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  • South Africa’s Ramaphosa set to be re-elected even with ANC hammering

    South Africa’s Ramaphosa set to be re-elected even with ANC hammering

    Re-election

    Johannesburg, June 14, 2024 (Reuters/NAN) Cyril Ramaphosa was set on Friday to be re-elected as South Africa’s president, having brokered a deal with the opposition for a government of national unity after his African National Congress’s worst election result since the end of apartheid.
    A skillful negotiator, Ramaphosa clinched a deal with the opposition, the white-led Democratic Alliance, and at least two smaller parties, according to DA and other party officials, as the National Assembly held its first sitting since the election and prepared to elect a head of state.
    That will allow him to remain president and survive – at least for now – the huge drop in support for the ANC when it lost its parliamentary majority in the May 29 election.
    But Ramaphosa, 71, emerged weakened from the vote, and some political analysts have questioned whether he can serve a full second five-year term.
    The ANC won just 40 per cent of the vote, meaning Nelson Mandela’s legacy liberation movement has had to negotiate a power-sharing agreement with rival parties for the first time in 30 years.
    As parliament convened on Friday, the DA said it had signed a deal for a unity government with the ANC.
    The socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance had previously confirmed that they would also join the coalition.
    Details of the deal were still unclear, aside from that the DA would receive the position of deputy speaker of parliament.
    The ANC still has the largest number of seats in the National Assembly, but Ramaphosa may have to make significant policy concessions to political adversaries or cede senior cabinet positions.
    After the vote, former union leader-turned-businessman Ramaphosa – Mandela’s lead negotiator in talks to end apartheid – received the backing of top ANC officials to stay on.
    But his party is deeply divided, and some of Ramaphosa’s party rivals may not have buried the hatchet for long.
    Ramaphosa’s future as president had hung in the balance before.
    A panel report found in 2022 that he may have committed misconduct over a stash of cash stuffed into furniture at his game farm.
    He denied wrongdoing over that scandal, dubbed “Farmgate”, and won a new five-year term as ANC leader later that year.
    But last month’s election, in which the ANC’s vote share slumped because of voter anger over issues such as high unemployment, crime, and crippling power cuts, could pose an even bigger challenge.
    Ramaphosa was elected ANC leader in late 2017 on a pledge to clean up the party’s image and revitalise the economy after nine years of scandal, sleaze, and economic decline under his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.
    But an initial wave of euphoria when he became head of state in 2018 faded quickly.
    More than six years on, the economy remains stagnant and scandals still swirl around top ANC officials.
    The decisive blow in last month’s election was struck by Ramaphosa’s nemesis Zuma, whose new party uMkhonto we Sizwe outperformed expectations and made a big dent in ANC support, especially in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
    Ramaphosa has been criticised for appearing to prevaricate on crucial reforms to avoid exacerbating rifts in his party – a far cry from the decisiveness he showed as a union leader in the 1980s.
    His supporters, however, applaud his consensus-building skills and his role in advancing South Africa’s reputation as a champion of the so-called “Global South”, shorthand for a group of low- and middle-income countries.
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramaphosa was one of the most prominent voices globally calling for fairer distribution of vaccines.
    More recently, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, leading judges to rule last month that Israel must halt its military assault on the Gaza city of Rafah.
    Israel has rejected the allegations and pressed on with its offensive in Rafah.
    On the campaign trail, Ramaphosa sought to play up the ANC’s successes over the last 30 years, but critics say he has offered little in the way of new solutions to South Africa’s biggest challenges.
    After the vote, he urged parties to bridge their ideological and racial divisions for the good of the country.
    “South Africans expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, overcome their differences, and act together for the good of everyone.
    That’s what South Africans have said,” he declared. (Reuters/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    YEE
    ===
    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Manager arraigned for allegedly stealing firm’s N6.1m

    By Moronke Boboye
    Stealing
    Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned a 46-year-old manager, Jide Agbeluyi, for allegedly stealing employer’s N6.1 million.
    Agbeluyi, who resides at Abule Egba area of Lagos, was arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing.
    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    The Prosecutor, DSP Clara Olagbayi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in May at Total Filling Station, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba.
    Olagbayi said the theft was discovered after the filling station’s account was audited.
    He said that it was also discovered that the defendant transferred the money into another account through the company’s Point of Sale machine.
    Olagbayi said the offence  contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section stipulates seven years jail term for stealing from one’s employer.
    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. A Odubayo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira with one surety in like sum.
    Odubayo adjourned the case until June 28 for mention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    MTO/EOB/JNC
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    Edited by Edith Bolokor/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Strike: Negotiation tool or threat to national security, economy?

    Strike: Negotiation tool or threat to national security, economy?

