Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has made it clear that he will personally lead labour union in protest against any governor that fails to pay the agreed minimum wage of N18,000 to workers.
The governor who spoke at the 6th quadrennial national delegates conference of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja, assured the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) of his commitment towards leading protest against any governor that reneged on the agreed payment of the minimum wage.
“I have told my fellow governors that when the going gets tough, everybody will answer his father’s name. I am not and I will not support any government, any governor, federal or state that misunderstood the problem to focus on the weakest link.
“Be assured that you can count on me. If you want to organize protest, I will join. I will not only join to protest against refusal to pay minimum wage, but to press for the idea of minimum wage to be sustained.” [myad]
PIC. 24. CHAIRMAN, DAAR COMMUNICATION, CHIEF RAYMOND DOKPESI
The Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc, owner of AIT, Ray Power and other in the media conglomerate, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has been arrested by the officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the alleged missing of huge security budget.
Also arrested is the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa for questioning by the security agents for allegedly receiving huge sums of money from the office of the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.
Dasuki was taken from his Asokoro home in a pre-dawn raid by the operatives of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, ahead of possible arraignment for breach of public trust and money laundering.
Sources at the EFCC said that while Dokpesi was invited for questioning for allegedly receiving over N2 billion from the office of the NSA, Bafarawa was brought in for receiving over N100 million from the same source.
An EFCC source said: “A whooping sum of N2.1 billion was traced in the office of the embattled former NSA to Dokpesi without any clearly stated reason and we want to know what he received sum huge public funds for.
“We have also traced some money to the former Sokoto governor, Bafarawa, and we need to know what he got such money from the former security adviser, for.” Both men were taken in around midday today to join the company of no fewer than 22 other suspects, who have been linked with receiving large sums of money from the ONSA, who is likely going to stand trial with them in court. [myad]
The Senate has approved a total sum of N574,532,726,857 supplementary budget for President Muhammadu Buhari to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
The approved N574,532,726,857 is for additional Recurrent ( Non- Debt) Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2015.
The Senate however increased the original supplementary budget as submitted by President Buhari by N108,895,800,000, saying that the increase was designed to accommodate the said amount as additional funding for fuel subsidy for the months of October, November and December, 2015.
With the additional N109 billion by the Senate for fuel subsidy, it would now amount to N522,258,934,505 as against the President’s request for N413 billion for fuel subsidy, just as N5,000,000,000 was approved as Victims Support Funds in the Capital Supplementation which would be re- classified to the Service Wide Vote of N559,217,800,017.
The Senate also approved a total sum of N29,958,865,512 to fight Boko Haram Insurgency in the North East and payment of outstanding claims in order to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians under the heading, operation Zaman Lafiya. Of the approved money, Nigerian Army will get N17,468,992,640; Nigerian Airforce, N8,141,434,760; Nigerian Army outstanding balance from 2015 and second quarter, N4,348,438,112
It would be recalled that the Senate had penultimate Wednesday received a supplementary budget of N465,636,926,857 from President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration and approval.
President Buhari who also sought an upward review of the new borrowing plan from N882.1billon to N2.103trillion, had said: “The expected deficit arising from the above is projected at 2.103 trn or 2.19 per cent of GDP to be financed by additional borrowing of 1.601 trillion through the debt management office.”
The approval of the Senate was sequel to the report of the Senator Danjuma Goje led Committee on Appropriations on the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
Earlier, the senators broke into an executive session for one hour as part of moves to discuss the appropriation bill and give the President a soft landing by passing the budget and as a follow up to last Thursday’s dinner the Senators had with President where collaboration and synergy among the Executive and Legislature were emphasized.
Presenting the report, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Danjuma Goje said: “the Committee observed that: The provision for subsidy payment only covers year 2014 arrears of N120.5 Billion and the claims of January – September, 2015 of N292.8 Billion.
“There is need to provide additional funding in the sum of N108,895,800,000(One Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only for fuel subsidy for the months of October, November and December 2015 to endure that the 2016 Budget takes off on a clean slate( this issue came up in the course of clarification of the total subsidy need for the year ending 2015, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources;
“The provision for Victim Support Fund in Capital Supplementation should have been made in the Service Wide Vote since it is a Federal Government contribution to a fund managed by a Committee which is not an MDA of Government.” [myad]
An estimated 2.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS out of 3.4 million Nigerians diagnosed last year are now facing death as there appears to be no drug for them to continue with treatment to suppress the infection. Those affected, most of who are currently living in hiding, are not only at risk of death from HIV related illnesses, but are also infecting new people, causing a surge of the disease.
