ASUU begins indefinite strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike with immediate effect.

The decision was announced at the end of an emergency meeting on Sunday night.

This came just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also preparing to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 6th, 2018 over a disagreement between the organised labour union and the governments on the N30,000 minimum wage.

Briefing newsmen after the closed-door meeting, ASUU president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike will be total and with immediate effect.

He listed the reasons for their action to include: Failure on the side of the government to honour the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed between the union and the federal government in 2017.

He also mentioned that renegotiation with ASUU which the government intentionally ignored with impunity was part of the reasons for the strike.

Professor Ogunyemi, therefore, directed all the state chapters to ensure full compliance until their demands are met. - Daily Post

Prince Charles to address farmers-herdsmen crisis during visit to Nigeria

Paul Arkwright, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says Prince Charles, eldest son of British monarch, Elizabeth II, would be visiting the country to engage in peace-building activities.

Arkwright said Charles would address the clashes between farmers and herders in the country.

The prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, duchess of Cornwall, are expected in Nigeria from November 6 to November 8.

He last visited the country in 2006.

“People do want to come together and if we can provide that kind of environment then hopefully, we can come up with some ideas and solutions to resolving some of these conflicts,” Arkwright said.

“Some of the issues like the farmers/herders crisis are deep-rooted and are about the economy, land resource, climate change and cultural issues.

“The Prince of Wales will be looking at the causes, talking to people who are working in this area and together, seeing if we can find solutions and move on.”

Arkwright said that addressing the root causes of conflicts would lead to a peaceful and more prosperous country and also become beneficial to the relations between Nigeria and Britain.

He added that the visit was also aimed at strengthening the existing ties between both Commonwealth countries.

Charles took over as the head of the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations last April, succeeding Elizabeth II.

“Prince Charles has not been here since the past 12 years. 2006 was the last time he was here and the Duchess of Cornwall, has never been to Nigeria. So it is about strengthening ties, particularly people-to-people ties,” he said.

“We want to ensure that through the Commonwealth, which is another theme of the prince’s visit, we develop links to develop relationships whether in trade, environment or in education, all of which are important to the future of the Commonwealth and to the future of Nigeria.”

“Prince Charles will be talking about rural livelihoods, agriculture, the environment, some of the passions that he has which is so relevant to Nigeria today and to young people and the importance of getting young people into jobs.

“One of his passions as well is how do we build the skills of young people so that they will be equipped for the world.

“There is a whole range of interests that he has and I think Nigeria is a wonderful place to come to because it brings together all of these interests.” - TheCable

Labour insists on strike on Tuesday, shuns meeting with FG

The Organised Labour on Sunday shunned a meeting called by the Federal Government as part of efforts to stop the nationwide strike, just as it vowed to embark on the nationwide strike from Tuesday.

But despite the failure of representatives of the labour unions to attend the meeting, some government officials and members of the organised private sector met behind closed doors at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and some permanent secretaries.

 Punch reports that Mustapha, who spoke before the meeting went into closed session, gave an indication that the tripartite committee on national minimum wage set up by the Federal Government would be concluding works on its report on Monday.

He said the Federal Government was waiting for the report to commence processes leading to the enactment of a law on the new minimum wage. He explained that the report would still go through the National Economic Council and the Council of State before an Executive Bill would be sent to the National Assembly on the issue. The SGF said the outstanding issues left for the committee were to harmonise the 15th chapter of the report, harmonise figures and submit report to the President.

Mustapha said, “I assure you that the government is waiting for the report and will immediately set up processes required for implementation. Hopefully, their work would be concluded when they meet tomorrow (Monday) and append their signatures to the report.

“They will then transmit to me and I will seek an audience with the President to present it to him. The report will go through NEC, Council of State before a draft executive bill will be sent to NASS.

“I am awaiting the report of the committee. They will meet tomorrow (Monday) at 11am. Mustapha said ability to pay was critical in taking a decision on the minimum wage. He noted that a lot of states were still finding it difficult to pay the current minimum wage. He recalled that the Federal Government instituted bailouts for the purpose of helping the states to meet up.”

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has said it will no longer enter into any negotiation with the government on a minimum wage for workers.

NLC, which is one of the umbrella bodies for workers, made the position of labour known on Sunday, even as it declared that workers would commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday as scheduled.

 Punch reports that the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Eson, said “The strike is going on. Nothing has changed. The strike will begin on Tuesday. That is the directive that has been given. It will be a total strike.”

Asked if oil workers would join the strike, Ozo-Eson said, “All trade unions in the country have agreed to go on strike and we expect every union to go on strike from Tuesday.”

On negotiations between the Congress and the Federal Government, Ozo-Eson said, “Negotiations have ended. Yes, we have a meeting of the tripartite committee on Monday and we will attend as long as it is to sign the report of what has been agreed. We will sign that so that it can be submitted to the government. We will not change our position.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had on November 27, 2017 approved the appointment of a 30-member tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee for negotiations on a new national minimum wage for the country.

The committee comprised representatives of the government, organised labour and the private sector.

The organised labour collectively demanded that the minimum wage be increased from N18,000 to N65, 000 but all parties were said to have agreed to N30,000 after over a year of negotiations.

However, the government announced N24,000, a move which caused the unions to declare a strike.

The crisis deepened last week when the Nigeria Governors Forum reviewed the minimum wage further to N22, 500.

When reminded that the National Industrial Court had reportedly barred the unions from embarking on strike, the NLC general secretary said the body had not been served with the court processes and was therefore unaware of the development.

He said, “We are not aware of any court order and we have not received anything from the courts. We have not been put on notice and so we are not aware of any court order. We have given the required notice of strike; we have given the required time of notice and we will after the expiration of that notice proceed on strike unless the government does what it is expected before the strike begins.”

Justice Sanusi Kado of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja had on Friday reportedly given an order stopping the strike following an ex parte application moved on behalf of the Federal Government by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata.

The judge said the order of interim injunction was made due to the urgency of the matter and the need to protect the overall interest of the public. He directed that the orders stopping the planned strike be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC. - PM News

Why ASUU strike is justified – Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central district in the National Assembly has backed the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on their strike.

DAILY POST reports that ASUU on Sunday announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike with immediate effect.

The decision was announced at the end of an emergency meeting on Sunday night. 

This came just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also preparing to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 6th, 2018, over a disagreement between the organised labour and the government on the N30,000 minimum wage.

Speaking on the development, Sani in a post on his Twitter page, said the ASUU strike was a justifiable to save public universities in Nigeria.

The Kaduna lawmaker while taking a swipe at lawmakers with wards abroad, noted that Nigeria can afford to fund public universities adequately.

Sani wrote: “I share the belief that ASUU strike is a peaceful and justifiable action to save public universities in Nigeria.

“At 70$ per barrel,Nigeria can afford to adequately fund public universities.Elites in power who can afford to educate their wards abroad, should have some honour.” - Daily Post

Terrorism : Hunters gun down 8 boko haram members in Borno village

Hunters and members of the civilian vigilante of Gubio, in Gubio local government area of Borno State, on Sunday, engaged members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

DAILY POST reports that the fierce fight resulted in the killing of eight (8) militants in the area.

Few days ago, the same hunters in collaboration with some members of the civilian JTF dealt decisively with some terrorists in the area killing several of them in their efforts to rid the local government and surrounding villages of the activities of the Boko Haram.

The attack and subsequent engagement of the Boko Haram terrorists today, Sunday evening at Gazabure village, is said to be another effort to clear the Boko Haram elements from the northern part of Borno.

Gubio is about 50 km from Maiduguri, which has experienced several attacks by the insurgents in the past, including the attack and abduction of the University of Maiduguri lecturers, who recently regained their freedom after a negotiation with the Federal Government. - Daily Post

Forged documents for UK visas attract 10-year ban – High Commissioner

The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Mr Paul Arkwright has cautioned Nigerians seeking visas to the UK to avoid presenting forged documents.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Arkwright warned that anyone caught flouting the rule would be denied entry into the UK for at least 10 years.

“I know there is a feeling in Nigeria that we refuse visas more often than we accept them. That is not the case.

“We are not trying to keep Nigerians out but it is important Nigerians stick to the rules when they are there in the same way that you in Nigeria would expect British people to obey the rules here.

Sadly, there are a few Nigerians who provide forged documents. We know when a document is forged and that is an automatic 10-year ban.”

According to the envoy, Nigerians are welcome in the UK, as some Nigerians living there are making very serious contributions to the British economy and other sectors.

He said that the British High Commission received about 80, 000 visa applications annually, adding that about 70 per cent of those applications were successful.

He said that 90 per cent of visa applications were from students wanting to study in the UK.

Arkwright further advised those seeking visas to apply “in good time’’ and also ensure they had the required documents ready.

He stressed that it was important for an applicant to have sufficient funds in their bank accounts which should have been in the account for a minimum of 28 days.

The British High Commissioner noted that the visa application was an online process and the High Commission was “working hard to streamline the process’’. - PM News

Labour strike: Aviation unions vow to cripple local, international flights

The unions in the country’s aviation sector have declared their intentions to partake in the indefinite strike scheduled to begin on November 6.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had announced the strike as a means to press home the demands for an upward review of minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000.

In a notice on Saturday, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and National Association of Aircraft-Pilot Engineers (NAAPE) alerted all airport workers, including agencies, airlines and other relevant business owners across the airports of the planned strike.

The notice was co-signed by Temenu Akinola, NUATE, Frances Akinjole, ATSSSAN, Ocheme Aba, NAAPE and Abdulrasaq Saidu, ANAP.

The unions asked all workers to comply with the directive, saying it would not tolerate any sabotage of the strike action.

“As you are all aware, the NLC, TUC and ULC have jointly declared an indefinite national strike action commencing from November 6, 2018, over the vexed issue of Government unwillingness to implement the report of the tripartite committee on minimum wage review,” the notice read.

“In complying with the directive of the Labour Centres, therefore, we issue this notice to all workers in the aviation sector to withdraw all services from 00:00 hours of November 6, 2018.

“This notice also applies to all businesses and agencies involved with the aviation to be aware of the above situation and adjust their businesses accordingly.

“The general public, especially the international travelling public, are equally notified to avoid or cancel plans to utilise aviation services within the period of the strike.

“For emphasis, all workers must comply with this directive as our Unions will not tolerate any sabotage of the strike action.” - TheCable

PL News : Alvaro Morata inspires unbeaten Blues to victory

Morata scored twice to inspire Chelsea to a 3-1 London derby win over Crystal Palace and maintain the Blues' unbeaten start to the season.

The Spaniard opened up the scoring in the 32nd minute before Palace equalised when James McArthur's pass from deep in midfield found Andros Townsend, who finished off coolly eight minutes into the second half.

But the introduction of Eden Hazard proved the turning point as the Belgian set up Morata's second before Pedro ensured the three points with his low drive from Marcos Alonso's cross.

The result means Chelsea are still unbeaten this season under Maurizio Sarri, who has now equalled Frank Clark's record of 11 games without a loss set at Nottingham Forest in 1994.

Meanwhile, Palace languish just three points above the drop zone after failing to win a Premier League game since mid-September.

Chelsea's attempt to remain unbeaten and keep up the pace with Liverpool, who drew 1-1 away to Arsenal on Saturday, and leaders Manchester City, who thrashed Southampton on Sunday, was boosted by the return of Hazard to the Blues squad.

The Belgian had missed Chelsea's last three games with a back injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United, but Sarri opted against starting him against Palace and instead sticking with the attacking trio of Willian, Pedro and Morata.

The move paid off, even if it took Chelsea 32 minutes to find the opener, which came when James Tomkins' attempted headed clearance was sent back into the box by Pedro where Morata was waiting to fire in.

The goal - Morata's fifth in all competitions this season - would have been a relief to Sarri who, up until that point, had been pacing up and down his technical area in frustration.

Chelsea were guilty in the early stages of the derby of giving the ball away on several occasions, which had allowed Palace to twice threaten through Max Meyer, who drew a save from Kepa Arrizabalaga and then a clearance from David Luiz.

But once Chelsea found the opener, they dominated the rest of the first half and looked like doing the same in the second until McArthur cut through the Chelsea midfield with a superb pass to Townsend, who out-paced Luiz to fire past Kepa in what was the visitors' first shot on target.

With a goal back in the derby, Palace sent men forwards although they needed Wayne Hennessey to twice save from the offside Morata and then Luiz.

Sarri reacted by sending on Hazard and Mateo Kovacic - and the substitutions worked immediately as just a minute later, it was the Belgian's free kick which was completely missed by the Palace defence and allowed Morata to drive in his second of the afternoon.

Pedro made it 3-1 not long afterwards to secure a win from a Chelsea performance that was unlike a Sarri team but one that came out on top in the end. - Evening Standard

Labour shuns meeting with FG over new minimum wage

Members of the Organised Labour, on Sunday, were absent at the reconciliatory meeting with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the N30, 000 new National Minimum Wage for the workers in the country.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said on Sunday that the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken as part of the ongoing negotiation.

He said the meeting was to ensure a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues of the new National Minimum Wage.

Mustapha said that the Tripartite Committee has been working assiduously, but there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with, and that was the reason for the rescheduling of the meeting.

“Basically, the only outstanding issue to be dealt with was the harmonisation of the 5th chapter of the report, and thereafter get the figures to be submitted to the government.

“The inaugural speech by Mr President included some very salient points, that caused me to reflect on the work of this committee, and one of it is that there is emphasis that the committee will by consensual agreement arrival at all their decisions and I think that was very important.

“Mr president went further to emphasis that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the county’s economy.

“So, it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new Minimum Wage on the economy.

“He also underpinned his speech by emphasising the fact we earn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian workers, but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage,” he said.

The SGF also noted that 27 states were faced with the difficulty in the payment of the basic minimum wage that was agreed, saying that he was not making any excuse for them.

He added that the meeting would continue tomorrow (Monday), thereafter members of the tripartite committee would continue with their meeting.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personaly ensure that Mr President receives and signs it immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) told NAN that members of the organised labour got the invitation to the meeting late.

“But hopefully, we will be around for tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting by 11a.m,” he said.

All efforts to get other members of the organised labour proved abortive. - Daily Post

Shi’ites release identities of 34 members ‘shot dead by soldiers’

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has listed the names of 34 of its members who were allegedly shot dead by soldiers between between October 27 and October 30.

Members of the sect clashed with soldiers in Abuja last week.

In a statement on Sunday, the group accused soldiers of murder, demanding an investigation into the matter.

The IMN said the list would be updated to accommodate the names of others yet to be identified.

The group said most of the dead were buried in Zaria, Kaduna state, while family members claimed the bodies of others.

The defence headquarters had said only three Shi’ites were killed during violent protests, saying the army only acted in self defence.

Here is the list of the 34 Shi’ite protesters allegedly killed by soldiers:

•  Abdulaziz Ibrahim (Maigana, Kaduna State)
• Rabi’u Abdulwahab (Malumfashi, Katsina State)
• Minka’ilu Shu’aibu (Kudan, Kaduna State)
• Muhammad Hussain (Sokoto, Sokoto State)
• Abdu Dijana (Suleja, Niger State)
• Ukasha Dayyabu (Madalla, Niger State)
• Faru’q Ahmad Garba
• Sulaima SK
• Muhammad Soje
• Fatima Yahaya Musa
• Malam Abu Qasim (Gaji, Bauchi State)
• Surajo Adam (Garu, Borno State)
• Ja’afar Yusuf (Keffi, Nasarawa State)
• Saeed Adamu (Awe, Nasarawa State)
• Lawal Ibrahim (Tudun Baushe Maraban Kafanchan, Kaduna State)
• Kamal Muhammad Haruna (Kaduna, Kaduna State)
• Al-Kasim Minka’il
• Huzaifa Musa
• Abdulaziz Haruna (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
• Muhammad Sani Awwal (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
• Zangina Muhammad Garba (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
• Isma’il Shu’aibu Alramma (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
• Aliuu Munnir (Mutum Biyu, Taraba State)
• Hamisu Muhammad (Zaria, Kaduna State)
• Abbas Muhammad
• Munnir Muhammad (Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State)
• Sa’id Zubairu (Maraba Abuja, FCT)
• Abdullahi Sabo Muhammad (Yauri, Kebbi State)
• Umar Abdullahi
• Mansur Lawal (Bauchi, Bauchi State)
• Umar Abdullahi Dogon Haris (Adamawa State)
• Abubakar Dadda’u (Gombe, Gombe State)
• Imrana Abdullahi

-Thecable

Man in early 20s stabbed to death in London

Detectives have begun a murder investigation after a man in his early 20s was stabbed to death in southeast London.

Officers were called to Samos Road in Anerley at 12.30pm on Sunday, along with an ambulance and London’s air ambulance.

The victim, believed to be 22, was pronounced dead at the scene at about 1pm. A post mortem is due to take place.

Sky News reports that Cordons were put up and police say an “urgent” investigation is under way.

Efforts are being made to establish the victim’s identity and inform his next of kin. - PM News