News

President Tinubu pleads for more time as NLC issues strike notice

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2023

39 Views

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, in Abuja appealed to the organised labour to avail him more time to consider their grievances before embarking on any nationwide strike.

This is just as indication emerged that the Federal Government may enforce the court order restraining the organised labour from embarking on a strike over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy in May should the Nigeria Labour Congress make good its threat on August 2.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed Tinubu’s plea to State House Correspondents after leading some officers of the House to brief the President on the outcome of their engagement with the National Association of Resident Doctors, which has declared a nationwide strike.

At about the same time, following the threat by labour, the Federal Government on Wednesday evening held an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But briefing reporters, Abbas said Tinubu appealed that being new in office, he needs time to evaluate the issues raised by workers over which as he is yet to be briefed.

Abbas said, “What he (Tinubu) said is that he’s just coming on board. We should ask them and beg them to please give him a little more time.

“The things that they mentioned, he is completely unaware of them, he is yet to be briefed about all those issues.

“But from what he heard from me, he also advised that we should channel some of those issues to the Chief of Staff to look at them one after the other. I believe the next coming days, some concerted actions will be taken.”

The Speaker explained that the House leadership invited NARD following their intention to go on strike, saying that the lawmakers succeeded in persuading the union to shelve the plan.

“Sequel to the meeting we had with them, there were series of conditions that they gave, that we felt we need to share with the President,” he revealed.

Asked what the House was doing to restrain the Nigeria Labour Congress from proceeding with the August 2 protests, Abbas said, “In the same manner, the same way, we will also invite them to come and sit so that we hear their grievances and then we follow the same pattern of engaging and persuading them to give us a little time so that we can be able to meet their expectations.”

Meanwhile, the House leadership’s meeting with the President was held as leaders of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria met with the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives set up by the Federal Government.

However, the meeting failed to convince the labour leaders to shelve their plan as they insisted on proceeding with the protest slated for August 2.

Wednesday’s meeting, which took place in the office of the President’s Chief of Staff, was attended by labour delegations led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.

It was in continuation of the June 19 meeting over the initial increase of the petrol pump price to N520 per litre.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ajaero said, “We are going ahead with the protest because we have to be emphatic on what we put in our communique, to say we are commencing protests from August 2.”

On his part, the TUC President, Osifo, said both sides listened to the presentations from the Steering Committee secretariat and labour made its input afterwards.

He said, “Some of the things they presented, we did not agree with them. So, the areas we did not agree on, we also made our inputs known because when you come to such a meeting, it is for the government or its representatives to do a presentation.

“But it’s left for us to either agree or disagree. So, during the meeting, we gave them sufficient feedback. And they also agreed to go and look at those feedbacks and get back to us on Friday.”

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the discussions achieved some progress in negotiations.

She explained: “We’ve agreed to continue to make progress. It was a very productive meeting.

News

NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Published

10 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OCHEFA

22 Views

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.

The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”

The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.

The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.

“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”

The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.

“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.

News

Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work

Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

Published

16 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OhiBaba

22 Views

The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan

Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.

Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.

“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.

The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.

Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.

News

BREAKING: FG, state, local governments share N2.001trn July revenue

Published

18 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Charles Flames

30 Views

The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.

The distributable revenue included:

N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference

Out of the total distributed funds:

The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
State Governments received N660.349 billion
Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue

Revenue Breakdown:

Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):

FG: N613.805 billion
States: N311.330 billion
LGs: N240.023 billion
13% Derivation: N117.714 billion

VAT (N640.610 billion):

FG: N96.092 billion
States: N320.305 billion
LGs: N224.214 billion

EMTL (N37.601 billion):

FG: N5.640 billion
States: N18.801 billion
LGs: N13.160 billion

Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):

FG: N19.544 billion
States: N9.913 billion
LGs: N7.643 billion
13% Derivation: N2.643 billion

The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.

FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.

The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.