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BREAKING: ASUP suspends planned strike

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BREAKING: ASUP suspends planned strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics announced on Monday the decision to suspend its planned strike over the newly released scheme of service for polytechnics.

ASUP said its decision to suspend the planned industrial action followed engagements with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

Recall that the NBTE unveiled new schemes of service on 19 June 2024, as approved by the Federal Government for Nigerian Polytechnics, with effect from 7 June 2024.

However, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics opposed it, alleging that the new schemes of service lacked inclusive stakeholder input, particularly from their union and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.

Against this backdrop, the aggrieved lecturers gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, effective 8 July 2024, to suspend the implementation of the new scheme of work or face diverse forms of industrial action by the union.
In a statement released at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, the union said the 15-day ultimatum was to provide the government ample time to address our grievance or face diverse forms of industrial action by our aggrieved members.

“Within the 15-day period, however, our union’s leadership was invited to a tripartite meeting with the leadership of the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education on 19 July, where it was resolved that the implementation of the flawed document be suspended and a review process be initiated in line with the demands of our Union.

“The document was immediately suspended by the NBTE through a circular addressed to Chairmen, Governing Councils, Rectors, and Provosts of our institutions on the same day. Following this development, our Union’s NEC reconvened on an emergency note on 22 July to review our earlier position.

“The NEC therefore resolved to suspend the earlier scheduled industrial action in recognition of the fact that the demands of the Union have been met substantially. We appreciate our members’ steadfastness in the face of the unearned provocation; the intervention and inputs of different stakeholders, including Rectors of Polytechnics, sister staff Unions, and the students through the National Association of Polytechnic Students.

“Our union shall therefore dedicate energy and time in the coming days to preparations for the review exercise to finally produce a document that will reflect the aspirations of the sector,” the union said.

APC woos Mutfwang, begins consultations

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APC woos Mutfwang, begins consultations

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in the North Central have begun consultations to woo Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State from the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to the zonal members, the move to win over people of like minds as the governor was necessary if the APC hoped to reclaim Plateau State.

This was disclosed in a letter addressed to the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, a copy of which was made available to The According on Monday.

The letter, signed by the Chairman of North Central APC Forum, Salleh Zazzaga, was submitted at the national secretariat by the Nasarawa State Chairman, Sani Jigas.

The letter read, “It is pertinent to formally notify you of our invitation to Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC. A formal letter to this effect will also be delivered to him, Plateau State APC, and his ward in the Mangu local government area.

“We have had several consultations and met with many chieftains of our party from Plateau State and the North Central region, in general, to work out modalities on reaching out to the governor. Mutfwang is the only governor from the North Central who is not of the APC, and it is necessary to bring him on board so that he can be on the same page with his other counterparts in the North Central

“Mr Secretary, the call for Mutfwang to join the APC has become necessary after reviewing the state of our party in the North Central region, the position of Plateau State governor, which is vital in the political equation and calculation of the APC in the region, and the nation by extension.

“This will also enable the APC to reclaim Plateau State, which we lost to the PDP in the 2023 election after being in charge since 2015. Otherwise, the PDP could take undue advantage of its success over our party and spread its tentacles to other states. Again, Mutfwang has been having a tremendous working relationship with our leader, President Bola Tinubu, and it is vital to capitalize on this to bring him to the party.”

Continuing, Zazzaga raised a concern that the APC leaders in Plateau are no longer proactive and have since recoiled into their shells following the Supreme Court judgment that reaffirmed Mutfwang’s election victory.

“It is bad enough that APC leaders from Plateau State had to go and meet in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for a reconciliatory engagement and planning to reposition the party for greater successes ahead of the 2027 general election. That is an absolute sign that the party is not on the ground in Plateau.

“By and large, our quest to push for the success of our party in the North Central region and in the nation at large cannot be overemphasized, and we are often poised to double our untiring efforts at all times. Do accept the assurances of our highest esteemed regards,” he stated.

