The Presidential Election Petition Court has struck out the testimonies of 10 of the 13 witnesses Peter Obi and the Labour Party called to defend their petition challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

The tribunal ruled that the petitioner’s request for an extension of time to subpoena 10 additional witnesses was not originally part of the petition.

The court held that this was a new issue introduced into the petition, and the respondents could not respond to it again.

The court held that it was an attempt to amend the petition beyond the legally allowed 21 days.

The court dismissed all the testimonies from the witnesses and struck out all documents they tendered from the court records.

The court held that their witness statements were filed in violation of section 4 (5) (b) of the constitution and were incompetent.

Mr Obi and the Labour Party’s petition will be decided by the testimony of only three witnesses.

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the failure of the mass transit scheme in Nigeria has summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, over the scheme’s failure.

Others summoned include the Minister of Trade and Investment, the Accountant-General for the Federation, and the head of service for the federation.

Rep. Victor Ogene, the committee chairman, issued the summons in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the committee invited the ministers and others to supply the requisite information about previous mass transit schemes regarding disbursement.

Mr Ogene said the committee had yet to get the document required, saying that in response to that, the agencies were invited to appear before the committee on September 11 and 12 at 11:00 a.m.

“Additionally, the clerk of this committee is to invite the managing director of the Infrastructure Bank to appear on the same day and time,” he stated.

The chairman also asked the National Association of Road Transport Owners and the Road Transport Employers of Nigeria to appear before it.

He, however, warned those concerned not to treat the invitation with levity, adding that failure to come would incur the wrath of the lawmakers, thereby invoking their legislative power.

“Let me warn that this invitation is not frivolous; this is an invitation extended to them by the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And if, for any reason, any of them fail to honour this invitation, we shall invoke the full power of this committee as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” he said.

The Abuja Investment Company Limited and the National Union of Road Transport Workers had earlier appeared before the committee.

They both suggested how to stop the recurring failure of the scheme.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Wednesday warned motorists plying the Lagos-Badagry expressway against overloading and speeding during the ember months.

Williams Manga, Badagry unit commander, FRSC, gave the warning at a sensitisation programme organised for table water truck drivers.

Mr Manga attributed major road crashes to speed limit violations and overloading, urging drivers to respect the obligation of human life by obeying traffic rules.

“Do not overload your water trucks with goods and passengers; it is dangerous,” he advised.

Mr Manga appealed to “pure water” truck drivers to undergo the proper process of acquiring genuine driver’s licences to avoid being arrested on the roads.

He urged the drivers to avoid using expired or fairly used tyres on their vehicles because it could lead to road crashes.

The Lagos State Chapter of the Labour Party has urged the judges sitting at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja to deliver judgment with utmost fairness as they set to deliver judgment today, Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

It said that it was an enormous responsibility for the judges and they should deliver justice in the interest of all Nigerians who have entrusted them with their destinies to decide on the true outcome of the February 25, 2023, presidential election, adding that they (judges) should not bow to pressure or intimidation from any external bodies.

The spokesperson for the party, Olubunmi Odusanya, stated in a statement issued on Tuesday evening that the party also celebrated the victories of their candidates for the National Assembly, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi and Wande George, whose elections into the Oshodi-Isolo II and Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituencies respectively, were upheld by a National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ikeja, Lagos.

Odusanya commended the judges, saying it was a symbol that “Nigeria, can still be salvaged with the right people in the right institutions of the state.’’

The statement partly read,

“In view of the above, we at the Labour Party Lagos State urge the Judges at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT in Abuja to toe the line of their colleagues in Lagos as they set to deliver judgement on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

“This is an enormous responsibility in their hands and we urge them to deliver justice in the interest of Nigeria, not self. We want the Tribunal Judges to realise that the destinies of over two hundred million are in their hands. This is the time to put Nigeria in her rightful place in the committee of nations.

“A position denied the Country by the acts of misgovernance and maladministration inflicted on us by brigandage and charlatans posing as leaders in the time past. We urge the Judges not to succumb to any form of pressure or intimidation from any quarter.

“Nigeria is bigger than all of us and our allegiance should be to the nation, not self. The time to take back Nigeria is now.

