Victor EzejaHere are the top 10 stories from Nigerian daily newspapers for today, 6th June 2023 on Politics, business, entertainment and economy.
1. Court Bars NLC, TUC From Embarking On Nationwide Strike
The National Industrial Court on Monday granted an interim order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.
The labour unions had planned to begin a nationwide strike on Wednesday, June 7 if the federal government fails to reverse the pump price of petrol that was increased last week following the announcement of the removal of subsidy on petrol. Read more
2. N32.5bn Missing Crude oil: Again, Reps Summon Malami, Emefiele, others
The House of Representatives on Monday summoned the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefele, over missing crude oil amounting to N32.5 billion.
The green chamber also summoned the Auditor General for the Federation, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Managing Directors of Exxon Mobil and Nigeria Agip Oil Company.
According to the House, the said amount was paid to two companies, Messrs GSCL Consulting and Biz Plus without formal documentation.
The aforementioned persons were invited to explain the alleged loss of 48 million barrels of crude oil worth over $2 billion.
3. Counter-terrorism: Don’t Withhold Intelligence, Tinubu Tells Security Agencies
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday stressed the importance of information and intelligence sharing among the security agencies, warning that hoarding such resources could be counterproductive in the fight against terrorism.
Tinubu stated this after a tour of the new Office of the National Security Adviser and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja.
He identified security as key to the economic revival, prosperity and development of Nigeria.
He charged security and intelligence agencies to cooperate and be proactive to ensure the security of the land.
4. Fuel Subsidy Removal: TUC Demands N200,000 Minimum Wage for Workers
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), demanded payment of a new minimum wage of N200,000 monthly.
In a statement signed by the President and Secretary General, Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, respectively, TUC also demanded that the government reverted to the old N185 pump price of petrol per litre to allow for a conducive environment for negotiation.
According to TUC, the minimum wage should be increased from the current N30,000 to N200,000 before the end of June 2023, with consequential adjustments on the cost of living allowance (COLA), like feeding, transport, housing, etc.
Meanwhile, following the meeting between organised labour and the Federal Government on Monday, both parties made some resolutions part of which is to shelve the nationwide strike earlier scheduled for Wednesday, June 7. Read more
5. Court Fines Keyamo N10m Over Frivolous Suit Against Atiku
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, awarded a N10 million fine against Festus Keyamo, the immediate-past Minister of State for Labour and Employment for filing a frivolous suit against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate in the February 25 election.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, awarded a N5 million fine each in favour of Atiku and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), totaling N10 million against Keyamo.
6. Nigeria Accounts For 35% Of Foreign Airlines’ Trapped Funds Globally
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said airlines’ funds blocked from repatriation in Nigeria is $812.2 million as of April 2023.
According to the association, Nigeria has the highest airline funds blocked from repatriation (35.7%) when compared to other countries where airlines are struggling to repatriate their revenue.
Airlines’ trapped funds globally have increased to $2.27 billion in April, which is a 47% rise from $1.55 billion recorded during the same month in 2022. Read more
7. Court Stops EFCC, ICPC from Detaining ex-Governor Yari
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, granted an order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from detaining former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’aziz Yari, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
The court also restrained the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and the Department of State Services, from detaining the ex-governor. The restraining order granted was in respect of a suit filed by Yari through his lawyers.
8. Traders Count Losses, Looting Spreads, as Kano Govt Continues Demolish
Traders at the recently demolished shopping malls around Kano Eid Ground are counting their losses as looters continue to ransack demolished property and others in the state.
The state government a few days back, embarked on demolition of properties that it said were illegally constructed on public spaces.
The exercise which started on Saturday has led to the demolition of properties worth billions of naira.
The state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who said the demolition exercise was part of the fulfilment of his campaign promise to “restore” the urban development masterplan of the city, insisted that the exercise was not a vendetta against the past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and that more demolition would follow.
9. Foreign Trade Declines by N2.6tn over FX Shortage – NBS
The total value of foreign trade has declined by N2.55tn as Nigeria recorded lower exports within a year. The new Foreign Trade Statistics Report by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the total value of trade decreased from N14.6tn in the first quarter of 2022 to N12.05tn in Q1 2023.
The report revealed that Nigeria recorded N5.56 trillion imports and N6.49 trillion in export, showing a trade surplus of N930 billion in Q1 2023.
10. 10th Speakership: APC Governors Supporting Abbas, Kalu – Uzodimma
Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Monday, that the choice of Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for the speaker and the deputy speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives had their support.
The governor made this known when he hosted the campaign team of Abbas/Kalu joint ticket, led by the Joint Task –10th Assembly Coalition at Imo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
He said the party made the best choice of presiding officers, pledging the governors’ resolve to actualize its vision for the preferred candidates on June 13 inauguration day.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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