The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Doctors issue two-week ultimatum to FG over demands

    Doctors issue two-week ultimatum to FG over demands


    Doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demand.

    The ultimatum, according to a statement by the President of the NARD, Dr. Orji Innocent, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, begins April 29 and expires May 13, 2023.

    It stated that failure to meet its demand may result in a nationwide strike.

    Among the demands of the doctors are: Immediate increment in the CONMESS salary structure to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors; immediate withdrawal and jettisoning of the bill by Honorable Ganiyu Johnson seeking to make it mandatory for fresh medical graduates to provide services to the country for up to five years before receiving full registration and license to practice; immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF); commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed to our members including 2014, 2015, and 2016 salary arrears as well as areas of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

    Other demands include: immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of Doctors who leave the system; immediate infrastructural development in our various hospitals without further delay and insists on at least 15 per cent budgetary allocation to health subsequently; immediate implementation of CONMESS, Domestication of MRTA, and review of hazard allowance by all the state Governments as well as Private Tertiary Health Institutions where any form of Residency Training is done, among other demands.

    Read Also : Diaspora body: bill stopping doctors’ migration ineffective, counterproductive

    It said: “NEC observed that despite several engagements by NARD with the Government on the need to upwardly review the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) which was last reviewed over ten years ago, Government has neither called NARD to the negotiation table nor taken any tangible step in addressing the issue. 

    “This is against the background of the dwindling economic situation in the country, the serial abysmal decline in the value of the naira, the imminent removal of fuel subsidy, and the consequent damaging effect on the cost of living in the country.

    “NEC observed the deliberate refusal by the government to pay the salary arrears of 2014,2015 and 2016 to our members as well as the arrears of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage. 

    “NEC observed the infrastructural decay in the health sector as well as the severe manpower shortage in the sector, noting that despite several requests by NARD, the Government has still refused to provide at least 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector as contained in the 2001 Abuja Declaration for health care financing in Africa to which Nigeria is a signatory. 

    “NEC described the current 5.7 per cent allocation in the 2023 budget as laughable for a country claiming to be committed to safeguarding the health of her citizens and nipping the challenge of brain drain in the bud.

    “NEC demands immediate commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed to our members by the various state Governments, notorious amongst which is the Abia State Government. 

    “NEC resolved to issue the Government a two-week ultimatum beginning today, 29th April 2023, to resolve all these demands, following the expiration of which on the 13th May 2023, we may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the sector nationwide.”

  • 16 burnt to death as gas cylinder explodes in Osun

    16 burnt to death as gas cylinder explodes in Osun

    No fewer than 16 passengers have been burnt to their death in Ode-Omu, Ayeedade Local Government Area of Osun State when a private vehicle collided with an Ibadan-bound commercial bus. 

    The Nation gathered the incident occurred around 5pm on Friday at Ode-Omu when a private Lexus car coming from Lagos State collided with the commercial bus. 

    It was learnt that after the collision, the bus driver lost control of the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer off the road before summesaulting. 

    An eyewitness, Sogo, told The Nation: “After the commercial vehicle summersaulted, a gas cylinder at the back of the vehicle exploded and razed the bus with passengers in it.” 

    Former NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Kareem Isau in Ode-Omu branch, explained that, while evacuating the victims with men of Federal Road Safety Corps and police, 16 passengers, including children were burnt to death. According to him: 

    “Four people escaped death including a corps member and a security operative. Those that were inside the bus according to one of the people that escaped death said they boarded the bus at Aregbe motor park. 

    “The victim said a nursing mother was in the vehicles including five children. When we were evacuating the passengers that were burnt to death in the presence of police and road safety, we counted 16 of them.” 

    Read Also : Police move to avert religious crisis in Osun

    Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Osun Command, Agnes Ogungbemi could not ascertain the numbers of the victims but blamed gas cylinder explosion for the fire after the accident. 

    “No detail for now because we have not been able to ascertain the dead but the injured have been taken to Ise Oluwa Medical Center Odeomu. One of the vehicles carried gas ,it exploded and caused the fire out break,” he said. 

