Saturday 13 February 2021

RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT AGREES TO IMPLEMENT FULL MINIMUM WAGE PAYMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS


The Government of Rivers State has stated that it has agreed with the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to address all pending labour concerns in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said that an agreement on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) which took effect on 1st January, 2020 has been executed.

The Secretary to the State Government disclosed this in a press statement after a meeting between State Government and Labour in Port Harcourt on Friday, 12th February, 2021.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, a Tripartite Committee to undertake detailed discussions of all outstanding issues has also been set up.

The SSG said, “Rivers State Government has agreed and commenced implementation of the payment of check-off dues and the payment of arrears of salaries of Health workers in the Rivers State Public Service who participated in the sympathy strike of 2017 under the auspices of JOHESU. 

“Other issues which were raised by Labour such as:  Need for payment of arrears  of minimum wage, Promotion of civil Servants from 2012, Payment of gratuity to pensioners, Payment of arrears of salaries to some civil servants who were not paid their February and March, 2016 salaries due to the aborted 2016 biometric verification exercise etc. 

According to the SSG, several other matters will be discussed in details by the tripartite committee.

“The tripartite committee is to commence sitting immediately for a period of six weeks after which a report will be submitted to the Government.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Rufus Godwin, Esq. On the part of Labour Union were the Chairman of the State Labour Congress, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Pastor Jonah Austin, Chairman of the Joint Public Negotiating Council, Mr Emechita Chukwu and other labour leaders.

The tripartite committee will resume sitting next week.

Thursday 11 February 2021

FG, ORGANISED LABOUR TO DISCUSS PMS PRICE MODULATION, ELECTRICITY TARRIFF


Federal government and the organised labour are set to meet to discuss Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) price modulation and electricity tariff in the country.

The meeting, which should have held, but was postponed till February 22 2021, will examine the report by the technical committee set up on PMS pricing framework.

Minister of labour and employment Senator Chris Ngige while speaking during the recent submission of the report by the technical committee, stated that the committee was set up with a mandate to come up with a viable framework for PMS price modulation and electricity tariff.

He said the committee was mandated to examine the two policies respectively in relation to the demands of the organised labour unions.
The February 22nd meeting is a continuation of the series of meetings held in 2020 in a bid to persuade labour unions not to embark on industrial action over the increase in the price of petrol and electricity.

The minister said that the adjournment was to enable the representatives of organised labour subject the report to the analysis of their various organs.
“The Committee on Petroleum Pricing has finished its work and sent in the report. We have received and adopted the report,” he stressed.

Ngige also noted that the report of the technical committee on electricity tariff would be ready in a week’s time, and would also be reviewed alongside that of petroleum pricing on February 22, when the meeting would reconvene.
In his remark, NLC president Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that organised labour needed to do a broader consultation to come up with clear positions on what would be beneficial to both the Nigerian workers, and all Nigerians.

Wabba noted that the issues at stake touched on the life of every Nigerian.
According to Wabba, ”The whole essence of what we are arguing about is how to bring not only the price stability but also affordability.”

Saturday 6 February 2021

CBN ORDERS NIGERIAN BANKS TO CLOSE CRYPTOCURRENCY ACCOUNTS

The central bank of Nigeria, CBN,  has directed banks in the country to close all cryptocurrency-related accounts.

The Apex bank gave this directive in a statement on Friday.

The regulator prohibited all financial institutions from facilitating crypto currency payments in the country.

This directive is contained in a letter addressed to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)and other financial institutions (OFIs) on Friday.

This regulatory directive was confirmed by Osita Nwanisobi, CBN spokesman.

According to the letter, signed by Bello Hassan, director of banking supervision, and Musa Jimoh, director, payments system of management department, the apex bank directed all

DMBs, NBFIs and OFIs to identify persons and entities transacting in, or, operating crypto currency exchanges within their systems to close such accounts immediately.

In the letter, the CBN referenced a circular it issued in January 12,2017 ref FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 which cautioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)and other financial institutions (OFIs) as well as members of the public on the risk associated with transactions of crypto currency.

“Further to earlier regulatory directives on the subject, the Bank hereby wishes to remind regulated institutions that dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency is prohibited,” the statement reads.

“Please note that breaches of this directive will attract severe regulatory sanctions. This letter is with immediate effect,” the bank concluded.

Wednesday 3 February 2021

KANO HISBAH ARRESTS BARBER For GIVING CUSTOMERS HAIRCUTS THAT 'OFFEND' ISLAM


The Kano State Hisbah Corps has arrested a barber from Benue State, Elijah Ode, for allegedly giving his customers haircuts which offend the Islamic faith in the Sabongari area of the state.

It was learnt that the religious police force reportedly arraigned Ode on Tuesday and also had him remanded.

According to a Benue State activist, Smith Akoko, who first brought the matter to the attention of Nigerians, the barber, who is also a student, was arrested last Wednesday, after two of his customers were caught with hairstyles deemed blasphemous to the Islamic religion.

His cousin, Sunday Ukenya, who confirmed the incident to Akoko, said the Hisbah corps arraigned Elijah in court on Tuesday, February 2, and thereafter remanded him in prison.

It is not clear yet when his trial would resume.

Elijah Ode, a resident of Kano from Adum East, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, who combines his barbing vocation with his studies, was accused by the Islamic police of committing blasphemy in the cause of his work as a barber.

According to eyewitnesses, Elijah, who is well patronised by young people for possessing exceptional skills in giving trendy haircuts, attracted the wrath of the extremists last Wednesday when two of his customers were tortured to stupour for having haircuts claimed to be blasphemous to the Islam.

Thereupon, Elijah was traced to his barbershop, where he was arrested for complicity, and put in police detention with the two customers last week.

According to information obtained from a family member, Ode did not design the hairstyles with the intention to provoke.

The source said, “He is only being innovative and to improve on his work, which he used to eke out a living for himself and pay his fees at his tertiary institution of study in Kano, where he sponsors himself.

“The case is already in the court of law at the wish of the aggrieved Muslims with the first session heard yesterday. But all efforts by the young barber's lawyer to bail him proved abortive because of the claim that it is a major case and therefore not bailable.

“At the moment, the family has run out of hope, soliciting intercessory prayers as the reality of incarceration stares Elijah in the face.”

Tuesday 26 January 2021

BREAKING: BUHARI FINALLY SACKS SERVICE CHIEFS, APPOINTS NEW HANDS


President Muhammadu Buhari has finally sacked the service chiefs in the country with immediate effect after months of pressure exerted on him by Nigerians over worsening insecurity in the country.

The president also appointed new hands to take over the security architecture of the country at a time when terrorism and banditry are ravaging the country.

Special Adviser On Media and Publicity To President, Femi Adesina, made this known in a tweet on Tuesday.

Adesina wrote, “PMB appoints new Service Chiefs. Maj Gen LEO Irabor, CDS, Maj Gen I Attahiru, Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo, Navy, AVM IO Alao, Air Force.

“He congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country.”

Adesina wrote, “PMB appoints new Service Chiefs. Maj Gen LEO Irabor, CDS, Maj Gen I Attahiru, Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo, Navy, AVM IO Alao, Air Force.

“He congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country.”

Monday 25 January 2021

WIFE OF MAN WHO ACCUSED APOSTLE SULEMAN REACTS, SAYS HUSBAND MUST BE ON DRUGS

Pastor Mike Davids who came forward, alleging that Apostle Suleman slept with his wife has attracted a reaction from his wife, Pastor Faith Edeko.

Pastor Faith Edeko who heads the Abuja branch of Omega Fire Ministry has cleared the air on the issue, saying that Apostle Suleman is only but her ‘spiritual father’.

APOSTLE SULEIMAN IN ANOTHER SEX SCANDAL SLEEPS WITH PASTORS WIFE, POLICE BEGING PROBE

Apostle Suleiman 
The police are currently probing the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johson Suleman for allegedly sleeping with a pastor’s wife.nHe’s currently being probed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

According to Punch, the IGP ordered a probe of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, for allegedly sleeping with the wife of Pastor Mike Davids, threatening his life and denying him access to his children.

The woman Apostle Suleman is accused of sleeping with is known as Pastor Faith Edeko, who heads the Abuja branch of Omega Fire Ministries in Utako while her husband, Pastor Davids, has left the church.

The IGP conveyed the order in a letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, dated January 5, 2021.

The letter, with reference number CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/Vol.515/561, was signed by the Principal Staff Officer II to the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Iliya Doma.


The letter is sequel to a petition written by V.C Ezenagu & Associates on behalf of the aggrieved Pastor Davids who accused Apostle Suleman of threat to life and preventing him from seeing his three children.

The police letter is titled, ‘Re: Criminal Petition Against Apostle Johnson Suleman for Enticement of a Married Woman; Adultery; Unlawful Criminal Restraint to Access Children and Threat to Life’.

The letter reads in part, “I attach herewith a copy of a letter dated December 30, 2020 with its attachments received from V.C Ezenagu & Associates on the above underlined subject. The Inspector-General of Police directs that you treat. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards please.”

