By editor -
Despite approving an increase in the country’s minimum wage last April, the federal government has not been able to commence its implementation as labour unions disagree on how to calculate percentage increase across all levels of public service.

The federal government had proposed, in addition to the adjustments of the minimum wage of those who are already on level one to level six to reflect the new minimum wage, a consequential salary adjustment of N10,000 per month across the board for all the harmonised salary structure to ensure equity.
This gave rise to the additional cost implication of N158,771,830,326.00 per annum, which has already been captured in the 2019 budget.
According to a source if government accepts labour proposals, the resultant additional cost would be about N500,813, 183,739.00 per annum which is far above the budgeted sum.

READ ALSO: Fuel Tanker explosion claims over 60 lives in Benue

However, labour leaders are adamant that officers on level seven to 14 should also get an additional 30 per cent of their salaries, while those on level 15 to level 17 should have 25 percent of their current monthly earnings added to their salaries.
“You can’t give absolute figure for minimum wage increase,” Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Musa Lawal, told THISDAY.

“It is a percentage issue and we told them right from time. It is a question of percentage. Somebody who was on N18,000 who moves to N30,000, what is the difference? It is the percentage difference we are looking for; anything short of that is zero and we are not taking it. That is the position of labour.”

Lawal, also noted that it was incorrect to say previous minimum wage reviews had not reflected percentage as increase as labour is now demanding.
“They had a table that ensured that no one was cheated,” he said. “If they present the table, we will look at it, but they have not presented the table. As it is now, what the federal government is offering is useless and cannot be taken. They should give us paperwork on what they are saying and we will respond officially.”
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At a final meeting of the committee set up by the federal government to negotiate the implementation structure last Thursday, government and labour representatives could not agree on a definite percentage.
The meeting was a follow up to the inaugural meeting of the committee held in May. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, is the chairman of the committee while Chief R. Egbule, Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, is the Secretary.

Ten representatives of Trade unions nominated by the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council are members of the committee.
The government said if it implements labour’s demands, those on GL 08 Step 1 who’re earning N666,184.00 per annum would now earn N866,039.00 and those on GL 17 Step 1 earning N4,183,600.00 would earn N5,229,500.00.

According to the source, this demand poses the problem of equitable adjustment in salaries occasioned by the new minimum wage. It would then mean that while those on level 1-7 get additional N12,000 per month, those on GL 08 Step 1 would get an increase of N16, 654.58 per month and GL 17 Step 1 gets N87,158.33 per month.

If Labour was concerned about the plight of Nigerian workers, there is no reason why it should reject government proposal of N10,000 increase for those at the top while those below get N12,000, the source posits.

Producer Of Ogoja Rice Expands Distribution Network

…to commence Farmers Entrepreneur School Soon

Producer of the popular Ogoja Rice brand, Santuscom Agro-Hub, Monday, disclosed expanding its rice distribution network across the country following massive demands of the commodity.

This was made known by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Santuscom Agro-Hub, Chief Paul Santus, while launching the company’s hashtag along with directors of the company at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.

According to Santus the essence of the launch of the hashtag was to make the Ogoja Rice brand a household name in the country and beyond. He added that within a short time the company in its production of quality and nutritious rice, about a thousand young people has been gainfully employed. He added that this is in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari's rice revolution in the country.

He said: “We are doing our best to improve the country’s food security following our production of quality and nutritious Ogoja Rice brand that has been massively patronized by our esteemed and valued customers.

“We are expanding rapidly our distribution network across the country in order for the brand to be a household name that is also affordable as the rice is packaged in packs could meet the pockets of our esteemed customers with same quality.

“Today, we officially launch our promotional hashtag, #ISTANDWITHOGOJARICE. These will be taken to the length and breadth of the country.”

Some of the directors of the company present at the ceremony include, Mr Opoji Nkong, Mr Peter Ofana, Mr Ugbe, Comrade Michael Sunday Emaluji and its marketing officer, Mr Ipuole Patrick Adoga (#MomentumReports).

Meanwhile, according to the Santus Agro-Hub’s boss the company remains the single largest rice cultivating and producing company in Cross River State with over 200, 000 hectares.

He also stated that arrangements have been finalized for the commencement of Farmers Entrepreneurial School, which he explained that it has become necessary to give farmers the basic entrepreneurial training and knowledge in becoming full blown commercial farmers.

He added that they will be empowered with one hectare of farmland to practicalise what they want to specialise in and also expose young farmers to world class best farming practice and technology.
While addressing his directors on the preparedness of the company, the MD, Santus Agro-Hub who doubles as a traditional title holder, Omohe 1 of Yala, opined that the #FarmerSchool will build capacity of students in rice, cassava, yam farming, fishery, livestock farming, and amongst others with high yielding species as well as inculcate in them entrepreneurial zest.

