Worker’s Day: Tinubu Has Failed Workers, Rendered Them Prostrate- Atiku

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May 1, 2024

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, in the 2023 election has slammed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for trampling on the right of workers in the country.

No previous administration in the country has treated the nation’s labour force the manner they are being treated by the President Tinubu, the former number two citizens said.

Atiku’s remark is coming amidst the 2024 Workers Day celebration across the country.

He made the remark in a statement on Tuesday, stating that the economic conditions of workers since President Tinubu came to power last year has drastically deteriorated, despite “flowery words” by the administration to improve their conditions.

According to him, the administration has failed in its promise to increase the living wage of the workers adding that “every dawn unveils renewed hardships” for the nation’s work force.

Atiku said “Despite prolonged pledges and flowery words by the government, the much talked-about prospects of wage increment for the Nigerian worker remains a mirage. Every dawn unveils renewed hardships and harsh living conditions.

“After the contraction and contradictions by the government about whether the subsidy regime has gone or it is still being implemented, the country is today facing the angst of frustration by Nigerians who waste precious man-hours in queues at petrol stations across the country.”

“In an unprecedented manner and condescending of both the Nigerian worker and the general public, this current federal government announced a unilateral removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit without consultations with representatives of the Nigerian worker.

“The continued increase in tariffs in different service offerings without addressing the corruption and inefficiencies in the system only amounts to long-suffering Nigerians subsidising the corruption and inefficiencies in the system.

“Since the days of legendary, Pa. Michael Imoudu, to later day firebrands such as Pascal Bafyau and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Nigerian worker has been at the forefront of the fight against tyranny and bad governance.

“No administration in our history has trampled workers’ rights like this one. Daily, workers face uncertainty over skyrocketing prices of essential goods.”

Atiku stated that the handling of the nation’s microeconomic situation resembles a cumbersome laboratory experiment, leaving the Nigerian worker in a vulnerable position.

“The Nigerian worker has had it so rough under this current administration and it is unfortunate that while the living conditions of the Nigerian worker remain at a miserably low ebb, the Nigerian government continues to regale its international audiences with tales of how the masses are being weaned of their wasteful dependence on government.

“It is thus beginning to appear, that as far as the current federal government is concerned, the management of our country’s micro-economic outlook is an unwieldy laboratory experiment, to which the Nigerian worker is laid prostrate.”

$600m Investment: Danish Firm, AP Moller Fails To Confirm FG’s Claim

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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May 1, 2024

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Global logistics company A.P Moller-Maersk has failed to confirm a supposed investment of $600 million in Nigeria’s seaport.

The federal government, last week, claimed that the Danish shipping and logistics giant has committed to investing the above funds to develop seaport infrastructure in the country.

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President On Media and Publicity in a statement disclosed that Danish firm made the promise, through its chairman, Robert Uggla during a close door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600m in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships,” Ngelale quoted Uggla as saying.

President Tinubu had welcomed the promise, remarking that the investment would complement his administration’s ongoing $1bn investment in seaport reconstruction across Nigeria’ seaports

Also, not a few Nigerians received the promise with applause, saying the investment will further propel the development of the nation’s seaport infrastructure.

However, AP Moller in their reaction to the issue said “we are not able to comment on any investment talks.”

In a statement issued by the company, as reported by Lloyd’s List, a global maritime insight, data, and analytics website, the shipping company said they have been present in Nigeria for more than three decades, and committed to the nation’s business sector., but failed to confirm the investment agreement supposedly reached in Riyadh with President Tinubu.

The statement said: “Maersk has been present in Nigeria for 35 years and, as a global provider of logistics services, we remain committed to develop opportunities for growth to people, the port sector and businesses locally,” the company said in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

“Therefore, it is natural to have an ongoing dialogue with the administration. However, we are not able to comment on any investment talks.”

Northern Nigeria Has The Highest Number Of Out-Of-School Children In The World, Northern Governors Lament

By

The Source

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May 1, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

To halt further slide of the Northern Region in to the abyss of insecurity and its attendant negative consequences, the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya has called for urgent and concerted efforts to rijig the region’s economy and enhance human capital development.

While emphasising the crucial positive effects that a sustainable economic blue print could have on the lingering security challenges being faced by most states of the North, Yahaya who is also the Governor of Gombe state ,noted that economic development remains a veritable panacea to freeing the North from its current challenges ,particularly insecurity .

Governor Yahaya who spoke in Kaduna on Tuesday, April, 30, 2024, during a meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum ,also lamented the astronomical rise in the number of out of School children in the region,regretting that such an ugly situation has tended to worsen the problem of insecurity .

“Economic development is paramount to our region’s prosperity. We consider economic development as the long term solution to our security challenges .

“In this regard,the revitalization of the New Nigeria Development Company NNDC is at the heart of our economic agenda for Northern Nigeria.

“We must also explore innovative ways to invest in critical infrastructure capable of unlocking the huge industrial and economic potentials of the Northern region .

“I urge us to not to lose focus ,but to strive ,sustain ,and enhance the legacies of our founding fathers . Human capital development is very critical to the progress and prosperity of our region .

“It is deeply troubling that Northern Nigeria currently bears the burden of the highest number of Out-of-school children in the world .

“This is an unacceptable reality that we must urgently address . Every child deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to succeed in today’s rapidly changing global economic landscape.

“We have a moral obligation to invest massively in education ,and skill development ,health care and social services in order to unlock the full potentials of our youths and empower future generations.” the Northern Governors stated.

Governor Yahaya while calling for concerted efforts towards the task of building a prosperous North harped on the importance of collaboration and regional integration in infrastructure development ,human capital development ,trade security cooperation and cultural exchange.

” Together we can unlock the full potentials of our region and ensure inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the ever competitive Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Security remains top on our agenda . During our last meeting ,we reaffirmed our willingness to work with the Federal Government in order to provide lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling our region .

“Since then ,we have had various engagements with the National Security Adviser NSA ,Service Chiefs, Coalition of Northern Civil Society Groups and other relevant stakeholders on charting a way forward for sustainable peace and stability in Northern Nigeria.

“As the Nation continues to deliberate on the issue of State police ,it is important that we begin to explore state policing models that are built on the foundation of cooperation and collaboration amongst our Northern state ” Governor Yahaya emphasised .

FG Approves Salary Increase For Civil Servants

By

Adesina Soyooye

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May 1, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Federal Government, on the eve of May 1, a day dedicated to Workers, approved an increment of between 25% and 35% in salary for Civil Servants.

Workwrs affected are those on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures

The Salary Structure is the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

It should be noted that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS)

for Universities.

For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involved the

Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

Benefitting, also, is the Health Sector through the Consolidated Medical

Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

Emmanuel Njoku, Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages who signed the statement said the increases take effect from 1st January 2024.

The statement also said that the Federal Government has approved “increases in pension of between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect to the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from 1st January 2024.”

Why UNIBEN Suspended Students’ Union Activities Indefinitely

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 1, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following an attack on Olumide Akpata, Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming Governorship Election in Edo State, the Management of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, has indefinitely suspended the activities of the Student Union Government, SUG, of the Institution.

The Institution’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, disclosed the decision of the Management.

The suspension letter reads:

“After due consideration of the report by the management, the Vice Chancellor has approved the suspension of the University’s Students Union.

“The suspension which is indefinite, takes immediate effect, that is, from Monday 29th April, 2024.

“Accordingly, all officers of the Students’ Union are to hand over all properties of the union in their possession to the Dean, Students’ Affairs, not later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

“In the interim, a Caretaker Committee composed of representatives of faculties, schools, and institutes has been approved to coordinate students’ activities during the period of suspension.

