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Tag: accept

  • ‘Atiku should accept election outcome’

    A group, KUNDUNAR MAi GASKIYA, has urged presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the outcome of the elections in good faith.

    A statement by the group’s chairman Aminu Ahmed and vice chairman Abubakar Isyaku, pleaded with Atiku to live by example as a true Moslem and leave everything to Allah according to the teachings of Islam.

    According to them, the north has had enough communal restiveness and cannot afford another self-motivated political chaos.

    The statement reads: “Nothing can be too much to let go as long as peace is sustained. We thank Nigerians for their trust in the president, and promise that he will deliver far better than his first tenure.”

    They group also release thanked many across board who contributed to Buhari’s victory, particularly Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for his continuous support and contributions towards Northern progress and promised to reciprocate.

  • ‘I won’t accept dictation from foes’

    ‘I won’t accept dictation from foes’

    Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar spoke with reporters in Lagos on his achievements, his anti-ghost workers policy, relationship with House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, strategies for boosting Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and restructuring. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there. 

    What motivated you to become the governor?

    My state was two years old when I started working for it. I have been an active participant in the development of my state. At a point, my state was a pacesetter. It was young, but a pacesetter in the Northern part of Nigeria. People came and copied things from us. The agric development project supported by the World Bank in Bauchi State and Nasarawa State was successful. Up to now, Bauchi Agricultural Development is the best. The Cooperative Federation in my state at a time was the best and a pacesetter. When Bababgida decided to set up community banks, it met with success in my state. So many good things were happening in the state. However, there has been a retardation of progress. In fact, at a point, there was a stagnation. The state witnessed a setback in its development strides. The roads became poor. They were full of potholes. That was retrogression as far as I am concerned. I was concerned. Why should Bauchi suffer a set back? This was my motivating factor. I was not a rich man before I contested for governor. But, I was very comfortable. My practice and my abode in Abuja was a comfort zone. I was living comfortably, taking care of my family and even my community. Even, before I became a politician, when I went home for Sallah and other ceremonies, my house used to attract more crowds than serving senators. It was a fact. I was in my comfort zone. I had to leave my comfort zone because of my concern for the development of the state. I thought I should be able to make a difference.

    Why is your government courting controversies?

    As governor, I decided to do things differently. I have decided that at my age I do not allow myself to be dictated to by people, most especially those who did not support my bid for governor. I have resolved to work for the people of Bauchi. It is very important that people should understand the scenario when I took over. I took over when labour was on strike because they had not been paid for four months. We negotiated with labour before my swearing in. I pleaded with them to call off the strike to enable us take over government properly. I promised to address their problems after the swearing in. perly. Without the civil service, we couldn’t take over properly. They conceded and called off the strike. When I took over, I inherited an empty treasury. I inherited N120 billion debt, including N15 billion gratuities. We hae reported this matter to the Federal Government. We went to the National Economic Council to assist us to deal with that, particularly in this period of recession. Ramadan was around the corner. Bauchi is predominantly Muslim. It relies heavily on government for salaries. I was sitting on a keg of gunpowder. I took a N4billion loan. I contacted the former Speaker, a PDP member, and members of the House of Assembly. Some assert that I took a loan without the approval of the House of Assembly. That was because of ignorance. I inherited a House of Assembly that was inaugurated on the 15th of June, 2011. It had a four-year tenure. So, it would stay at least, up to 14th of June, 2015. I took over on May 29. At a time, I was operating with that House of Assembly. I called the Speaker. At that time, there was only one appointee in my government, the Head of Civil Service that I inherited. His position was not political. Three of us sat in my office. I told the man, you are from this state. You know the realities of the state. Your government failed to pay civil servants for four months. The state was on a keg of gunpowder. Raining season had commenced. The raining season will not wait for anybody. Government has not make any arrangement for one bag of fertilizer. Ultimately, people will go to Saudi Arabia. Government has to facilitate the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for going to Saudi Arabia, not even sponsoring it. I asked an approval from the House to take care of these three major items and get a little to continue running the government until the next FAAC meeting. He told me he would table the matter before other members of the House at a dinner in the night. I directed the Head of Service to write formally to the House of Assembly. A week after, I received a communication from the Clerk of the House conveying the resolution of the House to me. This is what a lot of people do not know. I am a lawyer of 38 years. There is no way I will violate the constitution.

