My Govt Is At War With Bandits, Any Of Them Arrested Will Be Killed – Gov El-Rufai

February 8, 2021

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has made it clear that his government is at war with bandits and that any of them arrested in the state would be killed.

El-Rufai, who spoke today, February 8 in an interview with the BBC Hausa service in Kaduna, said that bandits kill ‘mercilessly’ because they don’t believe in religion.

“My administration is at war with the bandits and so we cannot negotiate. Eliminating them is the only solution to banditry,” El-Rufai said.

“I never believed that a Fulani herdsman who ventured into banditry and is collecting millions of Naira as ransom will repent. I spoke to Dr Gumi, who is my friend; I explained that the majority of these bandits don’t believe in the religion. That is why they kill mercilessly.

“Anybody who thinks a Fulani herdsman that was used to only getting N100,000 in a year, after selling a cow, but now is getting millions through kidnapping for ransom will stop is only wasting his time.”

Tanker Explodes In Abuja, Kills 11

Editorial staff

February 8, 2021

A petrol tanker which exploded in Gawu community in Abaji Area Council, Abuja has killed no fewer than 11 people, including three children, a housewife, Halima Mohammed Yusuf, chairman of the vigilante of Gawu, Adamu Ibrahim.

Others are Dantala Usman, Umar Aliyu, Mohammed Hamza, Hassan Usman, Gambo Hamisu and Sani Abdulmutalib.

Gawu community shares boundary with new-Gawu in Suleja, Niger state.

A resident of the community, Usman Yakubu, said that the incident happened around 11:23 am today, February 8, when a petrol laden tanker was trying to avoid a head-on collision with a ‘Dangote’ trailer.

He said: “the tanker was coming from Lapai axis heading to Izom, after dodging a pothole, which he suddenly veered off the road and crashed, spilling the content on by the road side.”

According to him, some natives of the community after noticing the petrol was pouring out of the fallen tanker rushed to the scene with buckets and jerry-cans to scoop fuel.

“It was while scooping the fuel from the fallen tanker, when it suddenly exploded and killed three Almajiri boys and eight others including a woman who came to the scene to chase the boys away from the scene”

The Chief of Gawu, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, confirmed the incident and said that it happened when some natives of the community went to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, adding: “unfortunately, we also lost one woman who went to chase the boys away from the tanker explosion.”

The chief said the dead bodies have been buried according to Islamic rites.

The FCT sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who also confirmed the incident, said: “22 people were involved in the incident, while ten people were burnt to death and ten others, eight male adults and two female adults sustained various degrees of burns.”

He said that the burnt victims were rescued by the unit command of the FRSC and taken to Federal Medical Centre at new Gawu in Niger state, even as he attributed the incident to over-speeding and loss of concentration.

The FRSC sector commander said that families of the burnt victims, who visited the scene after fire took the corpses for burial.

Source: Daily Trust

Legal Team Of Police Boss Set To Slam Libel Suit On SaharaReporters

Editorial staff

February 8, 2021

Legal team of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu is set to engage in legal battle with SaharaReporters online newspaper over an alleges N2 Billion service tenure extension Scam.

In a statement today, February 8, the Force spokesman, Frank Mba confirmed that the Inspector General has directed his legal team to commence legal actions against the online publisher.

In the statement, Frank Mba said that the Police High Command regarded SaharaReporters’ story, dated February 07, 2021, alleging that the police boss paid over 2 Billion Naira for the tenure extension as untrue, unfounded, defamatory and libellous.

“The Force wishes to state categorically that the extension of service of the IGP was strictly the prerogative of the President and was never paid for as maliciously reported in the publication.

“The insinuations also by Sahara Reporters that the IGP did not “celebrate” his extension smacks of ignorance and a pathetic misplacement of priority. The extension does not call for merry-making or celebration but a time for more work, rededication to duty and selfless service to the nation.”

The police boss called on Nigerians to disregard and discountenance the publication by SaharaReporters as evidently untrue and unfounded, adding that he is undistracted even as the Force remains motivated and committed to delivering on its mandate, especially the task of neutralizing current and emerging internal security threats.