In like manner, we implore all Labour Party members and supporters and indeed all ObiDients to remain optimistic that our Principal, Peter Obi will be given his clear mandate as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria tomorrow September 6 2023.

This will be a definitive move to take back our Country and steer it back on the right track of greatness. It is the only leadership that will birth a New Nigeria.

“Furthermore, Labour Party Lagos State received with rude shock and sadness the judgements delivered by the National and State Assembly Petition petition Tribunal wherein in our sitting House of Representatives Member for Ojo Federal Constituency was sacked and the plea of our Lagos Central Senatorial candidate’s were thrown out based on matters we feel are pre-election issues.

We thank God that the Tribunal is not the final court of arbitration in these matters. Labour Party will appeal the said judgements.

“We, at Labour Party are also in solidarity with our indefatigable and ebullient Governorship candidate of Lagos state, Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, whose victory at the Tribunal the Party expects when judgement is delivered in the petition.

We reiterate our hope, trust and confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary for a truly strong democracy that will usher in the new Nigeria we all hope for and desire. May God help us to do right.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s (today) presidential petition judgement delivery, heavy security presence had been observed at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, dark spots and some other flash points in Abuja on Tuesday.

The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Haruna Tsammani, assisted by other members of the panel-Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo, and Abba Mohammed will deliver the judgment.

Meanwhile, the expectations of the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, and President Tinubu, which remained higher as they anticipated the verdict.

In light of this, a number of armed riot policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security operatives in plainclothes had been deployed at strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory in a bid to prevent a breach of law and order that might arise after the judgment.

Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State, on Tuesday, said the suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo was only out to derail the administration of the Governor Dapo Abiodun with his unfounded zero allocation to the local governments in the state.

The APC Chairmen, during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the government of Ogun State, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi in his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said they have independently taken steps to investigate all the claims made by Adedayo and discovered that he was playing to the gallery and being mischievous.

Speaking on behalf of the group, APC Chairman for Abeokuta South, who is also the Chairman of the body, Mr. Henry Fagbenro said the facts and figures showing the disbursement of allocations to local governments in the State in the last four years negate the claims of the suspended chairman.

“We suspect that Adedayo does not mean well for the state and to us, his plan is to derail this present administration which is already on course,” he said.

Fagbenro noted that the party chairmen, as stakeholders, decided to investigate the truth behind the whole saga but were embarrassed that what was in the media was basically false and misleading.

He said,

“SSG sir if you care to know when we heard all these fake stories being circulated, we were worried not because we were oblivious of the inclusiveness of the governor in ensuring that he carried all stakeholders along being a stickler to rules and regulations but because we felt the claimant being a chairman, cannot say what is not true at his level.

“Albeit, we were taken aback having found out the truth by ourselves and we dissociate ourselves completely from his incendiary and ignoble actions,”Fagbenro added that contrary to Adedayo’s claims that LGs received zero allocations, the state government augments the allocation almost on a daily basis, while also earmarking funds for them to be able to carry out capital projects.

In his response, Talabi commended the party chairmen for taking the initiative to independently investigate the allegation as major stakeholders in the state, describing the step as one taken in the right direction.

He said the administration of the governor has genuinely demonstrated inclusiveness and transparency for all to see knowing fully well that the government did not have much credibility with the people before the present government came on board.

The state scribe noted that the governor was really baffled by the claims of Adedayo, knowing that his administration gives hundreds of millions almost on a monthly basis to shore up their allocation so as to fulfil their statutory obligations.

Talabi noted that N1.8 billion has been given to the 20 local governments to undertake infrastructural projects with close supervision of the state to ensure they are not concentrated in one area.”

So, the governor felt his magnanimity was being taken for granted with all these fallacies. I urge you all to go out there to educate our people whom he may have dissuaded because I know that truth is sacred and will always prevail.

“This administration is open and transparent like no other and I think maybe, this our passion to ensure that our people are actively involved in the day-to-day running of government is being taken for granted, but the governor has affirmed that he will continue to do what is right,” the SSG said.

