The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Protest: Organised labour wants FG to fix refineries, halt school fees increase

    Protest: Organised labour wants FG to fix refineries, halt school fees increase

    The organised labour in Plateau, on Wednesday joined compatriots across the country in the protest against fuel subsidy removal, with a call on The Federal Government to fix Nigeria’s refineries.

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), affiliates also called on government to halt the arbitrary increase of school fees across the country’s higher institutions, as well as the unexplained taxes and utilities tariffs.

    Mr Eugene Manji, NLC Chairman in Plateau, while addressing the workers, said that subsidy removal had exposed Nigerians to untold hardship.

    Manji said that some Nigerians could barely feed their families because of the harsh economic situation.

    “I wonder how many parents will be able to pay their children’s school fees in September?

    “The increase of fuel from N195 to N617 has affected every sector of the economy.

    “We are not antagonising government, but we are suffocating under the current economic challenges.

    “Before you remove subsidy, fix our refineries and stop importing refined petroleum products, and ensure that every transaction concerning petroleum is done in our local currency (Naira and Kobo),” he stated.

    The chairman further appealed to the government to pay attention to the plight of the masses, and rescind it decisions.

    Mr Kenneth Shamah, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Plateau chapter, said that it was the first time organised labour made a chatter of demands and also suggested practical solutions.

    Shamah said that the peaceful protest was not only about workers, but for everyone suffering in Nigeria.

    According to him, many people can no longer feed their families as many businesses have crumbled.

    Read Also: VIDEO: AAC’s Sowore joins NLC protest in Lagos

    Prof. Chris Piwuna, National Vice President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said that the union had always stood for students and Nigerian citizens.

    Piwuna urged government, and indeed the ruling class, to have a rethink and listen to the cries of the masses.

    “There are taxes everywhere, electricity tariff has gone up, and the cost of food has skyrocketed.

    “In the span of just two months, the price of petrol has gone up to over 300 per cent.

    “Our leaders should listen, fix our refineries and go back to the resolutions reached between the Federal Government and the NLC on subsidy removal.

    “They should also pay university staff their eight months outstanding salaries,” the ASUU scribe said.

    (NAN)

  • Jamaica reach last 16 for first time as Brazil exit early

    Jamaica reach last 16 for first time as Brazil exit early

    Jamaica qualified for the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup for the first time as Brazil went out of the competition in disappointing fashion.

    It was a cagey encounter in Melbourne and Jamaica put in a stubborn defensive display to ensure their impressive tournament still has another chapter.

    But Brazil, who recalled striker Marta to the starting XI, could not find the goal they needed and failed to progress for the first time in 28 years.

    Read Also: Hong Kong sugar vessel nabbed in Lagos with cocaine from Brazil

    Marta, 37, is the all-time leading scorer in men’s or women’s World Cups but will not feature again, with her sixth tournament in Australia coming to an end having made three group-stage appearances.

    After this goalless stalemate, Jamaica could face Colombia or Germany in the last 16, while France go through as Group F winners following their victory over Panama in the other match.

  • I want CeeC, Alex disqualified – Pere

    I want CeeC, Alex disqualified – Pere

    BBNaija All Stars housemate, Pere Egbi has expressed his desire to see the disqualification of CeeC and Alex from the ongoing show.

    It’s no news that the two ladies have a long-standing rivalry from the time on the show during the “Double Wahala” season.

    They also got into a war of words during a heated argument last week during their first wager.

    He argued the housemates should have allowed the ladies fight so that they could be disqualified from the show.

    He stated: “You guys don’t know why I wanted CeeC and Alex to fight. I wanted them to actually throw blows the other day.”

    “But that would definitely happen regardless”, Ike chipped in.

    Read Also: BBNaija Phyna professes love for Pere, rallies for votes

    Pere continued: “You guys were busy holding them from fighting. Just sit down and let them fight. 

    “I really wanted CeeC and Alex to fight physically so they can get strikes till they get disqualified. 

    “We need to stop preventing them from fighting. Alex was charging towards CeeC that day.”

    “I don’t think they will ever touch each other”, Cross noted.

    Kiddwaya added: “We are going to find everyone’s weaknesses and when there is an opening to exploit, we do just that. They don’t even trust themselves.”

    The housemates have plotted to ensure Alex and CeeC go at each each during today’s wager task by pairing them together.

  • We want N30,000 palliative for six months — Lagos NLC

    We want N30,000 palliative for six months — Lagos NLC

    The Lagos chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded N30,000 subsidy palliative from the State Government to assuage the hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.

    Chairperson Lagos NLC, Funmi Sessi stated this while presenting charter of demands to the Deputy Governor of the state, Kadri Hamzat. 