The move to woo Muftwang from the PDP is coming three months after the same chieftains of the ruling party from North Central backed the suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and demanded that the seat of the leadership, which Abdullahi Adamu previously occupied, be returned to their zone.

Their agitation came in the wake of a fresh suspension slammed on the embattled national chairman by a faction of the Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

‘Dialogue with them’ – Ajaero advises Tinubu on how to avert proposed protest

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‘Dialogue with them’ – Ajaero advises Tinubu on how to avert proposed protest

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has advised President Bola Tinubu to dialogue with the leadership of the groups planning to stage protests over the prevailing hardship in the country for talks, as it is their right to protest if they so wish.
Ajaero, in a statement he crafted personally and sent to the media in Abuja on Monday, said the truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy.
According to the NLC boss, a situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day, whereby eating from the dustbin is now seen as a luxury, calls for a serious intervention by government.
While corroborating a recent country living standards index assessment by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which established that about 133 million Nigerians live below extreme poverty lines, Ajaero said the International Rescue Committee, IRC, posits that in the first three quarters of 2024, about 32 million Nigerians have been exposed to acute hunger.
In his words, when these statistics are added to the millions that are being recruited into the armies of the unemployed and underemployed Nigerians, one can easily situate the hardship, pain, frustrations and despair that many Nigerians are going through right now.
He said: “The truth is that Nigerians have been hard pushed and super pressed right against the walls of deep deprivation and acute want.
It is, therefore, condescending and dismissive to describe the daily brutish ordeal that Nigerians are going through as sponsored political dissent. Even if it is so, it is still within the confines of citizens’ rights to protest on political grounds.
“Just that the current unease in the country does not need political motivation to spark and splurge. All that the hurting citizens demand from their government is a listening ear and an empathetic heart. Maybe that is what the organisers of the protest are looking for, given their continued notices on different social media platforms.
“It is very difficult to tell a Nigerian who has lost his or her job due to the current economic downturn to maintain their cool. It is very tough to advise a nursing mother who is unsure of the next meal for her suckling child to be at ease. It is a herculean task to demand patience from a youth who has been out of school for the past six years without a job and is burdened with aged parents to cater for.”
The NLC President said that during these very difficult times, the right of Nigerians to complain must be fully respected. The organised labour movement, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress, has had cause in recent times to protest against the crushing suffering in the land brought about by the harsh economic policies of government including the astronomical hike in the price of refined petroleum products, the increase in the cost of electricity and the unavailability of the same, the unconscientious raise and duplication of user access charges to most public utilities, including hospital treatment, water, waste disposal and a general spike in the cost of living.
Sounding a note of warning to the Federal Government, he said it is the well-considered position of the Congress that bellicosity and hostility towards the protesters and other aggrieved Nigerians do not offer any tangible remedy either to the pain endured by the populace or the frustrations of having so little in a country where a few privileged persons are living in obscene luxury, especially at the expense of the majority.
His words: “As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances.
“These are dire times. Nigerians are angry. The times require government to “jaw-jaw” and not “war war” with Nigerians. The truth is that you cannot smack a child and, at the same time, ask the child not to cry. A stitch in time might still save nine. Solidarity forever.”
‘Dialogue with them’ – Ajaero advises Tinubu on how to avert proposed protest

Protest: Nigerians angry about state of economy

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Protest: Nigerians angry about state of economy

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on President Bola Tinubu to engage with protest leaders as tensions rise over the country’s economic situation.

In a press release issued on Monday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasised the dire circumstances facing many Nigerians and the urgent need for government intervention.

“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy,” Ajaero stated.

He highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin is now seen as luxury beckons for serious intervention by government.”

The NLC cited recent statistics to underscore the scale of the crisis. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, approximately 133 million Nigerians live below extreme poverty lines. Furthermore, the International Rescue Committee reports that in the first three quarters of 2024, about 32 million Nigerians have been exposed to acute hunger.

Ajaero rejected the notion that the planned protests are merely politically motivated, stating, “It is, therefore, condescending and dismissive to describe the daily brutish ordeal that Nigerians are going through as a sponsored political dissent.”

