Home Blog Page 1968

ASUU Strike Affecting Ngige’s Children, Labour Ministry Tells NANS

By
coic
-
0

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has responded to a statement from the National Association of Nigerian Students accusing Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, of failing to broker a truce between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Any strike by University lecturers affects Ngige and his children the same way it affects ordinary Nigerians,” the ministry said in a lengthy statement issued on Wednesday night by the deputy director of press, Charles Akpan.

Read Also:  Breaking: Police Issue Warning To APC Protesters As Factions Storm Command In Osun

ASUU announced the start of a one-month total and indefinite strike on Monday, February 14, 2022, according to reports.

Osodeke had also explained that the one month strike was to give the government time to do the needful after which failure to do so would lead to an indefinite strike.

Following this, the National Association of Nigerian Students had accused the ministry of labour and employment for failing to broker truce and settle the rancour between the government and ASUU.

The statement partly read, “The truth is that any strike by University lecturers also affects Ngige and his children the same way it affects ordinary Nigerians.
“During the 2020 strike, the honorable minister doubled as a concerned parent and Federal Government official, having three of his children in three medical schools in three different public universities in Awka, Lagos and Uniabuja.

Read Also:  INEC explains why voters in Cross River will not be allowed to vote in by-elections

“This doesn’t include the numerous fatherless and indigent students from all parts of the country that he is catering for under his foundation’s scholarship programme.

“It defied logic that Ngige as minister whose children and wards are in public schools would sleep comfortably as university lecturers shut down classes”.

Nnamdi Kanu isn’t your problem, release him — Rita Edochie, actress

By
coic
-
0

Rita Edochie, a veteran actress, has called for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to be released (IPOB)

While calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Edochie said in an Instagram post on Wednesday that the Biafran agitator is not Nigeria’s problem, but rather the system.

She also issued a warning to lawmakers, claiming that the rise in ritual killings in the country is due to Nollywood.

Read Also:  2023: Igbo elders reject vice president, insist on presidency slot

The veteran actress urged legislators to be honest with themselves and address the issues they created.
According to her: “How can they be chasing shadows when they know who the real enemies are?

“Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu is never your problem.”

“Also Nollywood is never your problem because recently you have joined Nollywood in it but you are your own very problem and have practically refused to tell yourselves the truth.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and face the problem you created by yourself.”

Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu at the hearing in court today complained that he was going blind and pleaded with the Judge to rescue him.

He disclosed that DSS took away his glasses since his arrest.

The Biafra leader also asked the court to dismiss the charges against him on the grounds that the alleged offences were not committed in Nigeria.

Read Also:  Senate Approved Nine Nominees For NPC, NERC Commissioners

He claimed that no prima facie has been made against him by the federal government throughout the proof of evidence in support of the charges.

2023: Igbo elders reject vice president, insist on presidency slot

By
coic
-
0

Under the aegis of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, prominent Igbo personalities insisted on Wednesday that the South-East geopolitical zone must produce the next President of Nigeria.

They also threatened to punish any Igbo politician who agreed to serve as a presidential running mate for anyone.

They believe that either the South-East will be allowed to produce Nigeria’s next president in 2023 or the region will leave the country.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Chairman of the IECF and former Governor of Anambra State, stated these during a press conference in Abuja.
Among those present at the briefing were a former Minister of Education; Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike; Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (FCT chapter), Dr. Kingsley Nkonye; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ibe Nwosu, and several leading Igbo scholars and traditional title holders.

Read Also:  Reps summons, SGF, finance minister MDAs Over Financial fraud

The Secretary of IECF, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, warned that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South-East will lose the region’s votes.

“We are waiting for them (political parties), as they will meet their Waterloo this time if they insist on shortchanging the Southeast people this rare opportunity of producing a credible, patriotic, detribalized, and dynamic president of Nigeria in 2023”, he said.

