Update : ASUU speaks on calling off strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said it was not in a position to determine whether an end to its ongoing strike is in sight.

ASUU Chairman, University of Abuja chapter, Dr. Ben Ugheoke, said this on Wednesday in an interview with DAILY POST in Abuja.

Recall that the lecturers, penultimate week embarked on industrial action over the failures of the Federal Government to implement its part of the agreement it signed with the union towards ensuring proper funding of the universities, the payment of full salaries by state-owned universities, and the payment of earned academic allowances, among others.

Speaking, Dr. Ugheoke explained that the onus lay with the Federal Government to call ASUU to the negotiation table with a view to bringing an end to the strike.

“I can’t tell if an end to the strike is in sight. If the Federal Government calls us for negotiations, we are not against that. But, we are in the government’s position,” he said.

On whether his chapter of the union had plans of pulling out of the ongoing industrial action, he said: “The strike is national. Whatever ASUU’s NEC (National Executive Council) directs, that’s what UNIABUJA chapter follows.”

Meanwhile, ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, has said the union was ready to commence negotiations with the government over the ongoing strike.

Ogunyemi said a meeting with the Federal Government delegation has been scheduled for Thursday, one o’clock at the instance of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

- Daily Post

Crime warlords !! Odi/Zaki-Biam massacres: More trouble for Obasanjo, Danjuma as group wants ex-leaders banned from US, UK

The United States of America, United Kingdom and others have been asked to restrict entry of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and TY Danjuma, erstwhile Minister of Defence as a consequence for their alleged involvement in mass killings and detention of innocent citizens that took place under various guises when they held sway.

Policing Nigeria Awareness Initiative, who made this call in a letter addressed to the Embassy of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and others specifically pointed out the massacres of innocent Nigerians in Zaki Biam, Benue State and Odi area of Beyalsa during the Obasanjo-led government.

This call came barely one week after the Good Governance Advocacy Project, a Civil Society Organization had called on the United Nations and International Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate, probe Obasanjo and Danjuma for their alleged involvement in war crimes and other offences against humanity that took place at various times between 1999 and 2007.

The letter signed by High Chief Amb Egbe Akparakwu, Executive Director of the group and obtained by our reporter on Tuesday, alleged that under the Obasanjo administration and with T.Y Danjuma as Minister of Defence, Nigeria experienced arbitrary detention and killing of innocent Nigerians under various guises.

The group in the letter made reference to a revelation by a former associate of ex-President Obasanjo, Mr. Richard Odusanya, who alleged that the former chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees was in charge of a killer squad that was formed under the military regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

According to Odusanya, the squad was used for political assassinations and was responsible for the unresolved killings of politicians under Obasanjo administration.

Part of the letter read, “As a flashback, during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo in October 2001, the then Minister of Defence, T.Y Danjuma, ordered the military invasion of a community in Benue State, where thousands of people were killed and burnt beyond recognition. These innocent persons including women and children no doubt share the same faith with TY Danjuma.

“In 1999, over 2500 civilians were killed by the military under T.Y Danjuma in Odi town in Bayelsa state. Odi is another predominant Christian community in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria with a less than 1 pee cent of the people as Muslims. All these demonstrate TY Danjuma and his former boss disposition towards humanity and their joy to shed innocent blood at any slightest opportunity.

“In addition, under Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented government masterminded political killings. This much was confirmed by a close associate who worked closely with him.

“Among those who were politically murdered during Obasanjo administration included, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, and South-South politicians, Chief Harry Marshall, Chief A.K. Dikibo, a former Senatorial Candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, in Imo State, Uche Orji, Arc Layi Balogun, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Prof Chimere Ikoku, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in Anambra State, Chief Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Chief Victor Nwankwo of Fourth Dimension Publishers and Chief Funso Williams. All these Nigerians are people that share the same religious faith with both Obasanjo and TY Danjuma yet we’re killed under circumstances that are quite familiar to the two men.

“It is also necessary for emphasis to be made that Under Obasanjo’s civilian rule, the massacres at Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in Benue State where women and children were slaughtered, there has been no accountability. No one has been charged for this mass murder of innocent people despite countless petitions so far submitted by various groups and organizations calling for justice.

