Seven people have died in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State after inhaling fumes from a Generator

They died while working in the recording studio located along Transformer Road in Amarata axis of Yenagoa.

The young men in the studio were working from night to morning, using their generator but may have fallen asleep and forgot to switch off the generator.

The generator was kept inside and the studio which had no ventilation.

Six of them were discovered dead in the morning, while one of the victims who was unconscious was rushed to the hospital where he later gave up the ghost.

The owner of the studio, a popular producer named Akpos Barakubo AKA SlimKelz was among the deceased.

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has lamented the non review of University staff salary after the last exercise that took place 15 years ago.

Zonal ASUU expressed its displeasure while addressing journalists in Benin City on what it tagged :On the unresolved issues between the federal government and ASUU: Government is begging ASUU to go on strike”

Speaking for the union, the Zonal coordinator, Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen said government at all levels are busy reviewing other workers salary while leaving the lecturers salaries the same way it was since when the value of naira to a dollar was N120.

“University teachers in Nigeria have been on the same salary regime since 2009 when the value of naira to a dollar was N120, and when salaries in other sectors have been reviewed twice or more.

“It is better imagined to note that what a Professor at bar earns in today’s Nigeria is about $400 per month which is a scandalous under-valuation of scholars.

“To continue to remain on the same salary regime for 15 years without review is not only wicked and inhuman but also an invitation to resistance/industrial disharmony”, Igbafen said.

Prof. Igbafen, while listing the union’s demands which the federal government has refused to meet, said they have been pushed to the wall, and may likely embark on industrial action.

“Having been irked by the obvious lack of sincerity on the part of federal and state governments to address the issues which have worsened the living and working conditions of academic staff in the public universities, it is sad to note that barely a month after our engagement with the press in DELSU, there is refusal and/or total neglect of our union’s demands and ultimatum by the government, i.e. the government completely turned deaf ears to the contending issues.

“This disposition of government is certainly not a good recipe to the impending paralysis in Nigeria’s public universities.
“It is imperative to point out that the nagging issues between the government and our union in reference revolves round the abysmal failure by the government to satisfactorily implement the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

“The resulting issues have been the source of the seemingly unending confrontation between us as a union and the government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues include the stalled renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement; funding for the revitalization of public universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2021, 2013, and the MoA of 2017; the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in federal and state universities; withheld salaries in federal and state universities; unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, adjunct, etc. due to IPPIS; the non-release of third-party deductions; non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); proliferation of public universities; non-implementation of the reports of Visitation Panels and the refusal to adopt UTAS in place of IPPIS.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged media professionals to partner with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to combat insecurity in the country.

Gen. Lagbaja made the call in a keynote address he delivered at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, held in Kano, on yesterday.

“I urge you to be committed partners with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as we collectively unite to combat insecurity in our country, so as to restore peace, stability, and progressive development for this generation and indeed future generations”, he said.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirensa Lander David Saraso, the Chief of Army Staff also solicited the cooperation and understanding of the media to be committed to the ideals of responsible and professional practices by being balanced and objective in their reportage of security matters.

According to him, balanced and objective reporting requires a deliberate effort to ensure that national interest and security are not jeopardised on the basis of press freedom and the urgency to be the first to break the news.

He, therefore, urged media executives and editors to be circumspect in their reportage of issues concerning national security and survival.
Gen. Lagbaja also urged all well-meaning Nigerians to keep faith with the Nigerian Army and continue to support its activities.

“As the Nigerian Army continues to conduct kinetic and non-kinetic operations geared towards the complete elimination of elements and purveyors of insecurity in our beloved country, I urge all well-meaning Nigerians to keep faith with their army and continue to support our activities”, he solicited.

He said the Nigerian Army was fully aware of the intricacies and challenges facing the nation, and that the imperative to address security challenges had led the Army to increase the tempo in various theatres of operations.
“I am pleased to state that the Nigerian Army in collaboration with sister Services and other security agencies has continued to record remarkable successes.

