President Bola Tinubu announced that his administration will persist with its planned strategic reforms and measures to tackle the country’s deep-rooted structural issues.

Despite the nation’s complexities and citizens’ resistance to change, he emphasized that the reforms will be fully implemented.

He said, “We will continue with various proposed programmes and strategic measures where necessary to address the deep-rooted structural issues these are systemic challenges that plagued the economy over the years. Despite our country’s complexities and citizens’ resistance to change, we will remain resolute in our commitment to stir the nation towards safety and prosperity.”

Tinubu said this at the Nigeria Employers Summit on Tuesday in Abuja themed, “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing government reforms and private sector agility.”

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, represented Tinubu.

In its third edition, the National Employers Consultative Association organized the event, establishing it as the premier advocacy platform for business-focused discussions and solution paths between the Organized Private Sector and Government at both National and Sub-National levels.

The current administration has implemented multiple reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate market over a year ago. These changes have led to a surge in inflation and the exit of multinationals.

Speaking at the event, the president acknowledged that these reforms had disrupted key sectors but asserted that they set the nation on a path toward economic prosperity and generational development.

He highlighted that withdrawing the unsustainable fuel subsidy, which drained $10 billion or 2 percent of the nation’s GDP, has allowed funds to be redirected towards critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and security, directly enhancing citizens’ well-being and prosperity.

Furthermore, he emphasized that these steps were necessary to ensure the sustainability of businesses, attract foreign direct investors, and restore our nation to its former status as the pride of Africa.

Two witnesses testified on Tuesday at a Federal High Court, Abuja as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened its money laundering case against former Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano.

A commercial banker staff, Mr Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi, and an Onitsha-based businesswoman, Mrs Chinwe Patricia Egbunam, were led in evidence as 1st and 2nd prosecution witnesses by EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obiano was Anambra governor between March 2014 and March 2022.

The former governor, in a nine-count charge, was alleged to have among others, misappropriated over N4 billion from the state’s treasury.

When the matter was called, Nnadi, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), told the court that he was a bank manager at Awka, the capital of Anambra.

The witness said: “My lord, as part of our responsibilities, we manage customers’ accounts and interface with various security and anti-graft agencies in terms of enquiry on a customer’s account.

“We usually comply by providing the requested information.

“I know the defendant in this matter. He is the immediate past governor of Anambra State.

“In April 2022, I was informed by our compliance unit that I was needed at EFCC in respect of activities of the past administration of Anambra State.

“I went there with two of my colleagues. The EFCC told me that my invitation was in respect of an ongoing investigation.

“I was told that it was because I was the manager of the branch that handled most of the financial activities of the then-state government.

“The state government maintains various accounts with our bank and one of such accounts was for security votes.”

According to him there was really nothing special about the security votes account.

“It was like every other account that we managed for the state government.

“The account was mostly funded by the office of the Accountant General of the state and bulk of the funds came from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

“Payments into the account was made on weekly basis and all transactions out of the account were always based on the advice of the account operators.

“The payments we made out of the account were to various entities and corporate organisations.

“We supplied documents containing names of all the beneficiaries to the EFCC,” the witness added.

However, he declined request by the prosecution counsel, Tahir, to mention the names of some of the beneficiaries in the open court.

Nnadi said doing so would amount to a breach of his “oath of secrecy.”

He said the accounts were mostly funded every week.

“Cash withdrawals, manager’s cheques, transfers and drafts were instruments that were used to remove the funds, based on instructions from the operators of the accounts.

“Some of the documents I submitted to the EFCC, included the certified true copies (CTCs) of the statements of account, cover letter for the statements of account, packages used to open the account, as well as certificates of identification for each of the accounts,” he said.

Meanwhile, the bundle of documents from the bank, totaling 794 pages were tendered and admitted in evidence by the court as Exhibit PW-1 (A1- A 794)

Another bundle of documents dated June 1, 2023, showing the debits that were made from the accounts, were also admitted in evidence.

Obiano’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said his client would reserve his objections to the Exhibits and raise them in his final address.