“There was also a huge rise in harassment and intimidation of Human Rights Activists under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. Arrests, Torture and some cases systematic killings of youth activists in the Niger Delta were rife. The arbitrary detention and subsequent torture of Comrade Sunny Ofehe, member Coalition for the Niger Delta Campaign (CNDC), and Mr. Oladeji Odukoya, a member of the Delta Youth Development Council (DYDC), is a clear testimony of the government use of force to silence its critics. Many of these have changed in recent times to pave way for a country where democratic principles are being entrenched.

“Consequent upon the fact that the duo of Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma have through their actions and inaction committed crimes and still committing crimes against humanity, we request that a travel ban is imposed on Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma into your country as a sanction for promoting war crimes pending the determination of our actions before the International Criminal Court.

“It is also our prayer that the duo of Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma that have brought sorrow and tears to countless families be made to face the full wrath of the law. We implore your governments to raise these issues before the United Nations to serve as deterrent to other world leaders who abuse their office and those who might be preparing the new grounds for crimes against humanity.”

- Daily Post

Igbo Muslims: We haven’t benefitted anything from govt since 1914

Igbo Muslims under the aegis of South Eastern Muslims Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON), say they have not gained anything from the government since the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorate in 1914.

The group, in a communiqué issued at the end of a conference held on Sunday, accused the federal government of marginalisation.

The group said Igbo Muslims are always disqualified from contesting elections.

According to the group, the greatest challenge of Igbo Muslims is their alleged “total exclusion from the political scheme in Nigeria.”

The group said no Igbo Muslim has been given any political appointment at any government level.

It, therefore called on its members to actively participate in politics by vying for elective positions and voting during elections.

“Igbo Muslims have been law-abiding and peaceful citizens of Nigeria. We have sustained the fear of God and patriotism, as well as our trust and loyalty in the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the communiqué read.

“But we are never known by the leaderships of Nigeria and our states when it comes to appointments. We want the federal government of Nigeria and the governments of our south-east states to adequately note this high level of political exclusion of Igbo Muslims in Nigeria

“However, we appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in developing Nigeria. We want him to remain focused in the fight against corruption and to be detribalised in his appointments even while putting merit above other considerations.

“We pray for him and we promise to always support good leadership for Nigeria. On the same note, we call on the Southeast governors and local government chairmen to protect us and our worship places and to carry us along in the socio-political and economic arrangements for citizens without discrimination against us.

“We pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria and plead with politicians to play by the rules as the 2019 general elections approach. And despite the unfavourable political climate for us in our hometowns and states, we wish Igbo Muslim politicians the best in future general elections.”

- TheCable

SARS operative’s bullet did not penetrate because i’m fortified, vigilante tells reform panel

A 50-year-old vigilante, Agbodemu Ishola, on Wednesday told the Presidential Panel on Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) Reform that some members of SARS directly shot at him.

The complainant made the allegation at a public hearing on alleged human rights violation by SARS.

He, however, said that the bullet did not penetrate his body because he was ‘fortified’ by his father.

The weeklong public hearing began at the Ikeja High Court on Tuesday.

It is chaired by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Tony Ojukwu.

The complainant, who resides at No. 1 Jones St., Apapa Road, Ebute Meta in Lagos, also accused SARS of unlawful arrests and detention, extortion as well as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

“On March 3, 2017, at 5.00 p. m., I heard a gunshot and saw people running helter skelter. I saw men with guns on mufti, they came with a van without number plate.

“I got out and saw that the men had raided some of the residents. I tried to approach them with my Vigilance Identity Card but was shot by the men.

“The gunshot did not penetrate into my body because I was fortified by my father.

“I am a native of Osun, no gun shot can penetrate into my body, ” he told the panel.

The complainant said that the SARS members removed their mufti when they were about to leave.

”And I saw SARS logo on them,” he said.

He added that said he was unlawfully detained and tortured by SARS, and is currently receiving medical attention at Lagos State Teaching Hospital.

The defence counsel, Mr S. Idachaba, objected to the claims of the complainant, saying that there was no case of gunshot in the medical report presented by him.

After 15 minutes break, the chairman of the panel ruled that the case be put on hold in order to give room for more evidence.

The public hearing will continue on Thursday.

