Politics

#NIN : Announcement made by Minister of communication and digital economy, Isa Pantami.

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The National Identification Number (NIN) has been on the lips of a lot of Nigerians for several weeks now, following the declaration by the Federal Government that SIM Cards without an NIN will be blocked.

This led a lot of Nigerians to scramble to get their NIN, as they queued in front of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) offices just to get their National Identification Numbers. Initially, the deadline for the linkage between the NIN and the SIM cards was in early February, but due to a lot of backlash from angry Nigerians, the deadline was moved.

However, Isa Pantami, the Minister Of Communications and Digital Economy, as reported by The Nation Newspapers at the end of an FEC (Federal Executive Council) meeting earlier today, has declared that Nigerians will soon have to link their National Identification Number (NIN) to their bank accounts. He also stated this is because, the Bank Verification Number is not recognised by the law, while the National Identification Number is backed by the law.


He also stated that the deadline for Nigerians to link their National Identification Number to their Bank Accounts will soon be communicated to the general public by the communications ministry. However unlike the case of the NIN and SIM card linkage, a consequence for those that refuse to link their bank accounts has not been announced. This is coming some days after it was announced that the National Identification Number would replace the Bank Verification Number because the BVN is meant for account holders with several banks while the NIN is meant for all Nigerians without minding their status.

Politics

Checkout the Names of the 20 New Universities approved by the Federal Government.

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The high population in our country, Nigeria has put a lot of pressure on the Educational institutions in the country especially polytechnics and Universities owned and managed by the federal or state government. Although Private Universities exists, but due to high costs of studying in such institutions, the federal and state Tertiary institutions are over crowded.

President Buhari

According to Reports from Channels Television, The Federal executive council approved the establishment of New Private Universities in the country, this was announced by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu. The minster of Education added that the Nigerian university commission would provide the license for the education institutions of Education to begin their full operations.

See the names of the New Universities approved by the federal government.

Politics

FG worried about porous borders, undocumented migrants –Aregbesola

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over the country’s porous borders which have led to a deluge of undocumented migrants.

The concerns were raised on Tuesday by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola who said that Nigeria was seeking stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders to check the problem.

Aregbesola who was speaking at a meeting with an European Union delegation led by Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ketil Karlsen added that Illegal migration creates room for unplanned human presence.

He said; “Illegal migration is a thing of concern as it not only depletes a region of viable and reliable labour, talent and human resource, but also makes room for unplanned human presence.

“I also want to commend the EU and others for their support on the Migrants Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) as the system had enhanced the documentation of immigrants entering Nigeria,” the minister added.

He also revealed that Nigeria would be collaborating with the EU on other projects soon to be unveiled.

Politics

Yoruba leaders have warned President Buhari not to arrest me- Sunday Igboho says.

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Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, says Yoruba leaders have called President Buhari and warned him not to allow the police to arrest him.

Igboho made news last week following the eviction notice he gave to Fulanis residing in Igangan, Ibarapa north local government area of Oyo state. His comment reportedly incited some of his supporters to destroy houses and cars, including those of Saliu Kadri, the Seriki Fulani of Igangan.

Following the attack on the Fulani settlement, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, directed the state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Igboho and transfer him to Abuja.

In a recent video shared by Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation, Igboho while addressing a crowd, said Yoruba leaders are not pleased with the killing of their people by herdsmen and have warned President Buhari against arresting him.

“All our fathers, we thank them, including the Aare Onakakanfo. They have all spoken up. Now that we are here, I beg you in the name of God, I don’t want us to disrespect any of our Yoruba leaders.

You people are just unaware… I swear by God, they are also not happy with what is going on but now they are speaking up and won’t condone what is going on.

Look at all the Yoruba leaders that have spoken up; the way Yorubas are warning them, that Buhari dares not. That now, it is war, if they dare arrest Igboho, it will turn to war.

See the way Fani-Kayode has spoken up and he is not joking with what he is saying. They are killing us, kidnapping us, treating us badly in our father land.”he said

Politics

FG to evacuate 600 Nigerians from Saudi Arabia

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The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said on Friday the Federal Government would evacuate 600 Nigerian irregular migrants from Saudi Arabia next week.

Dabiri-Erewa, who disclosed this on her Twitter handle, said the returnees would be airlifted to Nigeria in two batches.

