Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 30th July 2024
1. President Tinubu Signs ₦70,000 New Minimum Wage Bill Into Law
President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Minimum Wage Amendment Bill 2024 into law.
Naturenex reports the President signed the bill midway into the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, 29th July, 2024.
With the signing of the bill, the new national minimum wage has now become law, and Nigerian workers would be entitled to the payment of a minimum monthly wage of ₦70,000.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, added that the law makes provision for the ₦70,000 to be renewed every three years.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio led the leadership of the National Assembly to the signing ceremony.
The President conveyed his appreciation to the legislative leaders for the quick passage of the bill, which has now been signed into law.
2. ‘Government Has Made Rice Available For ₦40,0000, No Need For Protest’ – Tinubu’s Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, said there is no longer a need for protest.
According to Idris, the planned protest should come to a halt because President Bola Tinubu-led government is already addressing the demands made by aggrieved Nigerians.
Idris, while addressing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, said, “Many of the issues that those planning the protest are putting forward is being addressed. Government is putting efforts to make sure that food is made available.
“Rice has been taken to various centers across the country and it is being sold for ₦40,000. This is just the beginning and necessary first step. Other efforts are underway.
“There is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector and we believe that as we move forward, the price of food will come down.”
The Minister said the President believes that the government is answering the questions being asked by the youths.
3. IGP Orders DIGs, AIGs, CPs To Protect Protesters Nationwide
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, directed senior police officers to protect participants of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest slated for August 1 to 10, 2024.
Naturenex reports that Egbetokun gave this directive in a letter to the request of human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had on July 26, 2024, written the IGP to provide police coverage for protesters.
The senior lawyer had written the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups planning the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
The IGP, in his response letter dated July 29, 2024, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer.
Egbetokun’s response was signed by his Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola.
The IGP also requested to have a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, “to deliberate further” on his request.
4. NCC Orders Immediate Reactivation Of All Sims Affected By NIN-SIM Verification
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to telecommunication operators over several customers’ blocked phone lines affected by the NIN-SIM verification exercise.
Naturenex reported that on Sunday, MTN deactivated the mobile lines of numerous users, reportedly due to their failure to connect their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their phone numbers.
This action follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) directive to disconnect Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers not linked to NINs, set to be enforced from July 31, 2024.
Following the latest development, disgruntled MTN customers flooded the company’s offices nationwide, voicing their frustration and disappointment over the recent blocking of their phone numbers by the telecom giant.
In a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, NCC ordered the telecommunication operators to reactivate all blocked SIMs immediately.
The telecom industry regulator explained that this directive was in response to the widespread disruption caused by the blockages and to prioritise consumer convenience.
5. Tinubu Orders NNPC To Sell Crude Oil To Dangote In Naira
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira.
Naturenex reports that Tinubu issued the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement via X.
According to him, Tinubu’s decision was aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate.
He said the Dangote Refinery currently needs 15 cargoes of crude but FEC approved 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption which will be offered in Naira.
6. Don’t Allow Those Who Lost 2023 Elections To Use You For Destructive Protests – Akpabio Tells Nigerians
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians, particularly the youths of the country, to avoid participating in the planned nationwide protest.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Monday after President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law, Akpabio said some faceless persons who lost out in the 2023 elections are the ones trying to instigate people against the government.
According to the Senate President, while peaceful protests are part of the fundamental rights of the citizens, the planned protest could lead to violence which could, in turn, lead to the destruction of property and destabilization of the country.
He submitted that the challenges Nigeria is going through were not caused by the current administration, but the neglect of past governments.
Akpabio said the Tinubu government is working hard at tackling the challenges and should be given more time for its efforts to yield desired results.
He urged Nigerian youth to reject anarchy and work towards developing themselves and their communities, rather than engaging in destructive activities.
7. Nationwide Protest: Akpabio Summons Emergency Senate Sitting
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has summoned an emergency session of the upper legislative chambers ahead of the nationwide protest billed to kick-off on August 1st to 10th.
Naturenex reports that the Senate emergency session is scheduled to hold on Wednesday July 31st.
An internal memorandum from the Senate Clerk has been issued regarding the matter.
The memo issued and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, said the senators were to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.
Recall that the National Assembly had commenced a seven-week recess and was expected to reconvene on September 17th, 2024.
This recess was announced after plenary last week Wednesday.
8. Keyamo Overrules NAMA, Suspends Planned 800% Levy Hike
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended its previously announced hike in navigational charges, following directives from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
In a statement issued on Monday, NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the suspension, attributing it to the minister’s recognition of the economic challenges currently faced by Nigerians.
Last Friday, NAMA announced an 800 per cent increase in navigation charges, a move that quickly raised concerns among passengers and stakeholders within the aviation sector.
The proposed hike was seen as burdensome, particularly in the context of the prevailing economic difficulties.
Minister Keyamo intervened, emphasizing the need for sensitivity towards the economic plight of Nigerians.
He called for additional consultations before implementing any changes, ensuring that all stakeholders are considered in the decision-making process.
9. Protest: NYSC Cancels CDS, Biometric Verification, Advises Corpers Not To Wear Uniforms
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has cancelled its monthly clearance and weekly Community Development Services (CDS) for corps members across the country for the month of August.
Naturenex reports that NYSC also advised corps members not to wear the official uniform as required in line with the service rule.
NYSC said the corps members will be attended to in their mufti. The memo reminded corps members not to participate in the hunger protest slated to hold on August 1.
The memo concluded that corps members would be communicated when the normal Community Development Service and biometric capture is expected to resume.
10. ‘Your Friend Is Wrong’ – Peter Obi Tells Dangote
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has charged serial businessman, Aliko Dangote, to maintain his trust in the Nigerian business environment.
According to Obi, Dangote did the right thing by investing in Nigeria irrespective of the challenges and obstacles he may be expereincing.
The Labour Party chieftain spoke against the background of a recent revelation by Dangote that a friend who warned him earlier against investing in Nigeria, is now making fun of him as a result of the present predicament he is facing with his business operations in the country.
Obi submitted that Dangote’s friend is wrong and urged the wealthiest man in Africa to summon the courage needed to overcome the challenge and continue contributing to humanity without getting discouraged by the negatives.
Obi said he faces similar challenges of government harassment but despite all the happenings, he still believes in doing the right thing, with the belief that a new Nigeria is possible.