“You may be aware that troops of the Nigerian Army operating with other security agencies have made significant milestones in operations across all theatres within Nigeria.

“Specifically, our gallant troops in the North East have neutralised hundreds of terrorists, including scores of their top commanders, thereby liberating several of their enclaves in the Sambisa forest, Tumbuktu triangle and the Mandara mountains.

“Similar feats have also been achieved in the North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South-South regions of the country. The culminating effects of these operations include the rescue of abducted Nigerians, such as the 350 persons rescued from Sambisa forest last month, the surrender of over 120,000 Boko Haram fighters and their family members in the North East, the desire of over 20,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon to return to their ancestral homes in Borno and Adamawa states, and the thwarting or rescue of thousands of kidnapping incidents/victims across the country”, the Chief of Army Staff added.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has tackled Peter Obi over his comments on the proposed purchase of a new presidential aircraft.

It could be recalled that the House of Representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The committees recommendation was contained in a report released after an investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

But speaking on the development on Monday, Obi, faulted the proposal, saying it highlights the disconnect between the government and the people.

According to Obi, the proposal is unacceptable, adding that there is need for a more compassionate use of resources and prioritising citizens welfare.

Reacting to Obi’s comment in an interview with newsmen, Onanuga said the purchase of another aircraft is a necessity.

Onanuga said the proposed presidential aircraft is a basic thing any sane government will do because it cannot toy with the presidents welfare.

He said, “Does Peter Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. The plane he used now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjos era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane.
The plane developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to go from there to the UK on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced”, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigeria must find a way to tackle banditry, terrorism and bad roads to address food price hikes.

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday said President Tinubu made this known when he met with the delegation of the National Assembly in Lagos.

Tinubu stressed that 60-70 percent of food is damaged in Nigeria due to bad roads, banditry and terrorism.

“We must find a way to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can bring out food from the farmland. If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food and you are losing 60-70 percent to damages, you will pay the price”, he said.

The Presidents comment comes as Nigerians continue to groan over rising food prices.

The National Bureau of Statistics latest Consumer Price Index and inflation report said Nigerias headline and food inflation surged to 33.95 percent and 44.66 per cent in May 2024.

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has justified the reason the countrys aviation sector was rated 71.04 per cent by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, saying some inadequacies were corrected by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, said if those deficiencies had been left, Nigeria would have been rated 30 per cent when results were released.

Describing as mischievous comments by commentators that Keyamo and Najomo were responsible for the poor ratings, Achimugu said the Minister and NCAAs DG came into office to improve on the deteriorating infrastructures and poor remunerations of workers.

Achimugu, in a statement, said: Six months ago, we met a dilapidated industry with poor infrastructure. The security and safety issues did not start in the last six months. Had it not been for the tireless efforts of the Honourable Minister and the DGCA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% in the audit.

Going by what was on the ground when Keyamo and Najomo assumed office, the current score is a substantially good showing, a miracle if I must say. The narrative being pushed out is just part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries who have just one task.

The ICAO auditors praised our performance during their final briefing at the NCAA. They even mentioned a scenario where they complained about an absent infrastructure but, to their pleasant surprise, it had been made available the very next day! They said that only Nigeria moves at such a pace in the face of criticism. If the ICAO experts were pleased, who are these puff puff experts trying to deceive the people?

We have actual intel about a media team being commissioned to cause continuous chaos until Keyamo is either removed or moved elsewhere because certain people want to take back ownership of the contracts they were busy allocating themselves and family members while critical infrastructure was growing dilapidated. We will resist every attempt to deceive the Nigerian people.
Keyamo did not become one of the starboys of this administration by doing nothing. He spent his first six months unbundling the rot in the system. Sadly, the rot runs so deep that six months are not enough to scratch the surface. They know this and it is why they are relentless in their fight. But the Minister and this NCAA will do everything to sanitize aviation. We are working and it is evident.
It could be recalled that for the first time in 15 years, Nigerias aviation sector failed the mandatory audit by scoring five points short of the 75 per cent benchmark.
It was, however, given the statutory 60 to 90 days lifeline to close all identified gaps by ICAO.