“The directive of the Vice Chancellor is hereby communicated for the attention of the university community and compliance of the erstwhile union officers as appropriate,” Bobola said.

It would be recalled that on April 12th, 2024 at the University’s Senior Staff Club, the SUG were said to have disrupted an interactive session by staff of the University with LP Governorship Candidate.

It was gathered that the students behaved unruly at the event and, in the process, rough-handled many of the staff, including a member of the Academic Staff of the Universities, ASUU, who was reportedly beaten to a pulp.

Following this development, the Institution set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the incident to unravel the crux of the issue, leading to decision of the institution to suspend the SUG activities indefinitely.

Schools Reform In Cross River: 20,000 To Be Recruited, Erring Principals

By

Ayodele Oni

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May 1, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Cross River State Government has announced that it requires 20,000 teachers to address shortage in public schools in the State.

The Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, said that the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration has embarked on massive employment of teachers to bridge the gap.

He, however, noted that owing to paucity of funds, the employment would be carried out in phases.

The Commissioner further noted that there were several ongoing reforms to revamp the education sector in the state.

Odey said, “We are determined to reform the sector holistically because we want to make Cross River a reference point in education sector amongst comity of states.

“There is already a memo before the governor for us to start with the employment of 6,000 teachers. We discovered that many schools, especially in the rural area, had only two teachers and this is not how we intend to be the best in the country.

“The money the government paid as fee for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for students in the state will amount to nothing without teachers to teach them.”

Odey further disclosed that priority would be given to the employment of teachers in their catchment areas as the state was not buoyant enough to pay peculiar allowances to teachers in rural areas.

Speaking on the payment of WAEC fees, Odey explained that the 16,301 names on the list was padded saying “the list was not exhaustive as some schools that submitted late were not captured.

“The only issue that arose from the list was that we found out that some names were duplicated during compilation which brought the figure to about 16,287 students.

“Even at that, we had students from about 20 schools that were not included because of late submission.

“For instance, a particular school in Boki had over a thousand students not included. For the avoidance of doubt, those principals that were found not to have been diligent in their duty have been sanctioned.

“About 37 of them are in this category and are going to be demoted to the classrooms.”

The Commissioner further said part of the reform is to ensure uniformity in school system in the state as well as go after illegal schools.

“Upon resumption in office, I discovered that schools across the state, both public and private, operate different school calendars.

“We have been able to streamline this to a large extent and still working to ensure all around complaint across the state.”

INTERPOL Confirms Binance Executive Will Be Extradited To Nigeria

By

Akinwale Kasali

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May 1, 2024

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Nadeem Anjarwalla - Binance Regional Manager

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the arrest of Binance Executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla in Kenya, the International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, has confirmed that efforts are underway to extradite the Binance’s regional manager for Africa to Nigeria for prosecution.

Garba Umar, Africa’s Vice President of the INTERPOL Executive Committee disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday. He stressed that he is not aware but what he can say is that the last destination he knows on record is that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria and has been arrested in Kenya.

Umar added that Interpol has contacted all countries where Anjarwalla was believed to have transited and “we got some certain information which is not possible to share on this platform.

“Rest assured, we located where he was, how he boarded, all information about him and how he landed. We have done that to make sure that he doesn’t escape justice,” he said.

Umar said that the Binance Executive will be returned to Nigeria to face trial once a red notice has been issued and circulated to concerned Countries.

He said, “Now, it is not only morally right but it is legally right for the country to get him apprehended, inform the requesting country that ‘the fugitive you are looking for has been apprehended and is in our custody. Can you come and take him over?

“This is the process. He may be in Kenya, he may be in hiding, he might have even left Kenya but because of the notices we have given, wherever he is, he will be smoked out,” he added.

It would be recalled Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, were charged with tax evasion and money laundering by the federal government.

The duo were arrested and detained on February 28, before Anjarwalla escaped from a guest house in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city on March 22, where he and Tigran Gambaryan, his colleague, had been kept by the federal government.

