Category: News

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over the unresolved questions surrounding the October 20, 2020, Lekki shooting and the worsening economic conditions facing Nigerians.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, raised the concerns in a post on his X account on Tuesday, arguing that six years after security operatives opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, Nigerians were still demanding accountability.

“Six years after the Lekki shooting, Nigeria is still waiting for a clear answer to one devastating question: Who gave the order?” he asked.

The former vice president also faulted President Bola Tinubu’s response to the incident in October 2020, saying the focus appeared to have been on questioning the protesters rather than establishing responsibility for the violence.

He said the absence of satisfactory answers had deepened public distrust, particularly among young Nigerians who participated in the protests against police brutality and demanded justice.

According to Atiku, the All Progressives Congress, which has governed the country since 2015, must address the lingering questions surrounding the incident instead of allowing them to remain unresolved.

He argued that protecting citizens’ lives and ensuring accountability were fundamental responsibilities of any government.

Atiku also connected the unresolved Lekki shooting controversy to the economic difficulties confronting young people, pointing to rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power and fewer opportunities for Nigerians to improve their living conditions.

He cited petrol prices of about ₦1,405 per litre, saying the high cost of fuel had made transportation, food, education and housing increasingly difficult to afford.

“The APC promised renewal. For too many Nigerians, the experience has been rising costs, shrinking opportunity and a future pushed further out of reach,” he said.

To illustrate the pressure on workers, Atiku recounted the experience of a young woman who allegedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover the cost of commuting to work.

He quoted the woman as saying, “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”

Atiku said the account reflected a situation in which some workers were struggling to meet the expenses associated with keeping their jobs despite being employed.

He used the development to restate his proposed Economic Recovery Plan, which he said would make living and working in Nigeria more affordable.

The proposed measures include support linked to domestically refined fuel, increased local production, protection for minimum-wage earners, assistance for students and reductions in government waste.

Atiku maintained that young Nigerians deserved answers about the Lekki shooting as well as economic policies that would enable them to earn a living and build a secure future.

“Young Nigerians deserve the truth about Lekki. They deserve a government that protects life, and an economy that gives work a chance to lead somewhere,” he said.

He added that citizens had the right to demand accountability over the shooting and question the government’s response to the economic challenges limiting opportunities for young people.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to strengthen enforcement against the production and sale of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard food and beverages, warning that the practice threatens public health.

The lawmakers made the call during Tuesday’s plenary after adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abubakar Yalleman, who represents Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.

Presenting the motion, Yalleman said access to safe and quality food was essential to Nigerians’ health, well-being and productivity.

He stressed that proper food processing, hygiene and compliance with established safety standards were necessary to prevent illnesses caused by harmful bacteria, chemical residues, expired ingredients and other contaminants.

The lawmaker also noted that effective food safety regulations would improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products in regional and international markets by reducing the rejection of exports.

Yalleman, however, expressed concern over the growing circulation of fake food and drinks, citing the dismantling of an illegal alcohol counterfeiting operation at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on April 22, 2026.

He also referenced the September 22, 2026, raid by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on an unregistered fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State.

According to him, some manufacturers and distributors engage in counterfeiting established brands, falsifying product labels and expiry dates, using contaminated raw materials and illegally reusing containers.

He warned that these practices could expose consumers to serious health complications, including poisoning, cancer and damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart.

The lawmaker acknowledged the regulatory responsibilities of NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), but said the continued circulation of products bearing misleading information showed the need for stronger enforcement.

He called for improved coordination among regulatory agencies, more effective market surveillance, stricter inspections and the timely prosecution of offenders.

Yalleman also warned that children, older people and other vulnerable groups could face greater risks from consuming contaminated or substandard products.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to treat the production and distribution of fake and adulterated food and beverages as a matter of urgent national importance.

It called on NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC to work with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant bodies to intensify nationwide surveillance, product sampling, laboratory testing and enforcement operations.

The proposed crackdown is expected to cover manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers involved in the production and sale of counterfeit or substandard food and drinks.

The House also mandated its relevant committees, particularly those responsible for health, industry, customs, standards and consumer protection, to engage regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to assess the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of existing enforcement measures.

The committees are expected to submit their findings to the House within four weeks to guide further legislative action aimed at curbing the circulation of fake and substandard food, beverages and drugs.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected kidnappers before the Imo State High Court over the alleged abduction of 24 people, including 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The suspects were brought before the court on Tuesday to face charges bordering on conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in two separate cases.

Three of the defendants, identified as Usman Aliyu, 25, popularly known as Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, also known as Smallie Pepper, were accused of abducting the prospective corps members on October 1, 2026.

