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FG set to announce new minimum wage – Shoretire

The Federal Government is working towards announcing a new national minimum wage to help reduce the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke at a capacity building workshop organised for labour correspondents.

Shoretire said discussions were already ongoing between the government and other stakeholders on the new wage.

He said the government had not fixed a date for formal negotiations but was working towards reaching an agreement.

‘We are yet to announce the timetable for that, but background discussions are already ongoing,’ he said.

He added that the details of the proposed negotiations would be made public when the process reaches the appropriate stage.

‘When it’s time to get the press involved in what has been proposed and what is being negotiated, it will be revealed to you,’ he added.

The permanent secretary also said the government was engaging workers in sectors where disputes over salaries and allowances were still unresolved.

The development comes amid pressure from organised labour for a review of the current N70,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government in 2024.

Labour groups have called for the minimum wage to be increased to N500,000, alongside an immediate wage award for workers.

They have also demanded a reduction in the price of petrol to N500 per litre.

Smart creates sachet AI package

Wireless giant Smart Communications Inc. is expanding access to artificial intelligence by launching its own AI tool that could be purchased at prepaid-like costs.

Smart yesterday launched its own AI site called AI.Smart, developed by local innovator Amihan Global Strategies Inc., to offer Filipinos prepaid access to automation.

Smart first vice president and officer in charge Lloyd Manaloto said the tool is designed to cater to Filipinos who may have no capacity to subscribe to mainstream AI.

Right now, the largest AI tools, such as ChatGPT, may cost at least P300 to subscribe per month. Manaloto said Smart wants to challenge that pricing by going as low as P49 for seven days.

Once a user is subscribed, they will be given a set amount of credits that they can use to prompt AI.Smart. The credits, if left unused, can be rolled over to the next subscription.

Manaloto said cost is becoming the defining factor for Filipinos when subscribing to an AI tool, especially as inflation is hot, averaging 5.2 percent in the seven months to August.

The credits, Manaloto said, are enough for a user to prompt one to two tasks a day, matching the needs of many AI users in the Philippines, especially freelancers and students.

Further, Smart offers larger credits and longer duration, but still at prepaid-like pricing, including P99 for 14 days, P149 for 30 days and P499 for 30 days.

AI.Smart runs to a landing zone hosted by tech giant Amazon Web Services. When a user sends a prompt on the site, it goes to cloud platform Amazon Bedrock, where the AI looks for the best results from AI giants ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.

Another Nigerian Killed In South Africa

The Nigerian Union in South Africa has demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the death of a 34-year-old Nigerian, Christian Nnaemeka, in Johannesburg.

NUSA, in a statement signed by its Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President-General, George O. Sylvester, said Nnaemeka was allegedly attacked at about 8pm on Monday around Willow and Filbert Streets, Primrose, Johannesburg.

The union said the deceased hailed from Enugu-Ezike in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State and was a husband and father of a three-year-old son.

NUSA said it was seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the Nigerian’s death, including what happened to him, why he was allegedly attacked and those responsible for the incident.

‘We, therefore, demand an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Christian Hilary Nnaemeka’s death,’ the union said.

It urged the South African authorities to identify and investigate everyone connected with the incident, adding that anyone found to have acted unlawfully should face the full weight of the law.

NUSA also questioned whether the incident was connected to an authorised operation and called for clarification on the steps being taken by the authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding Nnaemeka’s death.

‘We demand that every person connected to this incident be identified and properly investigated. If anyone is found to have acted unlawfully, that person must face the full weight of the law, regardless of position, influence or affiliation.

‘We also demand clear answers: What happened to Christian? Why was he attacked? Who was responsible? Was the incident part of an authorised operation? And what steps are the authorities taking to ensure justice?’ the statement read.

The union said it would engage relevant South African authorities and work with the Nigerian Mission, ‘particularly the Consul-General’s Office and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion.’

It also urged the Nigerian diplomatic mission to intensify engagement with South African authorities and use available diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country.

NUSA said it supported lawful efforts to tackle crime and drug-related offences but insisted that allegations of criminality should be handled through due process.

This is just one of many incidents of murder affecting Nigerians in South Africa since the escalation of xenophobic attacks in the country earlier this year.

A Nigerian cleric, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, aged 58, an indigene of Iye, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was brutally murdered in South Africa two weeks ago.

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) alleged in a statement by its National President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, that Bishop Taiwo was brutally killed on Friday, 4 September 2026, at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, in circumstances that have left his family, friends and the Nigerian community devastated.

BIR allows firms to build or buy e-invoicing systems

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has allowed businesses to build or buy their own electronic invoicing systems ahead of the Dec. 31 mandatory implementation deadline, provided they first secure a Permit to Issue (PTI) Electronic Invoice.

Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 098-2026, covered taxpayers may use an in-house electronic invoicing solution, purchase a commercial system or tap an Electronic Invoicing Service Provider (ESP).

The approved system will generate electronic invoices and send them to customers digitally, including through email, QR codes, mobile apps, or online platforms.

The BIR also clarified that invoices manually created using applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Google Sheets will not qualify as electronic invoices.

The latest guidelines come as the BIR pushes a major digital tax reform that requires covered businesses to shift to electronic invoicing by the end of the year.

‘With these rules in place, we can now move into implementation and refine the framework as needed. Our goal is to make electronic invoicing workable for taxpayers while laying a stronger foundation for the continued digitalization of tax administration,’ BIR Commissioner Charlie Mendoza said.

‘Electronic invoicing is a huge step toward revolutionizing invoicing and tax administration in the Philippines. It will change how businesses document transactions, how tax information is generated, and how the BIR uses data to build a more modern and efficient tax system,’ he added.

The mandatory requirement covers small, medium, and large taxpayers engaged in e-commerce or internet transactions, excluding micro taxpayers. It also applies to taxpayers under the Large Taxpayers Service, large taxpayers under the Ease of Paying Taxes framework, and taxpayers using computerized accounting or invoicing systems.

But before generating or issuing electronic invoices, taxpayers must secure a PTI from the BIR. The permit serves as authority to issue electronic invoices through their registered and compliant software or system.

Any change in the identity, platform, or core software of the approved system, including migration to or replacement with another system, will require a new or amended PTI.

The BIR also requires covered taxpayers to obtain an Electronic Invoicing and Sales Reporting Certification validating their systems’ ability to extract, process, and transmit sales data according to BIR technical standards.

Taxpayers must secure the certification within six months of the PTI’s issuance.

Pasay, Caloocan prevail as MPBL elims end

The Pasay Voyagers and Caloocan Batang Kankaloo bared their readiness for the playoffs with victories over different opponents on Tuesday in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season elimination phase at the Pasay Astrodome.

Pasay thwarted Pasig City, 78-69, in the nightcap while Caloocan bested Zamboanga Sikat, 82-78, in the opener of the double-header, ending the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

The Voyagers improved to 14-11, similar to the Meycauayan Marilao Gems, but settled for fifth place as they lost to the Gems, 82-77, in their encounter.

Pasay also qualified for the playoffs outright, along with sixth-ranked Ilagan Isabela (13-12).

Pasay’s Lennard Santiago posted 18 points, four rebounds and two steals, but Cyril Gonzales was chosen Best Player with 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Christian Fajarito supported with 14 points, including two triples, four assists and three rebounds.

Sinking 9-of-18 triple attempts, the Voyagers led by as many as 58-39 before the Pasiguenos rallied to 72-67 midway through the fourth quarter.

Pasig finished at 11-14 and eighth place in the North Division.

Jeff Manday scored seven points in the last 1:41 to lift Caloocan’s record to 20-5 and third place in the North Division playoff race.

Zamboanga finished 11-14 and ninth place in the South Division.

Zamboanga led 76-73 after a drive by Paeng Are, but Manday, the MPBL’s new 3-point king, came through in the clutch, drilling in a 3-pointer to knot the count, after which Eric Camson pushed Caloocan ahead with two charities.

The 6-foot Manday finished off the demolition job with four more free throws against a breakaway layup by Zamboanga’s Forthsky Padrigao.

Manday tallied 15 points, six rebounds and three assists to earn Best Player honors over Kean Baclaan, with 13 points and four rebounds; Chris Bitoon, with 13 points and four assists; and Dom Escobar, with 10 points and five rebounds.

Zamboanga drew 15 points, three assists and two rebounds from Are; 11 points, 13 rebounds and two steals from Joseph Gabayni; and 11 points and five rebounds from Brandon Wilson.

The tournament resumes with the play-in stage at the Camaya Coast Events Center on Friday, featuring Valenzuela and Quezon City at 5 p.m., and host Bataan against Pasig at 7 p.m.

2027: Obi, Kwankwaso split over fuel subsidy promise

Fresh questions have emerged over the economic position of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, appeared to take different positions on the issue of fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, said an administration led by Obi would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach, stressing that the party would take steps to reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, the former Kano State governor said the NDC would not maintain the current fuel pricing system but would adopt measures aimed at making petrol more affordable.

‘No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,’ Kwankwaso said when asked whether the party’s position on subsidy would affect its support in the North-West.

He said the government could invest in establishing more refineries to increase domestic production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

‘Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement,’ he said.

Kwankwaso said the objective would be for Nigerians to buy fuel at a reasonable price.

‘We, in the NDC, will do whatever it takes, really, to put the price of oil down,’ he added.

The development has revived debate over the NDC’s position on fuel subsidy, particularly as Obi has maintained a consistent argument against returning to the old subsidy regime.

During the 2023 presidential campaign, Obi argued that Nigeria’s fuel subsidy system was unsustainable and needed to be restructured. He maintained that resources being spent on subsidy should instead be redirected into productive sectors of the economy.

Obi reinforced that position recently at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt in August 2026, where he rejected calls for a return to the old subsidy arrangement.

‘I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds shouldn’t be the reason for not removing it,’ Obi said.

He argued that savings from subsidy removal should have been invested in critical sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture, while also strengthening Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund.

Obi also criticised the handling of the policy, claiming that although trillions of naira had been recovered from subsidy removal, the funds had not been transparently deployed to cushion the impact on Nigerians.

Aboitiz solar startup plots expansion outside Metro Manila

Solviva Energy, a solar startup backed by Aboitiz Power Corp., is looking to tap into growing demand for rooftop solar as it expands beyond Metro Manila, with Cebu and Davao as its first target markets.

‘Over the last couple of years, we’ve been in a testing phase. Now, the goal is to expand in the smartest way that we can. We intend to be available in more cities and offer more products for more households,’ Solviva CEO Coby Cobankiat said.

The company has been seeing rising interest in cleaner and more affordable electricity options as Filipinos grapple with persistently high power bills.

Cobankiat said the continued volatility in global energy markets has further accelerated demand for rooftop solar.

‘That has been the tipping point for us. Instead of us trying to force demand for rooftop solar, they’re coming to us,’ he said.

In recent months, consumers have taken to social media to air their frustrations over soaring electricity bills.

In August alone, electricity spot prices in the Visayas and Mindanao reached record highs amid sustained demand and the simultaneous shutdown of large coal-fired power plants.

Solviva said inquiries for its residential solar packages surged by 272 percent from March to August compared with the same period last year.

The company also observed a notable shift in customers’ electricity consumption after installation, with households using more power overall.

This is a trend Cobankiat viewed as a positive indication that solar can help consumers better manage their electricity costs.

While interest in residential solar is growing, the relatively high upfront cost of installation remains a major hurdle for many households.

To address this, Solviva offers a zero-down-payment, rent-to-own option with fixed monthly installments spread over as long as five years. Payments begin 30 days after installation.

Asian Games: Alas’ Progella, Pagara stay unbeaten in beach volley

Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball young stars Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara barely broke a sweat in routing Mongolia’s Khandsuren Gantogtokh and Tsolmon Batjargal, 21-3, 21-3, to stay unbeaten in Pool G of the Asian Games on Wednesday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Progella and Pagara wrapped up their match in just 21 minutes to take a 2-0 lead in Pool G, moving closer to the round of 16.

