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Tag: National President

  • Don’t destroy Nigeria with fake news – NUJ tells politicians

    National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo, has decried the use of social media influencers by desperate politicians to circulate fake news.

    He said peddling such distorted reports especially during electioneering period were capable of destroying the corporate existence of the country.

    Isiguzo who spoke in Awka, Anambra state enjoined politicians to see election as normal game of winners and losers.

    He said, “In their desperation, they engage in all manner of activities like mudslinging, name calling, character assassination.

    “These are vices you cannot observe in sane climes as witnessed during Nigeria’s recent electioneering campaigns.

    “When politicians begin to see election as normal game of winners and losers, you will see that the spread of fake news will begin to drop.”

    Isiguzo however absolved registered members the union of blame in the fake news spread, attributing the ugly trend to local political actors.

    “It is obvious from experience that local political actors are indeed originators of these fake news; they use those they brand as social media influencers to spread such negative news designed to achieve their desired goals.

    “Journalists do not really engage in ferreting fake news, but these are largely the handiwork of untrained elements, who are just armed with smart mobile phone equipped with data.

    “If you go to the social media and check well, you will not see journalists spreading fake news. The trained ones are aware that fake news is deliberate disinformation,” he added.

    The NUJ boss however, revealed plans by his administration to curb the spread of fake news in Nigeria.

  • Strike: ASUU may not honour further calls by FG — National President

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it may not honour further calls by Federal Government for a meeting on the way forward over the current strike by its members.

    The union’s National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said this on the sideline of a news conference on the update of the union’s struggle to salvage the country’s public universities from deterioration on Sunday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the members of the union, under the aegis of ASUU, had on Nov. 4, embarked on what it had described as a ‘total, comprehensive and indefinite strike’.

    Members of the union were protesting the non implementation of agreements entered into with the Federal Government in 2009 and 2017, as well as funding and improved welfare for members, among other issues.

    According to Ogunyemi, to ensure that the agreements were implemented,union had held series of consultative meetings with the government and written series of letters with little or nothing to the effect.

    He noted that it was against this backdrop that union resumed strike on Nov. 4.

    “Since the commencement of this strike, we have had six meetings with agents of the Federal Government, with no clear commitment from government to resolving the issues we presented.

    “Government appears to have adopted ‘keep them talking’ strategy while deceiving the public that progress was being made and that partial agreements had been reached between union and government.

    “We want to say that government has continually and falsely raised the hopes of the Nigerian public on the state of duscussion with our union and we may not be interested in holding further dialogue with them until we see signs of commitment and sincerity in addressing the issues before them.

    “Our expectation from a very responsive and sincere position is that by now, all outstanding issues would gave been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

    “Unfortunately, government is yet to show commitment and sincerity in addressing these problems,” he said.
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    According to the don, on the renegotiation of Federal Government/ASUU agreeement, there are  still unresolved issues about the leadership of the government team.
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    “We have strong reasons to believe that the continuation of Dr Wale Babalakin as the head of the renegotiation with ASUU will not yield good fruit,” he said.

    Ogunyemi said union had taken up its current project as a life time, adding that this was why dating back to the 1980s, union had remained consistent on what was of concern to it.

    “If we miss education, we miss development as we will end up being enslaved the second time.

    “What is happening in this country now is that people are privatising everything, including education and before we know it, what happened to our primary and secondary education will happen.

    “And these are some of the things we are supposed to be tracking and engaged in this society, if we want to make the change that we need.

    “Our conviction is the reason behind the prolonged strike and our members have the conviction that until we get education right, Nigeria will never get it right.

    “Insurgency will increase, banditry, poverty, kidnapping, misery and other societal ills will continue.

    “Let me also state clearly too that our strike has nothing to do with politics or election, as is being speculated in some sectors of the society.

    “We have never thought of aborting any election. We do not want to create problem for this country but let government do the right thing,” he said.

    Ogunyemi said that the situation might have to rise to the point where Nigerians would have to tell government what to do with the country’s education system.

    He said  the union appreciated the understanding of the Nigerian students, their parents, among whom were many ASUU members and other people of goodwill since the resumption of the avoidable strike.

