GoldmyneVibes

13/06/2024

3rd Day Of Ileya [June 18, 2024]

10pm

ClubStardom, Limelite Hotel, Ago-Iwoye

Strictly By Invitation.

Media Support: GoldmyneTV

13/06/2024

13/06/2024

Just saw this documentary on the last 24 hours of Late General Sani Abacha!!!

You can learn a thing or two from it.

13/06/2024

Gov. Abiodun, Amosun Trade Words Over Severance Packages For Ex-Aides

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 1:34:07 WAT
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, have clashed over the severance packages of some former appointees of the state government.

Governor Abiodun, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, accused the forum of special assistants who served in Amosun’s administration of blackmail and mischief for complaining about the non-payment of their severance allowances.

Akinmade suggested that the affected former political appointees should first blame the “callousness and insensitivity” of their former boss before appealing to Abiodun for redress on “compassionate grounds.”

In response, Amosun, through his media aide, Lanre Akinwale, criticised Abiodun’s administration for failing to pay the severance benefits. Amosun asserted that the current administration has deliberately withheld these payments because the appointees served under him.

“The Dapo Abiodun-led government needs to be woken from their slumber and reminded that Amosun, during his administration, also paid the severance benefits of political appointees who served during the administration of his predecessor.

“Amosun did not ask the affected appointees to resort to begging, appeasing, worshipping, and bootlicking him. He paid it voluntarily, knowing fully well that government is a continuum, and he considered it part of his responsibility to the affected people for their service,” the statement read.

11/06/2024

Emefiele printed ‘his own Naira’, ignored design approved by Buhari, says Ex-CBN director

A former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), director of currency operations, Ahmed Umar, has disclosed that the immediate past governor, Godwin Emefiele, printed his own design of the naira.

The Nation reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 15, arraigned Emefiele on a four-count charge before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court.

Emefiele, however, denied the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N300 million.

Court again orders forfeiture of $1.7m linked to Emefiele
Read Also: Court orders another forfeiture of N11b property linked to Emefiele

However, Umar while giving evidence at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Maitama, said the features in the design approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari were different from the one Emefiele ordered to be printed.

Umar said: “The design approved by the President had a QR code, which the currency in circulation does not. The positioning of the portrait was on the right side, that printed by the CBN was on the left and the number scheme approved by the President is different from what the CBN produced.”

11/06/2024

Emefiele printed ‘his own Naira’, ignored design approved by Buhari – Ex-CBN director

A former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Director of Currency Operations, Ahmed Umar, has disclosed that the immediate past governor, Godwin Emefiele, printed his own design of the naira.

Umar disclosed this while giving evidence at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Maitama.

The former CBN director said the features in the design approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari was different from the one Emefiele ordered to be printed.

Umar said, “The design approved by the President had a QR code, which the currency in circulation does not. The positioning of the portrait was on the right side, that printed by the CBN was on the left and the number scheme approved by the President is different from what the CBN produced.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on May 15, arraigned Emefiele on a four count charge before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court.

Emefiele however denied the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N300 million.

10/06/2024

RCCG City of David undergoing audit as Iluyomade’s replacement resumes

Pastor Charles Kpandei, who replaced a former Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s City of David parish in Lagos State, Idowu Iluyomade, resumed at the parish on Sunday.

According to Church Times, on resumption, Kpandei first introduced himself to the church and then preached on the subject of heaven.

Kpandei urged members to welcome one another to church during the second service of the City of David.

He said, “Are you really happy to be in church today? For those of you who are just coming for the second service, it is important to tell you that I am called Pastor Charles Kpandei.

“You need that name because you are going to tell somebody that on behalf of Pastor Charles Kpandei, you are welcome to church today.”

Before going to the main message, he prayed that God would remember the City of David for good, quoting Nehemiah 13v14.

According to the report, the parish is being audited by a notable audit firm amid an alleged N320 million debt, following the suspension of Iluyomade on June 1, 2024.