Ezeife said, “Emboldened by the increasing demand and support by credible and patriotic Nigerians for power to shift to the South in 2023, the Igbo Elders Forum hereby encourages visionary, credible and creative presidential materials of South-East zone to declare their intention for the presidency and pursue it with every sense of seriousness, vigour, and commitment.
“We are very serious about this directive and do not mean those unserious bootlickers, who are angling to be running mates to candidates from other parts of the country, as the Igbos will not take it lightly with any of our sons or daughters who accept to be running mates to any person outside the South-East zone in 2023.

“It is either we are allowed to produce the president of this country in 2023 to change the appalling narrative of continued decay, poverty, insecurity, poor governance, corruption, and maladministration in Nigeria or out of it. No half measure, as serious sanctions will be visited on any Igbo man or woman that sabotages this noble and patriotic decision of our people to provide for Nigeria a credible, visionary, and creative president.

“Legally, morally, and strategically, it is the turn of the Southeast to produce the next president of the country as the other zones have been given the opportunity to serve this country in that capacity.”

Read Also:  INEC explains why voters in Cross River will not be allowed to vote in by-elections

Ezeife also argued that it was not just for the sake of equity, justice, and fairness, but also for a change of narrative of Nigeria, which he described as the sleeping giant of Africa.

INEC explains why voters in Cross River will not be allowed to vote in by-elections

By
coic
-
0

INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) has explained why certain groups of people will be unable to vote in the upcoming by-elections in Cross River State.

On February 26, 2022, by-elections for the federal constituency of Ogoja/Yala and the state constituency of Akpabuyo will be held.

Only eligible voters whose names appear in the INEC Register of 2019 are qualified to participate in the by-elections, according to a statement signed by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, and the administrative secretary, Mrs Irene N. Nghuma.

Read also:  Reps summons, SGF, finance minister MDAs Over Financial fraud

“New registrants who enrolled between the start of the Continuous Voter Registration CVR in June 2021 and the present should be aware that they will be unable to vote in this election.”
“All eligible voters whose names appeared in the INEC Register 2019 are qualified to participate in the forthcoming Bye-election in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 26, 2022.”

INEC also spelt out guidelines for the elections to eligible voters in the Ogoja/Yala and Akpabuyo areas.

Biometrics Voters Authentication System BVAS will be used for accreditation. Accreditation and Voting will take place simultaneously between 8 o’clock in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon.

“Remember that only your Permanent Voter’s Card PVC is your power to vote. Please note that Permanent Voter’s Card PVC no matter the year issued does not expire.”

The INEC administrative officer said, “The training is focused on Polling and counting procedures and other election processes.”

She added that ‘the two-day training was organized by the Electoral Institute TEI.

Declaring the training open, the Head of Electoral Operations, in the State, Mr. Fred Emezu, urged the participants not to take the training for granted.

Read Also:  Senate Approved Nine Nominees For NPC, NERC Commissioners

“This training is one of those election trainings that require maximum concentration, concentrate, as there’s always something new to learn like the new technology of Bimodal Voter Authentication System BVAS device which will be unveiled to the participants and voters in the State for the conduct of elections for the first time”.

Senate Approved Nine Nominees For NPC, NERC Commissioners

By
coic
-
0

The Senate confirmed five nominees for Commissioners of the National Population Commission nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

Four other nominees for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Commissioners were also confirmed.

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

The nominees were confirmed after the Committees on National Identity and National Population; and Power considered two separate reports.

Senators Ya’u Sahabi Alhaji (Zamfara North) and Gabriel Suwam (Zamfara South), who both chair the respective Committees, made two separate presentations.

Following consideration of the reports, the nominees were confirmed.
The nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the National Population Commission include: Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa-Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Barr. Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Dr. Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo).

Read Also:  Reps summons, SGF, finance minister MDAs Over Financial fraud

In addition, the four nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were Dr. Yusuf Ali (North Central), Engr. Chidi Ike (South East), Mr. Nathan Rogers Shatti (North East), and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (South-South).

Reps summons, SGF, finance minister MDAs Over Financial fraud

By
coic
-
0

The House of Representatives summoned Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, to appear before it on Tuesday over allegations of massive monetary expenditure of government funds in violation of the country’s financial rules.

The speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the house leader, Alhassan Doguwa, announced the resolution of the house’ joint committees on anti-corruption and public service matters at its inaugural sitting in Abuja yesterday. The speaker, who was represented by the house leader, Alhassan Doguwa, lamented the absence of heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, at the public hearing, which is aimed at curtailing theft of public.

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

The representative of the Independent Corrupt practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Bako Gad, a consultant with the commission told the lawmakers that ICPC is conducting a systems review of the MDAs and their processes to uncover stolen funds from government treasury
According to Gad, the system review exercise has helped the government recover over N61 billion last year from the yearly unspent funds that accrue from personel costs, saying the support of the finance ministry has eased the exercise

“When we introduced the systems review of the MDAs, we discovered that most of the unspent monies were from personel costs. After payment of salaries, what ever remained would be diverted into individual pockets but we have been able to curtail that with the support of the ministry of finance” he said

Read Also:  NNPC GMD Tells Reps “We Have Taken All Measures To Tackle Fuel Scarcity”

Following indepth revelations by the ICPC representative on how the MDAs siphon public funds, the committee, chaired by Hon. Nicholas Garba stepped down the hearing to enable the heads of the relevant agency appear in person on a later date for further hearing
The lawmakers insisted that no other person than the heads of the MDAs were in the best position to explain in detail the information being sought by the committee to uncover stolen public funds
Briefing newsmen shortly after adjournment, Garba emphasized the need to clean up public finance fraud, mostly perpetrated through personel cost, an act he noted was responsible for inadequate capital projects across the country

Since the issue of corruption of nominal roles by the MDAs was brought up, any of the affected offices according to the chairman that does not appear is guilty of the allegations leveled against them.
Other public officials expected to appear before the committee are the Head of the Service of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation, The Auditor General for the Federation and The Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

Others are the Chief Executive Officer, Federal Character Commission and the Officer in Charge of IPPIS,

Read Also:  NNPC GMD Tells Reps “We Have Taken All Measures To Tackle Fuel Scarcity”

Their failure to appear on the designated date according to the lawmakers would compel the house to issue a warrant of arrest on them.

Breaking: Police Issue Warning To APC Protesters As Factions Storm Command In Osun

By
coic
-
0

In a peaceful protest, members of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Rasaq Salinsile faction and The Osun Progressives (TOP) stormed the Osun State Police Command headquarters.

The protesters are fighting back against the attack on Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, and his convoy in Osogbo on Monday.

Rasaq Salinsile, the Osun APC factional Chairman, and Adelowo Adebiyi, the Chairman of The Osun Progressives, led the protesters (TOP).

Read Also:  Buhari accuses National Assembly of inserting N887bn into budget for 2022

While speaking to the media, Salinsile described the Osun Police Command’s response to the attack as absurd and unbelievable, adding that as bona fide citizens of Osun, it was becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to live under the protection of the state’s police.
In his words, “We found your Command’s position on the attack on the Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola contained in the press release of February 15, 2022, absurd, disturbing and unbelievable.

“As bonafide citizens of Nigeria and the socio-political environment called the State of Osun, we put on record once more that you are incapable of living up to the billings of your core duty as a protector of lives and property of all citizens.”

Meanwhile, the Osun Police Command had earlier warned against any form of protest in any part of the state.

The Police had in a press release signed by Yemisi Opalola, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, said it had been availed of intelligence that clandestine plans were in by some group of people to embark on a protest which is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.

Read Also:  AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

While noting that the police frown at any form of protests under any guise even as elections are around the corner, the command called on individuals and groups planning such and their sponsors to jettison their plans as it was fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such protest.

The command held that allegations and counter-allegations were expected but the police being apolitical will discharge its duties without bias.

“War-mongers, troublemakers, persons, group or groups intending or planning to cause, create or execute any act of violence before, during and after the primary/gubernatorial elections should, in their own interest, leave the State quietly and peacefully.

“The Police and other security agencies in the state will secure a level playing ground for all political parties, politicians and all the eligible electorates to exercise their franchise while we will not hesitate to deal decisively and within the ambit of law, with anyone, group of persons who attempt to foment trouble and in the process disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections.

