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Falana Asks NASS Members To Pass New Minimum Wage Act In 48hrs As They Did For National Anthem

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana has urged the National Assembly to hurriedly pass an enactment to set a new minimum wage that will resonate with current economic realities in the country as they did for the national anthem a few days ago.

Falana, in a statement made available to the media on Monday morning, argued that the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 has expired and there is a need for the government at all levels to review and pass a new law to that effect.

The organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had vowed to commence an indefinite strike today (Monday).

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Falana wrote: “Pursuant to the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, the national minimum wage was fixed at N30,000. By virtue of section 3(4) of the Act 2019 the national minimum wage expires after five years, and it shall be reviewed in line with the provisions of this Act.

“Since the commencement date of the Act was the 18th day of April 2019, the national minimum wage of N30,000 has since expired. Hence, the Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced during the last May Day rally in Abuja that the new national minimum wage would take effect on May 1, 2024.

“Following the removal of fuel subsidy last year, the Federal Government had announced an additional N35,000 wage award (wage subsidy) for six months, starting from 1 September 2023. During the 6-month period, the total monthly wage payable to a worker was N65,000. In the same vein, the various state governments awarded various sums as wage subsidy to their workers. Both Lagos and Edo State Governments have since announced a minimum wage of N70,000.

“Curiously, the Federal Government turned round to offer a minimum wage of N48,000. Hence, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have embarked on an indefinite strike due to the failure of the Federal Government and other employers of employment to pay a realistic new minimum wage to Nigerian workers.

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“However, it has been reported that the leaders of the National Assembly have intervened in the planned strike.

“The National Assembly should, therefore, pass speedily a new National Minimum Wage Act like the new National Anthem Act that was enacted within 48 hours, last week.”

Earlier, the organised labour said it would go ahead with its plan to commence an indefinite strike (today) Monday despite last-minute moves by the National Assembly leadership to avert the industrial action.

The representatives of organised labour on Sunday said they lacked the power to call off the strike, adding that there was no going on the industrial action on Monday.

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Canada Introduces Stricter Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

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Canada has revised its visa policies, discontinuing the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists.
The new guidelines, released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), give immigration officers more discretion in determining visa validity and type.
Under the previous system, eligible visitors were routinely granted long-term visas that allowed multiple entries over a decade. However, the revised policy requires each application to be assessed individually, with officers deciding whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determining its validity period.
According to IRCC, “Multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered standard. Officers may exercise their judgement in issuing visas and deciding their duration.”
The IRCC clarified that this change is part of a broader strategy to address challenges such as housing shortages, rising living costs, and infrastructure constraints. The shift reflects Canada’s efforts to align its immigration policies with current economic and resource realities.
Prior to this change in policies, Canadian tourist visas were available in two forms: single-entry and multiple-entry. The latter was the default option, allowing visits for up to 10 years or until one month before the passport’s expiration. Single-entry visas, often issued for specific events or official visits, were less common.
Under the new guidelines, officers will tailor visas to the applicant’s needs and circumstances, moving away from the standard practice of issuing maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.
Although the application fee remains unchanged at CAD 100, the policy could result in higher costs for frequent travelers, who may need to reapply more often due to shorter visa durations.
In addition to the visa changes, Canada plans to reduce its permanent resident admission targets, lowering the 2025 target from 500,000 to 395,000, with further reductions expected in subsequent years. These measures are part of a broader effort to manage immigration levels and address the country’s economic and infrastructure pressures.
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Nigerian Military Neutralizes Over 70 ISWAP Fighters in Borno State

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The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has successfully conducted airstrikes resulting in the elimination of over 70 fighters and commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The strikes, carried out on November 6, targeted ISWAP camps in the southern Lake Chad region, specifically at Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki islands near Jibilarram in Marte Local Government Area. These camps were reportedly under the control of a prominent ISWAP commander known as Usman.
Credible sources on the ground confirmed that the operation dealt a significant blow to the group, with over 70 fighters neutralized at Kwallaram camp. While the exact number of casualties at Arainna Ciki remains unclear, reports indicate that several terrorists were also killed during the strikes.
Zagazola Makama, a trusted source, described the airstrikes as among the most effective operations conducted by the Nigerian Air Force under OPHK.
Following the assault, reports on November 7 revealed that ISWAP began mobilizing reinforcements, including fighters from its Sambisa Forest faction and elements from northern Cameroon. These reinforcements reportedly gathered in the Kusuma and Sigir areas of Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area, territories still controlled by Usman Russia, a senior ISWAP figure.
The exact intent behind the group’s regrouping efforts remains uncertain.
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Just in: 24 people feared dead, others injured as bomb explodes in train station

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No fewer than 24 people were killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast at a railway station in Quetta in southwestern Pakistan on Saturday, police and other officials told Reuters.

Pakistan is grappling with a surge in strikes by separatist ethnic militants in the south and Islamist militants in its northwest.

Inspector general of police for Balochistan, Mouzzam Jah Ansari, said 24 people have died from the blast so far.

The target was army personnel from the Infantry School,” he said, with many of the injured in critical condition.

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“So far 44 injured people have been brought to civil hospital,” Dr. Wasim Baig, a hospital spokesman, told Reuters.

Senior superintendent of police operations, Muhammad Baloch, said the blast seemed to be a suicide bomb and that investigations were underway for more information.

“The blast took place inside the railway station when the Peshawar-bound express was about to leave for its destination,” Baloch said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast at Quetta’s main railway station, which is usually busy early in the day.

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In August, at least 73 people were killed in Balochistan province after separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways.

The assaults in August were the most widespread in years by militants fighting a decades-long insurgency to win secession of the resource-rich southwestern province, home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine.

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