He assured the nation of an unwavering commitment by the Force under his leadership, to improved service delivery, safety and security of the citizenry.

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Announces Importation Of $500,000 X-Ray Machines

Editorial staff

February 8, 2021

The Dr. Wale Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services (BASL) operated MMA2,Lagos, has announced the importation of a sizeable number of X-ray machines to the tune of about US $500,000

to enhance and accelerate the screening of passengers and cargoes.

In a statement today, February 7, Mikail Mumuni, Group Corporate Affairs Manager of BASL, said that the company is embarking on a massive upgrading of its X-ray machine and air conditioning systems for passengers safety, security and comfort.

Mumuni said that “massive resources are also being deployed to upgrade our air conditioning system for the comfort of passengers as we always treat our customers as Kings and Queens.”

The BASL Spokesman said that the ongoing upgrading of the facilities is part of the company’s determination to continue to give Nigeria the best Airport Terminal that is comparable to those available in the developed economies.

“To satisfy our customers, we had to buy 50% of the money required for the importation of the X-ray machines from the parallel market as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was only able to allocate 50% to us. This, when added to the amount spent on the air conditioners, is a huge investment on our part, especially at this pandemic period when businesses are at low ebb and considering the fact that BASL is not a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Palliatives to the aviation sector.”

Bi-Courtney Limited was granted a concession by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to design, build and operate MMA2. The company is required to under the concession agreement to transfer MMA2 to the FGN after 36 years of operation. MMA2 was constructed and completed within the schedule, a rare feat in Nigeria’s aviation industry and the terminal has been adjudged the best in the country by both the private and public stakeholders.

All Nigerian Banks Have Since Forbidden Cryptocurrencies Transaction – CBN

Editorial staff

February 8, 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that it had not placed any new restrictions on cryptocurrencies in the country.

The apex bank said that all banks in the country had earlier been forbidden, through CBN’s circular dated January 12, 2017, not to use, hold, trade and or transact in cryptocurrencies.

In a statement today, February 7, the bank’s spokesman, Osita Nwanisobi said that the apex bank’s position was reiterated in another CBN Press Release dated February 27, 2018.

Full text of the statement is reproduced here:

The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to various comments and reactions following our recent reminder to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to desist from transacting in / and with entities dealing in cryptocurrencies.

Most of these reactions reveal that there appears to be a need to provide further justifications about our position, especially to the general public. For those who are not conversant with the universe of cryptocurrencies, it is important to state that Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies issued by largely anonymous entities and secured by cryptography.

Cryptography is a method of encrypting and hiding codes that prevent oversight, accountability, and regulation. While there are a number of cryptocurrencies now in circulation, Bitcoin was the first to be introduced in 2009, and now accounts for about 68 percent of all cryptocurrencies.

As regards our recent policy pronouncement, it is important to clarify that the CBN circular of February 5, 2021 did not place any new restrictions on cryptocurrencies, given that all banks in the country had earlier been forbidden, through CBN’s circular dated January 12, 2017, not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in cryptocurrencies . Indeed, this position was reiterated in another CBN Press Release dated February 27, 2018.

It is also important to note that the CBN’s position on cryptocurrencies is not an outlier as many countries, central banks, international financial institutions, and distinguished investors and economists have also warned against its use. They have all made similar pronouncements based of the significant risks that transacting in cryptocurrencies portend-risk of loss of investments, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit fund flows and criminal activities. China, Canada, Taiwan, Indonesia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia have all placed certain level of restrictions on financial institutions facilitating cryptocurrency transactions.

2In China, for example, cryptocurrencies are completely banned and all exchanges closed as well. Banks and other financial institutions are not allowed by law to transact or deal with cryptocurrencies. China’s Central Bank, called the Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) has provided several directives ruling out the use of these currencies.

The PBOC views cryptocurrencies as illegal because they are not issued by any recognized monetary institution and do not hold any legal status that can make them equivalent to money.

Hence banks and all stakeholders are strongly advised against their use as a currency.Even famed investor Warren Buffett has called cryptocurrencies “rat poison squared,” a “mirage,” and a “gambling device.” Mr. Buffett believes it is a “gambling device” given that they are mostly valuable because the person buying it does so,not as a means of payment; but in the hope they can sell it for even more than what they paid at some point.

During an online forum hosted by the Davos-based World Economic Forumfewweeksago, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, highlighted the extreme price volatility of cryptocurrencies as one of the biggest flaws and explained that this flaw makes it impossible for them to be used as a lasting means of payment.

“Have we landed on what I would call the design, governance and arrangements for what I might call a lasting digital currency? No, I don’t think we’re there yet, honestly. I don’t think cryptocurrencies as originally formulated are it,” he said.It is not surprising he would take that position because, Bitcoin, the best-known cryptocurrency, hit a record high of $42,000 per unit on January 8, 2021, and sank as low as $28,800 about two weeks later. This is far greater volatility than is found with normal currencies.

Let us now turn to some of the justifications for CBN’s recent policy reminder. A perfunctory reflection on the definition of cryptocurrencies can already reveal several problems.

First, in light of the fact that they are issued by unregulated and unlicensed entities, their use in Nigeria goes against the key mandatesof the CBN, as enshrined in the CBN Act (2007),as the issuer of legal tender in Nigeria.

In effect, the use of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria are adirect contravention of existing law. It is also important to highlight that there is a critical difference between a Central Bank issued Digital Currency and cryptocurrencies. As the names imply, while Central Banks can issue Digital Currencies, cryptocurrencies are issued by unknown and unregulated entities.

Second, the very name and nature of “cryptocurrencies” suggeststhat its patrons and users value anonymity, obscurity, and concealment. The question that one may need to ask therefore is, why any entity would disguise its transactions if they were legal.

It is on the basis of this opacity that cryptocurrencies have become well-suited for conducting many illegal activities including money laundering, terrorism financing, purchase of small arms and light weapons, and tax evasion.

Indeed, many banks and investors who place a high value on reputation have been turned off from cryptocurrencies because of the damaging effects of the widespread use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities. In fact, the role of cryptocurrencies in the purchase of hard and illegal drugs on the darknet website called “Silk Road” is well known.

They have also been recent reports that cryptocurrencies have been used tofinance terror plots, further damaging its image as a legitimate means of exchange.

More also, repeated and recent evidence now suggests that some cryptocurrencies have become more widely used as speculative assets rather than as means of payment, thus explaining the significant volatility and variability in their prices.

Because the total number of Bitcoins that would ever be issued is fixed (only 21 million will ever be created), new issuances are predetermined at a gradually decelerating pace.

This limited supply has created a perverse incentive that encourages users tostockpile them in the hope that their prices rise. Unfortunately, with a conglomeration of desperate, disparate, and unregulated actors comes unprecedented price volatility that have threatened many sophisticated financial systems.

In fact, the price of ether, one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world, fell from US$320 to US$0.10 in June 2017.

The price of Bitcoins has also suffered similar volatilities. Given that unlike Fiat Money which accompanied by full faith and comfort of a country or Central Bank, cryptocurrencies do not have any intrinsic value and do not generate returns by themselves.

When one buys a stock, say of a conglomerate in the Nigeria Stock Exchange, its price reflects the activity and production of that conglomerate and the value people place on their goods and/or services.

This price may rise as the conglomerate produces better goods/services and probably gains greater market share. The reverse would be true if the conglomerate does not innovate to improve the quality of its goods/services. In other words, the price of that stock reflects market fundamentals.

In contrast, cryptocurrencies do not have fundamentals and would never have fundamentals. Investors only buy in the hope that its use and acceptability will rise, thereby pushing up its demand

4and price. But since new versions of cryptocurrencies come on stream with new mathematical models, an infinite supply may someday crash the price to zero.

