The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Minimum wage: FG, labour to meet Sept. 16

    Negotiation between the Federal Government and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on the new minimum wage has again rescheduled for Sept. 16.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the last negotiation between the government and the JNPSNC was to hold on Sept. 4, but was suspended.

    Mr Alade Lawal, JNPSN Secretary General, confirmed to NAN on Tuesday in Lagos that the meeting was rescheduled at the instance of the officials.

    The organised labour and the Federal Government have been in conflict over the implementation of the new minimum wage which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18.

    Read Also: Kaduna begins payment of minimum wage in September

    Negotiation between the government and the JNPSNC, representing labour in the technical committee set up to negotiate the consequential adjustment of workers’ salaries as a result of the new minimum wage, had broken down due to unresolved differences in their proposals.

    While the Federal Government proposed 9.5 per cent salary increase for employees on grade levels 07 to 14 and five per cent for those on grade levels 15 to 17, labour is demanding 30 per cent increase for officers on grade levels 07 to 14 and 25 per cent increase for grade levels 15 to 17.

    President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, had told journalists that the congress would support any position taken by the JNPSN on the new national minimum wage. (NAN)

  • BREAKING: 2020-2022 will be challenging, FG warns

    The 2020 to 2022 fiscal years will be very challenging, especially with respect to revenue generation and rapid growth in personnel costs, the federal government has warned.

    Details shortly…

  • Ban on procession applies only to IMN – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that the ban on procession across the country only applies to members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

    The Police also noted that other Muslims across the country are at liberty to carry out the annual “Ashura” procession.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Frank Mba to clarify Police stance on the ban.

    The statement reads: “Following the deluge of enquiries concerning the ban on procession on the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), it has become absolutely imperative to clarify that the ban on processions is applicable to members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria only.

    “Against this backdrop, Muslims marking the commemoration of “Ashura” throughout the country along with other Muslims across the world are free to carry out the annual “Ashura” procession.

    Read Also:  Police allegedly kill three Shi’ites members in Kaduna

    “They should however do so within the confines of the law and guard against infiltration by unscrupulous elements who may want to take advantage of the event to cause disruption of public peace, order and security.”

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has also directed all Commissioners of Police and their respective supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Commands and Zones to ensure that non-IMN Muslims are not in any way restricted from exercising their freedom of religion, worship and peaceful assembly.

    The IGP also urged members of the public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as the Force is doing all within its capacity to ensure there is no breach of the peace, law and order anywhere in the country.

  • Buhari greets Chief Igbinedion at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Esama of the Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on his 85th birthday billed for September 11, 2019.

    He saluted his high sense of patriotism, love for humanity and dedication to helping the poor and underprivileged.

    As the Esama of Benin turns 85, the President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, noted with pride, his contributions to the nation’s development as a serial entrepreneur who finds joy in investing in sectors that directly impact the livelihood of Nigerians, including education, health, transportation and the media.

    Read Also: Buhari to South Africa: stop attacks on Nigerians

    While joining his family, friends and associates to celebrate the milestone, the President believed Chief Igbinedion’s active role in Nigeria’s business space inspired many younger people to start-up companies that have continued to buoy the economy, and his contributions to national development will remain appreciated.

    He prayed that Almighty God will grant the Esama of Benin good health, strength and longer life to continue the good work.

  • ‘Sniper’ suicide averted in Enugu

    Another suicide has been averted in Nsukka, Enugu State as a woman allegedly drank a substance believed to be ‘Sniper’ insecticide.

    The victim, identified as Chinwendu Odoh, 24, is a 200-Level student of Microbiology at the University of Nigeria.

    She hails from Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of the state.

    Read Also: Suicide, sniper and go-slow system

    Neighbours who noticed she was in pain promptly rushed her to Royal Cross Hospital Nsukka where she was being revived, it was learnt.

    The state police spokesman, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu said operatives of the Nsukka Division of the command were investigating the matter, though he added “information from some sympathizers are pointing towards depression over an unresolved issue. The victim is now responding to treatment.”

  • UPDATED: Three feared killed as Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

    There was pandemonium in Bakin Ruwa area of the Nnamdi Azikwe expressway, bypass of Kaduna State capital on Tuesday, as Police and members of the Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) clashed.

    The IMN group of the Shi’ite Islamic sect were gathering to proceed on Ashura Day procession when the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The Nation gathered that Shi’ites had planned to come out as early as 6:00 am to beat the security agents to the plan to stop them from the procession.

    However, the police who relied on intelligence report quickly moved to the scene and dispersed the gathering of IMN members.

    The Shi’ites, however, claimed that three of their members were killed in the process.

    Read Also; PHOTOS: IMN Ashura procession in Yobe

    One of the IMN leaders, Alliyu Umar who spoke to The Nation said, the police attacked them while observing their religious right of Ashura mourning.

    According to him, “What happened to us this morning was not a clash. It was an attack on armless members of IMN. We were observing an event in Islamic calendar which is called Ashura mourning as a procession.

    “We were on our way to observe this procession. We were doing it peacefully as we were doing it before when Policemen attacked us, shooting live bullets at us where they killed three people and wounded so many others. I’m yet to confirm the number of those that are wounded.” Umar said.

    Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Command said, the allegation of killing was false and mischievous.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo stated categorically that, the protesters were dispersed professionally, and that no one was killed.

  • BREAKING: Shi’ites bow to pressure hold 30-minute procession

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has held its annual Ashura procession in Abuja.

    According to a top member of the Shi’ites group, Abdulai Musa, the procession started in Wuse market and ended around Berger about from 8: oo am and ended by 8:30 am.

    Musa told our reporter that the procession was peaceful and well organised.

    IMN had on Monday petitioned the Human Rights Commission, United Nations and the European Union over Tuesday’s Ashura procession which it claimed that the police are preparing to disrupt and attack its members.

    Details shortly…..

  • NASS Election: we’ll appeal Ekweremadu’s victory, APC vows

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will appeal the victory of former Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, at the State and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Enugu.

    The Chairman of the party in Enugu State, Mr Ben Nwoye, this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while reacting to the judgment of the tribunal that affirmed the victory of the Senator.

    The candidate of the APC in Enugu West Senatorial Zone in the Feb. 23 general elections, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, had approached the tribunal following the return of Ekweremadu as the winner of the poll.

    In its judgement delivered on Sept. 9, 2019, the tribunal struck out the petition on the ground that the petitioners failed to prove their cases beyond all reasonable doubt and affirmed the victory of Ekweremadu.

    Nwoye, however, said that necessary steps had already been taken to appeal the decision of the tribunal which he described as a ‘template judgement’.

    He said that the party was disappointed at the decision of the tribunal after the party’s legal team had put up a formidable argument to prove their case.

    “We are shocked that the case turned out this way in spite of the overwhelming evidence we adduced,” he said.

    Read Also; NASS contractors begin multi-billion contracts execution this week

    Nwoye commended the petitioners’ legal team for putting up a good fight at the tribunal.

    Mr Patrick Luke, the petitioners’ counsel, said that his clients had instructed him to appeal the judgment.

    Luke said that the petitioners did all they could to prove their case, “but the trial court decided otherwise. We have an instruction from our clients to appeal the judgment.”

    “There are fundamental errors in the judgment. We shall study it and respond accordingly.”

  • Why I am yet to form my cabinet -Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he is yet to form his cabinet because he is seeking out people who will work with dedication and passion for the state.

    Speaking during the submission of report by the Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday evening,  Wike said he will not be moved by criticisms because he is committed to doing what is right for the state.

    He said: “I have not formed my cabinet because I am taking my time to monitor and look at people who would work with passion for Rivers State.

    “Politics is involved, but you must be ready to work for the state. That is why you see that there is a delay in the formation of the cabinet. No matter the criticism, I will do what is right”.

    He said all focus must be on working for the sustained development of Rivers State.

    “We must work to move Rivers State forward. In doing that, we must step on toes. We can’t allow the state to be the way it is.

    “I believe that with the calibre of persons who served in the committee, you have done a good job. I have confidence in the committee”, he said.

    Governor Wike explained that he established the Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State because of the urgent need to check the downward slide of private schools in the state.

    He said: “People have unnecessarily commercialised education. They have become traders in the field of education. We will not allow that to continue.

    “All those schools that you have denied accreditation, even the ones you have approved, I will look at them again. But specifically, the ones you have denied. They will not function in this state.

    “I hope you went to the churches to investigate their schools. We cannot allow what is going on to continue. Some schools are collecting fees and killing our children and say they giving them education. The 763 remaining, we will select a team to visit these schools. Any school that is not qualified to operate will not get our final approval”.

    The Governor stated that his administration remains committed to addressing the infrastructural and equipment needs of public schools in the state.

    Read Also; Why APC lost in Rivers, by Oshiomhole

    He said: “I will do everything to turn around the public schools. We are about to revive Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Western Ahoada County Grammar School, Government Secondary School, Obuama and others. We are committed to reviving all the great schools of the past”.

    “The Head of Service, Attorney-General, Chief of Staff and a committee of Permanent Secretaries will review the report and submit an implementation report. Your efforts shall not go in vain”, he said.

    Chairman, Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State, Prof Ozo-Mercury Ndimele informed that 2651 private schools registered for the exercise at the office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government. He said the state has about 5000 private schools.

    According to him, out of the 2,651 registered at the office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, the committee inspected 1,888 schools while 763 schools were not inspected.

    Prof Ozo-Mercury Ndimele said the committee proposed 12 recommendations to the Rivers State Governor. He said that schools should only operate in line with their approvals, while those with interim accreditation are given two years to upgrade.

    He recommended that the State Government must act on the number of private schools in the state. He said during the exercise the committee visited one-third of such schools.

    The committee suggested the establishment of a commission for the regular assessment and accreditation of private schools.

  • BBNaija: Khafi, Tacha, Mike, Seyi up for eviction

    Housemates, Khafi Kareem, Mike Edwards, Tacha Akide and Seyi Awolowo are up for possible eviction.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the list was announced on Monday night in the ongoing BBNaija season four.

    For the 11th week, Biggie continued with the process of populating the eviction nomination list as housemates did the nominations.

    Seyi nominated Tacha and Khafi, Mercy nominated Omashola and Tacha while Frodd nominated Mike and Ike for Eviction.

    Also, Omashola nominated Mercy and Tacha, Khafi nominated Seyi and Mercy and Tacha nominated Seyi and Mike for Eviction.

    Mike Nominated Omashola and Tacha, Ike Nominated Diane and Khafi, and Elozonam put up Frodd and Tacha for Eviction.

    Finally, Diane nominated Omashola and Mike while Cindy nominated Diane and Ike for Eviction.

    Read Also; #BBNaija: Cindy emerges head of House

    At the end of nominations, Khafi, Mike, Tacha and Omashola were put up for possible eviction. However, Omashola used his veto power to replace himself with Seyi.

    Nominated housemates consist of two former heads of House, Seyi and Khafi. Also, Mike and Tacha have polled impressive votes when previously nominated.

    NAN reports that nominated housemates will learn their fates on Sunday, Sept. 15 as fans scramble to vote for them.