The Governor has also appointed Abdulgafar Ahmed Abiola, known in the public as 'Cute Abiola', as Special Assistant on Creative Industries. Cute Abiola is a household name in the fast-growing skit (comic) industry in Nigeria.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Gombe State University chapter, has said it will withhold the examination results of students and will discontinue the supervision of undergraduates and postgraduates projects should the government fail to release the withheld salaries for members of the union for the period while they were on strike.
The union made this known in a statement made available to our correspondent on Thursday.
The statement, which was signed by the branch chairman, Suleiman Jauro, partly read, “The Congress of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Gombe State University branch, at its meeting held today, Wednesday 2nd November 2022, received the report of the engagements between the branch’s leadership and the University administration over the release of the withheld salaries.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the Congress therefore, resolved that given the University administration’s refusal to release the August and September salaries, members shall not submit the results of the first Semester examination for the 2021/2022 session; Not continue with the supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate projects allocated prior to the commencement of the strike action.”
*PAYMENT OF AMPUTATED AND CRIPPLED OCTOBER SALARY*
The leadership of the Union has been inundated with calls registering their displeasure about what looks like the payment of a pro-rated salary to our members
It is to say the least insensitive and disheartening that a supposedly democratic government can be so vicious, reckless and inhuman in dealing with the best brains in our society.
As members are already aware, this is a national tragedy. The leadership of the Union at the National level has been duly informed about this unfortunate development and they are on top of the issue.
Members are please enjoined to remain calm and await further directives from the National Secretariat even in the face of this bracing provocation and crass wickedness by this administration.
Please remain strong and undaunted because, a people united, can never be defeated.
Following Federal Government’s decision to pay half salaries to lecturers, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council.
According to The Punch, the date for the meeting has not yet been fixed.
The lecturers had tackled the government for not paying them full salaries.
On Monday, February 14, 2022, ASUU embarked on strike to press home demands from the government.
After a series of meetings between the union members and the Federal Government, ASUU suspended its strike and directed members to resume work immediately eight months later.
The decision to suspend the strike came days after the court of appeal ordered the union to call off its strike.
The president of the union, Emmanuel Osodeke said the eight-month-old strike was suspended because of a court order asking it to do so.
He said, “The issues have not been fully resolved and no agreement has been signed. So, we are resuming because we are a law-abiding body and we don’t want to break the law. We are also hoping that the intervention of the speaker, as promised by him, will resolve these problems in a very short time”.
However, at the end of October, the lecturers received half salaries for the month.
Confirming the half salary they received, Osodeke said, “Half salaries were paid, no reasons were given whatsoever. We learnt that Ngige wrote the office of the Accountant General and Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system and told them to only pay us for the period when we called off the strike.
“We heard there was a letter to that effect but we haven’t gotten it yet. We are going to summon a meeting.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has not reacted to the allegation by the lecturers.
FAW to consider changing name of national teams to Cymru after Qatar World Cup
Wales will consider changing its name to Cymru on the international stage after the World Cup.
Cymru – the Welsh name for Wales – is already used by the Football Association of Wales in its internal and external communications and by staff at the governing body’s headquarters in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The FAW plans to speak to various stakeholders in Welsh football about the merit of changing the country’s name in international competition, while the PA news agency can reveal informal discussions have already been held with UEFA on the subject.
“The team should always be called Cymru, that’s what we call it here,” said FAW chief executive Noel Mooney ahead of Wales’ first World Cup since 1958.
“Our view at the moment is that domestically we’re clearly called Cymru. That’s what we call our national teams.
“If you look at our website, how we talk about ourselves, we are very much Cymru.
“Internationally we feel we have a bit more work to do yet. So we are going to this World Cup as Wales.
“But I think 2023 will be a year when we have a good discussion with all the different stakeholders – whether that Governments, our own boards, councils and decision-making bodies, staff, club and players.
“We’re a very open democratic organisation and we don’t just unilaterally decide today to do something like that.
“I would say it’s the direction of travel, but there’s no firm decisions on it. It’s more almost by osmosis that we’re heading towards it.”
Focus
The issue of a possible name change for Wales was brought into sharp focus earlier this month when Robert Page’s side were drawn in the same Euro 2024 qualifying group as Turkey.
The Turks now compete on the international stage as Turkiye after the Ankara government asked for the country to be known globally by its Turkish name and not the anglicised version.
Mooney said: “You’ve seen countries like Azerbaijan, Turkey and others use their own language.
“They’re quite strong on it and we spoke to the Turkish at the Euro 2024 draw about it.
“We’ve also had unofficial discussions with UEFA over coffees at different events. Asking how Turkey did this, how other countries did that.
“We’ve asked what their direction of travel is, for example is there a movement towards people using their indigenous language?
“What I do know is there’s a renaissance of the Welsh language and a sense of great pride in what we do with the culture and the heritage.”
Changing its name to Cymru would end Wales’ status as being the last alphabetically of UEFA’s 55 national association members at different draws and meetings.
“We sit by the Ukrainians all the time and that’s nice because we’ve become good friends with them,” said Mooney, an Irishman who is learning Welsh and has set himself the target of holding a Q&A session at the National Eisteddfod next summer.
“But we would like to sit by the Croatians and the Czechs a bit more.”
There was a mild drama this morning at Ibadan Central hospital Ososami area of Ibadan following an allegations that some parts of a corpse were removed overnight.