Anjarwalla was said to have escaped after guards led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the Ramadan fast and escaped to Kenya where he was nabbed by the Kenyan Police.

Atiku Laments Economic Situation, Says It Has Never Been Worse Than This; Insists Nothing To Celebrate On May Day

By

Akinwale Kasali

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May 1, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has berated the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and lamented the inefficiencies of the Federal Government.

He also sympathized with Nigerian Workers stating that they have not had it so bad with government policies skewed against their welfare.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election said that as Workers all around the World celebrate the International Workers Day, “it is a sobering truth that the plight of the Nigerian worker remains dire.”

Said the former Vice President: “Despite prolonged pledges and flowery words by the government, the much talked-about prospects of wage increment for the Nigerian worker remains a mirage. Every dawn unveils renewed hardships and harsh living conditions.

“After the contraction and contradictions by the government about whether the subsidy regime has gone or it is still being implemented, the country is today facing the angst of frustration by Nigerians who waste precious man-hours in queues at petrol stations across the country.

“The petrol subsidy is purportedly gone; yet its impact lingers – revealing the ineptitude of the current federal government.

“In an unprecedented manner and condescending of both the Nigerian worker and the general public, this current federal government announced a unilateral removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit without consultations with representatives of the Nigerian worker.

“The continued increase in tariffs in different service offerings without addressing the corruption and inefficiencies in the system only amounts to long-suffering Nigerians subsidising the corruption and inefficiencies in the system.”

He further stated that since the days of legendary, Pa. Michael Imoudu, to later day fire brands such as Pascal Bafyau and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Nigerian worker has been at the forefront of the fight against tyranny and bad governance.

“ No administration in our history has trampled workers’ rights like this one. Daily, workers face uncertainty over skyrocketing prices of essential goods.

“The Nigerian worker has had it so rough under this current administration and it is unfortunate that while the living conditions of the Nigerian worker remains at a miserably low ebb, the Nigerian government continues to regale its international audiences with tales of how the masses are being weaned of their wasteful dependence on government.

“It is thus beginning to appear, that as far as the current federal government is concerned, the management of our country’s micro-economic outlook is an unwieldy laboratory experiment, to which the Nigerian worker is laid prostrate.

“While I cannot but share my sympathy with the Nigerian worker for the way the current government has ridiculed her for far too long, I must equally express my felicitations with the Nigerian worker on this year’s Workers Day.

“ It is my hope that the theme of this year’s Labour Day: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work In a Changing Climate, will inspire the Nigerian government to put the concerns of the Nigerian Worker on the front burner”.

Governor Uzodimma Takes Over Ministry Of Lands, Inaugurates New Cabinet, Assigns Portfolios To 24 Commissioners

By

The Source

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May 1, 2024

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Hope Uzodimma and his New Cabinet Members

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has sworn in 24 Commissioners and inaugurated 19 Special Advisers who, with other top political appointees, will constitute members of the new expanded Executive Council as his second term administration enters full throttle.

The Governor who administered the oath taking ceremony on the affected appointees at the new Executive Council Chamber Government House Owerri on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, also proceeded to immediately assign portfolios to the 24 Commissioners.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Chief Patrick Ekeji, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Barr. Sydney Emeka Agbor, the Deputy Chief of Staff (General Services), Chief Ferdinand Uzodimma, the Political Adviser and Head of Political Bureau, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu and the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser, Media, Chief Oguwike Nwachuku, were the first set of senior political appointees who were led in the oath taking rituals.

In his remarks after the swearing-in and inauguration ceremonies were completed, Governor Uzodimma hinted that more appointments will still be made in due course to fill vacant positions in some critical ministries.

However, in the interim, he assigned the position of the Commissioner for Lands to his Office as part of efforts to restore sanity in the said ministry where, of late, Imo people have increasingly lost confidence in the handlers of the ministry, occasioned by avoidable demeanour.

