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Why FG Paid Varsity Lecturers Half Salary In October – Chris Ngige

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chris Ngige
Chris Ngige

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has clarified that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) were paid for numbers of days they worked in the month of October.

ASUU had announced suspension of eight months old strike and directed members to resume work on 14th of last month.

Shedding light on half salary paid to the lecturers, government explained that they were paid pro-rata.

In a statement by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Saturday, the government noted that members of ASUU were paid  because they cannot be paid for work not done.

Payment of the lecturers salaries during the period of strike was among issues that caused delay in resumption by the lecturers.

The statement further clarified that the  Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, never directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salaries.

According to the statement,  “Following the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, asking ASUU to go back to work, the leadership of the union wrote to the Minister, informing him that they have suspended the strike.

“The Federal Ministry of Education wrote to him in a similar vein and our labour inspectors in various states also confirmed that they have resumed work.

“So, the Minister wrote to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, directing that their salaries should be restored.

“They were paid in pro-rata for the number of days that they worked in October, counting from the day that they suspended their industrial action. Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied.”

The ministry equally faulted a statement by the Chairperson of ASUU, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto branch, Muhammad N. Al-Mustapha, accusing the Minister of Labour and Employment,  Chris Ngige, of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of the union.

“Those obviously being referred to by the UDUS ASUU chairperson were members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association who abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU because they abhorred the incessant strikes by the union and its grave effects on medical education in Nigeria and production of more medical doctors.

“Accusing the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of ASUU, is a barefaced distortion of facts.

“Mustapha said he received information that a segment of the staff in the College of Health Sciences has been paid seven months of their withheld salaries from March to September, due to a letter written to the Minister of Finance, instructing the exemption of the under-listed staff on the application of ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule.

“To set the records straight, the medical lecturers who are being referred to by the Chairperson of the ASUU UDUS branch, abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU.

“This has been corroborated in a press statement by the Chairman, MDCAN UdUS, Dr B. Jubrin and Secretary, Dr I. G Ango, on Friday, November 4, 2022.”

Quoting from Dr Jubrin’s press statement, “Realising the emergency situation in the sub-region worsened by emerging public health threats, the medical and dental lecturers in UDUS decided to continue the academic activities during the ASUU strike to save our healthcare from total collapse.

“To this end, the UDUS medical lecturers agreed to conduct lectures and examinations during the period of the strike.

“In line with the provisions of the Labour Act, we wrote and sought the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, to ensure payment of our salaries.

“The Minister, having carefully reviewed our submission and that of the university management, obliged. This is not an act of favouritism as alleged by ASUU, UDUS branch leadership in their press statement.

“ASUU, UDUS branch, as an association, is expected to protect the interest of all her members and appreciate the differences or peculiarities of medical education.

“The ASUU can legitimately fight for its lawful rights without tramping on the rights of others who are also university staff. We hope that this response will put issues in proper perspective.”

Ekweremadu: Ohaneze Ndigbo Flays Hurried Court Ruling

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation,  has said ruling by a Federal High Court ordering forfeiture of some landed properties belonging to former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was too hasty.

The organization condemned the temporary forfeiture  order on 40 landed properties of the former Deputy Senate President, due to a suit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court on Friday, gave the order in an exparte motion filed by the EFCC to that effect.

According to the statement by Ohanaeze spokesperson, Dr Alex Ogbonnia on Saturday, Ekweremadu who is in the custody of the law enforcement agencies in London, the United Kingdom over his alleged attempt at organ harvesting of a minor was not given the opportunity to defend himself before the court of law, while EFCC served a hasty ex-parte motion.

Attached to the ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1242/2022, which was moved by a prosecutor at the EFCC, Ibrahim Buba, was an affidavit that identified the properties as the subject of an ongoing investigation.

EFCC told the court that the landed properties, 10 of which are located in Enugu, three in the United States of America, USA, two in the United Kingdom, UK, one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory, are suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime.

Reacting, the supreme Igbo group said the senator is undergoing travails in the UK and called on all Nigeria’s lawyers with good conscience to help him.

The statement reads, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide condemns the hasty judgment passed by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court to the effect that Sen. Prof. Ike Ekweremadu should forfeit his 40 landed properties.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a moral probity to state that a hasty exparte motion filed by the EFCC on a man who is undergoing some travails in the United Kingdom falls short of ethical standards and natural justice.

