HUGE RELIEF AS NOUN GEARS TO MOBILISE GRADUATES FOR NYSC, LAW SCHOOL

The newly-amended act governing the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has removed the barrier  hindering its graduates from participating in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and Nigeria Law School.

 The amended Act which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 1, 2018, and was gazetted recently is titled “National Open University (Amendment) Act, 2018.”

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Abdalla Adamu, who disclosed this on Thursday during the 54the meeting of the Governing Council in Lagos, said the amendment of the act now empowers the management of the university to mobilise its graduates for NYSC and the Nigerian Law School.

Prof Abdalla Adamu said with the gazetting of the amended act, the university management would approach NYSC and Council of Legal Education for negotiation on the two issues.

‘’Initially, what was missing is negotiation with the two bodies. We have made contact and with the amended act, negotiation with NYSC and Council on Legal Education will soon start,’’ he stated.

The VC also disclosed that NOUN would matriculate over 17, 000 students nationwide and used the opportunity to clear the air on the status of its admission via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

The Chairman, Governing Council of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof Peter Okebukola, during the briefing hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the NOUN amended Act into law on December 1, 2018.

Prof Okebukola said the amended act would provide legitimacy to the university as a full-time open and distance learning institution and with a population of 516,000 students, its target is to hit the one million mark in no distance future.

His words: “The Council of NOUN extended its gratitude to the Federal government, under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari for signing the NOUN Amendment Act which has recently been gazetted and published on 3rd December 2018, as National Open University (Amendment) Act, 2018.

‘’With this recognition, NOUN is placed at par with all recognised universities in Nigeria under the various acts that amended the provision of higher education in Nigerian universities. This further strengthens the university to provide open and distance learning opportunities to millions of Nigerians who otherwise would not have been given such opportunities in ‘closed’ universities due to one difficult circumstance or other.”

According to him, the council also lauded the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on the success achieved in the implementation of the 2016-2019 Ministerial Strategic Plan especially relating to the pillar of access.

Okebukola disclosed that in the last two years, NOUN had significantly increased enrolment and on the march to attaining the one-million enrolment target by 2023 as provided in the 2019-2023 Revitalisation Agenda for the Nigerian University System developed by NUC under Prof Abubakar, Adamu Rasheed as executive secretary.

He stated that the council endorsed the plan to improve the quality of NOUN graduates to be the best in Africa in programmes to be selected in phases so that all programmes are covered in the quality-enhancement drive by 2025.

Prof Okebukola said the council approved March 22 and 23 for the 2019 convocation activities for graduating over 18,000 students.

ATIKU ABUBAKAR TABLES 6-POINT DEMANDS TO PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last week’s election, Alh. Atiku Abubakar has presented a six-point demand to the Federal Government.

Top on the demand was unfreezing of opposition politicians’ bank accounts.

Another major demand presented to the former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, (NPC) Geneneral Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) was demilitarisarion of subsequent polls.

Gen. Abubakar led members of the committee to a meeting with Atiku and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi in Abuja yesterday night.

The NPC is expected to meet President Muhammadu Buhari government with the demands .

Other demands by Atiku were:

* That accreditation of voters should take place before voting in subsequent elections.

* That there should be no deployment of the military in subsequent elections.

* That INEC should open its back end server to all participating parties.

* That there should be a release of all politicians detained illegally by FG.

A source at the meeting disclosed that Atiku “warned that tensions are building up in the land.”

NPC team included Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Bishop Kukah and Rev. Fr Atta Barkindo.

Atiku and his team informed the group that the election of Feb 23 was the worst in 20 years  since the country returned to democratic rule. and that  it was marked by brazen rigging with no consideration to the will of the people.

They listed the following as issues they had with the Presidential polls:

* Deployment of the military was unconstitutional and in breach of Supreme Court judgement.

* That resultantly, a lot of malpractices between the INEC officers, the ruling party and the military took place to undermine the votes/voters of the PDP.

* That there was collaboration between INEC and FG to undermine the sanctity of the votes of the people.

* That this is the worst election in 20 years. No improvement from 2015.

It was learnt that Gen. Abdusalam and his team pleaded with the PDP flag bearer to avoid anything that could jeopardise the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

PLATEAU NLC CHAIRMAN RESIGNS, JOIN’S GOVERNOR’S CABINET

The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Plateau state Council, Jibrin Banchir, on Wednesday resigned his position as the chairman of the labour movement.

Mr Banchir, who announced his resignation at an emergency State Execute Council (SEC) meeting of NLC in Jos, also told the union leaders that he had been appointed as Special Adviser to Governor Simon Lalong on Labour Matters.

The outgone chairman, who had served in that capacity for eight years, handed to Yarlings Gumshing, immediate past chairman of NUT, to act as chairman until April when a substantive chairman would be elected.

He appreciated workers for giving him the opportunity to serve.

“Whatever I am today and the uncommon experience I have garnered is because of NLC.

“I have fond memories of the time and there were also turbulent times as well.

“There are times we could not sleep in our houses because of threats to our lives. There are times we slept in the secretariat in spite of the risks involved in fighting workers.

“Our families also had sleepless nights over threats.’’

Mr Banchir appreciated God for his protection and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died for the cause.

He charged the labour movement in the state to remain united if it must achieve its goal of fighting for workers welfare.

According to him, the labour movement is being endangered by corporate governance and that only unity can promote its relevance.

“As I am leaving, I want to passionately appeal that we remain united.

“We must be honest and sincere in the discharge of our responsibilities.

“Our actions and inactions will determine the wellbeing or otherwise of those who cannot take care of themselves,” he added.

He appealed to the labour leaders to vote for Mr Lalong, who according to him has a soft spot for workers.

Mr Gumshing in his response congratulated Mr Banchir on his appointment and for successfully serving the body.

“Now that you are there, our relationship with government will wax stronger.

“We will give you the maximum cooperation you need to succeed in your new appointment.’’

(NAN)

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2019 PRESIDENTIAL RESULT: ATIKU DISMISSES BUHARI’S REELECTION AS WORST ELECTION FRAUD

Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded election, Atiku Abubakar, Wednesday, dismissed the election of President Muhammadu Buhari as the worst election fraud in the country.

He also said the election cannot produce a government of the people for the simple reason that it does not reflect the will of the people.

Abubakar declared his reaction while briefing newsmen at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

But he maintained that he was confident of victory but that the journey may be challenging.

In his words, “I will challenge the outcome of the election because the February 23 poll was the worst in Nigeria’s democratic regime even under the ousted military regime.

“The election witnessed an implementation of graft theft of the peoples’ will”.

He alleged that there were widespread statistical impossibility in the PDP strongholds with voter suppression in Akwa Ibom which, according to him, recorded 62 percent decrease in number of votes cast when compared to 2015.

He also said while this was the case in Delta, Rivers, Abia and Benue, that are part of the PDP strongholds, Borno and Yobe states recorded 82 percent increase in votes cast.

As for Borno and Yobe, Abubakar wondered if insecurity was evidence to higher voters’ turnout compared to other secured part of the country.

He said, “The electoral fraud cannot produce a government of the people for the simple reason that it does not reflect the will of the people.

“It is for this reason what I reject the result of the election as announced by INEC.

“I wonder whether insecurity is evidence to higher voter turnout”.

Abubakar added that he is consulting with the party and Nigerians on the next step.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast, saying the PDP has “the real figures” from the election as only when the Peoples’ will prevail that democracy can be said to be in practice in the country.

The PDP presidential candidate also urged the fleeing international investors to have a rethink for their action, saying it is only the ordinary citizens that will suffer the adverse consequences arising from their departure.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI DECLARED WINNER OF THE 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

Video: INEC final result collation and declaration of winners. 

BUHARI declared winner of 2019 presidential election in Nigeria. 

INEC DECLARES PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI WINNER OF 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Prof Mahmood Yakubu , Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Returning Officer at 4.38 am declares President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2019 Presidential election.

Having polled a total number of 15,171,847 votes of the 28,614,190 votes cast on Saturday, March 23, 2019, President Buhari satisfied the constitutional requirement and was pronounced winner. The APC candidate defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 11,262,978 votes.

According to INEC chairman, a total number of 82,344,107 voters were registered for the election out of which 29,364,209 voters were accredited. Yakubu declared that the total number valid votes was 27,324,583; total votes rejected was 1,289,607 while total votes cast was 28,614,190.

The chairman said certificate of return will be issued to President Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at 2.00pm today at the Collation Centre.

NLC TO OCCUPY OGUN OVER AMOSUN’S HOSTILE POLICIES AGAINST WORKERS

Ayuba Wabba

The National leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Com. Ayuba Wabba,  has declared that he would lead Nigerian workers to occupy Ogun State on Friday, this week, over alleged hostile policies of Governor Ibikunle Amosun towards the state work force.

The siege christened “Operation Occupy Ogun State,”  Wabba added, is driven by the need to use the planned protest to prevail on Amosun to resolve all pending labour issues between Organised Labour in the state and the Ogun State Government.

The NLC leadership in a letter addressed to  Governor Ibikunle Amosun, dated 20th February, titled “Re: Notice of Protest Against Anti-Worker Actions of the Ogun State Government Scheduled For 1st March, 2019,” said they would storm the state to protest the anti-worker decisions  and infractions on the rights of workers by the state government.

He lamented that the Union had at different times drew the attention of the state  government to its  infractions with calls on Amosun- led administration to  respect the collective bargaining agreement entered with workers as regards the last tranche of the Paris Club Fund.

Wabba noted that by agreement, Paris Club Fund, was meant  to settle gratuity owed workers and unremitted statutory deductions due to workers and trade unions.

According to the Union leader, some of the issues they want Amosun to address include reinstating  the state NLC chairman,  Comrade Akeem Ambali and other labour leaders that were sacked by him.

Others are the liquidation of about 104 months arrears of withheld statutory deductions owed workers and unions in the state;  payment of gratuity owed retirees and settlement of salary arrears owed workers of the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu -Ijebu.

Wabba’s letter reads : “Your Excellency, we wish to remind you that the actions of the Ogun State Government under your leadership runs contrary to and undermine Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees and protects freedom of association which includes the freedom for trade unions to exist and function freely in any part of the country.

“Furthermore, as you know, the rights enjoyed by trade unions to respect for collective bargaining agreements and non-interference in their activities is further guaranteed by Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation and Freedom of Association. These conventions were fully subscribed to by Nigeria upon the attainment of independence.

“Given the intransigence of the Ogun State government to respond to earlier entreaties  by the NLC, Organized Labour in Nigeria has no other option left than to keep Ogun State on an industrial lock down until our demands are met.”

FED HIGH COURT SACKS APC LAWMAKER OVER CERTIFICATE FORGERY IN JOS

A Federal High Court in Jos has sacked a member of Plateau State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Hassan, for forging his academic certificate.

The lawmaker had claimed to have obtained a business administration diploma from the University of Jos.

University of Jos registrar, Monday Danje, however, denied issuance of the certificate by the institution and declared it as fake.

The lawmaker representing Jos North-North in the Plateau state House of Assembly was taken to court in 2015 by Abdul Saleh.

Justice Kurya granted all the prayers sought by Saleh and ruled that Hassan was never qualified to seek office as a lawmaker.

The judge said the evidence given by the registrar “is true and uncontroversial.”

Justice Kurya called on the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC), the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) and the State House of Assembly to take note of the judgement.

Kurya then ruled that Saleh who came second in the primary be sworn in as the replacement for the sacked lawmaker.

He also awarded N5 million as legal fees and N25 million as general damages against the ousted lawmaker.

SENATOR SHEHU SANI, PRP CALL FOR CANCELLATION OF KADUNA ELECTIONS

Shehu Sani

Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Shehu Sani has called for cancellation of elections in Kaduna State, particularly in the Kaduna Central zone.

Senator Shehu Sani who is the candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the Senatorial election.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Senator Sani said, the Saturday election was marred with irregularities across the zone, ranging from over voting, ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and connivance with security agencies to rig in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sani said, himself and his party have compiled cases of irregularities across the zone and written to INEC, asking for the cancellation of the elections.

He said though, they have not gotten official results of the election; they are calling for the cancellation irrespective of the outcome.

Similarly, Kaduna State PRP House of Representatives candidate from Kaduna North, Kassim Balarabe Musa who spoke on behalf of PRP, alleged that the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections were marred by irregularities.

At a separate press conference in Kaduna, the PRP candidate called for cancellation of elections held in the state.

He said the election is marred by votes buying, card readers malfunctioning, usage of unknown persons PVC for voting and among others.

He said legal action will be taken against those involved in malpractice in the state, as there are evidences against them.