Politics

Nigerian govt claims agreements with ASUU were signed under duress

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The Federal Government on Thursday alleged that majority of the agreements signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were done under duress.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, during a retreat organised by the governing council of the University of Abuja.

He said, “I have heard so much about the fact that the government has failed to honour the agreements with ASUU. I have a different view about that because most of these agreements are imperfect.

“If somebody comes to my house and puts a gun to my head, I might agree to everything because those agreements are signed under duress. If you want to introduce obligations or responsibilities on their part, they will insist you cannot.”

Undergraduates across the nation’s public universities continue to bear the brunt as the ASUU continuously embarks on industrial actions to press home their demands ranging from payment of allowances to the IPPIS implementation.

Politics

‘Your allegation on terrorism sponsorship a needless distraction,’ Nigerian govt replies US-based group, GATE

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The Federal Government on Sunday described the allegation by a United States-based non-profit organisation, Global Advocates for Terrorism Eradication (GATE) that its officials were behind terrorism in the country as a needless and disgusting distraction.

GATE had in a petition to the US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinke, asked Washington to designate some Nigerian government officials as sponsors of terrorism.

The group described the killings, abductions, and other violent crimes in Nigeria as “state-sponsored terrorism.”

However, in a statement issued by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the government said the GATE allegation was orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorists and bandits in the country.

He also branded the organisation “as a pesky irritant that should be ignored because it is confused and irresponsible.”

The minister said: “This organisation called GATE is not even worth the ink with which its name is written.

“How can a serious organisation accuse a government that is tackling the twin evil of terrorism and banditry with an uncommon determination of sponsoring terrorism?

”Is it not curious that this organisation has chosen this particular time, when terrorists are either surrendering in droves or running helter-skelter, as a result of a renewed offensive against them by the military, to orchestrate a distraction?

“What could be GATE’s motive if not to weaken the fight against terror and banditry?

”GATE and its sponsors should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and should quit trying to distract our gallant troops who are doing everything possible, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep our country safe.”

Mohammed said the fact that GATE relied on the words of a former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer to make the allegation has shown the hollowness of its claim.

He added: “In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has availed itself creditably by tackling home-grown terrorists with links to global terrorist organizations.

“We make bold to say that no administration in Nigeria has risen to the challenge of terrorism like the Buhari administration has done.

The acquisition of a myriad of platforms, the boost to the morale of our fighting forces, and the leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari have combined to put our gallant troops in good stead.

“These have also helped the troops to frontally confront and put on the run the terrorists. Fittingly, Nigeria’s efforts at tackling terrorism have been hailed globally.

“What our gallant men and women need at this time is the support, encouragement, and prayers of all, not the distracting antics of a relevance-seeking, feckless organisation masquerading as a terrorism eradication advocate.”

Entertainment

Nigerian government does not care about Nigerians – Zlatan Ibile says in UK (Video)

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Popular Nigerian musician, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael better known as Zlatan, has lamented over the Nigerian government’s neglect towards the people it swore to serve.

He made the statement during a chat with Spotify UK and Who We Be Talks podcast in the United Kingdom, where he is currently on tour.

Zlatan was asked about how life in Lagos state is and he responded by saying that it is a city of hustlers, and the drive to succeed is very glaring.

The rapper noted that Lagos is a fun place filled with creative young people who try to make a living via social media.

He also said that this drive to succeed is why people do not rest in Lagos state.

Watch video HERE

Lifestyle

Varsity workers give Nigerian govt ultimatum to reverse sharing formula on Earned Allowance

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The leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-teaching Staff Unions of Universities on Wednesday gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reverse the sharing formula for the Earned Allowances released to universities staff.

The JAC comprised the Non-Academic Staff Unions of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists, (NAAT).

The body stated this in a letter jointly signed by the NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Abuja.

In the N40 billion Earned Allowances earlier released by the federal government to the four universities unions, ASUU was allocated 75 percent while the other three unions got 25 percent.

The federal government recently promised to release another N22.127 billion as Earned Allowances for the university staff with the sharing formula.

JAC, however, described the sharing formula as injustice.

The body urged the federal government to reverse the sharing formula immediately to avert industrial disputes in the university system.

The letter read: “The leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU is constrained to write the minister in respect of the total failure of the federal government to positively address all the issues contained in the Memorandum of Action signed on February 25.

“The refusal of the Minister of Labour and Employment to finalise action on the subsequent Memorandum of Action reached at the meeting of August 25 is worrisome.