400 returnees, according to her, will be evacuated to Nigeria on January 28 and the remaining 200 at least 24 hours later.

The NiDCOM chief said the evacuation of the Nigerians was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the citizens were being kept in a detention facility by Saudi authorities pending their repatriation.

She said: “Nigerian irregular migrants in Saudi Arabia are due to be evacuated on January 28 and 29, pending any unforeseen issues. Their evacuation was delayed due to issues relating to COVID-19. We appeal to Nigerians to resist traveling abroad without proper documents.”

Entertainment

FG begins NIN enrollment for diplomats

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The Federal Government has commenced the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment for foreign diplomats in Nigeria.

The Spokesman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Kayode Adegoke, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the exercise commenced on January 18.

The statement read: “The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, in his bid to ensure seamless enrolment of all diplomats in the country for the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage and other needs has directed the setting up of an enrolment centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

“All hands are on deck to ensure the enrolment of all Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database.”

The federal government on Wednesday extended the deadline for NIN enrollment till February 9.

The government had in December last year directed Nigerians to link their NIN to the Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).

Lifestyle

FG warns public against using Lagos Airport Road Flyover

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The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olukayode Popoola, on Friday advised the public to stay off Airport Road Flyover in Lagos dangerously burnt by fire, pending the determination of its structural safety.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge which runs over Toyota Bus Stop on the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway being reconstructed, was engulfed by fire when a petrol tanker burst into flames on Thursday.

The federal and Lagos State governments on Friday carried out a joint inspection to know the extent of damage to the bridge and adjoining roads.

Leading the state and federal officials, Popoola raised concerns over the safety of the bridge, saying that its structural integrity had yet to be ascertained.

He told NAN during the inspection that samples were being taken from the burnt bridge for analysis to be able to ascertain the level of damage and where to carry out repairs.

Popoola said that 200 meters of the rigid pavement of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project, being carried by the Dangote Group, was burnt.

He added that the deck of the flyover was burnt and its pier badly damaged, raising fears of structural instability of the bridge.

The controller said that the bridge was barricaded after the fire because of safety concerns, regretting that the barriers were removed at night.

Popoola warned that there would be risks in using the bridge.

“We are taking some samples to go and analyse before we know the structural stability, but physically, a lot of damage has been done to this pier of the bridge.

“The integrity is already compromised.

“Yesterday the road was barricaded but in the night, some people went and removed the barricade.

“We are advising that members of the public should not take the risk of using this bridge,” he said.

Popoola said that about 200 meters of the bridge deck as well as the pavement of Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway being reconstructed was affected by the inferno.

He added that one of the piers – pillars of the bridge – was badly burnt, making the ministry unsure of the structural integrity and safety of the bridge.

He said that outcome of tests would ensure appropriate action on the flyover constructed by Julius Berger Plc, as well as the highway under reconstruction by the Dangote Group.

According to the controller, the Federal Highway Act empowers the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to prosecute whoever caused damage to assets of the Federal Government.

“This Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project is ongoing, and we have not even completed it. Now, due to carelessness of drivers, this fire occurred, and you can see the level of the damage.

“The pavement that we have spent a lot of money, up to 200 meters – have been affected; that will cost a lot of money,” he said.

Popoola noted that the ministry had been working in collaboration with Lagos State Government to tackle trucks’ menace and other infractions affecting road infrastructure.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, said that the state government, through its Ministry of Transportation, would embark on strict enforcement of road worthiness regulation.

She told NAN that the government’s agents would begin to enter depots and loading bays for petrol tankers to ensure that those not road worthy would not lift petroleum products.

Adeyoye said that truck accident causing damage to road infrastructure had become recurrent.

“Oftentimes, they claim that the roads are bad. What do you say about this one now that the road is very good, there is no pothole anywhere,” she said.

Adeyoye said that truck accidents were most times caused by reckless driving.

She called for attitudinal change.

She said that fires caused by tanker accidents had caused much hardship on road users, urging that road unworthy trucks should stop coming into Lagos State.

She said that the support of the Federal Government was important in tackling the ‘hydra-headed monster’.

Mr Cyril Zango, Deputy Corps Commander (Operations), Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, said the offending truck had been impounded.

He said that investigations were on as regards the accident, adding that, if found guilty, the owner and the driver of the tanker would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other road users.

