FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons Want Best Start Against Canada

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July 20, 2023

Captain Onome Ebi declared the Falcons would gun for victory in every game they play, regardless of the opposition

Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, will hope for the best possible start as they begin their campaign at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup early Saturday morning in their group opener against Canada.

Though already at a disadvantage with two key players, Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde, out of the game against the reigning Olympic Games champions, the Falcons are still optimistic they can get an excellent result in Saturday’s tie.

Ajibade and Ayinde were sent off in the second half of Nigeria’s Women’s AFCON semi-final match against Morocco last year and were given two-match bans.

They served one of the bans in the third-place game against Zambia days later and would now serve the second-match ban in the game against Canada.

In an interview with thenff.com ahead of Friday’s encounter, Captain Onome Ebi stated that the Falcons would push for the win regardless of the opposition.

“We look forward to an interesting match. The Super Falcons will not bother about any team’s pedigree at this World Cup. In each of our matches, we will play to win,” Ebi assured.

Interestingly, Ebi is the oldest player at this year’s World Cup, at 40 (35 days older than Sinclair), and is attending her sixth FIFA World Cup as well.

She debuted as a substitute during a game against the USA in 2003.

Historical perspective

In the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria and Canada have previously faced each other twice.

The opening match of the ninth edition will see these two teams clash at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday (early Saturday in Nigeria).

Their first encounter took place on 8 June 1995, in Sweden, at the Olympia in Helsingborg, where they played to an exciting 3-3 draw.

Nigeria’s goals were scored by Rita Nwadike, Patience Avre, and Adaku Okoroafor, responding after Canada had taken a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes. Both teams were eliminated at the group stage.

Their second meeting was at the 2011 edition in Germany when Nigeria won thanks to a 73rd-minute goal by Perpetua Nkwocha at the Rudolf-Harbig Stadium in Dresden. Unfortunately, both teams were eliminated in the group stage once more.

Canada had previously defeated the Super Falcons twice in friendly matches, but their most recent was a 2-2 tie in Victoria City in February 2022.

In the current context, Friday, 20 July 2023, holds promise for both teams. Canada’s national team boasts a strong reputation, particularly as reigning Olympic champions, and they have five players with over 100 international caps: Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence, and Jessie Fleming.

Christine Sinclair, who is at her sixth World Cup finals, owns the record for the most international caps (323), as well as the most international goals (190).

Canada’s best performance in the Women’s World Cup came in 2003 when they reached the bronze medal match but lost to the hosts, the USA. In the World Cup, which they hosted eight years ago, the USA eliminated them in the quarterfinals.

Despite recent crisis points, the Super Falcons are in excellent spirits and are on a four-match winning run. They displayed readiness with an 8-1 victory over Queensland Lions FC in Brisbane. They have also secured wins against Costa Rica (in February), Haiti, and New Zealand in April.

The Super Falcons reached the quarterfinals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals due to the golden goal rule.

Many have harped on the importance of the Falcons doing well against Canada if they are to realise their hopes of doing well at this World Cup.

Tobi Amusan May Miss Title Defence As AIU Suspends World Champion

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Emenike Agu

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July 20, 2023

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Amusan, who insists she is a clean athlete, is facing the heat for missing three drug tests within a 12-month period.

Embattled Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan has become the third athlete from the country to be provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

The AIU announced Amusan’s suspension on Wednesday and she joins Divine Oduduru and Grace Nwokocha on the unenviable list.

Amusan’s fate will be known before the World Championships in Hungary next month because of an accelerated hearing, unlike her compatriots, who have been on the suspension list for months.

The AIU suspended Amusan for missing three drug tests within a 12-month period. This charge could result in a two-year suspension, even if an athlete has never failed a drug test.

The AIU, which is responsible for overseeing anti-doping measures in global athletics, has put in place strict rules and regulations to ensure the integrity of the sport and maintain fair competition for all athletes.

One of these rules requires athletes to submit information on their whereabouts, including their daily location and availability for testing, to the AIU’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).

Failure to provide accurate and timely information can result in sanctions, and in Amusan’s case, the three whereabouts failures have led to her provisional suspension from competitions.

The AIU’s decision will be further investigated and reviewed in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Amusan, 26, is the reigning women’s hurdles world record holder and champion. Many are looking to see if she could match her spectacular show in Oregon in Budapest.

