Kebbi Gov. signs N75,000 minimum wage, gives 72 hours implementation directive

By: Our Reporter

The Kebbi State Governor, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has signed into law a new minimum wage of N75,000.

The governor also directed the State Accountant General, Ministry of Finance and Ministry for Local Government to ensure implementation of the new wage within 72 hours.

The new minimum wage was signed into law before the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and his executive members who were in Kebbi State for a meeting.

Speaking shortly after signing the wage at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Gov. Idris said all categories of workers would benefit from the new minimum wage and “it must start from this month of October.”

The governor recalled that right from the onset, he promised not to disappoint labour, saying that the labour have now started harvesting what they have planted.

“I want to use this medium to thank the NLC president and the labour for supporting me to win my election.

“The national leadership was here in Kebbi State in support of my election and by their support, I won my election and at the same time, I won my cases in different court of law.

“I promised you that I will never fail you and I promised that I will not fail Kebbi workers also. I reiterate my commitment and sincerity to using the Kebbi resources judiciously, with fear of God and I will not fail you, and will not fail Kebbi workers.

“In my administration I don’t owe salaries, I don’t owe pension, I don’t owe gratuity, I don’t owe death benefit and I pay leave grant up to 2023,” he confirmed.

The governor said he was supposed to be the first governor in Nigeria to implement minimum wage but there was no template to lay hand on.

He explained that the new wage was the outcome of a joint committee comprising representatives of both labour and the state, who arrived at three different wages of N70,000, N72,00.

Kebbi Gov. signs N75,000 minimum wage, gives 72 hours implementation directive

EFCC, ROLAC to Host  National Summit on Cybercrime

By: Michael Mike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will join forces with the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to host a National Summit on Cybercrime Prevention on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

The summit, themed “Alternative to Cybercrimes: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development,” aims to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and its impact on Nigeria’s economy, financial systems, and citizen safety.

This was contained in a media advisory made available yesterday by the Communications Officer, ROLAC II, International IDEA, Mr. Murkthar Suleiman.

According to the statement, the event will also mark the launch of the EFCC’s 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C), a multi-agency initiative designed to tackle cybercrime threats and incidents in the country. The E-CR2C will serve as a one-stop hub for receiving, investigating, and enforcing court orders against suspected cybercrime activities.

“The summit and E-CR2C launch are crucial anti-corruption measures to address emerging digital challenges and strengthen anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, supports the EFCC’s efforts,” the statement noted.

“This summit will, therefore, sensitise the citizenry on cybercrime, its negative impacts, and measures for curbing and preventing it. There will, therefore, be an essay competition for select school students on the negative impact of cybercrime followed by the unveiling of a digital response centre where citizens can report cybercrime,” it added.

Key Objectives of the Summit are to raise awareness by educating the citizens, especially youths and parents, about the risks and consequences of cybercrime. It also aims to prevent cybercrime by promoting alternative uses of cyber skills for national development and enhance the justice sector by consolidating reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors.

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Nigeria. The RoLAC II Programme aims to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria, promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for  Nigeria 2022-2027.   Specific objectives of the programme include further consolidating key reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting respect for human rights, especially of persons with disability and other marginalised persons in society. The ultimate objective here is the consolidation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. 

International IDEA, the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is a 35-member State Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1995 as a global think-tank committed to supporting sustainable democracy worldwide and the development of democratic institutions and culture.

EFCC, ROLAC to Host  National Summit on Cybercrime

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference

By: Michael Mike

The Diaspora Organisation Americas (NiDOA) has announced that its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Conference will be held from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24 in Cleveland Ohio, U.S.

Dr Victor Ubani, Continental Chair, NiDOA, said via telephone on Sunday, that Nigerians in the diaspora played active role in nation building.

Ubani, who doubles as Coordinating Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation(NiDO) Worldwide, said the conference with the theme “New Nigeria: Fresh Progress, Vision for United NiDO” sought to promote unity among Nigerians living abroad.

“This is clarion call to all Nigerians living outside the shores of our dear country, across the globe, to come on board as united NiDO at the World conference.

“This year’s AGM offers vistas for us to reunite as big diaspora family with Mr Wole Oke, Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the special guest of honour.

“Other guests include Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mr Tochukwu Okere, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters and Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Current OPEC Governor for Nigeria.”

He said that there was no better time for Nigerians to work more closely together and contribute their quota to the nation building.

According to him, it has become important for Nigerians living outside their fatherland to participate in the conference in order to achieve more meaningful growth in the country.

“Everyone is cordially invited; you can participate via zoom or you can come in person; it is a clarion call to Nigerians; it is time for us to come together as one.

“Each Nigerian at home or abroad adds to the richness of our collective story; in recognising vital roles that our community plays in nation building, we are not just observers; we are active participants shaping our future.

“From advocating positive change to driving sustainable development, our voices resonate far beyond borders and we are focusing on how we can collaborate with government to achieve set goals.

“We cannot do it alone; we need few selected and focused individuals, so that we can see what we can do for our dear country.

“We have more than 20 million Nigerians living outside the shores of our country; so, it is an appeal to all Nigerians,” Ubani said.

He urged Nigerians to visit the organisation’s website via www.nidoa.org for further details about the conference.

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference