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Manchester bombing victims remembered on first anniversary
The city of Manchester on Tuesday marks the first anniversary of a bomb attack outside a pop concert by teen idol Ariana Grande that killed 22 people with flower tributes, a concert and a memorial service.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince William will join families of the victims — seven of whom were children under the age of 18 — for a ceremony to remember the May 22 Manchester Arena attack.
They will attend the service at Manchester Cathedral alongside first responders, civic leaders and some of the scores injured in the bombing.
Salman Abedi, a British man of Libyan heritage, blew himself up outside the venue, but an investigation into how the attack came about is still ongoing.
“The targeting of the young and innocent as they enjoyed a carefree night out… was an act of sickening cowardice,” Theresa May wrote in the city’s local paper the Manchester Evening News.
“It was designed to strike at the heart of our values and our way of life in one of our most vibrant cities, with the aim of breaking our resolve and dividing us. It failed.”
The prime minister said that “such appalling acts of wickedness” would strengthen Britain’s resolve “to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs.”
‘Nobody will ever forget’
Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford paid tribute to his home city, writing on the club’s website about the “unimaginable” attack.
“Nobody will ever forget what happened but the way Manchester pulled together shows you everything you need to know about the people here. Seeing how everyone reacted made me so proud to be a Mancunian.”
United went on to win the Europa League final against Ajax on May 24, dedicating the victory to the victims of the bombing.
“We all spoke about it beforehand in the dressing room before we went out for the final and when the game had finished and we’d won, the first thing we did was make sure we showed our respects for what had happened back home,” Rashford said.
Rashford and team-mate Jesse Lingard visited survivors of the attack shortly afterwards.
“We went to put smiles on faces where we could but they ended up helping us and making us smile,” he added. “I really can’t put into words how brave those incredible kids are, how brave all the victims are. I can’t find the words to do them justice.”
‘A city in recovery’
Tuesday’s remembrance service will be shown on a big screen in nearby Cathedral Gardens, as well as at churches in York, Liverpool and Glasgow.
It will incorporate a minute of silence at 2.30 pm (1330 GMT), which will also be marked at British government buildings nationwide.
More than 3,000 singers from local choirs, including a group who were at the arena on the night, will join forces later Tuesday at a “Manchester together” event in a city centre square featuring half an hour of communal singing.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, told BBC Radio that all those impacted would be “at the very forefront of our minds” during the day.
“We’re stronger than we were, we’re more together and there is a more palpable sense of community spirit, but underneath the scars are very real and they’re very deep,” he said.
“We’re a city in recovery and we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Grande, who had just finished performing when the bomber struck outside, shared a message of support for those affected.
“I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day,” she wrote.
The atrocity was one of a spate of terrorist attacks to hit Britain last year — one in Manchester and four in London — that included bombings and deadly violence with vehicles and knives.
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Penpushing Media congratulates IPI new leadership
The Management and Editorial Board of Penpushing Media, owner of online newspapers and television have congratulated the newly elected leadership of International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Chapter led by Musikilu Mojeed of Premium Times to run affairs of the global organisation for next three years.
The media outlet in a congratulatory letter signed by chairman Editorial Board, Olufunke Fadugba said the organization rejoiced with the team on renewal of their tenure, and equally encouraged them not to only sustain the previous visibility and interventions on behalf of the media but to do more
“We rejoice with you on the renewal of your tenure as leaders of International Press Institute Nigeria. This congratulatory message is to encourage you to not only sustain the previous visibility and interventions on behalf of the media but also to do more”, the letter read.
Fadugba pointed out that the past months have been challenging for journalists, stressing that as the democracy in the country move closer to 2027, it is expected that the great battle for freedom of expression will be more intense.
“The International Press Institute Nigeria and other stakeholders will need to be more creative, determined, and build positive networks to guard the media from existential threats both from within and outside the media ecosystem”, the letter stated.
