Tinubu commits to pay minimum wage higher than N60k (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has committed to a national minimum wage higher than the current N60,000.
This is one of the key resolutions the Federal Government of Nigeria and Organised Labour have reached following a meeting held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation today.
The meeting was convened to address the ongoing nationwide strike action called by Labour to push for a higher national minimum wage. Read more
Embrace dialogue, CAN tells NLC, TUC (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to allow dialogue in the interest of the nation.
CAN said the legitimate demands of the labour unions for a fair and adequate minimum wage are understandable and justified.
A statement on Monday by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh reads: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has viewed with great concern the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the minimum wage impasse and wishes to advise as follows. Read more
Police beef up security nationwide, urge labour to continue negotiations (Tribune)
The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has beefed up security nationwide against the national strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and urged the organised labour to halt the strike and return to the negotiation meetings with the Federal Government.
In a statement available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday the Police explained that halting the strike would prevent a breakdown of law and order within the country.
The Police pointed out that through negotiations, both parties would resolve the issue amicably as the industrial action might bring untold hardship to Nigerians. Read more
N35k wage award to continue until minimum wage is settled – Labour Minister (Channels)
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has assured Nigerian workers that the N35,000 wage award approved for them by the Federal Government will continue until the new minimum wage is settled.
The Federal Government in October last year agreed to pay N35,000 to workers to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy on the workers.
Recently, there has been uncertainty about whether the payment of the wage award will continue, with many saying that it was meant to run for only six months. Read more
Soldiers bar journalists from OSGF as Akume meets labour (Vanguard)
A detachment of soldiers and other security personnel on Monday night barred journalists from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, venue of a troubleshooting meeting between organized labour and relevant stakeholders hosted by the SGF, Senator George Akume.
The strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Trade Union Congress TUC had virtually crippled the nation on its first day, with the power, financial services, Aviation and many other sectors shut.
Akume had reportedly summoned labour leaders and relevant state officials to an emergency meeting to halt the strike. Read more
Labour’s demand will compound Nigeria’s economic woes – Presidency (DailyTrust)
The presidency has said that acceding to the organised Labour’s demand of N494,000 minimum wage will cripple the country’s economy.
Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, who said this while featuring on TVC’s ‘Politics, said the consequences of allowing Labour to have their way will not be in the interest of the country.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike over Federal Government’s failure to accept the new minimum wage. Read more
Gov Mbah storms Abia for Wabara (Tribune)
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has charged the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, with leading the party’s rebirth.
Mbah gave the charge in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, during the 76th birthday celebration and civic reception organised in honour of the former President of the Senate on his emergence as the substantive Chairman of the PDP’s BOT.
In his address, Mbah, who is currently the only PDP governor in the South East, recalled the party’s glorious days, which also produced Senator Wabara as the President of the Senate, and tasked the elder statesman with reenacting that golden era to return the PDP to the pinnacle of glory. Read more
“You overstepped your bounds by shutting down national grid,’ Tinubu’s aide tells labour (Punch)
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said that the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other groups that shut down the national grid should be thankful that Nigeria is not under a military regime.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria announced the complete shutdown of Nigeria’s power grid by labour unions as the strike by the NLC and TUC began.
NLC and TUC initiated a nationwide industrial action on Monday to protest against the Federal Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage. Read more
Millie Bobby Brown confirms ‘wifey’ status during trip with Jake Bongiovi (Standard)
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown has debuted her new relationship status in style.
The British actress confirmed her marriage to Jake Bongiovi during a trip to the Universal Orlando resort in the US, wearing a customised pair of high-waisted denim shorts which featured the word “wifey” on the back.
Posting pictures on Instagram, the 20-year-old accessorised with a hat which read “wife of the party”. Read more
Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen nicknamed ‘bat girl’ after she’s bitten during rock gig (Mirror)
Taylor Momsen, who is known for her role in Gossip Girl, was performing on stage in Spain alongside her band The Pretty Reckless when a bat flew onto her leg and bit her
Singer Taylor Momsen has been bitten by a bat while performing with her band The Pretty Reckless in Spain.
Momsen, who has also acted in roles including alongside Jim Carrey in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and alongside Blake Lively in the Gossip Girl TV series, remained calm during the bat incident as she called for help from the stage crew. The incident took place as she and band The Pretty Reckless were supporting AC/DC in the Spanish city of Seville. Following the incident, she revealed she’s been nicknamed ‘Bat Girl’. Read more
Hunter Biden’s gun trial starts in Delaware, drawing national attention in election year (Shine)
The trial of US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden on felony gun charges kicked off with jury selection on Monday in Wilmington, US state of Delaware, drawing national attention in a contentious election year.
It’s the first prosecution for the child of a sitting president in the history of the United States.
Hunter Biden, the youngest son and only surviving son of President Biden, faces three felony gun charges in the historic trial that carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if he’s convicted. Read more
Black Lace founder and Agadoo singer Colin Gibb dies aged 70 (ITV)
Black Lace singer Colin Gibb, best known for novelty hit Agadoo, has been remembered as “a great friend” after his death at the age of 70.
