Tag: NASS

‘Thank God for Carry Over’: Facebook User Celebrates Minimum Wage Increase

July 24, 2024 (updated July 24, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that a Facebook user known as Yahoo Driver expressed his elation today over the recent increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage, despite admitting to academic setbacks.

Read more: Senate President: No Nigerian Employee Can Be Paid Below N70,000

His jubilant post, shared shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000, has drawn widespread attention and amusement.

Yahoo Driver wrote, “thank God for the carryover.” This highlighted how the new minimum wage would positively impact his financial situation, even though it didn’t address his academic struggles.

His post quickly went viral, with many finding humor in his enthusiasm for the wage hike despite his educational challenges.

The wage increment, approved by the Senate, aims to ease the financial burden on many workers. For Yahoo Driver, it appears to be a rare bright spot amidst personal setbacks.

The reaction from the public has been a mix of surprise and humor, with many questioning the connection between academic performance and financial relief.

Read more: Femi Falana: Government Threats Won’t Stop August 1 Protests

In a related development, another Facebook user, identified only as “Darling Anita,” has also shared her change of heart regarding her plans. Initially uninterested in public service, the new minimum wage has prompted her to reconsider her stance, possibly motivated by the increased financial stability.

The new wage policy is expected to benefit many Nigerians, particularly those in lower-income brackets. As the country adjusts to the higher minimum wage, it remains to be seen how individuals like Yahoo Driver and Missed Opportunity will adapt their personal and professional aspirations.

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Senate President: No Nigerian Employee Can Be Paid Below N70,000

July 24, 2024 (updated July 24, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that Nigerian employers must not pay their employees less than N70,000.

Read more: Akpabio Apologizes for Remarks Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Akpabio noted that employers are now prohibited from compensating their domestic workers, drivers, or security personnel below N70,000.

He made this announcement while enacting the new minimum wage legislation during a session in the Senate.

According to Akpabio: “If you’re a tailor and you employ additional hands, you can’t pay the person below 70,000. If you have a housemaid, you cannot pay them below 70,000. If you hire a driver or a gateman, you cannot pay them below 70,000.”

Read more: Tinubu Urges Nigerians To Cancel Protests Amid Economic Hardships

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had approved N70,000 as new minimum wage for workers during a meeting with the organized labour.

Following his approval, the president had transmitted the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for passage.

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Akpabio Apologizes For Remarks Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

July 23, 2024 (updated July 23, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that Senate President Godswill Akpabio has conveyed remorse for his recent comments aimed at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

Akpabio had reprimanded Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking out of turn, likening her actions to those of a “night club.”

Read more: Tinubu Urges Nigerians To Cancel Protests Amid Economic Hardships

This apology follows an incident where Akpoti-Uduaghan was silenced for speaking without authorization.

A similar episode occurred previously when Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, was silenced for objecting to her exclusion from critical decisions concerning the nation’s capital.

Addressing the chamber on Tuesday, Akpabio stated that he would never deliberately demean any woman.

The Senate President mentioned that both his phone and his wife’s phone have been inundated with calls and messages, many of which were derogatory.

“I will not intentionally denigrate any woman and I always pray that God will uplift women,” he said.

“Distinguished Senator Natasaha, I want to apologise to you.

“The interest shown In the social media shows that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward.

“Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t out of anger regulate social media.”

Read more: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Condemns Onanuga’s Remarks As Anti-Igbo And Divisive

Akpabio also denied social media posting claims that he has “numerous girlfriends”.

“I have only one wife and she is enough for me,” he said.

On Monday, the Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a women’s group, had chided Akpabio for his alleged disrespect of female senators.

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Lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi Faces Backlash For Gifting SUV To Daughter

July 22, 2024 (updated July 22, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that Yusuf Gagdi, a federal legislator from Plateau state, has ignited controversy online after presenting his daughter Aisha with an SUV for her secondary school graduation.

On Saturday, Gagdi posted on his X page, disclosing that he had recently attended the Lead British International School graduation event in Abuja, where his daughter had finished her secondary education.

Read more: Atiku Criticizes Lawmakers for Reducing Salaries Instead of Allowances

“Today, I attended my amazing daughter’s graduation ceremony. Watching you, my dear daughter, walk across that stage fills my heart with immense pride and love,” he wrote.

“I celebrate your achievements and the strength you’ve shown. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities and happiness.”

The lawmaker was asked to present gifts to the best-graduating students. He also donated N3 million to the top students.

