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NANS Demands Probe Of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Constitution Of Management Structure

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has tasked President Bola Tinubu’s government to beam its searchlight on the Ajaokuta Steel Company mismanagement, with a view to identify those behind looting of the venture.

NANS, expressed concerns about alleged misconduct in Ajaokuta Steel Company and urged President Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into reported the alleged mismanagement.

“Having a Sole Administrator for the past 12 years to oversee a public and national company like Ajaokuta Steel is not good enough.

“This gives room for corruption in the sense that there will be no one else to check the excesses of the Sole Administrator and this may give him/her an ample chance to steal.”

In a statement on Monday signed by NANS Universal President, Lucky Emonefe, the association vowed not to back down on fights of this peculiarity, especially one that is against the tenets of financial accountability and transparency.

‘’If there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement.”

The student body implored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to stand their ground against every form of intimidation or shielding, as they probe and investigate mismanagement in Ajaokuta Steel Company.

NAN advised that ‘’While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue.

“Both can go concurrently, and one will not affect another. As a matter of fact, the probing is an essential part of the revamping because investigators and other Stakeholders may discover in the course of probing that some bad eggs are still on the management and staff of this Steel Company.

“With these probes, many unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalization and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

‘’This is simply because if these offenders are brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to others who are aspiring to steal from the company as soon as it starts operation again.

“Bringing them to book will help the company grow in the sense that the money recovered from these offenders would be pumped back into the company and it will give it a higher lift in every sense.”

The students body commended the president and national assembly for their commitment to ensure that the steel company survive.

“The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the umbrella body with over 50million members across the nation, wants to sincerely appreciate H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the humongous effort he has put into the development of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, since he assumed office.

“From history, apart from the Shehu Shagari era, this will be the first time that this company would be having this kind of unusual support from the Federal Government. This is highly commendable.

“We also want to appreciate the office of the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot AKPABIO, CON, for his huge and tireless efforts in making sure that this company comes back on its feet and deliver the purpose with which it was founded. All his efforts are seen and they won’t go unappreciated.”

SSANU Urges President Tinubu To Salvage Nation’s Economy

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the Nation’s economic woes.

SSANU said that if the President fails to address the situation, it has already began the mobilisation for the seven-day warning strike beginning on March 18 over a four-month unpaid salaries.

It also called on the Federal Government to review its economic policies and make amends where necessary before the situation becomes irredeemable.

At the 47th National Executive Council, NEC, held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, it lamented the economic slide in the country, and predicted that if not addressed, it may aggravate insecurity and other social vices.

A communique read by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim stated: “NEC in session observes with grave concern the sliding economy that is hardly witnessing any steady growth.

“The national currency has been grossly devalued amid a volatile exchange rate. Inflation and unemployment rates are dangerously increasing, thereby further fuelling the unabated cost of living to unprecedented and unbearable levels.

“This trend, without doubt, is a gateway to insecurity and other social vices. NEC, therefore, calls on the Government to urgently arrest this terrible and unbearable situation by introducing sound economic policies aimed at revamping this critically dysfunctional economy before it degenerates to an irredeemable level.”

SSANU’s NEC also deliberated on the withheld four months’ salaries the President Bola Tinubu had approved to be paid to university based unions.

According to SSANU, some mischievous elements in Tinubu’s Government were bent on pitching the Union against themselves, a situation he warned may not augur well for industrial harmony being enjoyed within the sector.

It said, “The National Executive Council (NEC) in session seriously frowns at the latest action of Government which excluded SSANU and other non-teaching university-based unions from the payment of the four months withheld salaries arising from the nationwide strike action embarked upon by all unions in our public Universities.

“ While SSANU is not averse to the payment of the withheld salary to our sister union ASUU, it however views this action as a clear violation and breach of the post-strike agreement with the Government on non-victimisation of our members who participated in the strike.

“We strongly oppose this discriminatory practice which we view as Government’s open invitation to industrial crisis. Credible information available to us has it that the directive of Mr. President is for all university-based unions to be paid four months’ salary.

“NEC, therefore, suspects saboteurs in this government bent on destabilizing and destroying the good intent of Mr. President towards sustaining industrial peace in the University system.

“NEC in session, therefore, calls on the relevant authorities of Government to immediately implement the directive of Mr. President by paying our members the four months withheld salaries, failing which NEC has approved a one-week warning strike in conjunction with our sister Union in JAC, NASU.”

