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  • Xenophobia: Oyo receives 32 returnees, gives N30,000 each

    Oyo state government on Wednesday received 32 indigenes of the state who were part of the nationals recently returned back to the country following series of xenophobic attack on foreigners in South African.

    The figure includes 30 adults and two minors.

    This is as the returnees were given N30,000 monetary gift by the state government with a promise of conducting a profiling on them to ascertain their areas of need.

    The returnees who were led by the Director of Media, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mr Abdulrahman Balogun were received by the State Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, at the state government secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

    While receiving the Oyo state born indigenes, Mr Olaniyan reiterated the states commitment to ensure that the returnees find their footings on time by carrying out a proper and comprehensive profiling to confirm their particular areas of needs and ensure how to attend to them.

    Announcing the monetary gift of N30,000 to each of the state’s returnee, the deputy governor advised them to be creative by identifying and tapping into the various investment and job opportunities in the state.

    He also pointed to the various funding opportunities by the Bank of Industry (BOI), urging them to come up with business proposals to further their areas of specialization.

    In their separate remarks, some of the returnees including, Olakojo Sotunde, Okeleye Oluwaseun, Lawal Bolatito said they are looking up to the government for startup capital and jobs, narrating their ordeals that led them to decide to return to the country unprepared.

    Read Also; Xenophobia: Six Nigerian students cancel trip for robotics competition in South Africa

    Olakojo said, “I would like the government to assist us in any way they can. We need jobs. I am a graduate of History and International Relations from LASU. Back in South Africa, I had a registered business and was doing well until all of a sudden xenophobia started.

    “I have two cars at the car lot that I wanted to sell because I had the intention to come back home no matter what. I came home two times last year but when I came, there was really nothing, so I had to go back.

    “I was contemplating on staying back in South Africa or coming back to Nigeria. Lo and behold, xenophobia started last month and the whole story changed. I will like the government to assist us in any way they

    can. There are some of us that need jobs. Some other people are business owners. If you can get us jobs, can set us up in businesses, we will be glad.”

    Similarly, Okeleye said, “It was ups and downs for me in South Africa. I studied Agriculture and sought a country that was practised mechanized farming hence the reason I went to South Africa. We need help. I now have to start again from scratch. The federal government should interview us per person and know what we want.

    “In South Africa, I see people attacked. Most of their drivers have guns. They see Nigerians as intelligent, smart and they envy us; they feel we bully then. Nigerians are everywhere in South Africa, especially in the medical sector. They suffer an inferiority complex.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Media, NIDCOM, Mr Abdulrahman Balogun cautioned Nigerians keen on leaving the country that the land abroad may not be greener as envisaged.

    He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled to meet with South African authorities on the issue of Xenophobia, and that at least another 400 Nigerians in South Africa had expressed interest in returning to the country.

    Balogun said, “As of last night, over 400 Nigerians have indicated their interest to return home. The President is concerned on the issue and would embark on eye to eye diplomacy by leading a delegation with seven governors, five ministers, special advisers to meet with his South Africa counterpart. We hope things will be normal with the meeting.

    “If after the discussion, South Africa is ready to make some concession, those Nigerians may decide to stay back.

    “The commission usually tells those who travel out to be a good representative of the country. As we are having this batch, we have similar issues in Asia, Saudi Arabia in which we have a sizeable number of people from this state.

    “I am currently working on one calling for our attention. We usually counsel our young people that there is nothing green in those places people are going to. You are better off here. With little assistance,

    you can do well rather than go somewhere and be killed, attacked and cannot move or do business freely. The younger ones should come together for us to nurture the nation. We have better opportunities

    here in Nigeria.

    “We have partnered with some other agencies to assist them, re-orientate, re-integrate them, and do some form of empowerment to fully integrate them into the system. And we have profiled them

    according to their states and have been reaching out to states. Of 17 states, Oyo state is first to do formal re-integration for its citizen.”

  • LG primaries: APC aspirants protest, reject alleged imposition

    The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress(APC) in Ekiti on Wednesday deepened as some of its aggrieved local government chairmanship aspirants protested against alleged imposition of candidate.

