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Continued ASUU Strike: NANS Declares Operation Test Run, To Ground Nigeria For Three Hours Daily

By
Ayodele Oni
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University Students

By Ayodele Oni

Frustrated and tired of continued stay at home, universities students are set to confront the federal government over its passive response to continued strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU).

ASUU leadership had on Monday extended its strike by another three months after completion of over two months no work order.

The students under the eagis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) are set to paralyse economic activities and ground commercial activities nationwide to compel government to meet demands of the striking lecturers.

NANS President, Sunday Asefon condemned what he described as government’s lack of concern and empathy to the plight of parents, who are direct victims of the continued ASUU strike.

Asefon, in a statement, declared that “The 3months extension of the strike is totally condemned. The failure of the government to reach agreement with ASUU underscores their lack of concern and empathy to the plight of the common men and women of our nation who couldn’t afford private tertiary institutions.

“Having exhausted all window of constructive engagement with the government. I, on behalf of the national leadership of NANS therefore declare National Action from tomorrow 10th.

“The National  Actions is tagged “Operation Test Run” Operation Test Run shall be held in all the 36 State of the Federation. Federal Roads across the 36 States shall be occupied for a minimum of 3hrs.

“The Operation shall be a precursor to a total shutdown that will be decided during our Senate meeting/pre-convention on Saturday 14th May 2022. Our decision from the pre-convention be binding.

“The action shall be total as the extension of the ASUU strike is a direct declaration of war by the Federal Government against university students in Nigeria.

“Our proposal to congress on the 14th shall be total blockage of the airport roads across the country and total disruption of political party primaries, blockage of the national assembly until they are committed to passing legislation banning public office holders from sending their children to university abroad.

“We therefore advise divisive elements or paid agents of government to stay clear of our actions as the consequences shall be severe.

“By this release, all JCC Chairmen, Zonal Leaderships and Stakeholders are directed to act appropriately and ensure total compliance to the directive of “Operation Test Run” Shut down the Federal Roads in Your State, the nation must feel the heat.

“I therefore call on NLC, TUC and Civil Society organisation to join us to savage the remaining crackers of our public tertiary education in Nigeria. Let me assure you, I will lead from the front.”

2023: Calls For Buhari’s ‘ Third Term’ Intensify

By
James Orji
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President Muhammadu Buhari

By James Orji

Plan to keep President Muhammadu Buhari in office beyond 2023 appears to be gaining traction, watchers of political events in the country have said.The incumbent’s tenure expires next year by which time he would have completed the statutory two terms as commander in chief.
But its seems some vested forces are planning to elongate the president’s tenure beyond what is specified in the constitution, insiders who are familiar  with the issue told the magazine, at a time some politicians are already campaigning to take over power from him next.

Buhari has, however,  promised not to stay in office beyond next year.

An elder statesman, Chief Robert Clarke, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN said on Monday that Buhari can remain in office beyond next year, citing the security situation in the country as a reason. According to him, the president can extend his tenure to tackle an emergency, noting that the prevailing security situation will not allow for a seamless election in the country next year.
Clarke made the assertion on the heels of an earlier call by Afe Babalola, another senior advocate that next year’s election should be suspended, while Buhari hands over power to an Interim National Government, ING. Babalola said the ING must be in office for six months to organise a credible election for the country.
The only elected president that tried to extend his tenure in office is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He failed in what is now famously known as the third term saga.
Stating his position, Clarke said Buhari must tackle the menace of Boko Haram, bandits, kidnapping before organising a fresh election in the country, noting that this cannot be achieved within the few months before the scheduled 2023 election.
Clark who spoke on Arise Television argued that the months preceding the 2023 elections are not sufficient to put an end to the insecurity, making the conduct of election possible.
He maintained that the Constitution provides that the President can extend his tenure for six months, in the first instance, if he feels that conditions are not good to carry out elections.
He argued that it’s an erroneous belief that the President cannot stay in office for more than eight years of two tenure, saying the President can extend his tenure by at least six months to take care of a national emergency.
According to him,: “The Constitution provides that the President can stay longer than eight years. I’ve always said it. It is in the Constitution. If the situation in which we’re in now continues, and it is impossible to vote in the 2023 election, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President will write INEC in view of all insurgencies, in view of kidnappings, in view of Boko Haram, I don’t think in these different areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.
“The Constitution says I am going to stay for six months and in the first instance. So, the fact that the Constitution says the president cannot stay for more than eight years is wrong. Because the same constitution says he can be giving himself six six months if those conditions persist.

“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within a period of six months from today or before February next year when the elections will be held.
“The alternative then is for Mr. President to continue as president, allow the security watches to carry up the mopping up and Nigeria will become stable.”
He explained that the security situation in the country is sending investors away, adding that Nigeria could collapse if these problems are not resolved before any election is held.
He said: “Because I swear to God Almighty, without stability in Nigeria, without security, Nigeria is going nowhere. No foreigner will bring his money and put in any business in Nigeria, when he knows that any of his expatriates who are sent to Nigeria can be kidnapped at any time. So, until all these things are sorted out, I don’t see any green light.”
“If nothing happens before the elections, God forbids, this country will be in flames,” Clarke warned.
He explained that the country has been mismanaged since the return to democracy in 1999.
He added: “I am 84 years old, and I can assure you I’ve had the best time in my life, both in my legal practice, in my social life, in every aspect of life, but I can assure you, that those days are gone by. Since 1999, I have not been a happy man, the way and manner Nigeria has been moved.
“For instance, look at our first President, Obasanjo with due respect. What was the first negative act he did? I want a third term. Can you imagine? But he says, oh, it’s not me who wants it, is my friend who are asking me to go for a third term.
“That is how we started 1999 constitution by looking for loopholes to breach the Constitution. I don’t see any green light for Nigeria. And if we’re not careful, if we’re not careful…the only consolation is this.”

NIMASA DG Harps On Harmonisation Of Regional Ports State Control

By
James Orji
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Bashir Jamoh

By James Orji

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that the growth potential and high expectations of maritime stakeholders for the industry would only be realized through the development of a system of harmonized Port State Control inspection procedures for West and Central Africa.

He made the assertion while addressing Chief Executives of all Maritime Administrations signatory to the Abuja MoU at the International Maritime Organization, IMO organized workshop on Port State Control for West and Central African Region. The IMO partners the Memorandum of Understanding, Abuja MoU, in organizing the regional workshop for heads of maritime administrations in Lagos.

Dr. Jamoh, who was represented by the Agency’s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed, identified the importance of effective Port State Control systems to the efficient running of member states’ Maritime Administrations.

According to him, “As we all know, Port State Control provisions are featured in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provision under the duties and responsibilities of Flag states, Coastal states and Port states and it is also highlighted under enforcement in all major IMO and some ILO conventions.

This function entails the enforcement of applicable conventions of the IMO and ILO that have been cascaded down to us as signatory states for domestication through our national laws.”He added that: “It would interest you to know that NIMASA executes four legal instruments in keeping with our international obligations – The Merchant Shipping Act; the NIMASA Act; the Cabotage Act and the most recent being the SPOMO Act for the suppression of piracy and other maritime offences.”

While declaring NIMASA’s unflinching commitment to Abuja MoU in it’s focus for reduction of substandard ships, curbing marine pollution and ensuring good working conditions of crew members onboard ships within member states waters Jamoh urged 22 member countries of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Abuja MoU) to improve on their financial contributions to the organisation

Also speaking at the event was the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, who represented the Vice Chairman of Abuja MoU and Honourable Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, commended the organizers of the training/workshop for their commitment to developing the most critical resource of all, that being the human element.

On his part, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren identified the need for continuous capacity building and networking initiatives in order to gain the support of top maritime administrations, MARADS thereby promoting productive working relationships which would in turn, benefit the maritime industries in member states as well as collectively.

Captain Umoren, disclosed that only 14 countries are presently conducting inspections in the region, and called for a Campaign for effective inspection regime with focus on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). He said detentions are not the best parameters to measure port state control efficiency.

The Abuja MoU is one of the 9 Regional MoUs and 1 national MoU established pursuant to IMO Resolution A.682(17) of 1991. The Organization operates under a Cooperative Agreement with the IMO and was established on 22nd October 1999 as an inter-governmental body comprising maritime administrations of countries abutting the Atlantic coast of Africa.