Gibb, who was from Leeds, first found fame in 1979 when the group competed in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song Mary Ann.
They also enjoyed a novelty hit with Do The Conga in 1989, but it is 1984’s Agadoo that was their biggest hit and a staple of weddings, parties and discos for many years. Read more
Denis Villeneuve “disappointed” that Dune: Part Two still rules box office (FilmNews)
Denis Villeneuve is “disappointed” that Dune: Part Two remains the highest-grossing film of 2024.
The 56-year-old director’s sci-fi epic is still the most successful film of the year despite being released in March and he thinks that it is a sad indictment of the film industry that none of the summer blockbusters have been able to surpass it.
Speaking after receiving the Academy Icon Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, Denis said: “I think we need movies that are theatrical experiences, that will fully embrace the power of the theatre, and I’m not just talking about ‘Dune 2’. Of course I’m talking about many movies. Read more
‘‘Venom: The Last Dance’’ Trailer: Tom Hardy brings the alien one last time (Deadline)
Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for “Venom: The Last Dance”, even if Tom Hardy‘s Eddie Brock is still getting a bit used to sharing headspace with an alien symbiote.
In the clip, a seemingly reluctant Brock is cornered by a bad guy or several, and has no choice but to let the Venom drip, even if he is a little rusty at it.
“Venom: The Last Dance” is billed as Hardy’s final installment as the Marvel anti-hero, a role he last played in Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). This time around, Hardy shares a story credit on the film with Kelly Marcel, who directs. Read more
British man among 4 hostages to die in Gaza captivity, Israeli military says (Independent)
A British man is among four more hostages abducted by Hamas who have died while held captive in Gaza, Israel’s military has announced.
Hamas claimed in May that 51-year-old Nadav Popplewell had died after being wounded in an Israeli airstrike a month previously – prompting the UK Foreign Office to say it was urgently seeking more information.
The British-Israeli national has now been confirmed by the Israeli military to be among four men to have recently died while being held captive by Hamas, after being abducted during the Palestinian militants’ cross-border attack on 7 October, in which Popplewell’s brother Roi was killed. Read more
Labour strike hits Super Eagles hard (Sun)
The nationwide strike embarked by organised labour has affected eight Super Eagles from joining the squad in Uyo ahead of Friday night’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Officials said the players are already in the country, but they are presently stranded, as they cannot connect local flights to Uyo.
The players affected are Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Paul Onuachu, Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman. Read more
Djokovic comes through another French Open epic (BBC)
Defending champion Novak Djokovic showed his supreme powers of recovery once again to come through a five-set marathon against Francisco Cerundolo and reach the French Open quarter-finals.
Serbia’s Djokovic, 37, looked hampered by a leg injury before winning 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 against Argentine 23rd seed Cerundolo.
For the second time in three days, the 24-time major champion fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit. Read more
Mbappe takes huge pay cut to join Real Madrid (VNExpress)
The announcement is the culmination of Real’s long courtship of one of the most prolific forwards in world football.
“Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the player to be at Real Madrid for the next five seasons,” the club said in a statement.
“So happy and proud to join the club of my dream @realmadrid. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support,” 25-year-old Mbappe added on social media. Read more
Jadon Sancho makes statement ahead of Manchester United transfer decision (MEN)
Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has thanked everyone associated with Borussia Dortmund for “believing in me” following the conclusion of his loan spell at the Bundesliga outfit.
Sancho returned to the German club in January, signing on loan for the remainder of the season after being frozen out by United manager Erik ten Hag. The winger ultimately accused the United boss of lying after a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal last September and refused to apologise.
Sancho brought the curtain down on his second spell at Dortmund by starting Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley. Madrid won a 15th European crown after late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior. Read more
Andy Murray reveals new injury that raises big questions over clay court decision (Tennis365)
Andy Murray’s decision to play this year’s clay court season was a big surprise after he damaged ankle ligaments at the Miami Open and now the decision is under scrutiny again after Murray revealed he is suffering from a recurring back problem.
Murray has pulled out of next week’s Surbiton Trophy after initially confirming he would enter the grass court ATP Challenger event in London, where he won the title last year.
Yet Murray, beaten in the first round of the French Open by Stan Wawrinka on Sunday, stayed in Paris to play doubles with Dan Evans. Read more
Esteban Ocon to leave Alpine F1 at end of season (Telegraph)
Esteban Ocon is to leave Alpine at the end of this season, the team have announced, just days after his Monaco Grand Prix dressing down for colliding with team-mate Pierre Gasly.
The Frenchman’s departure was presented as a ‘mutual decision’ in the press release announcing the news, but comes after he incurred the wrath of team principal Bruno Famin eight days ago when the furious Alpine team principal suggested to Canal+ that his driver would face “consequences” for his actions.
While sources at the team say his departure is not directly related to the crash – the two parties had already been discussing his future for months, with Ocon out of contract at the end of this year – it cannot have helped. Read more