ASUU STRIKE: FEDERAL GOVT-ASUU SET UP 7-MEMBER COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT 2009 AGREEMENT

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, have resolved to set up a seven-member committee to work out modalities for the actualisation of its 2009 agreement.

Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this after an intensive conciliatory meeting with the leadership of ASUU, Minister of Education, among others on Friday in Abuja.

The meeting was an effort at revolving the lingering strike embarked by the union.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the lecturers expressed satisfaction with the government’s offers at the meeting, but said they would have to communicate same with their colleagues before taking a decision.

It will be recalled that members of ASUU had embarked on an indefinite strike on August 13, following government’s failure to implement the agreement reached with the union in November 2016.

ASUU, on August 17, had met with the officials of the Ministry of Education and Labour and Employment where it was agreed that the union should consult and report back to the government within a week.

ASUU’s demands include the disputed registration of the Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company, fractionalisation of salaries in federal universities, gross under-funding and non-funding of state universities.

Others are arrears and implementation of earned academic allowances, the release of fund for the revitalisation of public universities as spelt out in the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding, among others.

Mr. Ngige said that the Ministry of Education would be represented by three people, ASUU by three members, while the government would be represented by one person who would serve as the Chairman of the Committee.

The minister, however, stressed the importance of education to the development of every nation in the world.

He assured ASUU that government would implement all the seven demands of the union as contained in the 2009 agreement.

Mr. Ngige added that government had already shown commitment towards addressing the plight of the union by paying some of their shortfall salary arrears.

He also noted that the issue in contention was inherited from the past administration, adding that the present administration will do all within its power to address those challenges.

According to him, the governance is a continuing process.

Also, speaking, Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, said that government and ASUU had reached an agreement on the lecturers’ demands.

He said ASUU would accept the proposal presented by the federal government on its demands.

“The concrete proposal reached during the conciliatory meeting will be taken back to our members at the National Executive Council, (NEC) for further deliberation.

“We will report back our position to the federal government in the next one week on whether to call off the strike or not,” he said.

He, however, called on the federal government to fast track the process of implementing the 2009 agreement with the union.

Mr. Ogunyemi stressed the need to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the country’s education sector, especially at the university level.

-Premium Times

ATIKU ABUBAKAR'S AIDE REACTS TO AISHA ALHASSAN'S COMMENT ON BUHARI, APC, 2019

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the comments by Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Jumai Alhassan, concerning President Muhammadu Buhari, “couldn’t have been said any better”.

Atiku declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a coalition and that appointees have the right to keep their allegiance with whosoever they please.

Atiku, recently elevated to the Waziri of Adamawa, disclosed that even other Ministers in the cabinet have different views and opinions as regard the 2019 presidential election.

Paul Ibe, his media adviser, on Saturday insisted that what Mama Taraba said is, “the truth”.

Alhassan recently declared her support for Abubakar to emerge as Nigeria’s next president. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019,” she said. 

“Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister. “But Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”

In a chat with DAILY POST in Abuja, Ibe said, “There’s really nothing to say. It’s like stating the obvious”. “The Minister couldn’t have said it any better, likewise we can’t help say it any better. “In fact, she spoke the minds of many Nigerians and don’t forget that everyone has a right of association. “Even then president is aware of the Minister’s support for former VP Atiku; they (APC) know. 

“So it should not surprise anybody because it is not a secret that the Minister has been behind us. “Let me tell you, in the federal cabinet, other ministers have their views; they have people they support.

“People seem to forget soo APC is coalition and when people from different background unite, you cannot expect stakeholders to forget their root.

“What the Minister did was an act of courage and we thank and commend her. We advise those who share similar opinion to also speak out.”

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/dailypost.ng/2017/09/09/atiku-finally-reacts-mama-tarabas-comment-buhari-apc-2019-election/amp/ 

YOUNG WOMAN PUNCHED TO DEATH BARELY THREE DAYS TO HER WEDDING OVER N100 DEBT (pic)

Tragedy struck in Keffi,  Nassarrawa state penultimate Wednesday after a man identified as Hamisu allegedly beat her cousin, a woman by name, Aminat Abdullahi to death, three days to her wedding.

Hamisu, who is a younger brother to Aminat’s mother was said to have loaned his sister a sum of N100 which she did not refund as agreed.

According to sources, a visibly upset Hamisu visited his sister’s residence to collect the debt.

Aminat’s mother, however, rebuked Hamisu’s visit to her residence in the early hours of the day over a ’paltry’ N100 debt.

A source said: ‘’Hamisu was talking rudely to Aminat’s mother when she (Aminat) confronted him and asked him to stop harassing her mother. 

The situation degenerated into an altercation during which Aminat rushed out of their residence and reprimanded Hamisu for unguarded remarks.

Aminat's comments attracted the wrath of Hamisu, prompting him to also rain abuses on his sister. Hamisu who could not stand his younger cousin’s remarks allegedly seized her and punched her severally till she passed out.

Sources said all efforts made to revive the bride-to-be failed and she was confirmed dead by doctors at a hospital she was rushed to for treatment.

‘’Hamisu tried to run away but Aminat’s mother held him by his trousers until the arrival of policemen who took him away to their station. It was unfortunate that the girl was killed just three days away from her wedding.’’

Hamisu was allegedly taken to a nearby police division in Keffi.

However, when the State’s Police Commissioner Mr. Bello Abubakar was contacted on the matter,  he said the case was not yet reported to the police.

Credit:
http://thenationonlineng.net/woman-punched-to-death-three-days-to-wedding-over-n100-debt/

I'M NOT A RITUAL KILLER, IFEANYI DIKE CRIES OUT

The suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike, who was rearrested yesterday in Jos, Plateau state, after his escape from the custody of the Rivers State Police Command last month, has revealed how he managed to get to Jos, the Plateau state capital, and how he got rearrested by the Plateau State Police Command.

Dike, a 300-level Physics student at the University of Port Harcourt, was first apprehended by a vigilante group on his way to dispose off the body of an 8-year-old Victory Chikamso, whom he allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered.

He, however, escaped at the state CID, barely 24 hours after being paraded. But the Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr. Peter Ogunyanwo, said the culprit was rearrested in Jos, after breaking into a house in Barkin Ladi to steal.

Dike while speaking with journalists, said he travelled to Jos from Port Harcourt through a trailer that loaded goods to Jos. “I came to Jos on August 21, 2017 because I was trying to run away from the alleged ritual offence I was said to have committed, but I am not a ritual killer.

"I only had sex with the girl and cut off her body while trying to escape from the environment, but I am not a ritual killer" he claimed.

While speaking on why he was arrested trying to rob a house in Barkin Ladi he said: “I thought it was an abandoned house because I was looking for a place to hide so that people will not identify me, but unfortunately the owner was in the house and he raised alarm and then I got arrested.”

SUSPECTED RITUAL KILLER, IFEANYI DIKE, WHO ALLEGEDLY MURDERED EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL REARRESTED

The suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyi Dike, who allegedly murdered an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso Nmezuwuba, has been rearrested.

Dike, was rearrested in Jos, Plateau State capital, by security operatives on Thursday, and was said to have been transferred to Port Harcourt, Rivers State to face prosecution for his crimes.

Recall that the twenty-three year old undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Ifeanyi Dike raped and killed an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso Mezu and removed her body parts for ritual purposes.

He escaped from the custody of the State CID in Port Harcourt after being paraded at the Police Headquarters.

A policeman, Sergeant Johnbosco Okoronze is already being remanded in prison custody as a result of the said escape.

However, there is serious jubilation at the Rivers State police headquarters when the state CID commander broke the news.

SUYA SELLER WHO ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO USE A 4-YEAR OLD GIRL TO PREPARE SUYA FOR SALE PLEADS GUILTY

A 40yr old man, Halilu Abdulahi, was on Wednesday, August 30  arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court in Ebute Meta, Lagos state., presided over by Chief magistrate Ajibade, for the attempted murder of a four year old girl, Alimat Durojaiye, for the purpose  of using her for sits preparation.

The suspect,  Halilu Abdulahi, who was slammed with a two-count charge of attempted murder and unlawful assault, is known to sell roasted meat popularly known as Suya in the neighborhood.

However,  it was reported that the suspect already pleaded guilty to the charges of attempted murder and unlawful assault of the four-year-old.

The prosecutor, Sgt Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the accused committed the offences on the 18th day of August, 2017 by about 5.35 pm at No 1, Denton street Ebute Meta.
She said the accused lured the four-year-old girl, Alimat Durojaiye, with biscuit while she was playing with her peers and had attempted to slice her throat with a knife.

According to the prosecutor, the said offences which contravenes Sections 173 and 230 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015 (as amended).
“The accused had fled with the child to white Sand area in Oyingbo market where he attempted to cut her throat with a knife.
“A passerby, Muritala Mahmud, who heard the screaming of the minor, had rushed to save her, and in the process got his left hand bitten by the accused while trying to escape,” she said.

The incident was confirmed by the out-gone Lagos state commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni, who said that the man who tried to rescue the girl sustained a minor injury on his hand.

It was reported that a brother to the suspect who identified himself simply as Ibrahim, attributed Abdulahi’s actions to mental instability.

-NAN

FOUR SARS OFFICIALS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AT GUN POINT

Report reaching our news desk reveals that four police officers from the Anti Robbery Squad, SARS attached to Area K Badagry have been arrested and taken to X-Squad Ikeja for using guns to force a helpless man, Apagbo John to the bank to withdraw N140,000 in the night in exchange of his life.

The officers were identified as two Inspectors, Pativon Patrick and Owolabi Oke and two other Sergeants namely Momoh Jimoh and Akinmade Kehinde.

The incident happened at about 10pm at the ATM of Agbara branch of UBA along Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the dastardly act was leaked to the Area Commander, Hope Okafor who promptly intervened, ordered for their arrest and detention and they were subsequently transferred to the X-Squad for necessary action.

The suspects were currently detained at the State Police Command, Ikeja where they will likely face room trial.

It was gathered that the victim, John suffered his fate when he was driving home late in the evening with his parents vehicle and there was traffic along the expressway.

The accused police officers stopped him beside the road, labeled him a suspect and threatened to kill him that night as a robber.

It was gathered that he pleaded with them not to kill him but asked them to take everything he had on him including the vehicle to spare his life.

They then allegedly forced him to their office at Area K Command, where they told him that he can only be alive if he will bring certain amount of money.

John told the officers that he was with his ATM card and had about N140,000 in the account.

It was learnt that they marched him to Agbara that night with their guns where he withdrew the money and gave them.

After they collected the money, they insisted it was not enough and detained him at Area K Command.

Meanwhile, the money he withdrew at the bank belonged to his father who received alerts on the withdrawals.

However, the evil plot was exposed when his parents started making inquiry on what was happening to him and John was traced to the Command.

It was then the information got to the Area Commander, Okafor who was still in the office and she quickly stepped in, ordered the arrest of the officers, collected the money back and returned to the victim.

When our correspondent visited X-Squad at the Ikeja Command, the suspects were still detained there where they were making useful statements.

The incident was well known in the area and has attracted public condemnation.

The residents commended the Area Commander for her resilience in the fight to reduce corruption among the officers, which they said were unprecedented in the area.

The Area Commander could not be reach for comment.

MULTI-BILLIONAIRE KIDNAPPER, EVANS, PLEADS GUILTY IN COURT..

The multi-Billionaire kidnapper and kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, pleaded guilty, to the two counts of conspiracy and kidnap, in court on Wednesday.
Evans, who was arraigned before a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Akeem Oshodi of Court 18, to face series of charges levelled against him by the Nigeria Police.