Meanwhile, all efforts made to get Adedayo’s response were not successful as he did not pick up his call or respond to the message sent to his WhatsApp as of the time of filing this report.

Recall that last week, Adedayo, who was released from the DSS custody, in Abeokuta after spending three days had written a letter to a former governor in the state, Chief Olusegun, Osoba, alleging among other things that the state governor, Abiodun, had hijacked LG funds to the tune ofN10.8bn, while also forwarding a petition to the anti-graft agencies over the same allegations.

Adedayo was detained by the DSS on Friday, September 1, 2023, following his suspension by a quorum of councillors.

Speaking to The Punch after his release in Abeokuta, Adedayo said the DSS summoned him following a petition written against him that he was making inciting comments that could jeopardise public peace.

He, has, however, vowed to continue to challenge his ‘illegal suspension’, saying he remained unshaken over his travails so far.

The Abia Government has denied a report on the sack of 10,000 civil servants in the state, describing it as fake and unfounded.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday.

“The report on the sack of Abia workers by Gov. Alex Otti is fake and unfounded,” he said.

Kanu said that the state government introduced certain measures to address the issue of ghost workers, adding that in line with its agenda to sanitise the civil service, removed names of ghost workers from the payroll of government.

“Some workers whose names were thrown up during the verification embarked upon by the government as illegally employed were affected too.

“This group comprises those who were illegally employed from December up until March and April this year,” Kanu said.

He said some of the civil servants that fall into this category had their appointment letters backdated.

“The employment of these individuals can be best described as surreptitious and a bait used to pile underserved pressure on the present administration and no responsible government would allow such a situation to continue,” he said.

Kanu also said that there were no waivers applied for the employment of workers from December to April.

According to him, there are established processes for the employment of workers in the Civil Service in Abia State.

He said that due process was not followed with regard to employment and urged the people of Abia, to disregard the fake story about the alleged sack of 10,000 workers.

Kanu said that the commitment of the state government to the welfare of the workers, both those working now and the retirees, remains unwavering.

He also reiterated the resolve of the government to pay all salaries and pension arrears.

The turnover of foreign exchange on the FMDQ hit N22.98tn ($44bn) in the period between January and July 2023.

This was revealed in the August edition of the FMDQ Spotlight, a monthly publication by the exchange.

FMDQ is now the only recognised forex market following harmonisation of the foreign exchange rates by the Central Bank of Nigeria in June.

In the newsletter, the exchange revealed that for the 141 business days within the period under review, the average daily turnover stood at N866.21bn ($1.67bn).

The average year-to-date for naira was N519.35 per dollar.

Commenting on the turnover, the exchange said, “The total turnover for the January – July 2023 period amounted to N122.14trillion.

Meanwhile, the Naira strengthened by 0.39 per cent on the Investor & Exporter window on Tuesday to N744.97 per dollar, from N747.87 per dollar at the close of trading on Monday.

The daily turnover on Monday was $74.64.

At the parallel market, two Bureau De Change operators on Lagos Island, on Tuesday, said they sold the American dollar at N925 and bought N920 per dollar.

The Bishop of Anglican Communion Diocese of Makurdi, Rt. Revd. Nathan Inyom, on Tuesday, expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in fighting corruption in the Church and nation.

The Bishop made this known when he led a delegation to visit the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, Inyom expressed concern over the way and manner employed by people to oversee church resources.

The cleric highlighted the issue of corruption within the church and expressed the Anglican Communion’s commitment to working with the Commission to combat the problem.

He said, “We are here to interact with you, seeking ways of collaboration in terms of trying to understand the workings of the Commission better. How it can relate with the church, especially in terms of handling issues of sharp practices that result in malpractices and misappropriation.”

According to the cleric, the church itself is grappling with the menace of corruption within its fold.

“One of my greatest frustrations in ministry, as a minister of God, is that those whom we employ to assist us in overseeing resources end up defrauding the church, carting away huge sums of money meant for the development of the Church,” he added.

Nathan said the Anglicans have utmost respect for the pivotal role played by the commission in safeguarding the financial integrity of the nation.

The cleric urged the EFCC to increase efforts in raising public awareness about the growing issue of economic and financial crimes.

