BREAKING: FG, LABOUR IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING OVER MINIMUM WAGE

Ngige

The federal government is currently in a closed-door meeting with the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee members over the demand by labour union for an increase in the national minimum wage from N18,000 naira to N30,000 naira.

This is coming just hours after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared an indefinite nationwide industrial action over what it described as poor funding.

Following a meeting of leaders of the union on Sunday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State capital, ASUU National President, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi, had said that the union took the decision due to the poor funding of universities.

However, leaders of the organised labour had failed to attend the meeting convened by the Federal Government to continue negotiations on the national minimum wage for workers in the country. The labour union insisted that its members would also commence on strike tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the government continued the earlier on scheduled dialogue with the organised private sector at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Sunday in Abuja.

Following the appeal by Dr. Ngige for all stakeholders to attend today’s meeting for the interest of the nation, members of the committee are currently in the meeting at the SGF’s office alongside federal government’s delegates.

The meeting is expected to find a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

Details later…

MINIMUM WAGE: NNAMDI KANU BACKS LABOUR, REVEALS NEW STRATEGY

Kanu

Ahead of the proposed nationwide strike by organised labour over the new minimum wage crisis, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has thrown his weight behind the labour unions.

Kanu told Nigerian Workers how to get their demand on minimum wage without much ado.

Nigerian Workers had been at loggerheads with the federal and state governments in the country.

They are clamouring for an increase in the current N18,000 minimum wage to a paltry N30,000.

Initially, the organised labour pegged their demanded increase at N66,500 but later succumbed after much negotiation and agreed to go with N30,000 which state governors have refused to pay proposing theirs at N22,500.

The workers led by various labour unions in the country have decided to embark on an indefinite strike on November 6 despite a court order preventing them from going ahead with the planned industrial action.

For the separatist leader, the workers should boycott the 2019 general election to press home their demand which he said they will get if they adhere to his advise.

“Nigerian workers are on a minimum wage of N18,000 per month which is roughly $48 equivalent,” Mr Kanu said in a radio broadcast on Sunday believed to have come from Isreal.

“Recently they have been begging the government to increase it to N30, 000 about $85 per month.

“So, far the government have refused. This demand can be met with minimal fuss before presidential elections of next year if the workers remain resolute and determined not to vote.

“We call on all labour unions in Nigeria to join IPOB in election boycott campaign,” he said.

Mr Kanu who is believed to be in Isreal left the country last year September when the Nigerian Military staged an ‘Operation Python Dance’ around his residence.

The federal government in a move to curb IPOB’s growing influence across the country declared the group as terrorists.

Since his group was proscribed Kanu has not been publicly seen until recently when video of him allegedly shot in Isreal went viral on the social media.

BREAKING: EFCC SET TO PUSH FOR FORMER PETROLEUM MINISTER, DIEZANI’S EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN

Diezani

A former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be extradited from Britain. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to approach Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami( SAN) this week with a request to file charges against Mrs Alison-Madueke based on its findings.

As part of its investigation, the EFCC has traced N47.2 billion and $487.5million to the ex-minister, it was gathered.
Besides, about N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) have been located in various Nigerian banks. But only about $37.5 million Banana Island property has been finally forfeited by the ex-minister.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the property.

According to reports, the EFCC has concluded the investigation of the allegations against Mrs Alison-Madueke. More than 50 suspects in some of the cases linked with her have been arraigned in court, especially the alleged N23.29billion 2015 poll bribe.

The EFCC review team felt it will be “in the interest of justice to extradite the ex-minister to Nigeria for trial”. She is believed to be in Britain.

Some of the investigated allegations against the ex-Minister, with substantial evidence, include the following:
Release of $1.3b NNPC cash to the Office of the national Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to fight kidnapping in Niger Delta; whereabouts of $18.5billion earnings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
$15.8billion NLNG dividends between 2000 and 2014 (especially about $9b component between 2010 and 2015); $1.7billion oil contracts involving Mrs Alison-Madueke and two business associates;
N23.29b 2015 poll bribery scam;
$37.5m property on Banana Island; and acquisition of many properties at home, in Britain, and in the UAE

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC has reached a convenient bend to request for the extradition of Diezani from the UK. Most of the cases against her have reached maturity level for her trial at home. “The commission will formally approach the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami( SAN) to assist it to invoke the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK against Diezani. “Through the office of the AGF, appropriate charges will be filed in court to commence the process for the extradition of the ex-Minister.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The extradition process is without prejudice to the ongoing investigation of Diezani in the UK.
“The US end of Diezani probe has been done. The EFCC has also hauled evidence to the UK to assist the authorities. Some detectives from the UK have visited this country too.
“For the Nigerian flank of the probe, it is necessary to extradite Diezani to answer allegations against her.”

The source, however, added that the AGF has the final say on whether or not to initiate the extradition process. He stressed that all the allegations against the former minister are within the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK.
The laws guiding extradition in Nigeria include:
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) with extradition matter within the purview of the Federal High Court.

The Extradition Act, Cap E 25, Laws of the Federation, 2010
The Immigration Act, Cap 11, Laws of the Federation, 2010
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The Evidence Act, Cap E14, Laws of the Federation, 2010.
Twice, the embattled former minister has defended some of the allegations against her.

On the N23.29m poll bribery cash, she said: “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3million lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them.
“Having also alleged that the said $153.3million was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken, with proof that I authorised such a transaction/transactions, acting either in my private capacity or as The Honourable Minister of Petroleum.

“Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act.
“The only involvement I had in NNPC finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribes that as minister, there were certain duties or actions which I had to perform or take in relation to NNPC.”
The ex-Minister said also that she acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to release $1.3billion to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

She said it was not within the power or discretion of any minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president.
Although about $1.4billion was requested by the ONSA via three memos, for “Intervention for Urgent National Security Projects,” about $1.3billion was released from NNPC accounts.
But it was unclear what became of the $100million balance.
Documents revealed that ONSA had requested for $1.4billion between March 27, 2014 and May 5, 2014 when approval was given and cash backed.
About three memos were sent to ex-President Jonathan on March 27, 2014, 31st March 2014 and May 5, 2014.
But Diezani insisted that she could not be held liable for carrying out a presidential directive.

The statement said: “The attention of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum, has been drawn to a story in The Nation Newspaper of Monday 22nd January, 2018 as well as other print and online media titled “Diezani in trouble again over withdrawal of $1.3b from NNPC accounts”.

“Under Section 5 of the Constitution, all executive powers are vested in the President who may exercise it directly or through the Vice President or Ministers of the Federation. As Minister for Petroleum Resources Mrs. Alison-Madueke was an appointee and delegate of the President.

“Consequently, the Minister of Petroleum Resources acted on the basis of the written approvals and directives given by the President, which approvals were given after written requests from the relevant security agencies were made to the President.

“At such instances, as in fact the article clearly shows, a Service Chief or Intelligence Chief makes a written request/appeal to Mr. President outlining whatever urgent and critical security needs of the nation they consider imminently paramount, at any given point in time.

“If such a request received the approval of the President, the President may direct that the requested funds be drawn from a Security Budget maintained by NNPC, or that the funds be sourced from elsewhere.

“Where the President directs the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in writing, to make the payment from the NNPC, the Minister in turn, directs the GMD NNPC in writing to execute the directive of the President. NNPC then wires the funds from one of its major foreign bank accounts, or from the CBN, directly to the stipulated account of the particular branch of the armed services, or intelligence unit, or department, that initiated the request.
“It is not within the power or discretion of any serving minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president including that of the incumbent President

“The former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the statement stated that at no time, did she, or could she, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, interfere with this process.”

The ex-Minister said since the disbursement of $1.3billion can be traceable, it was wrong to assume that it was diverted.
“It is, therefore, impossible and implausible, for any monies under such presidential directives to be diverted during the process, at least from the standpoint of the Minister.

“Any and all amounts approved and directed by Mr. President to be paid, were executed exclusively by NNPC, directly from NNPC’s foreign and or, Central Bank of Nigeria accounts, to the stated recipients.

“Therefore, let it be very clear, that all funds disbursed by these banking institutions on behalf of NNPC are easily and openly traceable, and the process cannot and should not be utilized for the distortion of facts.”

BAD NEWS FOR ATIKU AS U.S DELIVERS SHOCKING MESSAGE, AHEAD OF THE 2019 ELECTIONS

The United States Institute of Peace, USIP, has said that the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, President Buhari is not likely to be defeated in 2019.

The news comes as a shock to many political analysts and in particular  the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who had hope to replace the incumbent next year.

The International body said that the report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors.

The report, which analysed the chances of violence marring the 2019 general elections, is contrary to two recent predictions by The Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, the Research Unit of The Economist Magazine, that the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari, will be unseated next year.

The USIP, stated that although many Nigerians feel that the current administration has not met their expectations, this is not likely to cost the All Progressives Congress government, its hold on power.

“Many Nigerians feel their hopes have not been met. Some respondents suggest the electorate is sufficiently disappointed that voter apathy will be greater in 2019 than in 2015, with the unifying narrative of change that helped elect the APC in 2015, much less compelling as a factor in mobilising the electorate, and perceptions that another defeat of the Presidential incumbent, is less likely to happen in 2019”, the report read.

