TheCable

The Punch leads with a report that labour unions will hold a nationwide protest on Wednesday over a bill in the national assembly that seeks to allow states negotiate for minimum wage instead of the federal government. The newspaper reports that United Global Resolve for Peace, a civil society group, endorsed the minimum wage bill, saying Nigeria needs restructuring. In another report, the newspaper says Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, and Ibrahim Magu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have been summoned by a court to testify in the ongoing N2.1 billion fraud trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT).

Daily Sun reports that there were fireworks in the senate when members of the senate public accounts committee and officials of the office of the auditor-general of the federation met with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged unremitted N4.06 trillion into the federation account. The newspaper also reports that the federal government flagged off the eastern rail renovation project.

Business Day says Nigeria recorded its first trade deficit in four years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic which hurt exports. The newspaper also reports that for the first time in four years, Nigeria’s trade position was negative because the pandemic crushed oil demand.

Daily Independent reports that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) budgeted N4.13 billion on refreshment and meal; N310 million on chairman’s security vote, and over N1.820 billion for contract drivers in 2021. The newspaper reports that the house of representatives kicked against the budget.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, explained why the £4.2 Ibori loot would not be returned to Delta state, the Nigerian Tribune reports. The newspaper reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) criticised Kwara state government over hijab for Christian mission schools.