2019 ELECTIONS: CAN DECLARES JANUARY 10, DAY Of NATIONAL PRAYER IN NIGERIA

The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared January 10, 2019, a national day of prayers for peaceful, free, fair and credible election in the country and for freedom for Leah Sharibu and others in Boko Haram captivity.

It directed churches nationwide to observe prayers between 11am and 2pm against violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes.

The media aide to CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, that Christian politicians especially those contesting for offices during the elections, all Christian groups or organisations and all stakeholders were encouraged to participate in the programme.

CAN also urged all Christian groups, denominations, church and block leaders of CAN or their representatives to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on January 10 for the important prayer meeting.

It said, “All Christian candidates for all the elective offices or their representatives are also invited as they will be prayed for to be good Ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election.

“CAN asks all state chairmen and all denominational leaders to organize similar programme and Christian candidates who could not make it to Abuja, especially those who are contesting for state assembly or positions of Governor to attend the one being organised at the state level.”

The statement added that the faithful were to pray for “all Christians contesting one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition; That the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out.”

It further asked them to pray for violence-free elections, and that God should stop all groups behind the killings in Nigeria and their financiers.

POPULAR KANO STATE ENTERTAINER STABBED SIX TIMES BY NEIGHBOR FOR 'SINGING ABOUT HIS FATHER' (PHOTOS)

Reports have it that a popular Hausa entertainer in Kano state, identified as Sani Aliyu Wawo but popularly known as “Malam buda mana littafi” was allegedly stabbed by his neighbor with a knife.

According to the victim who is currently recovering after the attack, he was stabbed multiple times on Thursday night while parking his car at his residence in Masaka area of Kofar Mazugal in Kano metropolis..

He alleged that a neighbour, Yusuf Sadiq stabbed him six times over the mistaken assumption that the entertainer was referring to Sadiq’s father in one of his popular songs.

“I was sitting in the car when a neighbour called Yusuf knocked on window. I thought he came to congratulate me for buying a new car. Instead he asked ‘do you recognize me? I’m Yusuf and I come to warn you for abusing my father’,” said the entertainer.

“He moved closer, brought a knife from his gown and stabbed me in the neck,” added Sanin Wawo.

“It was only after he stabbed me six times that I succeeded in breaking the knife. He therefore ran away and left me bleeding,” He asserted.

The entertainer said he was taken to hospital and the incident was reported to the Dala police station in Kano city.

I AM NOT BUHARI’S NIECE, NOT HIS COUSIN, AMINA ZAKARI SPEAKS

Amina Zakari

The newly appointed head of election collation centre for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2019 elections, Mrs. Amina Zakari has denied having a consanguinity relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zakari speaking in an interview with BBC News Igbo distanced herself from the niggling allegation that she is bloodily related to Buhari. Her words, “I am not his niece, I am not his cousin. I was appointed on this same particular job by Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

Prior to that I was appointed an A.S to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, and I did my job perfectly”.  Her appointment has generated myriads of criticisms and arguments from opposition’s political parties, Nigerians and Presidency.

Zakari is a princess of Jigawa State. She was born on June 23, 1960 to the late Emir of Kazaure, Hussaini Adamu. She completed her elementary education at Shekara Girls Primary School, Kano in 1971 and had her secondary education at Queens College, Lagos.

Amina Bala Zakari was the former Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Her appointment took effect from the directive of the President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of her predecessor, Attahiru Jega on July 30, 2015.

However, since her appointment, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has delved into captious publications, insisting that she has a blood relationship with Buhari.

Presidency yesterday refuted the allegation and noted that Buhari and Zakari do not share a family relationship. In a statement disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Presidency averred that “An inter-marriage occurred in their extended families, so the imputation of blood relationship between the President and the electoral commissioner is a simple lie”.   

CHELSEA MIDFIELDER CESC FABREGAS BIDS TEARFUL FAREWELL AHEAD OF MONACO MOVE

The Spain international is on the verge of joining of the Ligue 1 side, and said farewell to his home fans in Saturday's win over Nottingham Forest

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas bid a tearful farewell to the Stamford Bridge crowd on Saturday as he closes in on a move to Monaco. 

The 31-year-old started against Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup third-round tie, wearing the captain's armband for the Blues. 

Fabregas had the perfect opportunity to sign off with a goal, but he saw a 30th-minute penalty saved by Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele. 

With Chelsea up 2-0 late in the game, Fabregas was given a chance to say farewell to the Blues faithful as he was subbed off by manager Maurizio Sarri. 

Fabregas embraced team-mate David Luiz before taking his time exiting the pitch, applauding the Stamford Bridge crowd. 

The Spaniard was seen holding back tears as he made his way to the bench for the last five minutes of Chelsea's victory. 

The emotion Fabregas displayed seemed to confirm his impending move to Monaco.

Fabregas saw his playing time diminish this season, as Sarri prefers to use Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the Spaniard in his system. 

After moving from Barcelona in 2014, Fabregas has spent four and a half seasons with the Blues, winning two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup. 

He will join a Monaco side managed by his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry. The principality side is in the midst of a difficult season, sitting second from bottom in Ligue 1. 

MAURIZIO SARRI URGED TO 'BREAK THE BANK FOR DIEGO COSTA'!

Chelsea have been told they should be looking to splash out on their former forward and seal a second big-money agreement with Atletico Madrid

Peter Crouch has suggested that Maurizio Sarri "breaks the bank" to bring striker Diego Costa back to Stamford Bridge.

The Stoke City striker is adamant that the return of the Brazil-born Spain international would remedy their current problems up front.

He believes that if a top striker is not signed before next season, the Blues will not be title contenders due to their poor goal return.

"I have concerns about whether they will mount a proper title challenge next season," Crouch told newsmen.

"Chelsea have scored the fewest goals of the top six sides. A return of 38 from 21 matches isn't enough to win you a title, no matter how good your defence is.

"The one thing you need is someone to score you 30 goals and they do not have a player like Harry Kane, Mo Salah or Sergio Aguero.

"Not so long ago, they did. Diego Costa would absolutely transform Chelsea's fortunes and, if it was down to me, I'd break the bank to re-sign him.

"You can talk about Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema, but I think Costa would be the one to take Chelsea where they want to be."

Costa won the Premier League  twice in his three seasons at the club but fell out with former boss Antonio Conte, who sold him to Atletico Madrid in 2017 for £59.4 million ($76m).

And Crouch questioned whether the current crop of strikers - Alvaro Morata in particular - would be able to carry the goalscoring burden of a title-chasing side and live up to the examples of Costa and Drogba before him.

He added: "What they need more than anything is the focal point that Drogba, for example, provided. I like Olivier Giroud, and Alvaro Morata is a forward with great technical gifts, but it just does not seem to be happening for him in England. I'm not sure it is going to, either.

"Morata has had some good moments, but not the kind you would expect from someone who arrived for such a big price and it was revealing to hear Zola - who is now Sarri's assistant - admit that the Spaniard is suffering a crisis of confidence.

"There is nothing a striker can experience that is worse - trust me, I know - but he has to keep working."

BARCELONA LEGEND, RONALDINHO, BANNED FROM LEAVING BRAZIL OVER HUGE DEBT CRISIS

Football legend being dragged through the courts in Brazil amid claims his charitable foundation owes fines for breaking environmental rules and has been banned from leaving Brazil by a judge.