The SSANU President announced that all the branches have commenced mobilisation of their members for the March 18 warning strike, threatening that all offices, lecture halls among others would be under lock and key.

The seven-day warning strike is expected to commence immediately after the Joint Action Committee, JAC, comprising SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, ratify the date this week.

Buhari Ask Nigerians To Endure Hardship, Hails Tinubu, Says Nigeria Is A Complex Country To Govern

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has showered encomiums on President Bola Tinubu for managing the country thus far.

Buhari said that despite the complexity of the country, President Tinubu has been able to manage and salvage the situation.

Buhari said this when he received the Comptroller General and members of the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service in Daura, Katsina State.

According to Buhari, governing Nigeria is a tough job for anyone.

He noted that President Tinubu has performed well since getting into office, despite the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians across the country.

The former President asked Nigerians to endure the economic hardship in the country and support the policies and programmes of the current administration.

He said, “I thank you very much for coming. I very much appreciate it. I think Tinubu has done very well.

“Nigeria is so complex. Really, there isn’t much anybody can do,” he added.

Recall that economic hardship has spiked in Nigeria since Buhari left office on May 29, 2023.

Meanwhile, on the inauguration day, Tinubu declared that his administration would no longer pay subsidy for fuel.

His decision made the price of the Premium Motor Spirit rise from N185 to over N600.

Tinubu’s government’s financial reforms also saw the Naira embark on a continuous free fall against the dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria floated the currency to move towards market-determined rates.

This action led to the instability of the Naira against the dollar in the market, making it sell for between N1,400 and N1,900.

Against this background, Nigerians led by organised labour have protested across the country in recent weeks to revolt against the worsening prevailing circumstances that have sent more Nigerians below the poverty level.

Murder At ABSU As Rival Cult Guns Down Final Year Student, Tension Rises

By
The Source
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Emmanuel Uche of ABSU

The Abia State University community and its host town of Uturu and environs were early morning Monday March  11 2024 enveloped by grief, tension and palpable anxiety following the gruesome murder of one of the institution’s students,  Emmanuel Uche ,allegedly by members of a rival cult group.

.The victim, a final year student of History and International Relations, according to close sources, had,  before now, been evading his traducers, who were said to be hot on his heels.

However, he was said to have ran out of luck early Monday morning, when some gun welding boys ,believed to be  members of a rival cult group on an alleged revenge mission ,stormed his Miracle Lodge on Uturu/ Isukwuato Road ,close to the University campus and brutally shot him dead .

The Source gathered that  Uche’s death came, barely few weeks to his graduation, having successfully evaded his attackers to round off his examinations.

As at the time of reporting, his corpse was yet to be evacuated from the scene of the incident (Miracle Students Lodge),while the ABSU authorities were yet to respond officially.

Meanwhile ,fears of a possible reprisal attacks by the deceased’s cult group ,have continued to cause tension and anxiety within the university community ,with many students embarking on self imposed break to avoid being cut up in the expected cross fire.

But the University management is said to have taken steps to beef up security ,at least  on the main campus.

PSC Chairman, Arase, Prays For Divine Blessing As Christians, Muslims Observe Lent, Ramadan Fast, Decorates PA

By
The Source
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Solomon Arase and Ukom Abam

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase a retired Inspector General of Police, has extolled the uncommon qualities and commitment of his personal Assistant, Ukom Abam who was recently promoted from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to the substantive rank of Superintendent.

Dr. Arase said he is impressed  with his commitment to work and general disposition to assisting him deliver on his mandate to take the Commission to the next level.

Dr. Arase spoke when he decorated  his Personal Assistant with his new rank of Superintendent of Police. He charged him to be steadfast on his commitment to “our shared vision” stressing that his dedication to national duty will not go unnoticed.

Dr. Arase used the occasion to announce that the Commission will continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force must be defined, merit based and on seniority.  He advised his aide to remain focused and continue to contribute his little quota to national security.

Dr. Arase has also prayed for divine blessings as Christians observe  the Lent and Muslims the Ramadan fast.

He said Nigerians should continue to pray for a new Nigeria as there is need for ,”us to assist government deliver on its mandate. ,” it is a collective responsibility and Nigeria must rise again” he admonished.  We have to support the government  to succeed.  It is a collective responsibility” he noted.