The Zonal Commander of ACE 1, Friday Ebelo, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for his visit.

He sought the advice and prayers of the clergy in order for the country to prevail over the plague of corruption, economic and financial crimes.

The police command in Ogun on Tuesday said it had arrested two security men for allegedly shooting a man in the eye as a result of a misunderstanding in Sango-Ota area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued to newsmen in Sango-Ota, said the suspects were arrested on Sept. 2.

According to her, the unfortunate incident happened when a case of attempted murder was reported in Sango-Ota.

She explained that one Abiodun Fatai reported that his younger brother, Ramon Rasaq was involved in an altercation with security men on their street.

Mr Fatai said a quarrel ensued when Mr Rasaq opened the gate himself as the two security men, Michael Adelayo and Ganiyu Saka, were not at their security post at the time his brother (Rasaq) got to the gate, making his way into the street.

This led to a quarrel, and during the ensuing scuffle, one of the security men, Mr Saka shot Mr Rasaq in the eye.

“Following the incident, the victim was rushed to a traditional healer who successfully removed seven pellets from his right eye.

“The CSP Saleh Dahiru, the Divisional Police Officer(DPO), Sango Ota, provided the necessary medical forms for Rasaq to be transferred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

“At the hospital, he received immediate medical attention to stabilise his condition, but unfortunately he lost his right eye. The doctor on duty assured that Rasaq was currently responding positively to treatment,” said Ms Odutola.

The PPRO said the commissioner of police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, had directed that the suspects be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Indian government is considering renaming the country as Bharat, an official has said.

The Narendra Modi-led government is to bring the resolution for changing the country’s name at the special session of the parliament.

The session is scheduled to be held from September 18 – 22.

“The entire country is demanding that we should use the word ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’, MP Harnath Singh Yadav said.Mr Yadav explained that the word ‘India’ is an abuse given to the country by the British.

“Whereas the word ‘Bharat’ is a symbol of our culture. There should be a change in our constitution and the word ‘Bharat’ should be added to it.”

The move is seen as a response to a recent bloc of opposition alliance calling itself the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

The proposed name, ‘Bharat’, gained ground after images of the official invite to the G20 Heads of State and ministers for a dinner being hosted by President Droupadi Murmu came to the fore.

The invite shows it was from “the President of Bharat.”

Earlier invitations had the heading President of the Republic of India.But Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh has hit out at Mr Modi for calling for the change of the country’s name as an assault on the constitution.

“Mr Modi can continue to distort history and divide India, that is Bharat, that is a Union of States. But we will not be deterred.

“After all, what is the objective of INDIA parties? It is BHARAT—Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation And Trust. Judega BHARAT, Jeetega INDIA!”, Mr Ramesh said.

Two persons were confirmed dead while eight others sustained injuries in an accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck around Christopher University on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Florence Okpe, spokesperson, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Ms Okpe noted that the incident occurred at 11:30 a.m. and it involved a Toyota Hiace, marked GAS 937 XA, and a moving truck.

She noted that FRSC operatives Mowe unit command in conjunction with Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) carried out rescue operation.

She explained that 10 persons were involved which comprised seven males and three females.

Ms Okpe stated that eight persons, which involved six males and two females were injured, while one male and one female were recorded dead from the crash.

“The fatal crash was caused by excessive speed and wrongful overtaking on the part of the Toyota driver and then rammed into a moving truck,” she said.

Ms Okpe noted that the injured victims were taken to Famobis Hospital, Mowe while the corpses were deposited at Idera Mutuary, Sagamu.

The FRSC spokesperson quoted the sector commander, Anthony Uga, to have cautioned motorists on excessive speed and poor judgement on overtaking.

The Ondo state government has inaugurated palliative committees in the 18 local government areas of the state for effective distribution of food items procured to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

The state government also announced Sept. 12 as the date for commencement of the distribution of the food items to beneficiaries.

Ondo state acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while inaugurating the local government palliative committees in Akure on Tuesday, urged the members to be equitable and transparent in distributing the palliatives at the grassroots level.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the inauguration of the palliative committees at the local government areas was aimed at involving stakeholders at the third-tier level in the distribution of food items to the people at the grassroots.