“We maintain that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu should be given the opportunity to defend himself on his properties; and if found wanting should surely face the consequences.

“We are aware that there are several allegations of corruption cases pending in the EFCC, but the urgency and selective judgment in the case of Ekweremadu is not only curious but indeed true to type.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on all the Nigerian legal luminaries of goodwill to intervene against gradual steps towards totalitarianism.”

2023: Why Mr Macaroni Shunned Tinubu And Backed Obi;  Say: “You Cannot Kill All Of Us”

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The Source
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Mr Macaroni Shunned Tinubu And Backed Obi

By Adesina Soyooye

In a week that the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, secured endorsements from a faction of Afenifere and Nollywood Actors of the Yoruba Genre, a popular Comedian, Actor and human rights  activist, Adebowale Adedayo, has shunned the APC candidate.

Popular as Mr Macaroni, Adedayo ran against the grain, and said he would vote for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Obi is the most accepted candidate of Nigerian youths, nationwide, most of whom have taken his campaign personal.

In a post on his twitter handle in response to the APC Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, who said whether Nigerians liked it or not, Tinubu would be the President in 2023, Mr Macaroni wrote

“I do not,  and will not campaign for politicians. I cannot force or beg any Nigerian to vote for a particular candidate, but come 2023, the person that I will cast my vote for is Peter Obi!! And that is final on thus matter!! Enough is enough!!!

He then tackled the APC Youth leader. He said; “The effrontery the APC Youth Leader has to come and  tell Nigerians that they do not have a choice in elections? What sort of arrogant stupidity is that? Is this the plan of APC

“You cannot kill all of us. The people reject tyrany.”

Macaroni was one of the leaders of the #EndSARS protest which rocked the Nation in 2020. Inexplicably, a good number of the youths hold Tinubu responsible for the alleged death of some of the protesting youths.

“I Will Nominate Obasanjo For Nobel Peace Prize” – Atiku

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Atiku Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo

By Adesina Soyooye

Presidential candidate of the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, says he will nominate former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo for the high profile Nobel Peace Prize.

Atiku’s decision stems from the peace which Obasanjo, a few days ago, brokered between waring Ethiopian factions thus bringing calm to the, otherwise, boiling African country.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Atiku celebrated Obasanjo and commended what he called the former President’s “extraordinary prowess.” Atiku  also, recommended to the Nigerian Government to put Obasanjo’s photograph on one of the three  denominations of  Naira notes – N200, N500, N1000 – billed for redesigning.

Celebrating Obasanjo’s  Ethiopian fit, Atiku said:

” I am not surprised. I know my boss. He did the same thing in Liberia and Sao Tome and Principe during our time in office.

“If for nothing else, he is most deserving of a  Nobel Peace Prize, and I will nominate him when enteries are open for nominations.

“Africa is blessed to have a statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials as Chief Obasanjo. A man whose image ought to be in the redesigned Naira note to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their Nation and Continent.”

Atiku was Obasanjo’s Vice President under the PDP Government between 1999 and 2007. Their second term in office was not smooth. Both of them fell out over allegations and counter-allegations against each other.

While Obasanjo accused Atiku of corruption and made a couple of fruitless efforts to remove him from office, Atiku accused Obasanjo of anti-democratic tendencies, and led the battle to abort Obasanjo’s third term aspiration.

However, in 2019, Obasanjo backed Atiku against President Muhammadu Buhari who he had backed in 2015. Atiku lost.

Against 2023, Obasanjo has not made public who he is backing. But his body language points to Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party.

Presidential Amnesty Programme Stays, As FG Shelves Planned Scrapping

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Presidential Amnesty Programme Stays, As FG Shelves Planned Scrapping

By Ayodele Oni

Hope of the people of the Niger Delta area of the country has been rekindled, following federal government’s decision to continue the implementation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP).

PAP, which was introduced in the wake of unrest in the Niger Delta area, where Nigeria’s oil is being explored, has benefitted several indigenes of the area through education abroad and other empowerment programme.

A new interim administrator, Major Gen, Barry Ndiomu, who was appointed about two months ago, had announced that his mission was to wind down PAP as federal government is no longer interested in its implementation.

The interim administrator, in a statement at the weekend, however, confirmed that the federal government has shelved plan to close PAP.

The statement, signed by media consultant, Donu Kogbara, expressed gratitude to the federal government for listening, when it was made clear that critical stakeholders in the region were opposed to winding down of PAP.