At this juncture, the CBN would like to assert that our actions are not in any way, shape or form inimical to the development of FinTech or a technology-driven payment system. To the contrary, the Nigerian payment system has evolved significantly over the last decade, leapfrogging many of its counterparts in emerging, frontier and advanced economies propelled by reforms driven by the CBN.

This is evident from the variety of participants, products, channels, cutting-edge technology in the payments system. It is also validated by the astronomical growth of volume/value of transactions and the fact that Nigeria is an investment destination of choice for international financial technology companies because of CBN’s policies that have created an enabling investment environment in the payments system. These developments in the payments and settlements space has helped to grow the financial system, improving financial inclusion, the quality and convenience of financial services and has also created millions of direct and indirect jobs for teeming youth population.

The innovations in Nigeria’s payment system were catalyzed by regulatory reforms driven by the CBN which entailed the issuance of a raft of guidelines and regulations on Operations of Electronic Payments Channels in Nigeria; Transaction Switching; Card Issuance and Usage, Licensing of payment service providers; Mobile Money Services, Electronic Payments of Salaries, Pensions, Suppliers and Taxes, Licensing Super Agents in Nigeria; and use of USSD for Financial Services in Nigeria, Super Agents and Agent Banking Operations and Payment Service Banks to mention a few.

The robust regulatory framework put in place by the Bank opened up the payment system to innovation with several new players across in the following licensing categories-Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs), Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSPs), Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), Payment Terminal Application Developers (PTSAs), Switches, Super Agents, Agents and Payment Service Banks (PSBs) This has created both direct and indirect jobs for Nigeria’s youth population.

Several other initiatives are being implemented to further support FinTech development and creation of jobs. These include regulatory sandbox and open banking principles that the Bank recently implemented.

The recent regulatory directive became necessary to protect the financial system and the generality of Nigerians (including the youth population) from the risks inherent in crypto assets transactions, which have escalated in recent times, with dire consequences for the integrity of the financial system and financial stability. Due to the fact that cryptocurrencies are largely speculative, anonymous and untraceable they are increasingly being used for money laundering, terrorism financing and other criminal activities.

Small retail and unsophisticated investors also face high probability of loss due to the high volatility of the investments in recent times.

In light of these realities and analyses, the CBN has no comfort in cryptocurrencies at this time and will continue to do all within its regulatory powers to educate Nigerians to desist from its use and protect our financial system from activities of fraudsters and speculators.

Police Battle Kidnappers, Other Criminals In Abuja, Nab 6 Kidnappers, Rescue Victims

Editorial staff

February 8, 2021

Men and officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Police Command have launched an anti-kidnapping operation, leading to the arrest of six suspected kidnappers along Apo axis.

A statement by the Command’s public relations officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, said that the suspects had earlier abducted three persons and were subsequently arrested by the officers who were on routine patrol as they were attempting to relocate one of their victims.

The names of the suspects were given as 26 year old Frank Ozor, 19 year old Nweke Uches, 25 years old Chester Uzor, 27 year old Chukwu Bethrand, 25 year old Chukwu Samuel and 26 year Kelechi Ngene all males.

The Command said that it had deployed covert and overt crime-fighting strategies to strengthen security across the Federal Capital, especially areas with cumbersome terrain.

“In addition, the Command has launched a strategic counter-kidnapping operation to checkmate the emerging security concerns. The Command is working closely with sister security agencies, key stakeholders and community leaders to rid the FCT of criminal elements.”
While advising residents to remain calm and law-abiding, the Command enjoined them to report any suspicious persons or activities around their vicinity at the nearest Police Division or report the same through any of the FCT Police Command Control numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.

Buhari Greets Paramount King Of Ebira In Kogi, Ado Ibrahim As He Turns 92

Greenbarge Reporters

February 7, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, as he marks his 92nd birthday.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja today, February 7, the president rejoiced with the paramount ruler’s family, friends, associates and the people of Ebiraland, as the fourth Ohinoyi celebrates this remarkable milestone.