    The Nation reports officials of NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliated unions in Lagos had storm the state Assembly to make known their demands. 

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN; Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election Omoyele Sowore, joined the protesters. 

    Read Also: Tinubu’s broadcast out of touch with reality – NLC

    Sessi while addressing Hamzat said: “We need subsidy palliative. Our minimum wage can no longer take care of our burdens. Many people are dying, and hungry. We know the state government is trying, but they still need to do more.

    “We need subsidy palliative of N30,000 each for workers, for the next six month. We know the govt has slashed BRT fares, but we want to be able to put food on our table. Some of us have cars, we need to buy fuel. 

    “We want health care to be affordable. Agencies and parastatals should get buses to transmit workers to and fro. 

    “We want a stakeholders dialogue with the state government. We also need food banks, we want stomach infrastructure, it is very important.”

  • 300 Delta Youths participate in PIND/YP mentorship programme

    300 Delta Youths participate in PIND/YP mentorship programme

    • By, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba 

    No fewer than 300 youths from Delta State attended a career/ leadership mentorship  programme by industry leaders.

    The event ,which is a collaboration between Foundation for Partnership Initiatives In the Niger Delta (PIND) and Young Professional (YP) Asaba, was held in Asaba, Delta Capital.

    The one day event had young university graduates within the 30 years age bracket mentored by lawyers, accountants, medical doctors and the members of the business class.

    Chief Executive Officer, Unboxed and Convener, Young Professional (YP) Asaba, Mr. Wale Adenuga, in an interview, said the event is a career mentoring programme that provided participants with opportunity to connect with industry leaders.

    According to him, the programme would afford  young people the opportunity to gain insights, ask questions and connect with mentors from different areas of human endeavour.

    Adenuga said the mentoring programme which started since 2015 has berthed in different cities including Lagos, Calabar and Asaba.

    He said over 65% of youths participating in the event in Delta state are interested in digital media technology, stressing that business leaders who have distinguished themselves have been selected to be mentors at the occasion.

    Adenuga stressed that the event was a mentoring and not an empowering event that offers starter packs to participants.

    He said insights gained by mentees at such occasions have  transformed the lives of many mentees.

    Patrick Ekpe, Youths Employment Pathways Project (PIND), said PIND is a non profit organization working within the Niger Delta region to impact on economic development and peace building.

    Ekpe noted that PIND has been collaborating with Young Professional as a career mentorship programme to help support young persons build their skills within the region.

    He said that PIND’s youth employment programme (YEP) is to ensure that all skills that are market relevant including ICT, Building Construction and Renewable Energy in the Niger Delta are captured.

    Executive Director PIND, Tunji Idowu, expressed happiness at the youths who according to him, “turned up early and in huge numbers” to participate at the event.

    He said despite the negatives associated with youths of the Niger Delta region, “every year, we have been able to prove that if we invest in young people, they can rise up to the occasion if we channel their (youths) energies correctly.”

    Tunji went on, “About 300 youths showed up on time,showed up prepared and the level of engagements with their mentees.”

    Read Also: ‘Reconstruct Niger Delta’s image for democratic dividends’

    On funding for entrepreneurs, Mr Idowu maintained that funding is available from multiple sources including equity and loans, adding that only efficiently run businesses are eligible.

    He said PIND had trained and built the capacity of over six thousand youths in PIND’s youth employment programme (YEP) with a 95% success rate.

    Idowu noted that PIND did not give starter packs but rather engaged participants in a “challenge fund” that requires them to pitch their business ideas.

    Chuks Ofulue, Advocacy Manager (PIND) the organisation works solely with partners, adding that PIND through its YEP scheme have collaborated with the Delta state wealth creation scheme since 2017.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the pitching of business ideas by four selected participants. 

    Miss Chinwe Unique Abujai and Mr Solomon Chigozie emerged winners carting home the sum of N125,000 each.

  • Reactions as Frodd warns mechanic on TV

    Reactions as Frodd warns mechanic on TV

    BBNaija All Stars housemate Frodd has sent many reeling with laughter and amazement after warning his mechanic on international television.

    It was during his diary session Frodd pulled the act though he was interrupted by Biggie.

    He expressed how much he missed his expectant wife, Chioma but promised to uphold her mandate of ensuring he remains in the house until the last day.

    Immediately after greeting his wife, the entrepreneur proceeded to sound a warning to his mechanic on a car to deliver to his wife but was cut short by Biggie.

    He started: “Biggie, I want to say something. It’s not really for you or for us in the house. 

    “I just want to tell….I want to tell my wife that I miss her so much. 