    The protesters led by Mrs. Tosin Aluko and Tajudeen Gidado, who are chairmanship aspirants in the council for the December 7, 2019 elections in the state besieged the Secretariat at about 9.30 am to express their grievances.

    The party had earlier last week Saturday suspended primaries in Ado, Ikole and Ekiti East local governments over alleged security threat and rumour that some members were planning to disrupt the process in a violent manner.

    It was gathered that the Deputy Governor and leader of the party in Ado Ekiti council, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi and 35 others had picked Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi against the wishes of the two other aspirants.

    The two aspirants faulted and rejected the consensus process that produced Mrs Fajuyi as the candidate, saying such was a flagrant violation of party’s constitution, which stipulated that there must be indirect primary when consensus option fails.

    They said the decision doesn’t reflect the interest and free will of the party members, saying the principle of internal democracy should not be inhibited but rather strengthened.

    But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon Ade Ajayi, said the party was not interested in imposition of candidates.

    Ajayi also exonerated Governor Kayode Fayemi of complicity in the crises that dogged the primaries, warning that nobody should bring the governor into the controversial issue.

    “Some group of people came to protest here today and said they rejected the consensus option in Ado Ekiti. They were led by Mrs Tosin Aluko and Mr. Tajudeen Gidado.

    “They came with placards carrying inscription that they rejected imposition, that they wanted primaries. We have never contemplated imposition as a party.

    Read Also; APC loses Chief Security Officer

    “The party will look into their protest vis- a vis the letter signed by the Deputy Governor and 35 leaders . You know that the Deputy Governor is the leader of the party in Ado Ekiti and you know what it means for him to have signed for consensus. The state exco will meet on the issue and take a position.

    “We are not ready to impose anybody and nobody must bring the name of Governor Kayode Fayemi into this matter”.

    Ajayi said the party has set up intervention and reconciliation committees to interface with the aggrieved aspirants on how to resolve the crises trailing the conduct of the primaries in the three councils.

    He said the party took a proactive measures by postponing the primaries on Saturday in the three councils upon realising that some hoodlums wanted to hijack the process to allegedly burn down some marked houses .

    On efforts being made to pacify the aggrieved candidates, the APC spokesman said : “We are getting representations from various communities, because we recognise the right of every individual to contest in our party without being deprived.

    “We have invited leaders from Ikole, Ekiti East and Ado Ekiti , so all the issues are being attended to and it will be resolved amicably”, he assured.

  • Stop linking APC candidate, Agip to terrorism, lawmaker tells Dickson

    A member of the House of Representatives, Isreal Sunny-Goli, has told Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, to stop accusing the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and the candidate All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, of funding terrorism.

    Dickson earlier accused NAOC of outsourcing terrorism in Bayelsa through pipeline security and surveillance contracts and named Lyon as one of the company’s contractors.

    The governor said that the oil firm was giving out surveillance contracts to outlaws in the oil-producing communities created and sustained by them.

    But Sunny- Goli, who represents Nembe/ Brass Federal Constituency, described governor’s allegations as hogwash saying the governor was afraid of Lyon’s popularity.

    He exonerated the oil multinational of the allegation saying the firm had nothing to do with the growing popularity and acceptability of the APC candidate in Bayelsa.

    He said the governor was in shock following his realisation that the APC and Lyon were more popular than the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri.

    The lawmaker explained that it was widely known that Agip as an oil firm never mixed politics with its business of oil exploration since it commenced activities in Nigeria.

    He appealed to Dickson to stop blaming his political woes and the rejection of his party and its candidate on innocent oil firms and individuals.

    Sunny-Goli said the governor should rather concentrate on using his remaining months in office to improve the living conditions of Bayelsans

    He said: “First and foremost, Governor Dickson is in a confused state. He is confused in the sense that he is spreading lies.

    “Agip is not a party to the growing popularity of APC in Bayelsa State; Agip is not a party to our acceptability in this state as the only alternative to the PDP in Bayelsa.