When the witness was asked to read to the court, from the exhibit, some of the names on the list of beneficiaries of funds that were transferred out of the account, he mentioned; “Moment of Peace Ventures, Easy Diamond Integrated Links and Nasda Ventures.”

When being cross-examined, Nnadi told the court that all the transactions that involved his bank were done in compliance with the mandate on each account.

He said the mandates were also in accordance with the banking practice.

Shortly after Nnadi concluded his evidence and was dismissed, Mrs Egbunam.mounted the box and testified in the matter.

She told the court that she is a trader that specialised in “Turkey wears.”

She told the court that she had on May 20, received a call that she was needed at the EFCC office over some funds that passed through the account of her company, C.I. Party Ventures Nigeria Limited.

“When I got to the EFCC, I told them that I did not know anything about the money but that I knew that I told my account officer, Mr. Ugochukwu Otibelu, to help me to upgrade my account to enable me to meet requirement of the Embassy of Turkey.

“It was to upgrade the account to enable me to be able to travel and the upgrade was for him to help me and post money into my account.

“My account officer accepted my request and collected my company account and cheque.

“However, at the EFCC, I was told that about N156. 8 million passed through my account from the Anambra State Government,’ she said.

While being cross-examined, the witness told the court that the arrangement was for her account officer to facilitate the inflow of funds into her company’s account.

She told the court that she did not touch the money that was wired into the account as it did not belong to her.

More so, the witness told the court that the directors of the company’s account were her family members.

“Outside the fact that the defendant was the governor of Anambra State, I never had any dealings with him,” she added.

Asked to tell the court about the security situation in the state while Obiano held sway as governor, the witness said: “I currently stay in Anambra. There is usually no movement in the state every Monday because of a sit-at-home order.

“I know ESN and IPOB and they operate fully in Anambra State.”

She said during Obiano’s tenure, the former governor worked with organisations and churches to maintain peace in the state.

“This was because churches, organisations and even mosques were under threat during that period,” the witness added.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Wednesday for trial continuation.

Credit: NAN

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has revealed that his administration was able to pay the new N70,000 minimum wage to its workers and fund various developmental projects by cutting the cost of governance.

Obaseki disclosed this in a statement on Monday, stating that the state government planned for the minimum wage three years ago when the initial signs indicated the economy was heading in the wrong direction.

He said, “I am able to pay N70,000 because two or three years ago, I raised an alarm that we were resorting to massive borrowings, which will be inflationary in the long run. I predicted there would be a massive devaluation of our currency.

“You will ask, if you knew this, what did you do? We knew it would translate into the demand for higher wages because of inflation and so we said, look, let’s focus on building a much more efficient economy. Let’s focus on reducing our cost of governance. Let’s focus on training our people and getting more productivity out of them.”

Obaseki and reduction of cost of governance

Obaseki detailed his government’s efforts to reduce the cost of governance, saying, “We have a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to buy 5–10 megawatts of power for all government offices and street lights at night, eliminating the need to buy diesel.

“We’ve also implemented a fleet management service, integrating our transport system similar to Uber, which has significantly reduced our operational costs.”

He added, “The savings allow me to invest more in my people, increasing their salaries to boost productivity. We measure teachers by learning outcomes and monitor attendance through technology. I’ve also aligned drug purchases with primary healthcare dispensations, thanks to our investments in technology infrastructure, including 2000 kilometers of fiber optic cable connecting every local government.

“With this infrastructure, we can extend telemedicine and connect doctors across the State. This approach aims to improve the lives of our people, even if it faces initial resistance.”

Obaseki also noted that his administration’s investments in security have made Edo the safest state in the South-South region and one of the most secure in the country. This has bolstered investor confidence, attracting businesses and boosting economic activity.

He stressed that security is a local issue, involving the decentralisation and democratisation of security systems to include community participation. Over 15,000 vigilante operatives now patrol the 18 local government areas, enhancing safety and security.

The state has also equipped these operatives with communication devices and surveillance equipment, including numerous street cameras and a Command and Control Centre for rapid response.

