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Naira Plunge Wipes Out Gains Of New ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – U.S. Report
The United States has raised concerns over the recent approval of Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage for federal workers, warning that the measure has been undermined by the naira’s steep depreciation against the dollar. In its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, released by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on August 12, the US noted that the new wage, equivalent to roughly $47.90 per month, has been eroded by an exchange rate exceeding ₦1,500 to $1.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The report highlighted significant gaps in the law, emphasizing that the minimum wage applies only to firms with 25 or more employees, excluding a large portion of the workforce. “The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 doubled the minimum wage to 70,000 naira ($47.90) per month. Despite the increase, currency devaluation meant the minimum wage was no longer higher than the poverty income level,” the report stated. It added that seasonal agricultural workers, part-time staff, and commission-based employees are also exempted, while enforcement remains weak in some states due to financial constraints.
The US further noted that minimum wage and overtime laws are rarely effectively enforced, with penalties remaining low and insufficient compared with other crimes such as fraud. With an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Nigeria’s workforce employed in the informal economy, wage regulations, work-hour rules, and occupational safety protections are largely unenforced, leaving millions vulnerable to exploitation.
Beyond labor concerns, the report flagged persistent child rights violations, particularly early marriage. While federal law sets the minimum marriage age at 18, many states, especially in northern Nigeria, fail to uphold it, allowing children as young as 11 to marry under customary or religious law. The federal government has reportedly engaged religious leaders, emirs, and sultans to address the associated health risks.
The report also scrutinized challenges within Nigeria’s justice and security sectors, citing enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and weak due process. Amnesty International documented that the whereabouts of dozens of young men detained at SARS Awkuzu in Anambra State remain unknown years after the disbandment of the controversial police unit in 2020. Although law mandates that suspects be presented before a magistrate within 48 hours, security forces have been known to hold individuals incommunicado for weeks or months, with some pretrial detentions exceeding the maximum sentence for the alleged crime. Judicial delays are further exacerbated by shortages of judges, lost case files, and inadequate transport for inmates.
The report concluded that while Nigeria has made some strides in democratic reforms, persistent corruption, poverty-level wages, and weak enforcement of human rights continue to erode citizens’ confidence in governance.
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“Borno Under Siege: Governor Zulum And FG Combine Forces In Massive Search For 44 Captive Children!”.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced that both the federal and state administrations are actively collaborating to rescue 44 pupils who were abducted from the Mussa community in the Askira-Uba Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Governor Zulum shared this update on Friday during a meeting with the parents of the missing children, who had previously urged authorities to step up rescue efforts following the May 15 incident at Mussa Central Primary School.
Key Updates on the Rescue Efforts
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Presidential Directive: Governor Zulum conveyed sympathy from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confirming that the President has directed security agencies to prioritize and ensure the safe return of the students.
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Government Collaboration: Assurances were given that the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Federal Government, and the Borno State Government are closely working together to secure the captives.
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High-Level Delegation: The meeting included key officials such as Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (representing Southern Borno), Acting Chief of Staff Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Education Commissioner Lawan Abba Wakilbe, and other state dignitaries.
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“Unite Or Perish: CAN Drops Massive Ultimatum On Church And Government Collaboration!”.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, has advocated for deepened cooperation between the church, the government, and traditional institutions to advance peace, unity, and sustainable development across the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This call was issued through a 10-point communiqué following a three-day Ministers of the Gospel Conference held at the CAN Secretariat along FGGC Road in Jalingo. The gathering, themed “The Roles of the Church and the State in Advancing God’s Purpose in a Changing World,” brought together diverse leaders, including bishops, pastors, traditional rulers, politicians, and delegates from across the state’s 16 local government areas and two development areas.
Key Highlights from the Communiqué
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Complementary Roles: Signed by Taraba CAN Chairman Rev. Fr. Williams P. Awoshiri and Conference Working Committee Chairman Bishop (Dr.) Innocent R. Solomon, the document emphasizes that the church and government hold distinct yet mutually supportive responsibilities in nation-building, with the church focusing on moral guidance and human dignity, and the government handling security and infrastructure.
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Leadership and Governance: Christian political officeholders were urged to treat their positions as avenues for service rather than personal gain, mirroring biblical figures of integrity. Meanwhile, churches were encouraged to provide moral leadership without getting entangled in partisan politics.
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Church-State Relations & Traditional Institutions: CAN stressed the importance of mutual respect, constitutional independence, and constructive collaboration, suggesting that churches expand their support in areas like education and healthcare while retaining the right to speak truth to power. The association also called for traditional rulers to be actively involved in grassroots policymaking.
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Unity and Conflict Resolution: Acknowledging Taraba’s multi-ethnic landscape, CAN urged church leaders to bridge denominational divides and take active roles in early-intervention peacebuilding and traditional dispute resolution to forestall communal conflicts.
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“Betrayal Of The Highest Order: Isaac Fayose Slams Adeleke For ‘Joining Oppressors’ After Tragic Loss Of 29 Supporters!”.
Nigerian businessman Prince Isaac Fayose has strongly criticized Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following the recent gubernatorial election in the state. Fayose expressed deep frustration regarding the governor’s decision to engage with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the aftermath of the electoral process.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to reports surrounding the August 15 election, tensions ran high as both the Accord Party and the APC traded accusations regarding violence and casualties among their supporters. Despite these intense disputes, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ultimately announced the election results.
Shortly after the conclusion of the exercise, Governor Adeleke held meetings with prominent political figures, including engagements involving federal leadership, which sparked varied reactions from political commentators and party members alike. Weighing in on the development via social media, Fayose questioned the political alignment, expressing sorrow over the lives reportedly lost during the campaigns and raising concerns over the substantial financial expenditures deployed by rival political parties during the election cycle.
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