    Ends. 

  • How to secure graduate scholarships abroad as an international student using tips from Vantage Migration

    How to secure graduate scholarships abroad as an international student using tips from Vantage Migration

    One of the questions that most international students ask is the possibility of securing study scholarships and the application processes. This is because the importance of funding for graduate school takes a whole lot of financial burdens off the minds of international students. 

    Many students ask this because of a low grade, the need for an English proficiency test, and a class degree. However, Vantage Migration emphasizes the importance of training for students caught in this labyrinth to avoid getting Admissions without funding. This has always been a successful endeavor as many have learned how to get access to secure these scholarships. 

    International students can see other availability for funding which can also come in terms of another form of graduate assistance which includes: Research Assistance and Teaching Assistance. These two are also forms of scholarships that international students are privy to. There is the absolute truth that many international students fund their study abroad dreams with their chosen school funds, in terms of the aforementioned and yes, it’s possible to study for free in the US with a partial and full scholarship. 

    Moreover, while most of this funding is explicitly stated on the school’s website, some require additional search or query to know if the department provides such funding or not. And this is available to anyone irrespective of nationality.  Many who have passed through the training are being trained to access this hack, as there is a one on one guidance on how, where, and whom to contact. It’s not rocket science but accessing such international opportunities would need an expatriate mind and this is the natural outcome of training, and what impresses the foreign national. 

    The admission process abroad isn’t about the most qualified not even the smartest person or mosthardworking person. Still, it’s what is bequeathed on how your skills, qualifications, and experience are impressively put and this also goes to the awarding of funding. And this alone demystifies that you can study abroad no matter your background or educational stance when you follow the right way through guidance. 

    Tips to secure scholarships as an international student. 

    Securing scholarships as an international student can be a challenging process, but with some effort and research, it is possible to increase your chances of success. Here are some tips to help you secure scholarships as an international student:

    Research scholarships: Start your search for scholarships by researching online databases, scholarship search engines, and government websites. Look for scholarships that are specifically offered to international students. Before applying for any scholarship, carefully read the eligibility criteria. Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying.

    Aim for a strong academic record: Scholarships often require a strong academic record. Focus on your studies and aim for high grades. Many scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Be prepared to show evidence of your financial situation, including bank statements and other documents.

    Build a strong application: Make sure your application stands out by putting together a strong resume, cover letter, and essay. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, community involvement, and any relevant experiences. Also, make sure you apply early and follow up on your application. Reach out to your school’s international student office or financial aid office for guidance on applying for scholarships. Many scholarship deadlines are early, so make sure to start your search early and submit your application well before the deadline. After submitting your application, follow up with the scholarship provider to ensure they have received your application and to inquire about the status of your application.

    By following these tips, you can increase your chances of securing scholarships as an international student. Remember, securing scholarships takes time and effort, so don’t give up and keep searching for opportunities. Vantage Migration can help you make this process seamless by teaching you how to do it right.  To get started, simply click on our free webinar which you need to indulge yourself in. 

  • Sudan crisis: Why we splashed $1.2m on 40 buses, by FG

    Sudan crisis: Why we splashed $1.2m on 40 buses, by FG

    The Federal Government on Saturday explained why it splashed $1.2 million for the 40 buses hired to evacuate Nigerians from Sudan.

    The hefty amount was settled for in a “condition of war”, the Federal Government said.

    The clarification came in a Joint statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

    The statement was signed by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MFA, Amb. Janet Olisa, and Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.

    “The general public is also advised to discountenance unverified information being circulated on social media as some of it is either due to ignorance or sheer mischief. The outcry over the negotiated sum of $1.2 million for the buses hired for the exercise, is uncalled for.

    “The amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for the same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens. Therefore, cooperation and understanding of all and sundry are required to complement ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring the safe return of every Nigerian trapped in Sudan,” the statement clarified.

    Read Also : Sudan crisis: Nigerians, others stranded at Egyptian border

    No fewer than 5,500 Nigerian students are stranded due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

    The government had released N150m for hiring 40 buses to convey its desperate citizens from Sudan to Cairo in Egypt.