Zango said that articulated vehicle drivers engaged sharp practices to evade checks.

Politics, World News

Nigerian Government Directs NERC To Suspend Adjusted Tariff.

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The minister said there was a committee working on the new electricity tariff regime and the committee should be allowed to complete its work

The Nigerian Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to suspend the recently adjusted electricity tariff.

The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

NERC had on Tuesday increased the electricity tariff payable by power consumers across the country. The hike in tariff which varies, based on different consumer classes, took effect from January 1, 2021.

The regulatory agency blamed the N2 to N4 adjustment in tariff on inflation and movement in foreign exchange rates. Labour unions have threatened showdown over the development, saying the government was insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, considering the fact that there was an increment in the last two months.

But in the statement on Thursday, the minister said there was a committee working on the new electricity tariff regime and the committee should be allowed to complete its work before any development or adjustment.

Mamman, therefore, directed NERC to suspend the recent increment until the committee concludes its work by end of January.

He said, “The public is aware that the Federal Government and the Labour Centers have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a joint ad-hoc Committee led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and Co-Chaired by the Minister of State for Power. Great progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be concluded at the end of January, 2021.

“To promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centers (through the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee), I have directed NERC to forestall the implementation of the duly performed minor review (which adjusted tariffs between N2 per kWh and N4 per kWh) until the conclusion of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee’s work at the end of January 2021.

“This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the Committee to be implemented together. The Administration is committed to creating a sustainable, growing, and rules-based electricity market for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

World News

First Semester Begins On February 1st, Students Of These Two Universities Should Note.

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It’s no more news that some universities in the country have resumed academic activities while others are to resume on 11th of January and some will also resume on the 18th of January, 2021.

Some students will be wondering why there are changes in resumption date for each university. The reason for the delay or extension in resumption date is mostly due to rate of infection of the deadly coronavirus. Each state has a record of the number of daily infection which also determine the resumption date for schools.

Also, some states in the country are experiencing insurgency, bandits and attacks, therefore the government wants to ensure the security of students before allowing them to resume.

However, there’s are two institutions that will resume late than others. Theses universities have officially announced their resumption date and this means there is no changing of dates.

One of them is the University of Abuja, (UNIABUJA). The university of Abuja is set to resume on the first day of February, 2021 unlike most tertiary institutions in the country that are to resume on or before 18th of January. This was announced by the University’s directorate of academic affairs as endorsed by the Vice chancellor of the institution.

It is seconded by the University of Benin. Academic activities are scheduled to commence at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), on Monday, February 1, 2021. The University’s Senate sat on Monday the 4th of January, 2021 and concluded that students should retire to campus on January 30th, 2021 as lectures will begin on 1st February, 2021.

This therefore implies that students of UNIBEN and UNIABUJA are resuming on the 1st day of February for the first semester of the 2019/2020 academic session which was disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak and academic strike.

World News

Oyo , Akwa Ibom and other states sets date for school resumption, ignore FG.

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Some states have chosen their resumption date against the federal government approved date while others are still waiting to resume on 18th of January in line with the federal government decision.

However, Today Academic activities begins for some schools as well as some states in the federation.

  1. Akwa Ibom State

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced January 4, 2021 resumption date for schools in the state in order to complete first term.

  1. Rivers State

The Rivers State Government has announced Monday 4th January, 2021 the official resumption date for all Secondary Schools and Vocational Schools for the completion of first (1st) term academic activities for 2020/2021 academic session.

  1. Nasarawa State 

The Nasarawa State Government has announced Monday, 4th January, 2021 the official resumption date for Public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State for the commencement of first (1st) term academic activities for 2020/2021 academic session.

4) Likewise Oyo state has set January 11 for school resumption.

Politics, World News

Breaking :#ASUU Suspends 9 Months Strike.

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The Academic Staff Union of University, on Wednesday, suspended its strike, ending the industrial action that started since March 2020.

ASUU National President, Biodun Ogunyemi, made the announcement during a briefing of the union in Abuja.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the prolonged strike by the varsity lecturers would be called off before January 15.

Ogunyemi also said the lecturers sympathised with students who were also their children, adding that “no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments.”

While warning that the union would return to strike without notice if the government fails in meeting its part of the agreement reached with the university lecturers, Ogunyemi noted that the reopening of the schools, considering the COVID-19 pandemic, lies with the Federal Government and Senate.

ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi further stated;

“We did not go on strike because of salaries. We had key demands. We don’t see salary as a major issue because we know they’ll pay.”

“If government reneges, our members are not tired of withdrawing their services.”

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Politics

Be Thankful Bombings Don’t Happen Daily, Femi Adesina Tells Nigerians.

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Adesina, who is the President’s most senior media aide, was responding to the complaints by Nigerians over the rising insecurity in the country.

The Presidency has called on Nigerians to be thankful that bombings no longer take place in the country daily.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said this on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme on Sunday monitored by Punch.

Adesina, who is the President’s most senior media aide, was responding to the complaints by Nigerians over the rising insecurity in the country.

The President’s spokesman claimed there was a time in the country when six bombs would go off in a single day but since his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, became President, the killings had reduced.

Femi Adesina

He further claimed that killings and bombings are now less frequent as the country now goes weeks and months without any incident.

Adesina said this while responding to the five separate incidents of killings that took place in the last three days.

When asked if security had improved, he said, “Yes, there are times, a week, two weeks even a month that you don’t have all these things happening. There was a time in the immediate past when they happened daily several times. You talked of one bombing within three or four days. There was a time in this country when bombs went off like firecrackers every day.

“There could be five, six bombings in one day. Now, you can have two, three months with no single case of bombing. Let’s be thankful for small mercies. Any mercies we receive, let’s be thankful for it and let’s not dwell on negatives alone.

“Life is taking the rough and smooth together. So, sometimes we see when things go on for days, for weeks with no negative developments, let us emphasise those ones… We have challenges, but these are not the constants in the country.”

When asked if Buhari had been able to wipe out Boko Haram as promised during his campaign, Adesina said it must be stated that the President made some promises as an opposition figure and not a government official.

He claimed the terrorists had been technically defeated but were still active in certain areas on a lesser scale.

Adesina noted the President had said last week that the security agencies could do better which means there is something he wants to see.

The Presidential aide also faulted a claim by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, that the abduction and rescue of over 300 Kankara schoolboys seemed dubious.

He said the Buhari regime’s credibility is intact.

Politics

FG rejects N81m bill to cut Abuja stadium grass.

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The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has revealed that the sports ministry rejected a bill of N81m to cut the grass at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Dare revealed this in a tweet on Sunday.

He tweeted, “The ministry was given a bill. The ministry did not accept. It will be detrimental to spend such an amount and it can be better invested.“If we tell Nigerians we used N81m to cut grass, which is not even available, there will be an outcry.“The funds are not really there for us and that is why we are partnering with private investors to bring back the key components of our infrastructure.”

Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development proposed to spend a total of N798.75m on various projects at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja in 2021.
The breakdown of the sports ministry budget for the 2021 fiscal year which was gathered by our correspondent showed that there are seven different projects to be carried out at the Abuja stadium.

While four of the projects were listed as ongoing projects, three others were listed in the 2021 budget as new projects.

The ongoing projects are rehabilitation of street lights, panels and electrical works at package A and B of the stadium which would cost N60m, construction of National Stadium Medicine and High-Performance Centre with N300.75m budgeted and reconstruction of second training pitch which is expected to gulp N90m.
The last of the projects listed as ongoing is the general maintenance of the package A and B of the stadium which would cost N250m.

Politics

ASUU agrees to call off strike, to receive N70bn.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has agreed to call off its eight-month strike which has grounded academic activities in the public universities since March.

The union leadership reached the consensus during a meeting with the government team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment,  Dr Chris Ngige, in Abuja, on Friday.

The government also pledged to pay N40 billion as the Earned Allowance and N30bn for the revitalisation of the university system bringing the total payment to N70 billion.
The FG further agreed to settle the arrears of salaries of the lecturers before December 31.

This is happening one week after the Federal Government  accepted the demand by the ASUU that they be exempted from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) pending the approval of their proposed payment system,  the University Transparency and Accountability Solution(UTAS).

ASUU is expected to report the agreement to its organs and then communicate their decision to the government after which a date for the calling off of the strike would be announced.
A source revealed that ASUU insisted that the agreement should not be announced until it has been approved by its members.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ngige said the parley was fruitful, adding that the government made a proposal to ASUU which it would take back to its members.