In reaction to the charge and now suspension, Amusan vowed to resolve the charges against her as she insists on being a “Clean Athlete”

“I am a clean athlete, and I am regularly (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU,” she wrote, in referencing the Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping issues in international track and is the agency that charged her with the violation.

She said, “Today, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of three arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships.”

Indeed, many are eagerly waiting to see how further developments in this case will pan out.

They are hopeful there would be a fair resolution in line with anti-doping regulations.

Singer Akon Describes Nigerians As Smartest People On Earth

By

Koko Lawrence

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July 20, 2023

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akon5 — <> at the Grand Hyatt on September 24, 2010 in New York City.

Senegalese-American singer akon, admitted in a podcast interview recently that Nigerians are the smartest people on earth.

Akon who as a legendary music star defined the american hip hop scene in the 2000s. He also offered afrobeats a hand in taking the genre to international listeners through his collaboration with nigerian artists.

The conversations featured discussions about africa where Akon called Nigerians the smartest people on the continent. According to him, Nigeria is similar to New York City and Nigerians are the smartest people on the earth.

“I promise you, there is nobody smarter than a Nigerian. Now of course there are a few bad apples that came out but they are extremely smart. They just put their intelligence into the wrong place.

He added, “If they were to gear that towards something more positive or productive… Because the ones that did, there are more billionaires being made in Nigeria than anywhere in the world.”

Akon further shared that his favourite food is jollof rice while pointing out the difference between Nigerian, Senegalese, Ghanaian, and Liberian jollof rice.

Princess Diana’s Iconic Sweater Could Fetch At Least US$50,000 At Auction

By

Koko Lawrence

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July 20, 2023

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Britain Auction Sothebys — A Sotheby's employee looks at the historic Princess Diana black sheep jumper at the auction house Sotheby's in London, Monday, July 17, 2023. The 'Worn on Several Occasions & Adored by the Fashion Icon' jumper will be on auction headlining Sotheby's inaugural fashion icons sale in New York this September at an Estimate of $50,000 – 80,000, 38,000-61,000 pounds. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

A red sweater adorned with a flock of sheep worn by the young Princess Diana is expected to sell for more than $50,000 at auction.

The playfully patterned wool jumper featuring a single black sheep amid a pattern of white ones headlines Sotheby’s online Fashion Icons sale in September.

The 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer was photographed in the garment at a polo match in June 1981, soon after her engagement to Prince Charles, who was then heir to the British throne.

Diana was already becoming a style icon —- and one of the world’s most photographed women — and the moment gave a big boost to designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who made the sweater for their small knitwear label Warm & Wonderful.

A few weeks later, Muir and Osborne received an official letter from Buckingham Palace explaining that Diana had damaged the sweater and asking whether it could be repaired or replaced. The original was returned, showing damage to a sleeve the designers thought might have been caused by snagging on Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

A new sweater was knitted and dispatched, and Diana was photographed wearing it with white jeans and a black ribbon tie at an event in 1983.

Some have speculated Diana liked the “black sheep” pattern because she felt like an outsider in the royal family. Emma Corrin sported a replica as the young Diana in season four of “The Crown.”

Warm & Wonderful still makes a cotton version of the design, which sells for 190 pounds ($250). Osborne discovered the original lying forgotten in a box in an attic earlier this year.

Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby’s global head of fashion and accessories, said “this exceptional garment, meticulously preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm, and her keen eye for fashion.”

The sweater, which has an estimated price of $50,000 to $80,000, will be on display at Sotheby’s New York showroom from Sept. 7-13. Online bidding opens Aug. 31 and runs to Sept. 14.

The record for a piece of Diana memorabilia is $604,800 for a Victor Edelstein-designed ballgown sold by Sotheby’s in January.

West Africa Expo Holds in Lagos, to Tackle NTDs

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Cleopatra Okohai

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July 20, 2023

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In a bid to tackle topical issues associated with Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) within the West African sub-region, healthcare professionals, drug manufacturers, scientists, pharmaceutical experts, and other stakeholders in the health sector are set to attend the West African Healthcare Expo 2023.

The stakeholders said tackling the menace of such diseases has become crucial because they are still “neglected “and almost absent from the global health agenda.