He noted further that the school will impact young agripreneurs with the requisite knowledge and competence on the planting of the Cross River State Rice Seedlings and also to enable them tap into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Scheme.

He also revealed that the company has entered into partnership with University of Calabar's  faculty of Agriculture and other seasoned agribusiness institutions both locally and internationally to be facilitators at the school.

No ‘Ruga’ in South-East, South-South, says Gov. Umahi [NAN]

Umahi disclosed this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emma Uzor, in Abakaliki on Sunday.

Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi says that there is no plan to establish Ruga settlement in any part of the South-East and South-South zones of Nigeria.

Umahi disclosed this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emma Uzor , in Abakaliki on Sunday.

Umahi, chairman of the South-East Governors Forum’s reaction followed controversies and insinuations trailing Federal Government’s alleged plan for establishment of Ruga settlements in some states.

Umahi explained that the South-East zone did propose a deal with the members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) as panacea to achieving lasting peace between farmers and herdsmen.
He, however, denied any plans by governors of the zones to cede any part of their land for Ruga settlement.

He said: “There is no plan for any Ruga settlement in any part of South-East and South-South zones; but we made a proposed deal with MACBAN that can allow the zone to become very good business with sale of grasses to the herdsmen in exchange for meat.

“There will be no part of the South-East that will be given out for the purpose of establishment of Ruga, the zone is purely agrarian with limited landmass for farming and therefore can not accommodate Ruga establishment.

“We actually proposed a deal with MACBAN to take their cattle to the Northern parts where grazing reserves were established long time ago and rely completely on the grasses grown in the South for feeding of their cattle.”

Umahi, who was the Chairman of Technical Committee on Farmers and Herdsmen clash carved from the National Economic Council headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , said that the committee had recommended the revamping of existing grazing reserve in Nigeria.

He said that revamping of the already existing grazing reserves in various parts of the North as recommended by the committee was to enable farmers have unhindered access to their farmlands while herdsmen rely solely on proceeds from the farmers.

Umahi was the Chairman of National Economic Council sub Technical Committee on farmers and herdsmen clash and he toured the states of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Zamfara and others.
“Part of committee’s recommendations to the federal government was the revamping of grazing reserves in the North where all the cattle rearers in the South will take their cattle to these places and rely on the grasses that are grown in the South.
“The way it works is that the herdsmen will bring down their cows to the South-East and sell to us as meat while they will load the grasses which are grown here in the same vehicles with which they transported their cows to feed their cattle in those grazing reserve.

“With this proposed deal, herdsmen are expected to embrace anti open grazing by returning to the ranches in the North and do their business on the trade by barter basis of selling cows to the South and buying grass to feed their cows in the North.”

Umahi further called for tolerance among youths of various ethnic nationalities to solve the problem of hate speech.
He admonished Igbo youths on peaceful coexistence and urged them not to insult their leaders who were doing everything possible to protect them from any form of internal and external aggressions.

...Optometrists declares readiness

By Prince Charles Ekanem

The New  Chief Medical Director of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof Ikpeme A. Ikpeme on Monday assured Members of Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) of his full support towards the upcoming National Conference of the Union.

He made this pledge during a courtesy Call by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the National Conference in his office at UCTH.

Speaking, Prof Ikpeme thanked the delegation for visiting him and showing appreciation for the little the management has been able to achieve with limited resources available. He appreciated the cordial relationship that exists between the eye care professionals (optometrists and Opthalmologists) in the department of ophthalmology of the hospital.

He promised to support the NOA Cross River in successfully hosting the National Conference while committing himself and his team to strive towards making UCTH a better place for patients.

Earlier Speaking, the LOC Chairperson, Dr. Bernadine Ekpenyong congratulated the new CMD on his appointment, and extolled the pragmatic leadership of which has repositioned UCTH for better service delivery.

She then intimated him on the forthcoming "Calabar 2019" NOA Conference and Expo/ 43rd AGM holding between 17th-20th July, 2019 at the Calabar international convention centre, CICC theme "Achieving Universal Access to Eye Health: The Way Forward".

Meanwhile the Chairman, NOA Cross River State chapter, Dr. Onyebuchi Ndukwe, a staff of UCTH, eulogise the CMD for his zest in bringing renewed life into the hospital and craved for more support to the optometric unit in the department of ophthalmology in the hospital.

Dr. Anne Ebri, West Africa Sub Regional Manager of Brien Holden Vision Institute intimated the CMD about a partnership the NGO has brokered with the State Ministry of Health and the Teaching Hospital by extension in extending eye care services to children in the State.

