Home Blog Page 1314

Imo State’s New Cabinet: Emelumba, Akaolisa Retain Portfolios

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma and his New Cabinet Members

Declan Emelumba, a long- time ally and loyalist of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was on Tuesday, inaugurated for the second time, as the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy. He was first inaugurated to the same office in 2020 during the Governor’s first term in office.

Also, given same portfolio he has held since 2020 as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is  another Uzodimma-loyalist, Chief C.O.C. Akaolisa.

The Governor on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, inaugurated his new Cabinet members with whom he hopes to drive  his 3R Agenda.

Following are the 24 members of the new Cabinet and the Ministries they are going to man.

  1. Hon. Declan Emelumba — Ministry Of Information, Public Orientation and Strategy.
  1. Dr. Chimezie Amadi — Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Governance.
  1. Hon. Barr. Ralph Nwosu — Ministry of Works and Infrastructural developments.
  1. Chief Cosmas Maduba — Ministry of Agriculture and food security.
  1. Hon. Mrs. Nkechi Ukwu — Ministry of women affairs and vulnerable group.
  1. Hon. Bede Eke — Ministry of housing and urban planning.
  1. Dr. Sir. Chika Benson Abazu — Ministry of trade, commerce and Business.
  1. Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu — Ministry of water resources.
  1. Hon. Modestus Osakwe — Ministry of Homeland Security.
  1. Hon. Anyanwu Anselem Ezechinyere — Ministry of Budget and economic development.
  1. Barr. Emenike Ejikeme Chuks Major — Ministry of environment and sanitation.
  1. Hon. Onyeoha Obinna Evaristus — Ministry of sports and youth development.
  1. Chief Mrs. Ruby Emele — Ministry of local government development and chieftancy affairs.
  1. Hon. Ikenna Elezieanya — Ministry of Science/Technology/Innovation and Engineering.
  1. Chief C.O.C Akaolisa — Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Imo State.
  1. Hon. Chucks Okoro Nathan Chukwuemeka — Ministry of Finance.
  1. Chief Sir. Ifeanyi Oruh — Ministry of Rural Development and Empowerments.
  1. Hon. Ernest Ibejiako — Ministry of Industry and solid minerals.
  1. Barr. Godswill Chukwuemeka Mgbudem — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
  1. Dr. Prosper Ohayagha —Ministry of Health.
  1. Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo — Ministry of Special Duties
  1. Prof. Johncliff Nwadike — Ministry of Education.
  1. Barr. Jerry Egemba — Ministry of tourism, security and culture.
  1. Chief Nwabueze Oguchienti — Ministry of Power And Electrification.

Worker’s Day: Akpabio Says Tough Times Will Not Last Amidst FG, Labour Spat On Minimum Wage

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured workers in the country that the current tough times will soon be over. The prevailing economic hardship will soon give way for a better time, the former Akwa Ibom state governor said in his May Day celebrations to the Nigerian workers.

May 1 has been declared a public holiday in the country to celebrate the nation’s workers, the hewers of woods of the economy.

The labour force has rolled out drums to mark the day across the country with pomp and pageantry, despite the current economic hardship facing all Nigerians.

Ahead the celebration, the federal government had dashed their hopes of minimum wage increase by only offering 35 percent hike to some categories of workers.

The organized labour has bluntly rejected the offer.

The magazine reports that the Trade Union Congress, TUC, President Festus Osifo disclosed during the week that workers are demanding over N700,000 as minimum wage to enable them cope with the current economic realities in the country.

Amidst FG, labour disagreement Akpabio said the National Assembly and the Executive will ensure a better condition for workers by giving them a living wage.

The Senate President made this known on Wednesday in a statement signed  by Eseme Eyiboh his Special Advsier on Media and Publicity.

He explained that he has been part of the struggle with the workers for close to three decades, and will ensure that they get the best, adding that no worker will be allowed to work under excruciating conditions.

Akpabio said: “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions, we will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best.”

“On behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly and indeed, my family, I wish to join the world in wishing the Nigerian worker a happy International Labour Day” he said.

” We are celebrating patriotism, hardwork, commitment and dedication exhibited by the Nigerian workers.

” I want to assure you that your sacrifices would never be in vain,the tough times will not last forever, in fact, the challenges would soon be over.”

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

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

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
-
0

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
-
0

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
-
0

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

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Olumide Akpata

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
-
0
Senator Bassey Otu

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
-
0
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
-
0

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”.

1...1,3131,3141,315...3,101Page 1,314 of 3,101