The healthcare professionals also expressed concerns that the diseases are associated with stigma and social exclusion.

Themed, “Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Consequential Health Burden on the Citizens’, the event is being put together by Cincinatus Hopewell Limited, an international consulting firm, to raise public awareness on NTDs and to chart a way forward for the region.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the organisers, Mr. Momoh Afegbua, the event, which will take place in Lagos in August, will bring together major stakeholders in the industry, which will showcase their brands and proffer solutions towards ending the mortality and morbidity of Neglected Tropical Diseases.

According to the World Health Organisation, the West Africa sub-region suffers significant consequences of Neglected Tropical Disease such as malaria, cholera, yellow fever, guinea worm, sleeping sickness, river blindness, Chagas disease, Dengue fever, lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, and onchocerciasis among others.

The former Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, had during the 2023 World Neglected Tropical Disease Day in Abuja said Nigeria has about 25 per cent of all NTDs, in Africa.

“Nigeria has about 25 per cent of all Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa, with millions of persons at risk of Lymphatic Filariasis-122 million, Onchocerciasis- 33 million, Schistosomiasis- 20.8 million, Soil-Transmitted Helminths- 29.4 million, Trachoma- 5.3 million and Human African Trypanosomiasis – 6.5 million people respectively.

“The country is particularly interested in Neglected Tropical Diseases because they are a group of communicable and non-communicable diseases occurring mostly in isolated areas of developing countries with poor sanitation and nutritional status, unsafe water supply, substandard living conditions and low level of education.

”Most NTDs are of public health importance, as they impact negatively on socio-economic development and affect an estimated one billion people worldwide, mostly Tropical areas of low-income in Africa, Asia and Latin America”, Dr. Ehanire said

The Expo meant to kick off with an exhibition will climax with a dinner award ceremony and excursion.

It will also provide opportunities for partnerships with banks and the media.

Healthcare expo is increasingly adopted to address public health issues. In Nigeria, it serves as a tool to achieve the Right to Health guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic (as amended).

APC Governors says FG, States putting final touches on palliatives

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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July 20, 2023

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Following Sunday night’s resignation of the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, governors of the party met to discuss the state of affairs of the APC. The governors declared that Adamu’s resignation and that of the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore were voluntary actions. Speaking after the meeting, Uzodinma admitted that with the removal of the fuel subsidy, the money accruing to states from the Federation Account will be increased.

State Governors on Wednesday night said they are working with the Federal Government to provide post-fuel subsidy palliatives to Nigerians, adding that they were in the final stages of the plans. Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC Governors Forum and Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma disclosed this after a meeting of the APC Governors in Abuja.

“On the upcoming FAAC, we are aware that as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, it will increase the volume of money that will be received in our purses during the Federation Account meeting and we are working with the Federal Government to ensure that it is utilized in a manner that the citizens are happy and the economy of the country will be protected. The current hardship occasioned by the price increase is being addressed.

On recent developments in the APC, Uzodinma said; “We deliberated on so many issues as they have to do with our party, the APC. You must have heard of the resignation of the National Chairman of the party and the National Secretary of our party. Those are voluntary actions that have been taken and with due respect to our former National Chairman and the Secretary, we commended the wisdom behind the action they have taken. They served us well at the party and we are happy with their services and the party is united. There is no crisis in the party. They are happy and we also are happy and we are in support of their actions”.

In attendance at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro Abuja were the host governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo state; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state; Umar Bago (Niger); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara); Acting Ondo state Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa; Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Uba Sani (Kaduna); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); Dikko Radda (Katsina); and, Bassey Otu (Cross River).

Opposition reacts to hike in fuel price

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Mana Balagbogbo

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July 20, 2023

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On Tuesday, news broke on the new price hike of fuel. Nigerians woke up to yet another steep increase in the price of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol. From Lagos, Ogun, and Edo in the South West and South-South to Niger, Borno and Zamfara in the North, motorists and commuters grappled with the reality of the change in the price of fuel.

Price in Lagos shot up from N488 per litre at petrol stations owned by Nigeria’s national petroleum company, limited, NNPL, to N568, it rose as high as N617 per litre in Abuja and another Northern state from N540. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, blamed market forces for the increase: this is what he said.

