Premium Times Convenes Dialogue On Role Of Families For June 17

June 15, 2016

A national media intervention programme to give voice to the role of families in nation building is the theme of a dialogue session scheduled for Friday, June 17^th.

A statement from the management said that the dialogue session will be held at the conference hall of the Institute of Directors, 53 Glover Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

It said that former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade will declare the event open at 11am.

Other speakers expected to speak at the event include Mrs. Amina Oyagbola HR/Corporate Services Executive MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO Bestman Games Limited, Ayodele Adeboye Country Representative, Econet Wireless International and Mrs. Bola Odetokun, Founder Parenting Resources and Initiatives Atlanta USA.

The statement said that topics that are expected to feature are Work-life Balance Imperatives for Parenting; Money, Values and Children; Parenting by Example and Critical Life Values; as well as the Realities of Diaspora and expanded citizenship, and their interface with nation building.

According to the statement, Premium Times is collaborating with Today’s Woman (TW), one of the nation’s leading voices in female journalism on the project.

Premium Times’ Director of Partnership Development and Engagement, Ms. Ime Enang, said: “the event is to bring back in focus, the centrality of the family as the principal object of nation building, which is consistent “with our core mission as a to deliver value through dialogue, informed debates and intelligent exchanges on the future of our nation and the families that give her meaning.” [myad]

Enugu Campus Of Nsuka University Shut Down

Greenbarge Reporters

June 15, 2016

Authorities of the University of Nigeria Nsuka, Enugu Campus (UNEC) on Wednesday officially shut down the school indefinitely. This followed protests by students over alleged poor academic environment.

The university’s authorities have also suspended the Students Union Government (SUG).

In a statement signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Enugu Campus, Professor Smart N. Uchegbu, the school announced the immediate and indefinite closure of the university following last Monday’s students’ protests that halted academic activities.

“This is to bring to the notice of the University Community that in the light of the violent protest and monumental destruction of properties on 13th June, 2016, the Vice Chancellor has approved the implementation of the measures listed below:

“Immediate suspension of the Enugu Campus Students’ Union Government and closure of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus indefinitely.”

Students of the university had last Monday disrupted academic and other activities in the Enugu campus of the university for one week over alleged poor academic environment.

The angry students blocked the main entrance gate of the university, demanding improvement in the basic amenities and learning conditions in the school.

The students, who complained against absence of water, electricity, among others, prevented lecturers and non-academic staff from carrying out their normal duties in their offices.

Apart from the poor academic environment, the students also complained that they now buy a bucket of water for N30.00.

The students turned out in their numbers at the school gate during the protest.

They lamented that they have not had steady power supply for three months now and relied only on generator and intermittent power supply from EEDC. [myad]

NLC Threatens Strike Action If Banks Fail To Recall Sacked Staff In 14-Day

Greenbarge Reporters

June 15, 2016

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nation-wide strike if within the next 14 days six banks which recently sacked their workers failed to recall all such workers.

The NLC said in a letter to the managements of the six banks, signed by the Deputy General Secretary, Chris Uyot, on behalf of the President, Ayuba Wabba, that the congress decided to issue the ultimatum having been informed by the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees that the banks embarked on arbitrary mass sacking of workers without adherence to labour laws.

The banks are Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank and Skye Bank.

The NLC accused the management of the affected banks of preventing unionization of workers in spite of efforts to resolve the issue amicably.

Uyot said that the NLC would ensure the closure of all branches of the banks across the country if all sacked workers were not recalled and workers allowed unionizing at the expiration of the ultimatum expected to take effect from June 16, 2016.

“I have been directed to notify you that we have been informed by our affiliate union, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees that your bank has arbitrarily sacked a large number of workers contrary to laid down procedures and the country’s extant labour laws.

“In addition, you have also resisted unionization of workers in your bank despite spirited efforts by the union to amicably engage you in the process.

“By this letter, we are giving your bank fourteen days ultimatum commencing from Thursday 16th June, 2016 to immediately recall all workers so sacked and allow unionization of workers in the bank or face industrial action, which may include closure of your banks and all its outlets nationwide.

“While hoping our request meets your kind consideration, please, accept our goodwill and best regards.” [myad]

It’s Your Past Sins That Haunt You, APC Tells PDP

Greenbarge Reporters

June 15, 2016

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is the past sins it committed against Nigerians that are now haunting it even as the party wanted Nigerians to ignore its allegation that it planted Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to destroy it.

The APC was reacting to what it described as baseless and laughable allegations from the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP that the APC was using Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to destabilize the former ruling party.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, the APC said the PDP should be ignored, adding that the party’s problems are traceable to sins it committed during its years as the leading party.

“For the umpteenth time, the APC wishes to state that instead of joining issues with the baseless and laughable allegations, the APC would rather join issues that will bring about all-inclusive development in the country.”

Malam Buni put it on record that the PDP forced on itself whatever crisis it is troubled with today due to its politics of imposition and other undemocratic practices that the APC abhors.

He called on the PDP to put its house in order rather than playing to the gallery and blaming others for their sins, which have come to hunt them.

“Also, it is evident that the PDP has chosen to employ diversionary tactics because of its inability to produce credible candidates for the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States.” [myad]

Federal Govt. Commences Budget Operation; Release N280 Billion For Capital Projects

Greenbarge Reporters

June 15, 2016

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the 2016 controversial budget with release, on Tuesday, of N280 billion for capital projects. The money is part of the N350 billion promised by the government to fund capital projects in the country.

Six key ministries – Works, Housing and Power, Agriculture, Interior, Education, Information and Environment, have been captured in the first phase of the funds.

The government said that the money was for projects that had already been scrutinized and ongoing.

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, said the names of 60 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been sent to the Federal Ministry of Finance for approval.

She stated that the released funds would be used to carry out specific projects, adding that government would not release money for any new projects.

Zainab, who said this at a one day workshop for the review and implementation of the 2016 budget in Abuja on Tuesday, added that another batch of about 30 MDAs where the screening process had been concluded would be sent to the finance ministry on Wednesday.

The event was organized by a civic technology organization, BudgIT Nigeria.

She said: “The release of the N350 billion is ongoing but of course, as I presented, we were not releasing budgets based on one quarter allocation. We needed to scrutinize the process. It took some time but we have sent about N280 billion for projects that have been scrutinized.

“As I said earlier on, the release will be done for specific projects. Our concentration was on projects that are ongoing, except for a few exceptional circumstances; we are not releasing funds for any new projects.

“We have reviewed their projects, approved them and have sent them to the ministry of finance.

“We have sent to the ministry of finance up to about 50 or 60 MDAs, but I can tell you that Works, Housing and Power, Agriculture, Interior, Education, Information and Environment are part of the ministries that we have sent to the finance ministry.

“There are about 60 MDAs already in the first batch. We have another batch of about 30 where the screening process had been concluded and we should be able to send that today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday).”[myad]

Rev. Ayokunle Becomes President Of Christian Association Of Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2016

The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has emerged the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

In a a statement, which was signed by Rev. Musa Asake, the General Secretary of CAN, Ayokunle scored 54 votes to defeat Elder Joseph Otubu of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, who got 28 votes.
The outgoing president of the CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, announced the result to a rousing applause at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja. [myad]

Lawyer Sues Linda Ikeji For N50 Million

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2016

A Lagos based lawyer, Olumide Babalola, has dragged a female celebrity gossip blogger, Linda Ikeji to Lagos High court, claiming N50 Million damages for the use of unauthorized and offensive picture of the lawyer on her blog.

It was gathered that the lawyer who just returned from the United States of America, where he was presented with an award for quality and excellence in business in recognition of his varying public interest litigations, had earlier written to Ikeji to desist from further publication, but the blogger allegedly turned deaf year.
In suit no LD/3265MFHR/2016 before Justice O.H. Oshodi, the lawyer sued the blogger for damages in the sum of N50 million for the unauthorized use of his picture on her blog for crime related stories.

He claimed that the use of his pictures for the crime stories has subjected him to mental and psychological torture in violation of his constitutional right to dignity of human person and freedom from degrading treatment.
However, the hearing of the case is set to hold on September 2016 but pending the time the justice in charge of the case, Justice O.H. Oshodi has granted an injunction restraining Linda Ikeji from further use of the lawyer’s picture, otherwise she would be committed to prison for contempt of court. [myad]

Obama Accuses Trump Of Peddling A “Dangerous” Mind-Set

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2016

President Obama has denounced Donald J. Trump for his rhetoric in the aftermath of the shooting massacre in Orlando, saying that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was peddling what he called “a dangerous” mind-set that recalls the darkest periods in American history.

According to the Washington Post, Obama said: “we hear language that singles out immigrants and suggests entire religious communities are complicit in violence.”

Obama who spoke at the Treasury Department after a meeting with his national security team on the status of the American effort against the Islamic State, which the president said had been dominated by discussion of the Orlando rampage asked:“where does this stop?”

He said that he had proposed a ban on admitting Muslims into the United States, and that the Orlando assailant, like perpetrators of previous domestic terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Calif., and Fort Hood, Tex., was an American citizen.

“Are we going to start treating all Muslim-Americans differently? Are we going to start subjecting them to special surveillance? Are we going to start discriminating against them because of their faith?” Mr. Obama asked, his voice rising during his most direct condemnation yet of Mr. Trump.

“Do Republican officials actually agree with this?”

The President, who has steadfastly refused to use the term “radical Islam” to describe the Islamic State, which is also known as ISIS or ISIL, bitterly rejected criticism from Mr. Trump and other Republicans about failing to use the phrase.
“If there’s anyone out there who thinks we’re confused about who our enemies are, that would come as a surprise to the thousands of terrorists who we’ve taken off the battlefield,” Mr. Obama said. “There’s no magic to the phrase ‘radical Islam.’ It’s a political talking point, it’s not a strategy.”

The president said he would not use the wording because he was unwilling to give the Islamic State the victory of accepting their vision of themselves as leaders of a holy war between Islam and the West.

“If we fall into the trap of painting all Muslims with a broad brush and imply that we are at war with an entire religion, then we are doing the terrorists’ work for them,” Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama is scheduled to travel to Orlando on Thursday to visit with the surviving victims and the families of those killed in the rampage on Sunday morning

On Tuesday, he called on Congress to enact gun restrictions that it has so far resisted, including the resurrection of a ban on assault weapons and a measure that would bar the ability to purchase guns to those on no-fly lists because of suspected terrorist ties.

“Enough talking about being tough on terrorism,” Obama said. “Actually be tough on terrorism and stop making it as easy as possible for terrorists to buy assault weapons.” [myad]

Ahmed Makarfi, Modu Sheriff Lock Horns Over Leadership Of PDP

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2016

Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff are set to fight to finish over who lead the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Just as Modu Sheriff bulldozed his way into the national secretariat of the party on Monday to take his seat as chairman, Makarfi has made it clear that he is not in the mood to concede the leadership of the party to Modu Sheriff.

Addressing newsmen at his residence in Abuja, Senator Makarfi said:”all the so called court orders, judgment being bandied about aren’t really true. We know what the courts have said, the court never stopped any convention. Of course, it said do not elect and we didn’t elect and the order which was said to be vacated and that’s the Port Harcourt court order hasn’t been vacated and the IGP and INEC till today said it is an existing order.

The former Kaduna state governor however disclosed that he was open to dialogue that would ensure the amicable resolution of the seemingly protracted impasse facing the party.

“All said and done, I still believe that the path towards resolving political problem is dialogue, accommodation and I am open to that.

“But as I am open to dialogue, accommodation so that we become one strong united family once again but it is very, very unfair to make a fraudulent statement that there is a document purported to have been issued by me. That never, ever happened and I never even dreamt about it not to talk of issuing it.” [myad]

Osibanjo Advises Farmers To Look For Alternative Ways Of Finance, Instead Of Banks

Greenbarge Reporters

June 14, 2016

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advised Nigerian farmers to look for alternative ways of financing the agricultural sector rather than relying on banks.
The Vice President who said that it would be necessary to convene a meeting with the banks on the need for proper funding of the agriculture sector, however, cautioned against solely relying on banks.

“We must recognize that the banks have options. They do not want to take risk. I therefore advise you to look at some kind of private intervention, not just from the banks, and be creative.”

Vice President Osinbajo, who spoke on Tuesday, at a meeting with a delegation of Nigeria Agribusiness Group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisted that agriculture is the way to go. “The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has said the way out of our economic challenges is agriculture and that is what to do. He therefore advised those engaged in manufacturing and producing any kind of goods from the country to take the issue of standardization seriously, it is something we must take time to look at.”

“I think the first thing is that we must involve those who are buying our products so that we are able to surmount the difficulties quickly. We should not think that so long we are okay with our products here others out there can accept.” [myad]

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