“It is regrettable to note that the draft of the Memorandum of Action reached August 25, which was handed over to JAC leadership for vetting was effectively returned on August 30, and almost two months after the meeting, no action has been taken.”

JAC noted that some of the contentious issues in the letter were the payment of minimum wage, consequential adjustment arrears, alleged inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) payment, payment of hazard responsibility allowance to deserving members, and the earned allowances.

It added: “Contrary to the content of the Memorandum of Action of February 25, and the decision reached at the subsequent meeting of August 26, the information at our disposal as of the time of writing this letter indicates that the Federal Government has agreed to release another tranche of N22.127 billion for the payment of Earned Allowance to the Universities and Inter-University Center Staff at the ratio 75-25 percent.

“We are alarmed at this lack of sensitivity on the part of government when not long ago, Non-teaching staff protested the sharing formula applied by the Federal Government at 75-25 for the disbursement of the last tranche of N40 billion released for payment of earned allowances to both the teaching and non-teaching staff of our universities.

“To again embark on this provocative and unacceptable sharing formula in the next release will only ignite industrial disquiet in our university system.

We urge the Honourable minister to prevail on the federal government not to allow the present peaceful industrial atmosphere in the universities and inter-university centers in our country to be disrupted.

“We, therefore, request for positive redress of the issues presented above by the Federal Government within the next two weeks, failing which JAC may be forced to ask its members across the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take a position on the need to resume the suspended strike.”

Lifestyle

Why Nigerian govt won’t go back on social media regulation – Lai Mohammed

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, explained why the Federal Government would go ahead with the regulation of social media in Nigeria.

Mohammed, who spoke at an interactive session on the sideline of the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, said social media spread fake news.

He stressed that the government’s quest for regulation of the platforms was to prevent another global war.

The minister said: “With fake news today and misinformation — I have always said here that the next world war will be caused by fake news.”

He stressed that Nigerians had deserted the old means of disseminating information by embracing social media.

Mohammed added: “Information is not what it used to be. For example, 20 to 30 years ago if the state or federal government had a television or radio and probably a newspaper, that was what we needed.

.“The people today, they don’t read newspapers, they don’t watch television — it’s social media. And it is the most expensive; the most unseen enemy. They are there every moment, and until we go to the same battlefield with them, there is nothing the government will do that will seem right.”

Politics

‘Behave yourself during Anambra election,’ Nigerian govt warns troublemakers

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The Federal Government on Monday threatened to deal decisively with criminal elements who are bent on scuttling next month’s governorship election in Anambra.

The National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), gave the warning during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja.

He assured that security agencies would do all within their power to ensure a hitch-free election in the state.

The NSA appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff not to be discouraged by the challenges they will face during the election but to give their best.

Monguno said: “For those of us in security, we have already done most of what we are supposed to do.

All the law enforcement agencies and security agencies have been charged to conduct themselves in a manner that will command the general widespread respect of all the people of Anambra state and, by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“They have been asked, charged to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, patience, perseverance, and self-restraint.

“We have been told to operate within the confines of the law, and not to go out and exhibit tendencies that would jeopardize this exercise.

“I want to reassure the general public that the security agencies are going to do everything within their power to ensure that the people of Anambra State undergo this exercise without any incident.

In the same vein, I want to offer a word of brotherly advice to our brothers and sisters in Anambra State who may want to use means, methods that are unorthodox and that are unusual to destabilise an already delicate situation, to please think again.

“We are all eager to achieve results in this election that will be acceptable to everybody.

“I don’t think it will be helpful for anyone to go out and ignite something that might cause pain for the good people of Anambra State — the peace-loving people — under whatever guise.

“Please, think again because the law enforcement agencies, inasmuch as we will operate in accordance with the requirements of their profession, will not sit by idly and allow people to start looting, destroying public property, and resorting to not just intimidation, terrorizing people, possibly arson and even homicide.

This will not be accepted. Law enforcement agencies have been asked to watch out for such elements. Because what you start, you don’t know how it will end.

“There is no need embarking on an exercise of self delusion, futility or some form of tangle.

“Please, I am appealing to you, we are all brothers. Stay within your wards, your local government and let us have a peaceful election.

“For the security agencies in the wards, any rogue element that decides to behave in a manner that will tar our collective institutions in very dark colour will be brought to justice in accordance with the rules of those institutions.

“Do not do anything that will harm this process.

“Finally, I want to encourage agents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

I know you have gone through a lot of pain, a lot of losses with your colleagues from the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, do not allow what has happened in the past to dampen your spirits.