The ex-Barcelona is scheduled to appear at the Dubai International Sports Conference this week.

But the 38-year-old has been barred from making the trip to the United Arab Emirates by a court in South America.

Brazilian judge Newton Fabricio demanded that Ronaldinho and his brother Assis Moreira have their passports taken off them by authorities.

The seizure order was made to guarantee the payment of a £1.75million fine imposed on the pair for breaking environmental construction regulations four years ago.

They were prosecuted for causing damage to the environment in the building of the Ronaldinho Gaucho Institute in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre.

The charity helps work with young and impoverished people in the city and has been lauded for its work.
But authorities are still demanding the fine be paid, and prosecutors say Ronaldinho and his brother have been impossible to pin down over the money.

When the judge first ordered the passports should be seized in November, Ronaldinho was out of Brazil.
And he continued travelling around the world before eventually returning to his home country for the Christmas period.

N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE: FG MEETING WITH LABOUR LEADERS INCONCLUSIVE

Labour and Nigerian government negotiations
January 4, 2019Azeezat Adedigba
The Friday meeting between the federal government and labour unions ended without an agreement.

The meeting was organised to prevent the planned January 8 protest by labour unions.

The planned protest by the labour unions is to demand that President Muhammadu Buhari submit a bill to the parliament for the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for workers.

While addressing journalists at the end of the Friday meeting, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, said the meeting has been adjourned till 5 p.m. on Monday.

”We are still discussing and will continue on Monday. We need to make further consultations before the issues are concluded,” he said.

In his reaction, the labour minister, Chris Ngige, who led the government delegation, said the government has made progress with the workers.

The meeting, which started at 12:50 p.m., went on recess at 3:20 p.m. and reconvened 4:28 p.m.

The meeting went on break because President Buhari summoned Mr Ngige, the finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, and the budget minister, Udoma Udoma, for an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has been at loggerheads with the federal government over a new minimum wage.

The NLC and other labour unions demand that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000 from the current N18,000.

President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to commit to the new proposal. Instead, the president said last year that he would set up a technical committee to review the N30,000 proposed by a tripartite committee earlier set up by the federal government.

State governments have also said they would not be able to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

NAF NEUTRALISES BANDITS NEAR DOUMBOUROU HILL, ZAMFARA STATE.

Nigerian Air Force Alpha jets

The Nigerian Air Force, says Air Task Force (ATF), of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has destroyed another armed bandits’ hideout and neutralised several of their fighters near Doumbourou Hill in Zamfara.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who announced this in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on Wednesday.

“The attack was executed yesterday,Jan. 2 , following human intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), missions, indicating that a large number of bandits, armed with high calibre weapons, regularly assemble at a compound around the foot of the hill before going out on operations.

“Accordingly, the ATF scrambled two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopters, supported by an ISR platform, to engage the bandits and destroy their compound.

“The helicopters strafed the target area in successive waves of attack, with the first wave causing some damage to the structures and neutralising some of their fighters.

“The second wave was sequenced to engage the armed bandits as they re-emerged out of their hiding places, thus inflicting further fatalities on them,” he said.

Daramola said that credible HUMINT sources later revealed that the leader of the group was among those killed during the attack.

He said the ATF would continue to work in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected States in the North West.

WHAT I EXPECT FROM MY WIFE’S CAMPAIGN TEAM — PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he expects the women and youth presidential campaign team led by his wife to exhibit the same loyalty and support they gave him in 2015.

Mr Buhari stated this Thursday while inaugurating the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House presidential villa, Abuja.

Mr Buhari told them that the gathering reminded him of his political struggles over the years and the support he enjoyed from them.

“My association with you has been for very long and is characterized by loyalty to the cause of change,” he said.

The president said his administration has recorded ”numerous landmark achievements”.

He said his mantra of ”change” remains
”unshaken and continues until we return Nigeria on track to assume its rightful place among the comity of nations”.

He reminded the committee that they are expected to support the Presidential Campaign Council which he chairs.

”This shows the importance with which we view the role of women and youths as the backbone of the Nigerian electorate.

”As such, they should be the drivers of our campaign, more so, they are the major direct and indirect beneficiaries of our social investment programmes,” he said.

He tasked the team to remind Nigerians about his plans, good work and achievements.

”Tell the people why they should give us another four years. Our dream is to sustain CHANGE so that all systemic distortions can be corrected and we can enjoy the fruits of being Nigerians under the banner of freedom.

”It is also our hope that our unborn children will inherit a better nation,” he said.

The president also commended all APC members for their unwavering support and commitment to his administration.

”I call on them to redouble their efforts and re-elect us in February, so that they can witness the next level of CHANGE.

”To all Nigerians, I appreciate your love and support. I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015. Please do not be distracted, our country is on course.

”I am very pleased to inaugurate the ‘Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team’. I charge you to reach out to all Nigerians door-to-door and remind them why we need another four years,” the president said.

IRANIAN HEALTH MINISTER RESIGNS OVER SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS DUE TO SEVERE FINANCIAL CRISIS

Hassan Rowhani, president of Iran

Iran’s health minister has resigned, saying he could not accept any further cuts to his budget as the country struggles with a severe financial crisis.

“I am not an impatient person, but enough is enough,” Hassan Hashemi said on a video posted to the Khabar One portal on Thursday.

Reports that Mr Hashemi had resigned have been circulating for days, but on Thursday came confirmation on state media that President Hassan Rowhani had accepted his decision.

Mr Hashemi said he could no longer work effectively given the restricted spending limits proposed in the government’s next budget.

The ministry’s budget was significantly cut for the year beginning March 21.

The cuts were linked to an acute financial crisis caused partly by U.S. sanctions that were re-imposed in 2018.

As the sanctions have hit oil exports, it is not clear how much the state will earn from oil revenues in the future.

The U.S. measures have badly affected the health sector, as some medicines cannot be imported due to bank sanctions.

The sanctions have also put moderate Mr Rowhani under serious political pressure.

He has had to reorganise his cabinet due to pressure from parliament.

Many Iranians are also unhappy that the government is spending money in conflicts abroad – including in wars in Yemen and Syria, and in support of Palestinians – instead of focusing on domestic affairs.

(NAN)

'DESPITE CORRUPTION FIGHT, CORRUPTION STILL THRIVES IN NIGERIA' - NBS

Corruption, which Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he came into office to fight, is flourishing under his nose, with the Federal capital territory recording the highest number of cases, according to data released by the National Bureau of statistics, covering year 2016.
NBS data show that corruption cases increased in about 15 states in the country, while only about six and two states reported a decline and zero in the number of corruption cases, respectively.

Abuja, the capital city of the country where major political and administrative activities hold, had the highest number with 657 reported cases in that year, according to the report.
Abuja was followed by Lagos and Kaduna, with each reporting over a 100 cases, according to a graphical representation by the NBS, as the statistical agency did not provide exact numerical values of corruption cases in other states besides

President Buhari assumed office as president in May 2015 vowing to intensify eliminate corruption and set Africa’s largest economy on a path of sustainable development. His administration has since embarked on prosecution of persons alleged to have looted public funds, using the anti-corruption watchdog, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It may not be entirely true to assess President Buhari’s anti-corruption fight of corruption based on the NBS data alone since the figures reflect barely one year of his presidency. However, the 2017 Corruption Perception Index released in 2018 by Transparency International, placed Nigeria as number 148 among 180 countries, from 136 in 2016, showing a retrogression of 12 places.