Imo: 20 Killed In Gun Battle With Security Operatives,  Many Shallow Graves Discovered, Say The Military

By
The Source
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Soliders on Patrol

By Charles Igbo

Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations has disclosed that a joint operation carried out in Imo State by Security Operatives resulted in the shooting to death of 20 people.

Buba who revealed the number of the dead in a statement on Sunday, said the operation was carried out by The Troop Operation Udo Ka in conjunction with other Security Agencies to clear out rogue elements from their hideouts and make the State safer than before.

The raid/clearance, he said, was carried in Mother Valley, Orsu LGA, Imo State.

He alleged that 50 of the hideouts cleared out belonged to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN.

However, it is a claim/allegation the IPOB/ESN has since denied, and insisted it had no such Camps. It said the Camps belonged to a group under Finland-based Simon Ekpa, IPOB’s estranged members.

Buba said cleared were “about 50 IPOB/ESN hideout tents in the valley, including terrorists’ Supreme Headquarters and their Command and Control Centre as well as its Military Council Headquarters.”

Cleared, also, according to him were “Buteuzor’s hideout/residence office, logistic base, temple, and shrine.”

On the state of the hudeouts, Buba said they were  “concealed with foliage that afforded the criminals cover from air surveillance to prevent monitoring and detection.

“The Valley had sufficient power supply for the camps. The terrorists hibernated there, reared animals, and also owned farms to be self-sustaining to live and fight. During the operations, troops also encountered several command IEDs and ditches along the axis of the camp.

“All explosives were detonated and ditches were covered with excavators before reaching the camp.

The location was identified to be the supreme headquarters, command, and control centre as well as the Military Council Headquarters of IPOB/ESN.

“During the operations, troops made contact with terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons such as G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump action guns, double barrel guns, locally made pistols, and RPG bombs.

Troops also recovered assorted ammunition which included 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines, and 3 G3 magazines, several quantities of IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, handheld IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverters, and batteries, Biafra flags and others.”

Buba said the Security Operatives destroyed “all camps, hideouts, and shrines in the location.”

More disturbing, however, was the revelation by Buba that the camps were littered with shallow graves indicative of Idol worshipping and ritual killings.”

It is speculated, strongly, that a number of missing persons are occupants of the shallow graves.

Super Eagles Set To Rekindle Rivalry With Ghana, Mali In Marrakech

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles of Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

2023 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Runners-Up, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, will take on the Black Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali in an International Friendly Match scheduled for 22nd March and 26th March in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Top Grade Friendly Matches is aimed at preparing the three-time AFCON Champion for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The clash with Ghana’s Black Stars which comes up on Friday, 22nd March, is bound to resurrect vintage memories of a 73-year rivalry involving the West African giants, dating back to October 1951 when Nigeria bounced then Gold Coast 5-0 in a Jalco Cup encounter in Lagos.

Most recently, the two teams clashed in March 2022 in a two-legged play-off for a place at that year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, with the Black Stars edging the fixture on the away-goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate.

Nigeria and Mali, both teams incidentally nicknamed ‘Eagles’, last clashed in a friendly match in Rouen, France in the summer of 2016. The encounter ended scoreless.

The Malian Eagles had, three years earlier, lost 1-4 to eventual winners Super Eagles in Durban in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

While Nigeria and Ghana will resume their rivalry at the Grand Stade de Marrakech as from 4pm Morocco time on 22nd March, the encounter between Nigeria and Mali will commence at the same venue as from 9pm on Tuesday, 26th March.

Nigeria has retained the bulk of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, but have recalled England-based defender Jamilu Collins, as well as Empoli FC of Italy’s Tyronne Ebuehi and Glasgow Rangers’ forward Cyriel Dessers.

Midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the continental houseparty in Cote d’Ivoire returns from injury, while Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have fresh opportunities to stake claims to permanent shirts.

England-based defender Gabriel Osho and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu are teaming up with the group for the first time.

The invited players of the Two Matches are;

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

How Housewife Met Untimely Death In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has commenced investigation and possible arrest of suspects in a case of gruesome murder of a 45 years old housewife.

The incident happened at a suburb village in Ondo west local government area of the state.

Police account explained that “On 08/03/2024 around 1700hrs, one Tajudeen Bolarinwa of Ago road, Onipetesi village reported that at about 1630 hrs that  his wife Mrs Kudirat Bolarinwa aged 45 yrs, who goes from one farm to the other to buy kolanuts was murdered in the bush by an unknown person.

