SENATE PRESIDENT, BUKOLA SARAKI GETS INTERNATIONAL APPOINTMENT

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been appointed as an “Ambassador-at-Large” of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

In a letter dated March 16, 2019, Ambassador Friday Sani, the Diplomatic Head of the Commission to Nigeria and other African Countries, stated that sequel to the approval of the World Secretary General of the IHRC, Dr. Saraki has been appointed as one of the revered Ambassadors-at-Large of the multinational body.

A copy of the letter was made available on Sunday by Saraki’s media office.

It reads, “While our role as a regional body is to promote and encourage institutions and persons to uphold human dignity across the world, we must not fail to mention the commendation of our Nigerian team over your resolute efforts in the stability of your country and your firm leadership of the Nigerian Senate which is adjudged to be among the most proactive parliaments across the world.

“Besides, the Commission is not unmindful of the maturity that you recently displayed in the face of an obvious provocation in your constituency during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections,” Ambassador Sani said in the letter.

In the new capacity, Dr. Saraki is expected to lead the diplomatic team of the IHRC in various diplomatic missions across the world.

The Senate President has accepted the nomination of the Commission, while also expressing his appreciation to the IHRC for his nomination.

UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN HIJACK CORPSE IN RIVERS STATE, DEMAND N1M RANSOM

Unidentified gunmen on Friday hijacked a corpse at Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State and demanded a ransom of N1m before it releasing it.

Eye witness account had it that the corpse, which was being conveyed home for burial by church members, was hijacked along Ahoada road by some bandits, after ordering the driver of the ambulance conveying the corpse to stop.

The witness said the bandits pulled the corpse from the ambulance and fled with it inside the bush while the driver of the ambulance was asked to go.

He said that the news of the tragic drama got to the children of the late woman, which made one of them to visit the scene, saying that the deceased’s son never returned home alive.

He went on further to say that soon after the son of the deceased got to the scene to demand for the release of his mother’s corpse, the armed men shot him dead and dragged his lifeless body into the bush.

Someone from the community later intervened before the corpse was released to the church. “The family had hired an ambulance with which it was conveying the remains of the woman home for burial. On the way, this group of armed men, decked in flowing white robe but armed with  AK-47 riffles, waylaid the ambulance, took the casket hostage, demanding for N1,000,000 from the bereaved’s family for its release.

“They ordered the ambulance driver to “vanish” with his vehicle, and the man gladly fled the scene,” the witness said. He said that soon after the corpse was released and sermon for the burial commenced at the community church, the congregation were informed of impending cultists’ attack which made the entire congregation to flee and abandoned the corpse.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, Nnamdi Omoni said he was not aware of the incident. He said he would contact the DPO of Ahoada Police Division to get information about the incident.

POPULAR RIVERS VOLUNTEER TRAFFIC WARDEN GETS A NEW ACCOMMODATION FROM PORT-HARCOURT MAYOR (PHOTOS)

Friday Opurum

The Mayor of Port Harcourt Secures a better accommodation for volunteer traffic warden Friday Opurum.
The Mayor, Hon Victor Nyeche Ihunwo, JP, uplifted the welfare of the Port Harcourt Volunteer Traffic Warden, Pa. Friday Opurum, by securing for him a better and befitting apartment in Port Harcourt.

The Mayor, on reading about the news of the eviction of Pa. Friday Opurum from his one-room apartment at Oroworokwo community, on the 11th of April, 2019, over his inability to pay his rent since June 2018, has secured a wonderful apartment for him and his family.
at Rumu_ Kalagbor Community.

Pa. Opurum and the NGO who brought his plight to the attention of the public, met with the mayor on Wednesday, 17th April, 2019 (at the instance of the Mayor) where he (mayor) made necessary provision available to the NGO to enable the NGO get a roof over the head of the veteran volunteer traffic warden who is noticeably seen regularly at the Agudama / Emekuku junction, at the D-Line axis of Port Harcourt managing the traffic situation there.

See Photos below......

It's not clear if this response from the PH Mayor was at the instance of the Governor of Rivers State as relevant comment in that regards was not volunteered by the Phalga Mayor, the Governor or his aids. 

