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  • ASUP to Buhari: sign Polytechnic act into law

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sign into the law the Polytechnic Act recently passed into law by the National Assembly for the smooth running and industrial harmony in the nation’s polytechnics.

    The union also frowned at what it described as showdy process of appointing Rectors of some polytechnics without due diligence, saying this has become an embarrassment to the sector, demanding the reversal and adherence to due process in such appointments at the Federal Polytechnic Bida and Ile Ile-Oluji.

    In a communique at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting signed by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chris Nkoro, the Union said failure to adhere to due process in the appointment of Rectors or the reversal of such, the union may be forced to embark on a one week strike to protest such actions.

    The communique asked the Minister of Education and the management of the National Board for Technical Education, the regulatory agency for polytechnics in the country to ensure that the new Polytechnic act is transmitted to the President immediately for his ascent.

    While congratulating Nigerians for the success of the 2019 general election, the union said the outcome of the election is a huge leap in Nigeria’s democracy and urged the elected ones to be magnanimous in victory.

    The polytechnic lecturers however condemned the pockets of violence in various parts of the country during the elections, particularly “the loss of lives of our members in Rivers state and harassments in Bauchi and Taraba states and called on federal government to avail itself of technological gadgets to track security challenges in the country.”

    They also expressed concern over the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnapping in the country, a situation they said has made people prisoners in their homes and called on government at all levels to be more alive to their responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of social strata or creed.

    The Union said “Laws and Regulations can make or mar the progress of any organization. Noting this, the NEC is appreciates the 8th National Assembly for having passed the corrected Amendment Bill of the Polytechnics Act.

    “The NEC however, calls on the FME and NBTE to quickly facilitate the process of transmitting of and the subsequent signing of the Bill by the President, Mohammadu Buhari as soon as possible for improved productivity and best practices in the Polytechnics and Monotechnics.”

    They also at the persistent lethargic disposition of the Federal government and its agencies towards re-negotiation of FGN/ASUP agreement is utterly disappointing to the 94th NEC which views this as a ploy to cripple the system and perpetuate suffering on our members asked the government to without further delay, commence the re-negotiation process.

    It observed that while the Union had agreed on the terms of enrolling of the sector into IPPIS, some rectors have continued to use backhand ploy to enrol some institutions without recourse to our Union’s documented peculiar concerns while asking government to promptly call these erring rectors to order.

    Read Also: Buhari decries use of cyberspace to manipulate elections

    The union is also not happy that salary shortfalls and CONTISS 15 migration challenges which led to the suspended strike action have persisted, despite continued assurances by government that this situation has been dealt, stressing that with the conclusion of the 2019 general election, these issues would be addressed squarely by government immediately.

    The union also frown at the conditions in State Polytechnics/Monotechnics in terms of delay in payment of salaries, arrears of promotions and other infractions are still sources of grave concern, stressing that the situations still prevail in Abia, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Ekiti, Ondo and Zamfara.

    It reiterates the firm invocation of the “no salary, no accreditation” policy on the institutions concerned and further urges that all cases of victimization should be adequately redressed immediately.

    The union appeal to governments at all levels to desist from reneging on agreements and address these recurring issues in the spirit of the Union’s magnanimity in suspending the strike in February 2019, adding that by so doing, government would have shown its sincerity, humanity, altruism and responsiveness to improve the citizenry for higher industry.

  • Flight operations resume at Imo Airport after fire outbreak

    Flight operations have fully resumed at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri, Imo state after a fire outbreak that razed part of the arrival terminal.

    When The Nation visited the Airport yesterday, passengers were seen queuing to get their boarding pass, even though the number of passengers was minimal compared to what it used to be before the fire incident.

    The Nation findings, disclosed that the Executive lounge of the airport was completely razed and has been cordoned off.

    The Airport Manager, Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, said that the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained as investigation is still ongoing.

    According to her, flight operations have fully resumed, adding that the fire incident didn’t affect any critical infrastructure or equipment.

    She said, “we are following Airport contingency plans to make sure that flight operations resume at the airport and it has resumed. We are sorry for what happened, there was no casualty, the fire department was able to contain the inferno”.

    Meanwhile speaking during separate visits to the Airport, Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and the governor-elect, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha commended the Airport management for the proactive measure taken to avert what they say could have been a major disaster.

  • Lagos lawmaker decries state of Badagry road

    Mr Setonji David, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, on Tuesday decried the state of Badagry road, saying the road was too bad, considering challenges it posed to people in the area.

    David, representing Badagry Constituency II,on the platform of the APC , disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to him, Badagry road looks like it is cut off from Lagos state while posing numerous challenges people in the area faced using the road.

    The lawmaker, who also expressed dissatisfaction over shortage of schools in the area, called on Federal and state government to look into the plight of the residents with a view to helping them.

    “Our road network is in shamble. Lagos-Badagry expressway is in total mess. If you take a walk for few hours to come to Badagry you will be amazed with the state of our roads.

    “Although, the contract for the road has been awarded, I am just appealing to the contractor and the government at the federal level to expedite action on the reconstruction of that road.

