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  • Unpaid Salaries: ASUU-EKSU cries out over lecturers’ high mortality rate

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, has raised alarm over the increasing death rate and illnesses among members due to unpaid salaries spanning over nine months.

    The academic body said it would no longer tolerate or cooperate with the university authority over unpaid salaries and wages, since it has been affecting the lives of its members.

    Addressing a press conference at EKSU in Ado Ekiti on Friday, ASUU chairman, Dr. Kayode Arogundade, explained that the geometric increase in the wage bill of the university from N380 million to N502 million caused the inability of the institution to pay up to date.

    “The academic community of the university has become a source of scorn, ridicule and victim of embarrassment from the members of the larger society, owing largely to inability to live up to their family expectations. We view this with serious concerns, more so that the university has not shown enough commitment to staff welfare.

    “ASUU as a matter of urgency and civility impresses it on the management to pay up all the nine months outstanding salary of workers with immediate effect”, he said.

    Arogundade said except the university pay up all salaries, that he could no longer guarantee good working relationship between his members and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Eddy Olanipekun, who is a former ASUU chairman in EKSU and Ilorin zone.

    READ ALSO: LAUTECH ASUU threatens to disrupt lectures over unpaid salaries

    The ASUU boss called on governor Kayode Fayemi to implement the outcome of the Prof Bode Asubiojo-led visitation panel, which vividly addressed the issues of tax, wage bill and other academic issues in the university.

    He said the union won’t contemplate to sue the state government for implementing the new tax law in the university, since members have been paying even above what was stipulated by the personal income tax 2011.

    “It surprises us that the university is owing nine months’ salary when we are being owed four months subvention. We found out that it was because the wage bill has increased to N502 million when the subvention is N260m. The shortfall comes from our IGR, which will be difficult for university to meet monthly.

    “We won’t issue empty threat but when we are ready, we will strike. The VC understands our language. We won’t care to take them to court for interpretation. We are paying higher than what was contained in the tax law. Government must look inwards and increase the IGR rather than saying we should go back to 2018 tax law that will create more burdens.

    “If the government found it comfortable to implement new tax law, they should also implement the white paper’s recommendations on increased wage bill”, he stated.

  • Davido drops second song with Chris Brown Oct. 1

    Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, a.k.a, Davido has announced dropping a new song with American rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer and actor Christopher Brown, a.k.a, Chris Brown next week.

    The music star announced the release of his second song with Chris Brown on Sept. 26 to be produced by kiddominant.

    The music star made this announcement via his twitter handle @iam_Davido

    “New @ChrisBrown x OBO next week!!!! KIDDO KIDDO @KIDDOMINANT!!” he tweeted

    Read Also: Davido to make Hollywood debut in ‘Coming to America 2’

    The song would however be the second major song collaboration between Davido and Chris Brown.

    Since the ‘Blow My Mind’ song collaboration, which has over 21 million views on YouTube, produced by Shizzi and co-written by Wurld, both singers have been a team.

    Davido has been on the IndiGOAT tour with Chris Brown.

    Few days ago, Davido was in Washington, District of Columbia, US with Chris Brown on additional IndiGOAT Tour.

  • DisCos flay PwC comment on taxes

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), which is the umbrella body of the electricity distribution companies (DisCos), has said that the power firms pay all applicable taxes.

    In a statement by its Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Barrister Sunday Oduntan, the association debunked the comments credited to Dr. Andrew Nevin, Chief Economist of PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC) on Wednesday.

    The statement reads in part: “Dr. Nevin, at a power sector round table organised by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited was quoted to have declared that no Distribution Company (DisCo) in Nigeria has paid any tax to the Federal Government since 2013 when they were privatized, because they have been “on a loss-making track” since then.

    “While acknowledging Dr. Nevin’s effort to highlight the challenges of the sector in his presentation, thus, fostering dialogue that is critical for the resolution of same, we hereby, unequivocally, state that this claim relating to Discos not paying FG taxes is misleading, incorrect and not supported by the facts.

    READ ALSO: DisCos blame TCN for interruptions despite $1.6b

    “As responsible corporate citizens, all of our member DisCos take their tax obligations to the federal and state governments, as applicable, seriously. As a result, the DisCos diligently pay all necessary taxes that apply to their operations.

