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Mass Sacking: Islamic Group Slams El rufai, Frowns at his hostile treatment of civil servants

The Islamic group, therefore, slammed the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as wicked over his hostile treatment of civil servants in the state.

Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shiites, has said its members have been attacked and killed by hired thugs during peaceful protests on the streets of Kaduna State.

The Islamic group, therefore, slammed the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as wicked over his hostile treatment of civil servants in the state.

Kaduna State Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
El-Rufai had sacked Kaduna State University’s lecturers, health workers and others who joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike in the state.

He had also declared the National President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba and 17 others wanted.

The Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige waded into the crisis between the state government and the NLC and invited both parties in the dispute to an emergency meeting.

Following the emergency meeting, the NLC suspended its five-day warning strike in the state as announced by Wabba.

However, IMN says it is necessary to condemn the strong-arm tactics deployed by El-Rufai against the peaceful NLC protests during the warning protest.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesman for IMN, Ibrahim Musa, made available to Daily Post on Friday.

It said, “If not for the fact that Islam abhours injustice and implore adherents to speak out against injustice anywhere, anytime, more so injustice to one is an injustice to all, we wouldn’t have bothered to declare our stance on this preventable face-off between the Governor and NLC.

“It is unfortunate the way and manner the embattled Kaduna Governor declared Wabba and 17 others wanted for alleged economic sabotage and attacks on public infrastructure under the Miscellaneous Offences Act and even disclosed that there was a handsome reward for anyone who could give information on Wabba’s current whereabouts.

“This strong-arm tactics employed by the Governor is not new to us in the Islamic Movement at the height of our struggle for justice to Sheikh (Ibrahim) Zakzaky from 2016 to date.

“Also, hired armed thugs with knives, sticks and stones, attacked the peaceful protest of the labour union in Kaduna State on Tuesday, 18/05/2021. If not that the police and the DSS (Department of State Services) in Kaduna had apprehended some of the sponsored thugs, thereby protecting protesters and averting bloodshed, the story would have been different by now.

“However apprehending them without bringing them and their sponsors to justice will only be a waste of state resources. Their sponsors must be exposed and brought to justice if the law enforcement agencies are serious.

“We are not strange to such barbarism of Governor El-Rufai. It is on record that times without number when we embark on peaceful protests in the streets of Kaduna, such hoodlums are employed to spill our blood for no reason. In fact, it is on record that we have lost at least two people to such gruesome ploys.

“KDSG even resorted to vile propaganda when it likened ‘the actions of the NLC as equivalent to the actions of the bandits kidnapping and menacing our citizens. Bandits illegally use arms, but the NLC is deploying mob action for exactly the same ends,’ as claimed the state in a press statement.

“We will not forget when the governor was busy trumpeting that the Islamic Movement is worse than Boko Haram at the slightest opportunity. His crude tactics have always been to’ black-paint’ innocent citizens to deceptively sway public support to his side.

“And to cap it all up, the governor announced that he had fired Kaduna State University’s lecturers who joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike in the state, as ‘KDSG will not tolerate criminal acts disguised as industrial action.’

“The government also announced the dismissal of all nurses below Grade Level 14 for the illegal strike. If this is not the way of fascist regimes, what is it? Certainly, this is most undemocratic and extremely autocratic,” the statement partly read.

The group used the opportunity to demand justice for its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who has been detained since 2015, while commending the NLC for confronting the autocratic tendencies of El-Rufai.”

“Finally, we hereby salute the courage of the NLC and its leadership for resisting the evil plans of the wicked Governor of sacking the common masses from their places of work.

“We also hope by now members of the public must have realised what we have been saying all along, since the Zaria massacre of December 2015, that this regime is brutal, aggressive in its actions and extremely egocentric.

“It doesn’t care about the lives, property and welfare of the citizens. Had it been we were listened to, we might not have reached the sorry state the nation is in now.

“Hence we reiterate our demand for justice to Sheikh Zakzaky, his family, followers and all the victims of the Zaria massacre, which is nothing short of their immediate release from illegal detention,” the statement added.

Anthony Joshua Calls Fury ‘A Fraud’ after getting 48 hours WBO deadline to face Usyk

Anthony Joshua has called Tyson Fury “a fraud” with their undisputed title fight on the brink of collapsing after he was given a 48-hour deadline before being ordered to face Oleksandr Usyk.

.@Tyson_Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are.

You’ve let boxing down!

You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.

Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) May 19, 2021
The governing body’s stance on Wednesday evening is a further blow to the planned undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Joshua and Fury for August 14 in Saudi Arabia.

A court ruled on Monday that WBC champion Fury must take on Deontay Wilder again by September 15, meaning IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder Joshua may instead fight Usyk next.

“The world now sees you for the fraud you are,” Joshua posted on social media towards Fury.

“You’ve let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.

“Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.”

Fury replied: “You are more full of [rubbish] than [promoter Eddie Hearn]. Your full team knew there was an arbitration going on, it was out of my hands! If I’m a fraud let’s fight this weekend bare knuckles until one man quits.”