“The initial optimism that accompanied the Buhari’s government following his anti-corruption agenda appears to have waned and this is not unconnected to the observed delay in prosecuting corrupt officials who are members of his parties,” an analyst who does not want to be mentioned because of the sensitivity of the matter, said.

The NBS report said that Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Rivers, Anambra and Imo states all recorded declines in corrupt cases, while there were no cases recorded in both Jigawa and Yobe states.
The report further shows that in terms of percentage distribution of bribes in Nigeria by types of request, direct request from the officials came top at 65.4 percent, while indirect request of payment by officials came next at 19.9 percent.

Bribe request where nobody asked for it, that is, a bribe request done willingly to facilitate/accelerate the procedure, was next at 8.2 percent, the report said.
The report also said that almost 70 percent of bribes were paid before service was delivered, while 13.5 percent were paid after service was delivered.

The percentage of bribes collected at the same time that the service was delivered was 10 percent, while those who paid partly before/ after the service was delivered were 2 percent.
Gbolahan Ologunro, an equity research analyst at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers said, “tackling corruption will require strengthening of the judicial system in ensuring the speedy resolution of corruption cases; improved computerisation in procedures required in obtaining important documents so as to reduce face-to-face contact between officials and the populace.

“In addition, there is the need for government to implement policies that will enable the people exploit opportunities in the business environment to improve their standard of living which might act as a deterrent to engaging in corrupt practices.”

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan at the launch of his book “My Transition Hour” last year boasted that the country is more corrupt in 2018 than it was when he handed over to the Buhari’s administration in 2015.

Technocrats and activists have also raised eyebrows against the incumbent’s fight against corruption, saying it is mainly targeted at the opposition.

Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna Central, captured this feeling when he said, “When it comes to fighting corruption in the National Assembly, the Judiciary and in the nation at large, the President uses insecticide, but when it comes to fighting corruption within the Presidency, they use deodorants.”

While President Buhari has maintained his stance on the fight against corruption, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has contended that “fighting corruption,” is not an economic policy.

Its Vice Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, at the recent debate said: “You cannot lock your shop and start chasing criminals.”

Bent on showing how firm the current administration is on the fight against corruption, Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo responded: “If you allow criminals to steal the inventory in your shop, you’d soon have no shop.”

"MY ROLE IN NIGERIAN POLITICS IS TO RAISE ALARM" - OBJ

Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president, has stated his role in the nation’s politics.

The former president quitted partisan politics in the country when he dumped the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) tearing his membership card in the process.

Prior to the 2015 general election, he pitched his tent with Muhammadu Buhari, then opposition candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The APC flag-bearer after the endorsement of the former president won the election but the duo has fell out politically due to the second term ambition of the president.

Last year, the former president advised Mr Buhari to shelve his re-election bid due to alleged incompetence. The president has since dumped the advise in a trash can and went on to actualize his ambition.

Despite his acclaimed stance, Obasanjo has publicly endorsed Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP to battle it out with the president.

Addressing Yabaji Sani, presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and his team when they paid him a visit on Thursday at Abeokuta, Mr Obasanjo said his role in the country’s politics is to raise alarm when events turn around in the way they ought not be.

“It is undemocratic, the attitude of some politicians who heat up the polity by undermining and denigrating other Nigerians through thuggery and harassment of innocent citizens,” Obasanjo was quoted in a statement by Pam Ibrahim, Director of Media and Publicity of Sani’s Campaign team, as saying.

“My role in Nigerian politics would be that of a watchman who is expected to be vigilant and raise an alarm whenever it is necessary,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Mr Sani while urging Nigerians to vote for him and his party said he is in the race because of bad leadership of previous administration particularly in the areas of security.

“We are in a country where the security of citizens is no longer guaranteed giving the crime rate we experience on a daily basis, especially insurgency, armed robbery and kidnappings across the country”, he said.

MAN KILLS MOTHER OF 73 IN ENUGU

Enugu- A 73-year-old woman, Mrs Cecilia Attah, has been reportedly killed by her son at Nru, in Nsukka Local Governments Area of Enugu State.

Mrs Cecilia Attah

Mrs Attah was killed, Wednesday by her son who used a plank to hit her on the head, following a slight argument.

It was gathered that shortly after killing his mother, the suspect ran to the nearby Nsukka Police Station to report that his brother wanted to kill him.

Apart from the suspect, the deceased is said to be the mother of a priest, Rev Fr. Nobert who is now on sabbatical at the United States of America, USA, with Athanasius Igwenagum Attah, 54, as the eldest.

Athanasius, a panel beater at the Mechanic Village, Nsukka, was seen at Nsukka Police Station, yesterday, making a statement over the issue.

N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE: FG BUDGETS N160BN FOR CIVIL SERVANTS’ SALARY INCREASE AND PROMOTION ARREARS

The Federal Government has budgeted a total of N160bn this year to take care of adjustments that may arise as a result of the planned increase in minimum wage.

The amount is contained in the 2019 budget proposal which was submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly.

The 2019 budget has an estimate of N8.83tn made up of N4.04tn for recurrent expenditure, N2.03tn for capital expenditure and N2.14tn for debt servicing, among others.

An analysis of the budget showed that the sum of N160bn had been provisioned to take care of public wage adjustment and salary increases in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government.

The amount is captured under the service wide vote in the 2019 budget document.
The N160bn is also projected to take care of arrears of promotion and severance benefits to civil servants.

Apart from the N160bn, the government has also budgeted the sum of N4.5bn for the payment of retirement benefits to former Heads of Civil Service of the Federation and retired Permanent Secretaries.

Also, about N5bn was budgeted for payment of death benefits for civil servants and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
The entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice-Presidents is to gulp N2.3bn in 2019 while retirement benefits for former heads of government parastatals are estimated at about N1bn.

In the same vein, the government is proposing to spend N121.6bn on military pensions, N28.3bn on civilian pensions, N7.4bn on police pensions and N50bn on arrears of 33 per cent increase in pension rates.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, had said the government was committed to increasing the minimum wage.

FATHER, 42, KILLED TWO OF HIS SONS WITH POISON OVER WITCHCRAFT ALLEGATIONS IN BAYELSA

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 42 - year - old father , Sunday Otasi , for allegedly killing two of his sons with a poisonous substance , identified to be ‘ Sniper ’, over suspicion of witchcraft .

The third son , however , narrowly escaped death and is in a critical condition after he escaped from the bush, where his father and his younger brother had tied the three of them to trees.

Otasi, who hails from Agbobiri -Okodia in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was said to have taken his three sons, Success , 14 ; Miracle, 12 ; and Godstime , 10 , to a bush along Glory Drive Road , Igbogene, Yenagoa.

He was said to have tied them to trees with the help of his younger brother , Levai Ayah , and forced them to drink the poisonous substance .
It was learnt that the three children got into trouble with their father in September last year when a Yenagoa - based prophet , George Odoko , of the George Odoko Outreach Ministries , told Otasi that his children were wizards and were responsible for his illness .