    The money was said to have been paid to a transport company on Tuesday at 12:37 pm by

    The Central Bank of Nigeria paid the money directly to the transport company account on Tuesday noon through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

  • Alleged fraud: UK, Spain extradite three Nigerians to US

    Alleged fraud: UK, Spain extradite three Nigerians to US

    The Kingdom of Spain and The United Kingdom (UK) have extradited three Nigerians to the United States following their alleged participation in a six-man criminal enterprise that defrauded elderly Americans.

    The Nigerians – Kennedy Ikponmwosa, 51, Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham, 44, and Jerry Chucks Ozor, 43 – could face 20 years in jail, if convicted.

    The trio was extradited to the Southern District of Florida to face federal charges related to allegations that they and the other members of the gang operated an international fraud scheme. 

    The United States Department of Justice made the disclosure Friday, in a statement on its website.

    Ikponmwosa was extradited from Spain and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres on April 18. 

    Abraham and Ozor were extradited from the United Kingdom on Friday, April 28 and will make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eduardo I. Sanchez on Monday, May 1, in Miami.

    Ikponmwosa, Ezennia Peter Neboh, 48, and Prince Amos Okey Ezemma, 49, of Madrid, Spain; and Abraham, Ozor, and Emmanuel Samuel, 39, of London, UK, face federal charges in Miami, Florida. 

    Read Also : Three Nigerians extradited to U.S. over fraud

    Neboh, Ikponmwosa, Abraham, Samuel, and Ozor were arrested in April 2022 by authorities in Madrid and London, based on an indictment filed in the Southern District of Florida, and were incarcerated since then. 

    Samuel pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud on March 27.

    According to court documents, the defendants are charged with operating an inheritance fraud scheme. 

    For more than five years, they allegedly sent personalized letters to elderly consumers in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who purportedly had died years before in Spain. 

    Victims were told that before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and payments to avoid questioning from government authorities. 

    Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to serve as money mules. 

    According to the indictment, victims who sent money never received their purported inheritance funds.

    “The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch will pursue and prosecute transnational criminals who defraud U.S. consumers, wherever they are located. I thank the Kingdom of Spain and the UK for their tireless efforts in assisting U.S. authorities to find and arrest these individuals so that they may face charges here in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. 

    “The Justice Department and U.S. law enforcement will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to bring to justice criminals who attempt to defraud U.S. victims from outside the United States.”

    “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service constantly strives to protect our communities from predatory criminals seeking to abuse and exploit the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Miami Division. 

    “This case is an example of how Postal Inspectors will vigorously pursue fraudsters and ensure that they are brought to justice for the crimes they have committed.”

    “These extraditions prove that by pulling law enforcement agencies together, we can best focus on investigating individuals and illicit criminal organizations associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect vulnerable seniors,” Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). 

    “I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation and the extradition process for their dedication; together we have the tools to keep our elderly from falling prey to these scams.”

    The defendants are all charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as mail fraud and wire fraud. 

    Neboh and Samuel were both extradited earlier this year. 

    If convicted, Ikponmwosa, Abraham, and Ozor each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. 

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Consumer Protection Branch, USPIS, and HSI are investigating the case.

    Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. 

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal provided critical assistance.

  • Man kills father with iron rod in Oyo

    Man kills father with iron rod in Oyo

    The Oyo Police Command has apprehended an 18-year-old suspect, Adeagbo Ismail for killing his father with iron rod while asleep.

    The suspect was paraded with his 47-year-old mother at the Police Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

    The suspect said he didn’t know what made him to killed his 52-year-old father, Adeagbo Jimoh, because the deceased has not done anything wrong to him.

    He noted that he just wake up around 11.00 pm on the day of incident and hit his head with an iron rod while he was sleeping, leading to his death.

    He said::”On that day, all of us were sleeping in the house with my father, I woke up around 11.00 p.m and I went straight to where my father was sleeping and I picked an iron rod and hit it on his head and I went back to sleep.”