The panel include Mr Tijani Muhammed (Representative of Police Service Commission), David Shagba (Public Complaints Commission), Rtd Hashimu Argungu, Mrs Iyabode Ogunseye (Nigeria Bar Association), Chino Obiagwu (SAN – (Civil Society), Abdulraham Yakubu (NHRC) and Prof. Mauazu Abubakar, (University of Maiduguri).

The panel has received 36 complaints in South West Zone in the public hearing on alleged human rights violation by SARS.

- PM News

Judge orders Abaribe to pay N100m over Kanu’s absence in court

Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator from Abia state, has been ordered to pay N100 million into the account of a federal high court in Abuja over his inability to produce Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in court.

Binta Nyako, a judge, also ordered Immanuel Shalom, a Jewish priest, and Tochukwu Uchendu, an accountant, who also stood as sureties of the IPOB leader to pay N100 million each over the same issue.

She gave them two months to make the payment.

Nyako had granted Kanu bail  in April 2017 while the three men stood as sureties. But he flouted all the bail condition and fled the country when soldiers raided his residence in Abia state in September 2017.

Abaribe had applied to be discharged as a surety but the court refused his application.

At the court on Wednesday, Abaribe was absent. Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, his counsel, had told the court that the senator was attending an oversight function.

Nyako adjourned the matter till March 2018.

Last month, IPOB members released a video of Kanu in Israel.

-TheCable

Yemi Kale: FG has not released money for NBS to complete unemployment report

Yemi Kale, the statistician-general of the federation, says the federal government has not released money for the National Bureau of Statistics to complete the unemployment report.

Its been a year since the bureau released Nigeria’s unemployment figures, which are usually released quarterly.

The statistician-general and the NBS have been accused of hoarding the figures, in order not to damage the reputation of President Muhammadu Buhari administration going into an election year.

NBS has postponed the release of the data, time and again, with the latest being from late November to December 7, 2018.

Based on previous reports, it is expected that unemployment in the country will soar to record highs, with 18.8 percent of the country’s population or 15.9 million people, unemployed.

Explaining the situation via Twitter, the NBS boss asked that Nigerians stop politicising the non-release of unemployment numbers, saying “You guys need to stop this”.

“I know it’s election time but I’ve said this repeatedly. Nobody is calling me to manipulate any data or not to release any data,” Kale said.

“The work can’t be completed due to budgetary releases. It’s not hard to confirm when last we got data funding and how much.”

U guys need to stop this. I know it’s election time but I’ve said this repeatedly. Nobody is calling me to manipulate any data or not to release any data. The work can’t be completed due to budgetary releases. It’s not hard to confirm when last we got data funding and how much

— Dr Yemi Kale (@sgyemikale) November 13, 2018

“The number of unemployed people within the labour force who are unemployed or underemployed increased from 13.6 million and 17.7 million respectively in Q2 2017 to 15.9 million and 18.0 million in Q3 2017,” the last NBS report, released in 2017, read.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, has exploited the unemployment in the country to drive his campaign, with the tagline: “Atiku means jobs”.

Ahead of the jobs creation report, Atiku had said his way of fighting crime and poverty is by creating jobs.

The job creation report for Q1 and Q2 2018 was initially billed to be released on October 10, but the new release date is December 17.

- TheCable

36 Parasites !!! Minimum Wage: Governors insist they can’t pay N30,000

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum says it will re-strategize and dialogue with President Muhammadu Buhari on the issues associated with the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage.

To drive the process, the forum has constituted a committee to meet the president to work out a formula to quickly resolve the issues.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, told newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of the governors on Wednesday in Abuja that payment of N30, 000 wage was impracticable.

Yari, however, said the proposed wage would be paid if labour would agree to downsizing of the workforce across the country “or Federal Government itself accedes to the review of the national revenue allocation formula”.

He listed members of the committee to interface with the Presidency as governors of Lagos, Kebbi, Plateau, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kaduna.

Yari alleged that the Tripartite Committee on the minimum wage did not include governors submission of N22, 500 in its proposal to Buhari “because it said that the governors’ decision came late”.

“Situation where our report was not taken or considered by the tripartite committee in the presentation to the president, then, I don’t know how the committee wants us to work.

“We still said that we want to pay but the issue is the ability to pay. If we say no, just pay, I don’t know how this formula will work and I don’t know how we can get solution to the issue.

“Today it is N18, 000. In 2015 when the president assumed office, 27 states were not able to pay, not that they chose not to pay.

“Now you say N30, 000, how many of us can pay? We will be bankrupt.

“So as Nigerians, we should look at the issues seriously,” he said.

Yari said that if the minimum wage was pegged at N30, 000, only Lagos would be able to pay its workers.

“Like Lagos that is paying about N7 billion as salaries now, if you say it should start paying N30, 000 the cost of salary will be N13 billion. “From our calculation, it is only Lagos state that will be able to pay 30,000.

“As Nigerians, this is our country, there is no other country we have and we should be fair to this country.”

He added that it was the same labour leadership pushing for N30, 000 that would turn around to say that governors did not build any infrastructure “and how are we going to achieve that by paying only salaries.”

On way forward, Yari said that the governors would continue to talk with labour leaders to let them see reasons why the governors have difficulties in paying the proposed wage.

“Apart from Lagos, even Rivers cannot pay. So, we have been crying out about this since 2011 but no one will listen.

“One critical example is that some states ration their salaries while some others put everything they earn on the table and ask labour to come and see and ask them to suggest how much should go for capital and personnel cost.

“Some say 70 per cent for personnel cost and 30 per cent for capital projects and yet the states cannot pay and they put the remaining as outstanding.”

On submission of states audited account, Yari said that the account was submitted to the committee, adding that “we are going to use the report of the audited committee to make further presentation.”

He disclosed that the governors also discussed the issue of Tax for Health services and had a presentation on human capital.

- PM News

2019 Elections: INEC adopts simultaneous accreditation and voting system

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says voting would hold simultaneously with accreditation of voters during the 2019 general elections.

Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Unit, disclosed this while speaking at a workshop for journalists on the 2019 election by the American Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday.

Okoye, who presented a paper: “the media and reporting of election results’’, said only voters with verified Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote.

“For the 2019 general elections, the voting procedure shall be in accordance with the Continuous Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS) and only voters with PVCs verified by the Smart Card Reader (SCR) shall be allowed to vote.

“The accreditation process shall comprise verification by SCR, checking of the register of voters, and inking of the cuticle of the specified finger,’’ he said.

Okoye said INEC would not use incident forms for individuals whose fingerprints were not authenticated in the 2019 poll.

“Where the voter’s fingerprint is not authenticated after four attempts using SCR, the fingerprint shall be recaptured in the prescribed manner and continue with the accreditation and voting process,’’ he said.

Okoye said INEC had put in place necessary mechanism to ensure that the election was free, fair and credible.

“The presiding officer shall be responsible for regulating the admission of voters to the polling unit and shall exclude all other persons except candidates and their polling agents, election officials and security personnel.

“Others are accredited observers and any other who in his opinion has lawful reason to be admitted,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, which was attended by representatives of various media organisations was also held at the American Space in Ibadan, Bauchi, Kano and Cababar simultaneously.

Resource persons at the event included Mr Gary Kebbel, a Professor of Journalism at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Aliyu Mustapha, Managing Editor, Voice of America and Mr Musikilu Mojeed, Chairman, Board of Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism.

- PM News

LG security guard nabbed for allegedly having anal sex with male teenagers

A security man posted to Oshodi-Isolo Local Government major entry gate, Abdulahi, has been apprehended by officers from the Civil Defence Corps within the council for having anal sex with young boys.

According to reports, he has been luring young boys into his security post for over two years to have sex with them, luring them with compensation of N100 or N200.

Two of the victims disclosed how he subjected Junior Secondary School students to sexual aggression and also mentioned several names of boys who were victims of the act.

However, the Child Protection Network (CPN), Oshodi chapter said it would take the victims to routine test at Mirable centre, LASUTH.

According to the organization, the test is to treat and correct the psychosexual development interest that the boys might have concentrated on the anal region which could result into meanness, stubbornness, compulsiveness, and so on.

The Executive Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh, who confirmed the report to DAILY POST, said the issue has been handed over to the Akinpelu police station for further investigation.

“Yes, the security guard was approached by the members of the Civil Defense Corps. He was on a watchlist of the act before being nabbed on Monday.

