A bill for an Act to make provisions for optional paternity leave to all married male employees in private and public service, on Thursday failed to scale through second reading in House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Mr Edward Pwajok (Plateau-APC), subsequently failed to scale through as it was roundly defeated with a unanimous voice vote. Members, who balked at the idea of granting paternal leave to Nigerian male workers, said that Nigerian cultural and economic environment was not ripe for such privilege yet. According to Pwajok, the proposal for a two week or more (depending on the decision…

World Bank says unemployment and poverty rates increased in Nigeria despite an exit from recession in 2017. The Bretton Wood institution made these remarks in a report released this week. The report titled, “Nigeria Bi-annual Economic Update: Fragile Recovery,” reads: “The decline in the non-oil and non-agriculture sectors, however, continued as aggregate demand remained weak and private sector credit low. “Rates of unemployment and underemployment increased in 2017 and poverty is estimated to have increased slightly. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2018 is expected to hover just over 2 per cent, largely oil sector-driven. “Nigeria has a big home…

A former Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr Emeka Anyaoku; a chieftain of a pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, Mr Ayo Adebanjo; President General of a pan-Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr John Nwodo, and others have said Nigeria’s future is hanging in the balance if its governance system is not restructured urgently. The elder statesmen on Wednesday at the 10th anniversary symposium of late Mr Abraham Adesanya held in Lagos, described the crises in the country, especially the incessant killings in the Middle Belt, as a reflection of a country on the brink of collapse. Anyaoku, while delivering his speech as the guest speaker…

Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, has condemned the decision of Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to snub senate’s invitation twice. For the second time, Idris on Wednesday failed to appear before the senate plenary despite a formal invitation. He was invited to answer questions on the arrest of a senator, Mr Dino Melaye, and killings across the country. The police boss was first summoned on Wednesday, April 25, but he failed to appear. “I don’t want us to labour too much. At the upper chamber, we must show maturity and statesmanship. I don’t think anybody who has been around…