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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Sign minimum wage bill into law before Workers Day, NLC tells Buhari

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the new National Minimum Wage bill for the Nigerian workers recently passed into law by both chambers of the National Assembly before the 2019 workers day celebration.

    Speaking in an interview with The Nation in Abuja, General Secretary of Congress, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said with the passage of the bill into law, the President should immediately sign it into law in other to give effect to his promise to ensure the welfare of the Nigerian workers.

    It was recently rumoured that the President has signed the bill into law giving workers hope that they may start enjoying the new minimum wage before the May day celebration, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

    Both Chambers of the National Assembly passed N30,000 as the new national minimum, increasing the government recommendation of N27,000, but Ozo-Eson said the delay by Mr President over the wage for workers in the country has become very worrisome.

    Read Also: Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    He said “We are concerned that it has taken this long, since the transmission from the National Assembly to the presidency of the bill that both house and the Senate passed.

    “We have thought that given all processes before arriving at that point. The long delay in setting up a tripartite committee, the long period before the tripartite committee to now finalized and all the debates that have gone on

    “We thought that this was something Mr President will ascent to very quickly. Because as we have earlier indicated, we will want this implementation to be on before May. That is by May Day workers can be assured of the direction of implementation

    “Our position is to call on Mr. President to without further delay to ascent to the New National Minimum Wage bill. So that workers can start to enjoy the new minimum wage implementation before May Day.

    He emphasized that apart from the public sector, workers in the private sector were also waiting for the law to be implemented in order to make its own full negotiations and plans, while insisting that in  implementing the new national minimum wage would also allow the economy to be operated in an environment of certainty.

  • 446 Nigerians in UAE prisons, says ambassador

    Mohammed Rimi, Nigerian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, says  446 Nigerians are currently serving different terms in the UAE prisons. Rimi broke the news during President Muhammadu Buhari’s town-hall meeting with Nigerians in the Emirates on Tuesday.

    The ambassador said the 446 Nigerians are serving different jail terms for crimes ranging from possession of hard drugs to engaging in robbery.

    “Although there is no exact record of our citizens in the UAE, owing to the inability to register them on arrival, the number of Nigerians resident in the country is estimated at about 10,000. Out of this number, about 2,017 are students in various universities,” he said.

    Read Also: UAE to boost Osun economy as Oyetola meets envoy

    “It is disheartening to state that 446 Nigerians are currently serving different terms in prisons across UAE on account of committing various crimes including possession and consumption of hard drugs and engagement in armed robbery.”

    Rimi also said in the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance and accommodation, the UAE government granted amnesty to all irregular residents in the country.

    “In 2018,  5,774 standard passport were issued by the embassy, out of which, 3,164 were specifically issued during the amnesty programme. Further 1,346 emergency traveling certificates were issued to Nigerians to facilitate their return home,” he said.

    He added that 5,021 Nigerians were granted amnesty to enable them live and pursue their legitimate businesses in the Emirates.

  • FG opts to continue Onnoghen’s trial as counsel submit final addresses

    There were strong indications on Wednesday that the Federal Government has opted to continue with the trial of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    It was confirmed on Wednesday at the CCT that Onnoghen’s lawyers have filed their final address.

    The prosecution team is expected to  submit its final address today.

    Justice Onnoghen is said to have bungled his chances to meet with President Buhari to resolve the impasse amicably  in the interest of the Executive and the Judiciary.

    After Justice Onnoghen’s resignation, it was not immediately clear whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari would direct that his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal be stopped.

    While some government officials wanted the trial concluded, some members of the Bench and the Bar insisted on the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to retire Justice Onnoghen.

    Read Also: The fall of Onnoghen

    Although the President was said to be weighing options on the NJC’s report, which made recommendations on Justice Onnoghen’s future, a government official said his trial will be concluded.

    The source said: “The government will not withdraw the case against Onnoghen in CCT in order not to set a bad precedent.

    “We want the case to run its  lifespan for posterity and to avoid reading of political meanings into it. When this case started, there was much uproar, that it was politically motivated by the presidency. We want the tribunal to decide the case on merit.

    “The NJC’s report also did not say that the trial be halted. It only demanded the retirement of Onnoghen. This is why no directive has been given to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is prosecuting the case, to withdraw the charges against the CJN.”