A soldier serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathans Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State, attached to the 144 Battalions Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area has shot himself to death.

According to reports, the soldier, a senior non-commissioned soldier Command Sergeant Major (CSM) identified simply as Vitalis took his life in front of the FOB gate.

The reason for committing suicide in front of the army camp has not been known at the time of filing the report as there was no suicide note.

Sources within security agents in the State told the aforementioned publication that a discreet investigation would unravel what could have prompted him to take his life.

According to sources, until the death of the soldier, there was no reported case of domestic violence or work related disciplinary action against him by army authorities at the Battalion or 14 Brigade Headquarters respectively.

It was gathered that the CSM suddenly disappeared without any trace to his whereabouts for the past two weeks he has remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by colleagues and military authorities failed.

He was said to have returned to the army camp and shot himself to the surprise of colleagues.

It was gathered that the deceased would have retired from service in October, leaving his colleagues shocked as to why he chose to take his life.

Former Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Ogunnyi Otunla, has reportedly passed away in the United Kingdom on Monday, June 17.

A source disclosed that the former AGF recently travelled to the UK for treatment of a yet-to-be disclosed ailment.

“I can tell you that he died in the hours between Sunday June 17 and Monday June 17”, the source told newsmen.

“While alive, he faced prosecution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was being hounded in connection with two cases the alleged diversion of about N24 billion meant for disengaged staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and N2 billion allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Along the line, he refunded to the Federal Government to the tune of a few billion naira”, the source added

Otunla had a distinguished career in finance, serving on the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and as accountant-general of Oyo State in 1989.

He later joined the Federal Civil Service and was appointed accountant-general of the federation by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

Otunla retired from the civil service in 2015. However, his legacy was marred by allegations of corruption, with accusations of diverting billions of naira in public funds.

He had been in and out of court facing charges related to these allegations until his death.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Zone 11 Command comprising of Osun, Ondo and Oyo States on Tuesday said nine deaths were recorded in 13 road accidents which occurred within its jurisdiction during the first three days of the Sallah holiday.

The command also said 78 others who sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes involving 21 vehicles and 128 people, were swiftly conveyed to hospitals across the zone, while 41 other persons were rescued without injuries during the period.

Reviewing activities in the first three days of the commands special operation for Sallah, which started on Friday covering major routes within its jurisdiction in a statement obtained in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the Acting Zonal Commanding Officer for the Zone, Leye Adegboyega, further said the Corps deployed a total of 3,018 personnel, 57 patrol vehicles, five ambulances and two heavy-duty tow trucks, during the period.

According to him, personnel from the command covered about 65 major routes across the zone daily to ensure good visibility to reduce avoidable speed-related crashes, while standby rescue teams were also stationed across all commands in the zone for quick response to distress calls from accident scenes.

The statement read in part, The 2024 Eid El Kabir Sallah Special Patrol Operation is scheduled to be held between Friday 14th and Friday 21st June 2024 across the country. Zone RS11 Osogbo of the Corps, which comprises Osun, Ondo and Oyo States, has keyed into the mission of the Operation, which is to ensure free flow of traffic, minimize the occurrence of RTCs, provide prompt rescue services in the event of crashes and ensure timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and the critical corridors across the 3 states of the Zone during and after the Sallah festivities.

For the Zone to achieve the mission of the Operation, a total of 3,018 Personnel (comprising 2,155 Regular Marshals and 863 Special Marshals), 57 Patrol Vehicles, 5 Ambulances and 2 Heavy Duty Tow Trucks have been deployed across the component commands. Included in the roads we cover daily are the following Critical Corridors to which we give particular attention: Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ibadan-Ife Expressway, Ife-Ilesa Expressway, Ilesa-Ipetujesa-Akure Expressway, Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.

