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Meeting with ASUU was fruitful, strike to end soon-Ngige

News

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January 8, 2019

Meeting with ASUU was fruitful, strike to end soon-Ngige

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reached possible agreement on Monday toward resolving the ongoing lecturers’ strike.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this after a reconciliatory meeting with ASUU in Abuja.

Ngige said the meeting was fruitful as an agreement had been reached between the Federal Government and the striking university lecturers.

According to him, the Federal Government has released N15.4 billion for the payment of the salary shortfalls, which was one of the major demands of the union.

“On the issue of salaries in tertiary institutions, especially in universities, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant- General provided evidence that as at December 31, 2018 the Federal Government had remitted N15.4 billon.

“Also on the issue of Earned Allowances in the universities system, they also showed us evidence that Mr President has approved the N20 billion to be used to offset the outstanding arrears of the 2009 and 2012, audit verified earnings, in the university system.

“This money is being worked on, and will be released to ASUU as soon as the process is completed.

“ASUU has fulfilled its own side of the bargain in terms of NUPECO, which is the Pension Fund Administration company that ASUU has floated to take care of pension for people in the university system.

“The Pension regulator, the PENCOM, has asked certain positions to be fulfilled and they gave ASUU a temporary license, which has expired.

“ASUU has submitted all the documents and fulfilled all conditions needed to get their license,” he said.

Ngige noted that the meeting had resolved to mandate the Ministry of Education to get in touch with PENCOM to make sure that the permanent licence is issued to ASUU as soon as possible.

The minister also said on the issue of university revitalisation, the President Goodluck Administration entered into an agreement with the ASUU for revitalisation of 20 universities annually for the next 6 years.

“This is starting from 2009, this Government will look for resources for the funding.

“We have also offered ASUU some token to show good faith and that amount is known to them. Issue of visitation panel is also taken care of.

“These were major issues discussed and ASUU is supposed to take back the resolution of these meetings to their members, while we expect that they will get back to us by Thursday, ” he said.

Also, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President, said the National Executive Committee of the union will review its decisions based on the new commitment by the Federal Government.

He said the strike could only be called off or not after the NEC meeting. He did not say when the meeting will hold.

The lecturers have been on strike since November 4 to demand improved funding of universities and implementation of previous agreements with the government

INEC to mobilise over 1million ad hoc staff for 2019 polls

Politics

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January 7, 2019

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INEC to mobilise over 1million ad hoc staff for 2019 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will train over one million electoral staff and ad-hoc personnel for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Mr Solomon Soyebi, Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), made the disclosure on Monday in Calabar.

He stated this during a training workshop for State Training Officers and Assistant State Training Officers on Cascade Training Implementation for 2019 elections.

The workshop was organised by INEC in collaboration with the International Foundation of Electoral System (IFES).

Soyebi explained that 850,000 electoral personnel would be trained as polling unit officials, while 150,000 would consist of Civil Society Organisations and officials of security agencies officials.

‘‘With just about 39 days to the first election and about 53 days to the second one, it is very important that we train our people adequately.

“For the poll officials, we are going to train over 850,000 personnel.

“When you aggregate the Civil Society Organisations and security officials, we will be talking of over one million personnel and each of them has to be trained.

“Today’s training is for the poll officials, who will go back to their states to transmit the training to the ad-hoc staff ahead of the election,’’ he said.

He added that for the first time, the institute was organising a training which would involve the inclusiveness of special groups like the people with disabilities.

“The commission is very friendly with People Living with Disabilities, not just that alone; we are gender sensitive.

‘‘We have special groups and the people with disability are part of them,’’ he added.

Speaking, Dr Frankland Briyai, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Cross River, said the training was designed by the commission to ensure that personnel for the elections were thoroughly trained.

Briyai charged the participants to take the training seriously, to efficiently and effectively implement the cascade training for the 2019 elections in their respective states.

He gave assurance that INEC and security agencies would ensure crisis-free polls in the Feb. 16 and March 2 general elections in the state.

Dr Umar Idris, Acting Director-General of Electoral Institute, said the training would provide a veritable opportunity for all the loose ends to be tightened.

He implored the participants to brace up for the task ahead by being proactive in every step of the training, to ensure that all states were on the same page.

Mr Jake Epelle, Chief Executive Officer of Albino Foundation, said that no true democracy could be achieved without the inclusion of all critical stakeholders in the society into the electoral process.