“Do not allow it to drive you into a state of lethargy. Please continue to support the leadership of INEC and let us get this job done.”

Lifestyle

Nigerian govt approves compensation for victims of police brutality

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The National Economic Council (NEC) said on Friday the Federal Government and states would set up modalities for the settlement of compensations awarded to victims of police brutality in the country.

The NEC, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, stated this at a meeting held on Friday in Abuja.

The council, which is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, comprises the governors and representatives of the federal government.

The council stressed that all officers indicted by the judicial panels of inquiry set up by the state governments to probe allegations of police brutality would be prosecuted.

The federal government had directed states to set up judicial panels of inquiry to probe allegations of rights violations by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police personnel following the #EndSARS protests that rocked many parts of the country in October last year.

The statement read: “It may be recalled that following the October 2020 #ENDSARS protests, in furtherance of resolution of NEC, 28 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had set up Judicial Panels/Commissions of Inquiry to investigate allegations of violations of human rights levied against members of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, especially members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The 28 States that set up these panels were Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba.

Out of the 28 States, 11 States (Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Rivers) have submitted their final reports to Council; with Lagos, set to finalise its sittings on 19th October 2021, submitting an interim report. Governors of other States including Delta and Ebonyi at today’s meeting also indicated that their reports would be submitted soon.

“Following deliberations on the recommendations of the panels, NEC agreed/resolved as follows, (and this applies to all the States and FCT that set up the panels):

“Each State, in collaboration with the Federal Government, shall establish modalities for the settlement of all monetary compensations awarded by the Panels. Already, as resolved by NEC, a number of states have set up Victims Compensation Funds, from which several victims have already received payments of sums awarded to them by the panels.

Council directed State Governors to immediately forward copies of final reports of the panels to their Attorneys-General for prompt arraignment and prosecution of all indicted persons.

“Where incidents in the reports relate to matters of discipline, in addition to prosecution, NEC urged the Nigeria Police Force to take disciplinary action on the affected officers in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”

Politics

Soludo advocates dialogue between Nigerian govt, secessionists to curb violence, insecurity

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A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Prof Charles Soludo, has advocated the need for dialogue towards quelling secessionist agitations in the South-East region.

Soludo made this call on Friday during a consultation with Anambra indigenes in Lagos on Friday.

The former CBN official noted that the Igbos must unify in order to establish a platform that will catapult them to the front seat regarding the affairs of the country.

Soludo said, “Yes, there are agitations and I respect them. But dialogue is the answer. They must dialogue; Igbo and Nigeria. That will settle it once there’s an organised platform, where the Igbo will be in the front seat.

“Forget about the APC and PDP. For us to negotiate our way to the centre, we must come together and form a formidable force for doing this.

“I call on all Igbo to come together, step out and build our land into a liveable homeland.”

On the current insecurity in Anambra State, Soludo linked it to massive unemployment among the vibrant youth populace.

“Our answer to these unrests is prosperity and job creation. Once there are jobs everywhere, all of those people will come out of the bushes and do something productive with that lives.

Politics

Nigerian govt sets aside N600bn for farmers

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday the Federal Government has set aside a N600 billion support facility for 2.4 million farmers to boost agricultural production in the country.

He said the farmers can access the loan through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS).

The President disclosed this at the opening of the National Agricultural Show/Exhibition of the 2021 World Food Day in Abuja.

Buhari, who was represented at the forum by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, said his administration was not resting on its oars in the efforts at addressing the challenges in the country’s agricultural sector.

He said: “The Federal Government, through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS), has set aside N600 billion as loan support to farmers across the country.

No fewer than 2.4 million farmers are expected to benefit from the loan which has zero interest.

“The gesture will support farmers in the country, to improve their productivity aimed at boosting the country’s food security, improving farmers’ production, and increasing exports.

“It is gratifying that the sector is being treated as a business, no longer as a development project, with massive distribution of high-quality farm inputs, dissemination of appropriate research results, and significant enhancement of the agricultural commodity value chains.

“I would wish to reiterate and it is clear that if the agricultural sector must be made more productive and food systems sustainable, we must all be prepared to invest massively in the sector and rise to the call against looming food crisis as predicted by the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), African Development Bank (AfDB) and other key actors in food and agriculture.”

Politics

Uzodinma urges Nigerian govt to compensate South-East for civil war losses

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The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to compensate the people of the South-East for the losses recorded during the country’s civil war of more than 50 years ago.

The governor made the call during the public hearing on the review of the revenue allocation formula held in Owerri, the state capital.

He described the effect of the war as most “devastating,” and urged the federal government to establish a special fund that would address the complaints of people of the region.

According to him, the special fund will provide succour to those who lost their properties and family members during the civil war.

Uzodinma said: “I think the debacles of the civil war led the South-East into a deep poverty level; houses were burnt down and people were killed.

Only recently, a special law was enacted as the North-East Development Commission, arising from the disaster of Boko Haram incidents. But the 30-month civil war that ended in 1970 left the South-East in a state of penury.

“Today, as it stands, the federal government takes home 52.68 percent, state governments, 26.72 per cent, while the 774 local government areas take home 20.60 percent.

“It should not just be about multi-billion-dollar pipeline projects that siphon oil and gas from the state which results to youth restiveness, quantum violence and subsequent deaths.”

Politics

Group asks Nigerian govt to retrieve $62bn from oil firms

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A group, People’s Alternative Political Movement (PAPM), has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Federal Government over its failure to retrieve $62billion from international oil companies as directed by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had on October 20, 2018, directed the federal government to immediately take steps to recover all revenues lost to oil companies operating in Nigeria due to the wrong profit-sharing formula since August 2003.

The PAPM stated this in a letter titled: “Request for Compliance with Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in suit No SC. 964/2016 between Akwa Ibom & Two Others v Attorney-General of the Federation,” and addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, wrote the letter on behalf of Prof. Omotoye Olorode and Jaye Gaskia of the PAPM.

It read: “Our clients have instructed us to remind you that the Federal Government has not enforced the above-mentioned judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on October 20, 2018.

“In the said judgment, the apex court had directed the Federal Government to immediately take steps to recover all revenues lost to oil-exploring and exploiting companies due to wrong profit-sharing formula since August 2003.

Based on the aforesaid judgment, you did request for the immediate payment of the sum of $62bn owed by the six international oil companies with joint operating agreements with the NNPC, namely Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, TotalElf Nigeria and Pan Ocean Oil Company.

The group charged the AGF to ensure the full and speedy payment of the $62billion into the Federation Account.

However, if you fail or refuse to accede to the request of our client, we shall not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court to seek an order to compel you to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court in accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which provides that ‘the decisions of the Supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court,” the letter added.

Politics

Nigerian govt rejects video allegedly showing defence minister with AK-47 inside vehicle

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The Ministry of Defence on Sunday dismissed as fake and mischievous, a video currently in circulation allegedly showing the minister, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd), boarding a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with an AK-47 rifle strapped across his shoulder.

The video has attracted several reactions since it surfaced on social media.

The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the minister, Muhammad Abdulkadri, who made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, said the person in the video was the rector of a Nigerian Army college.

He said: “To claim that the person in the video is Gen. Magashi is false and misinforming.

Findings have revealed the undeniable identity of the person in the video as the rector of a Nigerian Army college.

By virtue of the rector’s command and position, he is statutorily allowed in the military to sign for weapons when travelling.

“The army green colour on the vehicle shown in the video and the unit sticker on the official vehicle are enough evidence to neutralise the spurious claim on the video.”

Abdulkadri also said that the vehicle in the video was not the minister’s official car.

The minister’s aide added: “Going by the verifiable and tenable analysis of the video, the minister is not the person in the video as being portrayed.”

Lifestyle

JOHESU reminds Nigerian govt of strike warning, closure of medical facilities

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The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) has issued a fresh two-week strike ultimatum to the Federal Government.

This warning was issued by the JOHESU National Chairman, Biobelemoye Josiah, in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that JOHESU initially issued an ultimatum to the FG on September 2 over the negotiations and payment of outstanding allowances.

In his statement on Tuesday, Josiah said, “We wish to remind the Federal Government to act before it is too late on the fresh 15 days notice as contained in our communique issued on Sept. 17, at the end of the last expanded NEC meeting.

It will be recalled that the expanded NEC of JOHESU, Professional Associations and other affiliate unions had on Sept. 17, critically appraised the reports of JOHESU negotiation and conciliation meetings with Federal Government.

That is since the declaration of the trade dispute through the earlier 15 days strike notice issued on Sept. 2, which expired on Sept. 18.

”It is pertinent to draw the attention of the Federal Government to our fresh 15 days strike notice, which is billed to expire in the next few days and for it to act to avoid a shutdown of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

”We wish also to inform the general public that our NEC noted the appeal from President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to show understanding with his administration and the President’s pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.