Comparing the 2015 elections to the forthcoming one, the report revealed that there is a greater chance of the occurrence of election violence, listing Adamawa, Anambra, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers States, as 8 out of the 36 States with greater risks of election violence.

While it stated that it is up to the combined efforts of political parties, Security Agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to curb violence in the election, it said that the greater work lies with the Electoral body.

“Important shifts in Nigeria’s political and security context have occurred since the 2015 elections, presenting both evolving and new risks to the 2019 elections”, it read.

“Of all the State’s institutions, most respondents felt that peaceful elections in 2019, are contingent on the performance of Nigeria’s INEC.

“Given the relative success of the 2015 elections, they felt that INEC ought to be able to deliver credible elections again, in 2019. They feared, however, that any regression from the level of performance achieved in 2015, could lead to violence, because some would view the failings not as a result of incompetence, but as deliberate attempts to frustrate the will of the voters.

“INEC should at least match the standards it set in 2015, and any regression could set the stage for violence.”

The report further stated that despite the projections of violence, “there are signs of hope.”

“Yet, while the potential for election violence exists, there are signs of hope. Some States have developed successful election conflict-mitigation practices. In the short amount of time remaining, INEC and the Police should undertake a number of key reforms”, it said.

“The United States, along with other international supporters of the electoral process, should also intensify their efforts to reinforce the work of these key Nigerian Institutions.

“Beyond institutional support, rather than apply a conventional approach to electoral violence mitigation, donor programming should adapt to Nigeria’s current context, political shifts, and opportunities, and be sufficiently flexible to respond to the risks distinct in each of Nigeria’s States.

“In advance of the election, international diplomatic efforts to preempt electoral violence, need to be intensified. Regional and International actors should convey their expectations, that political parties effectively address their internal disputes, and be ready to put on notice, Politicians responsible for escalating these disputes.”

BREAKING: WAEC TO HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING!!! MAY SUSPEND NIGERIA OVER BUHARI’S CERTIFICATE SAGA

The West African Examination Council Executives may suspend Nigeria from the membership of the council over alleged illegal printing of WAEC Attestation certificate for the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

WAEC LOGO

The Council is having an emergency meeting to discuss the unprecedented action on the National office in Nigeria last week, where they printed an attestation certificate President Buhari whom the Ghana headquarters has confirmed on a number of cases that he was never a registered candidate of WAEC in 1961.
Details shortly...

MINIMUM WAGE: WHY WE CAN’T MEET LABOURS’ N30,000 DEMAND – FG

The federal government on Sunday gave reasons why it cannot meet the demand of labour unions that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000.

The labour unions, NLC, TUC and ULC, have vowed to commence a nationwide strike from Tuesday if government does not meet its demand.

The workers unions accuse the government of going back on a N30,000 decision reached at a tripartite meeting between labour, government, and private employers.

However, the federal government says no agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting and insists on a N24,000 minimum wage, while the state governors say they would only be able to pay N22,500.

On Sunday, the labour unions boycotted a reconciliation meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking with journalist Sunday evening, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken to ensure that there was a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues relating to the minimum wage.

Boss Mustapha said that the tripartite committee has been working assiduously though there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with and that was the reason he called for the reconciliation meeting.

“Basically the only outstanding issue that needs to be dealt with is to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government,” he said.

REASONS WE CAN’T MEET N30,000

The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari, while inaugurating the tripartite meeting, emphasised the need for a unanimous resolution at the meeting, something that was yet to be agreed to.

“Mr President went further to emphasise that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he said

The SGF quoting Mr Buhari said, “We yearn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian worker but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage”.

He noted that 27 states were having difficulty in paying the current minimum wage of N18,000, while noting that he was not making any excuses for them.

He did not elaborate on why labour unions boycotted the meeting but said the tripartite meeting will continue tomorrow.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personally ensure that Mr President sign immediately on it,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Esan, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview why his union boycotted the Sunday meeting.

“We (NLC) are not aware of any meeting with the SGF over any matter. A government that gets an injunction against us without putting us on notice until we heard from the press has shown enough bad faith.

“Even if we were aware, we would not be interested to attend any meeting. The meeting we are aware of, which we are going to attend, is the tripartite committee meeting tomorrow in Abuja. That’s the one we plan to attend. That is the official position,” he said.

ASUU BEGINS INDEFINITE STRIKE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has commenced a nationwide industrial action following the inability of the Federal Government to respond to their demands.