“Though all allegations and counter-allegations are not unexpected, it is pertinent to state clearly here, that the police is apolitical, and we will discharge our duties without bias or favour to any person or persons regardless of their political affiliation.”

Read Also:  2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

The release also urged the citizens to go about their lawful activities but appealed to parents and guardians not to allow their wards be used to foment trouble in the state.

2023: Ango Abdullahi Leads Northern Elders To Obasanjo, Says Things Are Not Good Enough

By
coic
-
0

Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has led a delegation of northern elders to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to meet with former President Olusegun.

On Tuesday evening, Abdullahi and his team met with Obasanjo behind closed doors to discuss issues affecting the country, particularly as the country approaches the 2023 general election.

Read Also:  NNPC GMD Tells Reps “We Have Taken All Measures To Tackle Fuel Scarcity”

Nastura Ashir Shariff, Chairman of the CNG Board of Trustees (BOT), and Aminu Adam, Director of CNG Action and Mobilization, are among those in the group.

After the two-hour meeting, Abdullahi stated that the country needed good news from the 2023 elections, which necessitated strategizing.
He stressed that in spite of their ages, they still deemed it necessary to contribute to the society and the country, hence, the visit to Obasanjo.

He said, “I don’t want to stay away from him for so many months or years without seeing him, especially at this period.

“So, I’m visiting him to say hello and get a briefing from him on how he feels about the nation. We also briefed him on how we feel about the nation. We compared some notes and we agreed on some grounds.”

While saying Obasanjo was on the same page with the northern elders on issues raised, the professor retorted, “Yes. We are on the same page and Insha Allah it shall be well.”

Read also:  AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

He spoke further, “We have been having challenges and we have been talking on this. You are in the media and you know what we have been saying about the situation in the country. Things are not good enough and as we head for 2023, we hope to be strategising for the good of the nation.”

House Asks DSS, Police To Investigate Death Of DPO In Katsina

By
coic
-
0

The House of Representatives has demanded that the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Abubakar Abdulkadir Rano, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Jibia Division, Katsina State, by terrorists.

While condemning the killing of the police officer and others, the House also directed the DSS and police to look into similar cases across the country and assist the victims’ families.

Read Also:  ASUP Advises Members Be Ready To Stop Working At Any Time

The lawmakers’ resolutions came after the plenary on Tuesday approved a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum.
Moving the motion, Rurum said the late Rano, in charge of Jibia Division was brutally killed by bandits while attempting to rescue a kidnapped woman.

According to him, the police officer had recorded successes in confronting and fighting bandits in the area, which helped in reducing attacks on communities.

He lamented that since the incident, nothing has been done to investigate the circumstances leading to his killing.

Read Also:  AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

Adopting the motion, the House observed a minute silence for the late DPO and other police officers who died while serving the nation.

AMAC Chairman Congratulates Residents On Peaceful Conduct In FCT Polls

By
coic
-
0

Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), congratulated residents on their peaceful conduct during the chairmanship and councillor elections held last Saturday.

He praised them for maintaining a calm demeanor before, during, and after the elections.

Adamu praised everyone who participated in the exercise, both winners and losers, for their maturity.

Read also:  Nnamdi Kanu Going Blind, Ozekhome Tells Court

The chairman, who briefed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the Abuja Municipal Area Council belongs to the residents, and that they must always work to ensure that it succeeds.
According to him, “During the last Saturday election for chairman and Councillors, certain political parties and candidates won, it is the responsibility of the council to appreciate the residents for conducting themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections irrespective of their political parties.

“I also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its unbiased umpire, by demonstrating neutrality and efficiency, residents may have come across some issues that have to do with the system generally but I believe is still a learning process. I believe with time INEC will get it right.

“For me, I feel this institution call AMAC is greater than any other interest and personality, so whosoever won I wish him the best because the person would continue with the governance.

Read Also:  ASUP Advises Members Be Ready To Stop Working At Any Time

“We will continue to pray for them to succeed, their success will have direct impact on the entire AMAC” he said.

1...1,9671,9681,969...2,856Page 1,968 of 2,856

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©