Blog

Strike

By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Sept 27, 2018 (NAN) Some education stakeholders have expressed divergent views over the ongoing warning nationwide strike  embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC).

The strike began from 12 mid night on Wednesday after the ultimatum the unions had issued to the Federal Government failed to yield results.

The labour unions are agitating the collapse of negotiation for an upward review of minimum wage for the country’s labour force.

A former Minister of Education, Prof. Nora Obaji, said that there was need for both the unions and the Federal Government to sit together and resolve the issue amicably, once and for the benefit of the country.

Obaji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that there was nothing good that had ever come out from disagreements and strikes.

“I am personally not in support of the strike because the buck normally ends on the table of the poor masses.

“I think it is time for both the government and the labour unions to begin to look inwards and see how we can move this country forward collectively to its desired height.

“We do not have any other country but Nigeria. We must all play by the roles and in doing that, we should start with our leaders.

“For a long time now, our National Assembly has been on recess and the citizens have been carrying on with their day to day activities, and no one seem to be complaining.

“If we should use the amount of money we are paying them to impact on lives, perharps, there would have been no need for any agitation. And therefore, the question now is, do we really need them?

“We must realise that such long period of recess cannot be tolerated in some other countries, so, we must have to look inward as a people.

“I will always insist that if we want to copy, we must copy well because the American system which we claim to be copying their style of governance does not operate like this,” she said.

She also urged the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to back down on their planned strike as well, by engaging the government amicably on their demands and finding a lasting solution.

“Like I have noted, strikes have not done us any good, especially the academia.

“Whenever these strikes are embarked upon for, our children are the ones who suffer, even after they have paid their school fees.

“We have some members of ASUU who are now part of the same government we are talking about.

“So, I will suggest that these members of ASUU also find time to look inwards by engaging these their colleagues and find out the true position of things and see how things could work out amicably.

“On the other hand, government must also learn to respect agreements it willfully entered into and not wait for the declaration of strike before doing the needful because each time we go on strike, we are disrupting a lot of things.

“It should always strive to win the confidence and trust of the people by doing what it is supposed to do,” she said.

Prof. Lai Olurode, a one time Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, said it was unfortunate that negotiations between the labour unions in the country are allowed to drag for too long.

According to him, things are not generally rosy for an average Nigerian worker considering the states of the public social services.

“It is not a hidden fact that we spend a lot to maintain and sustain people in government, while paying little attention to other social services.

“Government should not make itself a luxury to maintain people there but rather strive in investing hugely on human capacity development.

“The issue is not just clamouring for a better pay package for the workers but rather ensure that infrastructure are fixed.

“Government must set the ball rolling by patronising our public social services like health, education access and other social securities.

“The masses will always agitate for a better pay package, if these things are not in place or not in good shape where they are available available, so that they will able to look elsewhere for such services.

“If government should provide and maintain infrastructure, agitation for increase in salaries will reduce considerably,” the former INEC National Commissioner told NAN.

A senior lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU) who pleaded anonymity, said that there was no going back on the NLC strike, adding that government had over stretched the patience of the ordinary Nigerian worker, just like it had done to ASUU. (NAN)
CCN/PDE
=======
(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

PPC vows to win Lagos, picks governorship candidate

Primaries

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Providence People’s Congress (PPC) on Thursday expressed its determination to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Lagos State Government House, come 2019.

Chief Bimbo Aduroja, the South West Vice Chairman of the party, said the PPC would spring a surprise in the general elections, particularly in Lagos State.

Mrs Omolara Adesanya emerged as governorship candidate of the party in the state, via consensus.

The state chairman of the party, Mr Oswald Olatunbosun, also emerged the Lagos West Senatorial candidate, while Mr Segun Williams emerged as the Lagos Central senatorial candidate.

Candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly also emerged at the primaries.

The process was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Mr Titus Ugbuegbwu.

Aduroja said that with commitment of all members, the PPC would actualise its determination to defeat the APC in Lagos.

“Who says APC cannot be defeated? That is a myth. We are determined to win Lagos and we can actualise this if all members are committed.

