The senate has vowed to implement the 2014 National Health Act, especially the one percent of the consolidation fund.
The Act stipulates that one percent of the consolidation fund be set aside for health.
However, this was not included in the proposed 2018 budget recently submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the senate for consideration and approval.
Details later…
President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on November 28-29, 2017.
The President, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, will participate in working sessions on the Summit theme: “Investing in the Youth for a Sustainable Development,” and on the margins of the Summit, meet with a number of African Heads of State and their European Union counterparts.
President Buhari will use the occasion of the Summit to reiterate Nigeria’s readiness to work with African and European countries to address the challenges affecting both continents, such as peace and security.
The Nigerian leader will attend the official luncheon to be hosted by the government of Cote d’Ivoire in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government and other delegations.
According to the organizers, 83 Heads of State representing 55 African countries and 28 European countries are slated to attend this high-level meeting.
Delegations from partner countries, the African Union Commission, the European Union Commission, regional and international organizations, will also participate at the Summit.
The governors of Akwa Ibom and Bauchi States and some ministers are among the top government officials that will accompany President Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Noting that the last minimum wage instrument has expired, he said that the government’s move now is to ensure a fair and decent living wage for the Nigerian workers.
He said “You are all aware that during the period following the increase in Petrol Pump Price in May 2016, a Technical Committee was established to examine and make recommendations to Government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large.
“During the deliberations of the Technical Committee which comprised Government and Organized Labour, the need for the review of the National Minimum Wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise,” he said
He stressed that the scope of the membership of the new National Minimum Wage Committee showed that it encompassed all stakeholders.
The President also hoped that the outcome of the deliberations of the Committee would be consensual and generally acceptable.
He urged the members to amicably consider the issue of a National Minimum Wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the work-force but the effect on the country’s economy.
He said “The subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of Government to pay.
“I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and as such should be anchored on Social Justice and Equity.
“Government’s decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law.
“As is evident by the membership of the Committee, State Governors and Private Sector Employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new Minimum Wage nationwide.
“I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with Social Partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the Committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria).
“Accordingly, conditions of genuine Social Dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I therefore enjoin you all to collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take.
“The Committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.” he said
According to a statement signed by the deputy director (Press) at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowokere, former head of service of the federation, Ama Pepple, is to chair the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee
The federal government team will be led by the minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is deputy chairman, while the chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,Chief Richard Egbule, will serve as secretary.
Others in the the federal government team are the minister, Budget and Planning, Udo Udo Udoma; minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita ; permanent secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Roy Ugo.
A team from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) includes Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (South West), Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha (Souh East), Gombe State governor, Hassan Dankwambo (North East), Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike (South South), Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong (North Central), and Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (North West), while the director-general of NGF, A. B. Okauru will be an observer.
On the trade union’s side, the president, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, leads a team that include, comrades Peters Adeyemi, Kiri Mohammed, Amechi Asugwuni, Peter Ozo-Eson .
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) team, led by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama , has comrades in its fold; Sunday Olusoji Salako, Alade Bashir Lawa, and Igwe Achese, the president, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)
On the employers’ side are the director-general, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Mr Timothy Olawale (NECA), Mr. Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Mr Olubunmi Adekoje, DG, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI); Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir, chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers’ Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, president, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Prince Degun Agboade, president, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).
Benin indigenes in Abuja have commended the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolopolo Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin for visiting President Muhammadu Buhari and Benin indigenes in Abuja.
Some of the indigenes’, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, described the visit as memorable and historic.
Mr Osarenoma Uwaifo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health said that the Edo Community in Abuja was proud to welcome the Oba to the nation’s capital on his first and historic visit after his coronation.
Uwaifo said that the Oba’s visit to Abuja at this time was auspicious, as the country was in dire need of peace, understanding and development.
“We are confident that the Oba’s visit will bring hope and understanding among the people of Edo resident in Abuja’’ he said.
Mr Dickson Omoregie, the Chairman of Benin Community in Abuja, said that the Oba’s visit was unique and Edo people were happy that their `father’ was in Abuja.
Omoregie said that the Oba had come to greet his subjects having been coroneted 13 months ago. So, it is proper for him to say thank you to those who made it a success.
“The presidency was represented during his coronation, and all his subjects were also there and this is his first outing and it is so significant that he is here.
“The sight of an Oba could be a life time experience, it is a great privilege for those that are here, as some may not have an opportunity to meet with him again throughout their life time, and his coming signifies blessing,
“When he touched his feet on Abuja soil, he prayed for blessings, unity, favour and prosperity,’’ he said.