“Government is aware of the pain caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Let me assure you that distribution of the palliatives at the local government level will be thorough and transparent,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa urged members of the committee to hold meetings and plan the scheduled date to ensure effective distribution of the food items to the concerned people.

The chairman of the Ondo state palliative committee, Wale Akinterinwa, said so far, 9,600 bags of rice had been received from the federal government with some addition from the state government that would be distributed to the vulnerable.

Mr Akinterinwa said the distribution would be done in phases to accommodate others who would not have benefitted after the scheduled date.

He also said that the food items were meant for all ethnic groups resident in the state and the poorest of the poor.Also, the chairman palliative media sub-committee, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said distribution of the palliatives would begin on Sept. 12.

Ms Bamidele-Olateju, who is also the state Commissioner for Information, said that more advocacy would be done through the media to inform the public about the distribution of the palliatives at the local government level.

She said that arrangements had been made for shuttle buses to convey students to and from schools once they resume the 2023/2024 academic session from Sept. 18 to Dec. 31.

The commissioner said that the state government was committed to ensuring transparent distribution of the food items, urging stakeholders to cooperate to build peoples’ confidence in the process.

The local government palliative committee comprises members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, representatives of security agencies, chairmen of the 18 council areas, and traditional leaders.

Others are; the Christian Association of Nigeria at the local level, the Muslim community, two notable community leaders, civil society organisations and a local government official to serve as secretary.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) presented employment letters on Tuesday to the families of the seven personnel killed by bandits in Kaduna State.

On Jan. 23, 2023, seven personnel of the NSCDC Kaduna command were ambushed and killed by bandits while on official duty in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

The employment letters were presented to the families by the NSCDC commandant in Kaduna state, Idris Adah.

Mr Adah said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise made by the commandant general, Ahmed Audi, to the families of the deceased.

“Today it’s with joy that I present to you the CG’s good deeds by handing over the appointment letters to the next of kin of the late officers.

“This is in fulfilment of the CG’s promise to the family; this, however, cannot replace the lives of our loved ones,” he added.

Mr Adah therefore challenged the beneficiaries to do their best and represent their families with honour and dignity.The commandant said that the Corps remained committed to its responsibility of protecting critical national assets.

“We are working round the clock with other security agencies to fight crime in the state so that we all can sleep with our two eyes closed,” Mr Adah said.

He warned that anyone caught vandalising critical national assets would be arrested and prosecuted.

Baba Audi-Landan, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the CG for fulfilling the promise.

He said the appointments given to them would benefit not only their families but society at large.

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing N2.3 trillion expended by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) says the agency spent over N40 billion on projects in six institutions in Borno.

The committee chair, Idem Unyime, disclosed this on Monday in Maiduguri during a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum.

Mr Unyime said the committee was in the state to visit the benefitting institutions to verify the claim.

“Your state has benefitted from TetFund to the tune of over N40 billion. Because of the petition that we have against TetFund on how N2.3 trillion was allegedly abused, the House inaugurated this committee to go round the country to ensure that the projects and programmes on the ground equal to the money released,” stated the legislator.

Mr Unyime added, “We are here to look at things for ourselves, to take submissions from schools and to go round the entire state to inspect the project and programmes.”

He promised that they would be thorough and transparent, adding that their report will, among others, also look at ways to empower TetFund in terms of additional funding.

Mr Zulum urged the committee to carry out its assignment diligently and develop recommendations to guide tertiary institutions and TetFund in managing scarce resources.

The Borno governor, who recalled his tenure as the rector of Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, from 2011 to 2015, lauded the interventions of TetFund in many viable projects in the institutions.

“It is my belief that the outcome of this investigation will add value to what heads of institutions are doing in the state, especially in areas of managing the little we are getting from TetFund. Without TetFund, many institutions would have failed completely,” stated Mr Zulum.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to include families of wounded and fallen soldiers in the national social register and its poverty alleviation programmes.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, made this known during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Monday, in Abuja.

Edu expressed the need to support families of deceased soldiers.

