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  • NLC vows to resist attempt to slowdown review of minimum wage

    NLC vows to resist attempt to slowdown review of minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) on Monday vowed to  resist any attempt to slowdown the review of the National Minimum wage.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said this at the 40th Anniversary of the Congress in Abuja with the theme: “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, National Unity and Social Justice”.

    Wabba said the N18, 000 minimum wage was borne out of the current reality of the high cost living, free fall of naira and the high cost of goods and service and it was long overdue.

    According to him, let us use this medium to serve notice to those who seek to slow down or frustrate the process of review that they will be resisted in like manner as our predecessors did.

    “We are prepared to deal with employers, especially governors who deny workers and pensioners their salaries and pension.

    “Workers and their families would not give them any further political support, especially their votes,” he warned.

    He noted that the Nigerian workers and other citizens had suffered from increase taxation, retrenchment from public and private sectors, non payment of salaries, gratuities and pension.

    He also said that the cost of living, transportation has increased, saying that the government has refused to honour and implement the bargain agreement.

    The NLC president said that the union has continued to use its platform to demand for a fair, just, equitable and workable political system for the Nigerian workers.

    Wabba, while speaking on the anniversary, said NLC would use the occasion to engage in self–examination of the past, present and also try to project into the future.

    “We need to celebrate our modest achievements and learn from our mistakes.

    “We need to know if we have adhered to or deviated from the fundamental principles of our organisation.

    “In celebrating these achievements, we need to think of ways of reinvigorating, revitalizing and transforming the organisation to a formidable worker organisation can stand the test of time,’’ he said.

    Also, Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said the Federal Government has assured workers in the country that they would begin to enjoy ‎the new minimum wage by the third quarter of 2018.

    Ngige said third quarter was the minimum time for the implementation of the new wage.

    “In furtherance to the determination by the Federal Government to attain the decent work agenda, which involves opportunities for work that are productive and deliver a fair income,

    “Security in the workplace, and social protection for families; there have been overtime three minimum wage reviews and currently the tripartite committee of National Minimum Wageis set to review the current minimum wage.

    “Memoranda ‎are being received from relevant bodies and persons to enable the determination of the minimum wage for the nation, so by the third quarter, a new minimum wage would be announced for the country,” he said.

    NAN

  • Kaduna: El-Rufai directs prosecution of culprits in Magani mayhem

    Kaduna: El-Rufai directs prosecution of culprits in Magani mayhem

    The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has directed the prosecution of persons responsible for the Monday mayhem that occurred at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru local government area of the state.

    The government said the security agencies must investigate “this unfortunate incident, arrest and make available for prosecution the perpetrators.”

    Samuel Aruwan, Gov. El-Rufai’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna, shortly after receiving preliminary report of the mayhem.

    Aruwan said government condemned the violence and regretted the wanton killing of people.

    He said the government expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.

    He said government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.

    Aruwan said that security personnel had also been deployed to contain the situation, protect lives and properties as well as prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

    He said that government urged all citizens and communities to reject violence and division and uphold their neighbours in peace and harmony.

    NAN

  • Okorocha joins Imo West Senatorial race

    Okorocha joins Imo West Senatorial race

    …endorses deputy for Imo East Senatorial seat

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday declared his intention to contest for  the Imo West Senatorial seat in 2019.

    The Imo governor said his participation in the senatorial race will brighten the chances of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in general election in the State. 

    Okorocha who made the disclosure during the inauguration of members of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) at Government House Owerri, also endorsed his deputy, Eze Madumere for Imo East Senatorial seat.

    He also restated his earlier endorsement of his Chief of Staff and son in-law,  Chief Uche Nwosu as his successor.

    According to the governor, “if Uche Nwosu will be home for governor,  I will tell the deputy governor to go to Senate.

    “I told you earlier that my interest is the Presidency but since President Buhari will be running in 2019 I decided to put my ambition on hold until he completes his tenure.

    “But I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zones because if I don’t, bad people will take the position “.

    Okorocha added further that, “if my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for Senate, it will boost APC chances in the State. And many from my Senatorial zone have come to me and said they will not contest if I am interested “.

  • Col. Joseph  Achuzie, ‘Hannibal’ dies at 90

    Col. Joseph  Achuzie, ‘Hannibal’ dies at 90

    Ex-Briafan solder, Col. Joseph ‘Hannibal’ Achuzie, and a Nigerian civil war veteran has died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre ( FMC ), Asaba, Delta at 90.

    The late Achuzie, born in 1929 and was a Major in the Biafran Army.

    Mr Onyeka Achuzie, son of the decease, who announced this to journalists at the deceased’s residence, No. 2 Idumojei Quarters, Asaba, said he died at about 8 a.m on Monday.

    He said that the remains of the decease had been deposited at the hospital morgue ahead of the traditional burial rights on a date yet to be announced.