    “When it was around 6.00 a.m the next day, my mother woke me and my sister up to go and pray, she also went outside the compound to perform ablution to pray when she saw my father dead on the floor.

    “My mother called all of us out to come and see that my father was dead, I immediately took a motorcycle and went out to inform our relatives about the death of my father and the police were informed about the incident.”

    Read Also : Oyo police command parades 56 suspects for various crimes

    “When the police arrived in our compound, I ran inside the house and hide under the bed and everybody started looking for me.”

    “My mother later came inside and saw me under the bed and ask whether I was the one that killed my father and I said yes.”

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    “My father did not offend me and nobody sent me to kill him. My father do take care of us and as well pay our school fees, but he use to beat my mother and I don’t use to talk,” the suspect said.

    Briefing newsmen about the incident, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the incident was reported by one Adeagbo Taofeek on April 21 at about 8.00 a.m at Tede Division Police Headquarters.

    Osifeso said that the deceased was found lying dead where he was sleeping inside the compound with a serious mark of violence on his forehead.

    He said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspect on April 21 at about 11.30 p.m struck his late father on the head with an iron rod where he was sleeping leading to his death.

    According to Osifeso, the suspect has voluntarily confessed to the crime and further confessed that his mother was aware that he killed his father and concealed the information.

    Meanwhile, 23 other suspects were also paraded for alleged armed robbery, impersonation, attempted kidnapping, hijacking and diversion of a truck loaded with goods worth millions of naira and buying of goods with fame credit alert.

    Items recovered from all the suspects included one DAF Truck with Reg No. ZUR 438 YL loaded with bags of wheatofal, one unregistered DAF Truck, one Toyota Camry car, one Toyota Corolla car, three Bajaj motorcycles, a cutlass and an Iron rod.

  • I did nothing wrong, suspended Adamawa REC writes IGP from hiding

    I did nothing wrong, suspended Adamawa REC writes IGP from hiding

    Suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari has said that he declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) wnner of the governorship election in the State to save the democratic process.

    Ari said he acted in accordance with the powers conferred on him by the Electoral Act as the Chief Collation Officer in Adamawa State.

    This was contained in a four-page letter he wrote to the Inspector General of Police from his hiding.

    The embattled REC  accused the two National Commissioners deployed to the State to supervise the April 15 supplementary election of collecting bribe from Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to declare him winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State.

    In the letter, which was hand-dated April 20, the embattled REC also accused the two National Commissioners of usurping his responsibility as Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    He denied any wrong doing in declaring the candidate of the APC, Aishatu Dahiru (Binani) winner of the governorship election saying he acted within the responsibility vested on him by the Electoral Act as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state.

    He said that as the Chief Collation Officer in the State, he observed that results uploaded on the IREV portal were not signed by him and therefore null and void.

    The letter titled: “Report of the conduct of supplementary elections held on the 15th April, 2023 in Adamawa state”, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation was stamped received in the IGP office on the same day.

    Although the letter, which was copied to the the INEC Chairman, Director General, DSS and the National Security Advisor was addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the content is suggestive of the fact that it may have been meant for the Commission.

    The letter is the first communication of the suspended REC since he declared Binani winner of the election.

    INEC had said that it was not aware of the where about of the Hudu Yunusa-Ari as he did not respond to summon to come to Abuja to explain his actions and did not return any of the calls placed to him.

    The letter reads “You may wish to know that there is no better time than now to update the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all concerned Nigerians on the conduct of the 15th April, 2023 supplementary elections in Adamawa State. 

    “It is against this background that you sent two National Commissioners, Dr. Baba Bila and Prof. Abdullahi Zuru to assist me in the conduct of the re-run elections in Adamawa State. | hope this was a confirmation that you wanted the Commission to conduct the elections to reflect the collective aspirations of the people of the State. 

    “At the end of the day, the actions of the two National Commissioners left much to be desired. The Commissioners held a meeting with my management staff in my absence and I did not know the outcome of the meeting and there was a sudden move to tamper with the list of Collation Officers (COs) earlier released for the rerun election. 

    Read Also : Buhari receives Tinubu at Presidential Villa after praying together

    “On the day of election, before the sensitive and non-sensitive materials were to be distributed across the affected Local Governments and polling units, I received a security report from the Commissioner of Police that Boko Haram insurgents from neighbouring states were recruited by some politicians to cart away sensitive materials and disrupt the elections. 

    “According to the report, the sensitive materials were not expected to leave the INEC office on the 14th April, 2023 until the day of election, which was on the 15th April, 2023 as shown in the attached photocopy of the letter from the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State as Annex Al and A2.

    “After the first letter from the Police Commissioner, another letter came from Police updating me that the security threat is still high as some Local Government Collation centers will be attacked and as such the Police advise that all collations from Registration Areas (RAs) and Local Government centers should be done at the State level, which was the INEC headquarters Annex, Adamawa State. Attached is the photocopy of the second letter from the Commissioner of Police as Annex B. 

    “In line with the security advice, I directed the Electoral Officers (EOs) and Local Government Collation officers to ensure that Results Collations should be done at a centralized INEC ANNEX OFFICE IN DOUGIREI, Yola 

    “However, at this point, the National Commissioners quickly and secretly gave out conflicting counter directives to the EOs that collation should be done in the Local Government Areas with an instruction that NEW LGA COLLATION OFFICERS which | am not aware of will be sent to them.

    “This is without my knowledge or authorization as the Resident Electoral Commissioner as recognized by laws establishing INEC and the Electoral act. 

    “In the evening, when I was preparing for state collation, all seats for ICCES (Interagency Consultative Committee on election Security) members were set, I got to the place and discovered that my name was replaced with that of the Administrative Secretary to take charge of collation. 

    “I then asked the National Commissioners to explain why they would exclude me from the process of collating results. But there was no explanation. After some time, the National Commissioners declared that | was nowhere to be found. 

    “Immediately after the announcement, someone called me and informed me about the development. So around 1:00 am on Sunday 16th April, 2023, I came back to the collation center and saw some people sleeping including the two National Commissioners. 

    “I addressed them that I was still the Resident Electoral Commissioner and that all stakeholders for the re-run election should return to the collation center by 11:00 am on Sunday, 16th April, 2023. 

    “It is important to note that while the National Commissioners defiled the security concerns released by the Commissioner of Police, they purportedly did result collation at various locations by their self-appointed, unapproved and illegal collation officers. 

    “Meanwhile, I received reports that the collations at the various centers left much to be desired. 

    “So due to the pressure and the numerous calls I received from party agents and candidates of political parties threatening to cause mayhem for not having confidence in the collation of results at the various collation centers as directed by the National Commissioners, I looked inward and decided to call for all the results from the sixty-nine (69) polling units. 

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    “To avert the impending danger of the delay in announcing the results of the supplementary elections, I received the authentic results submitted by the Presiding Officers (POs) from all the sixty-nine polling units and compared them with results that were uploaded on the IREV (INEC portal) and I realized that the results on the portal were different because the results on the INEC portal were not signed by me”.

    Speaking further, he said  “On 15/04/2023 at about 10:00pm, armed Policemen from the Government House came to my house and placed me under House Arrest to prevent me from conducting my legitimate duties.

    “It took the intervention of the Commissioner of Police who sent Mobile Policemen to my house to save the day and when they heard that a call was made to the CP, the Policemen trom Government House fled in a White Toyota Hilux van. 

    “In view of the time constraint and obvious risk to my life and to conclude the supplementary elections and forestall the breakdown of law and order, I organized a meeting comprising my co-chair, who is the Commissioner of Police, Director of Security Services, Commandant of Civil Defense Corps and others on the way forward. 

    “As the action of the National Commissioners and threats by political parties over the process of collating results created an atmosphere of violence that almost marred the election, most of the stakeholders were scared and refused to continue with the election process including the Returning Officer (RO).

    “I also organized a meeting with the chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, in the person of Mr. Bello Babajo who assured me that he would reach out to all the political parties to calm down the tension and to allow the process to be concluded swiftly. 

    “It was based on this, that I compiled all the polling unit results and declared the winner of the election based on the highest number of valid votes scored by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani.

    “The breakdown was the valid votes scored by the two leading candidates in the supplementary election using the results from the polling units as collated into all relevant Forms EC8B, C,D and E respectively by properly and legally appointed and recognized Collation Officers and my humble self as Adamawa state Chief Collation Officer and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    “Prior to the declaration, there was an intelligence report made available to me that the two National Commissioners were at the Government House, Yola, at 8:31pm on 15/04/2023 and held a meeting with the State Governor, Mr. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. 

    “So, immediately after the declaration, some PDP supporters attacked one of the National Commissioners, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru as well as the Returning Officer, Prof. Muhammed Mele for failing to deliver Mr. Anmadu Umaru Fintiri winner in the election after collecting money from him. 

    “It was also alleged that the people beaten in the purported video wanted to subvert the re-run election in Adamawa State and undermine the will of the Adamawa people as expressed through the ballot. 

    “A staff of Department of State Services (DSS) on intelligence gathering on the money allegedly given to the National Commissioners was also disarmed, abducted, taken to Government House Yola and assaulted by Police from Government House, Yola and thugs loyal to the PDP. 

    “In view of the preceding paragraphs, whatever may be collated by the two National Commissioners is shrouded in doubt which is unacceptable and therefore illegal. On my own side, I want to categorically say that my action is within the responsibility vested on me and within the ambit of the law particularly the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.”Ends

  • 5,000 sacked A’Ibom teachers beg Gov-Elect

    5,000 sacked A’Ibom teachers beg Gov-Elect

    The 5,000 teachers sacked in 2018 by Akwa Ibom  Governor Udom Emmanuel have appealed to the Governor-elect Umo Eno to re-absorb them when he assumes office. 

    In a statement signed on their behalf by Comrade Edidiong Etop Udi and Comrade Ubong Akpan Obot, coordinator and Secretary General respectively, the sacked teachers urged the incoming Governor to consider their plights.While congratulating Eno and his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi for their victory at the poll, they urged them them to emulate Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State who recently re-absorbed the 3,000 primary school teachers he sacked in 2018.

    “We appeal that you toe the same path that His Excellency Mr. Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna State has taken by reabsorbing the 3000 Primary School Teachers who were sacked in 2018 for not passing promotion exam organized by the State Government. This will be one historic achievements and hallmark of your administration.

    “The forum specifically congratulates His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno and Senator Akon Eyakenyi for their massive victory at the poll as Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-Elect respectively. 

    Read Also : Fed Govt knocks Akwa Ibom for neglecting trade test certificates

    “The gift of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to Akwa Ibom State will ushered in an horizon of unparalleled boundless hope, ray of sunshine and a rebirth of a new Akwa Ibom.

    “Therefore, the Akwa Ibom State sacked 5000 teachers implore the Governor-elect to be magnanimous in his victory by engaging all constituencies of the state in policy designing and implementation process  in order to give every citizen a deep sense of proudly belonging to Akwa Ibom State.

    “The group is very convinced that the Governor-elect will objectively assess the needs of the people including the  plights of the sacked 5000 teachers with the hope of ameliorating their long years of sufferings, marginalization and exclusivity in the Commonwealth of the state”, they said.

    The forum also appreciated Mr Iniobong Bassey Eno for being instrumental in mitigating their plights as a people.

    “His catalytic prowess and heroic display of maturity, experience and aura of endurance, tolerance, patience and understanding was bravery in deed. He identified with us at the peak of our griefs, sadness and sorrowful hearts,” the sacked teachers said. 

    .

  • Lagos demolishes 13 buildings on airport road

    Lagos demolishes 13 buildings on airport road

    The Lagos State Government has demolished 13 buildings in Ajao Estate, close to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

    General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Gbolahan Oki said the buildings were demolished for lacking required approvals, and were cited around the airport restricted areas while some were cited on aviation fuel pipelines.