    “But since she has given me….she gave me the mandate to stay here till the last day. 

    “So, I’m going to try my best and stay; that’s what she told me.

    He added: “But I want to warn my mechanic, there’s a car that he’s supposed to take to her….”

    But Biggie cut him off, calling his name, “Frodd!! Your diary session has come to an end.”

    Taken aback, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu wondered how the reality TV star would consider cautioning his automobile engineer on television.

    He remarked: “How can Frodd be warning his mechanic on international TV?”

    First runner-up of the “Pepper Dem” season 4, Mike Edwards aka aireyys reacted by sharing a photo embracing Frodd and a video of a workman caught with his client’s car.

    Read Also: BBNaija All Stars: Frodd makes case for married men

    He captioned the post: “I go call Frodd mechanic for your case.”

    One Wavy Mk tweeted: “E be like the mechanic no too get sense. Problematic he needs to be warned on tv.”

    ML khan said: “Looks like Frodd’s mechanic should have thought twice before messing with his ride! Now the whole world knows, and the mechanic’s reputation is in for a wild ride!”

    @ulorseries wrote: “The message has been passed already, I’m sure that mechanic will deliver the car immediately.”

    Isimeme stated: “Mechanic will frustrate you!! I couldn’t stop laughing.”

  • Music Producer Kiddominant acquires new mansion, appreciates God

    Music Producer Kiddominant acquires new mansion, appreciates God

    Celebrity music producer, Ayoola Oladapo Agboola aka Kiddominant has acquired a five-star home.

    The talented music mixer hailed his creator for the favor while posting a video of the gigantic-looking building on his social media accounts.

    He said that against insurmountable challenges, he had overcome his life’s difficulties to get to where he is now.

    Read Also: Kiddominant says working with foreign artist influenced EP

    Kiddominant gave the audience a tour of the home, showcasing its expansive rooms, some of which included chandeliers; a family-size swimming pool, as well as other thrilling areas.

    He said: “I did all Dem odds like Crawford did Spence last night. Playing it small is a waste of turn. Just copped a mansion. God I’m super grateful”.

  • PHOTOS: DSS operatives arrive as protesters storm Lagos Assembly

    PHOTOS: DSS operatives arrive as protesters storm Lagos Assembly

    DSS operatives arrive as protesters storm Lagos Assembly

    Read Also: Emefiele gets court’s nod to serve bail order on DSS

  • Rudeboy unveils label’s new act

    Rudeboy unveils label’s new act

    Okoye twin singing sensation, Paul aka Rudeboy, has unveiled a new artiste signed to his record label, Fire Department Inc.

    He announced this with two photos of them spotting fire fighters costume.

    The first photo sees Rudeboy placing a hard hat on the new signee, officially welcoming onboard the ‘Fire Department’.

    While the other captured only the new act, holding high his hard hat with his back to the camera, proudly flaunting label name boldly inscribed behind his costume.

    To accompany the post, the PSquare twin wrote: “Ace is coming @acetune. #firedepartment.”

    Expressing gratitude to his new boss for the opportunity, Acetone on his page, shared same photos with the caption: “It’s a privilege the Legacy is passed down. Grateful cause it’s a chance to prove myself. 

    Read Also: Singer Rudeboy laments increment in foodstuff, cost of living

    “@iamkingrudy on everything boss, thanks #FIREDEPARTMENT

    “#Tunelovers you ready or what? HELP ME Say thank you @iamkingrudy in the comments let’s go!!! #herolager #urudia.”

    In a different post, Acetone described being signed to his new label as winning the prestigious Grammy award while appreciating everyone for the love shown him since his unveiling; and promising great music.

    “Every comment, share & support feels like “I just won a Grammy”. Awesome Thanks to my Tunelovers A #NewMusic #FireDepartment #Stay Tuned.”

  • I will switch up, Housemates keep underestimating me – BBNaija’s Soma

    I will switch up, Housemates keep underestimating me – BBNaija’s Soma

    Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate Somadina Anyama aka Soma, has claimed his colleagues misjudged and undermined him by saving him from possible eviction during Monday night’s “Pardon Me Please” nomination process.

    Soma was saved from possible eviction after eight housemates, including Angel, Uriel, Adekunle, Kiddwaya, Cross, Princess, Alex, and Seyi, nominated him to keep him safe for the week.

    Read Also: Mmesoma: Reps panel hails JAMB for fighting malpractices

    He however, on the other hand promises to switch up his game and “knack” the housemates “akpako.”

    Soma said: “The housemates underestimate me. I like that they underestimate me. They feel they have read me. At a point in time, I will switch it up and knack dem akpako. The game is getting interesting now”.