Iluyomade was suspended for three months by the church’s Governing Council after a panel was constituted to investigate the allegations against him and the parish.

He was asked to resume at the church’s headquarters after the suspension.

The embattled pastor, fondly called PID, received a letter of his suspension two weeks ago and was immediately replaced by Kpandei of the church’s Resurrection Parish Region 11.

Iluyomade, who is the Special Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer on Christian Social Responsibility, has been in the eyes of the storm following the elaborate 60th birthday of his wife, Siju, shortly after the death of the then Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, who was a prominent member of his church.

PUNCH Online had gathered that the pastor was suspended on two issues bordering on the audit of the church and the alleged resistance by the pastor to be transferred from the parish.

However, a source in the church who prefers to be anonymous told Church Times that the parish is currently being audited by an audit firm which is not an RCCG financial and audit practice.

The source added that the audit was necessary because RCCG auditors did not audit most of the provinces under the Apapa family.

“Iluyomade, the erstwhile pastor of the church, was suspended on June 1 following complaints and allegations against him. He was asked to resume at the church’s headquarters.

“The parish is currently being audited by KPMG, which is not an RCCG financial and audit practice. It was necessary to get an external auditor because before now, most of the provinces under the Apapa Family were not audited by RCCG auditors, ” the source noted.

During Sunday’s church service on June 9, one of the pastors made the announcement, stating that the church paid about N15 million for the construction of the Trinity Tower between June 1 and 8.

The pastor, however, told the congregation that the parish had an outstanding N320 million debt, which was indicated in the financial sheet displayed on the screen.

Via Punch

10/06/2024

The President of the NLC, Ajaero, has spoken on the current minimum wage dispute stating that a strike cannot be declared at this time

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made known that there will be no strike action scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, in pursuit of a revised national minimum wage.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced this decision during the current International Labour Conference taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President.” “During the tenure of the immediate past President, the figure that was proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee but he increased it to N30,000.

We are hopeful that this President will do the right thing.

The President had noted that the difference between N62,000 and N250,000 is a wide gulf,” “How can any governor say he cannot pay?

They cannot also be calling for the decentralization of the minimum wage. “Are there wages decentralized? Governors whose states are not contributing a dime to the national purse and who generate pitiable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are collecting the same amount as governors whose states are generating billions of dollars into the FAAC.

“They should decentralize their salaries and emoluments first.” “So, where is the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki getting his money from? He is paying N70,000 minimum wage.

This is the type of governor that should be emulated and not the lazy ones.”

10/06/2024

Governors Spend Billions On Cars For Lawmakers

Many state governors have spent billions of naira to purchase exotic vehicles of different foreign brands for members of the state houses of assembly despite the economic downturn in the country, Daily Trust can report.

Analyses by Daily Trust indicated that nine states have expended over N15bn on different brands of vehicles mostly for lawmakers in the current political dispensation.

Recently, the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, gave N2.7 billion worth of exotic vehicles to the members of the state assembly, some of whom have already taken delivery of the sports utility vehicles (SUVs) valued at N68 million each.

The Kano Assembly is made up of 25 members from the governor’s New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and 14 from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the election of one yet to be decided.

All the 32 members of the Benue State House of Assembly have taken delivery of their SUVs purchased for them by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Each of the vehicle is said to cost about N60 million.

Gombe

In Gombe State, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on December 30, 2023 presented 41 brand new SUVs to all the 24 members of the state assembly and 17 commissioners. It was learnt that each of the 41 GAC Motor ‘All New GS4’ vehicles cost about N33.5 million.

Governor Yahaya said the vehicles were purchased to help the lawmakers carry out their oversight functions and effectively participate in governance

Kogi State

In Kogi State, the former Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello presented 40 SUVs and four Hilux vans to the state’s lawmakers and judges on December 22, 2023. That was about one month before he left office.

The speaker of the state assembly, Umar Yusuf, got an SUV and two supporting cars, including a Toyota Hilux van; while his deputy, the majority leader and 22 other members got one each.

When contacted, some of the lawmakers did not disclose how much the vehicles gulped; while the Commissioner for Information, Kinsley Fanwo, did not reply to a text message sent to his mobile telephone line.

Ondo

The late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, last August presented vehicles manufactured by JAC Motors, to the 26 members of the state assembly “to ease” their duties. Sources at the Government House told Daily Trust that each of the cars cost N19 million.

Two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs valued at N106 million each were also purchased for Speaker Olamide Oladiji and Deputy Speaker Abayomi Akinrutan.

Ebonyi

The governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru, purchased VXR Land Cruiser Prado Jeeps for all the 24 members of the state assembly.

It was gathered that each of the car costs around N51 million.

Kebbi State

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, few months ago, distributed Toyota Jeeps to the 24 members of the state assembly.

A top government official in the state told our correspondent that the vehicles were valued at over N1.9 billion.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, told Daily Trust that the vehicles were procured for the government officials to carry out their duties efficiently.

Osun State

The Osun State Government distributed new Fortuner brand cars for all the 26 members of the state assembly this year.

The cost of the cars could not be ascertained as government officials spoken to declined comment.

Niger

In Niger State, 25 of the 27 members of the state assembly got Prado Jeep each from Governor Mohammed Bago; while the speaker and his deputy reportedly got Land Cruiser Jeep.

Each of the Prado Jeeps was said to have been purchased for about N70 million.

Delta

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori earlier this month gifted members of the National Assembly from the state with cars to aid them in the course of their national assignment.

After taking delivery of his own car, the chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Ejiroghene Waive, described Oborevwori as Delta State.

‘It’s misplacement of priority’

A former chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Bayo Ogunleye described the endless purchase of cars as misplacement of priority.

He however stated that the state lawmakers were only taking after their colleagues in the National Assembly who have also purchased different exotic cars.

According to him, since the federal government can’t be stopped from purchasing vehicles, it would be difficult to convince the states against buying such expensive vehicles.

“All the so-called elected people have become unconcerned about the plight of the people. Look at the situation in the country, people are hungry, prices of food items are high and yet you are buying expensive vehicles for lawmakers.”

CSOs speak out

Senior Communications Officer, Yiaga Africa, Mark Amaza, in an interview with Daily Trust, said considering the economic situation of Nigeria, spending “so much on a small group of people does not convey concern for the plight of their constituents.”

“The second is that such a gift from the governor to the legislators does not only signify the lack of financial autonomy of the house, but also begs the question: will the same legislators then be able to hold the executive accountable and provide the check and balance that is expected of them?”

Executive Director, Cleen Foundation, Gad Peter, said gifting cars to lawmakers and other government officials had become a “ritual, a tradition, a norm in Nigeria for the executive.

“We saw this same conversation when the National Assembly came with its own proposal. When you talk, they say they need those cars to go to their communities, that the roads are not good. But why don’t you make the roads more motorable and spend less?

“So, if we invest this money in capital project, we’re getting this infrastructure working.”

Also speaking to Daily Trust, Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Ibrahim Zikirullahi, noted that the Federal government did same despite public opposition, lamenting that “the height of insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary citizen is alarming, especially with the federal government’s proposed minimum wage.”

Credit: Daily Trust

10/06/2024

Peter Obi Urges Federal Govt to Protect Nigerians, Insists Killing Spree Must Stop

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the government to rise to its constitutional duties by protecting Nigerians, stating that the killing spree in the country must not continue.

He disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle on Sunday.

The former governor of Anambra State expressed sadness over the report of the recent killing of seven mobile police officers by armed bandits in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Obi said the government must keep the nation safe by fishing out the perpetrators of those crimes and bringing them to justice.
He said he will continue to add his voice against the ever-rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the lives of all Nigerians matter and must be protected.

Obi said: “I must, for the best interest of our nation, continue to add my voice against the ever-rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria. It has cost us precious lives, caused damage to properties and denied us opportunities for progress and development.

“Above all, the viral insecurity has curtailed the freedom of our people to enjoy peace and happiness in a land of democratic freedom. Democracy without freedom from fear is a farce.

“I read with sadness the reports of the recent killing of seven mobile police officers by armed bandits in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The bandits also killed five other residents in the attack.

“Last Tuesday, no fewer than 30 Nigerians were killed in separate attacks in the Dutsinma and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State by terrorists. Also, two days ago, terrorists were reported to have invaded the Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing 20 people in the attack.

“Families are constantly left in agony over the killing of their loved ones by terrorists. Sadly, the monster of insecurity has continued to rear its ugly head in every part of the nation, leaving in its wake, tears, blood, and death.

“We must not allow the killing spree to continue in our nation. The government must act and protect the very precious lives of Nigerians and keep the Nation safe by fishing out the perpetrators of these crimes and bringing them to justice.

“The life of every Nigerian matters and must be protected. I extend my condolences to the families of the killed police officers, the Nigeria Police Force and the other victims of insecurity in different parts of our nation. We shall overcome. May God grant eternal rest to the dead.”

09/06/2024

Senator Adeola Solomon Sets for Battle of His Political Career

Those who know Senator Adeola Solomon will agree that the man, fondly called Yayi, is an intelligent man who possesses all the qualities of a good politician. He understands politics very well like the back of his hands and has not achieved anything without adequate preparation.

A deep pocket, Adeola is an incurable dreamer. And luckily, most of his dreams have come true, as evidenced by his current position. Aside from his huge financial war chest and mammoth followership, he is also known for his strategy.

However, if you ask the lawmaker about his most cherished ambition, he would tell you; the number one job of Ogun State. This is no more news to many familiar with the political situation of the South-west region of Nigeria.

Many would recall that he tested the waters in 2019 but failed to realise this after his collision with the then-governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, who never hid his abhorrence for him.

Initially, he remained unfazed. But when reality dawned on him, the Yewa-born member of the National Assembly chickened out from the race; and he hurriedly ran back to Lagos to retain his seat as Senator representing Lagos West as the odds against him grew. Thank God he followed the saying of the wise that says only a fool tests the depth of water with both feet. He was able to fight and run away to come back another day.

As part of his stratagem, in 2023, Society Watch gathered from reliable sources close to the senator, that he relocated and contested representing his ancestral district of Ogun West Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Party, APC.

This was never easy at the beginning, it was tough. But for someone like Yayi, he has envisaged this: he beat and pummelled his opponents. That signified the beginning of a new chapter of his political trajectory. But the battle is not yet over for Adeola even as he aspires to take over the number one seat in 2027.

A source revealed that he is about to face the battle of his political career as he has so many Herculean tasks to surmount. Another source hinted there is a planned gang up against his goal, even from those that he has trusted and worked with in the past. However, betrayal and treachery are not strange to the lawmaker considered as one of the most experienced politicians since Nigeria returned to democracy 25 years ago. As a source disclosed, he is likely ready to face the battle.

This Day

09/06/2024

Minimum Wage: ‘Cut down on frivolities’ – States can pay more than N60,000, Labour hits govs

Organised Labour has rejected the claim by state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, that they cannot afford N60,000 minimum wage, urging them not to plunge the country into a monumental crisis.

Speaking on behalf of Labour, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, accused the governors of being economical with the truth regarding their resources.

A statement by the Acting Director of Media Affairs and Public Relations of NGF, Halima Ahmed, noted that if allowed to fly, many states will use all their monthly allocations from the federation account to pay workers’ salaries.

But a statement by NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, allocations have since grown from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion, increasing the governors’ capacity to pay more than N60,000 as minimum wage.

The statement reads: ”Nothing can be further from the truth as FAAC allocations have since grown from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion making the governments extremely rich at the expense of the people.

”We are alarmed by the statement credited to the Nigeria Governors Forum that state governments cannot even afford to pay N60,000 as minimum wage as “a few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month”.