WHY I WON’T SURRENDER TO POLICE — SENATOR DINO MELAYE

The embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senator representing Kogi West, Mr. Dino Melaye, has finally spoken from his hideout on the reasons why he will not surrender to the Police.

Sen. Dino Melaye

Mr. Melaye, who had earlier alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, would inject him with substance that would kill him if he was arrested, compared his challenges to that of Prophet Elijah in the Bible, in a tweet on Tuesday evening.

He also maintained that he will continue to remain in his hideout.

It was earlier reported that the Police laid siege to the senator’s Abuja residence on Friday, ending on an aggravating note a turbulent year which began with allegations that the lawmaker was involved in multiple robberies and murder plots.

The siege marks, at least, the fourth attempt to arrest Mr. Melaye by the Police in 2018.

Melaye, in his Tuesday tweet, said he was being wise and not scared by hiding.

Mr. Melaye said the Bible records Prophet Elijah to be one of the strongest prophets that lived, but he went to Mount Carmel to hide when King Ahab wanted him dead because of the way he declared the truth.

“There is a difference between being scared and being wise,” the controversial lawmaker wrote on Twitter.

Melaye is seeking re-election in Kogi on the platform of PDP.

He is already facing two different trials by the Police for alleged attempted suicide and allegedly arming criminals.

He was granted bail by the court in both instances.

It will be recalled that the Police had already disconnected electricity and water to the premises on 11 Sangha Street, off Mississippi, Maitama, Abuja.

Melaye, who has had running battles with the Police, it was gathered, had promised to report to the Police this week.

Lawyers react

Meanwhile, some lawyers and senators have kicked against the continued siege to Melaye’s home, even as the Police insisted on its actions, saying “we will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.”

Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), said: “It is indeed unconstitutional and beyond international standard of law enforcement and in violation of the administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“I think the Senator should seek redress in court. We are not in a police state but in a constitutional democracy.”

Another lawyer, Mr. Israel Mbaebie said: “What is happening to Dino is a clear extension of what has been the sad hallmark of the excesses of this present government.

“It is sad. It is demeaning to all Nigerians that we are witnessing what we have never witnessed not even under the military junta years of Abacha. To imagine that we are in a democracy makes it all even more bizarre if not brazen.”

…senators, too

Some senators, who took a swipe at the Police over the invasion of Melaye’s residence, described the action as barbaric and unacceptable.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East), condemned the Police action.

Senator Anyanwu said: “Nigeria is turning into a Police State. We believe that our democracy must be guided. Taking over the residence of Senator Dino Melaye is a sad development.

“The Police must, as a matter of urgency, vacate the house.”

Also, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (PDP, Kwara South) who condemned the action, described it as witchhunt and political, adding that Senator Melaye was at the National Assembly prior to the holiday and the Police never came for him.

He asked the Police to stop playing politics with everything, urging them to vacate the residence with immediate effect.

The Senate President

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, had earlier faulted the move, arguing that the timing of the action by the Police and the claim that Senator Melaye had been invited were not true.

His words: “The general belief now is that the Police action against Senator Dino Melaye is aimed at keeping him out of circulation so that he would not participate in the February elections.

“Though the Police in their statement claimed that there was a request to the Clerk of the National Assembly, inviting Senator Melaye to report to the Police, my enquiry from the clerk showed that he had no such letter.”

We won’t leave here until…—Police

Meanwhile, the Police in a statement, by Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, has maintained their ground, saying “Senator Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide, committed on July 19, 2018, when Senator Melaye and his thugs attacked Police personnel, shot and wounded Sergeant Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force on stop-and-search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

“Police operatives with a duly obtained warrant of arrest deployed to arrest Senator Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until Senator Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.

“It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a letter of invitation on July 23, 2018, by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Melaye to report on July 26, 2018 at 11a.m., at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja, to answer to a case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command.

“The claim by the Senate President in the media that the Police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is, therefore, incorrect.

“Despite this, Senator Dino bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.

“The Force will ensure a thorough investigation into this matter while making sure that the rule of law prevails and that no suspect, no matter how highly placed, involved in any criminal matter escape justice.

“We will not retreat until Senator Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.”

N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE: PRESIDENCY MOVES TO APPEASE ORGANIZED LABOUR

• Asks govs to plug waste to accommodate workers’ demand

• Pleads with NLC for more time to resolve logjam

Following organized labour's threat to call out workers to embark on indefinite strike come Tuesday, 8th January, 2019 to protest non-implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage as recommended by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, the presidency has moved to pacify the workers, appealing to them to tarry a while on their planned action.

The organized labour had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to submit the N30,000 minimum wage implementation bill to the National Assembly for passage by December 31 last year or face a nationwide strike action.

With the deadline unmet, the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, had said the Tuesday strike had become imminent despite a federal government offer for a resolution meeting schedule for January 8.

Authoritative presidency sources, however, told our correspondent, Wednesday, that the president is making efforts to resolve the wage dispute, which threatens to further obstruct the nation’s fragile economy should the strike hold.
State governors under the auspices of Nigerian Governors Forum had objected to N30,000 as the baseline wage bill for the federation on the grounds that most of the states could not afford it.

Offering N22,500, the governors said anything more would send most of the states into insolvency.
But labour disagreed, contending that N30,000 was a compromised figured, which if diligently pursued would be realisable.

Buhari, according to sources, had intervened, asking the governors to reconsider their stand and find ways of acceding to the workers’ demand.

“The president met with the representatives of the governors and appealed to them to plug areas of waste as a way of securing the funds to meet the workers’ demand,” a source disclosed.

He said the governors had agreed to heed the advice of the president and had gone back to evaluate their finances, adding that what was needed was some more time for the governors to report progress to the president.

“Certainly, the governors need to come back to the president with their revised position before he could proceed to the National Assembly with an implementation bill,  the source added.

Stating that time, though now a scarce commodity, was what was needed to resolve the logjam, he explained that even if the president was minded to proceed to the National Assembly with the bill as requested by labour, the federal legislators had been on Christmas break, adding that there was no way the NLC’s demand could have been met.

“The National Assembly had been on break. And so, even if the president is to overrule the governors on this, there is no way the National Assembly can reconvene before the Friday deadline given by labour,” he said.

Wabba had called on the federal government wednesday to urgently transmit the bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly for a speedy passage.

He said, “It is unfortunate that the federal government is yet to transmit to the National Assembly an executive bill for the enactment of N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

“Government’s dilly-dallying on the issue has strained government-labour relations with a potential for a major national strike, which could just be days away.

“I want to appeal to the government to do the needful by urgently transmitting the bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly.

“We also would like to use this same opportunity to urge workers to fully mobilise for a prolonged national strike and enforce their right.”

Explaining that the strike would become inevitable as the last option for labour, the NLC president called on all Nigerians and businesses to understand and support it.

He, however, assured workers that their labour, patience and diligence would not be in vain.
Wabba said the NLC leadership remains committed to giving all it takes to ensure workers get just and fair wages in a decent work environment appropriate to their well-being.

He added that the NLC leadership is similarly committed to social protection for workers.
According to him, “The new year presents great opportunities for workers, pensioners, civil society allies and their friends and families to put their numbers to good use.

“This is by voting out, not on the basis of tribe or religion but purely policy, any candidate that cannot serve their interest.