Omoregie said that the unity of Edo indigenes resident in Abuja was cordial and that he was leveraging on the visit to ensure that all Edo people that had not be reached were invited.
“The unity of Edo indigenes in Abuja is cordial, Edo is not violent,we are not fraudulent or thieves and his coming had come to strengthen us as it is a display of culture and tradition and values,’’ he added.
Mr Ehis Ogieriakhi said that the visit was significant as it had solidified the relationship between Edo people and the Federal Government.
Ogieriakhi also said that the visit had added value and colour to the way and manner Edo people were rated.
“His coming has really elevated the ratings of the Edo people,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Oba of Benin arrived Abuja on Wednesday amid a rousing welcome by Edo indigenes in Abuja.
He also met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa on Thursday.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N164.7 million for the payment of second semester school fess of the freed 106 Chibok girls at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
The presidential aide said that the President had expressed satisfaction over the progress so far made in the rehabilitation of the freed Chibok schoolgirls.
According to him, Buhari expressed his feelings while reviewing progress report on the affected girls.
He said that the report was submitted to the President in line with his commitment to personally monitor the rehabilitation and reintegration into society of the freed Chibok girls.
Shehu said the President also assured that the Federal Government would continue to provide full support for their education.
“The President has approved payment of the sum of N164,763,759 million (one hundred and sixty four million, seven hundred and sixty-three naira) for the second semester school fees of the 106 Chibok girls at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola.
“According to the progress report received by the President, the decision to pursue avenues in addition to military action to free the abducted girls is in the resolve to protect the lives of all Nigerians.
“To end the insurgency in the northeast of the country, and to fulfill one of the campaign promises of the President.
“In line with this, the Federal Government entered into negotiations with the Boko Haram terrorist group for the release of the Chibok girls who were kidnapped from their school dormitory on the night of April 14, 2014.
“So far, two batches of 21 and 82 girls have been freed as a result of those negotiations.
“Three additional girls were rescued by the gallant efforts of our armed forces, bringing the total number of freed Chibok girls so far to 106.’’
Shehu noted that as a result of their experiences while in captivity, the freed girls were severely traumatised and afflicted by various ailments and injuries.
He stated that the girls were taken to secured medical centres for attention.
“They also went through debriefing and de-radicalisation by security operatives, after which the girls were handed over to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development was assigned the main role in supervising the rehabilitation and reintegration of the girls back into society.
“Long before the girls were released, the Federal Government had established the ‘Chibok Girls Desk’ in the ministry, responsible for acting on matters relating to the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, and serving as a channel of communication between relevant agencies and the parents and relatives of the abducted girls.’’
The media aide said that the ministry of women affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), UN Women, and other donour agencies, embarked on programmes earmarked to facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of the Chibok girls with a nine-month time frame.
According to Shehu, a hostel in the National Centre for Women Development was converted into a suitable shelter, where the girls were kept for the nine-month period.
“The programme, which began in Jan., ended in Sept. 2017. During the period, the 106 girls were given lessons in English, Mathematics, Biology, Agriculture, and Civic Education. In addition, they were trained on ICT and vocational skills.
“Professionals were engaged to provide them with psychosocial therapy and one-on-one counseling to help them overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).’’
Shehu revealed that the girls were also provided with religious instruction and comprehensive care by two in-house doctors and two nurses.
He said that periodic visits from the girls’ parents to stimulate family support and reunion were sponsored and organised by the ministry.
“Having successfully achieved the desired goals of the rehabilitation and reintegration programme, with recorded significant improvement in the academic performance of the girls, in September, a final send-off party was organised for the 106 Chibok girls.
“They were subsequently moved to the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola for their foundation studies and continuation of their education.’’
He disclosed that the AUN had successfully established a foundation school for 14 out of the 57 Chibok girls who earlier escaped when the rest of their classmates were taken to the Sambisa forest by Boko Haram in 2014.
The presidential aide observed that the absorption of the 106 girls into the AUN marked the beginning of their integration into the larger Nigerian society, thus fulfilling Buhari’s promise of providing the best education for them.
“Although they have been officially handed over to their parents, the Federal Government will continue to be responsible for the payment of the Chibok girls’ school fees right up to their graduation from school,’’ Shehu said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that criticism of the anti-corruption crusade will not deter his government from ensuring that those who found to have engaged in looting public funds are brought to book.
Instead of being deterred, he said the crusade will be strengthened and fought at all levels.
