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‘My husband didn’t commit suicide’
Boko Haram strikes again NEWS – Page 2
NEWS
Page 3
•Politician’s wife speaks on his death
•Three soldiers injured
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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
VOL. 6, NO. 1826 WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011
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Jonathan weighs revenue formula •President, governors to meet
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ROPONENTS of a new revenue formula, which will give states and local governments more cash, seem close to winning the battle. The President has called a meeting of governors to discuss revenue allocation and “inappropriate deductions from the Federation Account”, The Nation learnt yesterday. These two items are on the notice sent to all the governors. The session at the Presidential Villa, which will hold at 9pm, may be a prelude to the proposed adjustment of the revenue allocation formula by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The formula is as follows: Federal Government (52%); states (26.72%); and the 770 Local Governments (20.60%). A committee raised by the Nigerian Governors Forum, headed by the Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has recommended a drastic reduction in the Federal Government’s allocation.
From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja
The governors are recommending this new formula: Federal (35%); States (42%); and Local Governments (23%). A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the meeting may be a prelude to talks on the adjustment of the formula. Do not forget that the Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. Elias Mbam, recently said that a new equitable revenue formula will come into effect as from next year. The meeting may be part of plans to fast-track the adjustment of the formula.” The proposed review must have informed the Federal Government’s plan to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and shift payment of the minimum wage for civil servants on level 07 to 16 till January. “What I know is that the Wednesday meeting is an attempt to pool resources by the Federal and state governments to address the minimum wage challenge,” the source said. Continued on page 2
•President Jonathan welcoming Prime Minister Cameron in Lagos ... yesterday
PHOTO: STATE HOUSE
UK to support Nigeria’s anti-terrorism fight
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RITAIN will support Nigeria in its anti-terrorism battle, British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday. Cameron spoke at a news conference in Lagos after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the business community. He also deliv-
By Miriam Ndikanwu, Staff Reporter
ered a lecture at the Pan African University. He said insecurity in Nigeria could affect the British economy. “Britain sees Nigeria as a country with massive potential, which should
not be allowed to be overtaken by terrorism and other acts capable of breaching peace and security. “Because of common areas of interest, Britain would partner with Nigeria in fighting terrorism in any form,” Continued on page 2
Labour shelves strike Arrears of new salary effective March THE AGREEMENT W ORKERS pulled the brakes last night on their plan to go on strike
•NLC chief Omar
today. They shelved the action, following all-day meetings with the Federal Government and governors. The last of the talks ended just before midnight when the government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a communiqué. The six-point communiqué reads: •That the Federal Government agrees to comply with the National Minimum Wage 2011 Act •Federal Government shall complete negotiation with Labour not later than July 31. •Detailed negotiation on the
•The Federal Government agrees to comply with the National Minimum Wage 2011 Act •The Federal Government shall complete negotiation with Labour not later than July 31 •Detailed negotiation on the relativity of the implementation of the minimum wage will be completed not later than July •Arrears of the new wage will take effect from March. It shall be paid not later than Aug. •No worker shall be victimised in any manner •In line with the agreement earlier reached, Labour resolved to suspend the strike. From John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, Lagos
relativity of the implementation of the minimum wage will be completed not later than July •Arrears of the new wage will take effect from March. It shall be paid not later than August •No worker shall be victimised in any manner
•In line with the agreement earlier reached, Labour resolved to suspend the three-day warning strike. NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar read the communiqué around 11.40pm. He signed on behalf of Labour along with TUC President General Peter Esele. Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; Labour Minister Emeka Wogu and Head of Service Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, signed for the government. A marathon meeting between the labour leadership and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) at the Continued on page 2
•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P23 •LIFE P29 •MONEY P43 •NATION INVESTORS P45