Why Fury should worry about Wilder
‘I’m nervous for grandad Mayweather’
Joshua hit back: “If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting! The fight was signed!

“I’ll slap your bald head and you’ll do nothing!”

Fury called Joshua a “bottle job” then added: “I’ll smoke Wilder first then you will get yours as well.”

Revealed: How to win an undisputed title fight
Joshua set to fight Usyk
Usyk was called Joshua’s “Plan B” by promoter Eddie Hearn because he is the WBO mandatory challenger – that fight is now two days away from being ordered.

The WBO had originally agreed to forego Usyk’s right to a shot at the belt because of the magnitude of the planned undisputed title fight.

“The WBO is extremely happy as their mandatory challenger will be facing their heavyweight champion,” Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

Joshua vs Usyk?
Image:
Joshua has 48 hours before he will be ordered to fight Usyk

“What else can they desire? We are waiting for their approval letter!”

WBO president Paco Valcarcel said on Tuesday night: “I hope boxing fans will enjoy Joshua vs Usyk in the near future.”

The targeted date for Joshua vs Usyk is in August at “most likely a big open-air venue in the UK”, says Krassyuk.

Usyk had previously been in negotiations to fight Joe Joyce for the WBO interim title while he awaited the winner of Joshua vs Fury.

Usyk is close to coming between Fury and Joshua
“Usyk said that he was crossing the English Channel by the time he received my message, and asked which turn he should be making,” joked Krassyuk.

“He was happy to hear the news.”

Krassyuk had previously reacted to the court ruling Fury to face Wilder: “There is no other reasonable excuse for AJ now. If he is not avoiding Usyk, it is high time to face the mandatory!

“We are now in the position to make the fight happen as soon as possible.”

Joshua breaks his silence
Joshua posted on social media shortly after the WBO gave him a 48-hour deadline, joking: “I’m thinking about starting a Go Fund Me page to raise money for Wilder’s step aside payment – £20m.

“So I can smoke that fat guy with skinny legs from Manchester.

“These heavyweights need a podcast or something because they do more talking than fighting.”

Explaining the Fury-Wilder-Joshua saga
Fury previously said about Wilder: “What a joke the Bronze Bomber has become.

“Asked for $20m to move over, joker.

“Looks like I have to [fight him] again.”

But Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott hit back: “No. Wilder declined and had no interest in step aside money. You are dealing with a whole different type [of mentality] over here. He wants the blood not the step aside money.

“‘Retribution is upon us’.”

Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder
Image:
Fury beat Wilder in a rematch but a court ruled they must fight again
Fury posted a mocking list of Wilder’s “excuses” since they last fought: “Costume was too heavy, Fury’s gloves were loaded, I had weak legs, my water was spiked, Fury’s gloves had no padding, had bicep surgery, disloyal trainer, complications in camp, I broke my arm, fight stopped too early, Andre Dirrell’s fault.”

Can Joshua vs Fury be salvaged?
Promoter Eddie Hearn considered whether the undisputed title fight may be delayed until December, to first allow Fury to face Wilder and Joshua to meet Usyk.

Asked about the August 14 date in Saudi Arabia for Joshua vs Fury, Hearn said: “Am I hopeful? I don’t know.

“We were told the arbitration wouldn’t be a problem but obviously it is a problem.

“We have to think on our feet. We have to act accordingly. We still hope the fight can go ahead but it’s out of our hands.

“If [Fury’s] hands are tied [Joshua] will have to look elsewhere.”

US Reveals plans to Supply Nigeria Drones to Curb Insecurity

The United States government has revealed plans to supply drones to Nigeria as part of its commitment to help overcome security challenges in the country.

The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard, stated this in Sokoto at a round table discussion with journalists in the state.

She said the drones would help Nigeria to end the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and Boko Haram in the country.

The American ambassador said: “Insecurity has shortchanged the development of the country in many areas of human endeavour.
“America is concern about the security situation of the country.”

The ambassador further explained that the US has been supportive of Nigeria on information gathering and hardware to combat security through modern technologies and other relevant areas of concern.

She said, however, protocols and channels that facilitate the implementations were considered by departments and expertise.

The ambassador who is going round states in the country to inspect American programs in the country said, “USAID had from 2015 to date invested about one hundred and twenty-two million dollars on different activities that comprised improving primary healthcare, immunisations, public access to quality healthcare, education, agriculture, and empowerments programmes.

“USAID future interactions aimed at strengthening the commitments include improving agriculturalists’ capacity for farmers to engage on right agricultural practices for growth and enhanced food production.”

She added that the Safe Schools Initiative and other educational support was accorded with priority, stressing that the US government accorded respect and concern on the plights of Nigerians.

She noted that the US government is assisting Nigeria in various human endeavours, stressing that her country is the largest single bilateral contributor to Nigeria.

The Ambassador commended the Sokoto State government for its commitment to developing the agricultural sector especially the cotton value chain.

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.”

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