“I have ordered them to handle him over to the police for further investigation as some of the boys involved in the act disclosed to the Civil Defense Corps how he usually lured them into the act, and they had since handed him to the police at Akinpelu police station here in Oshodi.

“The CPN has also promised to carry out test on the victims.

“We shall make sure other perpetrators of such acts are flushed out of our society as we are working with the corps and other security agents to make sure our environment is devoid of such people.”

- Daily Post

Sex for marks: ICPC set to arraign ex-OAU lecturer, Akindele

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign a former lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele, at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

Akindele was accused of demanding sex from one of his students, Ms. Monica Osagie, in order to upgrade her academic result from fail to pass.

Professor Akindele will be docked on Monday, November 19, 2018, on a 3-count charge having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting to demand for sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course which she supposedly failed in 2017.

The Commission says that his actions were contrary to Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under the same sections.

One of the counts reads, “That you, professor Akindele, on or about the 16th day of September, 2017 at Ile-Ife did corruptly ask for sexual benefits for yourself from Ms. Monica Osagie on account of favour to be afterwards shown to her by you in the discharge of your official duties as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, to wit; altering her academic grades in the course with code MBA 632- Research Method from fail to pass; and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Rasheedat Okoduwa, ICPC spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday, said the 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain having admitted guilt.

“He also cited ill-health as a factor that may make him unable to stand the rigours of prison life, notifying the Commission through his lawyer, Omotayo Alade-Fawole.

“He pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, more so as he was already serving punishment for his offence having been sacked by the university”, the statement added. 

- Daily Post

5 allegedly killed as two communities clash in Cross River

No fewer than five persons have been allegedly killed and several others missing in a communal clash that ensued between the people of Ebijakara, Ebom and Usumutong communities in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the people of Ebom, who had been refugees in Usumutong finally left to their ancestral home, Ebom.

DAILY POST gathered that the people of Ebijakar, who were driven from their ancestral home by Ebom people over thirteen years ago, decided to go back without informing their host; but the youths of Ebom resisted them from entering their ancestral home.

The Village Head of Usumutong, who is the paramount ruler of Abi Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oval Solomon Osim Edward, confirmed the development to our reporter on Wednesday.

He said, “This morning (Wednesday), I heard that they left to their ancestral home in Ebom, they didn’t tell anybody, so when they got to Ebom, the people of Ebom resisted them from entering their community.

“Ebom people pursued them back and they wanted to come to Usumutong, but our youths repelled them since they have left. For now, peace has gradually returned to the area but we don’t know what would happen tomorrow whether they will re-enforce and come back,” he stated.

“The Ebijakara people have been out of the community for the past 13 years and we in Usumutong have been harbouring them and we have been restraining them from going out for war with their neighbours.

“Recently, the Ebom people abducted two of our sons and when they threatened going back to their land, we have no control over them so we asked them to go.

“But the Ebom people pursued them back to Usumutong and we also said they should not come back, our youths pursued them back, saying they should remain there. Ebom drove them up to our boundary but we resisted them from coming in as well.

“However, we have been invited by the Governor for a meeting on Tuesday, all the Chiefs in Babuno will be there, those who would not come, it is left for them” he further stated.

The Village Head of Ebom, Chief Henry Bassey also told DAILY POST on phone that the Usumutong people arrived their territory this morning (Wednesday) and started shooting guns threatening and attacking his people.

“Our people are still in the bush, they have not returned to enable me know how many are missing or dead, when they return, they will come to my house but as at now, the situation is dicing.”

Meanwhile, an eyewitness, who simply gave his name as Ntui said “These people, Ebijaghara left our village (Usumutong), organised themselves, regrouped and went to Ebom, right now the fighting is still going on, houses have been burnt. It is Ebijakara people that attacked Ebom”.

Interestingly, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Inuwa Hafiz told our correspondent on phone on Wednesday that some women went to farm and were assaulted.

“We have since sent some police men to the area, as I speak to you now, the Area Commander, and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and traditional rulers of the communities are meeting.

“So, many communities are fighting themselves, as I speak now, they are holding peace meeting because that was the report presented this morning.

“They are suspecting that it was Usumutong people who attacked Ebom and assaulted them. We have tried to stop the matter from degenerating into a full scale war.

“No report about death or destruction of property. We have to move in policemen to curb the situation,” Hafiz stated.

- Daily Post