She said, ”We want to expand our social register to accommodate military personnel that have either been wounded or affected by war even soldiers that left their families behind.

“We need this data from the military so that we can have them captured under the social register,” she said.The minister said she was at the defence headquarters to solicit the support of the Nigerian military to tackle humanitarian crises across the country.

“Alleviating humanitarian crises and poverty is the top most of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

”Our preference is to discuss humanitarian crises across the nation and the need to collaborate with the military to prevent more persons coming under the humanitarian bracket.”

We also should be able to reach out effectively to those who are affected by humanitarian crises wherever they are.”

So that our humanitarian workers should be able to reach the people wherever they are with the support of the military,” she said.

In his response, Gen. Musa, assured the minister of the Nigerian military commitment to support her towards achieving the mandate of the ministry.

Musa, who acknowledged the link between military operations and humanitarian aid, said the success of any organisation directly benefit military efforts.

While assuring the minister of his unwavering commitment towards her humanitarian mission, the defence chief was optimistic that the collaboration would yield positive results.

The Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has announced the indefinite suspension of all academic activities in the institution with immediate effect.

The University in a memo signed by its Acting Registrar, Ambrose Odiase, said the suspension of academic activities became necessary following an emergency meeting of the university’s Senate in Ekpoma on Monday, to appraise protest by students that had run into days.

According to the management, “To prevent a total breakdown of law and order as well as the need to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the university community and its environs, the senate was left with no other choice than to direct an immediate suspension of academic activities.

“To this effect, all students residing in the hostels on campus are to vacate the halls of residence in the next 24 hours.

“This is an indication that no student should be seen in or around the halls of residence of the university by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday 5th September 2023.

It would be recalled that students of the University had been protesting an alleged increase in school fees for returning students for about four days.

The protest disrupted academic activities and a scheduled commendation service in honour of a late Professor of Economics, Moses Isunu Aliemen.

The situation led to the dissolution of the Student Union Executive. The university had in its various releases stated that there was no time the tuition fee of returning students was increased.

Meanwhile, the 40th Matriculation Ceremony of the University scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, has also been postponed indefinitely.

The Niger State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed workers in the state to boycott the Palliative Distribution Committee set up by Governor Mohammed Bago.

The council, which kicked against the governor’s plans for palliative distribution, said the pathetic situation in which the working class and pensioners find themselves in Nigeria and Niger State in particular leaves a lot to be desired.

The state chairman of the NLC, Idrees Lafene, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Ibrahim Gana, addressed a press conference on Monday in which they lamented that the state governor had skimmed out the working class and pensioners in the palliatives.

“The deliberate plan by the Niger State Government to skim out the working class and pensioners in the palliatives has triggered serious tension among members of organised labour that could have a negative effect on the overall productivity of the working class.

“Although we identify with the Governor on his efforts to be accountable to Nigerlites, as exemplified in his address on the subject of palliatives, the decision to exclude the working class and retirees in the first phase of the planned palliatives stamps logic in the head and will not be accepted by the working class, who toil daily to create wealth for the state,” the council said.

They alluded to an understanding between the state government and organised labour that the working class would be included in the palliatives to ease their suffering and expressed concern that the state governor did not come out clearly to include them in the first phase of the palliatives.

While noting that the organised labour had proposed a N50,000 flat rate for workers in a meeting held with the governor, the State Administrative Council of the organised labour issued nine demands, including;

“Payment of N50,000 on a flat rate basis as palliative to all working class and retirees in the state and LGAs; suspension of PAYEE until further review of the minimum wage; and immediate implementation of a minimum pension based on the N30,000 national minimum wage for retirees in the state and LGAs.

“Others are monitoring and enforcing price control measures on essential commodities, completing the rehabilitation of infrastructural facilities across the state and LGAs, and improving the security situation in the state and LGAs, with special emphasis on encouraging local vigilantes, among others.”

The NLC said, “Despite the rising inflation, insecurity, and hunger that greeted the untimely removal of subsidy on PMS, the Federal Government has refused to dialogue with organised labour in good faith on options to cushion the agony and hardship faced by the masses of Nigeria, especially the working class.

