects him to develop structures for disseminating research findings while...

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23Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Counter-Insurgency Operations In North-West Require Constant Review-COAS

The Nigerian Army will continue to review its operations to reinvigorate ongoing operations against non-state actors. Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja said this at opening a three-day retreat for past and present commanders of army operations in North-West on Monday in Abuja. Mr Lagbaja said the security situation in the North West was made complex by activities of non-state actors who engage in banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling, illegal mining and violent attacks on innocent citizens. These activities, he said, had led to the destruction of lives, properties and means of livelihoods. According to him, the activities of these non-state actors have continued to impact the security environment across the country despite unrelenting efforts by the army, sister services an...

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21Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Joe Biden withdraws from US presidential election race

US President Joe Biden has announced that he will end his candidacy for re-election, saying "it is in the best interest of my party and the country". It comes four months before Americans go to the polls, upending the race for the White House. It follows weeks of intense pressure from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance against Republican Donald Trump at the end of June. In a letter posted to his social media account, he said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term". He said in his statement he would addr...

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21Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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BREAKING: Biden Drops Out Of 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Vice President Kamala Harris For Nomination

President Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, a seismic event that will leave Democrats scrambling to select his replacement just weeks before their convention. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for my term," Mr. Biden posted in a statement on social media. Shortly after the announcement, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," Mr. Biden posted on social media. "And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement fo...

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21Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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CISLAC criticises Senate leadership curtailing senators’ voices, introducing autocracy

By Perpetua Onuegbu The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) hascriticised the recent removal of Sen. Ali Ndume as the Senate's Chief Whip, accusing it of undermining democratic representation.Mr Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) Executive Director,CISLAC, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.According to him, this demonstrates a trend of silencing senators and preventing them from voicing the concerns of the Nigerian people whom they are elected to serve, likeningit to autocracy."The senates actions undermine the constitutional role of its members asrepresentatives of the people at the highest levels of government."By restricting senators from expressingnational concerns, the senate risks eroding its mandate and weakening thelegislature as an independent arm of government."...

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21Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Police Inspector Demoted Over Attempt To Extort Drone Operator In Lagos

The police command in Lagos state has demoted a police inspector to sergeant for trying to extort money from a drone operator.The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the demotion to journalists on Saturday. “The disciplinary process of the police officer who harassed one drone operator on the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge has been concluded. “He has been reduced in rank from inspector to sergeant,” he said. On April 6, 2024, Mr Hundeyin responded to a viral video showing two police officers demanding a permit from a drone operator on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. He said that the police officers acted within the ambit of the law to demand to see a permit. “For emphasis, Nigerian aviation laws stipulate that a permit must be obtained from the Nigerian Civil Avia...

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21Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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I Don’t Belong To APC But Appreciate Tinubu’s Bold Reforms-Okupe

A former director-general of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe, says he is not a member of the ruling APC but appreciates the bold reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu. Mr Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, disclosed this on X handle (formerly Twitter) while reacting to criticisms over his appreciation of Mr Tinubu’s initiatives. Mr Okupe has been criticised for always supporting, advising and praising every government in power since 1999. Mr Okupe had served as aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then Goodluck Jonathan as a PDP member. He later joined the Labour Party to support the presidential bid of Peter Obi for the 2023 elections. Mr Okupe said: “I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser of the admi...

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21Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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One Million Under-Five Nigerian Children Die Annually Before Their Fifth Birthday-FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says that approximately one million Nigerian children die annually before their fifth birthday due to various illnesses. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said this on Friday at a news conference to kick-start the 2024 FCT Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week vaccination. The vaccination exercise, which is free for children aged 0 to 59 months, is scheduled to begin on July 20 and end on July 24. Represented by Dr Babagana Adam, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Ms Fasawe said that the death rate among children between ages 0 to 59 months compelled the FCTA to continually carry out the vaccination exercise annually. Ms Fasawe said that malnutrition prevalence among these s...