    What next after taking the loan?

    I took that loan and I was able to douse the tension. After paying one month salary, I procured metric tons of fertilizers and facilitated the hajji and it was the most successful. We continued paying salaries as at when due. In December 2015, when local governments could not pay salaries, I had to come to their rescue. I lent them to pay salaries. That was when I decided I must conduct staff verification. Why verification? Bauchi State, if you compare to Kano; Kano State is the most populous in Nigeria. Kano has 44 local governments. Yet, Kano has 92,000 staff, both state and local government. Bauchi State is said to have 105 staff. So, any right thinking person must look into that. I started the verification with the hope of getting to the bottom of the problem. Unknown to me, the cabal perpetrating the phenomenon of ghost workers in my state are very strong and very rich and they started fighting back. At that time, there was a disagreement with the members of the National Assembly. They were supporting them. They said I was doing staff verification. Today, my wage bill is 5.1 billion, for the state and local government. There was never a time I went to Abuja and got more than N5.1 billion. Yet, I am proud to say today that I am not owing salaries in Bauchi State. It has been attested to by labour. Like I said earlier on, my state relies on salaries. Even, in markets, buoyancy will not be there if salaries are not paid. That is why deliberately, I have been using all the intervention funds for salaries. The bailout is a loan we took. The only difference is that the terms are soft. The Central Bank of Nigeria intervened to get banks to give us the loan on soft terms; repayment over 20 year-period and nine percent interest. I utilized N8.6 billion, less N88 million. A group of NGOs organised a conference in Abuja and asked governors to come and give accounts. I opened my books because I have nothing to hide. I was in a bus in Port-Harcourt  going for the campaign for elections in Rivers State when my Accountant-General called to inform me that we had got the Paris Club money. I asked him to use it to pay salaries. Local governments were owing two months. The state government was owing one month. Bauchi State never owed more than one month salaries from the time I took over till date. I had an occasion to visit the President privately. I told him jokingly that I had him advising to use between 5o and 80 percent to pay salaries. I told him that in my state I used more than 80 percent to pay salaries. He said oh, thank you very much, well done.

    What about capital projects?

    In spite of this, we commenced major projects; Urban Renewal projects. We were not happy with potholes on the roads in the state capital. We have embarked on the rehabilitation of roads leading to Bauchi. Works are going on, but for the raining season. I am spreading these projects across the three urban areas of Bauchi State. In Azaria, I am doing four focal roads; two in Missau in the North and two in Bauchi in the South and one in the Central. I am trying to establish one health care centre in each ward as enjoined by the Federal Ministry of Health. I have 322 wards in Bauchi State. I have built an additional 19 primary health cares; equipped with staff quarters, VIP lavatories. I have sunk 34 solar powered-boreholes, rehabilitated 1,700 boreholes and built 600 hand-operated boreholes. If you travel within Bauchi State today, you see blue roof primary schools. That is my project. You see the renovation of existing classroom blocks and building of band new classroom blocks. Some of these are completed. They are not abandoned projects. My policy is that there will not be an abandoned project in Bauchi State. The abandoned project phenomenon has retarded the progress of Nigeria. My policy is, even if I am not the person who started the project, I will complete it because the resources of our state should not be a waste. There is a project of the Government House that has been on since I was the Attorney-General of the State. I intend to complete it ultimately.

    What’s the outcome of the staff verification?

    Verification is on-going. After the first phase of the verification, people tried to frustrate it. I addressed the state on steps taken to frustrate the exercise. I told them the verification will go on, but I will not suspend the payment of salaries. Right now, biometrics are being captured. After the biometrics, we will know the outcome of the exercise. There are many ways of verification. They frustrated those ones. But, after the biometrics, we will know the outcome.

