The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has recently embarked on a working visit to Kano State to deepen collaboration with stakeholders in the state for unstained peace.

The CAS made his first port of call to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking, the Governor said the relative peace and tranquility being experienced across Kano State is majorly due to the joint efforts of all the security agencies in the State.

“The troops of 455 Base Services Group (BSG), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Kano have been part of this success story, having been serving as part of the security Joint Task Force operating in the State,” he said.

Speaking further, Governor Kabir commended the NAF for its efforts, alongside other security agencies, at containing the security challenges of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry that have particularly bedeviled the northern part of Nigeria.

He then assured the CAS that, in view of the constraints of fundings being experienced by the various security agencies, he would continue to support the NAF units in Kano as they synergise with other security agencies to checkmate the activities of criminals in the State.

Air Marshal Abubakar also paid a courtesy call to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, paid Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who traced the history of the long and cordial relationship that has existed between the NAF and Kano State.

He also revealed that he has maintained keen interest on the monumental strides of the NAF in curtailing the activities of criminal elements in the entire country through the effective utilisation of air power. He then praised the CAS for the discipline and professionalism he has brought to bear in the execution of his responsibility while assuring him of the support of the Emirate in the discharge of his duty.

Responding to the Governor, Air Marshal Abubakar praised him for his unwavering commitment to security, economic growth, and social development as well as his commitment towards a Kano State that exemplify a shining example of peace, progress and tranquility.

He also went on to appreciate the Governor for his immense support to the NAF which has contributed significantly to ongoing operations and the attainment of its mandate as it strives to ensure the State and the entire country is peaceful, safe, and secured for economic activities to thrive.

While at the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Air Marshal Abubakar informed the Emir that he would continue to value the strong bond the NAF shares with traditional institutions in the country, as they serve as the bridge between their subjects and the military.

He also assured him of the Airforce continued collaboration with the Emirate Council in the socio-economic and cultural development of the State.

By Matthew Denis

The President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Administration has geared towards focusing on boosting the Natural Gas (CNG) in the ecosystem which is a gradual shift away from the petrol dominated economy.

This development has offered a veritable opportunity for the federal government to encourage the use of gas, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is cheaper and more friendly to the environment.

Though both natural gas and petrol are fossil fuels, gas is less carbon-intensive than other fossil fuels, which emit much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause indoor and outdoor pollution.

Apart from making the environment more acidic, the combustion of petrol and other high carbon-intensive fossil fuels also causes respiratory problems such as asthma.

Nigeria targets the deepening of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the country, eying as much as five million metric tonnes consumption per annum by 2023.

In its bid to actualise the target, the government has promised to continue to support the LPG industry with fiscal policies and incentives.

But with the desire to deepen usage in the country is another challenge that many say must be confronted with greater vigour.

The spate of gas explosions across the country is a cause of concern for many, which regulatory bodies, however, are also not unmindful of.

Just four days into the new year, tragedy struck at Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State where a gas explosion occurred.

The afternoon gas explosion left six people dead, including the Director General of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Simon Mallam, and destroyed property valued at millions of naira.

On Feb. 2, at least seven persons were injured and property worth millions of naira were destroyed after a cooking gas cylinder exploded and kindled a fire in Onitsha.

A nationwide survey conducted revealed concerns across the country, by consumers, retailers and even regulatory bodies.

Opinions are diverse on all sides as to what has been left undone and what needs to be done better to reverse the tide and curb avoidable losses.

Users of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called cooking gas) in the South East called on regulatory agencies to beef up awareness campaigns on its proper use.

Just recently, the Ogun State Government has sealed off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in an accident that caused an explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.

Addressing journalists after sealing off the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and chairperson, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Farouq Akintunde, said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company.

“Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of a fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.

“It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it was due to an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.

“As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises. After that, all other procedures will follow.”

In a proactive step towards ending the menace of gas expulsion, The Federal Government says it will stop granting licences to gas companies with no capacity to build pipelines for gas distribution.

This, the government said, became necessary to discourage the transportation of compressed natural gas through the roads. The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this disclosure when he was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday.Ekpo had visited Abeokuta for an on-the-spot assessment of Saturday’s CNG explosion at Ita Oshin.

…Harps on swift implementation of new minimum wage as previous one expires April 183

By Sodiq Adelakun

In a move to clarify its demand for a new monthly minimum wage of N615,000, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has released a detailed breakdown of the expenses that inform its proposal.

According to a statement released on the NLC official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, the estimated monthly expenses for an average Nigerian worker reveals the harsh economic realities faced by workers in the country.

The breakdown revealed that housing and accommodation expenses amount to N40,000, while electricity and power expenses are N20,000. Utility water expenses are N10,000, and kerosene and gas expenses are N35,000. Food expenses, calculated at N9,000 per month for a family of four, amount to a staggering N270,000. Medical expenses are estimated at N50,000, while clothing expenses are N20,000. Education expenses are N50,000, sanitation expenses are N10,000, and transportation expenses are N110,000.

This revelation comes as no surprise, given the NLC’s stance that the current minimum wage of N30,000, signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker.

The union’s demand for a new minimum wage is based on the dire reality of workers’ expenses, which far exceed the current wage.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 Workers Day celebration on Wednesday brought a message of hope and relief, declaring that their days of worrying are finally over.

He hinted at his administration’s willingness to introduce a national living wage, a move that could revolutionize the lives of millions of workers across the country.

He said, “The committee’s mandate was to provide counsel and suggest a national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic conditions. Since then, the committee, in collaboration with labour leaders, has been diligently working towards proposing a new National Minimum Wage.”

According to the Statement by NLC, “It has become imperative at this point that we inform Nigerians who may not have already known the foundations upon which our initial demand for a N615,000 (Six Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira) new National Minimum Wage is based upon.

“The figure was a product of a painstaking effort through which we captured the cost of living of Nigerian workers and masses in all parts of the country.

“It was essentially an outcome of an independent research conducted by the NLC and TUC on the cost of meeting the primary needs of an average family around the country.

“Our research was based on a family with both parents alive and four children without the burden of having other dependents with them.

According to the recent statement released by NLC, “A questionnaire was designed and sent to all the State Councils of NLC and TUC from where these questionnaires were sent to our members in all the Local government areas in the country to gather the monthly cost of living for the average family as described above.

“Below is a summary of our findings and we hope that this will enable Nigerians to understand what propels our demand so that better clarity is made to create better engagement around the ongoing National Minimum Wage negotiation process.

“However, it should also be noted that we have not included things like expenditure on calls and data, offerings in churches and Mosques, community dues, entertainment, savings and Security etc.

“These are therefore just for the bare necessities. It should be noted that we arrived at this figure before the increase in electricity tariff and the recent scarcity of Petrol across the nation leading to the appearance of long queues with attendant increased transport fares.”

Meanwhile, the NLC called on the government to meet its demand for a new national minimum wage, warning that any further delay could have negative consequences.

He noted that the previous minimum wage expired on April 18, 2024, and a new one should have taken effect the next day.

However, due to the government’s failure to initiate negotiations six months prior to the expiration of the existing wage, as required by law, the process has been delayed.

Ajaero expressed the union’s understanding and sacrifice in making reasonable demands, urging social partners to accept the proposed figure without delay.

He also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to join in calling on the government and to meet their demands, emphasising the importance of justice, equity, and national development.