Obaseki stated, “Edo is still the safest state in this zone. By decentralizing and democratizing security, we ensure community participation in policing. We have trained and equipped 15,000 vigilantes and invested in surveillance infrastructure.

“Despite occasional incidents, we respond quickly. The primary crime issue is cultism, leading to homicides, but we are addressing it with security agencies. Today, investors are not deterred by insecurity.

“If you visit at night, you’ll see people conducting business late into the evening. We’ve improved security significantly, fostering a thriving night economy in Edo, especially in Benin.”

In recent weeks, the National Assembly has come under increasing pressure to adhere to the new minimum wage law, a crucial legislation aimed at uplifting the standard of living for millions of Nigerian workers. This growing demand for compliance underscores the urgency and importance of ensuring that all workers receive fair and just compensation for their labor.

The new minimum wage law, which was passed after extensive deliberations and consultations with various stakeholders, sets a higher wage threshold that employers must meet. The aim is to provide workers with a livable income, enabling them to afford basic necessities and improve their quality of life. However, the implementation of this law has faced several challenges, sparking widespread debate and concern.

Transitioning into the current scenario, lawmakers are feeling the heat from various quarters, including labor unions, civil society organizations, and the general public. These groups have been vocal in their demand for the government to enforce the law without further delay. They argue that timely compliance is essential to prevent exploitation and to ensure that the benefits of the new wage structure reach those who need it most.

Activists have staged numerous protests and rallies, drawing attention to the plight of workers who continue to earn below the stipulated minimum wage. Their message is clear: the National Assembly must act swiftly and decisively to uphold the law. They emphasize that failing to do so would not only undermine the legislative process but also erode public trust in government institutions.

In response to these pressures, several members of the National Assembly have publicly acknowledged the need for prompt action. They have assured the public that measures are being put in place to address the concerns and to ensure that the new minimum wage law is fully implemented. These assurances, however, have done little to quell the growing dissatisfaction among workers who are impatient for tangible results.

Furthermore, the issue has sparked a broader conversation about economic justice and workers’ rights in Nigeria. Many are calling for comprehensive reforms that go beyond the minimum wage, advocating for policies that support job creation, fair labor practices, and economic stability. They argue that while the minimum wage law is a step in the right direction, it must be part of a larger strategy to tackle poverty and inequality.

The Wait for The New Minimum Wage Bill

The government, on its part, has reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare of workers. Officials have highlighted ongoing efforts to monitor compliance and to take action against employers who fail to meet the new wage standards. However, they also acknowledge that achieving full compliance will require collaboration between federal and state authorities, as well as support from the private sector.

As the debate continues, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the National Assembly. The pressure is on for lawmakers to demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of Nigerian workers. The outcome of this situation will not only impact the livelihoods of millions but also set a precedent for how labor laws are enforced in the future.

Read Also: ASUU Urges Nigerians to Block FG from Accessing Pension Funds

In conclusion, the National Assembly faces a critical juncture as it grapples with the pressure to comply with the new minimum wage law.

The decisions made in the coming days will have far-reaching implications for workers’ rights and economic justice in Nigeria. It is a moment that calls for decisive leadership, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to the principles of fairness and equity.

A Federal High Court in Kano has set aside the repeal of the Kano Emirates Council Law by the state government.

The Kano House of Assembly repealed the law that was implemented by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to dethrone Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano.

The governor also reversed the creation of four emirates, Bichi, Rano Karaye and Gaya, and sacked the Emirs appointed by former governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The law was also relied upon to re-appoint the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was dethroned by Ganduje in 2020, as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Ruling on a suit filed by a member of the former Kano Emirate Aminu Babba Danagundi, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman set aside the action of the Kano government, ordering parties to maintain the status quo.

But Danagundi’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), is asking the court to declare the state government’s decision null and void.

The judge held that the defendants were aware of the interim order granted by the court but chose to ignore it and went ahead with the implementation of the law.

The judge held that he would assume his coercive powers to enforce compliance with his order.

However, the judge transferred the case to Justice Simon Amobeda for continuation because of his elevation to the Court of Appeal.

More details…….