Minimum wage: We’re not opponents on this negotiation table, FG tells striking Labour
The Federal Government has issued an earnest appeal to striking labour unions, saying that the government is not an opponent on this negotiating table. The Guardian reports that organised labour had declared a nationwide strike over a proposed new minimum wage after a meeting between the tripartite committee on national minimum wage and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) failed to reach an agreement on a new minimum wage and the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. “We have a responsibility to strike a measured and realistic balance, in this effort to arrive at a new minimum wage for Nigerians. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is firmly committed to doing what is right, reasonable and sustainable regarding these minimum wage negotiations. We call on the Labour Unions to reciprocate this gesture in the interest of the nation.”
Source:The Guardian
June 04, 2024 01:13 UTC
Mbappe shares childhood photos on Real Madrid's colours
He wrote, “A dream comes true, So happy and proud to join the club of my dream @real Madrid. Go Madrid.”Earlier, the official statement from Real Madrid read, “Official statement. 03/06/2024 Real Madrid C.F. However, the report further revealed, “Kylian Mbappé will wear the number 9 shirt during his first season with Real Madrid. Currently, his X page has been updated as a player of Real Madrid.
Source:Punch
June 03, 2024 21:49 UTC
Our Favorite Easy Vodka Cocktails
In a wave of modern Martinis and, yes, ’tinis (old and new), and even in infamous one-and-one drinks like the vodka-soda, a spirit once labeled “neutral” in the most pejorative sense is thriving. Gone are the days of vodka seen as an afterthought or a “necessary evil”—today, there’s a range of expressions with character, and cocktails to match. In an array of drink styles, from bittersweet aperitivo to briny, savory cocktails, there’s now a vodka drink for everyone. Here are nine easy recipes to start with.
Source:Punch
June 03, 2024 16:07 UTC
Nigeria to pay more subsidies as OPEC extends production cut
This comes as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), yesterday, decided to retain oil production cuts to tighten the market. Although analysts had expected that OPEC and OPEC plus members would relax their grip on the oil market, the producers rather extended their agreement to 2025. Despite failing to produce OPEC’s 1.5 million barrels per day quota and the 1.78 million bpd budget benchmark, the cartel, yesterday, retained Nigeria’s production output. Lokpobiri at the meeting emphasised Nigeria’s continued compliance with production adjustments designed to stabilise the global oil market. Our adherence to these production adjustments is crucial for maintaining market balance and supporting global efforts toward sustainable oil market stability,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
June 03, 2024 15:21 UTC
5 Effective Ways to Manage Everyday Stress
Wellness 5 Effective Ways to Manage Everyday Stress By Kareem Azeez Every new week comes with its stress, different from the previous week. Feeling stressed about…Every new week comes with its stress, different from the previous week. However, if you must be free from mental stress, you should abandon those work emails when you are not supposed to be working. When you are praised by your colleagues for doing something beautiful, smile big time, this has been proven to free people from stress. So take a deep breath, use these tips, and watch your Monday blues turn into a winning week!
Source:The Guardian
June 03, 2024 12:04 UTC
Elumelu urges FG to address power sector challenges
The Chairman of Transnational Corporation Plc, Tony Elumelu, has called on the Federal Government to address the critical issues plaguing Nigeria’s power sector. According to Elumelu, reforms are necessary to enable lasting economic transformation, adding that the country’s economic progress will be impeded if the electricity industry does not see considerable improvements. However, we call on the Federal Government to prioritise the crippling issues in the power sector. “The challenges in the power sector should be uppermost in our nation’s transformation agenda. Fundamentally reforming the power sector is essential to our national economic transformation,” he submitted.
Source:Punch
June 03, 2024 11:33 UTC
Nigeria's economy growing despite high inflation — Minister
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has declared that Nigeria’s economy is experiencing appreciable growth that may see the high inflation rate in the country come down drastically in a few months. Edun made the revelation when he was featured as a guest on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. The National Bureau of Statistics reported in its April consumer price index that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.20 per cent in March 2024 — up from 31.70 per cent in FebruaryAccording to the bureau, food inflation also surged to 40.01 per cent in the month under review. But the minister reiterated on Sunday that the situation was under control as the reforms and economic policies of President Bola Tinubu are gradually paying off. “On the other indices, the important thing is that the economy is actually growing.
Source:Punch
June 03, 2024 04:46 UTC
'Strike'll cause more pain,' Bauchi gov warns labour leaders
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has appealed to organised labour to reconsider the planned nationwide strike scheduled for Monday. Mohammed made the appeal on Saturday following his meetings with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; and members of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee. Organised labour had given the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Federal Government a May 31 ultimatum to reverse the electricity tariff hike. The unions also set a May 31 deadline for the Federal Government to finalise the new national minimum wage. Even at the moment, with the current minimum wage of N30,000, some states are not able to pay.