Ndiomu added that all responsible stakeholders nevertheless, support change and share view that the programme needs to be totally refocused and restructured.

He stated that government weighed the argument presented to it on merit and decided to suspend the planned shutdown.

According to him, the federal government’s willingness to retrace its step demonstrated the sensitivity of President Mohammadu Buhari’s led administration to issues affecting Niger Delta people.

” The federal government has heard the concerns of the Niger Delta people and with our best interest at heart, has decided  to shelve an earlier unwanted termination agenda and transform PAP into a more sanitized entity.

“The decision was taken after the feelings of stakeholders and people of the region were communicated to the government and proves that Buhari’s administration will not do anything to jeopardize the peace in Niger Delta.

“We call on Stakeholders to sustain the peace in the region and help the new administration reform, refocuss and reposition the programme for optimum performance.”

Jigawa: Farmers Lament Loses To Flooding, Demand Compensation From River Basin Authority

By
Ayodele Oni
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Jigawa Floods

By Ayodele Oni

Farmers in Jigawa state have blamed the management of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) for the huge loss suffered as a result of this year’s flooding.

The group of farmers demanded an immediate assessment of the damages caused by the flood and pay them compensation to sustain their production.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the Special Adviser to Governor Badaru Abubakar on Media, Malam Habibu Ringim said, the excess water released by the authority contributed in worsening the flooding around Hadejia river, which led to unprecedented loss of farm lands and houses in 11 local government areas of the state.

According to him, in a letter signed by the  Managing Director, Hadejia Jamare Mamun  and addressed to the Secretary Jigawa State Government on 9th August 2022, alerted the government and the public on  plan to release excess water from Tiga Dam.

He further explained that the flooding that occurred between August and September may not be unconnected to the release of the excess water by the Authority.

Malam Ringim pointed out that, the damaged caused by the flooding was  huge and farmers cannot bear the loss alone.

He added that there is need for the management of the River Basin Development Authority to pay compensation to the victims.

He also called on people of the state, including civil societies, to join hands in demanding from the HDJRBDA to look into the predicament of the farmers and pay compensation for their loss.

The Governor’s aide however expressed dismay on the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the management of the authority in managing the river, dams and other irrigation facilities.

He noted that the management for reasons best known to them, deny farmers enough water during the dry season farming, which sabotaged the federal government’s food policy, while discharging  excess water during raining season.

Ringim called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute the management of HJRBDA by bringing competent hands who can manage it effectively.

Jigawa is one of the states that is worst hit by flood this year, with over 140 reported deaths, 100,000 people displaced, hundreds hectares of farm lands destroyed and many public infrastructures.

Internet Fraudster, Hushpuppi, Not Sentenced Yet By USA Court; Date Is 7th November

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ramoni Igbalode, popularly known Hushpuppi

By Akinwale Kasali

International internet fraudster, and Social Media Celebrity, Ramon Abass, popular as Hushpuppi, is set to be sentenced by a United States of America Court on Monday 7th November, 2022.

On Friday, 4th November, the media was agog with a rumoured sentencing of Hushpuppi to 11 years in prison in the United States. But according to the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, the report is fake.

Hushpuppi is a Nigerian internet fraudster arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June 2020 and was extradited to the United States on July 3.

He was arrested for defrauding over 1.9 million people, majority of them,  Americans.

The 37 years old pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.

An earlier statement by the acting United States Attorney Tracy Wilkinson revealed that Hushpuppi and his accomplice faked the financing of a school by playing the roles of bank officials and creating a bogus website. He was also alleged to have bribed foreign officials to keep the elaborate pretence.

In October, 2022, the trial Judge, Otis Wright, of the US Central District Court in California postponed the sentencing to Monday, November 7, 2022.

“Counsels are notified, the sentencing is continued to November 7, 2022 at 11.30 am. as to Defendant Ramon Olorunwa Abbas,” the court announcement shifting the sentencing read.

2023: APC Crisis: Majority Leader, Ado Doguwa Skeptical About APC Winning Kano State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ado Doguwa Skeptical About APC Winning Kano State

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State may mar the Party from winning the State as the 2023 Presidential Election draws closer, Alhassan Ado Doguwa has warned.

Ado Doguwa, Majority Leader at the House of Representatives, warned the Party to put its house in order so as not to lose one of  most populous State in the country to opposition.

