WAEC INTRODUCES ‘WALK-IN’ CANDIDATES, ALLOWS REGISTRATION 24 HOURS BEFORE PAPER

In a press statement by Demianus Ojijeogu, and made available to journalists on Sunday, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it will soon conduct the first series of the West African Senior School certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.
A spokesperson of the examination council, who signed the statement, also said the examination will be conducted between January and February, 2019.

According to the statement, registration started October 8 and will end December 28, 2018.

The registration procedure has been designed to accommodate biometric features that will be used for validation at the examination centre.

“After obtaining the registration pin, candidates should log on to www.waeconline.org,” it said.

The council also said there is provision for “walk–in” candidates and candidates with special needs.

“Walk –in candidates, who wish to write the examination after the close of entries may be accommodated provided they register less than 24 hours to the scheduled time of the paper they intend to write,” the statement said.

The walk-in candidates’ fee is N25, 000.

The statement said the special needs’ candidates will also register online but “they must state clearly their disabilities: blind, low vision, spastic, speech etc.

“Candidates must conclude registration within two weeks of first access to the website during registration period,” the statement said.

NNAMDI KANU TO STAY LONGER IN ISRAEL, TRAVEL DOCUMENT EXPIRES

The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, may have to stay longer in Israel where he is currently holed up, following his failure to use the travel document that would have enabled him to move to the United Kingdom.

It was learnt that the Biafran agitator failed to utilise the Emergency Travel Document provided for him by the British authorities until the document expired.

The UK High Commission disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday in response to inquiries by one of our correspondents about its role in Kanu’s escape to Jerusalem.

The UK High Commission Senior Communications Officer, Tinu Adelegan, explained this in an email responding to enquiries on the IPOB leader.

She said, “I’m afraid there’s very little we can say about this for consular confidentiality. All we have done is provided an ETD to a British person who asked for one in Israel, which he has not used and has now expired.”

It could not be ascertained why Kanu, a British citizen, needed an ETD to travel to the UK.

According to the official UK government website, www.gov.uk, a citizen could apply for an emergency travel document (sometimes called an ‘emergency passport’) if he was abroad and needed to travel and can’t get a passport in time.

The website further explained that a Briton could also apply for an emergency travel document if he was outside the UK, had his passport lost, stolen, damaged or full or expired or is with Her Majesty Passport Office or a foreign embassy.

A citizen could also obtain an ETD if he doesn’t have time to renew or replace his passport before he travels.

Kanu had disappeared from the country in controversial circumstances in 2017, following the invasion of his home by troops.

There had been speculations about his whereabouts and safety for over a year before he resurfaced at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem last Saturday.

FG rules out request for Kanu’s extradition from UK

The Federal Government may have ruled out the possibility of requesting the extradition of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, from the United Kingdom government to Nigeria to face his treasonable felony trial.

Kanu, who holds a dual citizenship of Nigeria and the UK, was sighted in a video clip said to be during a prayer session at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

The video recently surfaced on the Internet, more than one year after he went missing after soldiers deployed in the South-East for ‘Operation Python Dance II’ last year, allegedly invaded his house in Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State, on September 14, 2017.

The IPOB leader had, subsequently after the video clip surfaced on the Internet, threatened in a live broadcast, not to ever submit himself to the trial that was abruptly suspended due to his sudden disappearance since last year.

Also, the UK government reportedly informed the Nigerian government last week of its intention to issue all necessary travel documents to Kanu.

But several sources at the Federal Ministry of Justice, the ministry of the Nigerian government which deals with all extradition issues, said there would be no need to ask UK to send the IPOB leader to Nigeria to face his trial.

One of the sources said, “It is absolutely unnecessary. Remember that there is already an ongoing procedure before the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is being prosecuted to compel his three sureties to produce him in court.

“By law, the sureties are the custodian of the defendant and one of their core duties is to ensure that the defendant attends his trial.

“So it is left for the sureties to find how they will bring him to court, not minding the defendant’s threat not to again submit himself to the authorities of the court.

“If they fail to bring him to court, at the end of the ongoing process, they must be ready to face the sanctions, including the forfeiture of their individual N100m bail bonds.”

One of the sources, who is familiar with the extradition process, also doubted the possibility of any success of such extradition process because the UK government had not been on the same page with Nigeria on the proscription of IPOB as a terrorist group.

The source stated, “The UK government has said it does not see IPOB as a terrorist organisation contrary to the Nigerian government’s position.

“So you can see the disparity in the stances of the two countries’ positions on the issue.”

Mr. Salihu Isah, the spokesperson for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami, could not be reached for the AGF’s position on the possibility or otherwise of the Federal Government requesting Kanu’s extradition from the UK.

Hearing in the trial of Kanu before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has been scheduled to resume on November 14.

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and others, who stood bail sureties for the IPOB leader in April last year, are expected to return on the said date to show cause why they should not be made to lose their N100m bail bonds which they entered into to secure Kanu’s bail if they are unable to produce him.

Also, a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, whom Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had asked the court to summon for insisting that Kanu had escaped to London, is also expected in court at the next hearing date.

BREAKING: EX-PDP BOT CHAIRMAN, TONY ANENIH, DIES AT 85

A former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has reportedly died at the age of 85.

It was gathered that Anenih died at a private hospital in Abuja on Sunday.

One of the sons of the deceased, Mr. Tony Anenih, could not be reached for comments.

But a source close to the family, who confirmed the development on the condition of anonymity, said that the children of the elder statesman would issue an official statement in Abuja soon.

The former minister of works, who lost his eldest son, Eugene, in May, 2017, after the death of his wife, Patricia, turned 85 in August.

The State Chairman of of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said that the party would make its position on the matter known at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has commiserated with the Anenih family over the death of its patriarch.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, in a statement on Sunday evening said that the entire state was saddened by the loss.

Obaseki described the late politician as a leader who made immense contributions to the development of the state and the country.

He also said that the guidance of the deceased elder statesman would be missed, especially as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections.

NECA EXPLAINS MINIMUM WAGE

Olusegun Ashinowo, NECA DG.

As organised labour prepares for a nationwide strike from November 6 over a new minimum wage, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, has explained what makes up a minimum wage, saying the “clarity on the definition is to eliminate any form of ambiguity on the issue.”

NECA, in a statement by its Director General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, noted that “the component of the national minimum wage had been well discussed and agreed upon in the past.

“It is the total emolument and not just the basic salary. Item (iii) on page xi of the Report of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage 2010, specifically cited the national minimum wage of N18,000 per month as total emolument.

“In the same vein, Clause 2.1.2.8 on page 10 of the Report of the Committee on the Review of Wages, Salaries and Allowances in the Federal Public Service and the National Minimum Wage, April 2000 even went further to give a breakdown of the components of the then wage of N7,500 as basic salary, transport, meal subsidy, utility allowance and rent subsidy (which was then 40 percent of basic Salary in the public service.”

He added that NECA was “constrained to put the information in the public domain to avoid further confusion on the definition or components of the national minimum wage.”

STOP KADUNA KILLINGS NOW, HOUSE OF REPS TELL PRESIDENT BUHARI

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the resurgence of killings and destruction of valuable property in Kaduna State, calling for tighter security by security agencies to quell the attacks.

The lawmakers also made a direct call on President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the frequent killings of innocent Nigerians across the country at the slightest provocation, saying that Nigeria was gradually sliding into anarchy.

Over 50 lives were reportedly lost in Kaduna State, starting from October 18, after a crisis erupted at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

It quickly spread to neighbouring communities and Kaduna metropolis within days, forcing the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on the affected areas.

The Minority Whip of the House, Mr Yakubu Barde, whose constituency was in the heart of the conflict, brought a motion on the floor to inform members that several victims were also abducted and had yet to be released.

Barde said, “The paramount ruler of the Adara people, the Agom Adara, on receiving the report of the crisis, made an on-the-spot visit to the area, and while on his way back, was abducted alongside with his wife and driver by armed men, with other three persons in his entourage losing their lives.

“Just two days ago, the wife was released but he is still being held and we are not sure if he is alive or dead.”

Barde added that but for the intervention of Governor Nasir el-Rufai and security agencies, the mayhem would have continued to spread like wildfire.

The motion asked security agencies, especially the police, to identify the perpetrators of the mayhem and bring them to justice.

As members debated the motion, they condemned the frequent resort to killings as a solution to minor disagreements.

They also noted that there was always a religious and ethnic coloration to conflicts. Lawmakers said this was made worse by the apparent unwillingness of government at all levels to punish the sponsors of such conflicts.

Some of the members noted that the buck stopped on the table of Buhari, the chief security officer of the federation, to ensure that justice was served in all situations.

For instance, a member from Lagos State, Mr Oghene Emma-Igoh, said the lives of Nigerians must be accorded due respect.

He spoke further, “We call on Mr President to put an end to all these killings happening everywhere in the country.

“If we have to deploy more policemen or the military to end these killings and wanton destruction of property, let us do it.

“Life today means nothing in Nigeria. How can armed hoodlums just block a highway, drag people out of their vehicles and hack them to death?”

A similar view was expressed by the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Mr Toby Okechukwu, who said he was saddened that the country was being assessed by the number of mass graves in many states.

BIAFRA: IPOB FINALLY SACKS NNAMDI KANU, GIVES REASONS

Nnamdi Kanu,  IPOB leader

The Director of Strategy and Documentation of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Olisa Mbakwe on Monday announced that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu has been sacked from the group. 

Mbakwe said Kanu was fired for placing more value on his dog than those murdered in the struggle for the realisation of Biafra. 

Speaking during Sunday’s broadcast from his base in Israel, Kanu mourned his dog and “a few other people” in his compound, who lost their lives when military men invaded the place in September 2017. 

Kanu had said during the broadcast, “The Army of the zoo killed my dog Jack and a few other people in my compound. I am sorry for what my sureties are passing through, but I want to assure them that they will have a special place in Biafra. I shall not be honouring the court.” 

Reacting, Mbakwe described Kanu as an “insensitive and callous leader that has no value for his own followers but rather his dog, Jack whom he paid tributes to after his long disappearance from the struggle”.  

In a statement he personally signed, Mbakwe, of IPOB, also insisted that Kanu was a “traitor not worthy of any leadership position anywhere in the world”.

MINIMUM WAGE: LABOUR SUBMITS RECORD OF MEETINGS TO BUHARI

ABUJA – THE organised labour has submitted proceedings of the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Tripartite Committee to President Muhammadu Buhari.

NLC TUC protest

The document to the President contained proceedings of all the meetings the Committee had and the resolution to have N30,000 as new minimum wage.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the document was submitted on Monday at the State House, Abuja.

It was also gathered that the Presidency had demanded for the proceedings of the negotiation team when labour embarked on strike immediately the Federal Government suspended sine die the negotiation meeting.

Vanguard further gathered that the document also contains the resolution in which N30,000 was agreed as the proposed new minimum wage.

A presidency source stated that the organised labour told the federal government to stop being the mouth piece of state governors in the negotiation.

BREAKING: EL-RUFAI IMPOSES 24-HOUR CURFEW ON KADUNA

El-Rufai

Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and environs with immediate effect.

The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, stated this on Sunday in Kaduna.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu, to lead a Police intervention force to Kaduna to ensure that normalcy returns to the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 55 people were killed on Thursday, October 18 during a crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

NAN also reports that a similar crisis in February left more than 10 people dead in Kasuwan Magani, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case is still ongoing.

Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the violence on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that the policemen deployed included four Police Mobile Force units, Counter Terrorism Unit, conventional policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Intellegence Response Team and Technical Intelligence, among others.

Moshood said that the operations would cover the entire Kasuwan Magani and its environs and other flash spots in the state.

“The intervention force will be working in cooperation with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that peace and normalcy return to the area.

“To achieve success, the Force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandate, Police standard operations procedures and rules of engagement,” he said.