“In the year that is ahead of us, the NLC remains unequivocally committed to the national and workers’ goals which include the campaign for industrialisation, against selective enforcement of “No Work, No Pay” policy of government, among others.”

The N30,000 new minimum wage, which was a compromise figure arrived at by the Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprised of the government (federal and states), organised private sector and the organised public sector was contained in the report forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari. Labour had initially proposed N66, 500, while the federal government proposed N24,500 at the negotiation meeting before the N30,000 was adopted.

However, wednesday the federal government said it would meet with the union on Friday.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said government had invited executives of the organised labour for a meeting at the Conference Hall of the ministry.

General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said the labour had received letter from the labour ministry for a meeting on Friday.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a notice to all its structures and organs to commence mobilisation for mass action against the federal government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

This was contained in a statement signed by the association’s president, Danielson Akpan.
The ASUU commenced a nationwide strike on November 4 after the lecturers accused the federal government of not implementing previous agreements.

The association had earlier issued an ultimatum of two weeks to the federal government, ASUU and ASUP on December 23, to call off the strike or face confrontation.

JAMB FORM SALES AND REGISTRATION TO COMMENCE ON 10th JANUARY 2019.

1. Cost of Regn. PIN: #3,500

2. Compulsory Reading Text: #500

3. Service Charge for Regn: #700

Total: #4,700.

The Registration will last for 6weeks, from 10th January.

Candidates are advised in their own interest to register at JAMB Accredited CBT CENTRES Nationwide and JAMB OFFICES only.

*NO CYBER CAFE*

*Guide your children on 2019 JAMB Subject Combination For Science Courses.*

*The full list of JAMB Subject Combinations for all courses are as follows:*

*Medicine and Surgery:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Agricultural Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Computer Science:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agric Science, Economics and Geography.

*Biochemistry:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Biological Sciences:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics.

*Physics:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry or Biology.

*Mathematics:*
Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Biology and Agricultural Science.

*Chemistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics.

*Nursing:*
Use of English, Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

*Food, Science and Technology:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics / Physics and Agricultural Science.

*Pharmacy:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Industrial Chemistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics and any of Physics /Biology /Agricultural Science.

*Fisheries:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science and any other Science subject.

*Geology:*
Use of English and any three Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Geography.

*Geography:*
Use of English, Geography and any two of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural Science.

*Surveying an Geoinformatics:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Statistics:*
Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, chemistry, agricultural science and economics.

*Building:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Microbiology:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics.

*Botany:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and any other Science subject.

*Zoology:*
Use of English, Biology and any two of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

*Pure and Applied Mathematics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Biology or Agric Science or Chemistry or Geography.

*Agriculture:*
English, Chemistry, Biology /Agriculture and any one of Physics and Mathematics.

*Agricultural Economics:*
English Language, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science and Mathematics.

*Africa extension:*
English, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

*Agronomy:*
English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

*Animal Production and Science:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/Agric Science and Physics/Mathematics.

*Crop Production and Science:*
English, Chemistry, Biology /Agriculture and Mathematics or Physics.

*Soil Science:*
English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

*Veterinary Science:*
English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

*Forestry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

*Civil Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Chemical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Computer Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Electrical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Electronic Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Marine Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Mechanical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Metallurgical and Materials Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Petroleum and Gas Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Systems Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Structural Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Production and Industrial Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Architecture:*
English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Quantity Surveying:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Urban and Regional Planning:*
English, Mathematics, Geography and one of Economics, Physics, Chemistry.

*Estate Management:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*Anatomy:*
English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics.

*Dentistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology and one Science subject.

*Medical Laboratory Science:*
English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

*Medical Rehabilitation:*
Use of English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

*Physiology:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Physiotherapy:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Radiography:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Veterinary Medicine:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*JAMB Subject Combination for Social Sciences:*

*Accountancy:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject.

*Business Administration:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject.

*Public Administration:*
Use of English, Government, Economics and any other subject.

*Banking and Finance:*
Use of English, Mathematics, one Social Science subject and any other subject.

*Economics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any of Government, History, Geography, Literature in English, French and CRK/IRK.

*Demography and Social Statistics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics/ Geography and any other subject.

*Geography:*
Use of English, Geography and two other Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Library Science:*
Use of English and Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Mass Communication:*
Use of English and any three from Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Sociology:*
Use of English, Three Social Science or Arts subjects.

*Political Science:*
Use of English, Government or History plus two other Social Science/ Arts subjects.

*Philosophy:*
Use of English, Government and any other two subjects.

*Psychology:*
Use of English, Any three subjects from Arts or Social Science.

*Religious Studies:*
Use of English Language, CRK/IRS and any two other subjects.

*Social Works:*
Use of English Language, Mathematics, Economics/ Geography and any other subject.

*Sociology and Anthropology:*
Use of English, Three Social Science or Arts Subjects.

*Industrial Relations:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant subject.

*Human Resources Management:*
Use of English, Economics, Government and any other relevant subjects.

*International Relations:*
Use of English, Economics, Literature- in English and Geography /Government / History.

*Business Management:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*Cooperative and Rural Development:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other subject.

*Tourism:*
English, Mathematics, Economics and any other subject.

*Marketing:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant Subject.

*Insurance:*
English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*JAMB Subject Combination for Arts:*

*Arabic and Islamic Studies:*
Use of English, Arabic and Two subjects from Arts and/or Social Sciences.

*Christian Religious Studies:*
Use of English, Two Arts subjects including Christian Religious Knowledge and any other subject.

*Fine and Applied Arts:*
Use of English Language, Fine Art and two other Arts subjects or Social Science subject.

*Theatre Arts:*
Use of English, Lit. in English and two other relevant subjects.

*Linguistics:*
English, Two relevant Arts subjects and any other subject.

*English and International Studies:*
Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History or any other Arts subjects.

*French:*
English, French and any other two subjects from Arts and Social Sciences.

*English Language:*
Use of English, Lit.-in-English, one other Arts subject and another Arts or Social Science subject.

*Hausa:*
English, Hausa, Lit in English and any of Economics, Government, History and Arabic.

*History and International Studies:*
Use of English, History /Government and any other two subjects from Arts & Social Science.

*Islamic Studies:*
English, Islamic Religious Studies plus two other Arts subjects.

*Igbo:*
English, Igbo and two subjects from Arts and social Sciences.

*Mass Communication:*
Use of English, Any three Arts and Social Science subjects.

*Music:*
Use of English, Music, one other Arts subject plus any other subject.

*Philosophy:*
Use of English, Any three subjects.

*Religious Studies:*
English, CRK/IRS and any two other subjects.

*Yoruba:*
Use of English, Yoruba and two other subjects in Arts or Social Sciences.

*Anthropology:*
Use of English, Any three of History, CRK/IRK, Geography, Economics, Literature in English and French.

*Criminology and Security Studies:*
English, Economics, Government, and any one of the following: History, Geography, Literature in English,‎ French, IRK, Hausa.

*Law:*
English, Literature, Economics and any other Art Subject.

*Civil Law:*
English Language and Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Islamic / Sharia Law:*
Use of English Language and Any three Art or social science subjects including Arabic or Islamic.JAMB Sales and Registration will commence on 10th January 2019.

1. Cost of Regn. PIN: #3,500

2. Compulsory Reading Text: #500

3. Service Charge for Regn: #700

Total: #4,700.