Buhari lauded the Ohinoyi, who is also the Acting Chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council, for his tireless commitment to the development of his domain, even as he encouraged him to continue to promote peace and unity not only in Ebiraland, but also Kogi State and the entire country.

The president prayed for longer life for the Ohinoyi so that his over two decades reign would continue to yield enduring legacies. Source: News Agency of Nigeria.

We Aim At Making 100 Million Nigerians APC Members, Senate President Boasts

Editorial staff

February 6, 2021

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has made it clear that the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is aimed at capturing over 100 million Nigerians as members of the ruling party.

A statement today, February 6 by his media office in Abuja, quoted Senator Lawan, after he revalidated his membership of the party at Katuzu ward in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe North Senatorial District, said that the exercise was conceived to further democratize the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He said that the process would reposition the APC to dominate the country’s political space by winning more elective seats at the state and federal levels of government.

The Senate President said that the registration and revalidation exercise would also afford the youths, a critical role in governance, adding that it would provide Nigerians at the grassroots the opportunity of being major stakeholders in the nation’s decision making process.

According to him, the exercise became imperative in view of the need to weed out members of the APC who had decamped to other political parties and are still recorded in the party’s register and also to afford new or intending members the opportunity to get registered.

“The youths, who will be the majority of those that would register, will now have very critical role to play in the politics of APC and the democratic process of Nigeria.

“I also want to say that this exercise is essential because we have names of people who have decamped to other political parties and yet their names are in the register of APC.

“We cannot continue to carry the names of people who have shifted ground. And, essentially, democracy is about the people to take and make decisions on behalf of themselves.

“This is about taking the party to the grassroots. As Mr. President said in Daura, the party should be built from bottom up.”

Presidency To PDP: You Are Doing Boko Haram’s Work

Editorial staff

February 6, 2021

The presidency has accused the main opposition Peoples Democratic Part (PDP0 of doing what an outlawed group known as Boko Haram should be doing.

“Pray, if a political party, in a blind search for power can spurn the interest of the nation, embrace the language of hate campaign against the country’s military as enunciated by the terrorists, as the PDP does, what will be left for the Boko Haram to do? PDP is doing Boko Haram’s work!”

Reacting to the PDP’s criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of former Service Chiefs to the Senate for confirmation as non-career ambassadors, in a statement today, February 6, the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said wanted PDP to publish such evidence instead of levying grave accusations.

“We live in an evidence-based era for arguments. If the PDP has evidence of rights abuse against the military in the war against terrorists, wouldn’t it be beneficial to the nation that they publish such evidence instead of levying grave accusations without proves? And to ask, in whose interest are they making these accusations that lack any depth?

“To add, we don’t think the ICC, which these childish calls are being made needs to be lectured on democratic values and human rights by the PDP. Who are they, and what is their record in office to lecture anyone? Zaki Biam and Odi where thousands of citizens were on record, the genocide operation comes to mind. Did they report themselves to the ICC?

“PDP’s attacks on the ambassadorial nominations should be seen in the context of the opposition party’s track record as a university of liars, whose modus operandi is to propagate lies.

“The President is rewarding hard work and exceptional sacrifice by a set of military leaders who gave their best to the nation and will be remembered, sooner than later, for their contributions to the security and survival of Nigeria as one nation. They should be allowed to move to the next level.

“This is so that their examples will help to inspire others if given the opportunity to serve.”

The Presidency said that it is baffling that this false and baseless assertion is coming not from Boko Haram terrorists who the military kept largely in check and confined to a known section of the country, Sambisa, but from a so-called leading opposition party that fraudulently kept power for 16 years and is nursing the hope of one day returning to office as an elected government.

The statement wondered why the PDP under which government insurgency conquered large swathes of territory-18 Local Government Areas would be making such allegation.

You Can’t Go On Strike While Dialogue Is Going On, Minister Reminds University Workers

Editorial staff

February 6, 2021

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has reminded the university workers that they can’t go on nationwide strike when dialogue towards resolving the issues at stake is still ongoing.

The minister emphasised that it will be illegal for the workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU, to proceed on strike.