    By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    Quoting Mr Ikpe Nkanang, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Domestic Airports Cargo Agents Association, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that domestic cargo in aviation lost approximately N7 billion to the recent two-day nationwide industrial action.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had, on June 3, called for a complete halt to business activities to protest against the N60,000 minimum wage proposal of the Federal Government.

    Nkanang said 30 tonnes of cargo was lifted across the country’s domestic airports daily, and that the volume of cargo left unprocessed during the two-day strike was significant.

    “For those two days, the airlines were not working, and once the airlines are not working, cargo cannot move and it is a great loss to all of us.

    “You needed to see the volume of cargo that was dumped over those two days; of course, you know we gathered cargoes during the weekend hoping that by Monday and Tuesday, we would be able to send them out,” he said.

    Before then, a national daily claimed that Nigeria might have lost around N148.8bn in oil revenue on the first day of the two-day strike.

    The newspaper arrived at the figure by calculating Nigeria’s daily oil production against the daily global benchmark for crude oil pricing.

    Like their counterparts in the aviation and oil and gas sectors, trade unions in other critical sectors of the economy, such as the banking and energy sectors, complied with the directive.

    The involvement of these and other critical service providers has led to some public affairs analysts and commentators suggesting the exemption of those sectors in national strikes.

    They argue that the impact of flight disruptions, halted oil production, power outages and the crippling of the financial sector for a few days could last for months.

    Some groups have even gone further to refer to the action of Organised Labour as a threat to national security and Nigeria’s collective ability to protect its economy and critical national infrastructure.

    One such group, the Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER), condemned the shutting down of the national grid by the labour in implementing its declared nationwide strike action.

    The group said that to plunge the nation into darkness meant labour had carried out economic sabotage and treason that must be met with the full weight of the law.

    Both President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, agree with CSER.

    While Akpabio said the strike amounted to economic sabotage, Akume referred to the shutdown of national grid by electricity workers as a treasonable felony.

    However, those who support labour and some legal practitioners say workers have the right to strike.

    According to TEMPLARS ThoughtLab, a publication of Templars Law, workers’ right to strike was derived from workers’ right to form unions as spelt out in Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.

    Section 40 of the constitution partly reads, “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests…”

    However, the publication was quick to point out some situations where a right to strike could be circumscribed.

    It said every union in any organisation would usually have a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed between the union and the organisation.

    “All standard CBAs typically provide for the dispute resolution mechanism for the resolution of any trade dispute between the parties.

    “Such dispute resolution mechanism typically involves direct negotiation between the union and the organisation.

    “It also involves mediation through a third-party mediator agreed upon by the union and the organisation or referring the dispute to the Minister of Labour and Employment,” it said.

    According to TEMPLARS ThoughtLab, another ground for the circumscription of a right to strike is when industrial action is not available to persons rendering essential services by the operative effect of the Trade Disputes (Essential Services).

    Additionally, the courts could issue an order against a union and the union has an unqualified obligation to obey that order even where they believe it to be irregular or invalid.

    The question on the lips of some is that, through parliamentary legislation, should the government designate some of those sectors of critical national importance as emergency services?

    They said if that action is carried out, it will become illegal for workers in those sectors to join national strikes.

    Critics of the government’s handling of negotiations with labour unions often refer to these restrictions as highhanded measures to suppress legitimate demands.

    The International Labour Organiation (ILO), which Nigeria is a member of, said strike action is one of the fundamental means available to workers and their organisations to promote their economic and social interests.

    However, it admitted that it is the most visible and controversial form of collective action in the event of a labour dispute and is often seen as the last resort of workers’ organisations in pursuit of their demands.

    It also listed some public servants, essential services and emergencies, minimum services and disputes over rights as some of the possible exclusions from a right to strike.

    According to the ILO, unions must meet three conditions to embark on a strike. The first is the exhaustion of conciliation or mediation procedures before calling a strike.

    Another requirement to hold a strike ballot is for a majority of the workers concerned to vote in favour of a strike before it can be called.

    The last condition is the obligation to give a notice period before calling a strike.

    Some stakeholders, therefore, believe that it is important for both the government and organised labour to accept the principle of “two wrongs don’t make a right”.