“In winning any election, it is not about being big or being small. It is about using the right strategy and unity to achieve.

“So, I urge you our great members to be united and be committed to the goals of the party.

“We should love one another and work in unison for victory. Defeating APC is a possibility.

“We should not only be determined to do so, we should work very hard to achieve it,” he said.

The PPC chieftain said the results in the main Osun elections on Saturday meant everything could be achieved with the right strategy and determination.

He said that despite being a new party, the PPC was able to register itself as one of the top ten parties in the election with its peculiar strategy.

“We are a new party, we don’t have the big money like the big parties. We did not do mega rallies like some other parties did in Osun, but we made an impact with our own strategy.

“We were going into households telling people what we stand for. We were not buying votes.

“The results of the elections showed we were in the first ten.

“So if we could do that in Osun,we could do much more in Lagos if we work hard and stick to our goals’, he said.

He commended the peaceful manner in which the primaries were conducted, saying the party had demonstrated how democracy should work.(NAN)

BHB/KTO/SOA

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Oluwole Sogunle

Centre
By Tukur Muntari
Kano Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for the immediate reactivation of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Kano for effective response during emergencies.

The Head of NEMA Kano Operations Office, Nura Abdullahi,  made the call at a  disaster management stakeholders meeting in Kano on Thursday.

He also stressed the need for the reactivation of the Disaster Management Committee and a  visit to the  Joint Operations Centre and Emergency Call Centre.

“ The flood experienced in the past weeks with its attendant reports of destruction of farmlands and buildings was a clear confirmation of the 2018 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) as released by NIMET.

“More worrisome is the anticipation of an overflow of rivers, dams and streams in which many communities seem to be at risk by being vulnerable to flood disaster,” he said.

He called for synergy among all stakeholders to share experiences on how to adopt measures in respect of strengthening effectiveness on disaster management collaboration and Coordination.

Meanwhile, the meeting has called on NEMA and SEMA to organise periodic sensitisation programmes that would involve all stakeholders.

The meeting also called for the enforcement of disaster management laws. (NAN)
MTM/OJO
========
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Primaries
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Members of National Conscience Party(NCP) in the South-South and South-East Zones have demanded that the party’s  National Chairman,  Dr Tanko Yunusa,  steps down before its forthcoming presidential primaries.

They made the call in a statement jointly signed by the Deputy National Chairmen of the party in the South-East Zone, Goodluck Obi, and South-South Zone, Peters Omoragbon.

The statement said  Yunusa, as an aspirant,  should step aside as the chairman of the party in order to ensure fairness, justice and equity during the NEC meeting and primaries.

“ Before the commencement of the activities leading to the election of the party ’s presidential flag bearer for the 2019 general elections, members of NEC had yet to receive any update(s) concerning the planning and activities for this very special event.

“Also, no member of NEC has any information as to whether a NEC meeting will hold before the primaries.

“It is in the interest of peaceful presidential primaries that NEC is hereby put on notice so as to look into the above issues as a matter of urgent importance.

“Failure to do this will leave us with no choice than to raise these matters on the floor of the presidential primaries invoking Articles 4.1.2, 4.1.3 or 4.1.4 of the party ’s constitution,” the statement said.

But the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Okereke Emmanuel, said Obi and Omoragbon lacked the power to make the demands, adding that the duo had ceased to be zonal leaders.

Emmanuel said that the duo were facing a  disciplinary panel for alleged anti-party activities and dereliction of duty, adding that the party’s NEC would soon make a pronouncement on the issue. (NAN)
MIO /OSA/OJO
==========
(Edited by Shittu Obassa/Mufutau Ojo)

Strike

By Aminu Garko

Minna, Sept. 27, 2018(NAN) Some commercial banks within Minna metropolis have been offering skeletal services to customers, in spite of the strike declared by NLC in demand of payment of the New Minimum Wage by the Federal Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zenith Bank, UBA and Central Bank (CBN) on Minna, Bosso road were seen attending to customers, especially civil servants who have just been paid their September salaries.