    “ASUU does not take your sacrifice for granted. With your continued support and sacrifice, we can make the Nigerian ruling class come to accept the centrality of university education in improving the human condition.

    “Qualitative and public-funded education is not an option; it is inevitable if Nigeria ever wishes to banish poverty, ignirance, sqaulor, insecurity, disease and curruption. (NAN)

  • Miyetti-Allah seek Minister’s support on Cattle tracking bill

    Miyetti-Allah seek Minister’s support on Cattle tracking bill

    The National President, Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore Fulani cultural association, Alh. Bello Bodejo has called on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh to support the bill for an Act to establish the National Animal Identification Bureau.

    Bodejo during a briefing, Monday at the National headquarters of the association in Nasarawa, said it would address lingering crisis confronting the livestock sector, especially the clashes between farmers and herdsmen when passed into law.

    He explained that the bureau would encourage innovations such as tracking, identification and labeling of cattle among other functions.

    The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development recently, through Senator Abu Ibrahim, sponsored a bill that will ensure animal tracking, registration and identifications but was rejected by the Minister on the basis of dual responsibility, as a department of livestock already exist in the ministry.

    Bodejo said: “The idea of creating an agency is to ensure there is identification, tracking and management of livestock in this country. It is an internationally best practise because if that agency is in place, every Cattle you have in this country will carry a chip. So the question of someone trespassing into a farm and you don’t know him will no longer be there.

    “It will address the security problem. If you say Cattle has trespassed into a farm, arrest one and then the chip will identify the owners and if they rustle Cattle, it’s just to activate and you know where your Cattle are.

    “All abattoirs will not accept Cattle that are not tagged. The technology will address lack of accountability and this issue of unknown gunmen.”

    Reacting to claims that there is an existing department in charge of livestock and Poultry in the ministry, which caters for concerns of the pastoralists, he emphasised that the department already failed in its duties.

    Describing the situation as a deliberate sabotage, he claimed of an underlining politics stressing that most officers in charge of policies in the livestock department had background in crops production.

    “They have this bias on livestock. The Minister should see that policy as a complementary one because there are technological companies that have this innovation to tag Cattle for the identification purpose,” Bodejo added

    In his remarks, Secretary of the association, Engr. Alhassan Saleh insisted on their disapproval on the Anti-Open Grazing law.

    He said it was a deliberate action to chase the pastoralists out of Benue, stressing that both farmers and pastoralists are interested in the equal share of the natural resources.

    Saleh, who blamed the Federal Government of being partial in the share of budgetary allocation called for proper attention to the livestock industry.

    He said the industry was not getting needed attention both from local and international partners aside from government bias.

    Speaking on the livestock bureau, he said the department should be unbundled from the ministry and created as an independent body.

    “As it is today, the psychology and body language of Audu Ogbeh is not ready to bring any positive support to the pastoralists and that’s the truth.”

    National Coordinator, Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Garus Gololo accused the Benue State Government to have sidelined the association before implementing the anti-open grazing law.

    He called for an holistic approach to solving problems of both pastoralists and the farmers.

  • NANS want government to provide standard medical facilities

    NANS want government to provide standard medical facilities

    Mr Chinonso Obasi, National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on the Federal and State Governments to provide standard facilities to address medical needs of citizens.

    Obasi made the call at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday when the former President of NANS, Mr Dauda Muhammed was flown to India for medical treatment.

    Obasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the former president had been diagnosed of liver cirrhosis which could not be treated in Nigerian hospitals.

    He decried the poor and lack of standard medical facilities in public health facilities that could handle serious ailments like liver diseases, noting that even Nigerian leaders travel overseas for medical treatment.

    According to him, Niger Government has released 38,000 dollars (about N13.6 million) for the treatment on the request of NANS leadership because Muhammed is from the state.

    “So we are using this opportunity as a case study to plead to the government to ensure that dividends of democracy should be at the reach of ordinary citizens because it is their right.

    “I feel so disappointed in the present state of our medical facilities in the country that we even need to close down Indian Embassy before we were given visa.

    “Do we need to put in a lot of struggles for something that I feel that is the essence of having the government? Government is about the people; government is about making life easier for the citizens.

    “It is not about creating policies, your policies must be policies that are people oriented that must suit the tradition, the culture and way of life for people to live in peace and harmony.

    “At this moment, I am calling on our governments at all levels to prioritise things that could promote people’s wellbeing and lives,’’ he said.

    The NANS president said that concerned students mounted pressure on the Niger government to take the responsibility of Muhammed’s treatment because of government failure to provide access to medical facilities in the country.
    He, however, commended the government for accepting the responsibility, explaining that the patient had a lot to offer Nigeria as a former president of NANS.

    “I want to thank everybody who has come here to wish our president Dauda Muhammed, a.k.a Aluta Capon, former NANS President 2011/2012 farewell.

    “We wish him quick recovery and we do hope that we will pay him a visit to check the extent of treatment he is receiving over there,” he said.

    Obasi said that the student body would continue to demand right policies and better medical facilities for the ordinary citizens of Nigeria.

  • Out-of-school statistics worries AFED

    The Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) has raised alarm over the number of out-of- school children in the country.

    The association declared in Anambra State that it was one of the challenges it is tackling in Nigeria.

    Its National President, Mrs Esther Ifejola, said this while inaugurating the Anambra State chapter of the association in Awka.

    Ifejola, represented by the Vice President, Pastor Michael Adeyemo, noted that the association was for proprietors who established private schools for the less privileged and charged low fees.

    “Given the economic and social importance these schools possess, like minds came together to form AFED with the aim to support these schools to improve their capacities and education quality, return on investment, obtain government recognition and be accessible to the poor,” she said.

    She said AFED would continue to provide avenues for the education of out-of-school children, especially those living in poor and rural areas.

    She said that continuous training would be provided for members and teachers.

    The new AFED state Controller, Pastor Donald Okorie, said despite having over 30,000 private schools in the state that serve the low-income families, most children were still unable to afford quality education.

    He said the state chapter would adhere to the tenets of the profession, while urging for support from government and sponsors.

    Earlier, the State’s Public Affairs Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Azodo, described AFED as a professional and humanitarian body promoting education of poor children whose parents may not have money to train them.

    Azodo said such children would be encouraged by assisting them get education.

    He said the Ministry of Education would partner AFED to ensure that the gospel got to them unhindered.

  • Resident doctors call off strike, resume Friday

    Resident doctors call off strike, resume Friday

    Resident Doctors under the ausices of the National Association of Reaidenr Dictors (NARD) have suspended their ongoing industrial action called to force government to meet their demands and pay their salary short fall among others.

    The Association therefore directs its members nationwide to go back to work with effect from 8.00am in Friday.

    National President of NARD, Dr. John Onyebueze who annoumced the suspension in a statement in the early hours of Thursday said doctors decided to suspend the strike after considering efforts made by government in addressing their demands.

    He, therefore, directed all doctors to go back to work with effect from 8.00am on Friday.

    The one paragraph statement reads: “After due consideration of the efforts by Government and progress made in addressing the items on the notice of our ultimatum, and strike, as well as implementing the contents of the re-negotiated MTS, NARD resolved to suspend her 10 days strike, and to reaccess situation in two weeks at our AGM in Abuja. Accordingly, members are to resume work 8:00am, Friday, 15th September, 2017.”

    The government and the doctors had signed a memorandum of terms of settlement which the were supposed to have reviewed last Friday and suspend the strike after receiving alert for the payment of their salary shortfall.

    Part of the resolution contained in the memorandum of terms of settlement which the doctors were to consider and call off the strike include the payment of the shortfall of salaries, capturing the Resident Doctors on the IPPIS payment platform, implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme for the Resident Doctors and the issuing of circular on the issuance of a circularize to regularity the House Officers’ entry point.

    The memorandum wants the “Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to employ checks and balances in disbursing Government funds. Accordingly, though verifications had been done by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), there was still need to carry out authentications. Payment would therefore be made directly to the affected FTHI for Doctors and Staff that have been authenticated, and additionally, a soft copy would be forwarded to the Parent Ministry (FMoH), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, CMDs, NARD and NMA;

    “That the FTHIs on list A of the document submitted by NARD that have been authenticated by OAGF were expected to receive payments on or before Friday, September 8, 2017 as OAGF tendered a mandate containing 8 FTHI and pledged to forward an additional list of the remaining FTHI to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for necessary action between September 7 – 8, 2017;

    “That the 2nd batch (list B) Mandate will be treated as soon as their AIE is sent to OAGF since NARD claimed that PICA had verified the shortfalls.

    On the issue of failure by government “to rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017, the memorandum said the shortfalls were basically experienced by doctors not on the IPPIS platform termed “Non Regular Allowances/Payments”. 

    “The challenges on this issue were discussed extensively and it was noted that the OAGF was currently capturing the Paramilitary Staff on IPPIS Platform and would be ready to deal with members of NARD by first week of October precisely October 4, 2017. 

    “In this regard, it is expected that the 100% payment will be implemented as from October 2017, as September salaries were already at advanced stage of preparation. However, any shortfall that occurs will be treated together with that of August, 2017.”

    It said further that “the role of the Cash Management Department and PICA in the payment of the Non Regular Allowances (Non IPPIS), and the determination to find a permanent solution to the issue of salary shortfalls was acknowledged. 

    “The meeting resolved that the Honourable Ministers of Labour and Employment, and Health together with the Budget Office of the Federation and one member each of NARD and NMA would discuss the matter with the Honourable Ministers of Finance (HMF), and Budget and Planning (HMBNP) as soon as Honourable Minister of Finance returns to the country.

    “NARD was also assured that notwithstanding IPPIS coming into existence in October, 2017, the arrears accumulated in salary shortfalls on the Non Regular Platform, would be paid based on the old payment regime and liquidated.

    On the House Officers’ Entry Point, the memorandum said the “end of October, 2017, was given as deadline to entirely solve the monetary problem of House Officers entry step by capturing it in the 2018 budget. 

    “The NSIWC promised to forward a memo to the Presidency following the receipt of a letter of demand from the FMoH and would issue the relevant circular immediately a favourable response is received by the NSIWC from the Presidency.”

    On the issue of failure by government to correct the stagnation of promotion, the memorandum conclude that while the Appeal filed by the FMoH in the Appeal Court against the Judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping is pending; skipping for doctors should continue as currently applied for other health workers. 

    It also said that “Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence. Also, there should be no “same scale” promotion except at the terminal grade level and in accordance with the Public Service Rules. Payment for skipping shall stop if the Appeal Court invalidates the payments.

    “The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017. OAGF confirmed the receipt of submissions from additional 9 FTHIs as at September 6, 2017..”

    On the issue of government failure to budget, deduct and remit both the employer and employees’ contributions of our pension Since 2013, the memorandum said: 

    “The meeting admitted and considered a letter by the Federal Ministry of Finance Ref. No. OHMF/SPO/NARD/289/VOL.1 dated June 8, 2017 on the subject “Re-Stoppage of Budgetary Provision And Deduction at Source For the Contributory Pension Scheme For Resident Doctors” which reaffirmed the earlier position taken that Resident Doctors are entitled to the Contributory Pension Scheme. 

    “After due discussions, item vi of the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement of August 31, 2017 was re-affirmed and adopted for implementation. The item vi states that “…NARD members are on Pensionable appointment and as such, the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members. 

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “Employees”. 

    “The letter went further to define an employee as any person employed in the service of the Federation, the FCT, a Government of a State of Nigeria, Local Government Council or private company or organization or firm.

    “The Federal Government will appeal to State Governments and Organisations that owe salary shortfalls/emoluments to Health Workers to make genuine efforts to liquidate these arrears in the spirit of revamping the Health Care System in the country.

  • Gov. Akeredolu calls for vocational centres for graduates

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Thursday called for vocational centres to enhance self reliance of youths after graduation.

    Akeredolu made the call when the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), visited him in Akure.

    Represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, Akeredolu said youths no longer focused on white collar jobs after leaving the university, hence the need of the vocational centres.

    The governor said his administration would not impose or dictate a national president for NAOSS as it holds election soon.

    “We will provide a level playing field for all contestants but we will also not tolerate violence in any way.

    “The primary objective of any government is to protect lives and property; that we won’t compromise”, he said.

    Mr Adeolu Iwakun, National President, NAOSS, commended the administration for prompt payment of salaries.

    He listed the payment of the outstanding 2013 to 2017 bursaries as part of the demands of the association.

    “We are owed 2013/2014 bursaries where N50 million was paid after pronouncement of N350 million to be released for this.

    “We want this government to introduce post-graduate scholarship as we all know that the value of first degree is fast diminishing in Nigeria.

    “The government cannot employ everyone and we have skilled graduates who are willing to display the skills but no opportunity, hence the need for vocational centres which will also reduce the rate of unemployment”, he said.

  • Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

    Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

  • PFN welcomes suspension of FRC governance code

    PFN welcomes suspension of FRC governance code

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Wednesday announced that the suspension of the Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) was a welcomed development.
    The PFN, in a statement signed by its National President, Rev. Dr. Felix I. Omobude, commended the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for the suspension of the Code issued by FRC, one of the parastatals under its supervisions, pending what it calls “a detailed review, extensive consultation with stakeholders and reconstitution of the board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
    According to the statement, the PFN had consistently expressed its concern at the non-inclusive process that brought about the code and the all-pervasive nature of it, especially as it relates to activities of the not-for-profit sector whose activities are already regulated by provisions of the law under which they were registered.
    “The PFN had maintained that in view of the inability on the part of the Financial Reporting Council to achieve the necessary buy-in from concerned stakeholders on the code of governance and address legitimate concerns raised by many, it was wrong for it to have proceeded to enforce its implementation.
    “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria notes the concern among many with respect to portions of the suspended Code interpreted by some to have limited the tenure of Pastors and other Spiritual Leaders. We are confident that all the contentious issues will be reviewed under the process ordered by the Government.
    “While the PFN respects the right of the appropriate government agency to make laws for the good of all.
    “PFN states emphatically that she will not sleep on her right especially as it affects our freedom of worship.
    “The PFN appeals for calm, restraint and understanding on the part of all Christians and for continued prayers for the year 2017 to be one of greater peace and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
  • Rice to be affordable by 2017 – Farmers

    Rice to be affordable by 2017 – Farmers

    Rice farmers have assured Nigerians of their readiness to make the price of rice affordable and accessible by 2017.

    Mr Aminu Goronyo, the National President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), gave the assurance in a telephone interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday.

    He said the association had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some farm input suppliers in the country to ensure prompt supply of cheap fertilisers and pesticides to boost production.

    Goronyo said some individuals and corporate bodies caused the current scarcity and hike in the price of rice in order to sabotage government efforts in agricultural diversification.

    “We are going to assist the FG to produce more than enough rice for this country in 2017.

    “It is part of the plan that we must bring down the price of rice in this country

    “There are several efforts that we are making to see that in no distant time, this price of rice will come down for Nigerians to have access to affordable milled rice,’’ Goronyo assured.

    The national president said that the association was also collaborating with both local and foreign companies to assist in the electronic mapping and registration of rice farms across the country.

    He said this would help the government to plan by having accurate and verifiable available land for rice production in the country.

    Goronyo gave the assurance that rice production rate would be doubled in 2017 above the seven million tonnes produced this year.

    “We have more than 4.5 million hectares of FADAMA land for rice production and each hectare has the capacity with a very good practice and management to produce five tonnes per hectare minimum.

    “So, in one production cycle, we can produce 10 million metric tonnes of paddy rice and our consumption rate in this country is between 6.5 and seven million metric tonnes per annum.

    “So if we can produce 10 million metric tonnes in one production cycle and we have three production cycles in a year, it means that we can feed this country and even export this rice that we produce,’’ he said.

    The RIFAN president said the association would continue to support the Federal Government agricultural diversification as a way of boosting the economy.