We would also wish to note that some of the resolutions reached at the end of our meeting, to show that we are not strike mongers, but just for the federal government to act according to agreements reached,” he said.

Lifestyle

Nigerian govt establishes National Blood Service Commission

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The Federal Government has established the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) to coordinate, regulate, and ensure safe blood transfusion in the country.

The NBSC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Abdullahi Haruna, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the commission replaced the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).

According to him, the NBTS was formerly a unit under the Department of Hospital Services in the Federal Ministry of Health.

He said the NBTS National Coordinator, Dr. Omale Joseph-Amedu, would serve as the Acting Director-General as enshrined in the Act established the commission.

Haruna said: “The commission which has the statutory mandate to coordinate, regulate and ensure the provision of safe, quality blood transfusion services on a country-wide basis within the national health plan.

Therefore, the commission is legally mandated to ensure proper compliance with the National Blood Service Guidelines and standards.

“It will also maintain a system of quality assurance at all levels of service, encourage research in all aspects of blood transfusion services and promote the rational use of blood, blood products and alternatives to blood where appropriate.

“The commission which takes effect immediately as National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) has communicated that its new name and status more aptly reflects the mandate of ensuring the availability of safe, quality and adequate blood services to all Nigerians.”

Politics

Nigerian govt threatens to sanction international passengers over COVID-19 test

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The Federal Government on Sunday declared its readiness to sanction international travellers who shunned the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

The Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said any violation of the COVID-19 travel protocol would attract severe sanctions.

He added that the reviewed protocol would come into effect on September 14.

Mustapha stressed that passengers coming to the country must go through the routine port health screening and present electronic or print-out evidence of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test and the Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code.

He said: “Thereafter, international passports must be presented for clearance through the Nigeria Immigration Service System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS) before a compulsory one-week self-isolation.

“Passengers who fail to show up for this test will face travel restrictions on their passports for at least six months and will not be able to travel abroad for this period. Non-Nigerian passport holders will have their visas revoked.

“Passengers are advised to avoid physical interaction with friends, family, colleagues, and other members of the public. Passengers should check their emails/text messages regularly for updates regarding the arrangement for their repeat COVID-19 PCR test from the laboratory of their choice.

“During this period, the passenger may be contacted by the COVID-19 Response team to ascertain [the] state of isolation, day-7 testing appointment, and health status.”

Politics

Nigerian govt urges doctors to return to work as strike continues

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The Federal Government has sent an appeal to the striking doctors of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to discontinue their current strike action.

This appeal was made by the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The Minister further noted that negotiations are ongoing over the doctors’ allowances in order to ensure an end to the protracted feud.

“I want to appeal to NARD for them to reconsider their position, get back to work tomorrow or next and then come back again for discussions. We have so many things to discuss.

“I have nephews who are resident doctors. I have three of them at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, UNTH Enugu, Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. I have so many of them. I have a son who will graduate in Medicine in October. I cannot destroy the profession, I have to protect the profession too,” Ngige said.

In response to the recent court case filed against the doctors, Ngige said, “The court has ruled and said ‘Go and do some more settlement but meanwhile, you go back to work and continue the settlement’.”

Politics

No plans to increase salaries soon —Nigerian govt

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The Nigerian government has no plans to increase the salaries and wages of federal civil servants anytime soon, according to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba.

Agba made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, at the 10th anniversary lecture of financial advocacy organisation, BudgIT, with the theme ‘Building Civic Engagement and Institutional Accountability for An Equitable Society.’

While delivering a keynote address, Agba said the possibility of a wage increase is not being considered as the government was borrowing because of increasing need for modern infrastructure such as hospitals, rail lines, roads and others.

The Minister urged Nigerians to get more involved in budget processes, especially on how to increase the nation’s revenue.

“There is no way that the Federal Government will increase the wages and salaries of workers in the nearest future because the government is borrowing money for key and modern infrastructure such as hospitals, rail lines, roads and others.

“Government’s hand is full and like the President has said countless times, this government will not borrow to pay wages. That is the situation on the ground. So the possibility of a wage increase now, or in the next future is not feasible,’ Agba said.

Politics

Rivers drags Nigerian govt to Supreme Court over VAT

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The Rivers State government on Tuesday dragged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Supreme Court over the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).

In a suit filed by its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State asked the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s order which directed the state to maintain status quo on the collection of VAT pending the determination of an appeal filed by the FIRS.

The Federal High Court, Port Harcourt issued an order restraining the FIRS from collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in Rivers state.