    They say, going forward, industrial relations no matter how frosty, should not be allowed to degenerate into arbitrariness and irresponsibility by either or both parties. (NANFeatures)

    **If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

  • Double taxation: Ogun govt. moves to harmonise taxes, levies

    Tax
    By Yetunde Fatungase
    Abeokuta, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Ogun Government says it is working round the clock to ensure harmonisation of taxes and levies to reduce incidence of double taxation that may affect the revenue base of businesses in the state.
    Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adebola Sofela, said this during a visit to the Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini, on Friday.
    Sofela said that his visit was occasioned by the need to boost the existing relationship between the state government and its various stakeholders and to further collaborate and share ideas on areas of common interest.
    He expressed the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to capacity building at all levels.
    As a practical demonstration of this, the commissioner said that that technical schools across the state were being upgraded to ensure companies that did not have any gap in power to fill the technical needs.
    Sofela, who was accompanied by top management staff members of the ministry, stated that the present administration had improved land administration system to enable investors get title documents without delay in order to leverage for financing.
    He said that government had been creating new industrial clusters to take care of the new influx of investors and prepare for the future.
    The commissioner appealed to the various companies across the three senatorial districts to consider the qualified residents of the state for employment, as part of efforts to promote their relationship with host communities.
    “We are working to ensure harmonisation of taxes and levies to reduce the incidence of double taxation.
    “The governor is particularly interested in creating an enabling environment for business to thrive, considering government’s huge investments in security and infrastructure,” he said.
    In his remarks, the Managing Director of the firm, said that 80 per cent of his company’s investments were domiciled in Ogun.
    According to Elhusseini, the state government is in the right direction with its business-friendly policies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    YAF/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Tinubu to observe Eid-el-Kabir in Lagos

    Eid-el-Kabir
    By Salif Atojoko
    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Lagos state on Friday ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
    This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, in Abuja.
    The statement said the President would observe Eid-el-Kabir in Lagos, where he would also spend the Sallah holidays.
    “The President will mark the occasion in prayers and reflection on advancing the transformation of Nigeria in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda,” said the statement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    SA/JNC
    =======
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Reps committee probes appointments of NASRDA, RMRDC DGs

    Reps committee probes appointments of NASRDA, RMRDC DGs

     


    Investigation

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN)The House of Representatives on Friday unveiled plans to investigate the appointments of Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Martins Ike-Muonso.

    The committee will also investigate the appointment of the Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr Mathew Adepoju.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Olaide .

    The committee chairman said that a six-member panel headed by Rep. Abiodun Akinlade had been inaugurated to carry out the probe.

    He said both DGs were recently appointed by the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnanji.

    “The panel is to look at the procedure of the appointments qualification and the compliance with the relevant laws and regulations that established both agencies.

    “The panel is to invite the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Head of Service and both DGs amongst others.

    “The panel has two weeks to within which to submit its report,” he said.

    The chairman promised that the assignment will be free and fair saying that the aim is not to witch hunt anyone but to put the records straight. (NAN)

    EOO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • French embassy launches plastic waste management project in Nigerian universities

    Project

    By Joshua Olomu

    Abuja, June 14, 2024((NAN) The French Embassy in Nigeria, through its Cooperation and Cultural Department, has launched a plastic waste management project to be executed in 13 Nigerian universities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Sebastien Bede, Science and Higher Education Attache, stated this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, the  project, under the French Embassy Fund(FEF), is worth €753,000 and is  focused on developing innovative and adaptive ideas for reducing plastic waste and enhancing campus sustainable practices.

    He said a steering committee  has been set up involving , participating universities, representatives of  the National Universities Commission, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, and the Ministry of Environment.

    Bede said the benefiting universities include the Alex Ekwueme Federal University; Bayero University, Kano, Nile University of Nigeria, Covenant University; Babcock University and  the University of Jos.

    Others he said, include  Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Yaba College of  Technology, University of Calabar, University of  Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Delta.

    “Plastic waste is a pressing global issue and through this project, we aim to  reduce the plastic footprint on Nigerian campuses.

    “It will  also inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who can champion the cause for a plastic-free world starting with their immediate communities.

    “I also see the opportunity that we organise a study tour in Nigerian universities, French universities, business schools, and engineering schools, to discuss cooperation.

    “Whether it is for plastic recycling or any other areas of cooperation, we are willing to open the cooperation to more universities in Nigeria.

    “A key component of this project is sustainability and that is why I said that we have also co-designed a business model for these microplants, and  total amount for this project is €753,000,” he said.

    Bede added that the components of the project for deployment within the next 18 months include delivering two micro plants co-designed by and for two universities, research initiatives in innovative solutions for sustainable development.

    He added that  circular economy, qualitative value chain, gender inclusivity, and entrepreneurship to support the research projects, and an exchange programme between Nigerian and French researchers  were also parts of the project’s components.

    In her remark, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of  the University of Lagos, said the project is not just about money but about value delivery, especially through students.

    “I think it is with the young ones  we can find that and we have to ask them, we have to test whatever hypothesis we have, and that you can only do on the campus in the university, so it’s a lot of work.

    “We have already started it at the University of Lagos and we do know that students will do it, but not every student is doing it.