Source:Punch
June 02, 2024 22:14 UTC
Tinubu’s diversification strategy towards a prosperous future
Experts have suggested an inventory of sources of all hardware and software consumed in the “digital economy” to ignite possible solutions. One such initiative is the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) which offers training in 12 tech fields, including Artificial Intelligence. It is a major move to improve digital skills and grow the tech industry in Nigeria. Also, in March 2024, Tinubu’s administration introduced another initiative named the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) whose goal is to open up opportunities in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Information Technology (IT)-enabled sectors. The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) is a privately driven, government-enabled national job creation effort anchored by the Presidency under the Office of the Vice President and initiated by Outsource Global, Nigeria’s leading BPO provider.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
June 02, 2024 19:14 UTC
Govt to partner firms on cleaner, efficient transportation
The Director-General, National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, has given the assurance to partner with organisations ready to support government’s drive towards addressing the critical need for cleaner, more efficient transportation systems in Nigeria. Dahiru lauded the effort of Bibigizer Africa on its innovative power capsule aimed at sustainable environmental-friendly atmosphere in Nigeria, stating that the project would lead to greenhouse gas emission reduction and contribute to the nation’s quest to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Speaking on the innovation of the capsule, the Managing Director, Bibigizer Africa Limited, Garba Zakariya, said his organisation is set to refine the landscape of transportation and energy efficiency in Nigeria. “We are determined at revolutionalising the transport sector by significantly reducing carbon emissions and enhancing engine performance through effective decarbonisation by the introduction of the capsule.”President/Chief Executive Officer, Greenplinth Africa, Project Developer and strategic partner to Bibigizer Africa Limited, Dr. OlawaleAkinwunmi, stated that the capsule is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in the automotive industry.
Source:The Guardian
June 02, 2024 18:39 UTC
Why Labour staffers and MPs don’t say no to ‘power behind the throne’ Sue Gray
Then, in March 2023, Gray sensationally departed Whitehall to become Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. But her reputation as an inquisitor has helped Gray immensely when it comes to influence on junior staff and MPs. The first is shadow cabinet ministers, especially those bruised by negative briefing, such as Louise Haigh, Lisa Nandy and Angela Rayner, of whom she is a particular champion. Even among the most senior staff, there is barely anyone who has been promised a particular role in government, and the majority are in the dark about the future. One senior Labour figure said Gray and Starmer had connected because of their acutely similar backgrounds.
Source:The Guardian
June 02, 2024 18:08 UTC
A Black pastor is preaching support for Trump – but can he win over voters?
View image in fullscreen Pastor Darrell Scott at New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. View image in fullscreen Scott after speaking at the Republican national convention in Cleveland in July 2016. Now Scott contends that Black voters, for so long unshakably Democratic, are moving towards Trump largely because they are struggling under Biden’s economy. View image in fullscreen Trump shakes hands with Scott in the Rose Garden at the White House on 3 May 2018. “To this day, I’ve not received one dime from Trump, not one free hamburger at the Trump hotel,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
June 02, 2024 16:37 UTC
Fleeing Boko Haram terrorist surrenders to troops
One Boko Haram member, Bayanze Mustapha, fleeing from the massive incursion of troops into the Sambisa Forest, has surrendered himself to the troops of the 2 Armored Brigade, Bama. It was gathered that Bayanze was among the terrorists who fled the forest due to the fear of battlefield elimination after dozens of their camps were captured and razed by the troops. Security and Intelligence expert, Zagazola Makama, reported that he surrendered with his rifle on June 1 and told the troops that he ran out of ‘Garin Ali’ in the Sambisa Forest. Bayanze reportedly told the troops that everyone was running for safety as the troops kept invading their camps. As you know, ISWAP elements are also hunting to kill us,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
June 02, 2024 15:51 UTC
Digital gender gap threatens women empowerment – Report
A significant gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills among young African women was threatening to limit their access to education, employment, and economic empowerment, a new report has warned. The report, released by Caribou Digital and the Mastercard Foundation on Friday, found that young African women face a range of barriers to digital inclusion, including limited access to digital infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, and societal norms that discourage them from pursuing careers in technology. According to the report, the gender gap in digital technology adoption and skills could have far-reaching consequences, including limiting the ability of young African women to access information, networks, and opportunities, and potentially exacerbating existing gender inequalities. “Key findings from the report show a concerning gender gap, with young African women lagging in digital technology use. Commenting on the report, Research & Insights Manager, Caribou Digital, Grace Natabaalo, said the report was a collection of voices empowered by the benefits of digital access and marginalised by the significant barriers preventing their full participation in this burgeoning technological age.
Source:Punch
June 02, 2024 11:26 UTC
Digital revolution vital to Africa’s development, says Morocco
Speaking at the ongoing GITEX AFRICA 2024 in Marrakech, Akhannouch stressed the significance of technology and innovation in forging alliances for Africa’s future. GITEX Africa 2024 serves as a convergence point for tech experts, innovators, policymakers, government leaders, and investors to explore Africa’s digital opportunities and economic growth prospects. According to Akhannouch, digital transformation is imperative for enhancing cooperation among African countries, providing solutions to the continent’s challenges, and promoting sustainable development. He reiterated the importance of embracing and advancing digital transformation to unleash Africa’s full potential in the 21st century. The CEO of KAOUN International, Trixie LohMirmand, said: “This sequel of GITEX Africa Morocco this year follows the upbeat trend of tech discovery we created last year in its inaugural edition.
Source:Punch
June 02, 2024 11:21 UTC