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Ekiti Governor Emphasizes Support for Workers’ Living Wage

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cc: Governor Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has stressed the importance of fiscal federalism, allowing states to afford a living wage for Nigerian workers. Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Ado-Ekiti, Oyebanji reiterated the Nigerian Governors Forum’s (NGF) stance that no state governor wishes to retrench workers due to the inability to pay the new minimum wage.

Oyebanji addressed the ongoing debate between organized labor, state and federal governments, and other key stakeholders regarding the proposed new minimum wage. He emphasized that while governors support a living wage, it must align with the states’ financial capacities. “The NGF is not against the living wage or the minimum wage,” Oyebanji said. “But it must reflect fiscal federalism and the ability to pay. No governor wants to retrench workers, but without a concurrent increase in state revenue, it would be impossible to afford the new minimum wage.”

During his speech, Oyebanji urged Ekiti State workers to embrace agriculture, highlighting his administration’s efforts to clear over 2,000 hectares of land for free distribution to interested residents. He encouraged civil servants to form cooperatives to benefit from available agricultural support, including free land clearing, input provision, and purchase agreements from the government.

Governor Oyebanji underscored the vital role of civil servants in the state’s governance, describing them as the driving force behind state operations and the implementation of his administration’s Six Pillars. He credited their efficiency and effectiveness for the administration’s achievements and accolades.

“I am here to associate and celebrate with you as key stakeholders in our state’s governance. This conference is not just for senior civil servants; it is a platform for all of us to learn, share experiences, and exchange ideas. I am here not just as a Special Guest of Honour but as a student of Public Administration,” Oyebanji concluded.

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Pastor Adeboye to Lead National Prayers for Nigeria’s Failing Economy

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will be leading a national prayer session focused on reviving Nigeria’s struggling economy. The prayer is scheduled to take place during the church’s July 2025 Thanksgiving Service, themed “Divine Intervention”, at the RCCG national headquarters in Oyingbo, Lagos.

Speaking ahead of the event through his Special Assistant on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun, Pastor Adeboye acknowledged that both Nigeria and other countries are facing tough times. But he believes the current hardship is not beyond repair if people embrace faith and take positive action.

“Our nation is going through serious challenges, just like other parts of the world. But the truth is, we can overcome them with faith, as long as we don’t give room to fear or doubt,” Adeboye said. He encouraged Nigerians to reject negative confessions and instead focus on faith-driven solutions, adding that with God’s intervention, the country’s economic situation can still turn around.

The upcoming prayer session, according to him, is not just about asking for change but about opening doors to new opportunities and paving the way for national transformation.


 

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Israel Bombs Southern Lebanon Again with Heavy Airstrikes

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Southern Lebanon witnessed one of its most serious attacks in months on Friday, June 27, after Israeli fighter jets bombarded areas around Nabatieh, a city located deep in Lebanon’s south. Eyewitnesses reported hearing several loud explosions as Israeli aircraft targeted hilltops and underground sites in two separate waves of strikes.

The Israeli military later confirmed the operation, saying they aimed at Hezbollah positions they claimed were being rebuilt in violation of last year’s ceasefire deal. According to Lebanese officials, the assault left one woman dead and over a dozen others injured after a residential building in Nabatieh was hit.

Local sources say the woman, reportedly a German national, had been staying in the apartment complex when it collapsed following the blast. Paramedics rushed several other residents, including those in nearby areas, to hospitals with varying injuries. The situation sparked panic across the city, with families evacuating damaged homes and roads filled with rescue teams.

Reason for the bombing

The Israeli army stated that the operation was aimed at dismantling what they described as a “reconstructed underground defense system” controlled by Hezbollah militants. According to them, Hezbollah has been rebuilding tunnels, weapons depots, and launch sites in the region, despite the ceasefire agreement brokered in November 2024, which banned such military infrastructure close to the border.

Israeli officials also claimed that the explosion in the civilian building wasn’t directly caused by their missiles but was triggered by hidden Hezbollah weapons stored in the area, causing a secondary blast.

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In response, Lebanon’s government strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a direct attack on Lebanese sovereignty. President Joseph Aoun described Israel’s actions as a dangerous violation of the truce, adding that the attack could drag both sides back into open conflict. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also criticized the airstrikes, warning that Lebanon cannot tolerate repeated breaches of the ceasefire while civilians continue to suffer the consequences.


 

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GTCO Announces Nationwide Early Closure on June 30 for Half-Year Audit

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Customers of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) across Nigeria should brace for early branch closures on Monday, June 30, 2025, as the banking group kicks off its routine half-year audit.

In an official announcement shared on their verified X (formerly Twitter) page, GTCO informed customers that all their branches nationwide will stop attending to walk-in customers earlier than usual to allow for internal review processes.

The bank assured the public that this temporary adjustment is strictly for operational reasons tied to their mandatory half-year audit, a common practice among financial institutions to check financial records, processes, and compliance levels.

While in-person services will pause earlier that day, GTCO encouraged customers to make use of their digital banking platforms. Options such as internet banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and USSD codes, which will remain available 24/7 for essential banking transactions.


 

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