The CMD was invited as guest of honor to the opening ceremony of the conference on Thursday, 18th July, 2019.

Chelsea have announced that five players have left the club following the expiration of their contracts on Sunday, including Gonzalo Higuain and Gary Cahill .
The Blues revealed on their official website on Monday that the pair, along with Rob Green, Eduardo and Kyle Scott, had left the club.

Higuain joined the club on a six-month loan deal from Juventus in January.
The Argentinian made 18 appearances under former boss Maurizio Sarri, whom he worked under at Napoli, but he returned just five goals.

As Goal's Nizaar Kinsella noted, that Chelsea were not willing to keep him at the club despite their transfer ban shows how disappointing his time at Stamford Bridge was:
Higuain will return to Juve, where Sarri has since taken charge.

Meanwhile, Cahill has left Chelsea having helped them win two Premier League titles, two UEFA Europa Leagues, two FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the League Cup since his arrival in January 2012.
The 33-year-old, who replaced John Terry as club captain when he departed in 2017, made 291 appearances for the Blues. However, he played just eight times last season.
Football journalist Dan Levene wished him well:
Green served as the Blues' third-choice goalkeeper last season behind Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero.
The 39-year-old former England international has hung up his gloves without making a competitive appearance for Chelsea.

Nor did Eduardo, who was Chelsea's No. 3 'keeper for the two campaigns prior. He spent last season on loan with Vitesse Arnhem and is set to rejoin Braga in his native Portugal.

Scott, 21, made one first-team appearance for the Blues, a cameo in the FA Cup against
Hull City in the 2017-18 season. Last season, he was on loan with Dutch side Telstar.

Nollywood Actress, Regina Daniels has congratulated her 59yrs Old Husband, Ned Nwoko on his latest achievement as he acquires a Private Jet.
She revealed this in a new post on Instagram as she poses in the interior of the Jet.

She captioned it
Congrats mi amor 💥💥💥
Which translates from French to
Congrats my love
See full photos below

Governor Nasir Ahmad of Kaduna state has visited St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Tudun-Wada, over the arson attack that took place on Friday night.

His visit comes after a government representative had earlier visited the church to convey the government’s sympathy over the incident.

The Government had directed a comprehensive investigation after an unknown bandits in Kaduna State on Friday night set the St. Augustine Catholic Church pulpit in Tudun-Wada in Kaduna South Local Government Area ablaze.


According to source,t was the eight time, a part of the church would be set ablaze.


Visiting the site on Monday, Malam El-Rufai thanked and commended the students of the Kaduna Polytechnic for intervening by rallying themselves from their hostel which is next door to the church and putting out the fire.


The Governor also noted that three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and has called on all residents of the state to uphold peace and harmony and report anyone who engages in violence

An Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Monday issued a bench warrant against the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick.

The court also ordered the arrest of four other officials of the NFF accused of misappropriating funds belonging to the football body.

The presiding judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave the order after the case involving the NFF officials was called and they were absent in court.

Others to be arrested are: NFF Secretary, Sunusi Mohammed; the 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi; the 2nd Vice-President, Shehu Dikko and an Executive member, Yusuff Fresh.

Recall that the Federal Government had earlier this year in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/93/2019, filed a 17-count charge before the court.

The officials were accused of alleged misappropriation of $8,400,000 belonging to the football body.

The judge gave the order for the arrest of the defendants upon an oral application by the prosecution lawyer, Celcius Ukpong, when the case was called and the defendants were absent.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has called for a review of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) masterplan if the oil-rich Niger Delta region is to witness real growth.

Ayade stated this in Calabar when the management of the Commission led by its acting Managing Director, Professor Nelson Brambaifa, paid him a courtesy call recently .

According to the governor, very little has been achieved by way of development under the current masterplan.

He said the current masterplan even as inadequate as it is, has not been “implemented in truth, kind, action and in words.”

He therefore, called for a major review of the master plan to reflect the realities and the need of the states.

The governor also urged the Commission to deviate from the culture whereby governors in the region are not carried along when contracts are being awarded by the commission.

“As governor I have the superintending and overriding power over the land in Cross River which I hold in trust for the people.Therefore, by the provisions of the law, I have the powers to stop any project in this state. It is part of the constitutional provisions under the NDDC Act that the NDDC will have regular meetings with the various stakeholders including the governors that form part of the governing board.

“As I speak, I’m not aware of,nor have I received any official letter inviting me and my colleagues for a meeting. We are not interested in deciding who gets the job but we would ask our works department to be part of supervision to ensure that quality is adhered to at all times. I say this so that you don’t make the mistakes of the past.”

He decried the treatment of Cross River State by the Commission, saying the story of the state “has been that of melancholy. We have been reduced to want in body, soul and spirit.

“In sociology, any child who has very little and the other one has more, a mother is allowed to take from the one that has more and give to the one that has little.

“In NDDC, it is the states that have more money that are allocated bigger projects. It is not African. It is inhuman and inconsistent with the core principles of Kantianism that I know. In all honesty we have structured a society for aggressive rebellion.”

He therefore, pleaded that the state be treated fairly, especially “when one considers the fact that we have a land mass of over 21,000 square kilometers, larger than the entire Niger Delta. Connecting two local government is larger than any state in the Niger Delta with international boundaries to over four countries with its attendant challenges. We have been excluded by the NDDC from its original philosophy of making a prosperity agenda for the region.

“It is so sad that at the height of kidnapping and all the criminality in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe was mobilized to all the states except Cross River. So, all the militants now found Cross River a safe haven. This once peaceful, beautiful state suddenly became safe haven for militants and kidnappers to inhabit and distort our complete sight. The basis was that there were no pipelines in Cross River. So, as a government we now place premium on oil over blood. Africa has never shown this kind of disdain to a weaker brother.”

Since the RUGA saga that has been temporary overwhelmed by the Busola versus COZA's pastor rape hoopla began,  I've been studying the merits and demerits of this FG proposition as a measure of curbing herders versus farmers' clashes with regards to some essential factors such as ethnicity; religion, political fulcrum, socioeconomical and cultural orientation— hence my seemingly delay in venting my views. However, my voice on this is certainly not late to effect the needed changes.

My findings show an inverse proportionality of the ratio of RUGA's merit to its demerit.

An important national matter such as this, needs a very honest input. Therefore, I desire to be honest as a mirror without the introduction of ethnic coloration. Firstly, from a very unsentimental but an ingenuous point of view and without mincing words, I dare to say that RUGA is an unpopular and anti-people venture being championed by government to give undue advantage over some parts of the country by a certain group of people — Fulani.

Let's get it right. RUGA in the nearest future shall be a ravaging plague in the south. It'll give Fulanis which are the major beneficiaries an inheritance in strange lands. RUGA is a penetrating force and a scheme of the Fed. Gov't to plant the feet of the Fulanis and other normads on the entire geographical enclave of the south and middle belt.

Sincerely speaking, FG hasn't been fair with her agenda towards the mentioned regions above. RUGA is just a means to foster cattle colony or grazing reserve. Research shows that Nigeria isn't even found among the top comity of nations in the global cattle business. Nigeria is shamefully not among the top 20 Milk exporting nations; or Cattle Inventory and Beef exporting nations. Yet, we are just doing busybody because a certain tribe or race is involved in the trade.

FG should apply modern technology and ranching to maximize optimum profit from the cattle business. FG should study the Botswana's model.

According to Fortuneofafrica.com, ' the cattle population in Botswana is over 3 million cattle compared of its human population which is slightly over 2 million. The country meat export is valued at over US$100 million'. How much is Nigeria making from cattle business as foreign exchange?

We in the south do not stop FG from establishing RUGA in the north. We don't want it in the south. We reject it because we have premonition without possessing extrasensory perception that RUGA will not solve herders versus farmers' kerfuffles as far as our borders are not fortified but remained porous.

If FG insists on RUGA, there's more than enough land in Sambisa forest to establish RUGA.

I call on every youth in the south to be impatient as lovers to kick against RUGA and never be ignorant as children on this futuristic problem. RUGA to me a futuristic spiral chain of unending racial/tribal wars.

While we reject it, we should reject it under the precinct of the law.

Comr. (Hon.) Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
TheScibe;
The Observer.

...Tasks govt on provision of rehabilitation centers

Miss Indigenous Africa (2018/2019) Beauty Queen, Mary Mary Onokome Obadofin, has taken campaign against drug abuse to schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.


Obadofin who went with her team to Terrigem Toyal Excel Academy, Jahi, Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT, said the rate at which drugs are abused by Nigerians, particularly young people including secondary school students is very worrisome and unacceptable.

She further stated that the essence of her visit to the school was basically to enlighten the students on the devastating damage drug abuse causes to health and future of those who indulge in it.

She said, "We are here in this noble citadel of knowledge, Terrigem Toyal Academy, to sensitize and create awareness of the menace called drug abuse. This is one of the dangerous practices that young people indulge in to destroy their health.

"We are pained with the dimension drug abuse is taking. This issue of drug abuse has heightened criminal activities in our country including terrorism, arm banditry, armed robbery, prostitution, examination malpractice, thuggery, cultism, kidnapping, and suicide as a result of depression associated with abuse of drug.