The Alas pair gun for a group sweep when it faces Hong Kong’s Wing Tung To and Wing Man To on Saturday.

Progella and Pagara opened their campaign on Monday with a 21-6, 21-11 sweep of Maldives’ Fathimath Anal and Aminath Areesha.

Meanwhile, Alas men’s James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales absorbed their first defeat in Pool C, losing to Vietnam’s Nguyen Lam Toi and Tran Van Viet, 22-24, 15-21.

Buytrago and Rosales pushed their foes to their limits in the extended set 1, but fell short and were dominated in the second frame to drop to a 1-1 record.

They seek payback against Indonesia’s Bintang Akbar and Sofyan Rachman Efendi on Sunday.

On Thursday, Lerry John Francisco and Ranran Abdilla, who lost their first game, fight for survival in Pool A against Oman’s Al Hashimi Mazin and Al Jalaboubi Hood at 11 a.m.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons go for a group sweep on Friday.

DepEd exec whose gun was used in S. Cotabato campus shooting relieved

The father of the teenager identified as the attacker in the Sept. 18 campus shooting in South Cotabato has been relieved of his post in the Department of Education (DepEd), agency officials said on Tuesday.

Davao de Oro Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora gave the update during the House plenary discussion on DepEd’s proposed budget, after Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña asked her about the agency’s response to the shooting at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato.

‘It appears from the investigation so far that the gun used was owned by the student’s father-reportedly a Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officer of DepEd Region XII,’ Cendaña said. ‘What are the administrative and legal liabilities that DepEd will impose on its officers who fail to properly store their firearms?’

Zamora, sponsor of DepEd’s budget, replied ‘the parent was already relieved from his post as DRRM of the department.’

Cendaña then asked if the department allowed its ‘staff and officials’ to own firearms and what its policies were in that regard.

Zamora said ‘there is no internal policy within the department. But the department subjects it to the discretion of every employee, every personnel of DepEd to adhere with the existing laws on proper handling of firearms.’

‘With the recent violence involving guns in our schools, it seems timely and urgent that DepEd [introduce] an internal policy and administrative circular on responsible gun ownership … even stricter gun ownership policies,’ Cendaña said.

Female village watchers

Meanwhile, the government is considering the deployment of female village watchers in schools to monitor activities there.

‘These could be barangay tanods, particularly women, who could monitor or serve as a visible patrol presence in schools,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing on Tuesday.

Castro pointed out that DepEd and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have already proposed hiring additional security personnel, adding that the two agencies may sign a memorandum of agreement by next week.

Marcos ‘disturbed’

She said President Marcos found the Banga incident ‘very disturbing.’

‘It is not normal for a young person to brandish a firearm and shoot indiscriminately,’ she said, quoting Marcos.

Malacañang also refuted Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks blaming the President for failing to protect schoolchildren.

Duterte said the government has been ‘trapped in an endless game of political survival and consolidation’ instead of enforcing order.

‘It is not true that the government is doing nothing,’ Castro said, adding that the situation was complex, particularly amid concerns over the alleged influence of online and gaming content on young people.

She said parents and teachers could not follow the private online groups and conversations of their children and students.

UNGA81: Defence Minister reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to global peacekeeping

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its role in global peacekeeping and international security efforts.

General Musa made the commitment on Tuesday while attending the opening session of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the Nigerian delegation.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Minister’s Media Adviser, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the Minister subsequently paid an operational visit to the Defence Section of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations.

It explained that during the visit, General Musa received a comprehensive briefing from the Defence Attaché, Brigadier General E.A. Koleosho, on the section’s strategic activities and operational commitments.

It further added that the Minister commended Brigadier General Koleosho and his team for their professionalism, loyalty and commitment to upholding the ideals of the United Nations and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to it, Gen Musa reiterated the Federal Government’s determination, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to restore and expand Nigeria’s active participation in international peace and security efforts.

It added that Gen Musa stressed that the Minister assured that the administration remained committed to reinvigorating Nigeria’s participation in peacekeeping operations across the globe as part of efforts to promote stability and security.

He said Nigeria would continue to contribute to international initiatives aimed at strengthening global peace and security.