“An incredible day at Lead British International School Abuja’s graduation ceremony! Emphasized the importance of focus and commitment for a bright future ahead,” he added.

“Delighted to make a significant donation of N3 million Naira to top students and dedicated staff to encouraged academic excellence.”

On Sunday, Gagdi shared a report from a page on Instagram, which partly read, “To celebrate her graduation and great performance in JAMB, her father surprised her with a gift of a car”.

Read more: Labour Party Denies Involvement In Protest Against Tinubu Administration

In the photos, the lawmaker gave his daughter keys to the SUV. She was also seen posing with the grey-coloured exotic car.

The development has attracted a chorus of condemnation on X, with several users berating Gagdi for showing off his wealth at a time when Nigerians are asked to endure ongoing economic hardship.

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Atiku Criticizes Lawmakers For Reducing Salaries Instead Of Allowances

July 18, 2024 (updated July 18, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized the House of Representatives members for their decision to reduce their salaries by 50 percent for six months.

This development followed the approval on Thursday of an amendment to a motion proposed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The amendment requires lawmakers to forgo 50% of their N600,000 monthly salaries to aid Nigerians.

Read more: NLC and TUC Accept N70,000 Minimum Wage with Review Promise

The salary reduction is intended to support the federal government’s efforts to tackle the increasing cost of foodstuffs and ease the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The motion was approved and assigned to the committees on Humanitarian Affairs, Finance, and Budget for implementation.

With each member contributing N300,000 to a collective fund, the legislative body will provide N108 million monthly to the Federal Government, totaling N648 million over six months.

However, Atiku Abubakar criticized this decision on X, suggesting that lawmakers should cut their allowances rather than their salaries.

Read more: Nigerian DJ #_djtrendy Detained After Police Raid Nightclub

Atiku argued that the country can no longer afford to borrow to finance governmental irresponsibility.

He wrote, “The demons are in allowances and not salaries. There’s too much wastage and prioritisation of non-essential expenditures. What we want is an across the board cut in expenses pork. We can no longer afford to borrow to fund irresponsibility in government.”

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Ndume Alleges Ministers Avoid Tinubu Talks On Nigeria’s Food Crisis

July 11, 2024 (updated July 11, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume claims certain ministers are unable to engage President Bola Tinubu in discussions about the escalating living costs and food shortages in Nigeria.

Earlier, Ndume and colleague Sunday Karimi tabled a motion urging government action on the food crisis, citing a World Food Programme warning of potential food insecurity for 82 million Nigerians in the next five years.

Read more: Tinubu Administration Suspends Import Duties on Key Food Items

Speaking to BBC Hausa post-plenary, Ndume emphasized the government’s failure to tackle these issues as a significant hurdle.

He said: “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”
The senator said the aim of the motion was to draw the government’s attention to the severity of the food crisis affecting many Nigerians.

He expressed concern that if the government does not take urgent action, the situation could lead to famine and starvation, especially among children.

“We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity.
“We want the President to intervene in the issue of high cost of living and food scarcity,” Mr Ndume added.

He cited the example of Katsina State, where children are already suffering from malnutrition due to food scarcity.

He also mentioned the situation in the Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger.

“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria,” the lawmaker added.

While calling on the government to take immediate action to address the food crisis, Mr Ndume expressed disappointment that the government had not taken any concrete steps to address the issue, despite its promise to do so.

Read more: MACBAN Applauds Tinubu for Establishing Livestock Ministry

He, therefore, called on the government to meet with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem.

“What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage.

“We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available,” he warned.

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Presidency Denies Senator’s Claims Regarding 2024 Budget

March 11, 2024 (updated June 12, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that the presidency has refuted claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, accusing him of spreading falsehoods regarding President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the 2024 budget.

Read More: Northern Youth Group Backs Govt’s Stand Against Bandit Negotiations

Senator Ningi, in an interview with BBC Hausa, alleged discrepancies between the budget passed by the National Assembly and the one being implemented by the federal government.

He asserted that the budget presented by President Tinubu amounted to N28.7 trillion, contrary to the N25 trillion passed by the Assembly.

However, Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, rebuffed Ningi’s assertions in a statement, labeling them as untrue.

“To set the record straight, President Tinubu presented a budget of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, comprising N9.92 trillion for recurrent expenditure, N8.25 trillion for debt service, and N8.7 trillion for capital expenditure,” Onanuga clarified.