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19Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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National Association of Polytechnics Students partners group on housing schemes

By Joan Nwagwu The leadership of the National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS) said it has partnered Domak Group International for land and housing Investment scheme for students and youths across the country. Mr Opeyemi Ridwan, President of NAPS said this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja. Ridwan said that the partnership was to encourage students, youths to own their houses or lands due to high cost of accommodation and occupancy of a house. According to him, this lack of affordable housing options has forced many people to rent rather than purchase a home. "Haven X-rayed the whole situation and most of the challenges facing students and youths in this country to own a land and house. "We discovered that what people need is enlightenment, financial lit...

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18Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Police Orderly Killed As Gunmen Attacked Edo Deputy Governor Shuaibu

At least a policeman reportedly died on Thursday when some gunmen attacked the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu's security details in Benin, Edo State. Gun battle whas said to have occurred between the gunmen said to be the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and the deputy governor's convoy. This was also confirmed in a press statement issued by Shaibu’s media team dated July 18, 2024. The statement reads: “The Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Thursday afternoon, escaped an assassination attempt on his life in Benin City the state capital. The attempt on the life of the deputy governor and other VIPs, including supporters who were at the Benin Airport to receive him, was carried out at the Airport exit gate roundabout, near Fai...

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18Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Minimum wage to be reviewed every 3 years – Tinubu

The new N70,000 minimum wage adopted by the Federal Government after consultation with the Organised Labour on Thursday will be reviewed after three years. Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while addressing State House correspondents. He disclosed this after the meeting between representatives of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu and the Organised Labour. The Minister also said President Tinubu agreed that the national minimum wage review would no longer be done every five years. Idris also said President Tinubu would perfect the proposal on the new minimum wage in a bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly next week. “We’re happy to announce today that both the Federal Government and Organised Labour h...

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18Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Breaking News: Tinubu Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage

President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country. Tinubu announced the minimum wage during a meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the presidential villa on Thursday. Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide, disclosed this in a statement.

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18Jul By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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House Of Reps Members To Donate Half Salary For Six Months To Fight Hunger

The House of Representatives has pledged to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for six months to address the hunger across the country. This was made known at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday. It was learnt that the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu amended the motion, urging his colleagues to sacrifice 50% of their salaries. This government is doing its best but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent for a period of six months,” the lawmaker was quoted.

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18Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Adelabu inaugurates ministerial power sector working group

By Constance Athekame The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has inaugurated the Ministerial Power Sector Working Group to serve as a platform for supervisory, monitoring and oversight control of the power sector. Adelabu, while speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, said that the working group would serve as a platform for the supervision, monitoring and oversight control of the sector. He also said that the group would also clarify issues with detailed explanation of what is happening in the sector, since the activities are inter-related. The minister said that though there had been existence of the meetings in the past, it was necessary to re-introduce and improve on it by inaugurating the group. He said that the major reason for re-introducing the meeting of the work...

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17Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Electricity: AEDC rolls out new initiatives for effective service delivery

The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, (AEDC) says it has introduced new initiatives to enhance its operational capabilities for effective service. The Acting Managing of the company, Mr Victor Ojelabi, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said that the new team's "commitment to serve the customers is unwavering. He also assured the customers that the new changes effected will bring about a significant improvement in the service delivery Ojelabi said that the series of initiatives were embarked upon by AEDC to transform its operations and enhance service delivery to their esteemed customers. He said ''the new leadership team is poised to drive the organisation to new heights of operational excellence and customer satisfaction. He list...

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17Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Medical expert call for periodic eye-check up 

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder.  Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the  2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Dr. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount as part of Preventive measures.  According to her, th...

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17Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Medical expert call for periodic eye-check up 

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder.  Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the  2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Dr. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount as part of Preventive measures.  According to her, th...

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17Jul By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Medical expert call for periodic eye-check up

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder. Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the 2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount for Preventive measures. According to her, the surgery courses funded by the Tropical H...

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