Author: straightnewsng.com

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State chapter has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if government does not finalise the implementation of the new national minimum wage by midnight on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the NLC’s State Executive Council (SEC) held on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the NLC Secretariat in Uyo. The meeting, chaired by the state Chairperson of NLC, Comrade Sunny James was convened to address the delays surrounding the payment of the ₦80,000 minimum wage, approved by the state government but is yet to be…

By Agency Report US President Joe Biden has granted an unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, who faced sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. In a statement issued by the White House on Sunday, December 1, Biden said that his son had been “singled out” and “selectively, and unfairly” prosecuted due to his family name. This official grant of clemency cannot be rescinded by President-elect Donald Trump. “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word…

Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, has recovered 22 bodies after the boat mishap that occurred between Baro and Akwanu communities of Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. NEMA stated that a total of eight persons have been rescued alive. About 200 passengers mostly market women and traders were on the boat that headed from the state of Kogi to neighboring state of Niger when it capsized, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press. Also read: Tinubu directs probe of Niger boat mishap as death toll climbs to 36  The agency in a…

Cross River Police Command said that suspected abductors of Prof. Ekanem Phillip-Ephraim, the first female professor of Medicine at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital are in prison custody awaiting trial. This was confirmed through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 Calabar, AIG Jonathan Towuru, has confirmed The 60-year-old renowned professor of neurology was kidnapped 13 July, 2023 around the Atimbo axis of Calabar Municipality by unknown gunmen. The PRO of Zone 6 Police, SP Nelson Okpabi, the AIG, in a signed statement stated this when a delegation from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Cross River State chapter, paid him a…

By Our reporters Etukudoh reacts, Accugas Ltd denies Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy Plc, and the Ibom Power Company traded blame over power outages in Akwa Ibom State. The power outages crippled social and economic activities in the state for three days, culminating in the sacking of the Managing Director of the Ibom Power Plant, Meyen Etukudoh by Governor Eno. The former MD had, in a statement while reacting to the power outage in the state, blamed the non-supply of gas from Savannah Energy Plc as one of the reasons for the outage. Also read Exclusive: Rumbles in…

Top Nigerian politicians turned the burial ceremony of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Patience Umo Eno, into a huge carnival. Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, leading Governors wives, was among the dignitaries who graced the funeral service. Former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience; Senate President Godswill Akpabio and wife, Unoma; Barau I. Jibrin, the deputy president; members of the National Assembly; Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Bala Muhammed of Bauchi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Alex Otti of Abia, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi were in attendance too. Read…

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term. Okonjo-Iweala, 70, had announced her intention to seek a second term in September. Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, also informed WTO members that no other nominations were received before the 8 November deadline. WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment via X on Friday in a terse post. Also read Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Becomes WTO’S DG  Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu make Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women  Okonjo-Iweala renounces $57.5bn loan to Biafra Republic Govt  According to the global trade institution, the reappointment…

By Our reporters Ibom Power Company Limited (IPC), established to oversee independent power plants in the country, has become a victim of “illegal dealings caused by undue executive meddlesomeness” by successive administrations in the state, Straightnews has discovered.  The gas-fired plant was registered and incorporated by the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC) now Akwa Ibom Industrial Corporation (AKICORP) under Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 15 January, 2001 and is located in Ikot Abasi with corporate office in Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. However, the company has turned to a tinderbox of sabotage, shocking removal of Managing Director, internal…

Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, is facing a ₦5 billion lawsuit over her internationally acclaimed song, ‘Way Maker.’ The suit, filed by music producer Michael Oluwole, known as Maye, alleges copyright infringement and seeks a declaration of co-ownership of the song. In suit number FHC/L/CS/402/2024, Maye claims he worked as a studio engineer on ‘Way Maker,’ released in December 2015. Premium Times reports that the producer, through his counsel, Justin Ige of Creative Legal, claimed that his contributions included recording, mixing, mastering the song and creating instrumental accompaniments such as piano, strings, and synthesisers. Also read…

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and Catholic Church, disheartened by the untimely death of worshippers at Christ the King Cathedral, Aba on Sunday, have condoled with the families of the victims. Known as Catholic feast procession, the event is an annual celebration in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches to mark Jesus Christ’s messianic kingship and sovereign rule over creation. The tragedy rocked when two elderly women collapsed within the premises while over 30 others, including children, sustained injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The incident reportedly caused by overcrowding at the church, suggested…