Author: Kwara Reporters

Not less than Nine (9) State Governors have approved the N70K Minimum Wage. Recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed a new national minimum wage of N70,000 into law on Monday, July 29, 2024, from the initial N30,000.This decision followed a series of negotiations where the Tripartite Committee, which includes representatives from Organised Labour, the private sector, and the federal government, failed to reach a consensus.The new minimum wage is seen as a significant step towards addressing the rising cost of living and enhancing the welfare of Nigerian civil servants. However, the move has garnered mixed reactions from state governors. While some have…

In recent times, Nigerians have faced significant challenges with identification verification, particularly the stress of queuing at National Identity Management Commission offices and designated centres.As the agency responsible for managing Nigeria’s national identity database, NIMC has been pivotal in this process, but the associated logistical hurdles can be daunting for many.To alleviate this burden and streamline the process, PUNCH Online has developed a comprehensive DIY guide designed to empower individuals to manage their NIN (National Identification Number) details modification from the comfort of their homes.Details about the personal update and modifications were retrieved from the NIMC social media handles late…

By Mukadas EleshinI read with amusement an interview published in the Nigerian Tribune of August 21st, 2024 titled ‘Kwara Needs Top Voice at National Level’ granted by Akintoba Fatigun, former chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area. A beautiful interview that summarised the entire problem that now confronts Kwara State.The one that got me thinking is the area where he stated: “The good people of Kwara submitted to heavy, ill-motivated propaganda and blackmail of ‘Se Awon Nikan Ni’ in 2019 and we can all see where it has led us’. This is one truth that many Kwarans know about but perhaps…

The management of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, has refuted the report that the corpse of a female discovered at a refuse dump site was a student of the institution.This was contained in a statement by the Information Officer of the institution, Femi Afolayan, in Ilorin on Wednesday, reacting to a statement by the state police command on Tuesday.The statement reads in part; “the attention of the Al-Hikmah University has been drawn to a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer to the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the state Commissioner…

The Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Nigerian Passport effective from 1st September 2024.The spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), DCI Kenneth Udo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the move was a part of the efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.“Based on the review, a 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while a 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, August 21, vowed to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing rumours of a potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).Wike’s stance comes amidst a battle for control of the Rivers state PDP chapter.The former Rivers State governor was appointed by President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), last year.Speaking on a live broadcast monitored by our correspondent to mark his one year in office, Wike said he is dedicated to the PDP, despite facing opposition from State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other…

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five persons, including Alhaji Mohammed Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, over an alleged multi-billion naira drugs supply scam.Also arrested by the commission is the chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, who is also the Chairman, Tauroni Local Government Area.The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests to newsmen on Wednesday.Similarly, the anti-graft agency arrested the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Garba Kwankwaso, the nephew of the NNPP National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso,…

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has imposed a hefty fine of N555.8 million on Fidelity Bank for violating its customers’ data privacy.This was announced by the NDPC’s National Commissioner, Vincent Olatunji, during a Validation Workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act General Application and Implementation Directive held on Wednesday in Abuja.Fidelity Bank was found to have breached the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) of 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection (NDP) Act of 2023. The fine, which amounts to 0.1 percent of the bank’s annual gross revenue for 2023, is the largest ever issued by the NDPC.Olatunji explained that…

No fewer than 30 kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, also known as Unknown Gunmen, a notorious breakaway faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to the Finland based, Simon Ekpa, which terrorised Enugu and its environs had been gunned down in shoot-outs with security operatives at various locations across the state in the past two weeks, a police detective has disclosed. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday morning by Governor Peter Mbah’s media office which quoted a Police Superintendent, SP Onochie Ezeh, who led a joint security operation to rescue some kidnap victims…

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member committee to enforce the recent Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.On July 11, the apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for LG administrations.Five weeks on, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, set up the inter-ministerial committee to implement the verdict.Disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said Akume would chair the…