    What is your relationship with the members of the National Assembly from Bauchi State?

    I am a politician managing everybody. In recent times, at every occasion, I have been telling people that I don’t have enemies. I have been calling on my supporters to desist from responding to anyone who says any wrong thing against us. I have appealed to anybody who feels aggrieved to come over. The true story will be told. I have sent several committees to go and meet them in Abuja. I even asked our Executive Committee to meet with them in Abuja. Only five of them attended the meeting. Even, the first class emirs from Bauchi went to Abuja to see them. The late Maitama Sule spoke to them. The bottom line is that the most beautiful system of government is a constitutional democracy; the one that has a written constitution. The parameters are determined. Everybody knows his role. The National Assembly does not have any oversight function over me. The relationship is that we come from the same state; we are from the same party. But, they are my brothers. We started this journey together. There is no member of the National Assembly whose constituency I did not visit during the electioneering. I intervened in the primaries in support of some of them when they were having problems about nominations.

    What is your relationship with House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara?

    If you recall vividly, during the election of principal officers of the National Assembly, the APC took a decision I am an APC member. I toe the line of my party. We used the party to become who we are. The party requested us to do something for it and we can’t turn against the party. God in his infinite mercies chose the Speaker. After that, I told him that’s the end of the matter. God has chosen you. We will respect that. We will respect you. And I put it into practice. When he came home, I received him in my office. I accompanied him to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi. I didn’t need to do that. Somebody should have accompanied him. But, I accompanied him because, at that time, he had become the number four citizen of Nigeria. The issues are actually over-flogged. Right now, a rapprochement is going on. It started before the APC Reconciliation Committee was set up. The committee has just submitted its report. Nothing has been said about the report last week.

    How are you improving the Internally generated Revenue (IGR) of the state?

    It is easier said than done. The improvement of the IGR will not happen overnight. When you are talking about IGR, you are talking about taxation. I don’t want how it is possible to squeeze water out of stone. The people of my state that I met, I met them laying prostrate. My government was elected by the people. Card readers were used. There is no way I can impose hardship on my people. I can’t impose consumption tax. How many standard restaurant do we even have that I will be collecting tax and issuing receipts for them? But, we can increase IGR in three areas; agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.

    What is your view on restructuring?

    Restructuring means different people to different people. I support an adjustment to the present arrangement. For example, power should be devolved to the states in some areas, including agriculture and education. On agriculture. The land does not belong to the federal government. It belongs to states and local governments.

  • To accept or not to accept

    ONLY last week, I got talking with an older colleague who asked my opinion of a lady’s complaint. The woman discovered that her hubby was attempting to date a page three girl and was upset. So he asked me what I thought as a married woman. As a woman the choice is yours, it might be wise to bear in mind that some men are by nature promiscuous, if not polygamous. Back to the question, my take on the issue? It would make sense if she asked him the reason(s) for choosing to go after a page three girl. It is a tough call, but you will be surprised at what many married women put up with. It would therefore do women a world of good if they realised the following in making that decision;

    1. As a much older female friend married for close to thirty years once told me, “Marriage comes with a lot of rubbish; you have to be ready to put up with quite a lot of it if you want to remain married, at least in Africa.” Surprisingly, I heard the same from female relatives growing up so ladies take your pick. Any woman in a long term marriage will confirm the fact that women are expected to shovel it up. For single ladies, ensure that you marry a man that you are willing and able to take his crap, because it will happen.
    2. The agenda: What is his agenda? (Or his plan/desires for the relationship). Are they in line with yours? Every man has an agenda when he comes to a woman, some want sex, others money, some a wife, a baby machine, a lover, someone to take care of, others someone to take care of them, or a soul mate. Wisdom is needed to discern his agenda. Wise women however marry men whose vision aligns with theirs. For instance, there is nothing wrong with marrying a man who does not want to work, but wants a wife as long as you are willing and able to be the breadwinner. Unfortunately, not all women can handle the responsibility. Some men love their wives, but need to have spare tires on the side, and expect their wives to turn a blind eye, the proverbial eating your cake and having it back.
    3. The power to choose. As a woman, ask yourself if you can live with his choices. Why? I can’t get over the number of women who send themselves to an early grave or madhouse because of their men’s actions. Deciding to live your life with peace of mind, come what may is of utmost importance. No individual or relationship is perfect but deciding on a course of action, and living with it in a dignified manner always beats fighting or killing yourself over a person who is set in his ways. Like the townsman of my parent’s generation who brought his children from his extra- curricular activities home to his wife to take care of. Some people will think it is crazy, but if the wife did not accept it, he would probably find himself a woman who would. Whether the average woman could live with that is another question entirely.
  • I won’t accept pay cut

