Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, has announced a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state.

The governor made the declaration on Monday while inaugurating the Labour House.

Obaseki named the Labour House after Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north and former governor of the state.

The new minimum wage regime in Edo will take effect from May 1, 2024, the governor said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been agitating for a new minimum wage for workers across states, on the back of economic reforms by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

The removal of subsidy on petrol and unification of the forex windows in 2023, immediately led to food inflation and a spike in the prices of other goods and services.

The national minimum wage has been pegged at N30,000 since April 18, 2019. However, this sum has been described as “grossly inadequate” and “poverty wage” in the face of prevailing economic hardship.

There are insinuations that a new national minimum wage will be announced by the president on May Day.

Bill Gates, former chief executive officer (CEO) of Microsoft, says he is working with the federal government (FG) on an identity technology platform for easy tax collection.

Gates spoke during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential aide, Gates said the technology would help with payment efficiency and also make tax collection easier.

“We are working with Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitisation,” Gates said.

“Before you came into office, there were a few things attempted in identity management. But they have been very scattered. There have been multiple identification systems.

“Now, there is a plan to take that technology called MOSIP and use it for this identification platform so that people can get digital benefits. We are providing support for that, and we can provide more support.

“With MOSIP ID, there is potential application in all government payment programmes.

“It helps with payment efficiency and bank accounts, and eventually, when everyone is using that, it makes tax collection easier.

“That benefit will take a few years. However, there will be more bank accounts, more financial inclusion, and effective government payment programmes.”

Also the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the businessman said Nigeria has the capacity to manage “this system and related-technological systems as the nation brims with talented youths”.

In his remarks, Tinubu said his administration will look into the technology proposed and work on it further.

‘TECHNOLOGY, A POTENTIAL WEAPON AGAINST CORRUPTION’

He said technology is a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service.

The president reiterated his unwavering commitment to providing reliable technology that will support a national consumer credit system and many other critical interventions for all Nigerians.

He said resistance is often expected when efforts are made to strengthen systems and forestall malfeasance.

“Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity. We have been working hard on improving technology,” Tinubu said.

“There is always the initial resistance.

“Corruption, self-interest, and fraudulent activity will always be an enemy, but when you bend that curve, you will receive the benefit. The nation will receive the benefit.”

Recounting how he deployed technology to enhance the revenue base of Lagos state during his time as governor, Tinubu said his administration must invest in technology, especially as the state aims to achieve a trillion naira revenue target.

Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the self-styled Onitsha-based pastor better known as Odumeje, says he will stop the naira from further depreciating against the dollar.

Odumeje spoke at the airport when he returned from London.

The cleric travelled to the UK earlier this month to host a comedy show. He often boasts that he possesses a plethora of spiritual powers, which he releases periodically to fix issues plaguing society.

He had boasted of being behind the naira’s appreciation with one of his powers, when the currency gained 12 percent against the dollar in early April, building on a 14 percent surge in March.

On Friday, the naira depreciated to N1,320 to the dollar at the parallel market.

At the official window, the local currency depreciated by 2.24 percent to N1,339.23 against the dollar on Friday, from N1,309.88 on April 25.

However, Odumeje said he is back to stop the naira’s slide like he has always done.

“This is Indaboski Bahose. The war and the battle. A man full of power and activities. The only man who tells you ‘I will bring down the dollar’ and gets it done. When I left the country, dollar began to rise; now, I am back, I will continue where I stopped,” Odumeje said.

On April 8, the local currency strengthened to N1,120 to the dollar at the black market and N1,230 at the official window.

Odumeje had taken credit for the naira’s appreciation at the time.