Also arraigned alongside Evans are five (5) suspected members of his kidnap gang which includes: Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Abuba. They all appeared before the court along under heavy security.

The counsel to Evans, Kayode Ogungbeje, who has been representing him in his N300 million fundamental rights suit against the police was also in court.
Earlier, his counsel, Katie Ogungbeje, had claimed they have been denied access to him and that he may plead guilty under duress.

However, the Head of prosecution legal team, David Igbodo, said more charges would follow between now and October 19 of the adjourned date.

A total of six suspects were brought before the court on Wednesday, including a female and five males.

Three of the suspects pleaded guilty to their charges while three pleaded not guilty.

CBN TO APPROVED CRYPTOCURRENCY & BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

Sequel to the setting up of an industry committee to look into (and articulate) a road map for Blockchain & Cryptocurrency regulation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that it will not hinder the use of digital currencies in Nigeria.  

The apex bank, in a recent brief with industry experts, stated that an agreement has been reached to formally adopt its use in Nigeria.  

A call to the Fintech Association of Nigeria confirms this and it is expected that a regulatory framework for same will be made available soonest. 

Technology disruptions will continue to drive engagements in the financial sector and this feat by the Central Bank will go a long way in enhancing Fintech initiatives in the industry.

FG MAY ADOPT SELECTIVE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE –OSINBAJO

The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, says the Federal Government may consider increasing workers’ remuneration package, especially bonuses of certain government agencies, instead of increasing wages across board. 

According to a transcript made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke during a session titled, ‘Conversation with the Vice-President’ at the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association National Conference held in Lagos on Monday. 

Osinbajo said though the issue of better pay for workers was a good suggestion, the government was “in a bind of sorts.” He went on to say that at the moment, the government was spending 70 per cent of its revenues on remuneration and overheads, leaving less than 30 per cent for capital expenditure. That it is correct that the country needed a more efficient civil service that would be paid more, there was also the need to increase revenues.

Furthermore, Osinbajo said “Sometimes, it is a chicken and egg situation because in order to increase revenues, we need to increase remuneration. “I think that what we are probably going to end up doing is what we have done with some of the parastatals; in other words, identifying certain government services that must be remunerated differently in order to increase efficiency. "One of the revenue generating agencies, for instance, is the Federal Inland Revenue Service"... “Improving remuneration, especially bonuses, would do a lot of good. That we saw happen in Lagos with the Lagos Inland Revenue Service, where because there were bonuses, there was improvement in revenue and reform. People were able to do better, even in our judicial system. Because we paid better; we remunerated better, people were able to improve.”

The Vice-President said the commitment of the present administration was to leave Nigeria with all the resources that could be brought to the table. He said it was also the desire of the administration to leave the country with transparency and efficiency in all aspects. Meanwhile, Osinbajo has called on the management of ECOWAS Investment Bank to increase agricultural funding in order to reduce the level of poverty and unemployment in the sub region. He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 15th Annual General Meeting of the board of governors of the bank. 

Report also has it that the VP said the need to boost funding to the agricultural sector became imperative as it held the key to unlocking the growth and prosperity of the continent. He said the current situation where economies of various countries were facing falling government revenues on the account of commodity price slumps, declining economic growth and the challenge of creating jobs necessitated the need for the bank to step up its intervention in member countries.

The VP said the economic challenges had put greater pressure on governments of the member states to urgently diversify their economies. He said, “The population of the sub region is a youthful one, 70 per cent of our population is under 35 (years) with all the implications for providing education and livelihood. “So, the challenges of today call for greater creativity, and foresight in supporting and making investments in our member countries. “So one of the crucial issues today, which would decisively impact the future is how the bank can make a difference in the lives of our young people.” Osinbajo acknowledged the support of the bank, but noted that there was a need to galvanise more resources to enable it to effectively achieve its mandate.

However, the President of the Bank, Bashir Ifo, in his speech at the event, said during the 2016 financial year, 11 projects amounting to $121.5m were appraised.