    ”My father died around 8 a.m. this morning at age 90 in the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

    He was a traditional Chief of Asaba, “the Ikemba of Asaba”, so we have announced it to the Asagba in Council; it is a sad news to us.

    “I could still not believe that he is dead, even when he was entering the FMC where he died, he was smiling, we never knew he was going to die because he was still strong in spite of his age.

    “He had a little bit of illness, coupled with his age, we really missed him for he was such a good father,” Onyeka said.

    Onyeka said that as the Ikemba of Asaba the news of his father’s death had been announced though a traditional gun shot.

    He described his father as ”loving, kind and best father,” adding that he would be greatly missed by the family.

    Onyeka said his father was survived by a wife, children, grand children and other relations.

    The late Achuzia was in Nigerian Army before joining the Biafran Army in May 1967.

    After he was released from prison in 1970 after the civil war, he officially retired from military activities and became a prominent figure in Nigerian politics.

    NAN

  • I’m ashamed Nigeria has no data on oil – Yemi-Esan

    I’m ashamed Nigeria has no data on oil – Yemi-Esan

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, yesterday expressed concern over the non-availability of data on Nigeria oil sector in the country.

    According to her, Nigerians have to go to the secretariat of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) before getting data on Nigerian oil.

    She said: “immediately after the minister’s speech last week, somebody stood up and said we didn’t have data source on Nigeria. And I was actually ashamed of myself and I think as we provide data for OPEC, we should address the question of churning credible data to be consumed in-country. It is a pity when students are looking for data we have to go to OPEC to get data about Nigeria.”

    She spoke while declaring the OPEC data management training workshop open at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund ( PTDF ) in Abuja.

    Yemi-Esan tasked the stakeholders in the workshop to work with the ministry to ensure that there is a generation and provision credible data that could help in planning and research purposes in the country. 

    She noted that the ministry works with the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office, National Population Commission, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and Indorama Nig Ltd in order to generate its data.

    The Perm Sec, who noted that OPEC had commended the ministry on the last questionnaire it filled on data generation, stressed that “the format has changed slightly and we want to be sure that we are actually doing better. That is why we have this training.”

    According to her, the ministry was expecting participants from Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon but they cancelled their trip at the last minute. 

    Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF which hosted the event, Dr. Aliyu Gusau, noted that presently the organization relies heavily on member countries for accurate and timely data to effectively carry out its mandate.

    He added that for the Fund, “this workshop offers an opportunity for the expression of our strategic objectives to engage more effectively key players of the oil and gas industry by making valuable contributions that will further enhance capacity building of personnel and operators in the industry.” 

    Speaking, the Head, OPEC Data Management, Dr. Adedapo Odulaja all the activities of the organization is based on the data from member countries. 

    He stressed that without data transparency the oil industry cannot thrive. He noted that there are legal and technical aspects of the data, and without capacity building on them there will be no achievements in the industry. 

    He pointed out that the essence of the workshop was as a result of the need to make other agencies in the world compatible with the change in the questionnaire that was used for 20 years. 

    He submitted  that “we will have to understand the connection between the old and the new one and that is why we are here today.”

  • Dantata donates N100m to FUD female hostel project

    Dantata donates N100m to FUD female hostel project

    The Federal University Dutse ( FUD ), has received a donation of N100 million  for the construction of female hostel in its campus.

    The donation was made by a Kano-based business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Dutse.

    FUD’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatima Batul-Muktar, announced the donation while reviewing the achievements of the university in the last one year.

    She said, “I am pleased to inform you of the receipt of a donation of N100 million from Alhaji Aminu Dantata, for the construction of a female hostel.

    “The construction project has reached advanced level right now,” the VC said.

    Batul-Muktar added that the varsity’s Department of Public Private Partnership (DPPP), was also able to attract philanthropists to execute meaningful projects in the university.

    “Our DPPP under my watch, has been able to attract philanthropists like AA Rano, who furnished laboratories in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Department of Forestry and Wildlife.

    “The DPPP also attracted Alhaji Abdullahi Dangogola, a Kano-based businessman who completed the construction of a Central Mosque which was initially by Engineer Abubakar Isa,’’ she said.

    According to her, the Nigerian communications Commission ( NCC ), has also constructed a Computer-Based Training Centre (CBTC) for the university.

    The VC added that the Nigerian Metrological Agency  ( NIMET ), had selected the FUD among the universities to benefit from its upgrading of Weather Station to World Metrological Agency ( WMO ), standard.

    She also pointed out that the project had commenced.

    “NITDA has also approved the deployment of its intervention project (Digital Job Creation Centre) to the university.

    “National Energy Commission is also intervening in the area of solar-powered street lights for the university,’’ the VC added.

    NAN

  • Major oil stocks plummet on NSE

    Major oil stocks plummet on NSE

    Major oil stocks posted price depreciation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange ( NSE ) on Monday just as the market indices recorded marginal growth of 0.02 per cent.

    Seplat dipped N13.70 to close at N571.40 to lead the losers’ table.

    Total trailed with a loss of N11 to close at N217, while Mobil Oil shed N9.50 to close at N180.50 per share.

    Dangote Cement was down by N1 to close at N259, while United Bank for Africa declined by 45k to close at N12.50 per share.

    Conversely, International Breweries topped the gainers’ table, growing by N2.85 to close at N59.85 per share.

    PZ Industries followed with a gain of N1.15 to close at N24.15, while NASCON appreciated by N1.05 to close at N21.60

    Guaranty Trust Bank advanced by 75k to close at N49.35, while Redstar increased by 30k to close at N6.30 per share.

    Consequently, the All-Share Index rose marginally by 8.59 points or 0.02 per cent to close at 42,579.48 compared with 42,570.89 achieved on Friday.

    Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N15.277 trillion rose by three billion naira or 0.02 per cent to close at N15.280 trillion.

    Cement Company of Northern Nigeria was the most active stock, trading 134.89 million shares worth N2.25 billion.

    Transcorp followed with an account of 34.15 million shares valued at N71.04 million, while FBN Holdings traded 21.78 million shares worth N250.07 million.

    Access Bank sold 20.58 million shares valued at N 270.03 million, while Fidelity Bank exchanged 20.49 million shares worth N 61.30 million.

    In all, the volume of shares transacted closed higher as investors bought and sold 384.26 million shares valued at N5.47 billion achieved in 4,774 deals.

    This was in contrast with a turnover of 308.43 million shares worth N6.40 billion exchanged in 4,356 deals.

    NAN

  • Tricycle riders burn FRSC vehicle, injure six in Jos

    Tricycle riders burn FRSC vehicle, injure six in Jos

    Tricycle riders on Monday allegedly burnt down a patrol vehicle and injured six personnel of the Plateau command of the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) in Jos.

    Mr Andrew Bala, the command’s Public Education Officer, confirmed the incident to our reporter in Jos.

    The tricycle riders had occupied major streets of Jos protesting alleged extortion by officers and men of the commission and state Vehicle Inspection Office.

    According to Bala, the protesters visited the Bauchi ring road unit command where they beat up officers on duty and vandalised the  building.

    “They burnt one of our patrol vehicles, vandalised another and destroyed a lot of valuables at our office premises on Bauchi ring road.

    “They also vandalised eight other vehicles in the office premises and some at a mechanic workshop close to the office.

    “In our bid to resist the act, six of our personnel were badly injured,”  Bala said.

    NAN

  • We have developed herbal anti-diabetic, anti-cancer drugs – FUD VC

    We have developed herbal anti-diabetic, anti-cancer drugs – FUD VC

    Dr Salihu Ibrahim Isma’il, Department of Biochemistry, Federal Unversity Dutse ( FUD ), Jigawa, has developed a herbal anti-diabetic and anti-cancer drugs.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Fatima Batul-Muktar, disclosed this at a newsmen conference in Dutse on Monday.

    “I am glad to inform you that one of our staff, Dr Salihu Ibrahim Isma’il of the Biochemistry Department has developed a herbal anti-diabetic and anti-cancer drugs,” Fatima-Batul said.

    The vice chancellor said that the anti-diabetic drug has successfully passed a pre-clinical stage.

    She added that it has also gotten ethical approval for clinical trial by Kano State Hospitals Management Board ( KSHMB ).

    According to her, the clinical trial will soon commence at Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital (MAWSH), Kano.

    Batul-Muktar, who identified research as one of the important works of a university, noted the varsity’s academic staffers have successfully completed 16 research works in different fields since its establishemet in 2011, adding “19 research works are currently ongoing”.

    According to Batul-Muktar, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), has released N178,956,970 million to the varsity for Academic Staff Training and Development ( AST&D ).

    She further revealed that 11 academic staff are currently on local fellowship pursuing their PhDs, six on foreign scholarship and 17 academic staff have benefitted from conference attendance.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa LG polls to hold May 26 – NASIEC

    Nasarawa LG polls to hold May 26 – NASIEC

    The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission ( NASIEC ) has fixed May 26 for the conduct of local council elections in the state.

    In a statement on Monday in Lafia, Aliyu Muhammad-Dogara, chairman of the commission, said that a comprehensive timetable for the election would soon be published.

    Muhammad-Dogara said that the collection and submission of nomination forms by candidates and political party would be at the state headquarter of NASIEC in Lafia.

    Read Also: Re: Plenty parties, plenty problems

    He added that all political parties would soon be invited for a meeting to ensure a successful poll.

    The last local council election in the state was held in 2014.

    The ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) won nine chairmanship seats while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won four seats.

    NAN