    I won’t accept pay cut

    •Says NFF playing games with contract offer
    •Insists coaching Eagles not do-or-die

    Super Eagles Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has unequivocally declared that his employer, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), is deceiving Nigerians concerning its intention of offering him a new contract.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with SPORTINGLIFE, Keshi, who, for a for a long time before now had refused to grant interviews to the media, opened up completely on all issues concerning his contract and the Eagles as well as the team and his working relationship with the federation. Keshi stated that he is obviously still interested in coaching the Eagles but that the NFF is not being sincere about the contract renewal.

    Keshi also stated clearly that the insinuations that he is reluctant to work with the NFF technical committee is definitely not true. He said it was a huge “insult” that some are bringing up stories that the NFF is planning on asking him to get a pay cut for a new contract. Below are his exact words:

     

    ON THE PROPOSED CONTRACT RENEWAL

    “The situation is that there’s no proposed contract to me. It’s only by word of mouth from (NFF President) Amaju (Pinnick). There’s never been a proposed one that I’ll say I’ll go through. (NFF Head of Technical Committee, Felix) Anyansi also talked about it but it’s the same thing. They are just confusing Nigerians that I’ll sign today or that I’ll sign tomorrow. They are just promising whatever. There’s no such thing. I don’t know where they are getting that from.”

     

    ON HIS INTEREST IN THE JOB

    ” I am a professional coach. Coaching a team is not just about you. Everyone has to be involved. The FA, the media, everybody that has a stake in it will have to contribute to make the team a success. To make things work out well, if there’s no unity, nothing is going to happen. As a professional cooach, yes, I am interested. But if it’s not going to come, it’s not the end of the world.”

     

    WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NFF BOARD

    ” I have been working with them. The first two and half years I was working with the NFF Technical Committee. So, I don’t know what kind of work that I have to do again. When I make a list, they always go through it. So, I have been working with them.”

     

    ON TAKING A PAY CUT IN NEW CONTRACT

    ” Yes, it is very insulting. NFF never talked to me about that. Like I have been saying, if I am not coaching Nigeria it’s not going to be the end of the world. If that’s their thinking, we might have an agreement for any other person to take it.

    “Coaching Nigeria is a great opportunity because after playing for 14 years, captaining the Nigerian team and as one of the pioneer of the Flying Eagles, assistant coaches to Bonfrere Jo, Shaibu Amodu, then coming in as the head coach and winning the AFCON after almost 20 years, then thinking of a pay cut? I feel it’s something I will have to think of,” Keshi concluded.

  • Nuhu, accept my sympathy

    The Nuhu nullity: I had started out titling this piece ‘The Nuhu nullity,’ but the recent capitulation of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu being a complex matter, the narrative kept morphing as one plodded it. First it seemed the grandest of all betrayals that Ribadu, the former anti-corruption czar and erstwhile presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) jumped ship from the ‘progressives’ camp back into the ‘evil’ camp of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    For the simple-minded, Ribadu is among the last of the principled-minded in the land. As executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from 2003 to 2008, he enjoyed the glistening facade of the knight in shinning armour, the super cop and the nemesis of corrupt officials. Many were taken in by the well-kept front, especially international agencies that showered him with funding, awards and accolades. But under a new president, he had a run-in with the centre and eventually teamed up with opposition elements. It was under this unlikely umbrella that he rather prematurely ran for presidency in 2011, failed woefully but remained in their fold till this grievous volte face a few days ago.