According to the charge sheet filed at the Imo State High Court, Oru Judicial Division, Mgbidi, the defendants allegedly carried out the abduction with other accomplices who remain at large.

The victims were reportedly travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were kidnapped along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway. They were rescued seven days later.

The three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, an offence punishable under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009.

They were also accused of illegally possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.

In a statement, the DSS identified the trio and outlined the allegations against them, stating that the case involved the abduction of the prospective corps members.

In a separate case, two other defendants, Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20, also known as Jijji, were arraigned over the alleged kidnapping of four people in the Owerri and Mgbidi areas on October 4, 2026.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants and other suspects at large demanded and received N8 million for the release of the victims.

They were also accused of unlawfully possessing an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

The prosecution listed N1.8 million as money recovered in connection with the second case.

A DSS investigator and the victims were listed as witnesses in both cases.

The allegations against the five defendants are before the court for determination.

_…Dedicate 10% of monthly allocations to gratuities from October_

The Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has announced plans to commence the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired local government workers, with arrears dating back to 2000.

The Deputy Chairman of Enugu State ALGON, Hon. Ferdinand Ukwueze, disclosed this to Government House correspondents Enugu at the end of the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission chaired by Governor Peter Mbah.

Briefing alongside other Council Chairmen, Ukwueze, who is also the Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, said that starting from October, the councils would dedicate 10 per cent of their monthly allocations to settling the decades old gratuities arrears until they’re totally cleared.

The announcement comes a week after the Enugu State Executive Council approved over ₦32 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired state government workers, with arrears also dating back to 2000.

Briefing Government House correspondents, Ukwueze described the decision by the local governments as a historic step aligned with the Mbah administration’s commitment to ensuring that retirees who served the state at both state and local government levels receive their entitlements.

“One of the high points of today’s meeting is that, in a very historic manner, the local government system in Enugu State has taken the bold step of aligning with the state’s policy, particularly with respect to alleviating the hardship of the masses.

“In line with the payment of the legacy gratuity that the state government embarked on a couple of days ago, the local governments have also decided at the Economic Planning Commission meeting to step into that arrangement to make sure that we clear all the gratuity inherited by us,” he said.

According to him, the deductions from the councils’ monthly allocations will commence this month and continue until the outstanding obligations are settled.

“Beginning from this month, we are going to key into what the state government has started implementing already by making sure that we offset those debts.

“The decision is that starting from this month, 10 per cent of our monthly allocation will be dedicated to that responsibility until it is cleared. So, once we start it, there is no going back. Every worker who worked in our local governments will have access to this entitlement,” Ukwueze stated.

He clarified that the arrears cover more than 25 years, dating back to 2000, and reaffirmed the councils’ commitment to clearing the outstanding obligations.

“For clarity, the arrears are from the year 2000, but, as I said, we are going to clear all the over 25-year legacy gratuities,” he reiterated.

Ukwueze said the initiative was aimed at improving the welfare of retirees who had devoted their productive years to public service.

“The essence of it, once again, is to put smiles on the faces of the masses, especially those of them who spent their youthfulness serving the public in our various local government areas,” he said.

He also pledged the continued support of local governments for the Mbah administration and its collaboration with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security across the state.

“Enugu State is safe. Enugu State is peaceful. And we will continue to partner with our governor and security agencies to keep it so,” he added.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to stop supporting their families at home, accusing political opponents of misrepresenting his recent comments on financial assistance to relatives.

Obi clarified his position in a post on X on Tuesday, following criticism over remarks he made during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The former Anambra State governor said his comments were intended to draw attention to the economic hardship forcing millions of Nigerians to depend on relatives overseas for their basic needs, rather than discourage financial support for families.

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that their remittances helped many households pay school fees, medical bills, rent and feeding expenses.

Obi said such contributions deserved recognition and respect, adding that his concern was the country’s continued dependence on money sent from abroad to sustain millions of citizens.

“I never asked them to abandon their loved ones. My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” he stated.

He argued that the government should prioritise job creation, affordable healthcare, quality education and economic opportunities to enable citizens to meet their needs without relying on relatives outside the country.

The NDC flag bearer accused unnamed political opponents of distorting his message despite an earlier clarification from his media office.

“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” Obi wrote.

His clarification followed comments he made at the Manchester meeting, where he urged Nigerians abroad to reconsider requests for financial assistance from relatives back home.

At the gathering, Obi told attendees to reject money requests, arguing that continued financial support could ease the immediate effects of poor governance without addressing the underlying causes of economic hardship.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.