Governor Uzodimma urged all the Executive Council members to use their positions and inter-personal skills and relationships to ensure success in their ministries, agencies and departments and on the job assigned to them in general.

He reminded them that his reelection for a second tenure places enormous responsibilities and great expectations on the government and the appointees, hence there should not be room for excuses and complacency.

“The performance of the second tenure must be better than the first term,” he insisted.

Governor Uzodimma once more brought the issue of personal integrity of the appointees to the fore, noting that how Imo people feel about them is equally important to him.

He insisted that they must “conduct themselves with decorum and with all sense of responsibility.”

The Governor reiterated the importance of the oath of office the appointees took and reminded them that “it is not a mere ritual but a serious act that places huge responsibilities on your shoulders.”

He therefore reminded them that as public officers they must “behave differently bearing in mind that the public will beam their searchlight individually and collectively,” on them.

He advised on the need to realise that their new position requires tough approaches where only those who persevere will triumph.

Governor Uzodimma told the audience that the appointees were chosen based on their individual merit, hence their “integrity and performance on the job is at stake and a lot is expected of them from Imo people and Government.”

He recalled his administration’s abhorrence to corruption and commended them for agreeing with his injunction to ensure total realisation of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government following lessons they learnt from their two-day retreat, and asked them to endeavor to “work the talk.”

As part of measures to monitor performance, the Governor reminded the appointees that a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit had been established in his Office and that there will be quarterly assessment and evaluation of each of them.

“There is no time to waste, as all eyes must be on the ball,” he enthused.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the appointees, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr COC Akaolisa thanked the Governor for finding them worthy and inviting them to “share in the glory of a government and a Governor that is doing very well.”

He promised that their team will “bring honour and not shame to their family” and that they will, to the best of their ability, give their best to ensure they don’t disappoint the expectations of the Governor, Government and the people of Imo State.

The event was attended by prominent Imo personalities, including the wife of the Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma,Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Head of Service, Barr. Raymond Ucheoma, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Irene Chima, the All Progressives Congress Chairman in Imo State, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, HRH Eze EC Okeke, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, former APC Chairman in Imo State, Chief Marcom Nlemigbo, business mogul and APC leader in Imo State, Chief Tony Chukwu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, among other important dignitaries.

Some relatives of some of the appointees were also around to witness the occasion.

Ondo 2024 Budget Estimate Has Errors – Commissioner

By

Ayodele Oni

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April 30, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has clarified that the purported N18 Billion loan borrowed by the state within three months of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been on drawing board since the immediate past administration.

Government statement on Tuesday explained that the loan was meant to extend portable water from the Owena multipurpose dam to three communities of Akure, Idanre and Ile-Oluji.

Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, in the statement also shed light on the N5 Billion in this year’s budget estimates earmarked for renovation of day care centres.

“The Five Billion Naira (N5b) provision was actually meant to reflect the expected drawdown from the Nigerian for Women Project (WORLD Bank Supported) which had earlier been captured under the Capital Receipts.

“The N18 Million reported on the Nigerian for Women Project is meant for the renovation for Daycare Project.

“This is a regrettable Printer’s interpolation error that occurred during the process of preparing the document for publication.

“The Ministry takes full responsibility for this error and we have immediately set in motion the machinery to have the error corrected.

“We also took note that the report mentioned the sum of N18 Billion loan procured in just three (3) months. This loan is an AFD facility for the reticulation of water from Owena Dam to Akure, Ile-Oluji, Idanre, Ifedore and environs that will provide clean water for about 1.2m people.

“The project started in 2017 and the N18 Billion mentioned was part of what should have been released to Ondo State in 2023, but was delayed due to stringent of World Bank Process.

“The said loan has not been assessed as the procurement process according to Word Bank Standards is ongoing

“Furthermore, the fund has a separate account, which is not subject to the control of State Officials, except those people prior approved by the World Bank before the advent of Governor Aiyedatiwa.”