Some of the customers at the banks expressed delight that financial institutions did not join fully.

They called on the Federal Government to resolve the impasse with labour in the interest of Nigerians.

Similarly, private schools in Minna, including Himma International school, Tumber Secondary School, and Mawo Secondary school were busy teaching in the classes.

Commercial and business activities were not affected by the strike as markets ad other business operators manned their activities smoothly.

NAN, however, reports that both the federal and state secretariats were under lock and key.

Gov. Abubakar Bello and his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, were all in their offices and inaugurated his campaign office in Minna.

Abdullahi Musa,  a federal civil servant, told NAN: “I report to work this morning only to be told that civil servants are on strike.

“I strongly advise federal and state NLC chapters to sheath their sword and embrace dialogue, rather than taking to confrontation in resolving their differences, “he said. (NAN)

AAG/ AAB/IA

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Idris Abdulrahman

I will defeat Sen. Adamu, says APC senatorial aspirant
By Awayi Kuje
Primaries
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Aliyu Tijjani-Ahmed, an APC senatorial aspirant, says he will defeat Sen. Abdullahi Adamu at the party’s primaries to represent Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Tijjani-Ahmed, who resigned as the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education to challenge Adamu, made this known on Thursday in Keffi during the flag off of his campaign.
“I am sure of winning the party’s ticket at the Oct. 2 primaries,’’ he boasted.
He said that power belongs to God and expressed hope that he would win during the party’s primaries and eventually win at the general election in 2019.
“I will win my election by God’s grace and no going back on my senatorial ambition,” he said.
He promised to initiate good policies and programmes that would enhance the overall wellbeing of his constituents.
The aspirant also promised to empower women and youths of the constituency, if given the mandate.
“I will promote your welfare by providing the much needed dividend of democracy to the people of the senatorial district, if elected,” he said.
He also promised improved and effective quality representation, assuring that he will not renege on his promises.
He commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for his development strides across all sectors of the economy, pointing out that they have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
He urged the people of the state and Nigerians at large to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and the senatorial ambition of Al-Makura in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both Adamu and Tijjani-Ahmed are aspiring to win the ticket of the APC to run in the 2018 general elections.
Adamu is the incumbent senator representing the district at the red chambers.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Samuel Akala, the Executive Chairman, Karu Local Government Council of the state, who spoke on behalf of five other local government chairmen in the zone, pledged to support the senatorial ambition of the aspirant to enable him win his election.
“On behalf of the Executive Chairmen of Toto, Nasarawa, Keffi and Kokona Local Governments, we have agreed to work for the success of Alhaji Aliyu Tijjani-Ahmed, our senatorial aspirant,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Benjamin Bakka, the Director-General of Tijjani-Ahmed Campaign Organisation, described the aspirant as a man of integrity and unquestionable character.
He appealed to delegates to vote for the aspirant to bring them the needed change. (NAN)
AKW/PD/MST
Edited by Philip Dzeremo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Shittu rejects indirect primaries in Oyo State, says process targeted at him

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Shittu

Abuja, Sept.27, 2018 (NAN) Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication and an All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship aspirant for Oyo State,has rejected the indirect primary election adopted for the state

“I, Adebayo Shittu, the leading governorship aspirant of the APC in Oyo State, rejects the recommendation of the NWC for indirect primary in the state,” he said.

Shittu stated this on Thursday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen at the APC national Secretariat after meeting with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

He also pointed out that issues surrounding the emergence of the leadership of the state chapter of the party were still being contested at the courts.

Shittu said part of the reasons he rejected the adoption of indirect primaries in the State was because those to serve as delegates, constituted the bulk of those handpicked for the party’s state Congresses, which are being contested in court.

He stressed that the decision to adopt the indirect primaries in Oyo State was particularly aimed at preventing him from having a fair opportunity to contest, participate and to win the primary election.

“The direct primary system will surely allow all aspirants in the party to test their popularity,” he said.

He added that the system gives party members a fair opportunity of voting for candidates of their choice.

Shittu stressed that if the party members were the true owners of the party, they should be allowed to take its ownership, particularly with regard to selecting a candidate of their choice.