At a Press Briefing, the APC Chieftain said that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has left the structure of the Party in the State to those who are fanning the ember of hatred, thereby disorganizing the Party in the State.

The Lawmaker representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, questioned the loyalty of a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Murtala Garo, an in-law to the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, stressing that Governor Ganduje has governed the state well administratively, but those he left to manage the party have frustrated loyal members out of it.

He said, “It is my hope and it is the hope of the APC people in Nigeria that Bola (Tinubu) can be able (sic) to discharge his duties; that Bola can be able (sic) to consolidate the gains earlier laid down by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I want to say today without any fear of contradiction; without any fear of intimidation; without any fear of any quarter or any authority anywhere that there is fire on the mountain as far as the APC is concerned in Kano State. There is fire on the mountain – I repeat, there is fire on the mountain. This is the right time to say it because we have been going through a silent crisis especially in the area of party administration and politicking with a lot of intrigues and exclusion of members.

“Management and administration of the party is being done exclusively by a few members of the party who are, by all standing, not supposed to handle what they are handling in the APC. I want to say for the purpose of clarification that I am talking about party politics in Kano; in our party, the APC”.

CBN: Adeboye Slams Apex Bank, Says Naira Can’t Buy A Loaf Of Bread

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has described the recent decision of the CBN to redesign the Naira as unnecessary, saying what should be the focus of the federal government now is how to help suffering Nigerians from hunger.

Why focus on redesigning naira when it cannot even buy a loaf of bread, the cleric said.

The CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele while defending the apex bank’s decision to redesign the naira, said the aim is to reduce the currency in circulation and tackle inflation.

Not a few Nigerians disagreed with him while others support what the CBN is doing. For instance, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed said the action portends a serious fiscal problem for the country, while President Muhammadu Buhari said the apex bank has his full backing to change the current design of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.

Speaking on Friday during the November Holy Ghost Service held at the church headquarters in Ogun state, Adeboye said the government should focus on strengthening the naira value with other foreign currencies.

According to the respected man of God, it’s a misplaced priority for the CBN to redesign the currency while it continues to fall in value. CBN should rather focus on what the currency can buy, Adeboye said.

At the end of business on Friday, the naira was exchanged for over N850  to the American dollar.

He said the redesign of the currency “doesn’t even make sense anymore. Our naira now is not even worth the paper it is printed on”.

“And while people are hungry, trying to find enough money to buy bread to eat, our bosses are thinking of making the naira more beautiful, even if it can’t buy bread, at least, it will look beautiful. Oh Lord, have mercy.

“We have problems in the land now. Things seem to be getting funnier and funnier. If you don’t learn to laugh in Nigeria now, you will develop hypertension,” Adeboye said.

CIBN, LBS Move To Stop Professionals Moving Abroad To Study

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

By Sandra Ukele

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, and the Lagos Business School have collaborated to stem the tide of highly skilled Nigerians moving abroad to study.

The aim of the partnership is to introduce executive courses to enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of professionals, especially in the banking industry.

The executive program offers participants dual certification in Master of Business Administration/ Associateship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria and Senior Management Program / Associateship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria, ACIB.

Speaking during the signing of the agreement on Friday, the 2nd Vice President CIBN Dele Alabi said what young Nigerians are searching for abroad is now right at their doorsteps.

He said the exodus of Nigerians abroad is an embarrassment that must be stopped at all costs, adding that the partnership between the CIBN and LBS is targeted at equipping Nigerians with the requisite skills to enhance their career and become more effective in their workplace.

Alabi said, “Eighty percent of Nigerians travel to countries such as the U.K and Canada for higher studies. We believe that with this program they don’t need to travel out of the country; they don’t need to leave the country to achieve the same objective.

“The program will significantly reduce the level of attrition we have seen; the level of movement of young Nigerians across Europe and Americas. This is because whatever they are seeking to achieve there they can have in the local environment with this program.

“So the partnership between the CIBN and the LBS will give Nigerians the advantage to go to LBS and obtain MBA get Senior Management Program and get the qualifications.”

The CIBN had organized a similar program with the Bangore University U.K, but decided to bring the program home to benefit more Nigerians, the Institute said.

Accordingly, the MBA Program is expected to equip participants with a detailed understanding of how to do business in complex and dynamic markets, while the SMP is a dynamic program where business professionals share ideas on the economy, business trends, and best practices.

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