We Can’t Continue To Pay Workers N7.8 Billion Monthly Wage – Benue Governor

October 17, 2017

Governor Samuel Ortom has made it clear that his government would not be able to continue with N7.8 Billion monthly wage bill that had rendered the state weak in terms of financial obligations.

The governor, who spoke to news men at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, Tuesday, said: “honestly, N7.8 billion wage bill for Benue State is out of place and there is no way we will continue in this manner. I and my council have looked at the wage bill and compare with what people are collecting elsewhere in the country and we have come to an average of N4.5 billion that we just have to review it to that.”

Governor Ortom said that the state wage bill is one of the highest in Nigeria, adding that even his predecessor admitted that there was mistake in negotiating with the workers.

He said that the workers had continued to resist attempts to bring wage down.

“Now we have no choice. We have said it, especially when the leadership of the labour congress came and we Dialogue and we have set up technical committees comprising technical team from labour congress and technical team from my government; they will look at it and review wage bill and ensure that leakages are eliminated, salary padding and ghost workers and all that.

The governor said that an average income for the State, both from federation account and Internally Generated Revenue are slightly above N6 billion, adding: “so, if you are paying salaries alone, you are having a deficit of N1.8 billion a month. It is impossible and we have security issues to tackle and several other things that government must run and so it becomes a big problem.”

The governor acknowledged that he had no problem with his workers because they understood the situation even as he said that his government is transparent.

“I can assure you that in the next few weeks, that is what we are working on and by the grace of God, we will come to a reasonable figure that we will be able to pay salaries as at when due.”

He said that his government inherited N69 billion arrears on pensions, gratuities and salaries.

“Then over N70 billion contractual obligations and so it has been a huge burden on our finances and so Mr. President too has promised to find ways that the state can also get support.” [myad]

Tinubu Hails Gani Adams For Being Made Aare Ona Kakanfo

Greenbarge Reporters

October 17, 2017

The national leader of the All Progressives National Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the choice of the Oodua Peoples Congress Leader, Otunba Gani Adams, as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

Asiwaju Tinubu commended the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, for breaking the 19 years hiatus, after the death of the last holder of the title, MKO Abiola, in picking another nominee for the prestigious title.

The APC leader acknowledged that Gani Adams deserved the title as he had never left anyone in doubt over his resolve to fight for the interest of Yoruba race.

In a letter to Otunba Adams dated October 17, Tinubu, who is the former Lagos State governor described him as a man with a steely heart.

“I congratulate you on your appointment as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

With this, you have joined the elite rank of generalissimos in Yorubaland.

“You deserve this honour. You have a heart of steel. You have never left anyone in doubt about your resolve and readiness to fight for and defend the interest of Yoruba race.

“In Yorubaland, particularly in the old Oyo Empire, the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo has always been a significant one

“You are now the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo. Going through the list of those who have occupied the position, you come with an extra youth, vigour and vitality, which would be an added advantage as you forge ahead in the service of our people.

“I rejoice with you and wish you well as you assume this leadership mantle.”

In another letter to Alaafin, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “May I congratulate you Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, over the appointment of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

“You have accomplished another important task. You have broken the 19 years hiatus in picking another nominee for this prestigious title.

“Otunba Gani Adams’ appointment comes after the demise of the last occupant of the office, Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12 election, who died in incarceration in 1998.

“I commend you Kabiyesi for the thorough search which produced the Oodua People’s Congress Leader as the next occupant.

“While wishing you renewed strength, good health and continued successful reign, I also wish the new Aare Ona kakanfo a glorious tenure.” [myad]

President Buhari Flies To Turkey Tomorrow For D-8 Summit

Greenbarge Reporters

October 17, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart for Istanbul, capital of Turkey to participate in the ninth Summit of the Developing 8 (D-8) which comes up on Friday, October 20.

A statement by the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that prior to the D-8 Summit, President Buhari, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, will participate in an official working visit to Ankara, the capital city.

He said that in Ankara, the President will have a tete-a-tete with his Turkish counterpart while delegations from both countries will hold discussions in various fields including defence cooperation, security, educational and migration issues.

The statement said that Buhari will also visit the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara where he will meet with the Speaker, Ismail Kahraman.

Adesina said that while in Istanbul, the Turkish commercial centre, President Buhari will use the occasion of the D-8 Summit to bolster warm and growing ties across a broad range of areas of cooperation with leaders of the D8-member countries, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.

The Summit with the theme: “Expanding Opportunities through Cooperation,” will among other things, focus on cooperation in the areas of agriculture, trade, transport, energy and increased private sector participation among member-countries.

“During the ninth Summit of the D-8, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of the organisation established to improve the developing countries’ positions in the world economy, the President will highlight the significant show of confidence in Nigeria’s business environment and economy.

“He will also affirm Nigeria’s resolve to work with D-8 member-countries on many key areas, including peace and security, economy and trade.

“At the end of the Summit, the Heads of State and Government will adopt a Communiqué, also known as the ‘Istanbul Declaration’.

“The President will be accompanied on the trip by ministers, top government officials, including the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali.” [myad]

Jaizbank, Others Emerge Highest Price Gainers At Stock Exchange

Greenbarge Reporters

October 17, 2017

Jaizbank, Intbrew, Nem, Firstalum and Aiico have emerged the highest price gainers on the chart at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The CBP daily financial market update today, Tuesday, showed that at the Stock Exchange, the Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 175.24 million shares exchanged for ₦2.278 billion while the consumer goods came next with 18.134 million shares traded for ₦1.38 billion even as industrial goods and agriculture, Conglomerates sectors followed in that order on the activity chart.

It said that All Share Index (ASI) and the Market Capitalization decreased by 0.816%, while the Year-to-Date return stood at 36.45%.

According to the updates, the All Share Index closed at 36,669.61 against the previous close of 36,971.27 while Market Capitalization closed at ₦12.622 trillion against previous close of ₦12.726 trillion even as volume traded decreased by 1.44% from 214.959 million to 211.874 million, while the total value of stock traded increased by 73.63% from ₦2.731 billion to ₦4.742 billion in 3,890 deals. Fidelitybk, Zenithbank, Guaranty, Access and UBA were the most active stocks by volume. [myad]

Buhari Signs Bill On University Of Petroleum Resources In Delta State

Greenbarge Reporters

October 17, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, a bill establishing University of Petroleum Resources at Effurun in Delta State of Nigeria.

At a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, Tuesday, the President pledged continued support for the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region.

“This administration is fully committed to supporting the Niger Delta in its endeavours to achieve socio-economic development.”

President Buhari appealed to all communities in the region to strive for peace through dialogue in resolving all conflicts not only among them, but also with business entities and the authorities.

With the signing of the bill into law, the path has been cleared for the establishment of the specialised university in the Niger Delta, charged with training and research in petroleum technologies. [myad]

IBB Warns Politicians: Don’t Toy With Unity Of Nigeria

October 16, 2017

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has warned politicians not to toy with the unity of Nigeria which he and other military officers fought war to keep.
The former President, who received and members of Peoples Democratic party (PDP) at his uphill residence in Minna, the Niger State capital today, Monday, stressed the need for the politicians to focus their political activities and work hard for the unity of the country.
He emphasised that the politicians should maintain the sacrifices the military made to unite the country, adding: “we fought a war and remained United, therefore, politics should always be geared towards unity of the country.”
Members of the delegation were Professor Jerry Gana; Former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; Senator Ibrahim Mantu; former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Hajiya Inna Chiroma and Alhaki Shehu Gabam.[myad]

Buhari Angry With ‘Madness’ In Plateau, Says It Has Gone Too Far

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2017

Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong — Plateau state governor,
Simon Lalong

President Muhammadu Buhari is obviously not happy with the recent killings of at least 20 people in Plateau State, describing it madness that has gone too far.
A statement by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as having instructed the military and the police to bring the violence to an instant end and to draw up a plan to ensure that there are no further attacks and reprisal attacks by one group against the other.
The President said that he saddened by the killing of at least 20 people in the State in what has been described as a reprisal attack by some herdsmen, even as he vowed to protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s unity.
He encouraged Nigerians of all groups to learn to live together in peace and harmony.
He commiserated with the governor and people of Plateau State and with those who lost their loved ones, friends and family.[myad]

Commission Asks VC, Federal University, Otuoke To Refund Millions Of Naira Excess Salaries

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2017

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, has directed the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa State, Professor Mobolaji Aluko to refund over-payment of salaries running into millions of Naira.
The Registrar of the university, David Suowari, was also directed to refund cumulatively the sum of N130,692.71 per month in excess of his due salary.
The over-payments were said to have been discovered during the commission’s visit to the institution on May 12, 2015 to carry out inspection of FUO’s remuneration practices vis-a-vis the extant government’s pay policy.
The VC and the Registrar were accused of appropriating certain allowances to themselves that were not approved by the government.
These concerns were raised in a letter from NSIWC to Aluko, signed for the Chairman of the Commission by the Director of Compensation, Chike Ogbechie.
The commission said: “The findings of the inspection in respect of your institution (Federal University, Otuoke) were as follows
The Vice-Chancellor was being paid total emoluments of N1,970,476.76 monthly, whereas he should not earn more than N922,810.23.
On the other hand, the commission said the Registrar was being paid N130,692.71 in excess of his due salary of N502,580.25.
The commission also said the university disaggregated its staff salaries, against government’s policy of pay consolidation.
The NSIWC, therefore, directed the university to stop “the wrongful practices.
“We hereby direct the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar to refund the cumulative over-payments made to them.”
However in reaction to the commission’s position, Aluko said that there was neither disaggregation of salaries nor overpayment of salaries.
The Vice-Chancellor said: “Rather, pension and health insurance allowances were due to three of us, Diaspora Vice-Chancellors who are on Sabbatical from our foreign universities, and co-paid monthly in Naira to us for payment to those foreign universities.
“Without that concession occurring, our own local salaries would have been wiped out completely and we could not have accepted the job.”
Aluko wondered why the issue was coming up in the fifth and final year of their tenure.[myad]

I Will Not Pay Workers On Strike, Kogi Gov Vows; Insists They Are Political Civil Servants

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2017

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has vowed not to pay workers in the state that are currently on strike, describing them as political civil servants.
The governor insisted that he had cleared the backlog of salary arrears which he inherited from the previous governments ran by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Yahaya Bello, who answered reporters’ questions today, Monday, shortly after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said: “we are trying are best to keep up with the payment of salaries. There is no denying the fact that the economy is biting hard everywhere and you will recall that I met four months salary backlog. I cleared it and today we are keeping up to date. We are owing August and September (salaries) as we speak. We are up to date in terms of salaries and those that come to work we shall pay them and those that don’t come to work, the no work no pay shall surely apply.
“Those workers that are on Strike are political civil servants. The real civil servants are coming to work.”
The governor said that the state is very stable now in terms of political activities, adding that it is just a few “Diaspora politicians that are making noise in the media and I think you can’t stop them from making noise when they want to, but the reality on ground is that Kogi State is very very stable.”
He appealed to those he described as “the good people of Kogi state” to continue to be patient with his government. “Things are hard generally and we are trying our best and that is why we are transparent in everything that we do. I’m sure you are aware of the periodic publishing of our accounts.
“Very soon, we are going to publish all the salaries that we have paid to workers since inception in newspapers for people to see.”
Alhaji Yahaya Bello said that all the noise about the fact that Kogi state is not paying salaries will be brough to the public domain.
On the recent attack of an editor by his security detail, the governor said: “you can never rule out overzealousness of some security agencies and any time they try to take laws into their hands, we will deal with it appropriately.
“I am very sure that those that tried to assault a journalist have been dealt with according to the law.”[myad]

Dangote Launches Youth Rice Farming In Kogi, Hits Town With 1 Million Tons Of Rice In 2018

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2017

Dangote Rice Limited has launched in Kogi State, a multi-million Naira Youth Farming Initiative that is aimed at engaging teeming unemployed Nigerian graduates in rice farming.
This is even as the Company prepares to hit the market with One million metric tons of Dangote rice in 2018.
The Dangote Youth Rice Farm project, mainly an out-grower scheme for youths only, was flagged off at the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, Kampe, Ejiba in Yagba West local government area of the state where youth have embarked on rice cultivation of over 100 hectares of land.
The rice farm project, which was preceded by a special training for the youth farmers on the dynamics of the rice farming, will see the youths cultivating the rice paddy on a 100 hectares of land, which will then be bought over by the company for processing.
Under the scheme, the Dangote Rice company would provide the seedling, anti-pest-chemicals, and fertilizers while the Basing Authority would provide the land for the young farmers.
The management of Dangote rice, led by the Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin flagged off the project while taking delivery of some rice paddy bags produced from the pilot project.
Edwin said that the project is a new dimension to the efforts by the pan-African conglomerate, the Dangote Group, at ensuring food security and creating job opportunities in Nigeria especially for the youths saying this Initiative is in line with the vision and commitment of Dangote Industries Limited to create a new generation of agri-preneur that will revolutionize the Nigerian agricultural sector.
“We believe skill, knowledge, enabling environment, collaboration and linkages along the value chain are driving forces for economic empowerment and social development in line with the Federal Government policies. This project will address the skills gap in local rice production among unemployed youths by providing technical, organisational and financial requirements.”
He said that it would also enhance domestic rice production to cover the large gap between demand and domestic production and to increase self-sufficiency of Nigeria and substitute imported rice by quality Nigerian rice brands.
Edwin disclosed that most modern rice mills in Nigeria presently operate at not more than 20% capacity utilization due mainly to lack of good quality paddy and that Dangote Rice aimed to change this situation developing and adapting out-grower schemes. According to him, the Dangote Rice Company plans to set up a 150,000 metric tons integrated rice mill and offer for sale one million mt of par boiled rice by 2018.
The Dangote Group boss stated that the decision of the management to start the project was driven by two factors, one of which is the need for youth employment through empowerment to go into agriculture.
“The youths are more vulnerable to crimes and other social vices when they have nothing to engage them and this in turn affect the nation negatively.
“The second factor is the need to strengthen the on-going efforts at producing rice for self-sufficiency so that we can save foreign exchange. By the time we will be doing one million metric tons of rice next year, no less than three million jobs would been created along the value chain.”
Edwin said that the Kogi pilot project will cover four season of two years and will be launched in four other states soon.
In his remark, the Managing Director of Dangote Rice, Robert Coleman urged the youth farmers to concentrate on the project and pay attention to details so that they would come out with good paddy yield.
He congratulated the farmers for the decision to partner with Dangote Rice noting that they have a solid source of livelihood for themselves and members of their families if they give their all for the success of the scheme.
The Coordinator of the youth farmers, Umar Etudaye thanked the management of Dangote Rice for believing in them and engaging them for the project. He promised that they would deliver on the mandate given to them on the project.
He said that the scheme is a practical step towards nation building because it’s the youths, who constitute 40 per cent of the population, would build the nation and only the youths that are empowered and gainfully employed could do that. [myad]

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