The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has said that it would join the indefinite nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), over the controversy trailing the proposed N30,000 new minimum wage.
The Union President, Biobelomoye Josiah, who spoke today, Monday at a news conference in Abuja, said that members of the union would withdraw their services and consequently shutdown operations in their various places of work by midnight today in compliance with the directives issued to affiliate unions by the NLC.
Josiah said that the government should be held responsible for any hardships that may occur owing to their withdrawal of services in hospitals nationwide.
He said that the tripartite agreement which arrived at the N30,000.00 minimum wage increment has been jettisoned by the government, adding that they lacked the political will to review and implement the legitimate demands of the Nigerian workers.
“You may recall our National body, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the organized labour have called on all workers in Nigeria to gear up for an indefinite nationwide strike which will commence Mid-night today.
“This is as a result of the failure to implement the constitutional requiremnt of the upward review of the national minimum wage which is long overdue.
“We call on our members to remain resolute and be committed to the effective and orderly implementation of the nationwide strike commencing Tuesday except the government has a change of heart before then. It’s very obvious that the N18,000.00 National Minimum wage is no longer feasible and it is a trivialisation of a living wage.
“The government should be held responsible for the hardship that might occur (in hospitals) during the strike which ab initio should have been avoided, if the right thing had been done.
“Therefore we call on the government to increase the minimum wage to N30,000 which is a compromise figure agreed by the government and labour.”
There are indication that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), may the deployed to take over the services of civil servants who embark on nationwide strike from tomorrow, in accordance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Already serving corps members have been warned by the administrators of the scheme against joining the strike over the controversy trailing the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.
Director-General, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure, who addressed 2018 Batch “C” Stream One Corps Members today, Monday, at Ogun State Orientation Camp in Sagamu, asked corps members nationwide to be law-abiding and respect the constitution of the country as responsible leaders of today and tomorrow.
A statement by NYSC’s Director of Press, Mrs. Adenike Aderemi quoted Kazaure as saying: “there is no provision for strike action in NYSC Act but services that will uphold the corporate entity of the nation. Any Corps Member that violates the rules and regulations of the NYSC Scheme would be sanctioned accordingly.”
General Kazaure promised that NYSC Management would continue to strive for the improved welfare and security of all Corps Members.
He used the forum to appeal to the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition in order to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment as it would enable the become wealth creators and employers of labour.
Ogun State Coordinator, Mrs. Josephine Bakare in her brief remarks, lamented the inadequate accommodation for Corps Members and Camp Officials and the need to expand the lecture hall in order to accommodate more Corps Members during lectures and other social activities.
She said that the attention of the State Government has been drawn to non-payment of State allowance to Corps members, adding: “Corps members with serious health challenges were given instant relocation. 21 nursing mothers and 4 Corps Members got instant relocation on health grounds.”
A total of 2,464 Corps members comprising 1,207 males and 1,257 females registered in Ogun Camp.
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked labour unions that have called on workers to go on nationwide strike over the new minimum wage to consider what his government inherited from the previous governments and efforts being made to correct them.
President Buhari, Monday used the opportunity of the visit to him today, Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja by of members of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) led by Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora, to call on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve the strike which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Tuesday.
He emphasized the need for the labour unions to consider what his government inherited and the more it is doing with fewer resources in putting the economy right.
President Buhari said that before he took over the reign of power in 2015, “we all know the condition of our roads. The rails were literally killed. There was no power despite the admittance of some previous leadership that they spent $16 billion on the sector.
“There is no part of the country I haven’t been to, having attempted to be President four times.
”Today, we are getting our priorities right and we believe that of the three fundamental issues we campaigned on – security, the economy and fighting corruption- we have remained very relevant and Nigerians believe we have achieved something.”
He gave assurance that his administration will sustain massive investments to upgrade and develop the country’s transport and power infrastructure.
He appreciated the People’s Republic of China for financing some of the rail and power projects in the country through concessionary loans.
”I will do my best to see that where there are possibilities of making a quick improvement on infrastructure. We will do it.”
The President took note of some concerns raised by the retired Ambassadors including an appeal for the adjustment of their pension entitlements, retention of diplomatic passport for retired career ambassadors, allocation of land for ARCAN headquarters in Abuja and adequate funding of the Foreign Affairs ministry, among others.
President Buhari declares Open 11th Edition of the E-Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has given assurance that stage has been set by his government to advance Nigeria to what he called digital economy.
“The purpose of establishing these hubs is to facilitate digital capacity building for immediate employment, entrepreneurial skills development, job and wealth creation. All these are aimed at promoting the digital economy in an era of disruptive technology through effective regulations.”
President Buhari spoke today, Monday, at the commencement of this e-Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition with theme “Promoting Digital Economy in an Era of Disruptive Technologies Through Effective Regulations.”
The President stressed that his government’s commitment towards delivering good governance and development to Nigerians is as strong as ever, considering the huge role ICT is playing in the successes recorded in the past three and a half years.
He recalled that last year, he raised a number of issues relating to ICT’s role in fostering the digital economy in Nigeria, including:
The sector’s contribution of about 10% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). I am pleased to note that this has been taken seriously and stakeholders’ efforts resulted in ICT emerging as one of the key performers of the second quarter of 2018 by recording 11.81% growth.
We challenged the country’s reliance on foreign hardware resulting into the importation of about 80% of ICT hardware through local distributors of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by MDAs and other government establishments. We stressed the need for concerted efforts aimed at reversing the trend.
It is pleasing to note the efforts by all relevant stakeholders in forging strategic partnerships towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes an export hub for ICT hardware in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The efforts of NITDA aimed at reorganising the registration and certification process for OEMs to ensure adherence to world class standards as well as guarantee quality and durable devices are highly commendable.
The Agency is encouraged to work with relevant regulatory agencies to ensure strict compliance with these new regulatory instruments.
Furthermore, the Agency’s work on the Nigerian ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision that focuses on the development of Digital Infrastructure, Education Reform, Skills Development and Research and Development as well as supporting the ecosystem is highly commendable.
I understand that the Agency worked with relevant stakeholders in developing the document. I continue to encourage the Agency to use its regulatory instruments in ensuring full socialisation and implementation of this document.
We emphasised the need for the public service to be highly competitive, innovative and digitally-enabled to deliver public services and effectively drive government programs and policies. I note that NITDA and other relevant government agencies have taken this up by creating the enabling environment through the development of policies, frameworks, standards and guidelines.
I am aware that some of these regulatory instruments have been subjected to critical scrutiny and revision through a series of stakeholder engagements. Efforts should be intensified at making them public as well as sensitising public servants and the general public about the value of these regulatory instruments.
The enforcement of the use of the policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the impact they have made on the administration’s public financial management reforms.
In addition to the consolidation of accounts and elimination of ghost workers that resulted in a combined monthly savings of about N24.7 billion, the TSA facilitated the recovery of huge sums of money including the recent N1.6 billion from a single account. These policy initiatives reinforce this administration’s fight against corruption by ensuring transparency and accountability in government business transactions.
He also recalled the issuance of Presidential Executive Order 003 mandating all ministries, departments and agencies to give preference to locally manufactured goods and services in their procurement of information technology services, in order to strengthen its implementation as well as provide clear policy directions.
Buhari said that the Presidential Executive Order 005 was also issued in February this year, which he said, is part of his administration’s deliberate efforts and strong commitment at strengthening the role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the country’s socio-economic development.
“Of particular note is NITDA’s initiative focused on the Registration of IT Contractors and Service Providers in collaboration with other regulatory bodies with special emphasis on competencies. This will ensure the delivery of quality IT projects, as well as facilitate the development of indigenous IT companies in line with global best practices.
“You may also recall the remark about NITDA’s efforts at enforcing Federal Government’s directive on ensuring that all ICT projects in the country are cleared by it before implementation.
“This will ensure that government’s ICT procurements:
Are transparent,
Aligned with government’s IT shared vision and policy,
Lead to cost savings through promotion of shared services,
avoid duplication,
ensure compatibility of IT systems and improve efficiency in government business,
enforce the patronage of indigenous companies where capacity exists; and
uphold the highest standards for service delivery.
“In this administration’s efforts at ensuring full realisation of these objectives, a new Circular was issued in August this year, to reiterate this directive.
“NITDA is expected to work with all relevant government agencies to ensure full compliance with this directive. Defaulters of IT Clearance among the public establishments are to be reported to government.”
The President stressed that his g is seriously committed to fighting corruption, saying: “we must not fail in our quest to eliminate corruption in government businesses and in the wider society.
“The success of this administration’s Social Investment Programme (SIP), tagged as the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in our recent history, relies heavily on the application of ICT.
“Components of programmes such as the N-Power, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) and the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) all leverage on ICT. This programme has so far benefited over 9 million Nigerians.
“Furthermore, NITDA, in collaboration with the National Social Investment Office (NSIO), is coordinating Federal Government’s initiative of establishing eight (8) Innovation Hubs, one in each of the six Geo-Political Zones and one each in Lagos and Abuja.
“The purpose of establishing these hubs is to facilitate digital capacity building for immediate employment, entrepreneurial skills development, job and wealth creation. All these are aimed at promoting the digital economy in an era of disruptive technology through effective regulations.”
President Buhari enjoined participants at the Conference to come up with innovative ideas, workable and implementable recommendations that would help and enhance government’s efforts at creating the enabling environment for the promotion of the digital economy in an era of disruptive technologies, considering our peculiarities as a country.
There can never be any question about the justification for a wage increase in Nigeria. While wages have remained constant for some time, the value of the naira has depreciated with concomitant rises in prices of goods and services. It is therefore perfectly understandable that workers should agitate for wage increase. What is debatable is the timing of the demand as well as the possibility that a wage increase, rather than improve on the fortunes of workers, could indeed worsen their situation. Besides, wage movements are not static; any wage increase will have far-reaching long term implications as it impacts on other areas such as taxes and pensions.
From their initial demand of a minimum monthly salary of N65, 000, (as against the present minimum wage of N18, 000), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC), have descended to N30, 000 which is the new bone of contention. The Federal Government has reportedly offered N24, 500 even as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has pointedly warned that the wage increase would be difficult to implement. It is also no longer news that state governors have offered N22, 400 which the Federal Government and organised labour reportedly turned down. That leaves us with an impasse, a conundrum that is snowballing towards another strike, if labour should make good its threat to paralyze the nation starting November 6.
The entire wage saga has been one hard knot for Labour and Employment Minister, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige, to crack. Last Friday, speaking after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ngige assured that the Economic Management Team (EMT) would meet to reconsider the matter on Monday, October 29, 2019 with some state governors and the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF.
Flurry of meetings have taken place in Abuja and Lagos aimed at resolving the impasse. Meanwhile, labour has relocated to Lagos to perfect their strategies for the strike. For its part, Government has been engaging all parties-the NGF, the Organised Private Sector and labour. While labour insists that the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee set up by the FG arrived at a consensus figure of N30, 000 via a motion moved and seconded at the last meeting, the Hon. Minister of labour insists that the figure was not reached by mutual agreement and consensus as the FG delegation to the meeting had insisted on the figure of N24, 000 only.
As things stand, these groups now owe the nation the patriotic duty to arrive at a consensus that does not throw the national economy completely out of joint. To start with, everybody knows that many state governments are reeling under heavy wage burdens with many being unable to pay the present N18, 000. At the last count, only about NINE states are able to pay the minimum wage of N18, 000 regularly. The number of defaulting states would have been far higher but for the bailout funds from the Federal Government to the states. One wonders what gives labour the confidence that the defaulting state governments would conjure some magic to begin to live up to their responsibilities. If they cannot pay N18, 000, it is hard to understand how labour expects them to pay N30, 000. This demand looks like a clear invitation to chaos. Of course, the logical consequence will be the return to the retrenchment of workers, embargoes on employment and promotions especially in the public services of the states and the Federal Government. In fact the organised private sector will be off without excuse.
If the ramifications of a wage increase were to be limited to the public sector, perhaps it would have been less invidious. Unfortunately, any increase triggers agitation for more wages outside the civil service. Landlords and other service providers have not found a way of distinguishing between public servants and other tenants such as private sector workers or self-employed people who are managing to eke a living from their environment. The implication is that labour, by its uncompromising posture, may throw the nation into a bigger conundrum that it possibly could anticipate.
It is also common knowledge that, in the public service, any minimum wage increase will always have a concomitant wage adjustment from that of the lowest paid group with attendant consequential financial implications. It is instructive that the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma has already indicated that, in the public service of the Federation, this will run into hundreds of billions of naira. Labour owes the nation the patriotic duty to weigh the frightening implications of this unfolding burgeoning impasse for inflation, redundancy declarations and unemployment indices. Besides, with the Boko Haram insurgency and other flashpoints, it is doubtful if any government would fold its arms and watch labour or any group for that matter, paralyze strategic operations of the state.
Much more importantly, we do not need a soothsayer to predict that should labour make good its threat to down tools, the minimum wage quest could precipitate the kind of maximum conundrum that will make for huge losses in the fragile economy and unnecessary deaths following closure of public hospitals.
Let’s get it straight. Labour will be failing in its duty if it does not engage employers in a manner that enhances the welfare of its members. What is debatable is whether a wage increase is the only avenue for achieving that noble objective. By the way, a worker’s salary is only useful to the extent that it can procure needed goods and services with provision for the rainy day. I will admit that today’s wage cannot satisfy immediate needs let alone provide for savings. But has labour explored or been exploring other avenues that could enhance workers’ welfare? To some extent, yes; that is, if one factors in the various effort at providing houses for workers. Yet, again, one is tempted to ask, how many workers are able to benefit from these housing programs?
The disquieting saga of toying with workers wages has gone on for far too long that there is a sense in which labour could become an accessory to the unfortunate plight of workers through acquiescence in malfeasance, selective amnesia or outright failure of strategy. Over time, what obtains is that labour would hold the Federal Government by the jugular over workers salaries. You begin to wonder why labour cannot shut down those state governments that are notorious for denying workers their emoluments, to the extent of callously compelling them to indulge in the illegality of signing away portions of their salaries and pensions. The most recent case of the misuse of the bailout fund, by some states, reeks of the most callous display of inhumanity by those in whose care the workers have been entrusted. One would expect labour not simply to paralyze such state governments but to ensure that nobody associated with them ever gets elected or reelected. It should be emphasized that the Federal Government is not the culprit here. Labour should devise strategies to make their state councils not only alive but also accountable to workers.
If governments are held accountable as advocated above, the need for higher wages could become redundant because governments that are responsive to the needs of their people will definitely lay the infrastructure for development. For instance, if state governments provide good roads, hospitals and schools and assist small holder transport companies with soft loans, the transportation nightmare that erodes the income of workers will abate. If contiguous state governments develop light rail networks, such as the one in Abuja, transportation cost will be drastically reduced. If state governments provide free education (with free books as was done by the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande in Lagos State between 1979 and 1983), the financial burden of educating their children and wards will be so drastically mitigated that agitation for wages could decline. But that is not happening. Instead, for many a state government, the difference between public funds and their private pockets is only a function of the type of dress they are wearing. Many are known to have raided their states in the manner of the legendary English pirates of old, on the high seas.
As we ruminate over this issue, we cannot but return to the issue of the kind of federation we choose to run. Nigeria can no longer continue to deny that the era when the government could say that its problem was how to spend money, is gone forever. Concomitantly, the federal arrangement that supported that frivolous understanding of our economic power can no longer stand. By extension, it makes no sense to have a uniform minimum wage in all the states of the federation. If different states are differently endowed resource-wise, no matter how resource is defined, then the wage arrangement must accommodate these differences and allow for each state to pay according to its ability. It is therefore left to the worker to choose the state in which to work. Anything outside this is a futile effort in self-deception and can only deepen the wage conundrum bedeviling the country.
For us to get it right, we should also shun the temptation to think that the present agitation is about Ngige or President Muhammadu Buhari for that matter lest we have the case of the angry fellow who invoked rain and thunderstorm forgetting that his mother was away to the farm. Thus, in the instant case, there is the compelling need to adopt a bipartisan approach at consensus building, in the full realisation that whatever decision is reached will be implemented by administrations that cut across party lines. By the same token, one cannot over-emphasize the need for labour to tone down on its rhetoric and threats. During their first demonstration on Tuesday, I saw some placards saying “Remove Ngige for Minimum Wage”. My immediate impression was that some labour leaders have misinformed their members because in the history of labour and productivity, Nigeria has not had a more vibrant labour minister than Ngige who, by all means, is very much qualified for the job and who has brought Nigeria back to the Governing Board of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, after 10 years exit.
Politics aside, the steps being taken by the Federal Government in the areas of infrastructure and social inclusion carry the prospect of enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians. I get amused when people say that the Buhari Administration is commissioning projects started by other administrations. One such project is the Abuja-Kaduna rail-line and the other rail projects all over the country. That will sound implausible to anybody from my town, Nsu in the Ehime Mbano Local Government of Imo State. A hospital started by the government of the defunct East Central State is lying there uncompleted. It is like Ajaokuta Steel Complex, the Second Niger Bridge before now and similar uncompleted or abandoned projects all over the country. If our recommendation to Buhari is that he should abandon the projects he inherited, then we are teaching our children the wrong things.
Back to the wage palaver; between government and labour, it is important to realize that Nigeria has technically been at war for about seven years; that the country is sitting on a fragile peace; that some moments in the history of a country call for sober reflection and sacrifice. In my view, this is one such moment. Both labour and the Government owe the people the duty of discretion: let them exercise it.
Former Lagos State Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure in the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as emerged as the running-mate to the Gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwoolu for 2019 governorship poll.
State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun who presentated the running mate today, Sunday, during a media conference at the party’s Secretariat, Acme, Ogba, Lagos, said: “Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are fantastic team that will bring development to Lagos and build a Lagos that everybody will be proud of if voted for during the 2019 governorship elections.
“The highest decision making body of APC, the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, together with all the relevant stakeholders of APC in Lagos State have endorsed Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as the running mate to the candidate of APC in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “After the endorsement, it is important for me to publicly and officially present Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as the running mate of our candidate, Sanwo-Olu for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Lagos State.”
Sanwo-Olu, in his address, appreciated the decision to pick Hamzat as his running mate, saying: “Lagos will be better and enriched with the caliber of Hamzat being my running mate if elected. “I am here to confirm that the party in consultation with me have decided to formally unveil and publicly present the candidacy of my running mate, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat.
“Dr. Hamzat and I have been players in the same political matters for many years. We have been friends and brothers for close to two decades now. He is a man of deep intellectual knowledge. “He is a man of high level of integrity. He is a man that I have worked closely with in different service.
“He is competent and I know he is somebody that I know very well and will help me and together, we will take Lagos to the level that we are promising; a level that will enhance all of us. “He is a technocrat and politician who have also worked in the private and public sector. He is a gentleman that I personally respect a lot and dare say that Lagos will be better and enriched with the caliber of Dr. Hamzat being my running mate.”
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat said: “Lagos is dear to all of us. And if Nigeria will be great, which by God’s grace we will; Lagos must be great. And as such our party decided to look for a candidate like Sanwo-Olu, who has the experience, integrity and capability to run the affairs of this state. We are now a global village and what we do in Lagos affect everywhere in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
“So, I am very happy. I feel very happy and I feel a sense of responsibility that the party after sitting together, have selected me to be his running mate so that we can work together with our experiences.
“We have known each other for over 15 years professionally and personally. So, we have the chemistry and I dare say that we understand the geography of Lagos.
“Mr. Sanwo-Olu and I understand what it takes to cook what Lagosians will eat. So, we will display that very soon. The campaign will start and we will show Lagosians that we are a team with APC that can take Lagos to the next level. So, I am very happy and on behalf of myself and my family, I want to thank Sanwo-Olu and the party leaders for their decision to appoint me as the running mate.”
All Unions in the Nigerian Aviation industry have announced that they will shut down all services and flight schedules in all Nigerian airports, beginning from Tuesday, November 6 in solidarity with the planned nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over failure by the government to agree on new minimum wage.
The aviation workers’unions, made up of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), in a notice dated November 3, 2018, said that they would participate actively in the strike to call for improved wages for members.
The notice was signed by Comrades Temenu Akinola (NUATE), Frances Akinjole (ATSSSAN), Ocheme Aba (NAAPE) and Abdulrasaq Saidu for ANAP.
They said that the Nigerian airspace would be shut down from 12 am on November 6, 2018.nThe notice also applied to all businesses and agencies involved with aviation
The notice read in part: “In complying with the directive of the labour centers, therefore, we issue this notice to all workers in the aviation sector to withdraw all services from 00:00hrs of November 6, 2018.
“The notice also applies to all businesses and agencies involved with aviation to be aware of the above situation and adjust business accordingly. The general public, especially the international traveling public, are equally notified to avoid, or cancel, plans to utilize workers in the aviation sector.
“For emphasis, all workers must comply with this directive as our unions will not tolerate any sabotage of the strike.”
Nigerian Army has vowed to bring down the insurgency which members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shiites have commenced on with their recent attack on military in Abuja more dangerous than Boko Haram.
“They are supposed to be a religious organization. Where did they get those arms and ammunition? This was how Boko Haram started; in fact, it was not even as serious as this, said the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ),John Agim, in an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show.
John Agim, who denied allegations that the military was sent to disrupt the procession of the movement, noted: “there are different narratives out there that are not correct. It is not true that the military is being used to stop the Shiites from their normal procession.
“Right from 2015, we have been hearing about the issue of Shiites and the military. It has never been that the military was sent to stop whatever thing they are doing.
“The problem emanates from the philosophy that guide the movement. The clash that you see, in fact three times now, is that the Shiites obstruct the military from doing their job. They are a law unto themselves. They do anything.
“The narrative is being given by an international community and it is very simple. They want to make the military look unprofessional.
“They have the right to protest. But when you protest, protest lawfully. Anybody that does not obey the laws of the land should be sanctioned,” Agim said.
Asked why the Shiites are asked to obey the law, while the federal government has refused to obey the court order to release Zakzaky, Agim said: “So they are attacking the military to show their dissatisfaction with the government? Then they should be ready for the consequence.
“We don’t have rubber bullets when we are sent on assignments. So, if any organisation that is not happy with the government want to take on the military, then they should be ready for the consequence.
“Whatever the problem of the Shi’ites with the federal government, let them take it constitutionally. You take on any military in the world and you will be taken down.”
Shiites clashed with soldiers in some parts of Abuja last week during which three members were confirmed dead by the Army, though the group declared 1,000 of its members missing.
File Photo of police PRO, Jimoh Moshood addressing press
The Nigeria Police Force has described report in a national daily newspaper captioned “Illegal Helicopter Charter Flights Spark Row in Aviation Sector,” as mischievous and condemnable.
Reacting to the report today, Sunday in a statement, the Police Force Public Realtions Officer, Jimoh Moshood said that helicopters on the fleet of the Nigeria Police Force’s Air-wing don’t run commercial or chartered shuttle services as claimed by the writer of the story
“The Force’s Police Air-wing did not carry out any chartered shuttle for a paltry $30,000.00 and is not aware of the cost of charter for which commercial operators charge $105,000.00.”
The Police Force insisted that the helicopters are usually deployed on regular basis for operational purposes and to aid other security and safety agencies in their operations and other activities in line with inter-agency cooperation and collaboration, adding that there was no time the Police helicopters were deployed for hire and reward or for charter.
“To educate the writer and set the record straight, only one (1) Police Bell helicopter 412 was deployed to Gombe, Gombe State on the 29th October, 2018 to fly the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Training and Development representing the Inspector General of Police at the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony of Nigeria Army University at Biu, Borno State. The Police Bell helicopter 412 flew the DIG, Department of Training and Development and some Senior Military Officers from Gombe, Gombe State to Biu, Borno State and back on 30th October, 2018 without any payment from the Military or any other party.
“The Police Bell 412 helicopter flights on the date of the occasion was purely for the Inspector General of Police to be represented at the event while the IGP was attending a State function in Kaduna, Kaduna State. Other Military Officers flown to and back from the event was purely on inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.
“It is imperative to correct the wrong impression that must have been created by the misleading report and the misinformation in the minds of the public most especially those who must have read the story, that the Force’s Police Air-wing did not carry out any chartered shuttle for a paltry $30,000.00 and is not aware of the cost of charter for which commercial operators charge $105,000.00. This is mischievous and a figment of the imagination of the writer. The writer should be bold to tell the public whose account the alleged paltry $30,000.00 was paid into or who receives the money and on whose behalf.
“It is equally on record that so many joint operations between the Police, the Military and other security and safety agencies involving the Police Air-wing have been ongoing in the interest of National Security.
“Consequently, the Force sees the report as a deliberate and desperate act to cause misunderstanding and distortion of the intention of the Force to continue to assist other security and safety agencies in carrying out statutory duties and other National assignments. The Force also did not deploy the Police Air-wing helicopters for illegal charters between Kaduna to Abuja last year during the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport renovation as claimed by the writer in the report, this is not correct, it is mischievous and condemnable.”
The Force said that it is not under any investigation by the NCAA and the Police Air-wing will continue to abide by all regulations under the purview of the regulatory body.
The police asked members of the Public to disregard and discountenance the report in its entirety as incorrect, mischievous and misinformation.
While it acknowledged that the Police and the media will continue to be veritable partners in ensuring aviation safety and security, it stressed that the media should not to allow the pages of their very esteemed newspapers to be used to publish or sponsor falsehood by mischievous individuals.
Asked if he has to choose between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Presidential election, who will he go for, former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said: “if it is impossible to have a third alternative, I will rather go for Buhari because he is the reality on ground. And with the alliances that the PDP has now, particularly in the form of former Heads of State who contributed immensely to the negative state of the nation, in view of that alliance, I think the table has turned from 2015 to 2019.
In 2015, we thought because of the fascist tendencies of Buhari the PDP and Jonathan were less fascists, but now the table has turned to make the PDP even more fascist than the APC because of its new alliances with the former Heads of State, the alliance which is only based on stopping Buhari from having a second term and we have been able to realize why the alliance is being promoted.
It is because of the threat that Buhari may pose to other Heads of State because he may go to the next logical step and probe the annulment of June 12. He may also go to the next step required to do something about this disabling level of corruption, stealing and criminal level in the country.
This ganging up of former military Heads of State in the PDP may be aimed at saving themselves from possible probe of June 12, which may involve all of them and this is the criminal level of corruption which they have developed from one state to another.
Don’t forget that Atiku was picked by northern leaders led by the late Adamu Ciroma as the northern candidate before now and…
The interview was conducted by Kenny Ashaka
Read on:
Since the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Balarabe Musa seems to have turned against the PDP and its standard bearer.
The ex-governor who recently said killings of innocent Nigerians would continue beyond 2019, reeled out a number of reasons why Buhari is better than Atiku.
“In 2015, we thought because of the fascist tendencies of Buhari the PDP and Jonathan were less fascists, but now the table has turned to make the PDP even more fascist than the APC because of its new alliances with the former Heads of State, the alliance which is only based on stopping Buhari from having a second term and we have been able to realize why the alliance is being promoted,” he said.
He said that the emergence of Atiku was a gang up of the ruling class in Nigeria.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP. What is your thought on that? I have not seen any qualitative, demonstrative difference between him and Buhari and between the APC and the PDP. The negative state of the nation will not change. It will remain the same. We still need a credible, qualitative and demonstrative third alternative. Whether that can come under the present realities of the nation or not is another matter. Assuming you are faced with only two candidates, Buhari and Atiku in the contest, which candidate will you choose? I hope I will not have to choose. But as I have said if it becomes impossible under the conditions in Nigeria to have a third alternative and it is possible with the dilemma in which we are in Nigeria.
However, if it is impossible to have a third alternative, I will rather go for Buhari because he is the reality on ground. And with the alliances that the PDP has now particularly in the form of former Heads of State who contributed immensely to the negative state of the nation, in view of that alliance I think the table has turned from 2015 to 2019.
In 2015, we thought because of the fascist tendencies of Buhari the PDP and Jonathan were less fascists, but now the table has turned to make the PDP even more fascist than the APC because of its new alliances with the former Heads of State, the alliance which is only based on stopping Buhari from having a second term and we have been able to realize why the alliance is being promoted.
It is because of the threat that Buhari may pose to other Heads of State because he may go to the next logical step and probe the annulment of June 12. He may also go to the next step required to do something about this disabling level of corruption, stealing and criminal level in the country.
This ganging up of former military Heads of State in the PDP may be aimed at saving themselves from possible probe of June 12, which may involve all of them and this is the criminal level of corruption which they have developed from one state to another.
Don’t forget that Atiku was picked by northern leaders led by the late Adamu Ciroma as the northern candidate before now and…
(Cuts in) Wait let me tell you. In Nigeria, since after the 1966 coup it has always been conspiracy alliance, conspiracy to donate the presidency to one part of the country because of certain things.
For instance, the presidency was donated to the North under Shagari because it was considered by the ruling elite from all over the country that Shagari, which is northern based can stop the military from coming back. This conspiracy had nothing to do with region, tribe or religion.
No. It is class interest by the ruling elite. They decided to donate the presidency to the North, then to the Southwest, then to the South-south. But now that they are becoming bankrupt in their process because they cannot continue the donation, they are now denying donating it to the East because the East being republican is likely to be more enterprising and a more serious competitor to them.
So, don’t let us deceive ourselves. The ruling class has always conspired to donate the presidency to one section because of its class interest.
The totality of what you have said is that Buhari is better than Atiku? As I said if you have to chose and there is no third alternative. A third alternative can emerge anytime from now. But if we don’t have the third alternative then Buhari is better than Atiku because on the whole Buhari is less fascist than the alliance that brought about the success of Atiku and the alliance is more threatening to Nigerians.
People are likely to ask if the alliance is more fascist than the Executive Order 6? Yes, I support Executive Order 6 because how can you stop this level of corruption and criminal waste of resources. And how can you stop those who stole, who are using legal techniques and their wealth to stop probing. So, I support Executive Order 6 clearly.
However, we may differ in its implementation. But I support the Executive Order 6 because that is the only way you can curb the powers of the thieves in Nigeria because they are so powerful. They are even more powerful than the government. It is the reality.
Our concern is the interest of Nigeria. We are concerned about Nigeria’s unity, democracy and development. These are the three issues we are concerned with. We do not want a continuation of this negative state of the nation.
Are you confident Buhari will defeat Atiku in an election? I hope Buhari will defeat Atiku. I can’t be sure, but let me tell you the ruling class in Nigeria since 2002 started a two party system in Nigeria. We fought it with the help of Gani Fawehinmi and changed the situation and got a liberal form of formation and registration of political parties because we didn’t want a two party system.
They really wanted one party system, Kaduna Mafia wanted one party system, but because of their new alliances with their southern counterparts they agreed to have a two party system with one government party and one loyal opposition.
We fought against it with Gani Fawehinmi under the Conference of the Nigerian Political Parties up to Supreme Court, which enabled us to get a liberal form of formation and registration of political parties. With the result now we have 91 political parties instead of one or two. Now these people are now ganging up, the two of them and their candidates and they don’t make any difference as far as the business and people of Nigeria are concerned. But since the third force has not come up yet, it will and it may.
From now till February there will be a third force because we are convinced that in spite of the degeneration we still hope for a peaceful, constitutional revolution. Where will the third force come from when all the candidates have emerged? The third force can come from… for instance, out of the 91 parties it will not be impossible for one of them to change course because the existence of 91 political parties means the ruling class has lost control and anything can emerge. Are you satisfied with Buhari’s performance so far? That is why I said the alternative between him and Atiku is not a demonstrative and qualitative alternative. Yes, I am not satisfied, but what I am saying is that we have to bring about a satisfactory leadership alternative, which will help to remove this negative state of the nation.
I hope that the third alternative which is an alternative to APC, PDP, not just alternative, but qualitative, demonstrative alternative to them. At the moment it doesn’t even seem to me in sight, but it is not impossible a revolution can change anything and we see this is still possible because the ruling class has defeated itself.
What will you say to Nigerians who are now saying that the past regime of President Goodluck Jonathan is better than this one because now we have more jobless people, Nigerians are hungrier and that the statistics of various sectors of the economy are now getting to frightening proportion. Why don’t we give Atiku a chance to see if he can make a difference? But we know these people. We know their platforms. We are even older than them. We have even been in politics before them. So, they are not people unknown to us. We can compare them with anybody because we know both of them.
It is on the basis of that comparison that we believe if we are left with and I hope we will not be left with the two of them then Buhari is even safer because of the alliances behind Atiku now. If the alliance with the former military Heads of State had not happened then we would have had hopes that he would be better. But how can he be better with this alliance, which is at the root of Nigeria’s degeneration?
Are you saying that Buhari is not part of the degeneration of Nigeria, himself being a former Head of State? I agree. But that is why I said there is no difference between the two of them. We will have to choose and I hope we won’t have to choose between only the two. We still have hopes for an alternative, which is qualitative and demonstrative anytime from now.
It is like the country is drifting to an anarchical stage the way things are going under this regime. Are you seeing that? Yes, I know. But it would even be worse with Atiku and the former Heads of State who degraded Nigeria so much. It would even be worse. Even the fear of fascism will be worse. Obviously, I would have supported Atiku if he had not aligned with the former Heads of State and in spite of the fact that he too belongs to the same class I still would have supported him because he wouldn’t have been such a strong threat. I will give you an example.
We had this before. Take the case of Abiola. Abiola belonged to them. The military made him what he was, but he had conscience enough to say look I have risen this far. Anything I need, I can get it. Let us think of the other people if we want peace, if we want to enjoy what we own. He propounded an idea, which is very important, separate the bread.
He was tired of the condition of the masses and the opulence of the rich and powerful class. He said let us use the privileges and powers we have to make life better for the others. Let us separate the bread.
Can Atiku say the same thing? And that statement to those of us who are historical, who can relate with realities gave us hope that Abiola understood his class origin, how noble it was, but because of the help of government he became the richest member of the powerful, ruling class. But he was not satisfied.
He felt he was not safe and propounded the idea of separate the bread. Didn’t he do that? I am old enough to know that during the heat of his campaign even during the election, June 12 election he was propagating the idea separate the bread. Is Atiku capable of doing that to assess him more than we are assessing him now? Let’s be realistic.
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The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has said that it would join the indefinite nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), over the controversy trailing the proposed N30,000 new minimum wage.
There are indication that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), may the deployed to take over the services of civil servants who embark on nationwide strike from tomorrow, in accordance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked labour unions that have called on workers to go on nationwide strike over the new minimum wage to consider what his government inherited from the previous governments and efforts being made to correct them.
Former Lagos State Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure in the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as emerged as the running-mate to the Gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwoolu for 2019 governorship poll.
Asked if he has to choose between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Presidential election, who will he go for, former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said: “if it is impossible to have a third alternative, I will rather go for Buhari because he is the reality on ground. And with the alliances that the PDP has now, particularly in the form of former Heads of State who contributed immensely to the negative state of the nation, in view of that alliance, I think the table has turned from 2015 to 2019.
