cover Archives - Page 535 of 631

FG orders Labour, Kaduna govt to return to negotiation table

The Federal Government yesterday ordered both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Kaduna State Government to return to the negotiation table to find lasting solution to the industrial crisis that has engulfed the state since Monday.

The government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment had initiated a reconciliatory meeting which held yesterday to forestall the industrial action from snowballing into a nationwide crisis as threatened by the NLC.

The meeting chaired by Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had the leadership of the NLC and representatives of the Kaduna State government in attendance. Though Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, had boycotted the meeting.

The NLC was represented by eight of its leaders led by its President, Ayuba Wabba, three deputy presidents, Joe Ajaero, Amechi Asugwuni and Najeem Yasin and acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello.

The Kaduna State delegation was led by Head of Service, Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed and Commissioner for Local Government, Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani.

The meeting which lasted for over six hours however resolved that everything should return to status quo with the constitution of a 10-member bi-party committee comprising six representatives from the state government and NLC, to engage further with the objective of reverting with a work plan on how to integrate the provision of section 20 of the Labour Act CAP L1 LFN 2004 to resolve the impasse.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the two disputing parties and top officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment at the end of the meeting.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Ngige said all contending issues were ‘exhaustively and extensively’ deliberated.

He said it was agreed that all the listed issues fall within the ambit of redundancy and it was resolved that the principle of redundancy as stated in Section 20 of Labour Act, Cap L1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria be applied..

According to Ngige, the contentious issues include the compulsory retirement of workers on Grade Level 14 and above and those who have attained the age of 50 years irrespective of Grade Levels, the reduction of staff strength of local government to 50 in each of the 23 local government areas and casualisation of workers on Grade Level 1-6.

The minister further disclosed that it was recognized in the meeting that the current situation in the state was a result of communication gap between the state government and NLC.

He disclosed that to resolve the issues, the meeting dicided to constitute a 10-man bi-partite committee, comprising six representatives of the Kaduna State government and three officials of NLC to engage further with the objective of reverting back with a work plan on how to settle the squabble

“The meeting resolved that the committee should have as Chairman, the Head of Service of Kaduna State Government and assisted by a Deputy National President of the NLC. The Committee is expected to revert with the work plan for peaceful resolution of all issues in contention to the Minister of Labour and Employment by Tuesday, 25 May, 2021.

“The work plan is to itemize the structure and sub-structure in the state local government of their activities, time of commencement as envisaged, final tenure of the committee or make recommendations if in its wisdom it thinks that the committee should be a Permanent Standing Committee.”

“In conclusion, it was agreed that there should be no further industrial action on these issues and no worker shall be victimized on account of his or her participation in the industrial action.”

Gov Ayade has displayed ingratitude by dumping PDP for APC – Ex-Publicity Secretary

A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Joe Bisong, has said that Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State is an ingrate following his defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During a phone interview with Bisong, he said “The governor (Ayade) is an adult, a politician and he has done the needful.

“A man must belong to a political party and if he has chosen to join another political party, it is his right to do so, the constitution allows him to do that.

“But my take as a person is that he has created a vacuum within the political party that elected him and if I have to say it, it’s a sign of ingratitude,” the PDP chieftain noted

“The party shielded him, he ran the first tenure, and what he is doing now is his second tenure. The same political party has showed him the green light to become the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hon Bisong observed that sadly, the man just got up one morning, less than two years to the end of his tenure, dumped the political party to a new one.

“It doesn’t show any political maturity. What the PDP needs to do is to get up, being the largest political party and will be able to meet up,” he advised.

Hon Bisong said that if he had the opportunity to meet Gov Ayade, he would tell him, ‘Your Excellency, you have taken a wrong decision, a wrong political decision.

“He is the governor of the State, his departure will create a lot of issues. The new party he is going must have given him some conditions and this will affect executive council decision.

“He was running a PDP ideology which is liberalism and today he is moving to APC which is a conservative political party. Their ideologies are not the same and it’s going to affect the state,” he noted.

Gas Explosion rocks Obasanjo presidential Library in Ogun, Two persons confirmed dead

At least two persons were killed when gas exploded within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday morning.
According to Daily Trust, the explosion occurred around 11:am at the Marcque event centre within the Presidential Library.

It was gathered that technicians were topping up gas into an air conditioner before it exploded.

A worker at OOPL who spoke to newsmen in animosity said two people have been confirmed dead following the incident.

“The two gates leading into OOPL were shut while the security guards at the gate are currently turning visitors back,” the worker said.

It has been reported that the State Fire Service and some officials are currently in the premises to put the situation under control.

Trouble in Gberigbe As suspected Land grabbers unleash mayhem, Shoot five

One person is feared dead and no fewer than five persons have been shot in Gberigbe, a suburb of Ikorodu in Lagos following violence by suspected land grabbers allegedly aided by law enforcement agents.

The victims, said to be members of the Gberigbe Orelade Family, claimed that they were shot by thugs, mobile policemen and soldiers led by a notorious alleged land grabber in the area.

They accused the assailants of attempting to seize their lands.