The remarks sparked mixed reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians in the diaspora to withdraw financial support from their families.

Obi maintained that his position was focused on the need for better leadership and economic conditions that would allow Nigerians to live with dignity and provide for their loved ones.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Nigeria Labour Congress has maintained its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over rising petrol prices and fresh minimum wage negotiations, warning that Nigerian workers continue to struggle with the rising cost of living despite the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, stated this on Monday in Abuja, where he called on the government to take urgent steps to improve workers’ welfare and prevent a further deterioration in industrial relations.

Ajaero, who spoke amid growing tensions between organised labour and the government, argued that workers’ earnings had lost significant purchasing power due to inflation and rising transportation costs.

He insisted that the government should address the hardship facing workers before labour unions are forced to resort to strikes or protests.

The labour leader clarified that his ultimatum remained in force, noting that both parties had exchanged correspondence but had yet to resolve the issues.

He said the meeting was not the appropriate forum to negotiate the ultimatum, but urged government officials to recognise the difficulties facing Nigerian workers.

Ajaero said workers were struggling to afford basic necessities, including food and transportation, despite the existing minimum wage agreement.

“The point we are making is not strike. The point we are making is that whether you enter bus or you buy fuel, you will not be able to eat,” he said.

He argued that governments should introduce relief measures before economic hardship escalates into industrial disputes, rather than wait for workers to mobilise for action.

According to him, proactive interventions and meaningful engagement with labour unions would help ease the burden on workers and reduce the likelihood of strikes.

The NLC president also faulted the implementation of the 2024 minimum wage agreement, disputing claims that the adjustment resulted in salary increases of about 133 per cent for federal public servants.

Ajaero said the government had added N40,000 to workers’ salaries, arguing that the adjustment did not amount to the percentage increase being attributed to the wage negotiations.

He maintained that the measure had failed to provide adequate relief as inflation and transportation expenses continued to erode workers’ incomes.

The labour leader also raised concerns over unresolved industrial disputes, citing an 84-day strike by health sector workers that was suspended following the intervention of organised labour.

He said the issues that prompted the strike remained inadequately addressed more than a year after the intervention.

Ajaero further disclosed that members of the National Public Service Negotiating Council had considered embarking on industrial action but were persuaded by labour leaders to suspend the plan.

He rejected suggestions that politicians were influencing the activities of organised labour, insisting that the union’s demands were driven by workers’ welfare concerns.

Ajaero urged government officials and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to take the concerns seriously and work towards a lasting resolution.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has called for a balance between workers’ demands for better remuneration and the government’s financial capacity.

Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Abubakar Kana, made the appeal at a retreat organised by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

He said wage policies must reflect economic realities while addressing workers’ legitimate expectations and promoting industrial harmony.

“The commission must continually balance the legitimate expectations of workers with the fiscal realities of government and broader imperatives of national economic development,” he said.

Akume noted that economic reforms, increasing public expectations and preparations for the 2027 general elections had made the need for a fair and sustainable wage system more urgent.

He urged the commission to strengthen its capacity to anticipate emerging wage challenges and develop recommendations based on reliable economic data and consultations with labour unions, employers and other stakeholders.

The SGF identified improved policy coordination, digital transformation and effective implementation of institutional reforms as key priorities for the commission.

He also warned against avoidable industrial disputes, stressing that dialogue and cooperation were essential to maintaining economic stability.

Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Junaidu Bindawa, said prevailing economic conditions required a more strategic approach to wage administration.

Bindawa noted that inflation, changing workers’ expectations and the need to improve public sector productivity had increased the importance of sustainable salary policies.

He explained that wage administration had direct implications for workers’ welfare, public expenditure, productivity and industrial relations.

According to him, the commission’s retreat, themed *Vision, Strategy and Institutional Renewal*, was designed to strengthen its capacity to address emerging challenges in salaries and compensation.

Bindawa called for improved research, job evaluation, compensation management, public finance administration and institutional accountability, adding that the retreat should produce a practical roadmap with measurable outcomes.

In her remarks, the Secretary of the commission, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, urged the government to move away from reactive wage reviews towards a permanent system supported by reliable data.

She recalled that earlier wage reviews were conducted through temporary commissions, including the Morgan Commission of 1964, the Adebo Commission of 1971 and the Udoji Commission of 1974.

Okoya-Thomas said the establishment of the commission in 1993 created a permanent institutional framework for advising the government on salaries, allowances and national incomes policy.

She acknowledged that the 2024 minimum wage more than doubled the previous statutory minimum but stressed that future wage decisions must remain fair, evidence-based and financially sustainable.