He said that the Force would carry out a 24-hour surveillance and patrol, maintain stop-and-search, and continuous raid of identified criminal hideouts and black spots.

The spokesman said that the operation would cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure.

He enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, parents and guardians to support the Police in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Moshood said that 22 suspects directly involved in violence have been arrested and are in Police custody assisting the Police in the investigation.

The spokesman said that some prominent personalities kidnapped during the violence have also been rescued and reunited with their families.

(NAN)

NLC, TUC, ULC THREATEN TO COMMENCE STRIKE ON NOV 6

The Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and the United Labour Congress have threatened to go on strike on November 6 if the Federal Government fails to take the plight of Nigerian workers more seriously.

Specifically, the labour unions said if the upward review of the national minimum wage was not acceded to by the governors and the Federal Government, they would have no other option but to go on strike.

In a statement jointly signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama; and ULC President Joe Ajaero, the unions lambasted the Federal Government for its decision to implement a ‘no work, no pay’ policy.

The statement read in part, “If nothing is responsibly done by the Federal Government to meet our demands, on Monday, November 6, we shall embark on a nationwide strike to compel this government to show more sensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and the suffering that is decimating our people on daily basis.”

The organised labour said that the Federal Government should rather implement a ‘no pay, no work’ policy as well as a policy that would criminalise the non-payment of salaries.

The statement added, “A nation where the governments owes its workforce several months in arrears of unpaid salaries has not sought ways to eliminate it but is rather seeking ways to gag same workers from protesting this crime against them and their families.

“It is akin to beating a child and denying him the right to cry. Has the government considered ‘No Pay, No Work’?’ Has it considered criminalizing non-payment of workers; salaries? Has it considered paying arrears of salaries with interests?

“Of course, it has not! They are only interested in ‘no work, no pay’ seeking ways to constantly gag and put workers in a strait jacket has always been their pastime.”

The unions said it was unfortunate that governors could kick against the N30, 000 minimum wage but still solicit votes from workers.

They asked workers to vote out those who had failed to protect their interests.

The statement added, “Nigerians are no longer surprised why governance in the nation seems to have become a huge joke if this is how they tackle other serious national issues. Imagine governors’ forum that has six representatives in the tripartite committee jumping in to make excuses after its representatives had made their submissions in the committee!

“We shall consider any governor saying that he is unable to pay as unpatriotic and, an enemy of Nigerian workers and masses. We shall vote them out in 2019.”

The organised labour said since the government was not willing to demonstrate honour and integrity in relating with Nigerian workers and masses, a national day of outrage and mourning would hold on October 30, 2018.

NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA TO HOST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN VIENNA

APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari ; His PDP Counterpart, Atiku Abubakar .

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe, has announced plans to host all the political parties’ presidential candidates in Vienna, Austria.

The chairman of NIDOE, Mr. Kenneth Gbandi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said letters of invitation had been sent to the various candidates through their political parties.

He explained that the invitation was part of activities lined up for the Annual General Meeting of NIDOE, expected to hold between November 8 and 10.

Gbandi said the idea was to create a platform for interaction with the candidates to ensure active participation of NIDOE and its members in the political process in Nigeria.

“A session will be devoted to the 2019 election at the AGM in Vienna and will provide an opportunity for the candidates to engage with the Diaspora audience on their plans for Nigeria.

“The session will enable members of NIDOE to hear first-hand information on what the different candidates are offering Nigerians if voted into power.

“It will also be avenue to know how they intend to collaborate with the Diaspora for the advancement of our nation,” the statement quoted Gbandi as saying.

The NIDOE chairman therefore congratulated all the presidential candidates for their victory at the primary elections of their respective political parties.

He however called for urgent steps to restore peace across the country ahead of the 2019 general election to ensure security of lives and property before, during and after the election.

“We will like to remind the political class that there is an urgent need to refrain from any act that will throw Nigeria into turmoil ahead of the 2019 general election.

“The interests of Nigerians should be paramount in all the activities and utterances of the political actors,” he added.

(NAN)