Two of the gunshot victims, Segun Tijani and Daniel Adebori, were seen receiving treatment at the Ijede General Hospital, Ikorodu.

Both men were shot Thursday morning.

Tijani was hit on the hand and leg, while Adebori was shot on the right arm.

Mixed Reactions As Nigerians fault proposed bill criminalizing ransom payment

Nigerians on social media and off social media are reacting to the bill criminalising payment of ransom to kidnappers.

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill for a second reading to slam 15 years’ imprisonment on anyone caught paying ransom.

This bill comes amidst rising insecurity and thriving kidnapping across the country. Travelling on some highways across the country have become dangerous in recent times. One of the most notorious highways are the Abuja Kaduna highway, Abuja-Lokoja express and several others.

In the Southwest, kidnapping for ransom prompted governors of the region to form the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun. Just recently, southern governors banned open grazing and made other eleven security resolutions.

Mass abductions have also been perpetrated in some parts of the country. These started in 2014 with the infamous abduction of the Chibok girls. After then, the country has had a series of abductions, with some still in captivity.

The Bill, sponsored by Sen Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, seeks to amend the terrorism prevention act.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Amir Bala, who works in Abuja but whose family lives in Kaduna, said train stations in Abuja are enjoying more patronage, not due to the convenience alone, but because of the fear of being kidnapped on the road.

“It is an extra cost to go down to either Idu or Kubwa station, but people are scared of using that road. Even at the stations, you will see army generals and even those lawmakers making the same law.

“In the event that a family member is kidnapped and the security personnel are unable to get them, will you fold your arm? Losing money is better than losing your life.”

On social media, the reaction to the bill has been more of criticism, rather than acceptance.

A Twitter user, Demola of Lagos, with user name @Omogbajabiamila, faulted the bill, noting that “You can’t protect people from kidnappers. You can’t rescue those already kidnapped. Yet, you want to imprison those that are willing to pay ransom to get their loved ones out of captivity.”

“What kind of place is this?”

Popular CSO, Enough is Enough also weighs in on the bill. EIE accused the government of attempting to blame the victims for the attacks.

“The elected government of any nation is responsible for the safety and security of the people. But today in Nigeria, the victim takes the blame for being attacked.”

Speaking to DAILY POST, Rasheed Bakare, a legal practitioner, said in the event that the government fails in its core function, citizens are allowed to seek redress.

“Section 5 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) entrusted by empowering the President and Governors with executive powers to uphold the tenets of the constitution by ensuring among other things security and protection of her citizens and properties and coordinating good governance. Where the Executive arm has failed hitherto, the citizens could not be crucified for bending towards negotiation for the release of their loved ones. Placing jail terms for giving or offering ransom should outrightly be discouraged and set aside.”

The committee on Judiciary will still have to conduct a public hearing on the bill.

Governor Ayade dumps PDP For APC, Assures Party 100% Loyalty

Cross Rivers State Governor Ben Ayade has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aayde announced his decision on Thursday morning in a meeting with six APC governors who visited him at the Government House.

The governors who visited Ayade include Governors of Kebbi, Imo, Yobe, Plateau, Jigawa and Ekiti State.

PDP spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan had said the All Progressives Congress is embarking on a wild goose chase by going after Ayade.

He said the Cross River State Governor as a Committed party member was aware of measures put in place by the leadership of the PDP, the Governor Aminu Tambuwual-led PDP Governors Forum and the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Reconciliation and Strategy Committee to make him comfortable within the party’s fold.

Ologbondiyan said, “The APC Governors, as usual, went to Cross River as part of their jamboree. How can a party which has failed to hold congresses and a convention for over one year attract a committed PDP member who is at home with a structured party?

“The APC should be made aware that Governor Ayade has assured our party of his unalloyed loyalty.”

Shekau Avoids being Captured, Commits Suicide during Iswap attack

Intelligence sources have confirmed that Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau is finally dead. This was following the ISWAP attack on Sambisa fortress of shekau led by ISWAP commander, Baana DUGURI. Shekau was said to have blew himself to avoid being captured alive.

We await official confirmation from #ISWAP and @DefenceInfoNG & @HQNigerianArmy
over this news. This mark the end of an Era. Shekau finally killed by his own group that broke away after many years. While this is a big victory for Nigeria, it’s still not uhuru yet for the military

Channels TV Host, Seun Okinbaloye, Under Fire After Poor Interview with Malami

Attorney General of the federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was recently a guest at Channels television. Channels TV host, Seun Okinbaloye took up the duty to interview the minister.

However, many Nigerians are of the view that Seun Okinbaloye is not an intelligent host as he failed to ask sensitive and vital questions. They felt Malami should have been grilled with so many big questions in relation to Nigeria’s current situation.

Here are some interesting tweets concerning Seun ‘s interview:
Lee tweeted: Seun Okinbaloye should resign and go home
His interviews on channels this days is nothing to write home about , very annoying , asking baby questions instead of reasonable and challenging questions
If you’re scared then stop doing interviews

Another tweet read: They give little or nothing but feel so entitled. Spare parts sellers rent shops, buy landed properties, pay taxes, kill no one, rapes no one. But those who destroy alcohol and still enjoy its tax revenues from other state are making weak comparisons, Seun you are not doing well!