The commission’s secretary said the retreat would focus on data reliability, fair remuneration, social dialogue, institutional capacity and governance.

She added that the commission planned to develop an action plan aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the Medium-Term National Development Plan for 2027 to 2030.

Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan, emphasised the importance of improved workers’ welfare, institutional efficiency and the modernisation of government operations.

Enitan said salary administration was a matter of national importance, adding that a productive and well-equipped workforce was necessary to achieve the government’s development objectives.

He said the government was prioritising capacity development and the digitisation of civil service operations, with the aim of establishing a fully paperless working environment.

The Head of Service also linked civil service reforms to President Bola Tinubu’s target of building a $1tn economy by 2030, saying the ambition would require a workforce committed to productivity, integrity and effective service delivery.

The ongoing disagreement between the NLC and the Federal Government highlights the challenge of reconciling workers’ demands for improved purchasing power with fiscal constraints as both sides face pressure to prevent further industrial unrest.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed four bills into law, including three aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system and another to amend the law governing Abia State University.

The laws, signed at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, are the Abia State University Amendment Law No. 4 of 2026, Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Otti commended the state House of Assembly, the judiciary and government officials for their contributions to the development and passage of the legislation.

The governor said he had carefully reviewed the bills before approving them, expressing confidence that the new laws would strengthen governance and improve the administration of justice in the state.

He noted that some government policies were difficult to enforce because existing laws did not provide sufficient authority for appropriate sanctions and consequence management.

Otti, however, assured residents that his administration was committed to ensuring compliance with the new legislation, stressing that laws would only achieve their intended purpose when properly enforced.

The governor also disclosed that the relocation of the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the institution’s main campus in Uturu had commenced.

He explained that the move was intended to improve access to shared facilities and take advantage of ongoing investments at the university’s main campus. The institution’s teaching hospital in Aba, he added, would remain in the city.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four bills to the governor for assent and acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders involved in their passage.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the three criminal justice laws were designed to address criminal offences, improve the handling of criminal cases and establish mechanisms for repairing harm suffered by victims.

Uwanna said the reforms responded to concerns about cult-related violence, kidnapping, destruction of public infrastructure, sexual violence and delays in criminal proceedings.

He explained that the new Criminal Law strengthened provisions against cultism by addressing membership, sponsorship and management of unlawful societies. It also prescribed sanctions for the destruction of public facilities, including electricity transformers, boreholes and streetlights.

According to the attorney general, the legislation also strengthened protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence. It recognises male and female rape victims, provides for a sex offenders register and addresses kidnapping, child exploitation and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Law establishes procedures governing arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing. It also prohibits the arrest of individuals on behalf of other persons and the use of arrest as a means of resolving civil disputes.

Uwanna said the Restorative Justice Law introduced a framework through which victims and offenders could voluntarily address the consequences of crimes and agree on reparation under appropriate supervision.

He noted that the framework excluded serious offences such as capital crimes, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.

The attorney general stressed that participation in restorative justice must be voluntary, warning that victims must not be pressured into accepting agreements.

He commended the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, the state House of Assembly, the review committee, the Nigerian Bar Association, law enforcement agencies, International IDEA and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme for supporting the reforms.

Uwanna added that International IDEA and RoLAC II had supported a retreat for lawmakers and pledged assistance towards translating the new laws into Igbo.

He said the state government would now focus on implementing the legislation, distributing copies, translating the laws and training relevant stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to stop giving money to relatives who seek financial assistance in Nigeria, advising them instead to encourage their families to vote for competent leaders.

Obi made the call during a town hall meeting with diaspora supporters in Manchester, UK, on Sunday.

He argued that Nigeria’s economic challenges were largely caused by poor leadership, adding that sending money home to support struggling relatives only eased the immediate effects of bad governance without addressing the underlying problems.

The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians in the diaspora to encourage their relatives to demand accountability from political leaders rather than rely solely on financial assistance from abroad.

He said citizens must make responsible electoral choices if the country is to overcome its current difficulties.

Obi also defended his record in public office, claiming that his administration in Anambra State prioritised saving public funds.

“I’m not saying I’m a saint, but I saved money. I’ve not seen one governor who has saved 10 per cent of what I saved. No governor has done it,” he said.

He added that Nigerians should begin the process of political change by supporting leaders with a reputation for accountability and prudent management of public resources.

According to him, the country’s transformation would require collective action, with citizens taking an active role in demanding better governance and addressing national challenges.

Obi further urged Nigerians to take the 2027 general election seriously, describing it as a crucial opportunity to determine the country’s future direction.