In the first three days of the operation, we have achieved the following: i. The arrest of 737 traffic offenders who were duly contravened for 766 various traffic offences that may otherwise have led to avoidable RTCs. ii. Execution of 219 various Public Enlightenment activities across the news media, motor parks, churches, mosques and other public places, to drive home the road safety message and create public awareness of the need for safety consciousness.

iii. Provision of prompt rescue services for the victims of 13 RTCs which involved 21 vehicles and 128 people, out of which 9 unfortunately lost their lives and 78 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly conveyed to hospitals across the Zone where we sustain cordial relationship, for treatment. 41 other persons were rescued alive without injuries and continued their journeys.

Adegboyega appealed to the general public and all road users to use the roads responsibly and contribute their quota to a reduction in the loss of lives and valuable properties.

The Presidency, on Sunday, insisted that the N250,000 minimum wage clamour by Organised Labour is unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channeled all its resources to meet such a demand.

The warning comes two days after the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria raised concerns over the N62,000 being proposed by the FG.

The ALGON said if approved, the wage may put a strain on the councils financial burden.

On Tuesday, May 28, talks between the Federal Government and Organised Labour broke down after the government and the Organised Private Sector raised their offers to N62,000.

But the labour unions described the proposal as an insult to the intelligence of the average Nigerian worker, which deserves far better than what the government offered

Speaking in an exclusive interview with newsmen, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that unless the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress were selfish, they should consider that the resources meant for the entire Nigerians could not be channeled to only the benefit of their members who are not more than 10 percent of the entire population.

He said, “That is why we keep telling labour to be realistic because the government cannot use all its resources to pay workers. They have other things to do. The workers we are even talking about are not up to 10 percent of the population. Many people are self-employed or engaged in the private sector, who are not members of Labour, and are not affected by this demand.
This is even more reason why labour has to reconsider their decision critically instead of always striving to shut down the system. What the FG did was in consultation with the private sector and others. Only Labour, which appears to be in the minority, kept saying they wont accept N62,000. They are not even employers but employees.

“Let us wait and hear what they are going to say after their return from the ILO conference. But they have to be realistic”

Tinubu had disclosed during his democracy day that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage for workers would be sent to the National Assembly.

When quizzed on when he plans to transmit the bill, Onanuga said though he could not give a particular date, he sees it happening after the Sallah break.

The presidential media aide also said the Federal Government might not meet the Labour leaders again unless something cogent turned up.

‘I am not certain when he plans to do it (Bill). May be after Sallah. But I am not sure whether the FG is meeting with them or whether its position on the minimum wage has changed. Dont forget the current amount on the table was arrived at by the committee that also has the private sector where the NECA and NACIMMA were also represented.

“That was the figure the FG delegation, sub-nationals, employers, NECA and other sectors agreed on. So, the FG cannot just decide on any other amount of money on its own without carrying these people along. And the government cannot just decide anything without ensuring that the state and local governments are able to pay”, he said.

Efforts made to reach labour leaders on Sunday were unsuccessful as close sources told our correspondents they were on their way back to the country from their recent trip to Geneva for the International Labour Organisation conference.

Meanwhile, the tripartite committee established by the Federal Government to review the minimum wage has urged labour unions to reassess their wage demands.

Speaking on Sunday, the committees chairman, Bukar Aji asked labour to reconsider their position based on economic factors and the non-monetary incentives provided by the government.

Aji highlighted several incentives of the government, including the N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid federal workers, N100bn for gas-fuelled buses and gas kit conversions, a N125bn conditional grant, financial inclusion for small and medium enterprises, and a N25,000 monthly stipend for 15 million households over three months.

He also listed the N185bn in palliative loans to states to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal, N200bn to boost agricultural production, N75bn to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and N1tn for student loans, among other interventions.

Aji called on the labour unions to consider accepting the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the Federal Government.

He said the committee was trying to avert a situation where the minimum wage would lead to further job losses, especially as many businesses are already struggling.