"We deemed it necessary to step up the campaign and is part of my project as Miss Indigenous Africa  (2018/2019) Beauty Queen to reach out to young people by educating them about the damaging effects that drugs including heroine, marijuana, solution, rochi, tramadol, and other hard drugs cause in the health and life of the users.

"We want youths to about these drugs and what are their effects including dropping out of school, insanity, health complications like tumours, kidney failure, rejection by society."

She also tasked government to take the issue of drug abuse seriously and also establish well equipped rehabilitation centers for youth who are suffering from drug abuse and to see how they partner with organizations who are into such in order to add value to their lives and reintegrate them into their families and society.

The beauty queen also donated dozens of exercise books to the students in order to enhance their academics.

Also speaking at the event was the National Coordinator, Grassroots Empowerment and Justice, GEJ Initiative, Ebriku John Friday, who said it has become imperative for the campaign against drug abuse to be heightened following the negative impact it has on the society.

"We in Grassroots Empowerment and Justice, GEJ Initiative, will do everything possible to go down the grassroots of the country where must drug addicts and impacts are at the suburbs, squalors and villages who are used to perpetrate violence and terror.

"We commend the beauty queen Obadofin for her commitment and gesture by taking the campaign against drug abuse to schools. This will spread the message faster and change the attitude of young people", Friday said.

Meanwhile, the Principal of Terrigem Toyal Excel Academy, Mrs Ijeoma Gift, who welcomed the beauty queen and her entourage to the school expressed gratitude and for choosing her school as one of the schools for the campaign in FCT.

Gift also stated that the sensitization would go a long way to impart positive values in the students who also will tell their friends, neighbours and family members about the negative impacts from drug abuse and how to avoid it.

The super eagles forward, Jude Ighalo, might have found himself in confusion as his wife blasts his brother for using their house when they are not around.

It is reported that Ighalo’s brother is planning to use the house for a party and he had announced it on a social media platform where the wife threatened and ordered to be taken down as she rains insults at her.


See the photo below:

Denis Suarez’s move from Barcelona to Celta Vigo is now official.

The midfielder will join Celta in a deal worth €13m, with a potential €3m more in bonuses.


“FC Barcelona would like to thank Denis Suarez for his commitment and dedication, and wishes him every success in the future,” a club statement read.

Suarez started his career at his new club, before making the switch to Camp Nou.

The 25-year-old played for Celta B in 2010/2011, before catching the eye of Manchester City.

He spent two seasons in England, without really making the breakthrough into the first team, before moving to La Masia in 2013.

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries (OMF), Apostle Johnson Suleman, has released a “strong” prophecy for the month of July.

THE EAGLES VOICE BLOG reports that the OMF General Overseer released the prophecy a few minutes ago on the micro-blogging site, Twitter.



This online news platform understands that the Apostle noted in his prophecy that the many will be outstanding in the month of July.

Apostle Suleman prayed that the “righteous judge” (God) will “favour people this 2nd half of the year”, adding that “when others are down you will be standing, when they are standing you will stand out.”

Below are the prophecies by Apostle Suleman for the month of July…


This month of July, when others are down you will be standing.

When they are standing you will stand out.

When they stand-out you will be outstanding.

The righteous judge will favour you this 2nd half of the year in Jesus name.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu

The Presidency on Sunday defended the controversial Ruga settlements being initiated by the Federal Government, saying the initiative was not meant to serve the interest of the Fulani ethnic group alone.

The Presidency also stated that Ruga was “voluntary”, saying that no state was forced to give up land for the project.

It explained that the project was meant to serve everyone involved in animal husbandry, but more importantly to “stop roaming of cattle herders with the attendant clashes with farmers.”

In a statement in Abuja last night by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Presidency accused some state governors of allegedly feeding the public with wrong information about the intention of the Federal Government.

The statement read, “Ruga settlement that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families, simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just cattle herders, will be settled in an organised place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and animal products.

“Beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not only Fulani herders. The Federal Government is planning this in order to curb open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers and herders.

“The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal protection complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in commercial pasture production by way of investments.”

The Presidency claimed the Ruga initiative was being politicised by those opposing it to create the impression of a hidden agenda.

“Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the recent comments, there is no government plan to seize state land, colonise territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation. Government has made it clear time and again that the programme is voluntary.

“So far, 12 states have applied to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme in their states. This number is sufficient for the pilot scheme.

“Unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified interest in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation list, have been misleading people that the Federal Government is embarking on a scheme to take away their lands,” he added.