Channels TV tweeted: On the issue of banning grazing, the AGF asks if you deny the rights of a Nigerian citing the example of Northern governors coming together to ban the trade of spare parts in the north. Does it hold water.

Nigerians on Twitter were displeased with such comparison and called it a weak one.

OG tweeted: That was a very poor comparison.. selling of Spare parts does not lead to insecurity… but open grazing clearly does, Seun just didn’t point that out.

A.zed tweeted: And this is my biggest frustration with Seun. He gets the biggest newsmakers on his show but rarely challenges them nor does he ask intelligent follow up questions.

Anybody – Malami, Fayose, Gumi – can come on his show, make the most ludicrous claims & Seun will let it slide

It’s obvious from tweets that Seun lacks the skills required of a good host. Do you think so?

NLC suspends 5-day warning strike as FG invites el-Rufai, Labour to meeting in Abuja today

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, suspended the five-day warning strike in Kaduna, to honour the invitation of the Federal Government to a meeting in Abuja today. The union president, Ayuba Wabba, confirmed the receipt of the invitation by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, adding that the leadership of the union thereafter met and agreed to honour the invitation.

The development in Kaduna State since Monday made the Federal Government to invite both the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and the labour leadership to an emergency meeting today.

Ngige sent personal letters to both Governor el-Rufai and the NLC president, Wabba, to invite them for the meeting.

Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Charles Akpan, said the minister “has, therefore, invited the two parties to the trade dispute, the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Na- sir el-Rufai and top officials of the state on one hand as well as the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and top NLC leaders on the other hand, to an emergency conciliation meeting by 11.00 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the office of the Minister of labour and Employment, Federal Secretariat, Abuja.”

The minister further directed the two parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, pending the resolution of the issues in contention. Also speaking, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while briefing correspondents at the end of the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, said apart from efforts by Ngige to resolve the issue, security apparatus have taken pre-emptive measures to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums.

Mohammed said: “The Federal Government is not folding its arms and already, the Minister of Labour and Employment has waded in and is in touch with both the government of Kaduna State and also the Labour.”

The leadership of the National Assembly will also engage both el-Rufai and NLC leadership over the crisis as former Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, told a delegation of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by its president, Comrade Ambali Olatunji, that the governor ought to have negotiated with the unions before it degenerated into the present level.

Earlier on Wednesday, another set of thugs had invaded the state secretariat of NLC in Kaduna as early as 6.30 a.m., while some pro-government protesters also took over the NEPA Roundabout Junction, venue of the labour unions protest.

Numbering about 50, the thugs were later dislodged by the security personnel before the workers assembled between 9.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., from where they moved to the Secretariat. Among the protesters were another group of women who came to protest against the NLC but had to fight their contractors for deceiving them and failure to pay them as mobilised.

One of the women who spoke on camera in Hausa language said, “we were only given placards to come and support the governor in a political rally. How can I support the governor on this after all our relations were sacked?”

While addressing the workers, Wabba gave the reason why the action would take its full course, unless the state government opted for dialogue. He vowed that the strike would be to escalate to the national level, adding also that Nigerian workers will report the Kaduna State government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for prosecution against violation of human rights.

As he was set for show-down, el-Rufai had also threatened the labour leaders to get ready for prosecution over their “criminal” act of grounding the economy of the state. Speaking while declaring open the 23rd Annual Tax Conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria ((CITN), currently ongoing at Murtala Square, Kaduna, Kaduna said as much as workers have the right to embark on strike or stage protest, they do not have the right to shut down institutions and businesses who are willing to open to transact their legitimate businesses.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged Governor el-Rufai to immediately and unconditionally reinstate all workers he sacked from the state public service. In a statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, it said it was alarmed that the administration had sacked about 70,000 workers since 2016, as it described such act as “wicked, insensitive and unacceptable.”

INEC Set to resume voter registration June 28

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday it had concluded arrangements to resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on June 28.

Its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this at the commission’s meeting in Abuja with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Yakubu said the commission was working to update its registration software to accommodate the newly established polling units to enable prospective voters to register.

“However, more work still lies ahead.

“Apart from the CVR, we shall continue our preparations for two bye-elections scheduled for June 19 in Sabon Gari State Constituency in Kaduna State and Gwaram Federal Constituency in Jigawa State,” he said.

He said the commission was waiting for the official declaration of vacancies by the House of Representatives for the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency in Plateau and Lere Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.

“Furthermore, preparations for the Anambra State Governorship election to be held on Nov. 6 and the FCT Area Council election scheduled for Feb. 12 will be prioritised.

“Similarly, we shall continue our early preparations for the 2023 general elections.

“In this regards, the commission has already established an Election Project Plan (EPP) committee to work on the 2023 election plan.

“The idea is to complete the plan early enough and make sure that we are fully ready for the election, which is now only 640 days away,” he said.

Yakubu said INEC had successfully concluded stakeholder engagements on the expansion of voter access to pulling units.

The chairman said the commission would soon meet to finalise the compilation and coding of polling units and would thereafter make the information public.