    Read Also; I waited for 15 years after wedlock to give birth – Dickson’s wife

    “I want to ask Dickson some questions was it Agip that told him for the past seven and half years not to pay workers full salaries? Was it Agip that told him not to utilise the Paris Fund to pay gratuities and pensions to retirees? Was it Agip that told Dickson not to complete the construction of the 7km road Isaac Boro Express road?

    “He should go to Rivers State and see the roads his colleague Governor Nyesom Wike is constructing. The truth of the matter is that Dickson is a drowning man. Bayelsans have rejected him and the PDP completely because of the mismanagement of the affairs of the state.

    “So he is trying to come out to feed Bayelsans with lies. It has become obvious to Bayelsans that Dickson has been lying for the past seven years and there is no way to remedy it again so all he is trying to do is blame his woes on innocent firms and individuals but this cannot save him.

    “Agip is innocent of all the allegations levelled against it. The allegations are baseless and vague. There are issues of governance for him to tackle he should come home and tackle them instead of going around to deceive Nigerians.”

  • Court remands 2 friends for unlawful possession of Cannabis

    A Federal High Court in Osun on Wednesday ordered that two friends be remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly being in possession of Cannabis Sativa.

    Justice Peter Lifu, ordered that Akanni Kenny and Abidoye Obafemi, be remanded in a Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Ile Ife, due to the magnitude of the alleged offense committed.

    He overruled the bail application filed by defence counsel, Mr O.N. Benson.

    Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until Oct. 30.

    Earlier, the NDLEA Counsel, Mr O.F Azugo, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Aug. 24 ,at Ipetu-Ijesa town ,Osun.

    Read Also: Senate to ensure prosecution of airport drug cartels

    Azugo alleged that the defendants were apprehended by the command when transporting the illicit drugs.

    He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 19 and 20 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap 30, laws of the Federation ,2004.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    (NAN)

  • Osinbajo pledges ‘uncompromised loyalty’ to Buhari

    Despite recent reports of cracks in the Presidency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has pledged his uncompromised loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria.

    This was contained in a magazine entitled, ‘This is Nigeria’ and circulated at the 1st October 2019 Independence Day Dinner on Tuesday night at the old Banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Osinbajo’s message with the title ‘Uncompromised Loyalty’ was contained in page 15 of the Brands International Special Edition of the magazine, which is the official magazine for Mr. President’s Next Level Agenda, 9th Assembly and One Nigeria, locally and internationally.

    The message reads “Vice President Yemi Osibanjo Commemorates With Nigerians On The 59th Anniversary Celebration, While Pledging His Loyalty To President Muhammadu Buhari

    “This day means everything to us as a people, because it is our day of freedom. Let me first congratulate my Boss,
    President, Muhammadu Buhari, His Excellency, Ahmed Bola Tinubu our National Leader, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, First Lady and mother of the nation.

    “Also, I celebrate every Nigerian out there on the street trying to make ends meet, not forgetting those who stand out in different areas of human endeavours, home and abroad.”

    He went on “Fellow Nigerians, be rest assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is totally committed to his promises and the Next Level Agenda. He is he best Boss and I find it thrilling to serve Nigeria under him. It is only responsible of me to give my unwavering loyalty to President Buhari and Nigeria as I promise to stand by him, while contributing my quota at all times to the growth of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Osinbajo, Ortom meet over Benue, Ebonyi land crisis

    “I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to queue behind President Buhari as he leads us to build a stronger bigger and greater Nigeria.” he stated

    But speculations about the division in the Presidency was fueled by the recent replacement of the Economic Management Team headed by Osinbanjo with the Economic Advisory Council mandated to report directly to Buhari.

    The reported removal of government agencies from under Osinbajo, which he had been the board chairman, had also supported the reports of hostilities in the Presidency.

    The agencies included National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Boundary Commission (NBC), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

    Also, the announcement on 1st October national broadcast of movement of the Social Investments Programmes (SIP) from under the Vice President to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development also fueled the rumour of crack in the Villa.

  • Obaseki calls for dialogue in resolving ethnic, communal conflicts

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has harped on the need for dialogue and tolerance in resolving religious, ethnic, communal and political conflicts, noting that such approach would engender peace and sustainable development.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the International Day of Non-Violence, marked on October 2, every year by the United Nations and its sister organs.

    Obaseki noted that dialogue and tolerance are necessary in resolving and preventing conflicts, urging governments at all levels to be fair to all citizens irrespective of religious, economic or political differences so as to suppress feelings of marginalisation, which may lead to conflict.

    According to him, “When everything else fails, non-violent approach has proven to be reliable in resolving myriad of conflicts. It allows for continuous dialogue, realignment of interests, open and frank conversations, endurance and forgiveness of human mistakes and the conviction that our perceived enemies could become dependable allies and partners after compromise is reached.

    “It is important for leaders of thought in the society to look at past attempts in conflict resolution in order to consider ideas for the future. To maintain peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development, governments must adopt strategies for inclusion, and harmonious living in dealing with conflicts.

    Obaseki stressed that “the non-violence approach remains a viable and potent conflict resolution model even today, and should be explored by mediators and opinion moulders instead of the rush to unconventional tactics that leave in their wake sorrow, regrets, debts or deaths.”

    The United Nations General Assembly commenced commemoration of the International Day of Non-violence by the resolution in 2007, promoting it as a platform to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.

    According to the UN, “the resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.”

  • ‘Southwest governors, proactive to new security challenges’

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday said his colleagues in the Southwest geo-political zone were responding comprehensively to various security challenges facing the zone.

    Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman, Southwest Governors Forum, disclosed this in Akure during at a church service for the state’s covenant renewal day 2019.

    The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi said the state was working in collaboration with sister states to re-jig the security architecture of the zone to respond adequately to new challenges.

    He said “It is no longer news that our country is going through security challenges. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to salvage it together.

    “We are doing our best to respond comprehensively to the new challenges. Ondo State is working in collaboration with sister states in Southwestern zone to re-jig the security architecture of the zone to make it respond adequately to the new challenges.

    ” Government has never relented on its efforts yo curb crime and criminalities within our boundaries. We will continue this until our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “Nigeria must survive its challenges and it is possible if we all agree and pray together in unison,” he said.

    The Governor described the church service as an opportunity to renew strength and pray to God for future life the state, said no government or organisation could achieve craved height.

    He recommended that other states of the Federation and the Federal Government should renew their covenant with God on yearly basis.

    According to him “There is, therefore, a compelling need for collaboration of all stakeholders in the task of building a virile and egalitarian society.

    “It is indeed heartening to be in the presence of several eminent spiritual leaders of Christian body for 2019 edition of this special programme.

    “It will be recalled that I gladly participated in the last edition, because we know that our dear state and indeed Nigeria needs continuous prayers.

    “Our administration since inception has partnered the Ondo State chapters of PFN,CAN and other groups, in almost all their programmes and events.”

  • Khashoggi memorial to be held outside Saudi consulate

    Jamal Khashoggi’s friends, rights activists and press freedom groups will hold a memorial in Istanbul on Wednesday outside Riyadh’s consulate, where the Saudi journalist was murdered.

    The event on the first anniversary of his death will begin at 1:14 pm (1014 GMT), the exact time Khashoggi walked into his country’s diplomatic mission to get documents to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

    Cengiz, 37, will return to the building where she waited outside for him for several hours a year ago, before raising the alarm of his disappearance.

    Turkey says Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad after he entered the consulate.

    The scheduled attendees at the service include UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard, who investigated the murder, and Yemeni Nobel peace laureate Tawakkol Karman.

    Read Also: ‘Military derailed Nigeria’s journey to greatness’

    No one has been held accountable for Khashoggi’s death; although Turkish and Western intelligence agencies say the order to kill him could only have come “from the highest levels of the Saudi government.”

    The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told U.S broadcaster CBS that he did not order the murder, but took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia.”

    Callamard responded on Twitter: “There is in this statement an implicit recognition that the killing of [Khashoggi] was a State killing.

    ”It happened under his watch as quasi head of state. The State is therefore implicated as he is.”
    Cengiz said that although Khashoggi disagreed with the crown prince and the kingdom, by killing him “they are now faced with much greater problems.

    ”They’re going to pay the price for this.” Khashoggi’s remains were never found.

  • Navy begins recruitment for graduates, HND holders

    The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it has commenced the enlistment of graduates and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders through the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC).

    According to a statement signed by Director of Information Nigerian Navy, Commodore Suleman Dahun, interested applicants, who must be Nigerians by birth, should possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for first Degree Holders and Upper Credit for HND holders.

    Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 metres tall, while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres in height. Applicants must possess NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate and should be between 22 and 28 years by 20 February 2020, except for Imams/ Chaplains and medical consultants who should not exceed 30 years and 40 years respectively by 20 February 2020.

    Read Also; Navy nabs six rice ‘smugglers’ in A’Ibom

    The guidelines for the enlistment according to the statement can be accessed on the Nigerian Navy Enlistment Portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com which is currently opened till 14 November 2019 for interested candidates to apply online.

    “Candidates are to note that all the processes ranging from online registration, aptitude test and the selection interview are free of charge. Candidates are advised to be wary of scammers and refrain from giving money to any individual under any guise”, the statement added.

  • Labour gives FG two weeks to resolve minimum wage logjam

    The leadership of organised labour has given the Federal Government one week for its team to resume discussion on the negotiation of the consequential adjustment for workers in order to conclude the process.

    Labour said that the nonchalant attitude of the federal government negotiating team had dragged negotiations for consequential wages adjustment for workers unduly.

    It also urged the government to commence immediate implementation of the signed agreement on consequential adjustment of public workers’ salaries with effect from 18th of April 2019 when the new national minimum wage of N30,000 per month was signed into law.

    It threatened to embark on strike if its demands were not met before the close of work on Wednesday 16th this month.

    Read Also: ‘Minimum wage non-payment is forced labour’

    Labour’s positions were made known in a statement jointly signed by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, President, Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, Ag. Chairman, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC-Trade Union Side), Simon Anchaver and JNPSNC Secretary, Alade Bashir Lawal after a meeting at Labour House, Abuja.

    It noted that the offer by government for salary adjustment of 11 percent for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5 percent consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17 was not acceptable to Nigerian workers.

    It urged the government to enter into an agreement with labour to the effect that salary of officers on grade 07-14 should be reviewed upward by 29 percent while that of officers on grade level 15-17 should be reviewed upwards by 24 percent.

    “We view the position of government as a show of insensitivity to the plight of workers and an attempt to collect with the left hand what government had offered with the right hand,” it said in the statement.

    It said that organised labour had out of its patriotic disposition demonstrated a great deal of restraint, consideration and patience with government on the implementation of the minimum wage.

    The statement reads: “At the end of our deliberation, the leadership of organized labour in Nigeria resolved as follows; The offer by government for salary adjustment of 11% for public workers on salary grade level 07 – 14 and 6.5% consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 – 17 is not acceptable to Nigerian workers. We view the position of government as a show of insensitivity to the plight of workers and an attempt to collect with the left hand what government had offered with the right hand;

    “We demand the reconvening of the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment with a view to concluding the process that started on the 28th of May, 2019 within one week;

    “Entering into an agreement with labour to the effect that salary of officers on grade 07-14 should be reviewed upward by 29% while that of officers on grade level 15-17 should be reviewed upwards by 24%; and

    “Commence immediate implementation of the signed agreement on consequential adjustment of public workers’ salaries with effect from 18th of April 2019 when the new national minimum wage of N30,000 per month was signed into law.

    “In conclusion, the leadership of organized labour in Nigeria wishes to categorically state that the leadership of labour cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the country if our demands are not met at the close of work on Wednesday, 16th October, 2019.”