The labour leader emphasised the right of citizens to express their grievances, saying, “During these very difficult times, the right of Nigerians to complain must be fully respected.”

He recounted recent protest led by the NLC against various government policies, including fuel price hikes and increased electricity costs.

Urging a conciliatory approach from the government, Ajaero said, “These are dire times. Nigerians are angry. The times require government to ‘jaw jaw’ and not ‘war war’ with Nigerians.”

“The truth is that you cannot smack a child and at the same time ask the child not to cry. A stitch in time might still save nine.”

Government must ensure compliance with gender quotas – Oluremi Tinubu

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Government must ensure compliance with gender quotas – Oluremi Tinubu

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that there is a critical need to address and overcome the persistent gender disparities in the nation’s political systems.
This was even as she commended the House of Representatives for initiating and passing for second reading, the bill seeking 70 out of the 360 legislative seats for women in the Green Chamber.
Tinubu, who gave the charge in her speech at the spotlight initiative of the Economic Community of West African States Female Parliamentarians Association, ECOFEPA, held at the alternate chamber of the Senate in the National Assembly, challenged political office holders across the various political parties in the country to walk the talks on gender equity.
“To fully achieve this across the board, we must be seen to walk the talk,” she said.
In doing that, she said the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken significant steps to remove financial barriers by making nomination forms for elective positions free at the grassroots level, ensuring that capable and qualified women can participate in the political process without the burden of prohibitive costs.
The president’s wife posited that after years of advocacy without desired results, legally backed enforcement may be put in place to change the narratives.
She said: “While quotas and education are essential, enforcement of these measures is equally critical. Governments must put in place robust mechanisms to ensure compliance with gender quotas.
“This includes legal frameworks and monitoring systems that hold political parties accountable. Constitutional amendments may also be necessary to enshrine gender equity in political representation.
“Such amendments would provide a solid legal foundation for women’s adequate representation, ensuring that gender equity is not just a policy preference but a constitutional mandate.
“The journey towards achieving 30 per cent women’s representation in our parliament is achievable once we take the bold step to kick start the journey to an enduring democracy of quality representation.
“I commend the Federal House of Representatives for passing the bill seeking to reserve 74 seats for women in the National Assembly in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and governance.
“I believe that the leadership in the Senate is gender-friendly and urge the 10th National Assembly to give women the necessary support. Nigerian women are smart and intelligent and can work alongside our male counterparts without friction for the good and development of our country.”
Government must ensure compliance with gender quotas – Oluremi Tinubu

Include domestic workers in minimum wage, Senate tells FG

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Include domestic workers in minimum wage, Senate tells FG

The Senate and the National Council for Women Society, have sought to include domestic servants in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum Wage Scheme.

The call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum wage came from both institutions at the National Assembly in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill seeking an Act to provide for Domestication and Registration of domestic workers and employers in Nigeria.

The public hearing on the bill sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West), was organised by the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, chaired by Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central).

The call for the inclusion of domestic servants in the National Minimum Wage Scheme was spearheaded by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West), during his remarks at the public hearing.

He said, “As a member of this committee, I feel strongly that part of the provisions to be included in this bill, is to include the domestic workers be it housemaid or servants, in the proposed N70,000 National Minimum wage law.

“As N70,000 is planned to be the lowest wage for the lowest public workers, so should be the case for the least domestic workers.

“We will put it in the bill for implementation by all employers.”

He, however, suggested that instead of domestication and protection of domestic workers and employers, the amendment of the bill should be changed to registration and protection of domestic workers and their employers.

In a similar call, the Acting National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldeen Etuk, argued for the inclusion of domestic servants in the proposed National Minimum Wage law

However, during an interview with journalists, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini said that although he was elated by the general support the bill got from the various stakeholders, from the Minister of Labour to other relevant stakeholders practical implementation of the additional scope of inclusion of domestic workers in the national minimum wage is what is somewhat doubtful.