 

Oyo Government Reintroduces History in Public Schools’ Curriculum

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Oyo State History

By Akinwale Kasali

The Oyo State Government has prioritized the need for students to be abreast of the historical background of the nation and its heritage by reintroducing History, as a subject, in Public Schools curriculum.

The State Ministry of Education has mandated all Public Primary Schools in the State to immediately implement the teaching of History as an independent subject starting from this term (3rd term) of the 2021/2022 academic session.

Nureni Aderemi, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, made this disclosure  on Monday, while monitoring schools’ resumption in Ibadan.

Adeniran who applauded the massive turnout of pupils in public primary schools, said the reintroduction of History is in line with the new education policy of the State Government, and it would make the cultural heritage of the nation not to go into extinction.

He applauded the leadership of Universal Basic Education Commission, Abuja, for the technical support received, as well as the supply of textbooks.

Over Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and fifty (4,950) history textbooks are being distributed to public primary schools state-wide, he said, adding that this will give pupils a proper understanding of the Nation’s history.

He hinted that the curriculum would enable pupils to appreciate history as an instrument of national integration, adding that it would allow students to know the history of the country.

Adeniran, an Educationist, who dazzled OYOSUBEB staff members and teachers by teaching pupils, said he was optimistic that the curriculum would equip the younger generations with the knowledge of the past.

The OYOSUBEB Boss said that the importance of history to nation building, patriotism and human development could not be overemphasized.

Meanwhile, he equally appreciated the Heads of Public Primary schools across the State who have commenced academic activities immediately, saying idleness of teachers or pupils would not be tolerated.

Continuing the monitoring exercise alongside other members of the board expressed satisfaction with the situation they met at some schools visited, compared to the turnout of pupils last week.

The Chairman, however, called on other parents, whose children are yet to return to schools to kindly ensure they do so without hesitation, as academic activities have commenced.

The Executive Chairman and his team monitored schools across Local Governments in Ibadan and Ibadan less city.

My Govt Will Accord Women Adequate Recognition – Anyim; Says It Is PDP Tradition

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

PDP Presidential aspirant, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has assured Nigerian women that they would be adequately recognized if he becomes president in 2023.

Anyim stated this in Minna, capital of Niger State while answering to complaints of marginalization of women in Nigeria, during his consultative visit to the state.

He described women as one of the critical groups in Nigeria he intends to mainstream into governance next year.

The former President of the Senate shared with the frustrations of Nigerian over the inadequate recognition given them.

The Peoples Democratic front runner said women in Nigeria are educated, experienced and very hardworking but regretted that they have not been given opportunities to showcase their skills.

He reminded women that the PDP is their traditional ally and that the setback women have suffered was because PDP lost power in 2015.

According to Anyim, mainstreaming the women would be one of the ways he intends to bring back the good old days of PDP which, he said, Nigerians have been yearning for since 2015.

Said Anyim: “If you look at the Nigerian women, they are very educated; they are well trained but they are not exposed to opportunities.

“I will say, why should a woman be worried when I am coming to run a PDP government?

“In the last PDP Government, a woman was the Coordinating Minister of the economy and Minister of Finance.

“A woman was Minister of Petroleum, a woman was Minister of Aviation”, the Presidential aspirant recalled.

Anyim, therefore, urged women to vote for him in the forthcoming PDP primaries and also during the main presidential election next year to regain their glory and gain more recognition.

2023 Presidency: Orji Kalu Backs Senate President Lawan, Quits Race; Picks Senate Form

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Orji Uzor Kalu and Ahmed Lawan

By Adesina Soyooye

In an about-turn, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has decided not to back any Presidential aspirant from the South East, South West or South South.

Orji who has officially quit the Presidential race, and picked the Senatorial aspiration form, said he decided to back “his roommate and boss,” Senate President Ahmed Lawan because he is from the North East. He identified the North East as the only Zone, aside from the South East which has not produced Nigeria’s President.

Explaining why he quit the Presidential race, Kalu said it was because neither the APC nor the PDP zoned the Presidential seat to the South East.