    “It is as if we are cut off from Lagos state, the state of the road is in shamble that is the truth of the matter.

    “ The raining season is fast approaching; I don’t know what will become of that place when rain starts,’’ David who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development said.

    He said that the area also needed more primary and secondary schools to help reduce the kilometres school children trekked, each day, to access school.

    “I know of pupils trekking for 5kms, 3kms and 2kms in my constituency before they can access schools.

    “So we don’t have enough primary schools, we don’t have enough secondary schools. These are issues people can see. Some of these schools are not even in good state. The few ones we have need to be rehabilitated. We are pleading with government at the state and federal levels to do something.’’

    David said that the pains of residents of the area were passing through were better imagined than experienced.

    The law maker, who described good infrastructure as the beginning of progress of any society, noted that commuters spent about three or four hours to get to Badagry from Lagos instead of 30 minutes or 45 minutes.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the incoming administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu would address the plight of the people of Badagry.

    David urged the Federal Government to redouble efforts in addressing inadequate power supply in the country to reduce youth unemployment.

    According to him, the major problem confronting Nigeria is inadequate power supply, adding that so many people cannot work because there is no power.

    “If we can have constant supply of electricity in this country, I want to assure you that, half of our unemployed youths would be engaged in viable jobs. (NAN)

  • NSCDC deploys 39 officers to man UTME centres in Niger

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger Command, has deployed 39 personnel to provide security for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in different parts of the state.

    Mr Phillip Ayuba, Corps Commandant in the state made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

    He said there would be security in the 17 computer – based centres for the 11th conduct of the UTME in Niger, which kicked off on Tuesday.

    Ayuba said that two personnel would provide security in each of the centres, while five personnel from the headquarters would supervise the exercise across the state.

    The commandant said that the monitoring team had been constituted to carefully monitor the conduct of the exercise in the state.

    Read Also: JAMB: Candidates who miss UTME to wait till next year

    He explained that the corps would work with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure security at the centres before, during and after the computer-based test.

    Ayuba urged prospective candidates to be law abiding, adding that the NSCDC personnel would be professional in carrying out their mandate to ensure a hitch-free examination.

    He also warned parents against malpractices as anyone found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted.

  • Train crushes beggar to death in Lagos

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Monday confirmed a passenger train crushed a beggar to death at Muslim area of Lagos.

    Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Manager (RDM) of the corporation, made confirmation while addressing newsmen on the incident in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an Ijoko to Iddo bound Mass Transit Train crushed a beggar to death near the Mushin railway station on Monday morning.

    NAN reports that the unidentified beggar was one of the six beggars that sat in a row near the railway line at the Mushin Railway corridor.

    Read also: 60 SON workers get training

    Oche said life of every Nigerian was important to the corporation, advising people to endeavour to obey the order and signs attached to the rail lines.

    According to him, it is against the law to sit or trade beside the railway line, either begging for alms or for any other reason.

    Oche, however, warned traders, hawkers, beggars and passersby to stay away from the rail lines across the state to avoid casualty.

    “Anybody who has no business entering the train should not be on the rail corridor, because it is very dangerous.

    “It’s like a suicide mission seeing a train approaching and you are still sitting down on the track,” he said. (NAN)

  • Man with roasted human hands arrested in Ekiti

    A 23-year- old man has been arrested for going about with human parts in Ijero Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The suspect, Nifemi was arrested by police on Saturday during a stop- and- search operation.

    An eye witness who craved anonymity told journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday the suspect was nabbed while going to Okemesi Ekiti with severed hands of a human being.

    Before the arrest, Police in Ijero Division had beefed up security across the local government following tip- off from the public that bandits were planning to invade the area.

    The source said the young man was said to have kept the human parts in a polythene bag and was apprehended along Ijero-Ikoro road while going to Okemesi to sell to customers.

    “When quizzed by the police, the young man said he got the two hands at Asa farmstead near Okemesi and brought it to Ijero.

    Read Also: PDP ‘ll bounce back In Ekiti, says Olujimi

    “He told the police that he wanted to take the human parts to Okemesi to go and sell to some people”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed the arrest.

    Ikechukwu added investigations have begun into the case on how to arrest the suspect’s syndicates.

    “Our men arrested him during one of our operations. We are gathering more facts about the case because we are aware he has been operating with some people and they have to be brought to book,” he said.

     

  • FG orders two additional coaches for Abuja-Kaduna route

    The Federal Government has ordered two additional coaches for the Abuja-Kaduna rail service route to solve the passengers upsurge.

    Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, gave the directive on Monday during the monthly inspection of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail line at Ologueru, Ibadan.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was an upsurge of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train service due to the activities of kidnappers along the Abuja-Kaduna road.

    Amaechi said the Nigerian Railway Corporation would move two additional coaches from Itakpe-Warri rail lines to that route.

    He also warned that staff caught in illegal sales of tickets would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    “We are going there to arrest anyone caught up with tickets racketeering. The long queue at that axis is because coaches are not enough.

    “The reason we bought those coaches was for people to sit down. But people are standing, they shouldn’t stand. But, I have directed that we should move two coaches from Itakpe-Warri to Kaduna-Abuja. Today is the first day that I will be giving this directive.

    “The first directive I gave was to move two coaches from Itakpe-Warri to Lagos. When we saw the problem today, I told the MD, to move two coaches to Kaduna from Itakpe-Warri because, there are no much passengers in that axis,” he said.

    Read also: Amaechi blames CCECC for slow pace of work on Lagos-Ibadan rail project

    Amaechi stated that it would be difficult to manage and control passengers standing in the train because of the upsurge.

    “The long term plan is that we are going to China between 24th and 30th to inspect the new coaches and locomotives we are buying for Lagos-Ibadan.

    “We may be under pressure to put that on the Abuja-Kaduna route and if we do that, that would reduce the pressure at the moment, when there are more coaches and locomotives, the pressure will cool down,” he said.

    Amaechi, said that until there is a connection between Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri to Lokoja and Abuja that is when more passengers would use the train on that axis.

    “The plan is on for the connectivity from Warri-Itakpe-Lokoja and we are talking to someone who want to build a park at Itakpe to carry passengers by road to Abuja, pending when we get approval and funding to link Abuja to Itakpe.”

  • MFM’s founder, Olukoya loses mum

    Janet, mother of General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr Daniel Olukoya, is dead.

    The 95-year-old, according to a statement by the Chairman, MFM Media Committee, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, died in her sleep in the wee hours of March 31, 2019, 25 years after she lost her husband.

    Read Also: Okunnu, Olukoya, Ovia seek improved education quality

    “Mama was a fervent worshipper at the MFM International Headquarters, Onike-Yaba, Lagos, where she was a prayer warrior and a member of the Elders Group.

    “The burial programme of Mama Olukoya will be announced later.

    “She is survived by Dr Daniel Olukoya and Mrs Funmilayo Olowoake, also a member of the MFM, grandchildren and other family members,” the Bank-Olemoh stated

     

  • Kalu denies nominating brother, cousin for minister

    The Senator-elect for Abia North, Orji Kalu, has debunked rumours that he nominated his younger brother Mascot Kalu and cousin Dr. Madukwe Ukaegbu for minister.

    A statement yesterday from Kalu’s media office urged the public to disregard the false news. It described it as the handwork of mischief makers and political jobbers who are envious of the APC’s growing popularity in Abia State.

    The statement reads: “We condemn the news that Dr. Orji Kalu has nominated his brother Mascot Kalu and cousin Madukwe Ukaegbu for ministerial appointment.

    “The fake news is another attempt by political jobbers to score cheap political points. We advise the management of the online platform which started the spread to apologise within seven days otherwise face the wrath of the law.”

    The statement also urged members of the APC to be wary of paid agents of the opposition, saying Kalu will not lose sleep over the antics of failed politicians.

    The party has dissociated itself from moves by President Muhammadu Buhari to re-appoint Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, current Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, as a minister.

    Read also: Why I want to be deputy senate president, by Kalu

    The party, which accused Enelamah of apathy towards its activities in the last three years, called on the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to ensure that Abia gets a minister who is committed to the party’s  interest and growth in the next Federal Cabinet.

    The Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson, who addressed reporters, said most of the problems faced by the party during the last election were due to Enelamah’s non-commitment and lackadaisical approach to its issues.

    He said: “We have a minister on paper but nobody feels his impact. Throughout the campaigns, he showed no interest. He should help  build this party, but he has instead remained unconcerned and lackadaisical. He’s practically not an APC member.

    “Now he is being projected to return as a minister which should not be so. We disown him because he’s a saboteur to our party here in Abia. His attitude is serving the interest of the opposition.

    “We call for his immediate removal. The APC is too big with many qualified members for us to be appointing non-members. Enelamah is not a member of our party and should not be appointed as a minister again….”

  • Ekiti employs marshals to enforce grazing law

    THE Ekiti State government has employed marshals to enforce the Anti-Grazing Law 2016 and prevent farmers-herders clashes across the 16 local government areas.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the officers on yesterday, the Marshal Coordinator, Sola Durodola, urged them to perform their assignment with utmost sense of responsibility.

    Durodola said the marshals are vested with the power to ensure that herders comply with the law that regulates grazing within the hours allowed by law and restriction of their movement.

    He said government would not allow destruction of farmlands and farm produce through unrestricted grazing and attacks on farmers and other law-abiding citizens.

    Durodola also urged the marshals to monitor what he described as some nefarious activities of loggers in the forest.

    He regretted that illegal felling of economic trees in the forest has robbed the state government of huge revenues that would have been used to the benefit of the people.

    The coordinator warned the newly recruited marshals against involvement in shady deals and corrupt practices capable of jeopardising the mandate of the agency.

    Durodola stressed that officer caught in sharp practices would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Some of the newly recruited marshals, while speaking with reporters, pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them and work in line with the mandate of the agency.