He said, “Many issues were discussed at the meeting including salary shortfall, the payment system and revitalisation of the university system. I am positive that all the issues would be resolved at our next meeting.”
The ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, simply said everything Ngige said was correct and declined further comment.

Business, World News

FG about to slash levy on imported cars from 35% to 5%.

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The federal government has concluded plans to slash the levy to be paid on imported cars from thirty-five percent to five percent.

This is contained in the draft bill of the 2020 finance bill to be presented to the national assembly.

The bill becomes law after it is passed by the legislature and assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Details of the bill shared by the presidency also show that the import duty of tractors and motor vehicles for the transportation of goods has been slashed from 35 percent to 10 percent.

The bill also grants tax relief to companies that donated to the COVID-19 relief fund under the private sector-led Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

To improve ease of doing business, the bill also proposes that software acquisition now qualifies as capital expenditure.

Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget, and national planning, had previously explained that the reduction in import duties and levies is targeted at reducing the cost of transportation.

“The reason for us is to reduce the cost of transportation which is a major driver of inflation especially food production,” she told state house correspondents at the end of the federal executive council (FEC) on Wednesday, November 18.

In 2019, Hameed Ali, the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service had urged the federal government to reduce the levy paid on imported cars to 10 percent.

At the time, Ali argued that the levy, which is paid in addition to the 35 percent import duty, has discouraged importers; causing them to divert their importation to neighbouring countries and heightened smuggling.

Politics

Exemption of #ASUU from IPPIS IS Temporary -Chris Ngige

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Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said that the Federal Government’s proposal to exempt members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System is a temporary measure pending the conclusion of integrity test on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

Ngige, who clarified the position of the government team on the negotiation with ASUU said that it was not true that the government had abandoned the IPPIS or that ASUU should not be on the platform.

Making the clarification on Saturday, the minister said, “I think it is better because a lot of people are quoting us out of context saying that we abandoned the IPPIS and that we said they should not be on IPPIS, it is not true.

“What we said in the meeting and what we agreed was that in the interim for the transition period that UTAS is being tested by NITDA and the Office of National Security Adviser for cyber security.

“For that transition period, ASUU members that are not yet on IPPIS will be paid through the platform with which they were paid the President’s compassionate COVID-19 payment done to them between the months of February and June.

“That platform is a hybrid platform between IPPIS and GIFMIS platform (Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System) for the transition period. That was what was used, it’s a hybrid.”

He said the reason for reaching that position was because no government payment will be done outside the IPPIS platform.

“So there is a handshake between IPPIS and GIFMIS platform and that was what was used in paying them for that period and so we are going to continue with that until UTAS undergoes all the integrity test and cyber security test and it is confirmed for use, ” he added.

On the N65 billion offer made to ASUU, the minister said that prior to the Friday meeting, the government made an aggregate offer of N50b to the union.

He said, “The offer made was clear. You can understand it this way. Prior to meeting of yesterday (Friday), government brought an aggregate offer of N50b to ASUU; N20b for revitalisation, to show good faith that government is still with them on the issue of funding for revitalisation and pending the affirmation of the new sources of funding public education. There is a committee on that and the committee is working on sourcing new education funds, it is a NEEDS committee.

“So, pending that NEEDS committee effecting a new funding source and strategy, government offered them N20b for revitalisation, apart from the funds that are coming from TETFUNDS that is also used for revitalisation.

“They refused the N20bn and said that they wanted N110b which was 50 per cent of a tranche of N220bn. Government said they didn’t have that kind of money and then increased that N20bn by N5bn to become N25bn and if it becomes N25b, the Earned Allowances will be raised to N40b immediate payment, making for a total of N65 billion for revitalisation and Earned Allowances in the universities.”

Politics

BREAKING: FG Offers N65bn To #ASUU For Earned Allowances, Revitalisation Fund.

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, presides over a meeting between government and ASUU representatives in Abuja on November 20, 2020.

The Federal Government has offered a cumulative sum of N65 billion to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to address earned academic allowances and revitalisation of universities.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, made the proposal on behalf of the government to the striking lecturers when they met on Friday in Abuja.

Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, he described the negotiation as fruitful as the government has decided to shift grounds on the lingering issues that have kept students out of the classroom for several months.

Ngige noted that in its bid to resolve the impasse with ASUU, the sum of N15 billion from the amount offered by the government would be for more funds to revitalise the universities.