The minister, however, advised the APC leadership not to allow the desperate desire of “some political bigwigs” to produce a stooge as a candidate for the 2019 election in the state.

He said majority of the people in the state had vowed not to support such candidate if presented by the party for the election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC governorship primaries come up on Sept.29, across the 36 states of the federation. (NAN)

EEM/KTO/AMY

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Abdullahi Yusuf

Risk
By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse,  Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Incentive Risk Sharing System (NIRSAL)  has organised a two-day workshop for farmers in risk management and farm record keeping for stakeholders in agricultural value chain in Dutse, Jigawa.

Mr David Akande, the Head of NIRSAL in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.

Akande said that NISIRSAL was a subsidiary of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which was also giving loans and other interventions to farmers, especially on agricultural value chain programmes.

He said that the workshop was also meant to teach farmers ways to use modern technology on risk management and farm record keeping,

“We are organising the training from producers, distributors down to consumers on agricultural value chain programmes.

Alhaji Abubakar Bello, the NIRSAL Field Officer in the state, said that about 27,000 farmers were  expected to benefit from the training programmes. (NAN)
AIS/AAB/TÁ

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Tajudeen Atitebi

Labour

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, Sept.27,2018(NAN) Leadership of the organised labour in Bauchi state has expressesed satisfaction over the compliance level of workers to the ongoing warning strike by labour on minimum wage.

The chairman of the council, Mr Hashim Gital, who went round government owned offices, to ensure workers’ compliance with the strike directive, said ” we are happy with the level of compliance.

He said that the council had earlier set up teams to ensure adequate sensitisation and monitoring of the strike for complete compliance by both private and public offices in the state.

Gital, however, said that media organisations were granted permission to carry out skeletal services, to be able to inform the general public of happenings during the period of strike.

Gital noted that though the compliance level was encouraging, he said, labour would not hesitate to mobilise traders and market women to join workers in show of solidarity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the labour monitoring teams visited the Federal Inland Revenue Service office, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi state secretariat, primary and secondary schools as well as some media organisations.

The organised labour began its strike midnight, Wednesday, following the delay by Federal Government in concluding negotiation on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.(NAN)
AE/KOO/AFA

============

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide

ahmedamina82@gmail.com

I don’t see Gov. Bindow’s incumbency as threat – APC guber aspirant
By Yakubu Uba
Aspirant
Yola, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) Ahead of Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries, a gubernatorial aspirant of the party in Adamawa, Dr Mahmood Halilu, says he did not perceive Gov. Muhammadu Bindow’s incumbency as a threat.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Halilu, former EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu and Gov. Bindow are the three aspirants expected to participate in the primaries.
This followed the withdrawal of Mr Marcus Gundiri and Alhaji Mohammed Haladu who recently announced their withdrawal for Halilu.
Halilu, popularly known as “Modi”, told newsmen on Thursday in Yola that after going round the state where he spoke to party members, he was convinced that Bindow has not met the yearnings and aspirations of the people who, he said, were now clamouring for a change of leadership.
“I don’t look at him as an incumbent, but somebody that has failed in his responsibility and need to be changed,” Halilu said.
The aspirant however said that he was ready to accept defeat if he was floored by Bindow as he was not desperate for leadership.
“I don’t care if I lost in the primaries. I come to salvage Adamawa, but if the people are not ready for me so be it,” Halilu said.
He said that a after taking over the formidable structure of Gundiri, a grassroots politician, he was in talks with Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s group for them to present a consensus candidate that would face Bindow.
“We are discussing, I can assure you that tomorrow (Friday) by the grace of God we will have one aspirant,” Halilu said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babacir Lawan, on Monday announced at a stakeholders meeting held by those against indirect primaries of plan to present either Halilu or Ribadu as a consensus candidate against Bindow in the primaries.
Lawan, who lauded the National Executive Committee of the party for suspending 17 members of Adamawa State Executive Committee members from participating in the primaries, said that a consensus candidate would help in defeating Bindow. (NAN)
YMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola