There are indications that the nation may face scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, in the coming days as oil workers have been ordered to down tools nationwide.
Oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, were ordered by the association to vacate their duty posts with immediate effect.
The order was issued in a letter, dated November 8, 2020, and signed by the General Secretary, PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, which was also copied to the Central Working Committee Members of the association.
Okugbawa revealed in Abuja that the strike was to kick against the failure of the government to make any concrete move as regards the differences between PENGASSAN and government on matters bordering on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
It also stated that the government has always paid lip service to their demands, prompting PENGASSAN to take actions and show the Government that they aren’t pushovers in anyway.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced that no journalists or supporters would be allowed into the stadium for Nigeria’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State.
The reasons for this order are due to the Covid-19 Pandemic that halted the funfair of the game this past few months.
In a statement, the Director, Communications, of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,, Ademola Olajire, said that CAF instructed, under Media Operations, that there would be no mixed zone in the guidelines communicated to the NFF.
Olajire added that there would be a virtual news conference, if possible for media officers from both teams only, and that only the TV channels with the rights will be allowed flash interviews.
”Also, only photographers of participating teams would be allowed at the match venue.
”The above puts to rest all previous speculations regarding having spectators at the match venue, and whether members of the media would be allowed into the arena,” he said.
The statement further quoted NFF’s Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode, as saying that only individuals accredited by the NFF would be allowed inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the Day 3 qualifier, which will kick off at 5pm Nigeria time on Friday, Nov. 13.
The Super Eagles has, however, commenced training in preparation for the match, with the invited players arriving before the Tuesday deadline given to the players by Coach Gernot Rohr.
Following the recent arrest, witch-hunting and freezing of accounts of promoters of the #EndSARS protesters, high handedness, the United Nations has weighed in, and condemned the action, saying it is against the fundamental human rights of the people.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN, Amina Mohammed, a Nigerian, on Monday, said that everyone has a right to demonstrate peacefully and make some demands from their government without being intimidated or harassed.
Mohammed, who was a former Minister of Environment in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration before her appointment, also said that the recent protest against Police brutality embarked upon by youths was a lesson for the future, especially on how the young ones should be engaged on such issues.
Speaking to State House Correspondents, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mohammed said there was a launch of the UN Plus Offer, aimed at supporting the Economic Sustainability Plan.
Asked the position of the UN on the #EndSARS protest, she said, “The UN stance is clear like the UN Secretary-General had said in his speech, we believe everyone has a right to demonstrate peacefully for those issues they want to raise with their government.
“There is a social contract in place between the government and the people and it is important to have that freedom of speech provided it is done peacefully.
“I think in the case where we heard that lives and property were lost, it was unfortunate and we believe that in addressing the demands that were made by young people, perhaps this is a lesson we can take into the future and how we engage in such issues.
“I have to say that there are a lot of protests around the world that have been exacerbated by COVID because, COVID has left people out of work, left people hopeless because of the socio-economic impact.
“And in many of those protests, we have not seen government turn around in response as quickly as this government did. So, the UN response to this is that we must make sure that what happened in this protest, we are able to address those issues, those gaps, and begin the reform.
“In fact, I will say the transformations that are needed to address many of these outstanding issues and for that, we need to engage youths, we need to engage government. I think what has been put in place are those building blocs and the support of the UN has been asked to make sure that that convenience can happen.
“And that we can build back trust and have confidence-building measures in order to get to where we need, to where the social contract between the government and the people is firm, trustworthy and working for the benefits of the Nigerian people.”
On some of the discussions with the President, she said,” We did raise while we were with Mr. President the issue around the recent challenges of EndSARS protests that happened in the country and the alleged witch Hunt of promoters of the protests. We all are alarmed and of course, support the country in trying to get back on track.
“Young people and their demands for social justice, good governance are all legitimate ones and must be done peacefully. But we were all disturbed by the damage level, loss of lives and we continue to condole with those families who suffer those losses.