On why he decided to go back to the Senate, he said in a statement he released in Abuja on Monday that he wanted to complete the job he started in the Senate for his constituency, Abia North.

Kalu: “I have also picked ticket to run for Abia North Senatorial zone to complete the good work I started in Abia North.

“I congratulate my friend, former roommate and boss , Sen. Ahmad Lawan, as he picks form to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under our great party, APC.

“I am most glad because he is from the North East , the only zone alongside South East that is yet to produce President of Nigeria.

“I have always maintained an unambiguous stand that for justice, equity and fairness in our country, the next President of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari should come from the South East or the North East.

“I have also told Nigerians that I would only run for President if the two major political parties, APC and PDP zone their tickets to the South East.

“That is why I was disappointed with our Southern brothers who are talking about fairness and equity but has zero tolerance for the same fairness and equity in the South.

“In the absence of a South Easterner being President of Nigeria in 2023, I have my full support for a North Easterner.

“This is because it would be the closest to the equity, fairness and Justice everyone is talking about. It further means that the justice is on its way to the South East.

“I urge all my friends, allies and supporters in the APC to toe the line of justice by supporting Sen. Ahmad Lawan, a North Easterner for the presidential ticket of the APC.”

Until in the last few days, the South had taken it for granted that the APC had zoned the office of the President to the South.

2023: You Cannot Shave Jonathan’s Head In His Absence – Reno Omokri

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Reno Omokri

By Adesina Soyooye

A social and political critic, Reno Omokri, has mocked those who are castigating Jonathan or mocking him for allegedly picking the N100m Presidential Forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in order to run for the Presidential office in 2023.

Reacting to the news which broke out on Monday that Jonathan had defected to the APC, Reno told them in a tweet that they cannot shave Jonathan’s head in his absence.

He laughed at them for being easily manipulated, and told them to read in between the lines.

Omokri, a former Presidential Spokesman under Jonathan said for  him, two things are clear. He would continue to follow Jonathan. And  he would never be on the same page with the APC.

He said he was not in any dilemma over the news which on Monday spread like wild fire in a harmattan season.

Reno: “To those who think I am in a dilemma, just be patient. You will all be so disappointed with yourselves and your premature celebration when you see my next tweet.

“I am, after all, the #TableShaker!

“You guys are so easy to manipulate. They just yank your chain and you drink kunu.

“First of all, to whet your appetite, let me say that under the rain and under the sun, I will follow Jonathan.

“Secondly, I can’t ever be one with APC.

“Thirdly, nobody can shave HE @GEJonathan’s head in his absence. Read between the lines.”

A group of Northerners, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, had on Monday,  purchased the forms for Jonathan, thus, sparking the viral news that Jonathan has defected to the APC.

However, Jonathan has vehemently denied knowledge of the forms, or authorising that the firms be bought for him.

A statement released Monday night, and signed by his Media Adviser, Ike Eze,  said:

“It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential  Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress (the APC), in his name.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.

“We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizens’ participation in the affairs of the country.”

2023: “I Have Been Insulted” – Jonathan; Denies Group Which Bought Him Presidential Forms

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a former President of Nigeria, has reacted angrily to the purchasing of the N100m Presidential Forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for him by a Northern Group in his name.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Spokesperson, Ike Eze, Jonathan said with his status, the very thought that somebody would surreptitiously buy the APC Presidential Form for him is insulting.

Said the statement: “Buying a Presidential form in the name of Dr Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person. The general public is, therefore, advised to disregard it.”

The news which not a few Nigerians found worrisome broke Monday evening that a group of Northerners had purchased the forms for Jonathan to contest the Presidency under the APC.

Paid into an APC Heritage bank account in two tranches of N70, 000m and N30m, the receipts of payment were flaunted before the Media.

The Social Media went “crazy” with the story, with many claiming that the former President has already defected to the APC, and declared interest to run, to the consternation  and embarrassment of his supporters, admirers and associates who felt the move was belittling.

But it turns out that Jonathan neither authorised the Group, nor had any knowledge of their provocative action which many now think was meant to embarrass him.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it. We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intention clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.”, said the statement.

