Author: Opalim Lifted

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Tuesday that the N200,000 minimum wage it earlier proposed to the Federal Government was no longer realistic, considering the country’s current economic situation. The organized labour, which spoke through its National Vice President, Tommy Etim, was reacting to Tuesday’s inauguration of the Minimum Wage Committee by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Etim, in an interview, emphasized that organized labour would base its national minimum wage negotiation on the current economic reality rather than what it earlier proposed, Punch News reported. He said, “You are aware that when we opted for the N200,000, the socio-economic…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) held talks with a South Korean consortium led by Daewoo E & C on the development of gas projects in Nigeria. NNPCL said in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that the discussions held in Seoul, South Korea, were aimed at deepening the oil company’s drive to tap into the nation’s vast gas resources to be a supplier of clean and affordable energy to the global market. “South Korea is a major destination for Liquefied Natural Gas exports, and the consortium, in collaboration with the Korean Export-Import Bank, has expressed interest in…

Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored second-half goals as South Africa shocked Morocco with a 2-0 victory to dump the World Cup semi-finalists out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the last-16 stage in San Pedro on Tuesday. Morocco, who had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on, were among the favourites at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, but their continental curse continues, and they remain without AFCON title since 1976, this time undone in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium. South Africa led in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, so often the creative fulcrum…

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria condemned the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, David Ogunsola. The traditional rulers were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their counterparts, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, Adebayo Fatoba, when gunmen struck at a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday. Two of the monarchs were killed in the ambush, while Fatoba fled the scene. The chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi,…

Mali booked a quarter-final meeting with hosts Ivory Coast by holding on to beat Burkina Faso at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. An own goal from Edmond Tapsoba gave the Eagles a third-minute lead, and Mali had several chances to add to their advantage before half-time. Lassine Sinayoko did make it 2-0 early in the second half with a finish through the legs of goalkeeper Herve Koffi, but Bertrand Traore pulled a goal back for the Stallions from the penalty spot just before the hour mark. Issoufou Dayo thought he had equalised for the Burkinabe in the final minute,…

The Ekiti State Government called on residents not to despair, as security has been stepped up to rescue victims of kidnappings. “The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure, Ekiti. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor assured that efforts are on to rescue the children and their teachers.” Oyebanji also described the kidnapping as callous and unacceptable, saying nothing would be spared in the efforts to rescue them. The Ekiti Government said “security agencies in the state are…

Gunmen have kidnapped six pupils, three teachers of a private school, and their bus driver while they were returning to Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Chronicle NG reports that the incident involved pupils and staff of Apostolic Faith School. They were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening while en route from Emure Ekiti to Eporo Ekiti in a school bus. In a 30-second viral clip, Ekititrends, on its X account on Tuesday, disclosed the kidnapping incident. Gunmen reportedly killed two traditional leaders in Ekiti State on Monday. Gunmen kill one person in Catholic church The incident occurred between Oke-Ako…

Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, is currently in hiding and on Monday cancelled his trip to Okene town in order not to “expose” himself to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who are on the lookout for him. Top government sources said Yahaya Bello was still at the Government House, Lokoja, where he could enjoy the “protection” of his predecessor and godson, Usman Ododo, while other sources claimed his whereabouts are unknown. The EFCC concluded plans to probe Yahaya Bello for alleged fraud and corrupt practices he was involved in during his eight-year…

Dangote refinery, the newest oil refinery in Nigeria, has expressed interest in buying two million barrels of crude from the United States of America in a move highlighting the damage and degree to which coordinated oil theft has rendered the oil-producing nation incapable of catering to its citizens’ crude oil needs. Dangote refinery and US-based Trafigura Group completed a crude purchase agreement for the delivery of two million barrels of petroleum by February. The newspaper quoted individuals acquainted with the business deal as saying, Bloomberg reported on Monday. The purchase would make it the first time a Nigerian-owned refinery would…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face World Champions Argentina in a friendly billed for March at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China. Apart from Nigeria, La Albiceleste will also play Ivory Coast, the Argentine Football Association announced on Monday. The announcement of the game followed AFA’s agreement with a Chinese corporation. The March fixture will renew hostilities between the Super Eagles and Argentina, with both teams meeting nine times in the past. Argentina has recorded six victories,five of those coming at the World Cup (2-1 in 1994, 1-0 in 2002, 1-0 in 2010, 3-2 in 2014, and…