Contrary to Ningi’s claims, Onanuga emphasized that the Senate could not have debated and passed a N25 trillion budget that was never presented to the National Assembly.

“We don’t expect a senior senator to overlook such details before making baseless allegations,” Onanuga remarked.

Furthermore, Onanuga underscored that the budget signed into law by President Tinubu on January 1, 2024, amounted to N28.7 trillion, as passed by the National Assembly.

Reports suggested that Ningi and other senators, in a closed-door meeting, also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of unlawfully inflating the budget.

Read More: Deputy Speaker Addresses Lawmakers’ Salaries, Rejects Calls for Reduction

Akpabio, however, denied the allegations during the meeting.

Regarding Ningi’s claim of bias against the North in the budget, Onanuga asserted,

“President Tinubu’s administration is committed to fairness and equity across all regions of Nigeria.”The presidential rebuttal seeks to dispel misinformation and reaffirm the government’s commitment to transparency and equitable governance.

Benjamin Kalu Commends Nigerians’ Resilience Amid Hardship, Advocates for Agricultural Subsidies

February 29, 2024 (updated February 29, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, underscored the resilience of Nigerians amidst economic challenges, emphasizing their capacity to endure hardship and persevere.

Read More: Deputy Speaker Addresses Lawmakers’ Salaries, Rejects Calls for Reduction

He stated this during a session on Wednesday in the lower legislative chamber. Kalu’s remarks came as he contributed to a discussion on food security.

The legislator highlighted the buoyant spirit of Nigerians despite prevailing economic adversities, noting that their resilience contributes to national happiness.

Kalu advocated for the subsidization of farm inputs to bolster the nation’s journey towards food security.

He urged governors to adopt policies that promote agriculture within their respective states, aiming to complement the federal government’s initiatives.

In his address, Kalu urged governors to align their policies with agricultural priorities, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to bridge the gap between federal strategies and local implementation.

“It is high time you prioritise your policies and the mechanism to achieve those policies towards agriculture and food insecurity so that what the president is doing from this level of the federal government will be felt at the local level,” he said.

“If there is a need for subsidy in this country, it is to subsidise these farm inputs and everything that has to do with farming. Let‘s put our energy there.

Read More: Customs Halts Food Sales After Deadly Incident

“We are hardworking people in Nigeria. We have been declared as one of the happiest people in the world because we can absorb hardship and keep moving.

“The governors — we urge you to prioritise the issue of agriculture.”

Kalu’s call to action resonated with an appeal to governors, urging them to prioritize agricultural development as a crucial step towards enhancing food security nationwide.

Deputy Speaker Addresses Lawmakers’ Salaries, Rejects Calls for Reduction

February 27, 2024 (updated February 27, 2024) Published by

Obasempire reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has emphasized that the current remuneration of federal lawmakers falls short of sustaining them in executing their duties effectively.

Read More: Customs Halts Food Sales After Deadly Incident

In a candid discussion on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, on Monday, Kalu dismissed claims that the average lawmaker’s salary is extravagant, asserting that it barely meets their obligations.

He underscored the distinction between salaries and allowances, emphasizing that allowances are earmarked for constituency duties and cannot be tampered with.

“The salaries of the National Assembly are significantly lower than perceived. Even a 50% or 80% reduction would not align with the economic realities,” Kalu remarked, highlighting the challenges lawmakers face in serving their constituencies adequately.

He elaborated on the financial strains lawmakers encounter, including transportation costs, running constituency offices, and maintaining aides essential for fulfilling their mandates.

Kalu maintained that slashing salaries would not resolve the underlying issues but expressed readiness for adjustments if it enhances national progress.

He said, “Considering the cost of transport, running constituency offices and the number of maintaining aides who are supposed to have you achieve what the mandate of that office demands, it is not a discussion that will add value to the crisis we are faced with.

“But I can assure you they will be willing to adjust. If that is what will move Nigeria to the next level, why not? After all, we did not send ourselves there. We were voted in by the constituents.”

Read More: Police Deploy Anti-Riot Units Ahead of Nationwide Protest

Amid discussions on fiscal prudence, Kalu commended President Bola Tinubu for his decision to implement the 2012 recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye panel, applauding Tinubu’s commitment to effective governance.

Kalu’s remarks shed light on the complexities surrounding lawmakers’ compensation and the imperative for nuanced approaches to address legislative challenges, urging stakeholders to consider the broader context in deliberating on remuneration matters.

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