He said, “There is no point making a law that cannot be implemented but I’m happy that the generality of stakeholders at the public hearing, supported the bill and by extension, the proposed law.”

Earlier in his remarks during the session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Diket Plang, said an agency will surely be set up for the implementation of the proposed law, but the Ministry of Labour and Productivity will drive the operation from the onset.

Poverty, insecurity threat to North existence, says Kaduna gov

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Poverty, insecurity threat to North existence, says Kaduna gov

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Monday expressed concern over the high rate of poverty, out-of-school children and general insecurity in the north, declaring that the region faces an existential threat.

The development, the governor added, was quite disturbing and must perturb all those who still care for the North and Nigeria in general.

Sani highlighted the challenges facing the North, including poverty, insecurity, and poor education, citing statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF.

He said the National Bureau of Statistics “survey revealed that 63 per cent of persons living within Nigeria (that is about 133 million people) are multi-dimensionally poor. 65 per cent of the poor (that is 86 million people) live in the North, while 35 per cent (nearly 47 million) live in the South.

“The North is not faring any better in the area of Education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) puts the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 18.3 million. Of this outrageous number of out-of-school children, about 70 per cent are in the North of Nigeria.

“This is quite disturbing and must worry all of us who still care for the North and Nigeria in general. Insecurity in the North has retarded developments in the critical sectors. A lot of farmers cannot access their farms.

“Food insecurity now confronts us directly. Child and maternal mortality are on the increase. Our infrastructure has decayed. The moves to address our infrastructural deficits are equally threatened by insecurity.

“From this very disturbing picture, it is clear that Northern Nigeria faces an existential threat. This is therefore a time for all hands to be on deck to pull the region back from the brink.

“It is a time when our people must close ranks, fashion a Marshall Plan for the North and move decisively to change these negative.”

Sani emphasised the need for collective action to address these issues, urging the ACF to refocus attention on development rather than politics.

The governor stated this while welcoming a delegation from the Arewa Consultative Forum,  led by its  Chairman, Mamman Osuman to Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna on Monday.

He commended the ACF for promoting and protecting the interests of Northern Nigeria, despite the region’s diverse composition.

Governor Sani also debunked claims that President Bola Tinubu is against the North, attributing such narratives to political manipulation.

“The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been giving uncommon support to state governments in the North to address their myriad challenges. The narrative that President Tinubu is against the North is false, absurd and unbecoming.

“It is the handiwork of elements who are experts at political manipulation. They are only interested in feathering their political nests, not the development of Northern Nigeria,” he added.

The governor expressed willingness to partner with ACF on initiatives that benefit the North and handed over documents for an office complex donated by the Kaduna State Government.

He emphasised the importance of leadership in uniting the North and mobilising its people for a brighter future.

Sani encouraged collaboration to develop a “Marshall Plan” for the region’s development, expressing optimism that the North would rise again.

Earlier, the Chairman of the ACF had highlighted the forum’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and progress in Northern Nigeria, acknowledging the region’s challenges with poverty, insecurity, and poor human development indices.

Arrest Fubara’s CTC chairmen, members, Pro-Wike lawmakers tell police

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Arrest Fubara’s CTC chairmen, members, Pro-Wike lawmakers tell police

The Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to arrest anyone parading himself as the Caretaker Committee Chairman or member in the state.

These lawmakers, during Monday’s plenary at the Assembly’s official residence along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, said the continued activities of the CTC put in place by the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is a violation of the recent Supreme Court judgement, which outlaws the use of CTC’s to run the third tier of government.

The call by the pro-Wike lawmakers led by its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, followed a remark by the House Leader, Major Jack and deliberated by members.

While describing the CTC as impostors, the lawmakers insist that they are not known to the law, expressing worry that they go about posing as local government chairmen to the extent of going to the banks to withdraw monies meant for the LG Councils for wanton squandering in the name of non-existing Caretaker committees.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, and sent to newsmen.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its 7th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly, Monday, deliberated on a statement by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, wherein he drew the attention of the House to the illegal activities of some persons in the State, masquerading as Chairmen and members of Caretaker Committees.

