Author: Sulaimon Popoola

Sulaimon Popoola is a journalist dedicated to community reporting and grassroots storytelling. His work focuses on issues that affect the daily lives, rights, and welfare of ordinary people, bringing attention to local challenges, voices, and solutions often overlooked by mainstream media. Passionate about social justice and accountability, he uses journalism as a tool to amplify community perspectives and drive positive change.

FG Reportedly Comes Clean on Fuel Subsidy Claims

The Nigerian federal government has reportedly admitted to the existence of fuel subsidies, and projected that this fiscal expense will reach a staggering N5.4 trillion (roughly $12 billion) in 2024.

Daily Trust has obtained this information, which comes after years of denial from the government regarding the extent of subsidies on fuel prices.

The recently presented Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan (ASAP) reveals that fuel subsidy expenditures could soar to N5.4 trillion, marking a dramatic 50% increase from the previous year.

Finance Minister Wale Edun presented this shocking revelation to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, highlighting the mounting burden of subsidies on the nation’s finances and raising questions about the wisdom of maintaining such a costly policy.

As recently as December, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had emphatically stated that the era of petrol subsidies was “gone for good.” Appearing on Channels TV, Idris insisted that President Bola Tinubu had made it clear from the outset of his administration that his government would not continue to foot the bill for fuel subsidies, directly contradicting claims made by the World Bank about the ongoing nature of these payments

Idris’s bold assertion that the era of petrol subsidies was over was further bolstered by his claim that the government’s decision to scrap them had translated into increased revenue for the federation account. However, a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai, seemed to refute these claims, alleging that the federal government was actually spending more on petrol subsidies than ever before. El Rufai’s remarks in April cast doubt on Idris’s claims, fueling suspicion that the Tinubu administration might be obscuring the true extent of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy burden.

Wife Cuts Off Husband’s Organ Only 4 Months After Marriage

Habiba Ibrahim, a woman reportedly in her mid-30s, allegedly attacked her 40-year-old husband, Salisu Idris, while he slept.

In the shocking incident that took place on May 26, the newlywed couple’s union was violently disrupted when Habiba Ibrahim, the wife, allegedly launched a vicious attack on her sleeping husband, Salisu Idris. The victim, who sustained critical injuries to his genitalia, recounted how Habiba attacked him with a sharp knife while he lay in bed, leaving him with a near-fatal wound.

Idris is a commercial motorcycle rider and resident of Kudan in Kaduna State.

He explained that he was shocked by his wife’s action because there was no misunderstanding before the attack.

Daily Trust reports that his wife has been arrested by the police. Idris was first taken to a hospital in Kudan from where he was referred to the General Hospital Makarfi.

He was later taken to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria where doctors battled to save his life.

Idris said, “At the moment, I am more concerned about my condition. I am afraid of remarrying because of this incident,” he said.

Idris’ mother, Rabi Salisu, said her daughter-in-law’s parents were “worried” and were “willing to settle” her son’s medical bills.

NLC, TUC Halt Industrial Action After Agreement with Government

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced a suspension of their nationwide strike.

The decision to end the industrial action was made in response to concessions made by the government during discussions.

TUC President Festus Osifo has confirmed the suspension of the nationwide strike during a statement made on Tuesday in Abuja.

President Osifo assured the public that a communique detailing the terms of the agreement would be released in the near future.

His announcement signals the end of a protracted period of tension between labor and the government.

Only a few days ago, Nigerians experienced a nationwide disruption as both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a massive strike. The strike was called in response to several grievances, with one of the main demands being the adjustment of the national minimum wage to alleviate the growing financial strain on working Nigerians.

Nigerian Government and Labour Leaders Pen Agreement on National Wage in Abuja Negotiations

In a marathon negotiating session that spanned six hours on Monday, the Nigerian government and the Organised Labour finally reached a breakthrough agreement over the contentious issue of the national minimum wage. The turning point came as the government assured the labour leaders that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to establishing a minimum wage that is significantly higher than the previously proposed N60,000.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume,  announced the agreement to the eagerly awaiting media. Beginning at 5pm and only concluding minutes before 11pm.

He said the President is “committed to a national minimum wage that is higher than N60,000”.

Earlier report from PurpleWorld alerted the Nigerian public of the sudden and indefinite nationwide strike declared by the organized labor force, consisting of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Meanwhile, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW), consisting of representatives from the government, organized labor, and employers, will now shift into high gear, holding daily meetings for a week in an effort to reach a consensus on the exact amount for the new national minimum wage.

“Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024 to drive home its demands.

“2. The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action.

“3. After exhaustive deliberation and engagement by both parties, the following resolutions were reached:

“i. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000;

“II. Arising from the above, the Tripartite Committee is to meet everyday for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage;

“III. Labour in deference to the high esteem of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s commitment in (ii) above undertakes to convene a meeting of its organs immediately to consider this commitment; and

“IV. No worker would be victimized as a result of the industrial action.

“Done in Abuja on the 3rd of June, 2024.”

Signed

For the Federal Government of Nigeria:

1. Mohammed Idris

03/08/24

Minister of Information and National Orientation
2. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

Nerf 3/6/24

Minister of State for Labour and Employment

For the Organised Labour:

1. Joe Ajaero
President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

2. Festus Osifo
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC)

About-To-Wed Sister Of Katsina Assembly Deputy Speaker Kidnapped


The younger sister of Hon. Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, Deputy Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, has been kidnapped.
The victim identified as Asma’u Dalhatu is about to get married, according to the lawmaker.


The gunmen were said to have stormed Tafoki village in Faskari Local Government Area of the state where they abducted the victim.
Confirming the incident to Daily Trust, the lawmaker said, “Yes, it is true that my younger sister, Asma’u Dalhatu, was abducted by bandits in the early hours of Sunday.


“They stormed the town around 1am and headed straight to the village head’s residence, which is our family house and kidnapped two of our sisters.
“On their way to the forest, they encountered some members of the vigilante group and exchanged gunfire. In the process, one of the girls escaped and returned home, but the other could not run away, so they went away with her,” he said.


Tafoki said the kidnappers have not made any demand for ransom.
The incident happened shortly after gunmen stormed Kurami village in Bakori Local Government Area of the state, where they abducted the wife and children of Dr Ibrahim Kurami, also a member of the Katsina assembly.


There have been many disturbing incidents in Katsina and across the North West.
Last month, Governor Aminu Bello Masari asked the military to beef up security, lamenting how bandits raid 10 of the 34 Local Government Areas of the state on a daily basis.

Credit: TenSquare Report

Former French Defender, Jean-Pierre Died After 39 Years in Coma

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Jean-Pierre Adams, a former centre-back for Nîmes, OGC Nice, Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, who has been in a coma for 39 years has died.


The Senegalese-born has been in coma since March 17, 1982 after a horrible knee operation which shouldn’t had taken a few hours, went horribly wrong.


Jean-Pierre Adams played 22 times for the France national team from 1972 to 1976 and also made 41 appearances for Ligue 1 giants PSG. He died at the age of 73.
French footballer Jean-Pierre Adams has died at the age of 73 after spending 39 years in a coma.


Adams was 34 when he slipped into a deep coma in 1982 following an anaesthesia error during routine knee surgery at Lyon Hospital.
He was said to have been in ‘great shape’ going into the operation and was expected to wake up after only a few hours.
But Adams remained in the coma for 39 years.


Adams was pronounced dead on Monday at the Nimes University Hospital.
The 73-year-old was born in Dakar, Senegal, in 1948 and went on to play 22 times for the France national team from 1972 to 1976.


He also made 41 appearances for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, although spent the majority of his career playing at Nice.
According to the Blizzard, as per the Guardian, Adams was undertaking a coaching course in Dijon when he became concerned about his knee.
The footballer ended up putting the course on hold on the fourth day and headed to the hospital in Lyon for a scan.


The scan showed Adams had suffered damage to the tendon at the back of his knee, and a surgeon suggested that the best course of action was to operate.
“It’s all fine, I’m in great shape,” Adams reportedly told his wife Bernadette on the morning of the operation.


Adams was placed in a coma for surgery, but he never awoke from it.
Adams’ doctor while he was at PSG, Pierre Huth, led a case against the way in which the operation was handled.
The case dragged on for seven years before the Seventh Chamber of Correctional Tribunal in Lyon eventually found the doctors guilty of involuntary injury.


In 2007, Adam’s wife provided a brief update on her husband and explained: “Jean-Pierre feels, smells, hears, jumps when a dog barks. But he cannot see.”

Gunmen kill federal polytechnic Bauchi senior staff


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The Bauchi state police command has confirmed the killing of a senior staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Abubakar Garba Muhammad, by gunmen suspected to be robbers.

Muhammad was killed at his residence at Burshin Fulani along Bauchi – Dass road in Bauchi state on Saturday, September 4 around 2.30 am.


According to reports, the late Abubakar Garba Muhammad had come out of his apartment on a rescue mission after hearing the scream of one of his sons who was struggling with the gunmen before he was shot and killed.


The police spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakili, said the deceased was shot in the neck and died on the spot.

Credit: Myschoolnigeria