    Oki added that the builders also lacked required approvals for construction in that area.

     He insisted the buildings were constructed illegally in disregard to extant laws.

     ‘The buildings had no planning permit and were built around the pipelines. Nobody in his right mind will build on a pipeline’, he noted.

    Oki, who attributed incessant building collapse in Lagos to attitudinal problems, said occupants of the demolished buildings were given about two years to relocate. 

    He called on Lagosians to report illegal structures to the government, saying ‘turning a blind eye to such constructions would bear untoward consequences with far reaching losses on everybody’.

    Read Also : Lagos demolishes illegal structure

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which supported the government’s action, especially after issuing several stop warnings to ‘encroachers’ who ‘stole’ from the airport land to build.

    General Manager (Business Development) of FAAN Ngwu Hycianth applauded the partnership with LASBCA to bring normalcy and decency to the airport environment. He lamented that the airport authority began to notice encroachment on its land in 2015, which defied the rule that no building must be cited close to the perimeter fence.

  • North Central Govs back Sani Musa for Deputy Senate Presidency

    North Central Govs back Sani Musa for Deputy Senate Presidency

    North Central Governors  zone have adopted the resolution of their Senators-Elect, endorsing Niger East Senator, Sani Musa, for the position of Deputy President of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly, it has been learnt.

    The North Central Senators-Elect met with the Governors at the Kwara Governor’s Lodge Asokoro, Abuja on Friday night shortly after they met in the Maitama and passed a resolution to support Sani Musa’s Senate Deputy Presidency bid.

    The Senators-elect were received by Governors Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq and Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    They were led to the meeting by Senator Musa, who is the Chairman of the North Central Senators-Elect Caucus.

    It was further learnt that the meeting was so they could formally meet and familiarise with their Governors who are the political leaders of their various States.

    They were said to have seized the opportunity to inform the Governors of their resolution during their caucus meeting meeting to back Musa for Deputy Senate President.

    During the meeting, Bello was said to have commended the caucus for coming together for the first time to “pursue the interest of the zone” which he noted has “never happened before.”

    Bello was said to have called on all the political actors in the zone from the local government elected officials, political appointees, serving and former State and National Assembly members to unite as one entity.

    He also assured the federal lawmakers-elect that all the governors of the North Central geopolitical zone would support their aspiration to produce a presiding officer in the 10th National Assembly.

    Bello said, “This is the appropriate time for us to unite in order to pursue a common goal so that North Central Nigeria would take its rightful place in the affairs of the country.”

    Abdulrazaq said: “The fact that the elected senators from our zone, irrespective of their political party affiliation, have chosen to come together to promote a common interest for the benefits of the North Central and the country, is a welcome development and highly commendable.

    “We will advise the caucus to reach out to other zones with the aim of getting the required numbers and cooperation.

    “All the senators-elect should also remain focused and pursue vigorously, their quest for the highest possible leadership position in the 10th Senate.

    “The Governors of the North Central geopolitical zone will continue to support the aspirations of Senator to lead the 10th Assembly by all means possible.”

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    The Senators-elect were said to have appreciated the disposition of the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in ensuring that fairness and equity take place in the distribution of leadership positions to all the geopolitical zones.

    The leader of the caucus Senator Musa, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appealed to the Governors to continue the quest for equity for the zone.

    He said, “We are here to appreciate and congratulate our leaders and to express our commitment to one strong North Central zone.

    “We are very aware of the permutations and schemings going on at the moment from the various geopolitical zones on the positions of leadership of the National Assembly.

    “The North Central is therefore requesting that the highest hierarchy and decision organs of our great party consider the North Central zone for a position not less than the Deputy Senate President.”

    In attendance at the meeting were Senators Musa, Isah Jibrin (Kogi East), and Sadiq Umar Suleiman (Kwara North).

    Others were Senators-Elect Peter Ndalkali Jiya (Niger South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Udende Memsa Emmanuel (Benue North-East), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North West), Hon Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Mohammed Onawo (Nasarawa South), and Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Sadiku Ohere (Kogi Central), among others.