The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has set a December 1, 2024, deadline for state governments to implement the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.

This ultimatum, announced in a statement following the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, also criticized fuel marketers for allegedly inflating petrol prices, claiming these hikes exploit Nigerians amid rising economic hardship.

The NLC’s communique urged workers in states yet to adopt the new wage to prepare for an indefinite strike beginning December 1 if the mandate remains unmet. It emphasized the need to address policies contributing to economic strain and called for policy changes to mitigate poverty.

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Despite a presidential approval in July for the wage increase, adoption across states has been slow, though over 20 states have pledged compliance. However, the NLC cautioned it would take action in any state not honoring the new minimum wage by the end of November.

Beyond wages, the NLC raised concerns about petrol prices, alleging that “fat cats” in the industry were padding costs, inflating prices beyond actual market values. It also pressed for the reactivation of local refineries, including those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, to help stabilize the domestic fuel market and protect citizens.

As the deadline approaches, the NLC’s stand underscores its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and alleviating financial hardships for Nigerians.

Cristel Nchama, a woman featured in explicit videos allegedly involving Baltasar Engonga, the former director-general of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has formally filed a complaint with the National Gendarmerie in Malabo.

Engonga, who is at the center of the controversy, has been under intense scrutiny following a series of investigations into fraud allegations.

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These investigations led to a search of his home and office, where authorities reportedly uncovered nearly 400 explicit videos.

The videos, which have since gone viral, reportedly feature Engonga in intimate encounters with various women, including his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the country’s president, the wife of the director-general of police, and around 20 wives of ministers.

The tapes are said to have been filmed in multiple locations, including Engonga’s office, hotels, and bathrooms, with the consent of those involved.

In her complaint, Nchama revealed she had been in a four-year relationship with Engonga and expressed profound distress over the public leak of the videos.

She described the exposure of the tapes as damaging to her personal reputation and stated that she had been misled by Engonga into trusting him.

Nchama also claimed she had initially resisted being filmed, under the impression that any recordings would be deleted.

“I am humiliated,” Nchama said in her complaint. “It is my reputation, my honour. I want to know where these images came from and why he kept the images.”

She further expressed her feelings of betrayal, particularly accusing Engonga of deceiving her and allowing the videos to be published by an unknown party.

Recall that in response to the growing scandal, the government of Equatorial Guinea moved swiftly to dismiss Engonga from his post at ANIF on Thursday.

Additionally, several public officials allegedly involved in the sexual activities captured in the videos have been suspended as part of the ongoing investigation.

Nchama has demanded reparations from Engonga for the damage to her reputation and personal dignity.

President Bola Tinubu  has officially reappointed Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha as the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) for a second term of five years.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the agency’s Press Secretary, Toyin Omozuwa, on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the statement, Mustapha’s reappointment was conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government, George Akume. “Mustapha’s second term is effective from 31st October 2024 and is in line with the provisions of Sections 10 (1) and (3) of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (Establishment) Act, 2022,” the statement noted.

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Industry experts have welcomed the reappointment, viewing it as a show of confidence in Mustapha’s leadership. Omozuwa added that Mustapha’s continued leadership is expected to further drive biotechnology innovation aimed at food security and enhancing pharmaceutical production, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, a Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry, hails from Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State. His leadership within the NBRDA is widely respected, and his reappointment is anticipated to continue strengthening Nigeria’s advancements in biotechnology.