It reads in full:

“It has come to our notice that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential  Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress APC, in the name of former  President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

“We want to state that if the former President wanted to contest an election, he would make his intentions clear to the public and will not enter through the back door.

“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.

“Buying a presidential aspiration form in the name Dr. Jonathan without his consent, knowing the position he had held in this country, is considered an insult to his person.

“The general public is therefore advised to disregard it.”

The speculation has been on for months that Jonathan was being positioned by the Powers-that-be in the North to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari. The attraction to him, it is said was to get back power for the North after Jonathan’s four years in office.

While not a few people doubted that the Jonathan they know will fall for that bait, the speculation was given a wing to fly when Dr Reuben Abati, former Jonathan’s Presidential spokesperson, posted that the former President was  set to join the race under the APC.

Abati’s post was not denied by Jonathan, which many felt was a mistake. The climax is the purchase of the forms on Monday by a Northern Group which this medium was told both shocked and embarrassed Dr Jonathan.

Jonathan was Nigeria’s President for six years. His second term bid was truncated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, propelled by unprecedented propaganda, and in connivance with most of Jonathan’s Party men from the North who desperately wanted power back to the North.

He has since become a global icon for the peaceful manner he handled his failure to secure a second term, especially, in the face of many provocations.

Shocking: Northern Group Picks APC Presidential Form For Jonathan

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

Jonathan has not yet declared for the APC, and it is not yet known if the Northern Group which purchased the Presidential forms did so with his support and knowledge. But it would be a sight to behold to see Jonathan scramble for delegates’ votes with the many APC aspirants, most of them, his subordinates when he was President

In a move that has, at once, both confounded and shocked the Nation, a Northern Group, in the afternoon of Monday, May 9, picked the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group, according to a breaking story by Daily Trust, paid and picked the forms for the former President, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Jonathan has not yet defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC. It is not known, yet, if the Group picked the forms with the support and/or connivance of Jonathan.

But it comes on the same day the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and  the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipere Sylva, also picked forms and/or had it delivered to them by associates, thus registering their names in the already very crowded Presidential field.

Fulani Group and Jonathan Form Bank

It is not known if Jonathan will fall for the bait and accept the forms, but it will be a sight to behold if, and when, Jonathan stands and struggles for votes with other APC aspirants, many of them his subordinates when he was President.

Dr Jonathan was the President of Nigeria under the PDP from 2008- May 29, 2015. He was swept out of office by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2915. Before he became President, Jonathan was the Vice President under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, whose tenure he completed.

Before then, he was the Governor of Bayelsa State where he also served as Deputy Governor, all under the PDP.

How Amaechi Transferred Rivers $50m To Private Business – Wike; Says Tonye Cole Must Account For It

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, of transferring a whopping sum 50 million Dollars belonging to the State to the bank accounts of a privately owned company – Sahara Energy.

Wike alleged that Amaechi sold off Rivers State’s concerns – Turbines and Olympia Hotel – for the sum of $50 million Dollars, and transferred same to Sahara Energy which belongs to Tonye Cole. Wike, also, insisted that Cole is Amaechi’s business partner.

Cole is the consensus Governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 election. But Wike insists that Amaechi is planting Cole, his business partner, so that the two of them would sell the State.

The Governor  is a Presidential aspirant on the banner of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, just as Amaechi is also a Presidential aspirant under the APC.

However, Wike has sent a message to Cole over the $50m.

Speaking at St Cyprain Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, May 8, 2022, daring a Thanksgiving Service, Wike said whoever knows Cole should tell him that he must account for the money.

Speaking on Amaechi, Wike said: “You, Amaechi,  think you can sell this State? The former Governor thinks he can bring his business partner, after you have sold all our Gas Turbines, Olympia Hotel, collected our  $50 million cash.

“He, Cole, must account for the $50 million they took from our account. Whoever knows him should tell him. $50 million was taken from Rivers State Access Bank account and transferred to Sahara Energy account.

“And, I asked them what is the job you people did for Rivers State. Can I see the contract paper? Did you people loan us money?”

Wike who fought the battle for Amaechi to become Governor, was Amaechi’s Chief of Staff. But both of them have since fallen out very badly. They are no longer in the same party, as Amaechi has since defected to the APC.

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