    “These taxes include the minimum Company Income Tax (CIT), Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

    “We will like to encourage all parties interested in the growth and success of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry to constantly diligently verify their information, to avoid creating more challenges than that which already exists in the sector.”

  • Truck laden with N7m fake drug impounded in Kano

    Officials of the Kano State Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) have impounded a truck, attempting to smuggle in fake and substandard drugs worth N7 million into the drugs market in the state.

    A statement by KAROTA spokesperson, Nabulisi Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, explained that the truck and its contraband have since been handed over to the state task force on drugs for further action.

    It was gathered the owner of the prohibited items, on sighting KAROTA officials fled and abandoned the truck. He is still at large.

    READ ALSO: Customs seizes 5,056 cartons of fake drugs in Lagos

    Kofar Na’isa vowed that the agency “remains committed to its duty and would continue to partner, with sister agencies in the fight against drug abuse,which mostly contributed to reckless driving in the state.”

    The KAROTA spokesman also reiterated the agency’s commitment to carry out their statutory duty of controlling traffic, compiling motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations in the state..

    He urged the general public to continue to support and encourage the agency, alongside other sister agencies, toward the successful discharge of their duties.

  • FUOYE crisis: Fayemi clears victims’ medical bills

    The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has taken over the medical and funeral expenses of victims of the violent protest held at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) in fulfilment of his promise during a recent statewide.

    This was confirmed on Friday by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr Ajayi Adeyanju, who was directed by the Governor to ensure all victims were taken care of.

    Adeyanju said others actions will be taken by government after receiving the outcome of the panels set up by the Police and the University authorities to investigate the protest that resulted in the death of two undergraduates and left many, including two policemen injured.

    The Fayemi’s Chief Security Officer, said two of the injured, who are still being treated at LASUTH Ikeja and FMC Ido Ekiti, are reported to be recuperating well.

    “The multiple investigations into the incident are aimed at identifying those responsible for the degeneration of the protest and ensure justice for the dead students.

    Read Also: I’ve no candidates for council polls, says Fayemi

    “The report of the investigations are expected to be presented to the State Government by end of September.

    “We have taken care of the bills of those receiving treatments and those already buried. We are looking at all sides and justice will be done to all sides in this matter”, he said.

    The Governor had, in his broadcast, expressed government’s regrets and resolve to get to the bottom of the incident.

    Fayemi expressed sadness at the unfortunate incident, reiterating the rights of citizens to protest and the need for the police to explore less fatal prone ways to manage citizens unrest.

  • Medical Council adjudges doctor guilty for cutting off patient’s kidneys

    A medical doctor based in Adamawa State, Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, has been adjudged guilty of all the 12 charges preferred against him.

    He was arraigned for allegedly surgically cutting off the kidneys of one Isa Hamma, now deceased, a patient under his care, without informing the patient of the nature of the operation and risks involved.

    The Chairman of the tribunal sitting of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof Abba Hassan, declared him guilty as charged for the 12 count charges of gross negligence and professional misconduct.

    The tribunal in delivering its judgment said: “The tribunal has no difficulty in resolving the sole issue against the respondent and in favour of the prosecution.

    “The prosecution has proved all the counts of all the charges to warrant a conviction of the respondent.

    “The respondent engaged in malpractice when he failed to use his considered judgment and sense of honour by acceding to the demand of his patient Isa Hamma, to undergo a surgery on him.

    “The respondent exhibited incompetence in the assessment of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

    Read Also: 9-year-old double amputee to model at Paris Fashion Week

    “The respondent failed to correctly diagnose the illness of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

    “The respondent failed to advice Isa Gamma, patient under his care.

    “The respondent failed to obtain informed consent of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care before undertaking a surgical operation on him.

    “The respondent undertook a surgical operation in one Isa Hamma, and removed an organ he could not identify.

    “The respondent failed to refer in good time when Isa Hamma, a patient under his care when such referral was necessary.

    “The respondent failed to do all that he reasonably ought to have done under the circumstances in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

    “The respondent failed to appropriately communicate with one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care with good regard to his condition.

    “The respondent undertook a surgical procedure on one Isa Hamma which resulted to the loss of his kidneys.