The House of Representatives has rejected the motion to increase engagement for Nigerians to select acceptable palliative options after the removal of fuel subsidy. This follows a unanimous voice vote by members during Wednesday’s plenary. Hon. Dennis Agbo federal lawmaker, Enugu state House of Representatives has rejected the motion to increase engagement for Nigerians to select acceptable palliative options after the removal of fuel subsidy.

On the other hand, the National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said:

“It is not about the NNPC limited, it is about the market fundamentals. Every marketer stands alone with its different cost elements. The low value of the naira is currently impacting the market. It is now more than n800 to a dollar. This is why the market is responding this way. It has to spread because as operators, our price depends on our cost’’

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, contended that the latest increase in the price of petrol would further impoverish the people.

“NLC is amazed that a government that pledged to allow the dictates of social dialogue to guide its actions and policies will turn around to undermine the same principles of social dialogue which demands that when conversations are undertaken over an issue, the parties stay the action and allow the status quo to be maintained. This is to allow for the process to run smoothly and unhindered.

Opposition parties have reacted to the hike in fuel prices. The National Publicity Secretary PDP, Mr Debo Ologunagba said:

“The PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, the APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket”

National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh on behalf of The Labour Party has said that the latest adjustment in the pump price of petroleum products especially premium motor spirit popularly called petrol is just the beginning of hard times for Nigerians will be facing under the all progressives congress -led administration. In his words:

“You offer a paltry N8000 to a family of five and extract all they have laboured for through obnoxious policies. Nigerians do not deserve what they are getting from the present government. The labour party condemns the attitude of the government to its people. This is even coming at a time the Nigerian currency has continued to devalue under the watch of this government. We are however optimistic that Nigeria will overcome the taskmaster of our time. We soon witness the promised land.”

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc committee to investigate factors responsible for recent fuel pump prices in the country. The question is, how long can Nigerians continue to bare the harsh economic conditions since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy?

Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Development Anthrax Outbreak Confirmation Sparks Concern – Report

By

Elizabeth Williams

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July 19, 2023

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The Confirmation of Anthrax Outbreak In Nigeria by the Federal Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Development has sparked alot of reactions from different quarters.
President Bola Tinubu declaring an immediate state of emergency on food insecurity to tackle the increase in the prices of food, which has worsened after some government policies were implemented, have also received mixed reactions as well.
Food security over the years have been a global conversation since the covid-19 era ended due to lockdowns and shudowns of world economy. The war in Ukraine has Exacerbated the situation, however the United Nations has stressed majorly on the impact of climate change as the reason for food shortages in some regions like Asia and Africa.

Threat to Livestocks
Recall that a few weeks ago the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development communicated the risk of incursion of Anthrax into the country, following confirmed outbreaks in Ghana and other countries in West Africa.
Anthrax is major zoonotic disease caused by spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats but can also infect humans, who come into direct contact with infected animals or consume contaminated animal products.
The disease can also be transmitted through contaminated pasture, feed and water. The clinical signs of Anthrax in animals include sudden death and oozing of blood from natural body openings (nose, ear, mouth and anal region).

Rapid Response
Recently, The Ministry’s disease surveillance team reported a suspicion of anthrax in a multi-species animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep, goats and poultry located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way Suleja LGA Niger state Northern Nigeria.
A Rapid Response Team comprising of Federal and state One-Health professionals visited the farm and conducted detailed disease outbreak investigation.
On the 16th of July 2023, the Ministry received a report of confirmation of anthrax in Niger state, from the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI)-Vom, Plateau state, making it the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry and in collaboration with the Niger state government has taken proactive measures to timely control and contain the disease. Such measures include:
Also recall on June 26 the director chief veterinary officer of Nigeria , Dr. Columba Vakuru, during a sensitization workshop in Abuja, stressed on creating awareness and preventive control measures.
Same period a vaccination exercise was held in Kebbi state the second largest livestock population in the country, in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture and rural development.
At the inauguration of the Annual Animals Vaccination exercise at Hutawa, a Fulani settlement near Birnin Kebbi. Governor of Kebbi state, Nasir Idris of Kebbi stated that cattle, sheep and goats would be vaccinated against Contagious diseases.