Buhari who was apparently reacting to insinuations that the fight has not yielded any positive impact said the responsibility of the government t was to investigate and prosecute those found to have wanting, while the judiciary is the one who convict offenders.
The President spoke in an interview published in the 2017/2018 Nigeria Outlook, a study on the economy, governance and investment opportunities in the country compiled by a team of Nigerian professionals led by Reginald Ibe and Dahiru Ganiyu Ali.
He said: “we are succeeding in the anti-corruption war. Cases are being investigated and those indicted are prosecuted. The number of conviction is not within the ambit of the executive.
“Ours is to investigate and charge to court, while it is the duty of the judiciary to convict. We can’t be prosecutor and jury at the same time. We respect the principle of separation of power as enshrined in our constitution. We don’t tele-guide the judiciary and the onus is on that institution to do its work expeditiously.
“The anti corruption war is not limited in scope. Anybody that runs foul of the law will answer for it. We will strengthen the war in due course. You don’t need a national debate to fight corruption. You just need to crack down on corrupt people with fear of favour. We will strengthen the war and fight it at all levels.”
President Buhari said the major task of his government is to make an enduring impact on the life of Nigerians, adding that it is unfortunate that for many decades, “we paid lip service to diversifying the economy.
“But we merely succeeded in turning ourselves into a mono economy. And when oil price crashed, we simply crashed with it as a nation. It should never happen again, and that is why we are focused on Agriculture, mines and steel development, as well as manufacturing. We will lay a solid foundation and build on it. That will ensure that Nigeria will never be at the mercy of just one commodity again.
“Oil will still get attention, but it get it along with ,any other commodities. That is our goal, and Nigeria and the international community can count on our single mindedness as an administration. We are determined to make a difference.”
On the plans of the government to revamp the economy, the President said: “One thing I can say confidently is that the Economic Recovery and Growth plan as enunciated by the administration will place the Nigerian economy on a sound foundation that will stand us in good stead for decades. The duty of the government is to make salutary impacts on the lives of the people and that is what we are resolved to do.
“If you look at the ERGP, you will notice that it projects into the future. That shows you that it has already factored in many things. Anybody that is honest with himself will admit that we have charted a direction that will lead us even far beyond 2020 as a nation.”
On over bloated public service and whether the government has plans to right size, President Buhari said “There is time for everything. This time of parlous economic reality is not the right time to send more people into the Labour market, this is a government with a human face.
“The human being is the Centre of our universe. We met a monthly wage bill of the public service at about N165 billion. It is very easy to say downsize. But rather, we preferred to audit the system and scores of thousands of ghost workers have been discovered in the process.
“We saved more than N20 billion which has reduced the monthly wage bill significantly. We will continue to audit the process, get the correct number of workers we have, rather than retrench and cause more misery. I have said it before and I say it again. If I have my way, no single Nigerian will lose his or her job at this time.”
In the fight against Boko Haram, he said “We have achieved a lot in the fight against Boko Haram. However. A sociological study will be conducted on what caused Boko Haram and what sustained it for so long. That is toward ensuring that such does not reoccur again in this country”
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i on Friday criticised the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said that Atiku has made the greatest mistake made by the movement.
El-Rufai also said that Atiku was an inconsequential candidate to wrestle power from President Muhammadu Buhari, whom the entire North has rallied behind for 2019.
The governor spoke with State House journalists after observing the Friday Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
El Rufai said that the ex-Vice President was simply re-enacting his usual practice of cross carpeting aimlessly.
According to him, Atiku would not be missed in any way and that he lacked the political clout to pull any of the APC governors to his fold.
He said “Well, I won’t even say we were in the APC together. Some of us formed the APC, some of them joined because they thought that the APC was a platform for which they would contest election. But when they didn’t get the opportunity, they started looking around.
“I have heard about what the former Vice President said about leaving the APC. We knew he was going to leave in December but he has left in November which is good because the earlier he leaves for where he belongs the better. He has changed political parties a few times, there is nothing surprising. Before the 2019 elections if situation changes and he thinks he can get the ticket in 2019 he will come back. That is what he has done a few times.
On claims that Atiku was driven out of the party, he said “No one has driven him out of the party. The APC is an equal opportunity platform for everyone. He has in his statement of leaving the party made reference to the memo I wrote to Mr. President in September 2016, where I was calling on the President to reach out to party leaders that feel aggrieved and I mentioned him, the Asiwaju and many others.
“The others are still in the APC because they believe in the direction of the party, they believe we have come to save the country from a very bad situation. But the former Vice President is always looking for an opportunity to contest. He is a serial contestant and we wish him luck.” he said
On possibility of some members leaving with Atiku, he said “I don’t know about the loyalists in the APC that will go with him, but I want to assure you that there is no one governor in the APC that is going to go with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“The only governor that he would think will go with him; the governor of Adamawa State has already endorsed President Buhari for the 2019 elections. And there are many governors I will not mention the number but a majority of the APC governors have already taken the position that the president should run for a second term in office.
“And we are grateful to the Almighty God that the question marks about his health have been put to rest, he is getting better every day and we are confident that the way to preserve our party and preserve and advance the interest of Nigeria is for Mr. President to run for a second term. I’m curious to see which APC governor will go with Atiku.
“As for party loyalists it depends on what you defend as loyalists. We will wait and see how that evolves. But as a governor I want to assure you that not one governor is going to leave the party to go with the former Vice President. That I am sure of. I can speak authoritatively about it because I’m in touch with my colleagues” he said.
He said that Atiku will never be a threat to Buhari if they run for the Presidency in 2019.
“He has never been and will never be a threat to President Buhari. Let me say this very clearly, and I have said this to the former Vice President in 2014 Dubai when we met because before joining the APC he sent for me. He told me of his intentions and I welcomed it because politics is a game of addition not subtraction. So the more you have the merrier.
“However, I told him not to run for the presidency because I believe very strongly this is Buhari’s era. As long President Muhammadu Buhari is in politics I do not see any Nigerian from the northern part of the country that will be able to match him in popularity.
“The people of the nineteen northern states and Nigeria have decided because of the President’s past history of Integrity and good governance they are committed to him. Anyone standing up to challenge him is wasting his time. God has decreed that this is Buhari’s time and we are waiting for the PDP to give Atiku Abubakar the ticket and we will face in on the field, but I have no doubt that I will not lose any sleep about it,” he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the government and people of Egypt over the heartless attacks on a mosque in North Sinai that left many dead after prayers on Friday.
President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, condemned the dastardly act on innocent worshipers.
He said that the attacks has further reinforced the position that terrorism has no relationship or respect for any religion, and should be visited with the full wrath of the law.
The President reiterated that the workable panacea to such mindless and irresponsible attacks on citizens would be a global joint action that continually shares intelligence, simulates scenarios and regularly updates on both local and international threats.
He prayed that the almighty God will receive the souls of the departed, and comfort the families of those directly affected.
The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) said the appointment of new Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) had helped to address acrimony in government.
The party made this known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abudullahi, on Friday in Abuja.
“Indeed, President Muhammadu Buhari has chosen a right man for the job; the era of acrimony that has slowed us down in the past is gone,’’ the party said.
It commended the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for its National Working Committee (NWC) members, adding that his earlier visit to the National Assembly had a positive impact.
This, the party noted, had reflected in the way the national assembly had been handling some outstanding issues since after the visit.
According to it, the SGF`s visit to the national assembly signified a new era in the relationship between the government and the party, and with other arms of government.
It, therefore, urged the Mustapha to extend the interface to other government bodies.
Mustapha was appointed as the new SGF by President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 30.
He replaced Mr Babachair Lawal, who was sacked following allegation of fraud and abuse of office against him.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged religious movements to assist African countries rid themselves of the scourge of corruption.
Speaking at the State House on Friday while receiving the Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement Worldwide, Sheikh Muhammadul-Kabir, the President also enjoined such movements to work for “the cementing of our continental relationships and peaceful coexistence.”
The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the movement’s commitment to spiritual cleansing.
“While the evil of material corruption seeks to undermine the dignity and worldly existence of man, moral and spiritual corruption seek to destroy man and condemn him to perpetual punishment by his Creator” he said
President Buhari also lauded the peaceful conduct of the Tijjaniyyah Islamic movement in Nigeria.
“The Tijjaniyyah adherents are peaceful and never found to be in breach of peace nor associated with extreme religious views or terrorism,” he said, noting in particular, “the peaceful way you have conducted all your celebrations without disturbance to the public. This is commendable.”
The President, while expressing appreciation for the prayers from congregations such as the Tijjaniyyah, appealed to all religious groups to continue to preach peace particularly among the youth.
Sheikh Muhammadul-Kabir and other clerics accompanying him from several African countries, commended President Buhari for nurturing peaceful coexistence among all religious adherents in the country.
He said they had come to Nigeria to observe their Maulud celebration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad which took place peacefully in Bauchi.