“I am Ready” campaign group for Buhari/Osinbajo begins tomorrow

Real Campaign

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January 7, 2019

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“I am Ready” campaign group for Buhari/Osinbajo begins tomorrow

The “I am Ready” campaign group, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to the promotion of good governance and democracy in Nigeria, says all is set for nationwide mobilisation of Nigerians to actualise the objectives of the group.

The group’s Secretary, Mr Solomon Uwagabai, in a statement in Abuja, said the rally which starts on Tuesday, was in continuation of supporting the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Feb. 16 for Presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to Uwagabai, the group plans to organise series of rallies tagged “Drive 4 Buhari-Osinbajo”, across different cities in the country to promote the ideals of the Buhari presidency and take Nigeria to the next level.

“The FCT leg of the rally which holds on Jan. 8 is the first of the many drives through rallies to be held in Lagos, Oyo, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Kaduna, Osun and Ekiti states amongst other cities.

“Nigerians from diverse socio-political and religious backgrounds will participate in the rallies to be held in other centres and on days to be announced in due course,’’ he said.

Group unveils platform to compare presidential candidates

Real Campaign

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January 7, 2019

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Group unveils platform to compare presidential candidates

Civic Monitor, a civil society organisation has unveiled a platform to assist voters compare presidential candidates during the 2019 general election.

A statement issued on Monday by Stanley Azuakola, its Founder and Executive Director, said the platform called ‘Know-Your-Candidates’ (KYC) can be accessed at www.kyc.civicmonitor.com.

Azuakola said the introduction of the KYC would drive a new wave of engagement in the democratic process of the country.

“With just over a month to the elections, KYC presents the profile, promises and issue positions of the presidential candidates in a simple format and enable voters to compare the candidates on the most important issues.

“The election in February is perhaps the most important one for the country since 1999. Nigerian voters cannot afford to go to the polls blindfolded.

“With KYC, we are putting the spotlight on the issues, not insults or conspiracies.

”It is about voters comparing the candidates on different issues and deciding who has the best plan for them, their families and the nation,” Azuakola said.

He said that a survey conducted by Civic Monitor in November 2018 showed that Nigerians were most concerned about 15 issues.

He listed the issues to include: security, power, education, healthcare, corruption, job creation, debt profile and the economy.

Other issues are herders-farmers clashes, restructuring, federal character, state police, NNPC reforms and inclusion of women and youths in government.

“What KYC has done is to collate the positions and promises of 24 presidential candidates on each of these issues in their own words without spin.

“The data we have compiled with KYC is the most extensive and representative you will find of the candidates anywhere,” he said.

Azuakola also said that KYC would serve as a powerful resource for journalists, researchers, fact-checkers and activists, as it aids their efforts to hold political leaders accountable.

Buhari instructs Tinubu to handle campaign affairs

Real Campaign

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January 7, 2019

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Buhari instructs Tinubu to handle campaign affairs

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Buhari meeing with Tinubu and Oshiomhole at Aso Villa — Buhari asks Tinubu to take charge of the Presidential Campaign Council

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council and asked Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the co-chairman of the council to fully take charge of the campaign.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Council at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the president, who is the Chairman of the Council, said the leadership that formulated the campaign policy would supervise its execution.

According to him, the Director-General of the council will have overall responsibility for all aspects of the campaign, including field operations while the Secretary will be responsible for all administrative and treasury-related activities of the council

“Even though we have only 40 days, this campaign is going to tax us all, because we intend to touch all corners of our great and vast country.

“But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge, and is going to be on 24-hour vigil.’’

The president implored the leadership of the party to resist being provoked, remain focused and civil in their campaigns.

“Let us engage our citizens on issues and ask for reflection on the comparative difference between 2015 and 2019 on security, economy and corruption and abuse by those entrusted with leadership in Nigeria.

“As we embark on the campaign to secure mandate for the next level, I want to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of all stakeholders who have endeavoured to keep our party united, and our governance successful,’’ he added.

While appealing to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of the party, the president urged them to always “keep their eyes on the ball, which is the success of our party at the polls’’.

“I wish to appeal to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of our party, which is anchored, on sacrifice and imperative to salvage and stabilise our great and promising nation.

“I appeal to all our members, and especially those who are in the campaign council, to unite and cooperate and ensure a smooth operation.

“Needless to add, Directorates could co-opt on full or part-time basic persons who could add value to our campaign and help us to attain success,’’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Council, Mr Rotimi Ameachi narrated the tremendous achievements of the Buhari administration in the past three and half years.

Ameachi, who is the Minister of Transportation, assured that members of the council would do all they could legally to ensure electoral victory for the APC in the forthcoming general elections.