Dr. Ahmad Umar-Ambursa, Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Animal Health Husbandary and Fisheries, said the programme was being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Department of Verterinary and Pest Control Services.
He said the federal government had provided vaccines for the programme to 36 states of the federation, “Due to the high number of livestock in Kebbi State, its own share of the vaccines will only cover 25 per cent of animals.
“The state has about 10 million livestock comprising cattle, goats and sheep. Three million cattle, 3.357 million goats and 3.115 million sheep.
The major concern for Nigerians and some other countries on the continent already experiencing threats to their livestock industry is…How safe are the Vaccines for Cattles, goat, and sheep? will people reduce consumption of beef and steak, or completely eliminate it from their diet? how will all these affect the already thriving Agriculture sector and emerging economies in Africa?..

Lawmakers To Investigate Destruction of Vessels With Stolen Crude Oil

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 19, 2023

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Nigerians House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the destruction of a vessel laden with stolen crude and what happened to the 150,000 barrels of crude in the vessels.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to Discourage the Destruction of Vessels Laden with Stolen Crude Oil with a View to Curbing Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta Region,’ moved by Thomas Ereyitomi, at plenary.

Ereyitomi, while presenting his motion recalled the recent reports of interception, arrest and subsequent destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta region, the most recent being MT TURA II on Friday 7″ July, 2023 in the escravos river in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

He noted that the vessel MT TURA, an 800,000 tonne capacity vessel, was at the time of arrest and destruction, laden with about 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.

The lawmaker said the vessel was set ablaze by a joint team of Nigeria security forces and representatives of the NNPC Ltd. on 11″ July, 2023.

“In October 2022, a vessel named MT DEIMA which was laden with 1500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, was also arrested and set ablaze in the Warri escravos river. “That setting ablaze stolen crude oil laden vessels will further destroy the well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region already ravaged by oil exploration,” he added.

He, however, stressed that the act, if allowed to continue, would further affect the livelihood and the overall wellbeing of the Niger Delta people who have fishing as their main occupation.

The House consequently mandated its Committee on Environment (when constituted) to ensure compliance.

Fuel Price: NLC Threatens To Pull Out Of Talks With Government

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 19, 2023

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Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it may be forced to withdraw from the dialogue with the federal government over the cushioning of the hardship brought on Nigerians by the withdrawal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu. This followed on Tuesday’s decision by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to raise the pump price of petrol in its Abuja filling stations, from N537 per litre to N617.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union accused the government of callousness, saying its palliative measures to address the repercussions of the subsidy removal lack transparency.

With regard to the latest petrol price hike, while rates are likely to be higher in the far north due to transportation cost, they are expected to be slightly lower in the south.

The congress described Tinubu’s proposal to pay National Assembly members N70 billion and the judiciary N36 billion as most insensitive and outright bribery of the other arms of government to endorse his aberrations.

NLC said the federal government seemed bent on forcing the committee negotiating the fuel hike matter to also endorse a predetermined outcome, which would not be palatable to workers and ordinary Nigerians.

Regarding the mode of implementation of the palliatives, NLC said it did not have confidence in how the data for “the never-changing 12 million poorest households was generated neither do we have confidence in the mechanisms being pursued for the distribution of the cash transfers”.

In a statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour movement said they would not want to waste the time of Nigerians, especially workers, on committees that had already been programmed to fail.

The statement said, “It is important to inform Nigerians that despite having shown our readiness to commence work in the committees, the federal government, which convenes the meetings, is yet to inaugurate the National Steering Committee, thus, stalling the work of the proposed committees.

“If the government had wanted an expedited action, which Nigerians want more, the best approach would have been to quickly inaugurate the committees and allow them do their work. But as we write, nothing has been done, except the continuation of the borrowing spree and subsequent allocation to themselves.”

NLC said it would “not want to continue to be part of the usual charade of committees with outcomes that are never implemented.

In addition, NLC alleged that the federal government had in the wake of the dispute on withdrawal of fuel subsidy procured “unholy injunction from the courts, which were served us in gestapo style by trucks laden with fully armed soldiers and policemen.

“Nigerians would remember that the federal government had called for dialogue in the aftermath of its disastrous forlorn trajectory in the astronomical increase in petroleum product price and our subsequent call for a nation-wide industrial action.