Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, says the company has approved a 50 per cent salary increment for staff across board. Rabiu made the disclosure in an internal memo signed on Sunday in Lagos by Mr Mohammed Wali, BUA’s Head of Human Resources. The memo quoted BUA chairman as saying that the increment was to mitigate the impact of the economic hardship currently being faced in the country. He said the salary increment would cover both permanent/regular and non-permanent staff with effect from Feb. 1, 2024. “Sequel to the above development, the Human Resources and Finance departments are processing the increase to ensure that it is captured in the February 2024 payroll. “It is hoped that with this magnanimous gesture, we will be more committed to our duties and put in our very best to justify the confidence reposed in us,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that due to the current economic conditions in the country, negotiations are ongoing between the organised labour and the government, for a new minimum wage. (NAN)

  Sunday 18 February 2024 Labour shifts ground on N1m minimum wage as panel meets Monday EFCC orders task force to tackle illegal forex trading, naira abuse JAMB to bar students from direct entry admissions over verification failure Parliamentry system: Afenifere talks tough on 60 lawmakers’ move Styrofoams ban: Lagos set to begin full enforcement on Monday KADUNA: Bandits kill 6, abduct ex-CBN staff, others Battle line drawn as two winners emerge from Edo APC governorship parallel primaries FG Summons Manufacturers Over Rising Cost Of Cement Cost Of Living Crisis: Nigeria, Others Risk Social Unrest – AfDB Bandits Abduct 16 In Taraba FG To Close Section Of Third Mainland Bridge Kennedy Iyere Wins Accord Gov Ticket For Edo FCCPC Reopens Abuja Store Sealed For ‘Misleading Pricing’ Step aside if you can’t end hardship, PDP govs tell APC, Tinubu More states unveil intervention plans to tackle food scarcity JTF uncovers 14 illegally refining sites in Rivers Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Bandits have killed nine, abducted thirty-five, and injured nine people in Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas of Kaduna on Friday night. It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed Kwassam, Kurera, and Kan Makama communities in Kauru local government area as well as Kerawa and Sabon Birni communities in Igabi local government area and killed no fewer than nine, injured nine, and kidnapped thirty-five people. A resident of Kwasam in Kauru LGA who pleaded for anonymity gave the names of those killed as Danmasani Gwaska, Mrs. Giwa John, Kapishi Barmu, Ganya Ubangida, Shigama Salisu and Gani Magawata. While those kidnapped include: Mr. Zakariya Markus (retired CBN director), Mr. Monday Markus (Younger brother to the retired CBN staff), Mrs. Monday Markus (wife of Monday), Mr Alhamdu Makeri’s Son, and Baban Fati of Kauru. He disclosed that two others were kidnapped and are currently receiving treatment in a medical facility. According to a source, the incident occurred on Friday a few minutes after 10 pm when bandits invaded the community. Sources said the bandits held two people on gunpoint, led them to the residence of the retired CBN staff, and abducted him. “Bandits moved to his family house, abducted his brother and the brother’s wife. According to source, some of the residents who came out to rescue the kidnapped victims were gunned down. “After the hoodlums left, six people were confirmed dead, two injured, while five were kidnapped. Also, a community leader in Igabi local government area who wouldn’t like to be mentioned had said three people were killed, while, seven were injured and 30 were kidnapped when bandits attacked two wards in the area. He said the hoodlums attacked Sabon Birni and Kerawa villages on Friday night. In the cause of the attacks, “Three people were killed, while seven were injured and they’re currently receiving treatment in hospital. I can tell you thirty people were abducted and they’re currently in captivity”. Reacting to the development, the state governor, Senator Uba Sani while condemning the attacks, called for aggressive military operations in the state. This was contained in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Saturday and signed by the overseeing Commissioner Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan. The commissioner who was carrying out an on-the-spot assessment in company of the Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muhammad Kana, alongside other military commanders and security forces working in the general areas affected said, “We are here on behalf of Governor Uba Sani to first of all condole with you over the lives lost in Kerawa and Sabon Birni Wards in Igabi LGA and also Kwassam, Kurera and Kan Makama communities in Kauru LGA. “May Almighty God grant the deceased eternal rest, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured. “I want to assure you that we are also here for an assessment of the security situation and as you can see, troops are presently carrying out operations in these locations, to which you have attested. “The Governor of Kaduna State is not relenting in his efforts, and he is also working towards sustained aggressive military operations in the frontline locations and emerging fronts like Kauru LGA.” The delegation had earnest meetings with traditional leaders, led by the Acting District Head of Sabon Birni, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, as well as religious and community leaders drawn from Dunki, Gwada, Bina, Maraci, Tami, Karshi, and Kerawa, where issues critical to the improvement of the security situation were discussed.

  A domestic staff, Blessing and her husband, Bassey, have been arrested by the police in Lagos State for stealing $51,000 belonging to her employer. Blessing had worked only for three days before she stole her employer’s money and fled to Cross Rivers State, where she was arrested. The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, after a complaint was made to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone. The image maker in charge of the zone, SP Awal Ayuba confirmed the arrest of the duo in a statement signed by her on Friday. The Zone 2 police spokesperson said, “On January 31st, 2024, detectives from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, arrested Blessing ‘f’ and her spouse, Bassey ‘m’ for stealing fifty-one thousand United States dollars ($51,000 USD) from her employer’s residence in the Lekki area of Lagos.” She added that “Blessing was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony ‘m’ and began working as a domestic staff on December 23rd, 2023. Only three days into her employment, she absconded with $51,000 USD and fled with her husband to Cross River State.” According to the police image maker, “Following intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31st, 2024.” “During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity. She failed to complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions.” She also stated that “despite initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing eventually confessed to stealing thirty thousand United States dollars ($30,000 USD), admitting to giving twenty thousand United States dollars ($20,000 USD) to her husband, Bassey.” “Bassey, in turn, confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a Tipper Truck, Two Motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross-River State.” the police stated Both suspects have been charged and brought before the court following the completion of the investigation, under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command. AIG Olatoye Durosinmi. AIG Durosinmi asked members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has reopened Sahad Stores, a supermarket located in the Garki area of Abuja. The supermarket was sealed on Friday by an enforcement team, for engaging in “misleading pricing and lack of transparency in pricing”. The FCCPC said investigations revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves and charged higher prices at checkout. The commission said the investigation included all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja, in a bid to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues, and implement corrective measures across the entire chain. FCCPC said it had invited members of the supermarket management to defend themselves, but they failed to show up. Adamu Abdullahi, acting executive vice chair of the FCCPC, said in a statement that following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, “the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7:00 PM”. “Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times,” the statement reads. “The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights. “The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices. Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors. “The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment.”

  David Umahi, minister of works, has called for a meeting with cement manufacturers over the rising cost of the product. The price of cement has been oscillating between N8,000 and N10,000 per bag from about N4,000 a few weeks ago. Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge are some of the cement manufacturers summoned by the works ministry. Orji Uchenna Orji, media aide to the minister, said: “Worried by the escalating cost of cement despite huge patronage by road and housing contractors to cement manufacturers, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON, has summoned an urgent meeting of all cement manufacturers in Nigeria”. Orji quoted his principal as saying that the disparity between ex-factory price and market price is huge. “It is common knowledge that the manufacturers have their challenges, which we shall look into, but from our findings, the disparity between ex-factory price and the market price is wide,” Umahi was quoted as saying. “We therefore need to look into the situation and other issues with a view to finding a common front.”