The agency later filed a stay of execution which was dismissed by the court.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, FIRS approached the Court of Appeal to take a second look at the matter.

A three-member panel of the appellate court in a ruling on Friday ordered all the parties in the suit to maintain the status quo on the matter.

The panel refrained the parties from taking any action on the lower court’s ruling which gave Rivers State government the right to collect VAT instead of the FIRS.

In its 10 grounds of appeal, the Rivers State government asked the apex court to order that the substantive appeal by the FIRS marked CA/PH/282/2021, and all other processes therein, be heard and determined by a new panel of the Appeal Court.

Rivers maintained that Justice Haruna Tsammani-led panel of the Appeal Court erred in law when it relied on the provisions of Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution and the inherent jurisdiction of the appellate court to order all the parties to maintain status quo on the dispute.

It argued that the Court of Appeal lacked the powers to restore the parties to the position they were before the August 9 judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

FIRS and the Attorney-General of the Federation were listed as respondents in the appeal.

Lagos State government had last week applied to join as a party in the appeal.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the VAT bill into law last Friday.

Politics

Former Radio Biafra Director, Ekpa, calls out Nigerian govt, rejects award nominations

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Former Director of Radio Biafra, Simon Ekpa, has lambasted the Nigerian government and it’s institutions for nominating him for awards, saying he had since denounced his Nigerian citizenship and hence, not interested in anything that has to do with the country.

Ekpa, who has never hidden his identity as a die-hard disciple of incarcerated leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took to his Facebook page on Sunday, to call out an organisation known as Institute of Management, for nominating him for one of its awards and recognition.

In the post, Ekpa said he is a Biafran and saw no sense in a Nigerian institution as well as the Nigerian government nominating him for recognition of any sort.

“I got this notification days ago;
‘This is the highest grade of the institute’s membership and is reserved for accomplished professionals of your level and status in the profession.”

“I reject your nomination publicly; this is the second time the IMC-Nigeria is nominating me for whatever reason.

“I am not interested in your nomination, I am not interested in your award, I am not interested in anything that will move Nigeria forward because Nigeria is not structured nor created to move forward, so anybody trying to move Nigeria forward is already a failure.

“Let me give you a brief break down on these failures: Awolowo, Zik, Ahmadu Bello, Abiola, Obasanjo, Jonathan and every other person that have held any political position in Nigeria from 1960 to 2021, have all failed because they didn’t realise that Nigeria were never created to move forward.

“I am now putting everything I have to the disintegration of Nigeria and restoration of Biafra as that is the only way to move forward, anything outside this, don’t bring my name.

“Finally I will be returning every award given to me in Nigeria by Nigeria state or organisation within Nigeria, acting in the capacity of representing Nigeria, including medal given to me by Nigeria will be returned to the Ministry of Sport Abuja in the nearest future.

“I am Simon Ekpa, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Disciple on Biafra Restoration,” he wrote.

Politics

Nigerian govt gives condition to withdraw court case against striking doctors

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The Federal Government says the only condition to withdraw a court case instituted against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is for them to go back to work immediately.

This condition was given by Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige on Sunday in Abuja, while briefong newsmen on the outcome of a meeting he had with President Muhammadu Buhari over the lingering strike.

“I briefed Mr President and we have agreed that they should come back to work and if they come back to work, we can take other things from there; we’ll drop the case in court and then they will come back and get things done.

The Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, in conjunction with the Office of the Head of Service, had a meeting and they are jointly going to do a circular that will be issued for salaries, incomes and wages to reiterate that house officers and youth corps doctors are still on the CONMES scales one and two, respectively. So, I think we are doing the implementation.

“Also, from the monitoring meeting we held this morning, the Ministry of Health has got the list of doctors, who supposedly are to benefit from the Medical Residency Training Fund.

Total submission of about 8,000 names was obtained and the Ministry of Health is scrutinising them.

“We have done the first round of scrutiny and they will now compare what they have with the Postgraduate Medical College’s list and the chief medical directors, who submitted the names.

So, this is it and that is the only thing holding back the Residency Fund payment, because it is there already incurred expenditure has been done by the Finance Minister and it’s in the Accountant-General’s office.

“So, once they verify the authenticity of those they are submitting, the accountant-general will pay.

“Some are refunding, but there is no full reconciliation of the account. That account has to be reconciled to enable the accountants to pay the next round of fund for 2021.

“That’s what I briefed Mr President about and we also discussed some policies, which are not for public consumption now. We take it in strides as the days come by; we also discussed politics and the state of our party,” the minister said.

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