“At the scene of incident, the deceased was left with only pant and the side of her face, lower arm and head was severely matcheted.”

Another report indicated that the deceased was found dead in a bush where she was allegedly raped and matcheted to dead.

One of the residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said the deceased followed a man to buy plantain in the farm and she was attacked by the same man on their way.

It was gathered that the man came on Thursday to that area to ask for the people selling plantain that he wanted to sell, but was still in the farm and the deceased followed him to the farm before she met her untimely death.

The deceased’s husband, Abolarinwa, who had led the police search, immediately approached the Enu-Owa Police Division in the area to report the incident.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said no arrest has been made.

Non Payment Of Withheld Salaries: SSANU, NASU Declared Seven Days Warning Strike

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
SSANU and NASU Strike

By Ayodele Oni

Two industrial unions in Nigerian universities are set for seven days warning strike over failure of the federal government to meet their demands.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union, (NASU) declared seven days warning strike to demand for the payment of four months of withheld salaries of their members, after the 2022 nationwide strike.

The decision was part of the resolution of the Joint Action Committee, (JAC) of the two unions, after a meeting which held in Akure at the weekend.

SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, who read the communiqué of the meeting to journalists in Abuja on Monday,  stated that the decision to embark on the warning strike was taken as a last resort since several protest letters and other communications with the Federal Government did not result in the payment of the withheld salaries.

The statement added: “If nothing is done by the Federal Government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”

The fresh development comes on the heels of the unions accusing federal government of treating their members with “disdain”.

President Bola Tinubu had directed the payment of withheld salaries for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) which was stopped during their strike of 2022.

However, SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) said they were yet to get salaries for the said period and had issued a one-week ultimatum about two weeks ago.

The SSANU Chief alleged abandonment of the unions by the FG.

“We have to speak like this because we have been clearly shown that we do not matter in the system. But we all know that there is no university that can function without the non-teaching staff because we are majorly populated by professionals.

“We own the engine of the administration of every university. They are treating this segment of staff with some disdain. It does not speak good of the system.

“While we appreciate the Federal Government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid.”

Ondo Community Accuses Mining Company Of Destroying Their Houses

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo Community over mining

By Ayodele Oni

Residents of Mercy Land community, at Oba Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state have protested against the activities of a mining company in the area.

The people during a protest to the company site on Monday claimed that continuous stone blasting by the company is causing damage to their buildings and threat to their lives.

Report stated that properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed without compensation from either the miners or Government, considering the high cost of materials and economic state of the Nation.

Some residents of the community  described the activities of the miners as destructive, ungodly, unhealthy, and threat to life, which must, as a matter of urgency, be stopped.

According to One of the Residents, John Ayo Oladapo, “we are here this morning to call on all important personalities and particularly the Ondo state Government to come to our aid.

“We are facing huge amount of challenges as a result of the blast from the construction company, houses have been pulled down, several of our houses now have holes, as a result of their blast.

“On countless numbers of time, stones land on our houses rooftops, people have been wounded on many instances, the company is aware of this level of destruction, but nothing has been done to this effect.

“We have written to Ministry of mines, the area commander of police and up till now, there is no tangible result, we are calling on Ondo State Government to come to our aid to safe our lives and properties.”

Another resident, Olorunyomi Oluwaseun, emphasized on the need for Government intervention.

According to him, “we are at the mining and ceramic Industry, as a result of the damages caused via their blasting, our life is in danger.

“For instance, on the first of April 2020, a blast was made here and demolished the frontage of my house, reports was made, necessary offices were contacted but to no avail.

“We are calling Government to come and help us, the damages is getting too much to bear, there is inflation everywhere, a bag of cement now cost above N10,000 and roofing sheet has increased dramatically.”

The Secretary of the community, Mr Adebayo Majeek, explained that the residents are showing their grievance on the damages caused on the houses by the company.

“A lot of inventories had happened as a result of their blast, many houses had been damaged while some have collapsed as a result of the stone blasting.

“We have informed them on several times but nothing has been done, sometimes ago they promised us that henceforth, their blast will not be as massive again to the extent of affecting property.

“All these are untrue, we are however calling on the Government to safe our lives and property, we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed, we as a people and community seriously need Government Intervention.”

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