    The source, who stressed that there was no deal with Justice Onnoghen over his trial, claimed that the CJN bungled his chances to decide his fate in the interest of the Judiciary.

    The source added: “There were moves to prevail on the President not to allow the CJN to be on trial in CCT. The first window came from the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) which sent a delegation to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The NBA team wanted soft-landing for Onnoghen. Some terms were agreed upon, including resignation or voluntary retirement by Onnoghen.

    “The NBA team was mandated to prevail on him to quit honourably in view of some overwhelming allegations and  investigative reports on him. The CJN, who was initially amenable to reconciliation, later backed out.

    “The second mediation was about another proposed confidential session between President Buhari and Onnoghen, which was facilitated by some highly-placed Nigerians. They wanted the President to hear from Onnoghen to pave the way for his quiet retirement from office without subjecting him to trial.

    “The CJN consented to the session with the President but he aborted it at the last minute without any justifiable cause.

    “Onnoghen had over-relied on the outcome of NJC’s investigation  – that it would be in his favour. He had no choice than to throw in the towel when the NJC advised Buhari to retire him. It was at this stage he chose to voluntarily leave office.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Muhammed Isah, said: “We have not received any directive from the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami(SAN), who is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  to discontinue the case.”

  • Senate set to override Buhari’s veto on two bills

    The Senate on Wednesday resolved to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on two bills passed by the National Assembly.

    The upper chamber also agreed to reconsider and pass 15 other bills rejected by President Buhari.

    The resolution to override the president’s veto on the bills and reconsider 15 others was unanimously adopted on the floor of the Senate.

    The two affected bills are: the “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fourth Alteration No. 28,) Bill, 2018” and “the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

    The Forth Alteration No. 28 Bill, a constitution amendment, seeks to provide for the time within which the President or Governor shall lay the Appropriation Bill before the National or State Assembly.

    The Bill also seeks to encourage early presentation and passage of Appropriation Bills.

    Read Also: Senate okays N1.64tr borrowing plan

    President Buhari declined assent to the bill on the grounds that it did not take cognizance of the provisions of Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    The Industrial Development Amendment Bill, 2018, on the other hand, aimed to enable companies that expand their operations in pioneer industry or product to apply for a new pioneer status.

    Records showed that President Buhari declined assent to the Bill on the ground that ongoing inter-ministerial consultations would be affected if the Bill is signed into law.

    It was learnt that since the inauguration of the Eight National Assembly, President Buhari has vetoed more than 36 bills passed by the National Assembly.

    The President has vetoed over 15 bills passed by the National Assembly this year alone.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, whose committee considered the rejected Bills, presented the report of the committee.

    Umaru said that the 1999 Constitution, (as amended), gives the Senate the right to override the President in the event that a Bill is vetoed.

    The Niger East Senator quoted Section 60 of the Constitution and Rule 88 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 to back the position that the Senate is constitutionally empowered to override the President in the event the a Bill is vetoed.

    He said: “Therefore, the Bills having been rejected by Mr. President, the National Assembly even if it considers Mr. President’s observations or not, must pass the Bills again and be assented to by Mr. President or override the veto, in which case, Mr. President’s assent would not be required.”

  • Fear over 23 Nigerians on death row in Saudi Arabia

    How ministry’s late response led to execution of Nigerian

    Consul-General writes minister

    JAILED IN SAUDI ARABIA

    • Halimat Oyebanjo Oyaya 10yrs
    • Sherifat Shawni 4 yrs
    • Limata Ahmad 10yrs
    • Halimat Isah 5yrs
    • Olubumi Adejarani Olaniyan 10yrs
    • Omobolanle Funke 15yrs
    • Nuratu Bolanle Yusuf 15yrs
    • Maryam Ibrahim Tanko 7yrs
    • Rahma Abdulkarim 20yrs
    • Nuratu Yusuf Abike 20yrs
    • Bolaji Kehinde 10yrs
    • Yasirat Abolanle Salau – awaiting trial 

     

    Twenty-three Nigerians are on the death row in Saudi Arabia. They may be beheaded any time from now, The Nation has learnt.

    Besides, 11 are serving various jail terms for drug trafficking in the kingdom.

    Another suspected trafficker is awaiting trial.

    The 23 death row inmates could not be named for “diplomatic and sensitivity” reasons.

    Unless President Muhammadu Buhari intervenes, the death toll could be higher, a source said.

    The “late” response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a memo from the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. M. S. Yunusa, is believed to have contributed to the execution of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adeshola Afolabi about two weeks ago.

    It was learnt that the ministry had been “diplomatically slow” in responding to issues connected with Nigerians.

    No ministry official was willing to comment on the allegation yesterday.

    The Consul-General wrote twice to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, on December 3, 2018 and February 6, 2019, raising the alarm over the plight of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

    He said the nation should endeavour to use its diplomatic bond with Saudi Arabia to seek pardon for all our compatriots condemned to death and for those serving various jail terms.

    But more worrisome to the Consul-General is what he believe is the security lapse at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, which is being used for massive drug trafficking.

    The envoy admitted that there is a drug syndicate at the airport.

    He alleged that the syndicate in cahoots with greedy airline officials at MAKIA were checking in extra bags containing prohibited drugs.

    He said members of the syndicate had been using particulars of innocent passengers and baggage tags to smuggle drugs leading to the arrest of Nigerians who had no links with drug trafficking.

    One of the memos said: “Furthermore, it is with humility that I bring to the Honourable Minister‘s knowledge that, sadly, there are a number of Nigerians arrested for alleged drug related offence who are currently in detention at Dhahban Prison (Male Section) and Madina Prison (Male & Female Sections). Mission was unable to gain Consular access to them as the host authorities have flatly refused to grant permission for such despite several requests to that effect.

    “Following the outcome of investigations carried out by both the NDLEA and the Nigeria Police (Kano State Command) the Honourable Minister may wish to note that:

    “There exists a criminal syndicate collaborating with greedy officials of some airlines at MAKIA, notably Ethiopian and Egyptian Airlines, who connive to check in drug-laden bags, using passenger’s particulars without their consent or knowledge;

    “Nigerian victims of the activities of these criminal gangs were arrested and detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking offences they did not commit;

    “The outcome of investigations by the Nigeria Police and NDLEA absolved these victims of complicity in the crime of peddling drugs into the Kingdom. The investigations further established beyond reasonable doubts that the victims were unaware of the drug-laden baggage that were checked in bearing their particulars by unknown persons at MAKIA, Kano;

    “All the suspected culprits had been apprehended and a case of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and drug trafficking has been established against them, hence, they were arraigned at the Federal High Court, Kano;

    “There are 24 Nigerians who were condemned to death between 2016 2018 for drug trafficking in contravention of the Kingdom’s Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law issued under Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH;

    “There are 12 Nigerian women currently serving various jail terms at Dhahban prison for drug smuggling.

    “Meanwhile, the following drug traffickers are serving various jail terms:

    1. a) Halimat Oyebanjo Oyaya – 10 years b) Sherifat Shawni – 4 years c) Limata Ahmad – 10 years d) Halimat Isah – 5 years e) Olubumi Adejarani Olaniyan – 10 years f) Omobolanle Funke – 15 years g) Nuratu Bolanle Yusuf – 15 years h) Maryam Ibrahim Tanko – 7 years i) Rahma Abdulkarim 20 years j) Nuratu Yusuf Abike – 20 years k) Bolaji Kehinde – 10 years I) Yasirat Abolanle Salau – awaiting trail

    “There are a number of Nigerians accused of drug trafficking incarcerated at various Saudi Prisons but the Mission was unable to undertake consular visits due to refusal by the Saudi authorities to grant permission for such visits despite repeated requests and

    “Drug smuggling into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Nigerians has reached an alarming proportion and all hands must be on deck to check this menace.”

    The Consul-General gave insight into how a syndicate had infiltrated the security in Kano to perpetrate drug trafficking.

    His memo drew the minister’s attention to “a frightening development that portends grave danger to passenger travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.”

    “It has emerged that some criminally minded individuals working in cohort with greedy airline officials at MAKIA, have perfected the art of checking in extra bags containing prohibited drugs, particularly Tramadol, using the particulars of innocent passengers and baggage tags presumably assigned to such passengers travelling to the Kingdom. Regrettably, this contemptible act exposes innocent Nigerians to high risk of losing their lives,” the memo said, adding:

    “As you are aware Your Excellency, drug trafficking attracts capital punishment in Saudi Arabia. It is, therefore, imperative that urgent steps are taken to checkmate the activities of these miscreants. “Certainly, failure to do so would be tantamount to allowing innocent Nigerians to face death sentences for crimes they did not commit.

    “At this juncture, it would be appropriate to mention some of these cases that were handled by the Consulate-General. For Instance, Messrs. Bashir Usman Sani, Amdani Salisu Maikasuwa and Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim, were arrested and later imprisoned in 2017 while Zainab Habibu Allyn and Ibrahim Abubakar were arrested on 25th December, 2018 and have remained in prison custody following date, for alleged drug trafficking.

    “However, in the case of Ms. Zainab Habibu Aliyu  and pursuant to a complaint lodged by her father, Alhaji Bashir Usman Sani (in Nigeria), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Police (Kano State Command) have thoroughly investigated the case and six suspects were arrested and charged to Federal High Court, Kano.

    “The accused persons are, Messrs Idris Umar Shehu (Alias Umar Sande), Sani Suleiman, Nuhu Adamu, Udosen Itoro Henry, Sani Hamisu and Ms Rhoda Adetunji. They were charged with conspiring to export Tramadol to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for illegally checking in additional baggage containing the banned substance and linking same to Ms. Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar, passengers on board Ethopian Airline flight ET 941/ET 402 to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 24th December, 2018.

    “ In the same token, seven other suspects, namely, Yusuf Isa Ahmad, Shaba Umaru, Diwawu Mustapha, Shafiu Musa, Murtala Muhammad, Musa Haruna and Hajiya Gawure Abba Aji were also arrested and charged to court with criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and drug trafficking. They were also accused of tagging additional drug-laden baggages and falsely linking same to Messrs Bashir Usman Sani and Amdani Salisu Maikasuwa. Again, Messrs Rabiu Mahmud Sani and Anthony/Johnson as well as Mrs. Celestine Emanuel Yayok were also charged with fraudulency tagging and exporting a bag containing psychotropic drugs suspected to be Tramadol using the passport details of Ibrahim Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim.

    “Your Excellency, permit me to state that investigation carried out by both the NDLEA and the Nigeria Police have established beyond reasonable doubts the existence of some criminal syndicates masquerading as touts rendering assistance to unsuspecting passengers at MAKIA, Kano.

    “These miscreants are now endangering innocent lives and this state of affairs should not be allowed to remain unchecked.

    “ Furthermore, it is noteworthy to state that consequent upon the Mission’s relentless efforts through several notes to host Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah Region Branch) and ceaseless interactive sessions with the officials of Saudi Department for combating Drugs, Food and Drug Administration as well as the offices of the Public Prosecutor, Makkah and Madinah Regions, Messers Bashir Usman Sani, Amadani Salisu Maikasuwa and Ibrahim Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim have all been released on 25th October, 2018 and 25/1/2019 respectively.

    “Again, it is pertinent to reiterate that peddling of drugs to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contravenes the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law, issuer under Royal Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH and is punishable with death penalty. Unfortunately, between 2016- 2017 the under noted Nigerians were arrested at King Abdul Aziz International Airport. Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdul-Aziz international Airport, Madinah for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.

    The Consul-General made five recommendations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including the need to seek clemency for innocent Nigerians held for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia.

    The recommendations are:

    • Enhancement of security surveillance by installing functional CCTV cameras at the checking-in counters and other sensitive areas of airports in Nigeria;
    • Henceforth, Nigeria Airport Management Authority (NAMA) in collaboration with other relevant security agencies should institute a compulsory baggage identification procedure before boarding for all checked-in luggage;
    • Every passenger should check in his/her luggage personally and not through third parties;
    • The trial of those found culpable for checking-in extra-baggage’s using the identities of victims should be pursued expeditiously and the attested copies of the judgments be made available to the Mission for onward transmission to our host authorities as proof that the culprits were punished in accordance with our laws; and
    • The Federal Government should henceforth, appeal for clemency and pardon for all our compatriots condemned to death and for those serving various jail terms.

     

  • Buhari condemns Kaduna violence

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the violence in Kaduna State, which claimed 20 lives in  Adara community.

    The  deaths occurred in the latest incident between the Adara and Fulani people in the state, who have a long history of mistrust between them.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also condemned the resurgence of cultist killings in Rivers State.

    He ordered for increased community and law enforcement action against its escalation.

    Buhari appealed for peace and decried the on-going culture of “an eye for an eye” that has fuelled a number of attacks and reprisal attacks, with the two communities  suffering casualties in Kajuru and Kachia local governments in Kaduna State.

    The President urged indigenes of Kaduna and other Nigerians to refrain from comments in the traditional and social media, especially by people who have little knowledge of the history of the longstanding conflict.

    Such comments, he noted, can fuel further conflicts.

    Buhari made a special appeal to traditional and religious leaders to be cautious with their comments on the conflict, insisting that whatever words they share publicly should not be inflammatory but be inspired by an interest in peace.

    Read Also: I’m going slowly to survive – Buhari

    Condoled with those who lost loved ones in the attacks, the President said: “The entire nation grieves with you. The Nigerian army and police are already in the area to ensure that peace and security are restored.”

    In response to reports of the resurgence of cultism leading to loss of lives in Rivers State, President Buhari called on law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to end the menace before it further escalates.

    On Sunday, no fewer than eight persons were killed when a group of bandits suspected to be cultists invaded the Rumuodohia, Rumuolumeni community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Rival gangs were believed to be at war. The victims are said to belong to a rival group in the area.

    The killings took place between 3am and 5am. The police came in after the hoodlums had left. The Chairman, Rumuolumeni Community Development Committee, Sunny Odum, described the development as strange.

    On Monday, more cult-related deaths were recorded in three communities in the state. Twelve people were killed. Seven of them were killed in the Kaani Babbe community in the Khana Local Government Area. Those killed in Kaani Babbe were identified as Mgbibari Nyornyaa, Sorlesi Youngman, Dornu Aanu, Bariagra Menebe, Lekia Eleaee, Boy Mgbibari and Sira Mgbibari.

    Five persons, including a 64-year-old man, died in Rumuohia and Rumuche communities in the Emohua Local Government Area. Bright Oteh, Foundation Onuekwa and Junior Kayi were said to be among the five victims of the cult attack in Emohua. They were hit by stray bullets. It was learnt that three persons, who were hit by stray bullets, were rushed to a nearby hospital.

    The President urged quick and effective intervention by community and civic leaders in support of law enforcement efforts, in all such areas bedeviled by cultist attacks and inter-communal violence.

  • Senate okays N1.64tr borrowing plan

    The Senate on Tuesday adopted the N1.64 trillion proposed by the Executive for new borrowing to fund this year’s budget deficit.

    The upper chamber also approved the proposed N500 billion special social intervention funds.

    The adoptions were parts of the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) passed Tuesday by the upper chamber.

    President Muhammadu Buhari sent the MTEF/FSP to the National Assembly on November 6, last year, for consideration and approval.

    The passage of the MTEF/FSP came as the Senate is set to receive the report of the 2019 budget from its Appropriation Committee.

    The Senate adopted all the critical projections in the MTEF/FSP as proposed by the Executive.

    The MTEF/FSP, an annual rolling three year-expenditure plan, sets out the medium-term expenditure priorities and provides the basis for the preparation of the annual national budget.

    The Senate Committee on Finance which considered the MTEF/FSP presented its recommendations for adoption by the Senate in plenary.

    Apart from the adoption of N1.64 trillion for new borrowing to fund the budget deficit, the Senate advised agencies to explore ways of generating additional revenues for the government to bring down the fiscal deficit.

    It said that the Federal Government should harness the full optimal potential of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in terms of revenue generation to minimise the level of new borrowing.

    Read Also: Senate Passes Police Trust Fund Bill

    The committee also said that the Federal Government should consider reducing waivers and exemptions. Besides, it should ensure that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) personnel were at all oil terminals for accountability.

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), it said, should consider increasing tax on luxury goods and services.

    On the N500 billion special social intervention funds, the Senate asked for the cooperation of committees in the National Assembly and other MDAs in ensuring that the funds are judiciously utilised to provide tangible impact on Nigerians.

    The Senate retained the oil output of 2.3 million barrels per day, oil price benchmark of $60 per barrel, exchange rate of N305/$1, GDP growth rate of 3.0 per cent and inflation growth rate of 9.98 per cent.

    Other Executive proposals for 2019 also adopted by the Senate include: proposed expenditure of N8.83 trillion, FGN retained revenue N7.92 trillion, fiscal deficit N1.86 trillion, new borrowings N1.65 trillion, statutory transfers N492.4 billion, debt service N2.14 trillion, Sinking Fund N120 billion, total recurrent (non-debt) N4.72trillion, personnel costs (MDAs) N2.29 trillion, capital expenditure N2.86 trillion, Special Intervention N500 billion.

    The committee said that crude oil production output stood at 2.0 million barrels as of December 2018.

    According to the committee, the 2.3 million barrels daily target is achievable “due to the continuous efforts of all stakeholders in checkmating the issues of oil facilities vandalism and other vices associated with such regard”.

    The committee, which recommended an exchange rate of N305/$1, asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “to continue adopting strategies that will aid the strengthening of the naira and bridging the gap between the official and parallel market rate of the foreign exchange.”

    On the 2019 Budget, Senate President Bukola Saraki, gave the Appropriations Committee till tomorrow to submit the 2019 budget report.

    The Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Sunny Ogbuoji, told the Senate that only 24 of 61 sub-committees had submitted their reports.

    Saraki insisted that the budget report must be presented tomorrow ahead of the April 16 approval of the money bill.

    The Senate President warned that the Appropriations Committee would be forced to use Executive submissions if the sub-committees fail to submit their reports today.

    Saraki said: “It is unfortunate that only 24 committees have submitted their reports. Last week, we all took a decision here that we were not going to waiver on our position.

    “Our position is very clear: that all committees should submit (their budget reports). And those that don’t submit, the Appropriations Committee should use the Executive submission.

    “That position is still where we are. And I want to appeal to all our committees that you really have just till tomorrow (Wednesday) to make sure that your reports get to the Appropriations Committee because Thursday, you must lay this report.

    “Vice Chairman of Appropriations Committee, if you don’t get report from our committees by tomorrow (Wednesday), then you just use the submission of the Executive. But come Thursday, you must lay that report.”

    President Buhari presented the N8.83 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2018.

  • Buhari to Nigerians in diaspora: expect more successes

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the next four years of his administration will be a harvest and consolidation of successes in the three-point agenda of fixing the economy, fighting insecurity and corruption.

    Speaking on Tuesday at a town hall meeting with members of the Nigerian Community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the President pledged more government investments in research and development, as well as technology and education.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President promised that the prudent economic management, diversification of production and revenue bases of the administration in the last four years will be sustained for better prospects for all Nigerians.

    The statement reads: “The Next Level is to consolidate whatever we have done till 2023, and it makes common sense that in order to manage any outfit, whether a nation, state or organisation, you have to secure it.

    “We all know how many local government areas Boko Haram were occupying. People from the Northeast know that they are not holding any local government area today. They were holding 17 of the 774 local government areas before we came in 2015; they are not holding any now.”

    The President noted that a key objective of his administration which had yielded positive results, in the last four years, was the campaign for the country to return to agriculture. According to him, the country cannot afford to lag behind again in agriculture.

    Read Also: PDP tasks Buhari on rising insecurity

    “What we did was to encourage agriculture, and fertiliser was made available at half the price. ‘We encouraged people to go back to the farm. The response was excellent. We have virtually achieved food security; we have stopped the importation of rice.

    “The money we have saved in foreign exchange is in hundreds of millions of dollars, not even in naira. We are putting that into infrastructure,” the President said.

    Responding to a question about the pace of anti-corruption war, the President said: ‘”Whoever calls me Baba-go-slow, I’m very conscious of historical antecedents. You know what happened to me the last time… people (now) have to be proven guilty before they are locked up.”

    Reflecting on the 2019 All Progressives Council (APC) presidential campaign and the outcome of the polls, the President said: “I was very impressed by the turn out of every state to see and hear me. The crowd is more than what you can buy or force to come. Nigerians voluntarily came out.”

  • Poly lecturers to Buhari: sign Polytechnic Act into law

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to  signed the Polytechnic Act recently passed into law by the National Assembly for the smooth running and industrial harmony in the nation’s polytechnics.

    The union also frowned at what it described as shoddy process of appointing Rectors of some polytechnics without due diligence, saying this has become an embarrassment to the sector. The union demanded the reversal and adherence to due process in the such appointments at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State and  Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

    In a communique at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting signed by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chris Nkoro, the union said failure to adhere to due process in the appointment of Rectors or the reversal of such, the union may be forced to embark on a one week strike to protest such actions.

    The communique asked the Minister of Education and the management of the National Board for Technical Education, the regulatory agency for polytechnics  to ensure that the new Polytechnic act is transmitted to the President immediately for his assent.

    While congratulating Nigerians for the success of the 2019 general election, the union said the outcome of the election is a huge leap in Nigeria’s democracy, and urged the elected ones to be magnanimous in victory.

    The polytechnic lecturers however condemned the pockets of violence in various parts of the country during the elections, particularly the loss of lives of our members in Rivers state and harassments in Bauchi and Taraba states and called on federal government to avail itself of technological gadgets to track security challenges in the country.

    They also expressed concern over the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnapping in the country, a situation they said has made people prisoners in their homes and called on government at all levels to be more alive to their responsibility of safe – guarding the lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of social strata or creed.

    The Union said “Laws and Regulations can make or mar the progress of any organization. Noting this, the NEC is appreciates the 8th National Assembly for having passed the corrected Amendment Bill of the Polytechnics Act.

    “The NEC however, calls on the FME and NBTE to quickly facilitate the process of transmitting of and the subsequent signing of the Bill by the President, Muhammadu Buhari as soon as possible for improved productivity and best practices in the Polytechnics and Monotechnics.”

    Read Also: PDP tasks Buhari on rising insecurity

    They also at the persistent lethargic disposition of the Federal government and its agencies towards re-negotiation of FGN/ASUP agreement is utterly disappointing to the 94th NEC which views this as a ploy to cripple the system and perpetuate suffering on our members asked the government to without further delay, commence the re-negotiation process.

    It observed that while the Union had agreed on the terms of enrolling of the sector into IPPIS, some rectors have continued to use backhand ploy to enroll some institutions without recourse to our Union’s documented peculiar concerns, while asking government to promptly call these erring rectors to order.

    The union is also not happy that salary shortfalls and CONTISS 15 migration challenges which led to the suspended strike action have persisted, despite continued assurances by government that this situation has been dealt, stressing that with the conclusion of the 2019 general election, these issues would be addressed squarely by government immediately.

    The union also frowns at the conditions in State Polytechnics/Monotechnics in terms of delay in payment of salaries, arrears of promotions, and other infractions are still sources of grave concern, stressing that the situations still prevail in Abia, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Ekiti, Ondo and Zamfara.

    It reiterates the firm invocation of the “no salary, no accreditation” policy on the institutions concerned and further urges that all cases of victimization should be adequately redressed immediately.

    The union appeal to governments at all levels to desist from reneging on agreements and address these recurring issues in the spirit of the Union’s magnanimity in suspending the strike in February 2019, adding that by so doing, government would have shown its sincerity, humanity, altruism and responsiveness to improve the citizenry for higher industry.

  • Akeredolu showcases Ondo economic potentials in Dubai

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has joined President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders at Dubai, United Arab Emirates 9th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) to showcase the state’s potentials.

    Akeredolu, who has attracted many investors into the state within the space of two years, will also address potential investors on the gains of investing in Ondo State.

    The governor had visited China last year with fruitful outcome, which produced the current industrial revolution ongoing at the Ondo – Linyi Industrial Park in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

    The AIM is the world’s leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    It is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

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    Before he departed Nigeria for the UAE, Akeredolu told reporters in Akure that the trip would further expose the economic potential of the Sunshine State to the developed economies of the world.

    The theme is: “Mapping the future of FDI: Enriching world economies through digital globalization”.

    Already, the Ondo State stand has been set at the venue of the largest global investment gathering of corporate leaders, policy makers, businessmen, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and experts showcasing up-to-date information, strategies and knowledge on attracting FDI.

    The governor and his investment team will showcase the potentials of the Sunshine state at the meeting and also attract more investors to develop the state