The Registration will last for 6weeks, from 10th January.

Candidates are advised in their own interest to register at JAMB Accredited CBT CENTRES Nation wide and JAMB OFFICES only.

*NO CYBER CAFE*
[27/12, 12:22] ‪+234 803 266 5513‬: *Guide your children on 2019 JAMB Subject Combination For Science Courses.*
*The full list of JAMB Subject Combinations for all courses are as follows:*

*Medicine and Surgery:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Agricultural Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Computer Science:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agric Science, Economics and Geography.

*Biochemistry:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Biological Sciences:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics.

*Physics:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry or Biology.

*Mathematics:*
Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Biology and Agricultural Science.

*Chemistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry and two of Physics, Biology and Mathematics.

*Nursing:*
Use of English, Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

*Food, Science and Technology:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics / Physics and Agricultural Science.

*Pharmacy:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Industrial Chemistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics and any of Physics /Biology /Agricultural Science.

*Fisheries:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science and any other Science subject.

*Geology:*
Use of English and any three Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Geography.

*Geography:*
Use of English, Geography and any two of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural Science.

*Surveying an Geoinformatics:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Statistics:*
Use of English, Mathematics and any two of Physics, chemistry, agricultural science and economics.

*Building:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Microbiology:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics.

*Botany:*
Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and any other Science subject.

*Zoology:*
Use of English, Biology and any two of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

*Pure and Applied Mathematics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Biology or Agric Science or Chemistry or Geography.

*Agriculture:*
English, Chemistry, Biology /Agriculture and any one of Physics and Mathematics.

*Agricultural Economics:*
English Language, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science and Mathematics.

*Africa extension:*
English, Chemistry, Biology/ Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

*Agronomy:*
English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

*Animal Production and Science:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology/Agric Science and Physics/Mathematics.

*Crop Production and Science:*
English, Chemistry, Biology /Agriculture and Mathematics or Physics.

*Soil Science:*
English, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science plus Mathematics or Physics.

*Veterinary Science:*
English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

*Forestry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics or Mathematics.

*Civil Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Chemical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Computer Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Electrical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Electronic Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Marine Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Mechanical Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Metallurgical and Materials Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Petroleum and Gas Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Systems Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Structural Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Production and Industrial Engineering:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

*Architecture:*
English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Quantity Surveying:*
Use of English, Physics, Mathematics, and any of Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

*Urban and Regional Planning:*
English, Mathematics, Geography and one of Economics, Physics, Chemistry.

*Estate Management:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*Anatomy:*
English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics.

*Dentistry:*
Use of English, Chemistry, Biology and one Science subject.

*Medical Laboratory Science:*
English Language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

*Medical Rehabilitation:*
Use of English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

*Physiology:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Physiotherapy:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Radiography:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*Veterinary Medicine:*
Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

*JAMB Subject Combination for Social Sciences:*

*Accountancy:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject.

*Business Administration:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any other Social Science subject.

*Public Administration:*
Use of English, Government, Economics and any other subject.

*Banking and Finance:*
Use of English, Mathematics, one Social Science subject and any other subject.

*Economics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and any of Government, History, Geography, Literature in English, French and CRK/IRK.

*Demography and Social Statistics:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics/ Geography and any other subject.

*Geography:*
Use of English, Geography and two other Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Library Science:*
Use of English and Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Mass Communication:*
Use of English and any three from Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Sociology:*
Use of English, Three Social Science or Arts subjects.

*Political Science:*
Use of English, Government or History plus two other Social Science/ Arts subjects.

*Philosophy:*
Use of English, Government and any other two subjects.

*Psychology:*
Use of English, Any three subjects from Arts or Social Science.

*Religious Studies:*
Use of English Language, CRK/IRS and any two other subjects.

*Social Works:*
Use of English Language, Mathematics, Economics/ Geography and any other subject.

*Sociology and Anthropology:*
Use of English, Three Social Science or Arts Subjects.

*Industrial Relations:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant subject.

*Human Resources Management:*
Use of English, Economics, Government and any other relevant subjects.

*International Relations:*
Use of English, Economics, Literature- in English and Geography /Government / History.

*Business Management:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*Cooperative and Rural Development:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other subject.

*Tourism:*
English, Mathematics, Economics and any other subject.

*Marketing:*
Use of English, Mathematics, Economics plus one other relevant Subject.

*Insurance:*
English, Mathematics, Economics and one other subject.

*JAMB Subject Combination for Arts:*

*Arabic and Islamic Studies:*
Use of English, Arabic and Two subjects from Arts and/or Social Sciences.

*Christian Religious Studies:*
Use of English, Two Arts subjects including Christian Religious Knowledge and any other subject.

*Fine and Applied Arts:*
Use of English Language, Fine Art and two other Arts subjects or Social Science subject.

*Theatre Arts:*
Use of English, Lit. in English and two other relevant subjects.

*Linguistics:*
English, Two relevant Arts subjects and any other subject.

*English and International Studies:*
Use of English, Literature in English, Government or History or any other Arts subjects.

*French:*
English, French and any other two subjects from Arts and Social Sciences.

*English Language:*
Use of English, Lit.-in-English, one other Arts subject and another Arts or Social Science subject.

*Hausa:*
English, Hausa, Lit in English and any of Economics, Government, History and Arabic.

*History and International Studies:*
Use of English, History /Government and any other two subjects from Arts & Social Science.

*Islamic Studies:*
English, Islamic Religious Studies plus two other Arts subjects.

*Igbo:*
English, Igbo and two subjects from Arts and social Sciences.

*Mass Communication:*
Use of English, Any three Arts and Social Science subjects.

*Music:*
Use of English, Music, one other Arts subject plus any other subject.

*Philosophy:*
Use of English, Any three subjects.

*Religious Studies:*
English, CRK/IRS and any two other subjects.

*Yoruba:*
Use of English, Yoruba and two other subjects in Arts or Social Sciences.

*Anthropology:*
Use of English, Any three of History, CRK/IRK, Geography, Economics, Literature in English and French.

*Criminology and Security Studies:*
English, Economics, Government, and any one of the following: History, Geography, Literature in English,‎ French, IRK, Hausa.

*Law:*
English, Literature, Economics and any other Art Subject.

*Civil Law:*
English Language and Any three Arts or Social Science subjects.

*Islamic / Sharia Law:*
Use of English Language and Any three Art or social science subjects including Arabic or Islamic.

FULANI HERDSMEN KILL MANY AS THEY ATTACK BARKIN LADI IN JOS, BURNT DOWN CHURCH & HOUSES

A pastor identified as Ezekiel knelt down to pray after Fulani herdsmen attacked Barkin Ladi Local Government in Plateau State and killed many. 

From the pictures, it appears that they also burnt down his church and other houses. According to him, they are killed by the terrorists with alleged backup by the military.

See photos below and watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au2qnyjd9-Q

2019: YOU’RE AN AGENT OF SATAN, FANI-KAYODE BLAST REV FATHER MBAKA FOR ENDORSING BUHARI

Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, has been blasted for endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

The blast is coming from Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister who described the cleric as an agent of Satan.

Mr Mbaka, a Catholic priest, had on Tuesday endorsed Mr Buhari who is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Prior to the 2015 election, the cleric had endorsed the APC flag bearer while he was in the opposition.