You recall that we earlier brought you a report with headline:

LANDLORD EJECTS FRIDAY OPURUM, TRAFFIC WARDEN AWARDED BY GOVERNOR WIKE

Gov Wike embracing Friday Opurum

Report has it that the voluntary traffic warden who bagged the Rivers State Merit Award last year, has been forced out of his house in Port-Harcourt, the state capital. 

Mr. Friday Opurum was decorated last year by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and was promised several benefits including a house amidst fanfare and in the full glare of the press.

Friday OPURUM brandishing his recognition certificate amidst fanfare and celebration

According to reports, Mr. Oporum is yet to receive any of the promises made to him.

Mr. Friday Opurum was yesterday forced out of his one room apartment at Oroworuko, along Aba Road by the landlord for failing to pay his house rent since June 2018. 

With the big Rivers State government title attached to his short lived media popularity, Mr Opurum is currently homeless. Mr Friday and his wife were pictured evacuating their properties out of their one room apartment after the landlord forced them out.

~ See Current Condition Of Traffic Warden Who Was Awarded By Governor Wike (Photos)

Friday Opurum being ejected from his residence for his inability to pay his rent

PRESIDENT BUHARI TO DISSOLVE CABINET MAY 22 – LAI MOHAMMED

President Muhammadu Buhari will dissolve the current Federal Executive Council on May 22, less than a week to May 29.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at the end of Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

He stated that until May 22, the cabinet remained intact.

“We will be having a valedictory session on 22nd May. The cabinet remains intact”, he told State House correspondents.

KWARA STATE LAWMAKERS PASS BILL BARRING GOV FROM SACKING COUNCIL CHAIRMEN

A Bill for a law to amend the Kwara State Local Government (Amendment) Law No. 3 of 2006, which makes it impossible for the state governor to dissolve elected local government councils at will, has been passed by the State House of Assembly.

The amended law initiated by member representing Oke-Ogun Constituency, Mr. Kamal Fagbemi, now makes it unconstitutional for the state Governor to unilaterally dissolve democratically elected local government councils in the state.

Speaking after the passage of the amendment bill into law, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Mathew Okedare, who presided over the Tuesday’s sitting, directed the Clerk of the House, Hajia Halimat Jummai Kperogi, to prepare a clean copy for the governor’s assent, pointing out that the third tier of government was strategic to accelerated socio-economic transformation of the state.

Speaking during the consideration of the general principles of the amendment Bill, Fagbemi had, while urging his colleagues to ensure the passage of the bill, said the amendment became imperative in view of the fact that the principal law was consistent with the provision of the 1999 Constitution.

FEAR, ANXIETY GRIPS NLNG WORKERS OVER MOVE TO SACK OVER 120 STAFF

Hundreds of workers of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited are said to be living in fear following indications that the gas company has commenced a restructuring process that may see no fewer than 120 of them losing their jobs.

The restructuring initiative, aptly tagged ‘realignment to win’, may see 10 per cent of the NLNG’s workforce of about 1,200 in Bonny and Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Abuja in the labour market soon.

NLNG is a joint gas initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and oil giants – Shell, Total and Eni – which began formal operations in 1999.

A reliable source in the company revealed that tension had continued to rise among the workers as “none of us is unsure who could be affected by this exercise.”

Though the company did not indicate that it indended to sack workers by asking them to reapply, the employees alleged that the purpose of the restructuring was to sack over 100 of them.

The source said in March, all the staff members, including management staff, were directed to reapply for their jobs after about 40 workers took advantage of the voluntary retirement package of the company to leave in January.

“We were also instructed to indicate three places we would like to work in the organisation. But the management may decide not to place such workers in the new position,” said another source.

“You can imagine the struggle and power play that have ensued among staff. Nobody is working anymore; the workers have become jittery as no one is sure who is going to be affected by the restructuring. They have also become suspicious of one another; no one knows who is gunning for your position.”

The source explained that the Tony Attah-led organisation began a “systematic downsizing” in 2018, when the staff strength of the company was about 1,300.

A copy of the memo sent by the General Manager, Human Resources Division, NLNG, Mrs. Eucharia Ezeani, directing the staff members to reapply for their jobs, said the response of the workers must be filed latest on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

With the heading ‘NLNG Organisational Restructuring – Position of Preference’, Ezeani said in the memo, “As previously discussed at the recent engagements with staff and the business, employees sustained performance and value index and business needs will be the primary consideration for placement decisions.

“As such, it is very important to note that selection of a position or positions does not mean automatic placement in any of the positions selected. However, where employees selected positions of preference match with business needs, such staff could be placed in one of such positions.

“The position of preference portal is open to staff only once; that is to say once you have submitted your selections, you cannot go back to change them.”

One of the staff members wondered why NLNG would forge ahead with a plan to reduce its workforce when the gas company “remains one of the most profitable companies in Africa.”

He added, “It is indefensible on all parameters. How do you justify the sacking of workers in a company that made a profit of over $2bn in 2018? It could be justified if the company is in distress, but this is not so.

“It is just a ploy to throw over 100 people into the labour market when the nation’s economy is in such a parlous situation. And these are direct workers, not those seconded from the joint venture partners.

“Our only hope now is to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate and other well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the leadership of the NLNG from going ahead with such atrocious policy.”

Another source claimed that the panel, saddled with the task of restructuring the workforce, commenced sitting last week.

“The panel will continue its work after the holidays while the board meeting will hold next (this) week. The board, headed by the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, will only ratify; it’s not part of the decision-making process, and Baru doesn’t even attend the meetings any way; he only sends a representative who is a close pal of our Managing Director, Mr. Tony Attah.

“Those behind this are only interested in another promotion from Shell. They would be seen as having recorded a great feat by reducing the workforce,” the source added.

One of the sources alleged that the company’s branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association had been compromised, making it difficult for the union to kick against the ongoing policy

The source stated, “The local union has not raised a voice against what is going on here. If such move has not been reported to the national body, how will it intervene to stop the plan to sack workers, who may be kicked out unceremoniously soon?”

When contacted, the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr Andy Odeh, denied that the firm was planning to sack its workers.

Odeh said the company recently launched a transformation journey in readiness for growth in the emerging energy transition and changing global energy market, with clear objectives to reposition the company in the top quartile of global LNG companies by 2019.

He said, “As part of the journey, the organisational structure has been realigned to enable the company to build a solid foundation for its future with a more robust talent and staffing strategy.

“This is not the first time the NLNG is embarking on a change and so does not plan to sack its staff. However, it is constantly evolving to retain its world-class status and competitiveness, as part of efforts to help build a better Nigeria.”

In its report for 2018, NLNG had a turnover of $6.9bn, which industry source said was 30 per cent above its projection for the year. It also had a profit after tax of $2.2bn, from where it paid dividends of $

I HOPE TO ESTABLISH MUHAMMADU BUHARI UNIVERSITY - AISHA BUHARI

Aisha Buhari

The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has expressed her plan to establish a private university to be known as “Muhammadu Buhari University”.

She disclosed this on Saturday during a townhal meeting in Yola organized by her in collaboration with concern indigenes of Adamawa.

Aisha, who did not however reveal when or where the university would be sited, explained that the university would be established in collaboration with partners from Sudan and Qatar.

Aisha who lamented the challenges facing education and various sectors in the state, called for active support of the state indigenes in complementing government efforts.

“I cannot conclude without suggesting how we can complement the efforts of government in achieving some of its developmental goals.

“On this note, I would like to advocate for the establishment of Adamawa Development Trust Fund through which prioritized developmental projects can be financed and implemented,” she said.

Amb. Fati Ballah also called for reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of the state and the setting up of a committee to come up with a blueprint for the development of the state.

Alhaji Sadiq Daware, who spoke on agriculture at the meeting, noted that 80 per cent of the state land was arable and suitable for farming.

Daware added that with River Benue which passes through the state, the state has the potential for massive irrigation and all year round farming programmes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other speakers at the meeting include Prof. Shehu Iya of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, who spoke on education; Prof. Auwal Abubakar of Federal Medical Centre, Yola, who spoke on health; and Mrs Helen Mathias who spoke on women and youths.

Othersvare Mallam Umar Abubakar who spoke on security; Gen. Buba Marwa on drugs; Sen. Silas Zwingina on Good Governance, and Dr Umar Bindir who spoke on Poverty.

The meeting was also attended by politicians, particularly APC, PDP and ADC members in the state.

(NAN)

AMERICAN BOXER, JARRELL MILLER FAILS SECOND DRUGS TEST

Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua

Jarrell Miller, who was denied a license by the New York boxing officials over a failed test on Wednesday, has failed, again, a second drugs test, the US media reported on Friday.

Miller recently tested positive for human growth hormone (HGH) which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list.

Miller’s planned June 1 fight against world heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua had already been scuppered by the first failed drug test which came to light on Tuesday.

“Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions are very disappointed in these findings and feel awful fight fans will be deprived of what would have been a great fight,” Dmitriy Salita and Greg Cohen, Miller’s co-promoters, told American sports broadcaster ESPN.

“It’s a terrible outcome and unfortunate situation for all parties involved.”

Miller, who is undefeated in his 24 professional fights, was due to take on the Briton at Madison Square Garden for the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

Miller previously served a nine-month ban from the California State Athletic Commission after testing positive for methylhexaneamine when kickboxing in 2014.

Joshua still plans to make his US debut as planned in June for what will be his seventh title defence.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said he was scrambling to find an alternative opponent.

“To be honest I can’t believe it. You always want to give an athlete the benefit of the doubt, but this leaves no doubt,” Hearn told ESPN.

(AFP)

BREAKING: NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE IN NIGERIA NOW N30,000 AS PRESIDENT BUHARI ASSENTS TO BILL

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-Enactment Act, 2019.

By this act, the new minimum wage is now N30,000.

The President assented to the Act on Thursday in Abuja, mandating all employers of labour across the country to pay workers a minimum of N30,000 monthly wage.

The bill approving N30,000 as the new national minimum wage was passed by both chambers of National Asaembly before they went on break for the 2019 general elections.

CCT CONVICTS JUSTICE ONNOGHEN, SACKS HIM AS CJN

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has convicted the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen of breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Reading the lead judgment, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, ordered the immediate removal of Onnoghen, 68, from office as the CJN.

The Tribunal also stripped him of all offices earlier occupied, such as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council and also the chairmanship of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The tribunal also ordered the forfeiture of the five accounts which defendant failed to declare as part of his assets.

The tribunal also ordered the forfeiture of the money in the five accounts which Onnoghen failed to declare to the Federal Government.

Three punishments were imposed on him as the sentence for his offences as charged.

Although Onnoghen had been on suspension since January 25, 2019 and had reportedly resigned on April 4, the tribunal ordered his removal from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and also as the chairman of both the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

Reading the judgment of the three-man bench, its chairman, Danladi Umar, also ordered the forfeiture of the funds in the five bank accounts which the defendant was said to have failed to declare as part of his assets in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Onnoghen was convicted on the six counts preferred against him.

Specifically, the Federal Government, acting through the Code of Conduct Bureau, had, in the charges filed on January 11, accused Onnoghen in the first count of failure to declare his assets to the bureau between June 2005 and December 14, 2016.

In the rest of the five counts, the defendant was alleged to have falsely declared his assets on December 14, 2016, by allegedly omitting to declare his domiciliary dollar, euro and pound sterling-denominated accounts, as well as his two naira accounts, all maintained with the Standard Chattered Bank (Nig.) Ltd.

Before passing the sentence, the tribunal chairman noted that Onnoghen, who only called one witness, failed to dispute the evidence of the three prosecution witnesses.

He said, “The tribunal, having considered the case of the prosecution and documents tendered without objection, find the exhibits tendered worthy of consideration.

“The evidence of Prosecution Witness 1, Prosecution Witness 2 and Prosecution Witness 3 was not disputed.

“The statement of the defendant made in his handwriting alluding to forgetfulness to declare the five accounts is enough to hold that the defendant clearly contravened the Code of Conduct for Public Officer.”

Convicting the erstwhile CJN, the tribunal chairman said, “Having regard to Section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Bureau Act, the defendant has clearly contravened the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and he is here by convicted.”