In the petition he sent to the IG, Davids said he met Apostle Suleman in 2003 while he was in school. He said they became very close and he was eventually ordained a pastor of Omega Fire Ministries on June 9, 2006 by Apostle Suleman and served the church for over 15 years before his exit in 2019. He attached his pastoral certificate with licence number 125 to the petition.

In three videos posted on Instagram on Sunday, the aggrieved pastor accused Suleman of sleeping with his wife and destroying his marriage.

Davids, who wept in the videos, said he began a relationship with his wife in secondary school and they courted for about 11 years before marriage.

He said in 2008 he introduced his wife – who was still his fiancée at the time – to Apostle Suleman whom he regarded as his spiritual father and she told him that Suleman had been making advances at her and once invited her to Reliance Hotel, Benin, but he never regarded it as anything serious.

The aggrieved pastor said things finally began to go downhill when he was posted to Osun State in 2010 shortly after the birth of their daughter, Michelle, in November 2009.

The petitioner said Apostle Suleman was setting up a gospel television station and then said he would need the assistance of his wife who was an employee of NTA.

He said it was during the visits to Apostle Suleman that he eventually slept with his wife but what made it more painful was that the act was done in the presence of their child.

Davids said, “My wife was a staffer with NTA Iruekpen, so Apostle Suleman reached out to her that they will need her to build Celebration TV and Rhema for Living. She would have to shuttle between Osun State and Auchi.

“She came back from Auchi to Osun State and said she wanted to talk to me that her conscience was pricking her. I asked what was it and she said that while in Auchi, Apostle Suleman lodged her at Uyi Grand Hotel and he came there and slept with her.

“And the moment she said that, the first thing that came to my mind was my daughter. I asked where was Michelle when this happened and she said Michelle was on the bed, pushed aside and I asked, ‘You mean you slept with a man with my daughter on the bed?’. I had to let it go because there was nobody I could tell and I couldn’t fight with Apostle Suleman… I forgave her but the amorous relationship continued. One thing I know is that my wife was hypnotised. This is not the woman I got married to, who I knew for 11 years.”

Davids said his relationship with Apostle Suleman soon turned sour and he was suspended but after the suspension was lifted, he refused to return and then started receiving threats from Apostle Suleman.

He alleged that when he left the church in July 2019, his wife started to fight with him and then his wife left the house with their three children and they relocated to Abuja.

The pastor said though estranged, he and his wife remain married because their marriage has not been dissolved by a competent court.

Davids said, “Apostle Suleman has given her a branch of the church in Utako, Abuja to head without permission. I am calling on Pastor David Oyedepo, Pastor Paul Enenche, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Margaret Idahosa, CAN, PFN.

“Apostle Suleman has damaged my life. I have not seen my wife and children for two years and Apostle Suleman says if I ever go near them, he will have me taken out. I have a video where he said he will make me disappear. I don’t want to lose my life.”

However, his wife in a video described her husband’s allegations as cheap blackmail, adding that it was the petitioner that abandoned the marriage and when her relatives reached out to him, he refused to return home.

She said the ordeal affected her health and she even contemplated suicide but her son stopped her.

Pastor Edeko, who wept in the video, said she never slept with Apostle Suleman, adding that she did not even have easy access to him.

She said, “There are recordings which I will upload. You told my brothers that I would crawl in the gutters. I told them not to do anything to you, that you are still the father of my kids. At some point, I contemplated suicide. I had written my suicide note, I had bought sniper because I could not fathom how I would live life in so much pain. I won’t drag you because of my children… you have done too much and it is enough. I am not hypnotised. I am not under a spell.”

She said she did not abandon her marriage. Rather, it was her husband who abandoned the family and even demanded a refund of her bride price from her family.

She said, “I don’t know what you hope to achieve, I don’t know who paid you but the only thing I will say is haven’t you done enough? Are you not tired of flogging someone’s daughter in pain?

“You left me in Kano. You called me on a certain day that you were going to leave the marriage. I thought you were bluffing. I called my people and they can testify. My elder brother called you from the UK. You told them you were leaving the marriage. My elder brother told me you were bluffing.

“I remember I begged you and then I got to the office and I collapsed, according to what my principal said because I found myself in the hospital.”

She said that no one was preventing Pastor Davids from seeing his children, adding that he lived in the same city with them but had refused to visit.

Attempts to reach Apostle Suleman proved abortive as his telephone line indicated that it was switched off. A text message was not responded to.

However, Resident Pastor, Omega Fire ministry, Headquarters, Joseph Iyare, who responded on behalf of Apostle Suleman in a terse text message, said Pastor Davids is “frustrated by his own evil deeds”.