Buhari who ran the race against an incumbent president defeated former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in the historic election. It was also the first time an opposition candidate would win a presidential election in the country.

Kicking against the cleric’s endorsement, the former minister said he was now convinced Mbaka is of the devil.

He quoted where the cleric said if God did not prefer the president to go back to office, the almighty being would have took the life of the Nigerian leader.

“If God does not want Buhari he could have died”- Father Mbaka.

“Short man devil has spoken! I am convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that this creature from the 7th circle of hell is an agent of satan,” Fani-Kayode said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“He is worse than Rasputin: he thrives on falsehood and reeks of sulphur!” he added.

The former minister is a known critic of the Buhari administration. He attacks virtually anyone who supports the government.

ASUU STRIKE UPDATE: FG PROVIDES FUNDS TO MEET ASUU DEMANDS

The protracted strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may soon to be called off.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who gave the hint in Onitsha, Anambra State said that funds had been provided to meet most of the demands of the union.

He said the Federal Government would make necessary efforts to ensure that the strike comes to an end this January.

“The Federal Government had released N15.89billion to universities on New Year’s Eve( Monday) for the payment of shortfall in salaries of universities,” a source told The Nation.

“The cash is expected to hit the account of all the institutions on or before the close of work today (Wednesday),” he added, pleading not to be named.

“The government has also set aside N20billion as revitalisation funds for varsities. The National Universities Commission( NUC) has been directed to work out the modalities for allocating the funds to all institutions.

N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE SAGA: LABOUR FINALLY DECLARES PROLONGED STRIKE

The organized labour has asked workers across Nigeria to fully mobilize for a prolonged national strike.

The labour Union came to this conclusion due to the inability of the government to commence the process of implemention of the N30,000 new minimum wage.

The decision also came against the backdrop of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, rejection of the proposed new minimum wage of N30,000.

The organized labour conveyed its position in a New Year message by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba.

The lengthy statement reads, “Government’s dilly-dallying on the issue has strained government-labour relations with a potential for a major national strike which could just be days away.

“Accordingly, we would use this opportunity to appeal to the government to do the needful by urgently transmitting the bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly.

”We also would like to use this opportunity to urge workers to fully mobilize for a prolonged national strike and enforce their right.

“This strike becomes the inevitable last option for us and we crave the understanding and support of all Nigerians and businesses.

“We would want to assure workers that their labour, patience and diligence will not be in vain and that this leadership remains committed to giving all it takes to ensure that they get just and fair wages due to them in a decent work environment appropriate to their well-being.

“This leadership is similarly committed to ensuring there is social protection for workers.

“In the year that is ahead of us, the Nigeria Labour Congress remains unequivocally committed to national and workers’ goals.

“It saluted the contribution and sacrifice of the entire workforce, great men and women, saying:

“We use this occasion to reach out to all workers, pensioners and other citizens in Nigeria and elsewhere with the message of love, joy, hope and goodwill.

“This day is an opportunity for celebration and stock-taking. Pursuant to this, our reflections on the year 2018 are both positive and negative.

“Throughout 2018, the NLC completely invested in the struggle to protect workers interests, promote democratic values, advocate the rule of law and defend human cum trade union rights. We sustained our fight against anti-labour practices at the work place and insisted on the observance of the rules of decent work and fair wages.

“We kicked against the rising incidence of unemployment, especially, youth unemployment and the danger it portends. We canvassed the preservation of existing jobs and creation of new sustainable ones through alternative policy options with potential for expanding the economy.

“Aside from the regular commemoration of May Day, the year was remarkable and memorable for the observance and celebration of Congress’ 40th anniversary. Many of our affiliates were to follow suit.

“One of the major activities in the year was the renewed strengthening of our relationship with our civil society allies through regular collaboration and mutual engagement.

“Congress remained vigilant and responsive to national issues as they unfolded and frequently made its position known through press statements, comments, communiques, state of the nation comments, etc which relatively influenced policy and legislation.

“Congress, for instance, always condemned prevalent violence in some parts of the country and called on government to bring this to an end. “Congress sustained its robust engagement with the National Assembly, especially on issues of concern to Labour or great national importance.

“At the international level, the year remains one of the most remarkable through deepened interactions, engagements, programmes and activities, culminating in the election of the President of the Congress to the headship of ITUC Global.

“In spite of these relative successes, the year remains one of the most traumatic for workers, especially given the failure of government to enact and implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000.

“This is in spite of the unimpeachable tripartite process leading to the agreement by the social partners on the new national minimum wage. It is unfortunate that the Federal Government is yet to transmit to the National Assembly an executive bill for the enactment of N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.’’

On campaign for industrialization, labour said: “We will work assiduously to promote and advocate the removal of all barriers to industrialization, growth and productivity. We should be able to build a country where we produce what we consume.

“We cannot continue to export precious jobs away to other countries through successive poor policy choices of government and expect to change our unfortunate status as the poverty capital of the world.

“In 2018, government at different levels in Nigeria tried to use the “No Work… No Pay” to hound and victimize workers. This policy actually arises from clear violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement by the same government that seeks to use the policy against workers.

“The fact is that the obnoxious policy of “No Work… No Pay” is derived from Decree 54 of 1977 which even military regimes that promulgated it refrained from deploying against workers. It is unfortunate that such cruel policy is being used against workers by a democratic government.

“There is no place in modern industrial relations for workers to be owed arrears of salaries. A case in hand is the recent shutdown of the government of the United States owing to disagreements between the executive and the legislative arms of government over budget issues.

“Most workers whose salaries were affected by the budget impasse were asked to proceed on leave until government is able to pay their salaries.

“In worker-sensitive climes, even our West African neighbours, it is unthinkable that workers would go home in a month without their salaries. We have tolerated this evil culture of prolonged salary indebtedness for a long time and government has taken advantage of our patience to extend the frontiers of this impunity to the policy dump site of “No Work… No Pay”.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress will continue to resist such unjust, draconian and insensitive policy and insist that workers’ salaries, pension and gratuity must be paid as when due.

”In furtherance to this, the Nigeria Labour Congress will intensify the struggle for regular, predictable and appropriate payment of salaries, pension and gratuity. This struggle will continue to be our topmost priority.

“In 2018 and the years preceding it, we demonstrated our commitment in this regard with rallies in defaulting states. We also demanded the probe of governors of such states.

“We went further to call on the federal government to make subsequent release of further bail-out funds or Paris Club refund contingent on clear evidence of judicious use (for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities) of previous releases. We will continue to insist on accountability.

“Furthermore, the NLC will continue to promote worker-education and mobilization through Congress education programmes and other union training programmes. These activities would be religiously held with the objective of positive impact on workers.

“Therefore, we urge government at all levels to consider workers as assets and partners in development rather than liabilities.”

MELAYE: POLICE BREAKING MY HOUSE DOORS WITH TOOL BOXES

Sen. Dino Melaye, who is currently  wanted for homicide after allegedly  killing a police man during his political campaign.

The Senator whose house has been surrounded by the police for refusing to surrender himself, cries out as police is about to break into his house and arrest him.