“Today was one in which we encourage efforts that are being made by the government to that process of engaging with the demands that have been made by the young people. It’s a start on that journey of reforms that are needed in the security sector but also root causes to the issues that are happening today, which is about investing in development.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the government of Nigeria. We are happy today (yesterday) to launch the UN Plus Offer, which has to do again with supporting Economic Sustainability Plan over the next two years so that we can respond a little bit better”, she concluded.
There are indications that Local Governments’ Development Councils abolished in Ekiti state, during the immediate past administration of Governor Ayo Fayose, may return.
At the twilight of his first term, Governor Kayode Fayemi, approved the creation of additional local government development councils which took off, but were scrapped at the inception of the administration of Fayose in 2014.
Again, on Monday, Dr Fayemi approved the setting up of a committee to look into the creation of Local Government Councils Development Areas in the state.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, this is in a bid to bring government nearer to the people, and ensure more rapid development in the rural areas in line with the administration’s five- pillar development agenda.
The 13-Member Committee has Mr. Segun Oluwole as Chairman, with representative of National Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE), and Ministry of Justice as members.
The Committee’s Terms of Reference include the review of the Local Government Development Council Law, Ekiti State 2014, and make recommendations on its relevance in view of current legal developments in Ekiti State
It will consult extensively with the communities where LCDA Secretariats were created by the Local Government Development Council Law, Ekiti State, 2014, and make recommendations on their current economic viability and suitability with a view to ensuring uniformity, equity, fairness across the Local Government Areas.
According to the statement, it is expected to recommend to the state government practical steps for the creation of Local Council Development Areas out of the existing 16 Local Government Areas in Ekiti State .
The Committee has three months to submit its report to the Governor.
Worried by their conditions of service and Government’s alleged nonchalant attitude, Resident Doctors at the University Of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Ondo State, on Monday, began indefinite strike.
They are, also, unhappy about non payment of salaries and COVID-19 allowances.
The doctors had, on Sunday, last week, embarked on a three-day warning strike which expired on Tuesday, with a threat that they would embark on a full, and indefinite strike on Monday to press home their demands.
According to them, they would only consider returning to work when their salaries and allowances are paid.
Addressing newsmen at the Teaching Hospital complex in Akure, the state capital on Monday, Acting President of Association of Resident Doctors, UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Dr. Oriyomi Sanni , disclosed that the hospital is short of staff.
“We are short staffed, the Resident Doctors have been reduced in some of the departments. With this development, some of the doctors would have to do back to back calls. This is detrimental to our health. It is also not considered safe for the patients, we are treating because we easily get overwhelmed.
“We have been working without House Officers, coupled with the fact that we are shorts-staffed. We are saying no to all these.
“The issue of COVID-19 hazard allowance compared to what is being received in other states, we only received allowance for the month of June, and 30 per cent of basic salary as against what we agreed with the Government when we had series of meetings.
“Resident Doctors are supposed to be residing in the hospital, but at present, we don’t reside in the hospital. We are left to search for accommodation on our own.
“Some of our members shuttle between Ondo and Akure complexes on daily basis without allowance paid for this.
“Having persevered and cared for our patients, rendering our services, our salaries are not being paid. We are owed up to the tune of four and a half months salaries.
“We are finding it difficult to meet up with our obligations in our different homes. We can no longer pay our children’s school fees, we cannot cater for our families.
“After the warning strike, all we have been getting before now are series of promises and pleas which do not translate to solving the problems at hand.
“We have been left with no other option than to commence an indefinite strike today.
“So, we are calling on both the Management of the hospital, and the State Government, that they should come up with solutions to all these challenges. The most paramount is the issue of our salaries.
“We have issued the minimum demand for which this strike would be suspended or called off, at least our January salary shortfall must be paid, the June and August salaries must be paid. Though we are yet to receive September and October salaries.
“Some of our members were being harassed by law enforcement agents during COVID-19 lockdown because we do not have any means of identification.
“It is not in our interest, or interest of our patients to embark on this strike. It’s just that we have become helpless and could not cope.”
These are not the best of times for the Treasurer of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO Branch, Mr Uche Nwokeji.
A colleague of his, Mr Edison Ugwumba, has dragged him, along with the late Chairman of the Association, Franklin Mathews, before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
In the petition to the ICPC, Ugwumba is alleging embezzlement, mismanagement, and misappropriation of SSANU’s funds by the two to the tune of N110 million within a period of four years.
In the petition addressed to the Chairman of the ICPC, titled: Petition for embezzlement of the sum of N118 million by SSANU Treasurer, Mr Uche Nwokeji, Ugwumba accused Nwokeji and the late Mathews of running the finances of the Association without due process, and contrary to its constitution.
Not only are the finances shrouded in secrecy, he accused both officials of spending the Union’s money without approval of either the Branch Executive Council, or the Congress Members.
He wrote: The late Chairman and the Treasurer singlehandedly purchased a 2004 model Toyota Highlander official vehicle at an inflated cost of N7 million, when the market price of the vehicle was about N2.5million. In addition, they have failed and neglected to pay welfare benefits to members for the past four years.
“I was reliably informed that he, (Nwokeji), freely transfers money from the Union account into his personal account, from where he disbursed cash.
” Last month, I was reliably informed that the Union received a deposit of the sum of N13 million check-out dues acruable to the Union, as deducted by the Federal Government, vide IPPIS platform. The treasurer fraudulently lied by telling the branch executive that what the union received was the sum of N9million. And the Treasurer went ahead to withdraw the sum of N9 million from the union without the knowledge, approval or written consent of the Acting Chairman.”
The substantive Chairman, Mathews, died in June, 2020.
In Obinze, Owerri-West, Imo state, there are palpable fear, apprehension and tension over the gruesome murder of the Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the State.
The bloody, butchered, body of Alhaji Yaya Haruna, was found, sprawled on floor in Obinze, Imo State, on Saturday.
There were matches cuts all over his body, including his face, chest and neck. He was given no chance of survival. One of his arms was, almost, completely, cut off from the wrist.
The sub-urban community is one of the host communities of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, as well as the host community of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army.
For several years, the Community has been home to Herdsmen, most of who speak Igbo language fluently. There have, also, been inter-tribal marriages between the Igbo and Hausa Community in the area.
While investigations are on, his immediate younger brother, Alhaji Usaini Haruna, pointed accusing fingers at their cousin, Sali Musa.
He revealed that Musa had been threatening to kill him and his, now, murdered elder brother, in order to take over their cattle.
Both the Sirki Hausawa at the 34 Artillery Brigade, Alhaji Saki Bello, and the Sirki of the Northerners in Imo, Alhaji Waziri Baba Suleiman, expressed shock at the murder.
Suleiman said the late Haruna had been, mostly, responsible for the peaceful co-existence between Cattle Breeders and Imo State indigenes and residents.
In 1960 when the then Vice President Richard Nixon contested the presidential election against Senator John F. Kennedy, the election was very close. Two states were very contentious.
Nixon narrowly lost the states of Illinios and Texas. He was advised to contest the results of Illinios and Texas. He refused, and rather called JFK and conceeded the election.
He later wrote in his memoirs the reason why he did not contest the result of the election.
He said that if he had contested the result of the election, two things were possible. It was either he was right or he was wrong.
He said that if his complaint was right, he would have become the President, and in doing so, he would have destroyed the myth of the invincibility of the American electoral system. According to him, that situation would have destroyed the moral standing of the United States in the eyes of those smaller countries who looked up to the United States as a beacon of democracy.
And, if he was wrong, people will look at him as a sore loser which will make it impossible for him to have another chance in the future.
This was the mistake Al Gore made in 2000 which ended his political career. That is the mistake Donald Trump is making now.
After 1960, Richard Nixon became the shinning star of the Republican Party. He led their charge for the White House in 1964. He campaigned across the country with Barry Goldwater who was their candidate in that election. Even though they lost the election to the incumbent President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, his national credentials were unparalleled.
In 1966 he helped the Republican Party to take over the two house of Congress.
Dr. Goodluck-Jonathan
He was elected President in 1968 and was re-elected in 1972 with a record electoral college votes. Unfortunately, he had to resign in 1974 as a result of the Watergate Scandal.
Another good example is our own Goodluck Jonathan. He showed statesmanship in 2015. He refused to elevate his personal ambition over the interest of the nation.
Look at where he is today. I heard recently that they are even begging him to come back and finish his second term.
If Trump had won this election, I know Joe Biden would have called to congratulate him.
In 2016 Trump won the rust belt states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania with very narrow margins. Those were the states that gave him victory. This time around, he lost the same states with a similar margin.
Hillary Clinton could have disputed his victory in 2016 but she chose to be a stateswoman by accepting the result and conceding the election.
Even in that 2016, Trump also claimed that the election was rigged against him in some states. Even though he was declared the winner of the election because he got the majority of the electoral college votes, he was not happy that Hillary Clinton scored about 3.5 million popular votes more than him.
He was concerned that majority of Americans chose Hillary Clinton over him. He became President because the US Constitution provides that it is the electoral college votes that matters instead of the popular votes.
By the time all the votes are counted in this year’s election Joe Biden will score about 5 million popular votes more than Donald Trump.
In order to cast doubt on the victory scored against him in the popular votes in 2016 he started claiming, though without any evidence, that the election was rigged against him in some states.
This baseless claim conveniently ignored the fact that since 1988 till now the Republican Party has not won the popular votes in a presidential election except in the 2004 election that re-elected President George W. Bush.
Many commentators are of the view that the 2004 exception occurred because President Bush was then in the middle of the Iraqi war. Americans always support their Presidents in the times of war.
What he is doing now is to give election riggers in countries like ours a reason to continue with their nefarious activities. If you question them they will tell you that even Americans rig elections too.
It happened to the Nigerian Bar Association. I’ve been a Chairman of a branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. I have also served as a national vice president of the same association. Because of the election crisis we had in the association in 2016 and 2018, we now find it hard to question the Nigerian politicians whenever they rig elections. If you query them, they will tell you to go and put your house in order first before you can come and lecture them.
Imo, a renowned Lawyer, was the Chairman of the NBA, Imo State, and the NBA’s immediate past Vice National President.
The All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ekiti state has welcomed the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the suit filed by some aggrieved members of the party in the state.
The Federal High Court sitting had last Thursday dismissed the case filed by former Senator Babafemi Ojudu and others against the Constitution of Ekiti-State APC State executive.
In a statement by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Hon. Ade Ajayi, on behalf of the Chairman of the party, Barrister Paul Omotosho, in Ado Ekiti, APC noted that the judgement is a victory to all as it will deepen democracy in the state and Nigeria.
The statement added that “Ekiti APC is not gloating the outcome of the case and that we shall be magnanimous in victory.
“However, we are committed to moving the party to its eldorado.
“For the umpteenth time, lets state that we shall not depart from our resolve to turn APC into a formidable force and party to reckon with in Ekiti state.
“While the decision of the Federal High Court vindicates our stand that our executive members have always been overboard in all their dealings in the past, we shall remain committed in our determination to continue to rule Ekiti state.
“We remain a family and indivisible one, a sign for the opposition to continue to remain dormant and lick its wounds for ever in Ekiti politics,” the statement added.
The Federal High Court sitting had dismissed the case filed by Babafemi Ojudu and other members of the APC in Ekiti State .
The Court upheld the preliminary objections filed by the Counsel to the APC and Paul Omotosho led Ekiti State Executive Committee, Chief Rafiu Balogun and Shuaib Aruwa and dismissed the case.
The Court held that the matter that was filed after 14 days when the Congress of the Party in Ekiti State was conducted where the Omotosho-led Ekiti State Executive Committee of APC got elected was filed out of time prescribed by the Fourh Alteration to the Constituion of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby becomes statute barred.
The court also held that the case cannot be decided anymore even if not statute barred since the period of 180 days set out in the Constitution within which to hear and determine the case has lapsed by virtue of section 285(9) and (14) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) .
The case was filed in April, 2020 when the Congress of the Party was conducted on 15th September,2018.