    “Right now, with what we already do, we make about a million from waste but it is ploughed back, and we still have a lot of waste to get rid of.

    “So working with the French government and the other French universities, we will be able to up our game, improve the technology, and we’re looking at technology that’s robust that we can use .

    “We looking forward to the micro plans because it is going to make what we do more efficient, we already have things to help with sorting but it is  not enough,” she said.

    Also, Prof Dilli Dogo, Vice Chancellor,Nile University of Nigeria, said  about 70 per cent of the component of waste generated in Nigeria is food waste or recyclable organic waste.

    Dogo, who was represented by Prof Abdulhameed Mambo, Dean  Faculty of Environmental Science, said recyclable waste comprises vapour, metals, as well as plastic which is about 30 per cent.

    “If you look at that 30 per cent again, around 10 per cent is made of plastic, and this is what you see outside campuses.

    “But studies carried out in Nigeria found close to 60 per cent of the waste component on campus, while the food component and the other components are quite low,” he said.

    The FEF-funded project is an initiative of the French government as part of the global dynamic to fight against plastic pollution.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

    JOSH/EAL

    ========

    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • 30-year-old docked for allegedly stealing 37 litres of diesel

    30-year-old docked for allegedly stealing 37 litres of diesel

    Diesel

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

    Ibadan, June 14, 2024(NAN) A 30-year-old man, Oluwaseyi Adesanmi, was on Friday docked in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing 37 litres of diesel worth N46,250.

    Adesanmi, whose address was not provided, was charged with theft to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on June 10, at about 12.10 a.m, at Nisalee Truck park company, Oluyole, Ibadan.

    Tellang alleged that the defendant stole the diesel belonging to Mr Abel Olalekan without his consent.

    He said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The Magistrate, Mrs M. Olagbenro granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one reliable surety in like sum.

    She adjourned the case until July 30, for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    CC/JPE

    =====

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

     

  • Man, 53, arraigned for allegedly stealing goods worth N34, 175

    Man, 53, arraigned for allegedly stealing goods worth N34, 175

    Theft
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 14, 2024(NAN) A 53-year-old man, Bayo Adeyemi, on Friday appeared before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing goods worth N34, 175 from Foodco supermarket.

    Adeyemi, of no fixed address, was charged with stealing.

    The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 10, at Foodco supermarket, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    He alleged that the defendant stole items which include; spaghetti, vegetable oil, peak milk and eye glass, with total cost of N34, 175.

    Amusan said the defendant picked the items at the supermarket and went away without paying for them.

    He said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The President of the Court, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 and one surety in like sum.

    She thereafter adjourned the case until July 17 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)

    CC/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • Court orders Kano Govt to pay emir Bayero N10m over rights violation

    Court orders Kano Govt  to pay emir Bayero N10m over rights violation
    Order
    By Ramatu Garba
    Kano, June 14, 2024(NAN) A Federal High Court on Friday, ordered the Kano State government to pay N10 million in damages to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, for breaching his fundamental human rights.
    Ado-Bayero, through his counsel M L Yusufari SAN, filed a motion exparte dated May 27, seeking the court to restrain the state government  from arresting, intimidating or infringing on his rights.
    The other respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General Kano, Nigeria Police, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano, State Security Service, NSCDC, Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce.
    Delivering judgment, Justice Simon Amobeda, described the order given by Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, directing the police to arrest the 15 emir , without any lawful justification is a threatening the fundamental rights of the applicant.
    This, the judge held is guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).
    “The act of the governor has forced the applicant into house arrest, preventing him from going freely about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41(1)
    of the 1999 Constitution,” he held.
    He restrained the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents either by themselves, their agents,servants, privies, or any other person from arresting,
    detaining, threatening, intimidating and  harassing the applicant or further interfering with the applicant’s fundamental rights.

    “The prayer for the cost of filing and
    prosecuting this suit is refused, the amount having not been specifically pleaded and strictly proved” Amobeda said
    Earlier, the second Counsel to the applicant, Mr Michael Jonathan, SAN, said that the court had jurisdiction to entertain and hear the case as it is a fundamental rights suit.
    Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the respondent preliminary objection for been unmeritorious and abuse to the court.
    Counsel to the Kano State Attorney-General,  Mahmoud Abubakar-Magaji, SAN, urged the court to dismiss and strike out the entire process particularly the originating summons of the applicant motion on Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 and fundamental right.
    He argued that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the case and urged the court to set aside the exparte order it earlier granted retraining the respondents from arresting, intimidating or harassing the applicant.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state.
    NAN reports that Gov. Kabir-Yusuf, on May 23, dethroned Ado-Bayero, and reappointed Sanusi II, as the Emir of Kano, four years after he was dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RG/SH
    =======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza