President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday submitted the 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) to the Senate.
This followed Buhari’s letter to the Senate which was read at plenary by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Details Shortly…
Labour leaders and Federal Government officials will meet between tomorrow and Friday to unlock the stalemate over the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.
Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige said the government had commenced payment of the new wage from Levels 1 to 6 workers.
But Labour leaders accused the government of insincerity. A source described the payments of the new wage to junior workers as “divide and rule tactics”.
The President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, chided the Federal Government for insincerity, adding that its representatives in the negotiation had not shifted ground.
Olaleye said: ”Up till now , we are still waiting for the representatives of the Federal Government. They promised to consult with the Presidency and get back to us. But we have not heard anything from them. It shows insincerity on their part and we can’t wait further.”
Olaleye said Labour will meet with the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC) on Friday, adding that, if nothing is done by then, labour will take a decision.
He said: ”You all know the body language already. So, by Friday, we will meet with the JPSNC and a decision will be taken. I want to assure you that, once a decision is taken, there is no going back.”
The JPSNC warned that workers could go on strike over the delayed implementation of the new wage as the meeting between the Federal Government and the council was stalled.
Both parties failed to reach an agreement, despite minor adjustments in their separate positions.
During the meeting, which was chaired by the thenHead of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, government shifted from its earlier position of 9.5 per cent to 11 per cent for grade levels seven to 14 and 6.5 per cent from 5.5 per cent for levels 15 to 17.
But, workers have insisted that government should adjust the salaries of workers on grade levels 07 to 14 by 30 per cent and those on levels 15 to 17 by 25 per cent, having stepped down to 29 per cent from 30 per cent for grade levels 7 to 14 and 24 to 25 per cent for levels 15 to 17.
Expressing dismay over the failed negotiation, the chairman of JPSNC and National Auditor of the NLC, Simon Anchaver, accused the government team of toying with workers’ interest.
He said the JPSNC had resolved to write to the NLC, and the TUC for their advice on a possible industrial action.
A member of the JNPSNC, who confirmed the proposed Friday meeting said that the labour team would be led by the NLC President Ayuba Wabba.
He said labour would use the opportunity to discuss the need for the Federal Government to fast track action on the new minimum wage.
The source kicked against the payment of N30, 000 minimum wage to junior workers on levels 1- 6 employed by the Federal Government, describing it as a “divide and rule tactics”.
The source said: “We are meeting the minister on Thursday. The issue of minimum wage will definitely come up. Even the minister will talk about it.
“We want the government to fast track the process. We are not happy over the decision of the government to pay workers on levels 01-6. It is divide and rule tactics by the government.
“We will mobilise against it. In fact, we have already started mobilising our members but we have not fixed a date yet for it.”
Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Tuesday spoke on his deployment from the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry as Minister of State to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He said the redeployment had offered him a fresh opportunity to prove his versatility.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo tweeted that he is ready to serve the Buhari government in any capacity.
“On the move again: Two portfolios in two months! Just been redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Employment to work with my long-time big brother, H.E, Chris Ngige. Thank you, Mr. President for finding me versatile enough to move around. Always ready to serve in any capacity,” Keyamo tweeted.
Keyamo is swaping offices with Senator Tayo Alasoadura.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the immediate redeployment of the two ministers of state in a statement by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The redeployment, according to the statement, took effect from yesterday.
Until the redeployment, Keyamo paired with Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Alasoadura, with Dr. Chris Ngige in the Labour and Employment Ministry.
No reason was given for the redeployment of the ministers.
Despite the difficult celebrity lives, many famous couples do have happy marriages.
Although some celebrity marriages and relationships often come with news of splits, not all celebrity couples are destined to break up.
In fact, quite a number of A-list stars revel in having a happy marriage to their longtime partner. The 10 couples that follow are some of the Nigerian celebrities with successful marriages
1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva
This is unarguably the number one on our list. These two have spent over 30 years together as a married couple.
Despite going through some rough times together, also witnessing the loss of a child, they have both still remained strong.
The couple has cited God, communication and trust as the few factors that keep their marriage going.
2. Tunde and Wunmi Obe
Tunde and Wunmi Obe, professionally known as T.W.O are Nigerian show business couple, entertainers, television personalities and entrepreneurs.
They met and began their music career as undergraduates in the 90s. Revealing the secrets of their marriage, the veteran musician and dad of 3 revealed he married a woman who supports his plans and also helps to make good decisions for the future.
3. Patrick and Ireti Doyle
Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle has been married for over 15 years to broadcaster, veteran actor and media personality, Patrick Doyle.
Although the marriage has experienced some ups and downs, the duo has maintained newness of love in their union.
4. Isaac and Nneka Moses
Since meeting on the set of a movie in 1996, the couple has been inseparable.
They both present, produce and direct their award-winning culture and tourism TV show, Goge Africa, on television and cable networks.
“It is easy because whatever decision we make is in the best interest of our vision and passion. There is no superiority contest among us. He sometimes allows me to make decisions and that really makes me feel good,” Nneka was once reported saying.
5. Omotola Jalade and Matthew Ekeinde
Nollywood diva, Omotola has been married to Matthew Ekeinde for over 20 years.
The couple has a blissful marriage and are blessed with four beautiful kids.
Considering the controversies and scandals associated with celebrity-life, the Ekeinde’s have managed to stay off scandals.
“It would have been extremely painful if my husband takes things to the heart, then it would have been a rollercoaster ride for me,” Omotola said, paying compliment to her husband’s maturity for the success of their marriage.
6. Richard and Jumobi Mofe-Damijo
In 2000, RMD married former Africa Independent Television (AIT) presenter, Jumobi Adegbesan.
Of course, this marriage has witnessed murky waters based on alleged infidelity on both sides but the love and stability in their marriage seem to be waxing stronger by the day.
7. Omoni and Nnamdi Oboli
Married for over fifteen years with three beautiful boys, they are just an epitome of a perfect match.
The couple who could pass as siblings are very much into each other that they do literally everything together.
8. Fela and Tara Durotoye
While she is the leading pioneer make-up artist in Nigeria, he is one of the most sort-after motivational speakers in Africa and a best-selling author.
The couple complements each other in every way.
Tara never ceases to use the opportunity to share some tips on relationship and marriage principles. “We have committed to making each other happy and making it work as we both come from broken homes,” Tara once wrote.
9. Norbert and Gloria Young
Nollywood couple Norbert and Gloria Young have been married for over 15 years and share three beautiful kids.
Despite several rumours, the couple has stood the test of time and is still going strong.
10. Soni and Betty Irabor
Soni and Betty are one of the most adorable celebrity couples in Nigeria. They have been married for over 30 years. They make marriage look easy and sweet. Soni is a broadcaster and CEO of Inspiration FM, and Betty is a journalist, author and publisher.
Eloagu said this at the official unveiling of new technology, Uniview video surveillance device held in Lagos.
He said that Nigerians has one of the most talented brains in the world making giants strides in the area of medical service, technology, agriculture, art and are willing to come back to contribute their quota toward the development of our economy.
“Government must be deliberate in its policy to entice and encourage young talented Nigerians living abroad who want to help us grow our economy, enhance our technology and improve our Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”, he said.
He challenged Nigerian youths to value themselves and make an impact in their world.
He added that the product launch and road show is to showcase the new brand of CCTV by UNVIEW, which are durable, dependable and digitally driven.
Following reports that the Nigerian government plans to sue South Africa at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court) over the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, some citizens of West African countries have begun move to compel their countries to take the necessary steps to allow enhanced access to the continental court, ERIC IKHILAE writes.
Smarting from the impact of the latest wave of violent xenophobic attacks on foreigners by South Africans, a group of West African citizens have gone before the Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court), seeking, among other things, to compel member states to take the necessary steps to allow citizens and non-government organisations (NGOs) access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court).
They frowned at the current state of affair where only states in the sub-region could initiate cases before the court, to the exclusion of their citizens and NGOs. The development, they argued, constituted not only a violation of the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and related instruments, but a negation of motive behind the establishment of the African Court.
Listed as plaintiffs in the suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/26/19 are 25 individuals drawn from 15 ECOWAS member states and a group-the Campaign for Social Justice and Constitutional Democracy in Africa (CSJCDA).
In court documents filed by their lawyer, Festus Ogwuche, the plaintiffs noted that while only Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Mali have submitted the requisite declarations pursuant to Section 36 of the Protocol establishing the court, thereby paving the way for their citizens and NGOs resident in such countries to sue before the court, other ECOWAS member states have declined to so act.
They argued that the refusal of the majority of West African states to make the requisite declaration was not only wasteful (in that they contribute resources to funding the court’s operations), it was selfish-in that by recognising the competence of the African Court and allowing access to their citizens and NGOs, decisions of the countries’ Supreme Court in relation to human rights cases, will become opened to scrutiny and review by the continental court.
The plaintiffs, led by Obinna Umeh, are contending, among others, that the failure of most countries in the sub-region to make the requisite declaration has not only dampened the enthusiasm generated among the citizens by the creation of the African Court, which they thought would complement the ECOWAS Court, it negates essence of the African Charter.
They are, therefore, praying the court for the following reliefs, among others:
* A declaration that the act of the defendants in withholding the declaration pursuant to Article 34 (6) of the Protocol on the establishment of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, as to enable their citizens have access and seek redress in the African Court for violation of their fundamental rights, is an infringement of the fundamental rights under the African Charter.
* A declaration that, by virtue of the provisions of the African Charter, the defendants have a duty, albeit a compelling responsibility to ensure that their citizens are not restricted or curtailed in any manner, in the enforcement of their fundamental rights, but rather do all things necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of those rights set out therein, against their infringement both against their citizens and other member states of the African Union against their citizens.
* An order compelling the defendants to make the declaration subject to Article 34 (6) of the Protocol on the establishment of the African Court to meet the requirements of the Protocol 05 to enable the plaintiffs and, indeed, all of their respective citizens, have access to the African Court for the protection, preservation and enforcement of their fundamental rights.
* An order compelling the defendants to encourage and provide the necessary ennoblement for human rights litigation and enforcement against infringement and provide adequate measures that will allow their citizens unimpeded access to national and international mediums for the ventilation of their grievances and seek redress for infringements of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Umeh and others stated that the court’s jurisdiction, under Article 3 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of the ACHPR, shall extend to all cases and disputes submitted to it concerning the interpretation and application of the charter, the protocol and any other human rights instrument ratified by the states concerned.
They noted that while the Protocol, in its Article 5, provides direct access to state parties, African International Organisations and the Commission; access to the court by individuals and NGOs, whose fundamental rights are violated, is provided under Section 5 (3), but made subject to Section 34 (6) of the Protocol.
The plaintiffs stated that: “The said Article 34 (6) requires that for individuals within a particular state to institute cases in the Court for violation of their fundamental rights, their states shall make a declaration accepting the competence of the court, for the court to receive cases under Section 5 (3) of the Protocol.
“The absence of such declaration by a particular state disentitles the particular state citizens from accessing the court to enforce their fundamental rights before the court.
“The defendant states expended substantial amounts of money in contribution to the setting up of the Court, including the development of the infrastructure and facilities, but till date declined to perform the relevant protocol pursuant to the charter creating the court to allow their citizens access to the court.
“Some of the countries that are yet to make the requisite Declaration are enjoying the privileges provided by the court, and still foreclose their citizens from accessing the court and thereby depriving them of all of the known human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined and guaranteed under the African Charter.
“A country such as Nigeria has produced a Vice-President of the Court in the person of Judge Elsie Thompson, and participates in all the activities of the court but still denies its people the gains of the court in terms of the preservation and enforcement of the rights enshrined and guaranteed under the African Charter.
“By global records, Africa holds the highest number of human rights violations and the bulk of the infringements are the direct acts of the states and their actors, of which the existence of the court would provide the veritable forum to hold such state violators to account.
“In more recent times, Africans are subjected to all manner of inhuman treatments and indignities, even by their co-Africans, in such places such as Libya, Mauritania and Algeria, among others, where thousands are held in slavery and servitude, being treated like chattels and in most inhuman conditions worse than the days of the Trans-Atlantic slavery, the African Court of Human Rights holds the only beacon of hope for the redressing of these violations.
“Africans are subjected to all manner of inhuman and degrading treatments in the hands of their co-African natives of South Africa, at the instigation of the South African state and with state institutions looking on while their fellow Africans are being slaughtered, dehumanised and inhumanly treated, with virtually no forum citizens of the defendant countries to ventilate their grievances. This is because the defendant states decline from performing the necessary and requisite functions to allow their citizens access to the African Court of Human Rights.
“The refusal of the Defendant countries from making the necessary Declarations that would give their citizens access to the said court diminishes their enjoyment of the rights provided under the African Charter and it is a violation of their fundamental right.
“By the status of the African Charter as the foremost human rights instrument within the continent, the act of constricting or limiting its scope, application and enforcement mechanism through the refusal of the Defendants to make the requisite Declarations in satisfaction of the Protocol establishment, is a direct infringement on the fundamental rights of the Plaintiff’s.
“The Defendants having been convinced firmly that the attainment of the objectives of the African Charter requires the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights as they so declared and affirmed in the Protocol to the establishment of the court, cannot refuse their citizens access to the said court, as such refusal is tantamount to a denial of their rights to the enjoyment of those rights and a violation of the said rights. ”
The Senate is awaiting the presentation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) and the 2020 Budget proposals by President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said on Tuesday.
Lawan, who spoke after an executive session of the Senate also disclosed that all the 69 Standing Committees of the Senate would be inaugurated at today’s plenary.
The Senate had on resumption from its annual recess immediately went into an executive session.
Lawan said that the Red Chamber resolved at its executive session to inaugurate all its Standing Committees at the plenary.
He said that the chamber also resolved to await the presentation of the MTEF/FSP as well as the 2020 Appropriation Act.
Lawan, however, did not give a definite date when the two important documents would be transmitted from the executive to the lawmakers for consideration.
Meanwhile Section 11 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act clearly stipulates that the MTEF/FSP “must not be submitted later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year.”
Section 18 of the Act also provides that “the MTEF shall be the basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure required to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly under section 81 (1) of the Constitution.”
The Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has shut down 20 health facilities in Lagos State.
The facilities were closed in August for non-compliance with regulatory standards.
The Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu disclosed this after an inspection by the agency, stressing that the state government remains committed to putting a halt to the ugly trend of having unqualified personnel in health facilities.
Idowu said the state would continue to insist that the environment for the dispensation of medical care should be suitable and hygienic for the promotion and maintenance of good health.
She urged members of the public to continue to cooperate and support the government in the fight against quackery and illegal operation of facilities by reporting those behind such acts to relevant government agencies.
The HEFAMAA boss also revealed that the agency has witnessed an improved service delivery since the introduction of e-hefama, a technological-based platform to ease registration of facilities and conduct other functions and responsibilities of HEFAMAA.
The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to brief it on the details of the $9.6billion judgement awarded against Nigeria and the 2010 Gas contract to the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited.
This followed a motion for a matter of urgent public importance moved by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central District.
Also to appear before relevant committees of the Senate on the matter are officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and professional arbitrators engaged on behalf of the Federal Government.
In his lead debate, Senator Bamidele, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, stressed the need to invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, and other relevant stakeholders to brief relevant committees of the Senate on the award against the Federal Government by a United Kingdom Court.
He called on the Senate to note with concern that “Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have become apprehensive while many committees of the Senate have over the last few weeks received several petitions and other direct and circumstantial information on the ongoing legal imbroglio involving the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and, by extension, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom firm known as Process and Industrial Development Limited, herein after referred to as P&ID.”
He said the Senate should be aware that in January 2010, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, acting on behalf of the Federal Government executed a Gas supply processing agreement with P&ID whereby Nigeria was to supply zero cost natural gas to P&ID through a pipeline to be constructed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to P&ID processing facility.
He said that under the terms of the TSPA, which had a tenor of 20 years, from the date of first supply of wet Gas, P&ID had an obligation to process the wet gas and deliver the derivative to the Federal Government free of charge for power generation while taking any other residual liquid itself at no cost.
He said that, based on the facts of the case, P&ID served a notice of arbitration on the Federal Government in 2012 on the ground that Nigeria repudiated its obligation under the terms of the TSPA by defaulting to make wet Gas available to it.
He said the Senate was also aware that a commercial court in the United Kingdom in the suit referred to has ruled that the Federal Government must pay the British firm – Process and Industrial Development Limited – a sum of $9.6 billion or have its assets to the tune of that amount forfeited.
He urged the Senate to be alarmed that the UK Court’s decision converted the subsequent arbitral award into a domestic judgement against Nigeria, thereby creating a situation where Nigeria’s asset around the world, particularly in the UK and the U.S. risk being taken over by P&ID or its agents.
He lamented that the damages awarded to P&ID were “manifestly excessive, exorbitant, punitive and a big threat to the economic well-being and security of Nigeria.”
He added: “The Senate is deeply concerned that the issues arising from the default aforesaid as well as the consequential arbitration, court proceedings and the ensuing award against Nigeria have thus far been concealed from the Senate and the entire National Assembly.”
He observed that the principal role of the National Assembly, is among others, “to undertake oversight of all government ministries, departments and agencies or amend subsisting laws of the Federation of Nigeria, for the proper functioning and good governance of the country which power is derived from the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.”
Senator Opeyemi prayed the Senate to invite the “Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant stakeholders, including officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and professional arbitrators engaged on behalf of the Federal Government in this regard to comprehensively brief the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Gas Resources and Power on the details of the 2010 contract with P&ID as executed, reasons for the default as well as the handling of resultant negotiations, arbitration, court proceedings and steps being taken to resolve the matter in the overall best interest of the Nigerian economy and security of the nation’s assets at home and abroad.”
However, citing order 53 (5) of the Senate Standing Rules, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege cautioned his colleagues to limit their contributions on the motion which is to invite AGF and other relevant government agencies to brief the Senate as the matter is presently awaiting judicial decision.
The only prayer of the motion was unanimously approved when it was put to vote by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan addd that the judgement $9.6billion awarded against Nigeria is one reason the country needs to strengthen its diplomatic engagements with other countries.
Lagos State government has assured commuters that the expansion work at the Ojodu/Berger Junction on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway would be completed in December.
Commissioner for Transportation Frederic Oladeinde gave the assurance on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after a tour of the project site with some top government officials.
He said though the project is federal, the state government is interested because of traffic coming into Lagos.
“We would do our best to ensure that by December it would be completed,” Oladeinde said.
He said the state is passionate about transportation because it is the engine of any economy “and if transportation is not right it is very difficult for the economy to strive; transportation touches everybody because everybody moves from one point to the other.”
“This is the border between Lagos and Ogun states. Obviously any traffic coming into Lagos is our concern and our interest here is to see how the various traffic agencies working here are coordinating the traffic here and to ensure that there is free flow of traffic.”
The agencies controlling traffic are the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE).
According to the commissioner, the three agencies are working harmoniously to make sure there is free flow of traffic “and you can see they are doing a wonderful job here”.
The commissioner appealed to commuters to be patient with the government on the ongoing expansion work.
“We are trying to expand this road so that we can create more space so that we can get traffic flowing freely, it is just a little pain, but my advice is that they should be patient with what we are doing”.
In separate interviews with the heads of the three traffic agencies controlling traffic at the area, they confessed that they have been working harmoniously to ensure free flow of traffic and that they have been able to curtail the menace of the commercial bus drivers.
The heads of the agencies are: Mr. Mathew Cyril Zango, Sector Head of Operations, Lagos State Command of FRSC; Mr. Jubril Adeyemi Oshodi, Area Commander Ojodu/Berger in charge of the project area, Lagos end, LASTMA and Mr. Ganiyu Amin, Divisional Commander, TRACE.