    Ribadu has not only suddenly joined the hated ruling PDP, he is moving on the double to pick the party’s governorship slot for his Adamawa State’s October election. Everything seems to be happening in a frenzy, both for Ribadu and his bemused on-lookers. It is rather difficult for many to conjecture how Ribadu could crawl into a PDP camp he had once described as ‘satanic’. Many are still trying to fathom how he would achieve that psychological denouement to mingle and clink glasses with the people he said ruled Nigeria since 1999 and the only things they brought upon “us are insecurity, suicide bombings and corruption at the highest level.”

    Yes we can understand the perfidious dance-steps of our professional and wayward politicians. We understand an Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Segun Oni, an Ibrahim Shekarau and so on. We know it is all about gravy politics and the momentary relevance of the small-minded. Those who are perceptive would also understand that we are running out the end-stage of this shambolic political experiment. We are at the barefaced stage when the thief is quicker to catch the owner of the house.

    Notwithstanding, Ribadu’s capitulation seems the watershed; it is the turning point as well as the reference point that people will cite: “if Ribadu could decamp…” it would be said by all. He has perjured the polity and repudiated its essence. He has finally defrocked the troubled belle and stolen the last vestiges of her dignity. But sadly, this act also represents the Nuhu nullity. He is like the protagonist in ancient tradition that is as much the sacrifice as the calabash he carries. In other words, Ribadu has also nullified his own essence. Whatever he represented, real or imagined, he has managed to debunk all by himself.

    The Nuhu ribaldry: We can also term it the Nuhu Ribaldry or the Nuhu metamorphosis. He had always been a part of the raging crowd, the ill of the land. All they want is position, power, authority, the gravy and the good life. They are flippant, ephemeral, vain and unreflective. They define patriotism, national interest and development by their personal and exclusive dictionary. Nigeria for them is a zero-sum game; they either have their way or there is no way. He and his ilk believe they are the answer to Nigeria’s numerous questions but we know that they are the now jaded questions we have been asking since independence.

    Ribadu had lived and flourished under a burnished image over these years. To be charitable, if the polity had been upright and the system built on probity, he may have stood as a notable pillar. But the country is cannibalistic and it abhors rectitude thus Ribadu may be said to have done nothing more terrible than swimming in the stream of his birth. With a second degree in law, he had joined the police and acquitted himself fairly well. But when he was catapulted to the helm of the then new anti-corruption body, he simply played the game of the day, the game of his failed country.

    And he played it to the hilt. He turned EFCC into a fearsome Gestapo for the then unscrupulous President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He was the gloved hands of, as well as the dog-handler for the former president. With the agency he kept a face by putting some petty fraudsters to jail while he kept up the real job of hounding down ‘enemies’ of his boss. The main victims were state governors many of whom were kept under perpetual investigation while in office but none was successfully prosecuted after office. Though the states were not examples of sterling leadership, but Obasanjo’s administration ended up as one of the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history. Ensconced at the vortex of power, Ribadu could have been alternate president at his peak. Many, like Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State, must still live with the sad memories about how Ribadu ruined their political career by a mere whisper to the president.

    Sympathy for Nuhu: But discerning minds will have nothing but sympathy for our dear Nuhu. Once upon a time, a loony in my village market used to say that though he may not know what he was doing he sure knew what was ‘doing’ him. Nuhu on the other hand, may not quite understand what ails him.In explaining his defection, Ribadu had said that there is no difference between PDP and CPC. That may be correct and he has exemplified that proposition. But why choose one over the other? There must be a third option somewhere. In another breath, he told his supporters that, “For now, I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause and never out of my selfish interest..”

    No sir that is a ruse. To speak of “a good cause” is either to delude himself or to deceive us. Can’t he see that we are in a virtually failed state? And here is what Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson say in their book, Why Nations Fail: “Nations fail today because their extractive economic institutions do not create incentives needed for people to save, invest and innovate. Extractive political institutions support these economic institutions by cementing the power of those who benefit from the extraction.”

    My dear brother Nuhu Ribadu is only hard at work seeking to cement his power to benefit from the extraction in Adamawa State. Can’t he see that all the institutions of state have been damage and dissipated? Let us end with another word from Acemoglu and Robinson: “When extractive institutions create huge inequalities in society and great wealth and unchecked power for those in control, there will be many wishing to fight to take control of the state and institutions. Extractive institutions then not only pave way for the next regime, which will be even more extractive, but they also engender continuous infighting and civil wars.” Accept my sympathy my dear brother.

  • Gusau gives conditions to accept minister’s job

    Gusau gives conditions to accept minister’s job

    President Goodluck Jonathan may have enlisted Senate President David Mark to prevail on a former National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Aliyu Gusau to join his cabinet.

    Gen. Gusau, who has thrice turned down the offer to join Jonathan’s cabinet, is said to have given some conditions for returning to the Federal Executive Council.

    A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, may replace Senator Isaiah Balat whose nomination by Vice-President Namadi Sambo has generated a controversy.

    The battle for Niger State’s slot is intense, leading to a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babangida Aliyu at the Presidential Villa.

    Some stakeholders and Presidency officials are in favour of ex-Governor Abdulkadir Kure, but the governor is in support of another nominee .

    One of the dropped ministers, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi from Niger State, is trying to stage a comeback after her sack because of the rebellion of the G-7 governors.

    Her logic is that since Aliyu has reconciled with the President, she should be brought back to the cabinet.

    The Nation learnt that when attempts by the President to convince Gen. Gusau to return to the cabinet failed, he sought Mark’s assistance.

    Gen. Gusau is being offered the portfolio of the Minister of Defence.
    It was gathered that when Mark met with Gen. Gusau, he pleaded with him to put national interest above personal consideration.

    It was learnt that Gen. Gusau gave some conditions on which he could return to the cabinet.

    The conditions are:

    * a free hand to operate and reorganise the Armed Forces and security agencies;
    *all service chiefs, security agencies and their directors will report to the Defence Minister for better synergy;
    *adequate funding of the Armed Forces and security agencies to restore normalcy to all parts of the country; and
    *political will to back up recommendations on how to address security challenged as they occur.

    Jonathan wants Gen. Gusau back because of his rich experience, a source said.
    A source close to Gen. Gusau said he would accept the offer to help his country, but with some conditions. “He does not want to be messed up with dirty politics. He is coming to address the security challenges in the country,” the source said.
    There are indications that Gen. Agwai may replace Balat.
    Another source in the Presidency said: “Agwai may come on board as a replacement for Balat. I think some people were trying to raise issues on Balat about some comments which ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo made some years back during a cabinet reshuffle.
    “Yet, no allegation or proof of any misdemeanour has been found against Balat while in office as a minister. But you know in politics, mischievous people rake up one insinuation or the other once you have an edge.
    “Those against Agwai are also flaunting the credentials of a Senator. Whatever it is, the slot is for Southern Kaduna to fill the vacuum created by the death of ex-Governor Patrick Yakowa. The people of Southern Kaduna have been complaining of marginalisation since the demise of Yakowa.”

    As at press time, the battle for Niger State’s slot was still on.

    Some stakeholders are said to be in favour of former Governor Abdulkadir Kure, who they feel can deliver Niger State to PDP. Others are opposed to Kure’s choice because, according to sources, his wife is a senator.

    “Also both the governor and Kure have some political differences. With Kure as a Minister, the influence of the governor might be whittled down. Babangida Aliyu will have cause to eventually leave PDP,”

    A source said, adding: “Yet, the President is determined to retain the governor in PDP having listened to his plea not to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). At least, the governor deserves compensation for being ‘loyal’.”
    Hajiya Kuchi is seeking reinstatement, having been removed for identifying with the Niger governor during the G-7 crisis in PDP.

    “There may however be a moral dilemma for the President in reinstating Kuchi. Nigerians would have confirmed that the sack of nine ministers last year had political undertone,” said the source.

  • Ekiti teachers urged to accept 15 per cent allowance payment

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged secondary school teachers to shelve their two-week strike and return to work.

    The governor spoke through some commissioners – Mr. Ojo Kehinde (Education), Mr. Tayo Ekundayo (Information) and Mr. Oluwole Ariyo (Labour) – at the weekend.

    The teachers, who are on an indefinite strike, are demanding payment of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Professional Allowance.

    At a meeting with officials of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the commissioners urged the teachers to accept 15 per and call off the strike.

    Kehinde said the government would pay the 15 per cent now and pay the remaining 12.5 per cent later when the state’s economy improves.

    He said: “The Fayemi administration is teachers’-friendly. It restored the car and housing loans that were stopped by the immediate-past administration and appointed teachers into key offices, including me, Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu and some others.

    “So, I expect teachers to have confidence that this administration will pay the rest when the economy improves. As things stand now, the government cannot pay and we we want our children back in school.”

    Ekundayo said the implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Professional Allowance would cost N155 million monthly and N1.8 billion annually.

    He said: “Even the 15 per cent offered by the state will increase the wage bill by N70 million monthly and N848 million annually.

    “It is on record that teachers willingly dropped the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Professional Allowance for the 33 per cent relativity because of the belief that the latter suited workers better.

    “Despite this, the state is not saying it would not pay. It is seeking their understanding to pay what it can afford, in view of the financial reality.”

    Ariyo urged the teachers’ to accept the 15 per cent offered by the government.

    NUT State Chairman Samuel Akosile said: “The agitation started in 2008 when the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) agreed to pay 27.5 per cent of the 150 per cent demanded by teachers.

    “Former ‘Governor’ Olusegun Oni paid 27.5 per cent for 19 months. When Fayemi assumed office, he paid it for six months and stopped. It will be unfair to imagine that teachers will settle for less after receiving 27.5 per cent for 25 months.”

  • Govt may accept dialogue offer with condition

    Govt may accept dialogue offer with condition

    The Federal Government is ready for dialogue with Boko Haram but on one condition that the Spiritual and Political Leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau, will be at the negotiation table.

    It was also learnt that the government may come up with an Amnesty Programme for members of the sect after ceasefire and disarmament if they are sincere.

    A government source, who spoke in strict confidence, said the conditions set by the group would be resolved during the dialogue.

    The source said: “We were not surprised by the offer of the dialogue because there had been contacts between the sect and National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki in the last few months.

    “As a matter of fact, the NSA had some talks with the leaders of the sect last week where it was indicated that Shekau’s deputy might lead Boko Haram delegation to the dialogue.

    “The NSA however said the government would want Shekau to head the team from the sect’s side in order to give the proposed talks more weight.

    “With Shekau, who is the spiritual and political leader of Boko Haram, there will be a meaningful direction for the discussion by the two parties.

    “If it works out and if Boko Haram is sincere with the dialogue option, the government will embrace it.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Once we can find common grounds, the government will come up with a rehabilitation initiative which is similar to the ongoing Amnesty Programme.

    “Even in the case of the affected parts of the North, there might be a joint reconstruction programme between the Federal Government and the ravaged states.”

    Concerning the demand of Boko Haram for the arrest of ex-Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, the source added: “That is a political side of their demands which the government will look into.

    “From security reports and investigation by agencies, some members of the sect gave Sheriff support during his election based on three demands.

    “The demands were a creation of a Ministry for Islamic (Religious Affairs), being part of Sheriff’s government and the implementation of Sharia in Borno State.

    “They parted ways with Sheriff when he refused to implement the Sharia policy. The situation worsened following the brutal killing of the leader of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf and a former Commissioner for Islamic (Religious) Affairs in Sheriff’s cabinet.

    “The dialogue will shape discussions on the fate of Sheriff.”