He explained that the fund was in addition to the N20 billion paid earlier, making it a total of N35 billion committed as revitalisation fund by the government.

Lifestyle

NLC Backs ASUU over Strike, Asks FG to Show Enough Commitment

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday threw its weight behind the nine-month-old industrial action embarked upon by public university lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

This is just as the organized labour centre opposed the designation of aviation sector as essential service in the proposed amendment to the aviation bill before the National Assembly.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who spoke with newsmen after meeting with the Senate Committee on Aviation, said the prolonged ASUU strike has the full backing of the congress.

According to him, the lecturers’ strike over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) also include the unresolved 2009 collective bargaining agreement between federal government and the union.

He said: “A lot of issues are contained in the agreement which has not been implemented. The process of dialogue is ongoing. We have tried to give our own side of how the issue could be resolved including giving inputs and writing of letters and we would continue to do that.

“The sooner it is resolved, the better for all of us because an idle mind certainly is a devil’s workshop. Clearly speaking, I think it should be a priority if the issues are resolved so that we could get our wards back to school.

Asked if labour will advise ASUU to resume while negotiations continue, Wabba said, “That is not how negotiations are done.

“If before the strike action commences, we were able to reach a negotiation, then we would have resolved the issues. We are already on the action before those issues arose. I don’t think that is the best way to go. Government should show enough commitment to resolve the issue once and for all”.

On the recent fuel hike, the NLC boss stressed that the congress has made its position known to government while its next line of action would soon be made public.

He said: “We issued a comprehensive statement on the issue already. What we said in that agreement is that all the palliatives must be implemented with time line and that has not been done. We have since communicated to government and our next line of action would also be communicated to Nigerians soon”.

Speaking earlier before the Senator Smart Adeyemi-led Senate Committee on Aviation, Wabba, stated that the congress was opposed to the provision in the proposed amendment to six aviation bills which triedto designate the aviation sector as an essential service.

He said: “By our labour laws, which Nigeria is a signatory to, guarantees workers rights and core values. The sector cannot be designated as essential service because sectors that are designated as essential service are listed in the Nigerian labour law and the aviation sector was not part of it.

“All provisions relating to the issue of essential service into the six bills being considered for review especially section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act should be expunged because it is actually in conflict with the existing provision of the labour law which is part of our international commitment to standards. The issue has been determined by the court that the aviation sector is not an essential service. I think the government is not aware of this, that is why it included it in the law.”

Politics

FG’s Revenue Hit by Oil Production Cut will End Soon, Says Osinbajo

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The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said the oil production cut deal by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies has resulted in lower revenue generation for the federal government.

Osinbajo said yesterday that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had a mandate to drastically reduce the unit cost of crude oil production in the country in order to increase government revenue.

“It is imperative that in our current era of scarce resources, we should aim at a unit cost of production in single digit,” he said at the 38th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The vice-president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the collapse in crude oil demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused the recent sudden slump in oil prices.

“The low price and OPEC+ crude oil production curtailment have largely resulted in lower revenue generation for the government,” he said.

Osinbajo expressed confidence that the country would achieve the desired goal of finding more hydrocarbon deposits in the Nigerian basins, notwithstanding the curtailment in production.

He said, “We have the assurance that production curtailment will soon be over as the world economy improves. In order to grow our reserves, we have proposed fiscal incentives that will attract the investments in our basins in the Petroleum Industry Bill.

“In addition, the fiscal provision for gas business will be one of the most attractive in Africa.”

Politics

Labour Union Threatens Strike Over New Hike In Petrol Price.

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NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, in a statement, said the union would not accept such arbitrary increases in the price of petrol.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has asked the Nigerian government to revert to the old pump price of N158 petrol or face indefinite strike from workers.

The labour union said that the recent increase in fuel price was a breach of an agreement with the government at previous negotiations.

NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, in a statement, said the union would not accept such arbitrary increases in the price of petrol.

According to the statement, the increase has also cast in a very bad light organised labour’s utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments.

“Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly, for the failures of successive governments, to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous turnaround maintenance, which was poorly executed,” the NLC said.

The union added that in line with its recent agreement with the government, it would be receiving updates in the next few days from affiliate unions in the petroleum sector and representatives in the electricity review committee.

The outcome of these engagements, labour said, would determine its next line of action in the coming days.

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