Nigerian HIV experts revealed this at a scientific symposium to mark this year’s World AIDS Day, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in collaboration with Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch.
In her submission, representative of the Population Council Abuja, Dr. Sylvia Adebajo noted that only 500,000 people are currently on treatment, while the 2.9 million largely men, serve as reservoir for the spread of HIV.
“Men do not go to hospital as much as women so they are the most difficult to reach. Those at higher risks include; women, homosexuals, men who engage with drugs and those who have sex with female sex workers.”
Adebajo said the attitude of testing people and letting them go without follow up needs to be stopped, and more people, particularly men needs to be reached with treatment.
Director-General of NIMR, Prof Innocent Ujah regretted that despite that effective available for the diagnosis and clinical management, the AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated two million lives each year, of which about 270, 000 are children.
“The multi – year theme since 2012 has been “getting to zero with the three main sub-themes of zero new infections, zero deaths from AIDs – related illnesses and zero discrimination.
Ujah who lauded the UNAIDS 90 – 90 -90 initiative said it was designed to have 90 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained ARV therapy and 90- percent of all people receiving ARV will have viral suppression.
“With 90 percent of those on treatment having viral suppression, there will be a drastic break of transmission of new infection and end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030.”
He said NIMR will be conducting an outreach in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS as well as enhance HIV counselling and testing.
Also in her presentation, on how to prevent new infection, Dr. Oladipo Fisher, from Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, LASACA, said early initiation of HIV positive people into antiretroviral drugs will decrease rate of new infection, as well as reduce HIV-related illnesses and deaths.
In the same vein, Consultant Haematologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Prof. Sulaimon Akanmu, noted that people who test positive to HIV can possibly eliminate the virus if they commence treatment immediately they are diagnosed. “This will help bring their viral load to an undetectable level, where they will likely not infect other people, and is in line with the World Health Organization, WHO’s new treatment guideline for HIV/AIDS.” [myad]
The operatives of Department of State Service (DSS) have whisked away the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd.) to their office in Abuja.
It was gathered that the DSS operatives ordered the former NSA out of his Abuja residence without any form of force to the DSS headquarters in the Asokoro District of Abuja.
Dasuki has been under house arrest for some time now. [myad]
With the formal declaration and presentation of Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC), as replacement for late Prince Abubakar Audu in the December 5 supplementary governorship election in Kogi state, the battle line has been drawn between the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada and Bello.
The first leg of the election, held on November 21, was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the collation centre in Lokoja, the state capital, on November 22, shortly before Prince Audu, who was APC candidate died. INEC, wil therefore, conduct supplementary election in 91 polling units in which election results of November 21 were either cancelled or where election did not hold at all. In all, 49,953 votes are in contention for particularly the APC and PDP on Saturday. It would be recalled that APC was leading in the election results declared by INEC on November 22 with 240,867 votes while PDP trailed behind with 199,514 votes. APC beat PDP with 41,353 votes difference. Here are the 91 polling units with a total of 49,953 which Yahaya Bello of APC and Idris Wada of PDP are set to share on Saturday: 1. Dekina local government with 29 polling units (17,454 votes) 2. Ankpa local government with nine polling units (6,021 votes) 3. Bassa local government with two polling units (742 votes) 4. Ibaji local government with six polling units (2,665 votes) 5. Idah local government with one polling unit (310 votes) 6. Igalamela-Odolu local government with three polling units (1,501 votes) 7. Ijumu local government with one polling unit (705 votes) 8. Kabba-Bunu local government with four polling units (1,767 votes) 9. Kogi local government with two polling units (1,689 votes) 10. Lokoja local government with five polling units (2,854) 11. Ofu local government with eight polling units (4,679 votes) 12. Okehi local government with one polling unit (403 votes) 13. Okene local government with one polling unit (676 votes) 14. Olamaboro local government with four polling units (2,046 votes) 15. Omala local government with six polling units (2,526 votes) 16. Yagba West local government with one polling unit (375 votes). 17. Ajaokuta with three polling units (1,406 votes) 18. Adavi local government with five polling units (2,134 votes).
Meanwhile, the people of Okun area in Kogi State under the aegis of Okun Elders Forum, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Alhaji Yahya Bello, as the preferred candidate to fill the vacuum created by the death of late Prince Abubakar Audu.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Chief Funsho Atale, the Forum stressed the need to move the state forward and in tandem with democratic principles, adding they took the position in the interest of the party, Kogi State and Okunland.
The elders, including Chief P.S . Alabi; Chief Remi Ogga and Engr. Dele Abu, urged the leadership of the APC to align various interest groups to rally support for the candidature of Bello and ensure victory for the party during the remaining election slated for Saturday, so as to move the state forward.
The elders insisted that this is not the best time for political horse trading as all hands must be on deck to get Kogi State back to the path of growth and development. [myad]
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the promotion of 153 senior officers.
A statement today by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said that the officers include 14 Air Vice Marshals, 26 Air Commodores, 22 Group Captains, and 91 Wing Commanders.
Along said that the promotions are in line with one of the key drivers of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar’s vision which is to promote and inculcate the core values of integrity, excellence and service delivery.
“As an annual exercise, the purpose of promotion is to encourage officers to rededicate themselves to assigned duties as well as the development of the Nigerian Air Force and the nation as a whole.”
Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal are the: Chief of Aircraft Engineering at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Onyemaechi Osahor; Director of Works at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Shehu Adamu; Director Air Intelligence at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman; Principal Air Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Abdul-Wahab; Commander 75 Strike Group Yola, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao; Commander 303 Flying Training School Kano, Air Vice Marshal John Baba; Commander 81 Air Maritime Group Benin, Air Vice Marshal Okechukwu Ntukogu; a Directing Staff at the National Defence College, Air Vice Marshal Humphrey Okpala; Commander 203 Medium Airlift Group Ilorin, Air Vice Marshal Yekeen Ishola; Director of Information Communication Technology at the National Defence College, Air Vice Marshal Christian Dii; the Managing Director Nigerian Air Force Housing and Construction Company, Air Vice Marshal Sambo Usman; Commander 335 Base Services Group Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Auwal Muhammad; Director Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, Air Vice Marshal Charles Otegbade, and Commander 333 Logistics Group Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Isyaka Bukar.
The senior officers elevated to the rank of Air Commodore include Group Captains Emmanuel Udenyi, Aliyu Bello, Iboro Etukudo, Chiebonam Ozougwu, Abidemi Marquis, Abubakar Liman, Pius Oahimire, Kabiru Aliyu, Ubrufih Uzezi, Nkem Aguiyi, Sule Lawal and Paul Masiyer. Others are Group Captains Isah Muhammad, Kurotimi Obidake, Dalhat Ladan, Adeniyi Amesinlola, Olagoke Ogunmola, Raheem Tijani, Obainana Imafidor, Framah Batnah, John Dibal, Mohammed Sini, Barisi Keenam, Sunday Ogba, Habib Adamu and Emma Enam.
A fire outbreak at the Kano Government Girls College in Jogana town, has killed seven students and wounded 21 others.
The fire was said to have ripped through the college’s dormitory in the early hours of today, Monday, while students were still asleep.
It was gathered that the damage would have been more but for one of the senior students, who upon noticing the fire, made efforts to avert the tragedy.
In reaction to the incident, the Director General, Kano Senior Secondary School Board, Alhaji Hussaini Umar Ganduje, told journalists that most of the wounded students are receiving proper medical attenton.
In the same vein, the Director of press to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Bello, in a statement said that fire fighters successfully put out the inferno, adding: “students were evacuated to their classes and those affected were rushed to Gezawa and Sir Sanusi Hospital.”
He appealed to parents and guardians to exercise patience and understanding as the incident has been brought under control.
The cause of the fire was not ascertained as at the time of filing this report. [myad]
Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari has made a string appeal to the world leaders to save the planet from extinction by designing what he called binding resolutions for sustainable development. President Buhari spoke today at the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) which began today in Paris, France. Buhari wanted the Conference to make Paris a global landmark in the history of climate change negotiations, even as he advised that nations must scale up their commitment to ensure a successful outcome and contribute to transforming the world through sustainable development. “Like many countries, Nigeria continues to witness the adverse effects of climate change in all its ramifications. Presently, we are reeling under the challenges of climate change as the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods and drought are on the increase. “These challenges have resulted in the destruction of many economic and social structures and more worryingly, threatening our national food production and security. “The magnitude of insurgency Nigeria is facing cannot be completely explained away without taking cognizance of the threat of climate change. Without a doubt, “Climate change is threatening not only the sustainable development of our social and economic activities but also the totality of human existence in our country as in other parts of the world. “At the sub-regional level, we are saddled with the challenge of the drying up of the Lake Chad Basin, which is resulting in the total wipe out of livelihoods of many communities surrounding this trans-boundary natural resource. “Regrettably, the world is leaving behind millions of people who depend on the Lake for their survival. The Government of Nigeria welcomes the Lake Chad Development and Climate Resilience Plan, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission and international partners for designing this climate-based Plan. “In all, the experience of countries sharing the Lake Chad further illustrates the mutual challenge we face today and which must be collectively addressed without further delay.” President Buhari lamented the inadequacies of existing climate change treaties, protocols and conventions, saying tht for the potential of Paris Agreement on Climate Change to be meaningful, achieve its objectives and eventually become universal in nature and scope, it must draw extensively on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. “Indeed, for the Agreement to be durable, it must recognize not only the emission right but also the survival rights of the citizens of developing countries. “The inadequacies of the existing climate change treaties, the Conventions and its Protocol, constitute the driving force propelling Parties to reach another climate change agreement as the main outcome of this Conference of Parties. “Nigeria appreciates the efforts and demonstration of flexibilities of all in the run up of discussions since Durban towards evolving the new global climate regime. Yet, we are very concerned at the pace of progress made so far. “This is more important, since the negotiation continues to go back and forth without necessarily addressing the interests and concerns of the developing countries in general and African countries in particular. “In this regard, Nigeria strongly believes that the agreement we reach here in Paris must equitably address climate change mitigation and adaptation activities in terms of the means of implementation with emphasis on adequate financing, technology transfer and capacity development. “It is our fervent hope that these implementation modalities will be explicitly enshrined in the Agreement.” President Buhari gave Nigeria’s target on cutting greenhouse emissions, which was arrived at after extensive consultations with stakeholders by up to 45 percent by the year 2030. “On our part in Nigeria, we undertook an extensive and participatory process of multi-level consultations with a cross section of stakeholders within the different tiers of government towards determining our national contributions to global mitigation reduction. “Based on national considerations, Nigeria intends to attain the mitigation reduction objective of 20 per cent unconditional and 45 per cent conditional below the Business as Usual level of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. “It is our expectation that this nationally-determined ambitious target given our national circumstances and developmental requirements will eventually pass the green test.” Buhari reiterated that the Paris Agreement must be legally binding, all-encompassing and sustainable for it to be universally applicable, result-oriented and in all, effective. “The Agreement we reach here must also be a fair, multilateral and rules-based regime guided by science with an overall aim of ensuring the right to equitable access of every country of the world to sustainable development.” The conference is being attended by about 150 world leaders. [myad]
The Senate Committee on Appropriation has asked the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning and Finance to reconcile their records and include an additional N108 billion in the N465.3 billion supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
Pesident Buhari had recently sought approval of the National Assembly for the supplementary budget of N465.3 billion.
However, the increase in the budget came in order to meet up with subsidy claims to the major oil marketers between October to December 2015, which was not currently included in the N413 biilion subsidy claims due from January to September 2015, according to the committee.
The committee asked the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to furnish it with details of the N437 billion, that had so far been paid to NIgerian National Petroleum Corporation as its subsidy claims but which was not appropriated by the National Assembly.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, noted at a meeting with the ministers and heads of Federal Government agencies that intelligence reports at the disposal of the panel indicated that the Ministry of Petroleum was seeking approval for N413b billion out of the total N950 billion accrued subsidy.
Goje alleged that while the ministry had paid the subsidy due to NNPC as first line charge being its own share of the 48 per cent of the fuel it imported, the subsidy due to the oil marketers were withheld.
He said the inclusion of the N108 billion would enable the Senate to approve the money so that the minds of Nigerians would be at rest that the oil marketers would not hold the nation to ransom again during the forthcoming festive season as a result of the outstanding amount.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Jamila Soara, told the committee that she was representing the Minister, Ibe Kachikwu, who was in Lagos, to hold meetings with the major oil marketers.
Soara said her ministry’s proposal was for N413 billion, being a component of N120.552 billion as outstanding for 2014 and N292.8 billion for subsidy from January to September 2015. [myad]
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