He wrote: 

Police bringing in tool boxes to break doors and vandalize my house. Police EOD truck just brought them. Media take note

DESPERATE MIGRANTS FOUND HIDING IN MATTRESSES STRAPPED TO THE ROOF TOP OF A VAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH EUROPE FROM AFRICA

Men were found at check-point between Spanish enclave Melilla and Morocco. The migrants were found hiding in two bed mattresses strapped to a van roof. Footage shows guards cutting through plastic and fabric to reveal men inside 

This is the extraordinary moment two migrants emerged from inside mattresses during their bid to reach Europe from Africa.

The sub-Saharan men were arrested after border guards found them at a check-point between Melilla, a Spanish enclave on the north African coast, and Morocco.

It is understood to be the first time the method has been used to smuggle migrants and there are fears criminal gangs could increasingly use the tactic, according to Spanish media.

Footage captures the extraordinary moment two migrants emerged from inside mattresses during their bid to reach Europe from Africa

The sub-Saharan men were arrested after border guards found them at a check-point between Melilla, a Spanish enclave on the north African coast, and Morocco

Men in Guardia Civil uniforms can be seen using a knife to cut through plastic wrapping and fabric after lifting the mattresses from the roof of a van

Men in Guardia Civil uniforms can be seen using a knife to cut through plastic wrapping and fabric after lifting the mattresses from the roof of a van.

Two men then emerge from inside as guards watch on in the footage, which was shared on the Twitter page of Spanish senator Jon Inarritu.

The Basque senator: 'As long as there are no safe routes to request asylum, situations like this will continue to occur in the southern border of Europe.'

Despite having been concealed in mattresses, the men appeared to be in good health and did not need medical help.

The driver of the vehicle who used to transport them is said to have fled into Morocco before he could be detained.

Spain has become the main entry point for migrants and asylum-seekers looking for a better life in Europe as other EU countries tighten up controls at their borders. A smuggling route through Libya to Italy has also been complicated by conflict and violence there.

Melilla, together with a second Spanish enclave, Ceuta, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa.  

FG TO BEGIN MANDATORY USE OF NIN

In line with federal government directive, the implementation of mandatory usage of the National Identification Number (NIN) takes effect on January 1, 2019, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced.

DON’T BLAME US FOR THE LOOMING JANUARY 8 STRIKE - NLC

- The NLC said it is ready to go on strike on January 8

- The union blamed the government for the looming strike

- The NLC vowed not to go lower than the proposed N30,000 minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked Nigerians to blame the Muhammadu Buhari-led government for the looming strike over the N30,000 minimum wage.

The Punch reports that the NLC has frowned at President Buhari’s proposed establishment of a technical committee to look into the minimum wage issue.

It said the only recognised panel was the tripartite committee that had already submitted its report on the minimum wage.

In a communiqué issued on Friday, December 21, the union said it would embark on a nationwide strike on January 8, 2019 over what it described as the “Federal Government’s delay in transmitting, enacting and implementing a new national minimum wage of N30,000 for workers.”

Peter Ozo-Eson who is the general-secretary of the NLC said the workers would not accept anything lower than N30,000.

He said: “After the statement we issued on the coming industrial strike, we have not heard anything from the Presidency. The day we submitted the report, he (Buhari) promised that he would speedily transmit a draft bill to the National Assembly; but till today, about two months after, he has not transmitted that to the National Assembly.

“What we heard during the budget presentation at the National Assembly is that a high-powered technical committee will be set up. We find that very unfortunate because the technical committee in relation to minimum wage is the tripartite committee that has finished its work and made recommendations.

“Talking of any committee, be it low-powered, medium-powered or high-powered at this stage is unacceptable to us. We formally reject it and call on Mr President to send the bill to the National Assembly. The ultimatum we gave is for the bill to be sent to the NASS. The House took a resolution calling on the President to bring the bill; what is the difficulty he is having? If he cannot do it, nobody should hold organised labour in the country responsible for the industrial chaos that is likely to follow.”

He also lashed out at governors for their lavish expenditure saying the NLC was not blackmailing them as they claimed.

“The minimum wage issue is not a partisan issue. It is one of the issues that will determine the next elections. Workers are not slaves; politics is about interest and seeking one’s own interest. If workers in their states are saying that they will not vote for them because they have not taken care of their interest, you don’t call that blackmail. I have a different name for it; that is democracy. That is how democracy works. They can go and mourn till high heaven; we will continue to work in that direction.”

Meanwhile, Isaac Gbadero, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Sabongari, Zaria, Kaduna state, on Tuesday,December 25, advocated a slash in political office holders’ remuneration to comfortably accommodate the N30,000 minimum wage demanded by organised labour.

Gbadero made the call in a message to the Christian faithful in commemoration of the 2018 Christmas, shortly after Christmas Church Service in Zaria, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

(NAN)

FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT BUHARI’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed Nigerians into the New Year.

Buhari assured Nigerians that the year 2019 will be significant for the country.

Full text below:

“ It is my utmost pleasure to rejoice with all Nigerians as we enter the year 2019, which will be a very significant one for our country.

2. At the turn of every year, we often use the opportunity to look back at the past and forward to the future. To review the outgoing year, its high and low points, successes and failures, and be fully thankful to God.

3. We Nigerians are a religious people, and we believe that God reigns and rules in the affairs of men. A time like this offers precious opportunity for thanksgiving, stock taking and reflection on goals and targets set for the receding year, and how much was accomplished. The ones not done can then be rolled over into a new year.

4. The dawn of a New Year is also a time to look forward. To consider new prospects, unfold our plans, and prepare for landmark dates and events.

5. 2019 will be an election year for us. In about two months, the polls are due, and we will elect leaders into various offices, at national and state levels.

6. As I welcome you into 2019, I also reiterate my many promises and declarations that the general elections will be free, fair and credible.

7. Elections need not be do or die affair, and we should not approach that eventuality in a democracy with trepidation and mortal fear. Happily, a large number of presidential candidates have committed to peace, and peace we shall have.

8. Those who continue to trumpet falsehood and negativity are on their own, fighting a losing battle. The greater number of Nigerians are trusting and believing that we shall deliver on our promises for a level playing field at the polls, and that is what we shall do.

9. Nigerians desire peace, security, prosperity, inclusiveness and infrastructural development, a nation they can be proud of, a country that can hold its own among the nations.

10. That is the journey we have embarked on since we came onboard in 2015, and we are not distracted as we move on. We are resolved to build a country in which the resources are utilized for the benefit of the largest number, and not appropriated by a privileged few in their never ending quest to satisfy their greed. We are on this mission together, and I assure you of a firm commitment to the ideals of a safe, secure, fair, just and prosperous country.

11. We have had our challenges: security, economic, political, social. But we are resolved to combat and overcome them all.

12. I appreciate your support and collaboration in previous years, and look forward to same in 2019, and beyond, as I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015, for another term.

13. We are motivated by nothing other than service to motherland, and service without selfishness or personal interest.

14. I can assure you all that we are making steady and sustainable progress in all areas of national life. Those who are unbiased can see and appreciate the progress the country has made since 2015.

14. A New Year provides opportunity for renewal of commitment, and I invite you to rededicate yourselves to the vision of a Nigeria that works for all.

15. We are moving from potentials to actualization, and it’s a task to be accomplished by us all; man, woman, young, old, military, civilian, all Nigerians.
Please come along, as we journey to the land of our dreams. Happy 2019.

17. Thank you and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.