The case having been statute barred is liable to be dismissed and accordingly dismissed.
Senator Babafemi Ojudu and other members of APC in Ekiti State dragged the Party and Paul Omotosho-led Ekiti State Executive Committee to the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking the dissolution of the Paul Omotosho led Ekiti State Executive Committee of the APC for not being properly elected.
The South-west zone of Nigeria has asked for true federalism in the country. It has also asked the Federal Government to open the borders which has for over one year, remained closed. The zone said their closure has affected the lives of its people, and brought untold hardships to the people of the zone.
The leaders, also, asked for the protection of the assets in the zone, and decried the monumental destruction of Lagos.
These requests were contained in a communique issued at end of a meeting the region had with a Federal Government delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. The delegation included the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Ministers from the zone.
The delegation from the zone included Governors, Traditional Rulers, and other stakeholders.
The arson, killings and wanton destruction of lives and properties, especially in Lagos State during the #EndSARS protest, hijacked by hoodlums worried the leaders.
The dialogue hosted by the Lagos State Government, was held at the Banquet Hall , State House, Alausa.
The session offered traditional rulers a no-holds-barred opportunity to bare their minds on the marginalisation of traditional institutions in the process of governance.
Chairman of the region’s Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, said the coordinated violence sparked by the #EndSARS protest shook the Southwest to its foundation, given the unrestrained manner with which public assets and infrastructure that had sustained the region’s economy were destroyed by hoodlums.
He said the style of the attacks, especially in Lagos, was worrisome, emphasising that the peace in the region remained fragile in the aftermath of the violence.
Akeredolu said there is need to fully restore peace in the Southwest and address the issues that made youths to be used by those who orchestrated the destruction.
His words: “Before our very eyes, what started as a peaceful demonstration turned to different thing that became a threat to all of us, who are regarded as elite. What we witnessed in the violence showed that something needs to be done to address the underlying issues and come out with solutions. We must be able to sustain the peace in our region at all cost.”
Prof. Gambari, said the vigorous manner of the #EndSARS protest indicated the frustration of the youth, who, he said, had been ignored for a long time in governance. He said the political class must go beyond the lip service and equip the young people with skills that would make them competitive in market.
The discussion went into an executive session during which all the Southwest Governors, traditional rulers and head of security agencies deliberated on the way forward.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, applauded the initiative, which he described as the “right step” but upbraided the political class for lack of consultation with traditional institutions in decision making.
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, attacked the unitary system being practised, saying the arrangement had led to insecurity and restiveness.
Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, said security must be fortified in the region to protect the economy of the Southwest. He also called for the creation of Southwest Development Agenda to revamp and rebuild the destroyed assets.
Oba of Lagos fingered politicians as the cause of issues that led to the #EndSARS protest, saying unemployment contributed to the problem.
Following is the full text of the 13 point communique signed by the Ooni of Ife and the Governor of Ondo State on behalf of the participants.
We express appreciation to Mr. President and his administration on the responsiveness to the initial demands of the ENDSARS demonstrators and for his firm handling of the aftermaths of the protest.
We endorse the call by traditional rulers for regular consultations with state governors and federal authorities on challenges facing the State, and for appropriate recognition of their role in the Constitution.
The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country. There should be more police presence in communities in the South west states.
While there are legitimate concerns contained in the initial ENDSARS movement, these have been hijacked by criminal and other elements with ulterior and negative forces and degenerated into anarchy.
There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the ENDSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.
We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.
We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South West.
Review of reports of constitutional conferences including 2014 National Conference and implement some of the recommendations especially with reference to security, economy, equal treatment for citizens all over the country.
We believe that the prolonged closure of the border has caused economic difficulties and should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities. There is need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities.
A comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment should be prioritized. Closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the Federal Government. In this regard, the curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
We recognize the damaging and negative impact of fake/false news and worry about its destructive and dangerous potency of fake news. We call on federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. 2015 Cyber Act will also be fully used.
Federal Government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate keeping should be fully employed.
We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest.
