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We expect new minimum wage implementation by July, says TUC
The organised labour movement is hopeful that the new minimum wage would be announced, passed into law, and its implementation begin before the end of next month.
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, stated this when he received the Special Adviser on Labour Matter from the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, and his delegation in Abuja.
Osifo said there was a need for the National Tripartite Negotiation Committee, made up of government, labour, and organised labour, to find a common ground so that the bill would receive prompt attention from President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Assembly and be passed into law.
He said: “What we are working on from both labour centres is that before the end of July, we should have a new minimum wage that must have passed through the processes and that must have been assented to by the President so that the plight of the workers will improve much more.
“So that the economic challenges that we are facing as a country will be improved upon so that an average worker will be able to go to market and buy one or two things to take care of his or her family because of this skyrocketing inflation that we have in our country.
“As you are aware, Labour has submitted N250,000, the government and organised private sector N62,000. Let both parties come together; let all parties come together.
“We will resolve and have a common front so that the President will be able to send the bill to the National Assembly, and at the end of the day, we will have a new national minimum wage. This is key; this is a topic that is germane for all labour unions today in Nigeria.”
Osifo, who commended the government of Kogi State for the clarification of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage to workers, however, noted that state governments should begin to put plans in place to begin the implementation of the new wage once it is signed into law.
“We are not at this moment even dwelling on the N30,000 again. I was listening to a state, I think Nasarawa State, that said they started setting aside some money to meet the new obligations when the new minimum wage is passed. So, I wish to also appeal that in Kogi, let that be the top priority amid this scarcity of income, amid this scarcity of revenue
“I wish to also use this opportunity to speak to all other states that they should be putting plans in place to implement the new minimum wage because, in Labour today, we are totally ready because when the new Minimum Wage Act is passed, we are going to follow it state by state to ensure that it is implemented.
“Let the workers heave a sigh of relief and we have the trust and the belief that, with the high Labour representation in the Kogi State government, we believe that the Kogi State government will do the needful.’’
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Labour Matter to the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, noted that the administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo has corrected the shortcomings of the immediate past administration, especially workers’ welfare.
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Japa: We’ve discovered over 10,000 fraudulent foreign student acceptance letters – Canadian Authorities
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has flagged over 10,000 fraudulent foreign student acceptance letters this year. These numbers mark a notable 30% rise in fraudulent foreign student acceptance letters compared to the previous year.
These letters, submitted as part of study permit applications, have come under rigorous scrutiny following enhanced checks by Canadian immigration authorities, as reported by The Globe and Mail.
Bronwyn May, the Director-General of the IRCC’s International Students Branch, noted that the verification process has revealed extensive misuse of fraudulent documents.
“Since we began verifying acceptance letters from colleges and universities over the past year, we have intercepted more than 10,000 potentially fraudulent letters,” May said in a statement to the House of Commons immigration committee last week.
Recent investigations have revealed an alarming rise in fraudulent foreign student acceptance letters, prompting action from Canadian authorities. Over the past 10 months, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) checked 500,000 acceptance letters, confirming that 93 per cent were genuine.
However, 2 per cent of these letters were found to be entirely fake, and 1 per cent of applicants had their placements at Canadian institutions cancelled.
Several factors contribute to this increase in fraudulent documents. Firstly, IRCC has intensified its scrutiny of applications, making it more challenging for fraudulent documents to go unnoticed. Secondly, Canada’s growing popularity as a leading study destination has led to a surge in international student applications, creating more opportunities for scammers.
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Sad! Finally, young billionaire, Senator Ubah laid to rest
The late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest at his family home in Umuanukam, Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday.
Ubah was buried amid tears and tributes from dignitaries, friends, political colleagues, and family members.
The Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, who presided over the burial mass at St. Peter’s Claver Catholic Church, Umuanukam, Otolo Nnewi, described Ubah’s death as a lesson to the living, emphasising the importance of leading an exemplary life to be remembered after one’s passing.
According to the Cardinal, the deceased led a life full of philanthropy, always striving to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
He praised Ubah’s commitment to serving humanity and his exemplary life, saying that such should serve as a model for others to emulate.
He said, “His death is a lesson to us all. We must strive to live exemplary lives that will make people remember us for good when we are no longer here. We must touch lives, make a difference, and leave a lasting legacy. The late Ifeanyi Ubah lived a life full of legacy and philanthropic gestures. His death has touched everyone.”
Recalling his last moments with the deceased, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who also paid tribute to the late senator, expressed shock and sadness at his sudden passing.
He said, “I still remember when we met in May, and I asked him if he had any ambitions. He told me he wanted to be part of it and said that the only way forward was for Sir Emeka Offor to convene a meeting at our request.”
Soludo expressed regret that Ubah’s death was not part of their discussion, asking rhetorically, “Is this what we discussed?”
Senator Uche Ekwunife, in her tribute, eulogised Ubah, describing him as a rare gem committed to youth development.
Ekwunife praised Ubah’s leadership, kindness, and compassion, noting that his impact and legacy would be remembered for generations to come.
“You were an avatar, a sports enthusiast, a rare gem committed to youth development, whose like comes only once in a lifetime. In you, we saw the true essence of leadership and kindness — not just in titles and positions, but in words and deeds.”
One of the deceased’s kinsmen, Joe Ezeike, said, “Ubah’s passing has left a void in the nation’s political landscape, but his legacy of service, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire generations to come.”
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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