This was even as he pleaded with the two unions to give the Federal Government three months to prepare a supplementary budget for the approval of the National Assembly to cover arrears of the minimum wage that have not been paid to them

Dr. Ngige, who spoke today, February 5 when briefing newsmen after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the government was surprised by the news of impeding strike after engaging on social dialogue with the unions, adding that it would be an illegality if they should go ahead with the planned strike.

“I was around to see Mr. President on so many urgent labour issues. We will not claim ignorant of the fact that three unions in the University system, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT had given us notice of strike.

“The first two unions SSANU and NASU did that under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, and as government, we have moved to apprehend the strike because we just came out from a strike that lasted for nine months that was executed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

“So in consonance with the labour laws, we have apprehended both strikes. They gave us Trade dispute notice, we scheduled meetings with them after apprehension, we held meeting with NASU and SSANU last week Tuesday and government position was explained to them.

“They have a lot of issues mentioned as their grouse, issues like IPPIS. They said IPPIS has amputated some of their allowances, they also have the issue of consequential adjustment that was paid to all civil servants as a result of the new minimum wage of N30,000 for staff above Grade Level One, that is starting from Grade Level two up to level 17.

“Those in the University system have not received their own, that was an inadvertent omission and it was explained to them and even without their prompting, without their trying to go on strike, government on its own has computed the amount involved up to January with effect from 19th April 2019 when the minimum wage took effect to January 2020, that is the allowance or the consequential amount that was missed in the 2020 budget.

“We explained that government plans to put that in the Supplementary budget of 2021 which will be submitted by the National Assembly as soon as the Minister of Finance resumes from vacation. On the issue of IPPIS, we explained to them that it is something that is of general application, a lot of civil servants, public servants had complained that some of their allowances were omitted in the payment of their emoluments.

“IPPIS office explained that it was work in progress, they are putting back those allowances and they showed evidence that they have put back so many. So these two issues are the cardinal issues in the points they have made.

“So in the main, after conferring with Mr. President, we are telling the unions not to carry out the action because that action will run counter to ILO Statute on Social Dialogue and Principles at work because their employers have listened, they have brought them to the table. So for SSANU and NASU, we are imploring them not to carry out their threat which they said will take effect from this mid night.

“Moreso, when the meeting adjourned from their own instance. Just this morning I received a letter from them giving us a new date for the continuation of the dialogue, they proposed a new date of Thursday 11th of February and my office has communicated to them back that we will be ready for them at that time because as they claimed they needed time to consult with their constituency and come back on the fresh issues that have cropped up from the discussion. So I briefed Mr. President on that.”

Asked why government waited till the last day to respond to threats by the unions especially as they have decided to embark on strike starting from midnight of February 5, he said it would be illegal for them to go ahead with the strike.

“It will be preposterous for them to say that as we wait to negotiate further, they are invoking a strike by midnight today, that will be against the labour statute of both the International Labour Organization and the Nigeria Trade Dispute Act and we will frown at it if they ever go that route.”

Also asked if the government would invoke no work no pay policy should the workers go ahead with the strike, Senator Ngige said: “I don’t want to go to that area because I presume that good judgment will prevail.

“The leaders of SSANU and NASU are very knowledgeable and very experienced in labour matters. The General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi and the SSANU President, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, they are experienced labour leaders, they know they will not go that route, they know if they go that route it will be an illegal strike.

“They know that if they go that route, yes they also have a right to strike and the employer also has the right to some relief. They also know that when they go that route it means that they have broken down the negotiation in my place that they are not listening.

“The labour laws also say what I can do if I find that I can’t manage the situation. The law says that I can refer those disputes upwards starting from industrial arbitration panel to the National Industrial Court, so these are the options that are left.

“I am very optimistic that if they give us three months, the Finance Minister will do the needful.”

Recall that the Joint Action Committee, JAC of SSANU and NASU had given the Federal Government till midnight of February 5 to address about seven points demand they made, saying if the government failed to address the issues, they would embark on indefinite strike.

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