Specifically, the union accused the government of not implementing the Memorandum of Action signed with it, declaring that the strike would be total as all federal and state varsities would join the strike.

The union made the announcement after their National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State on Sunday night.

Briefing journalists after the NEC meeting, the National President of the ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said all entreaties made to the Federal Government to honour the agreement with the union fell of deaf ears and they had no other alternative but to begin the strike action.

He said, “Having waited patiently for action and meaningful negotiation with reasonable men using the principle of collective bargaining that ASUU at its NEC meeting of 3rd and 4th November 2018 at the FUTA,  resolved to resume the nationwide strike action it suspended in September 2017 with immediate effect.

“This strike will be total, comprehensive and indefinite. Our members shall withdraw their services until government fully implement all outstanding issues as contained in the MOA of 2017, and concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.

“We have today (Sunday) been subjected to 20 years of continued re-colonisation under alleged democracy in which all that the ruling circle have been regrouping among themselves in their various faction they called political parties.”

Ogunyemi alleged that the government was not interested in public universities as the children of the top politicians and rich men in the society patronise private universities at the detriment of public institutions.

EKITI PDP REMOVES FAYOSE AS LEADER

Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, yesterday, removed the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, as the leader of the party in the state.

Fayose

They immediately appointed the senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, as the leader of the party in Ekiti State and South-West.

In a communiqué signed at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado Ekiti, the party said it took the decision to install Olujimi the leader owing to the fact that she remains the ranking elected official   in the state and the South-West.

The resolution, signed   and read by the Protem Secretary of the PDP Stakeholders and   former   Assembly member, Hon Bunmi Olugbade, also overruled the SWC on the suspension of former State Secretary of the

party, Dr. Tope Aluko , saying he remains a bonafide member of the party.

PROSTITUTE THROWS MAN FROM THIRD FLOOR OVER REFUSAL TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED

A man has been left hospitalised after he was thrown from the third floor by a prostitute following a misunderstanding over payment for sex services she rendered.

The incident happened at Dana Place in the Avenues area in Zimbabwe.

The man, only identified as Mandewo, sustained head, back and leg injuries and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he is receiving treatment.

Mandewo told H-Metro that the woman known as Trish within their circles and resides in Flat Room number 17 wrestled him off the apartment when he refused to disclose his Ecocash details.

He said they agreed for a $5 quickie when they hooked on the streets before the woman shifted goalposts after the act.

“I hooked her in the street and we agreed on $5 for sex but she demanded $100 soon after the quickie,” said Mandewo.

Mandewo said he offered to add $10 but she insisted on $100 demanding him to disclose his Ecocash details.

“I was prepared to add $10 but she kept on demanding my Ecocash details and when I refused she wrestled me along with her flat mate and threw me over the window.

“She took my car keys and I want to believe she has gone and searched the vehicle or disappeared with the car if she is licensed to drive,” said Mandewo writhing in pain.

Asked if he could give contacts of his relative, Mandewo ignored the question insisting to get help on making sure his vehicle is recovered.

Eye witnesses at Dana Place heard Mandewo calling for help but could not give a hand on time.

“We heard him calling for help and we saw him hanging by the window and fell down as we tried to rush to the room,” said one of the eye witnesses.

“The lady reported to have hooked him ran away and we managed to apprehend two of the ladies who stay in that flat,” added the witness.

Police attended him and was taken by paramedics to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

MINIMUM WAGE: CONCILIATION MEETING WITH LABOUR WILL GO AHEAD— NGIGE

Activist Abiodun Aremu speaks in a microphone as he takes part in a march to protest against the government's failure to agree on a new minimum wage during a rally in Lagos, on October 30, 2018. - Workers across Nigeria march to protest government's delay in agreeing on a new minimum wage and threaten to embark on nationwide strike if the authorities fail to meet their demand by November 6, 2018.

MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on Friday said that conciliation on the National Minimum Wage will continue despite the injunction of the National Industrial Court restraining the organized labour from embarking on strike.

The Minister in a statement by the Director Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere said that the conciliation meeting involving the Organized Labour, the Organized Private Sector and Government scheduled for Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by 6:00 p.m was still on course and will hold.

This will be followed on Monday, November 5, 2018 by 11:00 a.m the meeting of the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee at the same venue

The Minister used the opportunity to again appeal to all tripartite members to attend these meetings in the interest of the Nation.

Recall that the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, had vowed that the organised labour would not be part of any conciliation meeting or negotiation on minimum wage, alleging that every discussion about minimum wage had been concluded.

He said that the only meeting organised labour will attend will be the signing of the minimum wage report and not negotiation.