“However, judging from your previous performances and renewed impetus, we in Penpushing Media have no doubt that you will make a success of this tenure, in the interest of the media, the people and the country”, Fadugba emphasized
“On behalf of the Board, Management, and members of Penpushing, we wish the newly elected Executive Members a successful tenure. Congratulations, as we urge you to continue to carry the members along in order to enjoy their much-needed support”, the letter said
The other elected officials include Ahmed Shekarau of Media Trust as Secretary, Fidelis Mbah of Al Jazeera Television as Deputy President, Rafatu Salami of Voice of Nigeria as Treasurer, Yomi Adeboye of Herald Newspaper as Assistant Secretary and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News as Legal Adviser.
The President of International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed in response to the congratulatory letter expressed appreciation to the management of Penpushing Media, as well as commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.
“We are deeply grateful for your congratulatory statement on the recent IPI Nigeria election. Your consistent support for IPI means the world to us, and we appreciate your commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism”, Mojeed wrote.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and members of the Institute, I extend heartfelt thanks for your encouragement. May God continue to bless you abundantly”, he added
“Your support and encouragement inspire us to continue promoting ethical journalism, advancing media pluralism, and defending press freedom. We look forward to collaborating with your administration to expand access to information and reinforce Nigeria’s democratic ethos’, the President stated.
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Pensions and other Military Entitlements: Matawalle Commends President Tinubu for Prompt Payment
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has expressed his gratitude to H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his decisive action in ensuring the prompt payment of military salary increase with three months arrears and also today’s release of funds for the payment of Pension and other owed entitlements of retired military Personnel
Dr. Matawalle confirmed that alerts regarding the three-month salary increase for military personnel have begun to be received.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed to retirees will continue to receive critical attention. This initiative reflects the President’s dedication to enhancing the living standards of those who have served the nation.
Furthermore, the Hon minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Honourable Minister of finance and Coordinating minister of Economy Mr Wale Edun who was very committed in the actualization of these payments.
Dr. Matawalle urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that President Tinubu is fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria. “Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the significant contributions of the Nigerian military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, the Minister reiterated the vital role that these brave men and women play in ensuring the nation’s security.
He assured the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed forces of President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria, bolstered by the readiness and resilience of the military.
News
We Received N80,000 Minimum Wage in November – Enugu Labour Leaders
The Organised Labour in Enugu State has refuted the media reports that the new minimum wage was yet to be paid in the state, saying that the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage, which is above the N70,000 national minimum wage, commenced in November 2024.
The workers also said that they had no plan to go on strike since. They said that observed discrepancies in consequential adjustment in the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage had already been conveyed to Governor Peter Mbah and nursed no doubts that it would be addressed subsequently, as he had already earned workers’ trust by his commitment to their welfare since his assumption of office.
This was made known in a joint statement in the state capital on Tuesday by the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Enugu State Council, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Ben Asogwa; and the Chairman of the state’s Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Ezekiel Omeh.
The statement read, “The Orgaised Labour in Enugu State wishes to make clarifications in several media reports, which wrongly project Enugu among the states that are yet to pay the national minimum wage.
“We want to acknowledge the fact that the Enugu State Government paid the N80,000 minimum wage approved by the governor in the November 2024 salary.
“However, the minimum wage paid did not reflect the consequential adjustments inherent in minimum wage implementation.
“As labour leaders, we have already communicated to His Excellency the observed discrepancies and in his usual magnanimity to the welfare of workers, we strongly believe that he will address this subsequently.
“Our confidence in the governor remains intact, considering his usual dispositions to the wellbeing of workers.
“It is worthy of note that he continued to pay wage award of N25,000 he approved for workers from December 2023 till October 2024 when the new minimum wage of N80,000 was approved and consequently reflected in the November salary.
“We also recall his good faith in ensuring that local government employees were included from the onset in the new minimum wage of N80,000, having earlier upgraded them to full N30,000 minimum wage upon assumption of office after several years of waiting.
“Likewise, he approved the payment of the N1.9bn four-year accumulated leave allowances owed to teachers of public primary schools in the state and eight-month salary arrears valued at over N467m, which were also owed the academic, non-academic, and casual staff of the Enugu State College of Education Technical, ESCET, Enugu, before his assumption of office.
“Consequently, in the same culture, we trust him to address all the concerns regarding consequential adjustments in the implementation of N80,000 minimum wage.
“So, we have not gone on strike. We do not also contemplate or foresee any strike in the near future because there is no need for that yet.”
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