    “The respondent failed to conduct his medical duty in accordance with standard decorum and by methods adjudged acceptable and appropriate in the generality of the registered member of the Medical profession in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

    “The respondent failed to pass on the details and history and treatment of one Isa Hamma, to Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, when he referred the patient to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

    “The respondent violated laws 29.4d, 29.4a, 29.4g, 29.4h, 29.4i, 31, 33, 33.1, 33.0 and 43.3 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria in 2008 Edition.”

    The Chairman in his judgment explained that because of the enormity of the professional misconduct, the tribunal is minded to pass the maximum sentence.

    His judgment reads: “The name of Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, is hereby struck out of the register of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.”

    Recall that the doctor performed an operation on the patient without informing him of the risks involved; in the process he ‘mistakenly’ cut off the kidneys in the patient.

    Although in earlier arraignment, Koji pleaded not guilty to one or two of the charges, however, in a new twist, the respondent pleaded not guilty to all of the twelve-count charges.

    Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, practised from 2012 (housemanship) to 2016.

    In an interview with the Nation Correspondent, the respondent lawyer, Mr B. E Olowonubi,
    said: “There are options that are open to any aggrieved person to the decision of the tribunal.

    “One option is to abide by the decision of the tribunal. The other option is to appeal the decision of the tribunal to the court of appeal.

    “To appeal the decision, the respondent has 28 days to do that by the rules of the tribunal.

    “From the area he comes from there is a level of poverty in the area. He is one of those who have been very helpful to the downtrodden who require medical help, and with reference to this particular incident, you realise that when a medical doctor is performing surgery it is difficult to take notes because the patient came as an emergence.”

  • 9-year-old double amputee to model at Paris Fashion Week

    Nine-year-old Daisy-May Demetre, whose legs were amputated due to a birth defect, will become the first double amputee to walk the runway in Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

    Daisy-May will model for children’s wear label Lulu et Gigi inside the Eiffel Tower.

    Born in Birmingham, Britain, Daisy-May’s lower legs were amputated due to fibular hemimelia – a lack or shortening of the calf bone – when she was 18 months old.

    She started modeling for UK clothing brands a year ago and has walked at the London Kids’ Fashion Week in February and at the New York Fashion Week earlier this month.

    “Here to make history, that’s what we do,” she said on her Instagram account, which showed a picture of Daisy-May and her father Alex in front of the Eiffel Tower.

    Daisy-May uses carbon blades for running and on the catwalk – she even did a cartwheel in them at the London show – but for school she has a different set of prosthetic legs.

    She told Reuters Television she loves putting pretty clothes on and posing for the camera.

    “I get my hair done, then I get my make-up done and then I put my dress on, and my legs, and I get on the catwalk. Sometimes I do not even feel different,” she said.

    Her father Alex Demetre told Reuters he had taken to drinking and gambling after she was born and even had suicidal thoughts worrying about how her handicap was going to affect her life.

    READ ALSO: ‘Fashion can boost Nigeria’s iconic cities’

    After seeing a TV show about fashion, he proposed modeling to her and since then she has worked for several major UK clothing retailers as well as for sports brand Nike Inc.

    “When she was born, we thought it was going to be the end of the world. How people were going to look at her and perceive her, like boyfriends, and husbands.

    “Now I see that she was a gift. Her disability is an actual gift and she wears that gift with pride. It does not hold her back in any way,” he said.

    Lulu et Gigi founder Eni Hegedus-Buiron said she had no second thoughts about hiring an amputee to model her luxury children’s clothing, which can cost as much as $2,600 for a “Princess and the Pea Gown”.

    “We bring her among the other girls. We have a curvy teen model. We have models with Down syndrome. Inclusion is for all different children,” she said.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • BBnaija2019: Tacha, Mercy face disqualification

    Mercy and Tacha may be disqualified or get strikes from the organisers of the Big Brother Naija show for engagement violence in the House.

    There was serious drama in House on Friday, which led to Tacha hitting Mercy.

    This happened after both housemates engaged in a heated argument, leading to what appears like a physical confrontation.

    Seyi had earlier called on Mercy to come to the lounge so they can read Biggie’s scroll.

    However, Mercy who just finish having her bath, came out late for the reading.

    Tacha, who was already boiling, seized the opportunity to rain insults on Mercy.

    Read Also: BBNaija (4): Mercy and Tacha fight dirty

    She said: ”You are a moron, remain there and don’t come out. clout chaser, old woman. You keep using your body to get everything you want. You have been using Ike to get what you want. You can’t stand eviction that is why you need Ike to help you.”

    Mercy replied: ” You are very stupid, you Instagram beggar. Go and treat your body odour before you talk to me, you stink. At least, I have a boyfriend (Ike) to get me what I want. What has your boyfriend done for you?”

    During the argument, Tacha pushed Mercy and also dragged her weave-on twice while Mercy struggled to control her anger.

    She picked up a pressing iron but was stopped by Omashola.

  • BREAKING: Court jails farmer 10 years for raping, impregnating daughter

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a Lagos farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, to 10 years imprisonment for raping and impregnating his 14-year-old daughter (name withheld).

    Justice Sule Hassan convicted Onajobi following a six-year trial

    The judge said the prosecution successful proved the charges of rape and unlawful canal knowledge made against the farmer.

    Justice Hassan held: “The prosecution has been able to establish the charges against the defendant. “I have also listened to the plea of allocutos made by the defendant’s counsel, though, she did not say much.

    “The offences that the defendant is charged with are very serious offences, consequently, I hereby sentenced you, Yesiru Onajobi to 10 years imprisonment on each count without option of fine.

    Read Also: I wasn’t kidnapped, says Edo ex-Speaker

    “The terms of imprisonment are to run concurrently. However, the period spent in custody shall be deducted from the jail terms”.

    Onajobi was arraigned by the National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on July 18, 2013.

    The offences, according to NAPTIP, contravened Sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act 2003.

  • TUC to FG: conclude discussion on new minimum wage

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude discussion on the new minimum wage and commence implementation across board.

    The TUC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Ekundayo said that the union had condemned the segmental implementation of the minimum wage for grade levels one to six.

    NAN reports that the junior public servants from grade one to six have started receiving payment of the new minimum wage from the Federal Government for August salary.

    This was confirmed on Sept. 22 by Mr Lawrence Amaechi, the National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, also a member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Ekundayo said: “The government implemented for grade levels one to six, leaving grades level seven upwards out, and we are still discussing around the consequential adjustment and relativity impact.

    “It needs to be quickly dealt with, concluded; what needs to be done is to go to the negotiation table, discuss these issues and let us have implementation for all the workers.”

    Also, the union Secretary, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, expressed displeasure over the delay of the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Aladetan said that it was the duty of government to address the issues in the interest of the workers.

    “It is unfortunate where we are on the minimum wage; recently, the Minister of Labour acknowledged that the government had commenced payment for those on grade levels one to six.

    “This could create division within the labour circle and as a labour movement, we condemn it; it will not deter us, but have a ripple effect on the system.

    “We call on government, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with labour; come to terms with these realities by accepting the demands of the labour movement,”Aladetan said. (NAN)
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    Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Olagoke Olatoye
    Conclude discussion on new minimum wage, TUC urges FG

    Wage
    By Izah
    Lagos, Sept. 27, 2019 (NAN) The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently conclude discussion on the new minimum wage and commence implementation across board.

    The TUC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Ekundayo said that the union had condemned the segmental implementation of the minimum wage for grade levels one to six.

    NAN reports that the junior public servants from grade one to six have started receiving payment of the new minimum wage from the Federal Government for August salary.

    This was confirmed on Sept. 22 by Mr Lawrence Amaechi, the National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, also a member of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Ekundayo said: “The government implemented for grade levels one to six, leaving grades level seven upwards out, and we are still discussing around the consequential adjustment and relativity impact.

    Read Also: Minimum Wage stalemate: Labour chiefs blow hot

    “It needs to be quickly dealt with, concluded; what needs to be done is to go to the negotiation table, discuss these issues and let us have implementation for all the workers.”

    Also, the union Secretary, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, expressed displeasure over the delay of the implementation of the minimum wage.

    Aladetan said that it was the duty of government to address the issues in the interest of the workers.

    “It is unfortunate where we are on the minimum wage; recently, the Minister of Labour acknowledged that the government had commenced payment for those on grade levels one to six.

    “This could create division within the labour circle and as a labour movement, we condemn it; it will not deter us, but have a ripple effect on the system.

    “We call on government, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with labour; come to terms with these realities by accepting the demands of the labour movement,”Aladetan said.