“These individuals go about imposing and collecting fees, levies and rates from unsuspecting members of the public, in breach of the recent Supreme Court judgement, and the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment)Law, 2023 that prohibit Caretaker Committees in whatever guise or nomenclature.”

Debating on the statement by the House Leader, the lawmakers condemned and berated those they described as ‘impostors, and warned all banks, traditional rulers, government at all levels, non-governmental organizations and those doing business in Rivers State not to transact any business with unelected individuals parading as Caretaker Chairmen, as they are threats to the fragile peace in the State.’

Amaewhule averred that more worrisome is the fact that ‘these individuals not known to the law go to the banks and withdraw money meant for the Local Government Councils’ for wanton squandering in the name of non-existing Caretaker committees.

He urged the police and other security agencies to swing into action and arrest the impostors to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the State.

The statement also quoted Amaewhule as saying that “the Tenth Rivers State House of Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, only democratically elected officials are to manage the Local Government Councils.”

The statement added that Section 64(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, further empowers the House to give the directive that only democratically elected officials should pilot the affairs of the Councils.

Reiterating the position of the House, the Speaker stated that the House would not fold its arms and condone the ‘crass disregard to the laws of the State and the judgement of the Supreme Court of the land by some impostors’.

Court rejects Abacha family’s N500m lawsuit against Nigerian govt

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Court rejects Abacha family’s N500m lawsuit against Nigerian govt

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, challenging the Federal Government’s revocation of one of their properties in the Maitama District of Abuja.
In his judgment on Monday, Justice Lifu dismissed the suit, citing it as statute-barred among other grounds.
“The suit, filed in 2015, was brought nine years after the revocation of the property, making it invalid under the law,” Justice Lifu stated.
This marks the fourth legal defeat for the Abacha family concerning their property claims. Previous attempts in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Court of Appeal were also unsuccessful on jurisdictional grounds.
“The plaintiffs lacked legal standing to file the suit,” Justice Lifu affirmed, agreeing with arguments presented by the defendants, including Salamed Ventures Limited.
Read also: EFCC apprehends 10 suspected illegal miners in Oyo
The family had sought to nullify the revocation of their Certificate of Occupancy for a property located at Osara Close, Maitama, which they claimed was done unlawfully and without compensation.
“The court also noted breaches of building regulations on the property, which justified the revocation,” Justice Lifu concluded.
The court awarded costs of N500,000 against the plaintiffs, to be paid to Salamed Ventures Limited, the fourth defendant in the suit.
The post Court rejects Abacha family’s N500m lawsuit against Nigerian govt appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Nasarawa lawmakers urge police to flush out illegal miners 

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Nasarawa lawmakers urge police to flush out illegal miners 

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has called on the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada to ensure that all illegal miners in the state are flushed out to curtail the level of insecurity and other criminalities across its 13 local government areas.

The House also commended the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for attracting investors to the state.

To this end, the House urged the state government to ensure that all miners pass through the necessary processes required by the law before being given licences to operate in the state.

Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau disclosed this during the matters of urgent public importance which were raised by the member representing Kokona East, Daniel Ogazi at the House of Assembly in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday.

Jatau, who lamented the negative impacts of illegal miners in the state, said the House was worried over the growing and increasing rate of illegal mining activities, especially in the Kokona LGA, thus creating tension over the safety of lives and properties of the affected communities.

He said, “Our resolution is to the effect that I want to appreciate His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule for attracting investors to the state, and while he is doing that, we will not allow anybody to destroy such efforts.

“The position of the House is also that the Commissioner of Police should mobilise his men to flush out all illegal miners in the state.

“The issue is beginning to create tension across the state, hence the need for the security agencies to act fast and do the needful.”

Other members who made contributions on the matter include Solomon Akwashiki, Muhammed Omadefu, Onarigu Kana, Musa Ekye, among others.

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