“To press home our demands, the national headquarters of the NLC has directed workers in the 36 states and the FCT to down tools in a two-day warning strike on Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, to test the ‘microphone’ in preparation for a full-blown strike. Niger State organised labour has already mobilised workers to comply fully and comprehensively.”

The United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, announced an investment of $4.5 billion in clean energy projects for Africa during a landmark climate summit hosted by Kenya, which is aimed at attracting funding to combat global warming.

“We will deploy $4.5 billion… to jumpstart a pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in this very important continent,” said Sultan Al Jaber, who heads the government-owned renewable energy firm Masdar, the UAE’s national oil company ADNOC and the COP28 climate talks.

Heads of state, government and industry leaders, are among thousands of attendees at the Nairobi summit, where Africa is promoting its potential as a clean energy powerhouse.

The Africa Climate Summit will be followed by the COP28 summit later this year in Dubai, which is expected to feature competing agendas for the world’s energy future.

“If Africa loses, we all lose,” warned Jaber, who is also the UAE’s minister for industry and advanced technology.

He said the investment aimed “to develop 15 GW (gigawatts) of clean power by 2030” and “catalyse at least an additional $12.5 billion from multilateral, public and private sources”.

As of 2022, the continent’s renewable generation capacity was 56 gigawatts, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The three-day event being held in Nairobi, which began on Monday, is billed to bring together African leaders to define a shared vision for green development on the diverse continent of 1.4 billion people.

On Tuesday, the summit will offer proposals to reform global financial structures that have resulted in only a tiny fraction of investments in climate solutions being directed towards Africa.

Jaber called for a “surgical intervention of the global financial architecture that was built for a different era”, urging institutions to lower debt burdens.

Countries in Africa are hamstrung by mounting debt costs and a dearth of finance, and despite an abundance of natural resources, just three per cent of energy investments worldwide are made in the continent.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has warned the Department of State Services not to deter students from exercising their rights to protest, saying this is a universally recognised human right.

The National Public Relations Officer of the union, Giwa Temitope, was reacting to the statement made by DSS that some politicians were mobilising student leaders for violent protest against the Federal Government over socioeconomic matters.

“Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic-based associations, youth, and disgruntled groups for the planned action,” the spokesperson for the security agency, Peter Afunanya stated on Monday.

It was reported last week that a group, Student Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike, revealed that it would protest against fee hike at the University of Lagos on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Backing the move, the NANS PRO, in a statement sent to our correspondent on Tuesday, said the student body would be storming UNILAG for the protest and urged the DSS not to infringe on the rights of students.

Giwa said, “It is quite embarrassing that the DSS has derailed to become the propaganda arm of the Federal Government, thereby, raising false alarms and even interfering in affairs that do not in any way relate to their line of profession.

“As an association, we maintain that we are not satisfied with how the Nigerian society is being run, most especially, as regards arbitrary fee increment across our tertiary institutions, with the University of Lagos being a model.”

NANS said the failure of the UNILAG management to honour the agreement reached at the meeting with student leaders on August 2, “forced the student body to fix a date of action at the university for September 6 and the protest will hold till the management reverses the hike.

“Students are therefore enjoined to come out en masse and join the protest for the immediate reversal of fee at the University of Lagos.”

The UNILAG management in July 2023, increased fees from N19,000 to N190,250, for students studying medicine, while for courses that require laboratory and studio, the students were to pay N140,250.The management cited “prevailing economic realities” as reason for the hike.

Award-winning Nollywood actress and producer, Toyin Abraham, looked elegant in a cream-colored dress as she celebrated her 43rd birthday on Tuesday.

The ‘Ijakumo’ actress shared stunning new images of herself on her Instagram page #toyin_abraham, captioning them, “I am 63 minus 20 years old today.

“Fans have since taken to her comment section to celebrate with the mom of one.Her husband, actor #kolawoleajeyemi commented, “Happy birthday Ayomi.”

#Stevesodiya also wrote, “63 minus 20, happy birthday to you my darling, more blessed years in good health, I pray for you.

#thedamilolaoni wrote, “A very Happy Birthday to you Ma. God continue to bless you and keep you in His love.”