“We do believe the governors have acted in bad faith. It is unheard of for such a statement to be issued to the world in the middle of an ongoing negotiation. It is certainly in bad taste.
“As for the veracity of their claim, nothing can be further from the truth as FAAC allocations have since grown from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion making the governments extremely rich at the expense of the people.

“All the governors need to do to be able to pay a reasonable national minimum wage (not even the N60,000) is cut the high cost of governance, minimise corruption as well as prioritise the welfare of workers.

“It is important to explain here that a national minimum wage is not synonymous with the different pay structures of different states. The national minimum wage is the lowest floor below which no employer is allowed to pay. The aim is to protect the weak and the poor.

“We are not fixated with figures but value. Those who argue that moving the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N60,000 is sufficiently good enough miss the point. In 2019, when N30,000 became the minimum, N300 exchanged for $1 (effectively making the minimum wage an equivalent of $100 or thereabout) while the inflation rate was 11.40.

08/06/2024

Heritage Bank gave out a loan of 1 trillion naira for customers, directors of the bank, and other Nigerian big men and women

8 years later, 700 billion out of the 1 trillion naira loan is gone and gone forever with the wind, as it had been classified as a bad loan or non-performing loan.

So these big men and women, known as our elites, collected these 700 billion naira loans from Heritage Bank and simply refused to pay them back.

The regulator, CBN, and bank leadership looked the other way, as the bank's leadership refused to enforce the repayment of the loan that they had given out.

Before the CBN hammer revoking its license came, the bank was considering a host of strategies to recover the money like storming the residences of defaulters with available security resources, employing debt recovery agents, sale of the pledged property, and engaging with ex-staff but the hammer came yesterday which put the plan in limbo, akin to too little, too late.

Yesterday, the CBN revoked Heritage Bank's license because of these nonperforming loans which have put the bank’s financial position in red, shareholders' funds have been wiped out, and the bank’s tier-1 capital comprising equity, reserves, and accumulated earnings was in the deficit of over ₦1 Trillion.

Heritage Bank is in distress, and its financial health is no longer good enough to warrant its classification as a bank.

So, in the end, Heritage Bank died because customers and debtors refused to repay the loan they were given.

Because of the greed of people who are in minority groups, Heritage Bank staff have been thrown into the job market overnight.

As a depositor at Heritage Bank, you can only get your money back if your deposit in the bank is 5 million or less because that is the threshold insured by the NDIC.

If the amount exceeds this, you will have to wait until the liquidation process and sale of Heritage Bank assets to receive your money back.

What this means is that if you have 10 million deposits with Heritage Bank, you won’t get them back or have access to them until further notice.

No country makes progress with an elite class with a destructive mindset that destroys value.

An elite class that destroys the heritage of a country.

07/06/2024

Kofo Abayomi: A Nigerian Who Changed His Name Just To Marry A Widow In 1930

In Colonial Lagos, Lady Oyinkan Ajasa (Lady Oyinkan Abayomi) was born the daughter of Sir Kitoye Ajasa, a Yoruba aristocrat who was the first Nigerian to be knighted by the British, and Lucretia Olayinka Moore, a princess of Egba royal family, in Lagos, was born on March 6, 1897.

She schooled at the Anglican Girls' Seminary in Lagos and graduated in 1909. From there, he went to the Young Ladies Academy at Ryford Hall, Gloucestershire. In 1917, she attended the Royal Academy of Music in London. She moved back to Lagos in 1920 and became a music teacher at the Anglican Girls' Seminary.

It was during this time when she met a lawyer named Mr Moronfolu Abayomi ( the love of her life ) whom she married in 1923.

He was assassinated 2 months later in court, she was devastated and didn't want to marry anyone ever again.

Dr Kofo John wanted to marry her and her response was, "You have to change your name to my late husband's name - Abayomi"

Guess what happened?
He agreed, married her and changed his name to Dr Kofo Abayomi.

The very famous Dr Kofo Abayomi

In this picture, Lady Oyinkan Abayomi arrives at a social function in Lagos with her husband Dr Kofo Abayomi.

07/06/2024

Wage: Governors won’t pay above N70,000

Governors are not considering a minimum wage that is higher than N70,000, it was learnt last night.

At a meeting yesterday in Abuja, the state helmsmen reviewed the economic situation and concluded that anything above N70,000 will not be affordable and sustainable.

They ruled out the N100,000 option being dangled by some people.

Sources at the meeting said the governors, who met under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), considered options between N60,000 offered to Labour by the Federal Government before the strike, and N70,000, which is what the Edo State Government has started paying.

Having failed to reach a consensus on a uniform amount, a committee headed by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was set up.

Uzodimma is the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) – governors elected on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yesterday’s position of the governors is in line with a previous statement by Chairman of NGF and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq that states will only agree to a minimum wage that is “affordable and sustainable”.

A source at the meeting said: “After deliberation on the minimum wage, we decided to consider options between N60,000 and N70,000 a month. We could not reach a concrete decision on the wage rate for states.

“Eventually, a committee, to be led by Governor Uzodimma, was mandated to look at all presentations and make recommendations.

“The NGF will soon reconvene to consider the Uzodimma Committee report.”

The source added: “No state can afford to pay a N100,000 minimum wage and we have ruled out this benchmark.

“Records available to us indicated that some states are still paying N18,000 because they are unable to afford N30,000 (which came into effect in 2019). Only a state has adopted a N70, 000 wage.”

No N105,000 proposal, says Presidency

The Presidency debunked claims that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, submitted a N105,000 new minimum wage proposal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The President met yesterday with Edun after an audience with an International Finance Corporation (IFC) team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It was gathered that Edun submitted the proposal for a new wage for the least-paid Nigerian worker to the President.

However, reports published by some online media platforms claimed that the minister proposed N105,000.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the N105,000 proposal as false.

“The Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage.

“The contrary story being disseminated is false”, Onanuga wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.

New minimum wage: Edun takes cost implications to Tinubu

A fresh wage offer by the Federal Government may be tabled today before the tripartite committee negotiating a new national salary scale.

Edun was accompanied to the meeting by Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris and Budget and National Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu.

Although the Finance Minister merely told reporters after the meeting that there was ‘’no cause for alarm,’’ a source said he presented and discussed the template and the cost implications of the new wage proposal to the President.

The Finance minister was believed to have outlined the costs of new wage across all levels of government workers and the anticipated fiscal impacts of each option on the national budget.

“A lot of things are contained in the report or template he presented to the President, especially what a new wage will cost the government at every grade level in relation to our income and budget.

‘’A team will scrutinise the report after which the President will direct that it be presented before the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage.

“And I am sure the presentation before the committee will be done tomorrow (today).

“You will recall that the President was clear when he gave the instruction on Tuesday,’’ the source added.

At their meeting eight days ago, the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector increased their initial offers to N60,000. Labour rejected it but further cut its initial demand of N615,000 to N494,000.

The intervention by the Presidency led to the signing of an agreement between the government and labour, part of which is that the government will be committed to paying more than N60,000 as minimum wage.

That ended terminated the strike after only one day.

Like Wednesday, not much was achieved by the tripartite committee yesterday.

A member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Nation that they were awaiting the template which would have formed the crux of their deliberations.

He, however, said the panel broke into sub-committees to deliberate on how to conclude talks on the new wage.

Yesterday’s meeting was attended by Edun, Bagudu, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and Uzodinma.

Speaking to reporters, Uzodimma expressed optimism that an agreement on minimum wage could be reached to today.

He said: “I am sure we will reach some concrete agreement when we reconvene tomorrow. That will form what will be presented to the plenary (National Assembly).

“It is not about the amount. We are taking a holistic approach. Wages should be anchored around our capacity to generate revenue and the sovereignty of the country is important to all of us.

“It is not about the workers. It is about Nigeria- our nation. We have obligations as citizens to work with the government of the day to ensure that all parties are satisfied.”

Credit: The Nation