People in their large number while reacting to the sad incident blocked the entrance of the street where the hospital was located shouting for justice.
It was gathered that the body of a 91 year old woman, Rachel Osuntolu that was admitted in the hospital over a week ago was tampered with after her demise on Sunday morning.
Some children of the nonagenarian explained that they left the hospital at around 8:00 in the evening of Sunday with the plan of taking the corpse to a morgue this morning.
They said further that they were all surprised when they saw some blood on the floor of the room where the corpse was kept while some pounds of flesh on the woman’s forehead and arm had been removed.
Pressmen also made efforts at speaking with the head of administration of the hospital Oluwaseun Hastrup but she refused to comment on the situation.
While reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Adewale Osifeso said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
However, the divisional police officer of Iyaganku and his team were on ground to prevent breakdown of law and order.
PRESIDENT BUHARI CALLS FOR EMERGENCY SECURITY MEETING, POSTPONES NASENI COMPLEX COMMISSIONING
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday meet with security chiefs in the nation's capital, Abuja, to further review and strengthen security network in the country.
The President, who was initially scheduled to commission the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (Naseni) new Technology and Innovation Complex, will receive briefs from the security chiefs, and interject on areas that need more attention.
The commissioning of the NASENI complex will hold on a later date.
Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
South East Governors raise the alarm over insecurity in region
…Call on Federal Government to provide security ahead 2023 elections
…Agree on 24-hour joint patrol in zone
…Deny link with ESN
…Request FG’s intervention in rehabilitation of flood victims in area
Governors of the South East geo-political zone have raised the alarm over the spate of kidnappings and wanton killings in the zone, calling on the Federal Government to come to their aid in providing security in the area, bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
The South East governors raised the alarm while briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by #Enugu State #Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi #Ugwuanyi (host), Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ebonyi State Governor/Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Engr. David Umahi, while the governors of Anambra and Imo states, Prof. Charles Soludo and Senator Hope Uzodinma were represented by their deputies, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Prof. Placid Njoku, respectively.
The governors agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.
Speaking, Gov. Umahi disclosed that the “South East governors decried the state of insecurity in the region”, adding that economic activities in the zone have come to a halt “while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day.”
On the issue of floods, the South East governors commended the states and the Federal Government on efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flood menace in the country and expressed hope that a long term solution is desirable.
The South East governors also agreed to jointly contribute funds to further assist the victims of flooding in the five states of the zone and went further to “plead with the Federal Government to please initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to check the destruction of houses, farmlands and properties.
“We request the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims in terms of rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.”
On the purported statement that it was the South East governors that formed Eastern #Security Network (ESN), Gov. Umahi denied the allegation, stating that “South East Governors Forum jointly formed Ebubeagu and Forest Guards not ESN. So, it is not correct for any person to allude to the fact that South East governors created ESN.”
On the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the governors, who reiterated their belief in a political solution, said that they are watching with keen interest the developments with respect to Kanu’s case viz-a-viz the court rulings.
“However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in this circumstance,” the South East governors said.
The Forum used the opportunity to congratulate and welcome Prof. Soludo to its fold and announced apologies from the Anambra State Governor and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Uzodinma, who were absent at the meeting because of other pressing official engagements.
OCTOBER 26, 2022 Location: Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
Event: On October 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of State granted authorized departure status to Embassy Abuja, which permits the voluntary departure of family members and certain employees due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos continues to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.
Actions to Take:
Have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Take advantage of commercial transportation options, if you wish to depart Nigeria. Monitor local media for breaking news on the security situation.
Be aware of your surroundings. Keep a low profile.
Security Alert: FG Assures of Safety, Security For All
The Federal Government has assured that Nigeria’s security forces are doing everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday at a Ministerial Session at the ongoing UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week, said the military and other security forces have been very proactive in tackling security issues.
“I can assure all that our military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria. Terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run. Bandits have been decimated and scattered. Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said while the government did not discountenance the fact that terrorists, bandits and their kind would always want to do whatever it takes to disrupt the nation's peace, security and stability, Nigeria’s security forces are up to the task of protecting citizens and non-citizens alike.
“Nigerians too should continue to be alert but must not panic. Like I said in a recent statement, as far as insecurity is concerned, the worst is over for Nigeria,” he said.
While speaking on the topic “National Media and Information Literacy Frameworks, Sustaining Beyond Disinformation,” the Minister said the threat of disinformation to national and global peace and stability is glaring, as it undermines the trust by citizens in the system.
He said some media outlets and social media personalities are usually caught spreading unverified information on their platforms just for clickbait and the attendant monetary gain.
“Talking of clickbait, this may be what informed the spread of the supposed security alert issued recently by some foreign embassies in Nigeria. One would imagine that if indeed this kind of security alert was issued, it was for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria. Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus creating panic in the polity.
“Schools were shut. Businesses were closed. Travel plans were altered. Lives were disrupted. No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts. They just published, got the benefit of massive clickbait and damned the consequences,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
He said the deliberate spread of fake news has become more prevalent with the ease in access to connectivity over the digital space since there is available and affordable technology/software that can be used to distort digital content (audio, visual and images) such as photoshop, deep fake and voiceover software, which are readily available as open source/free or paid apps on the Internet.
The Minister, however, said there is a ray of hope as the tech companies are increasingly involved in the development and deployment of technology to checkmate the spread of disinformation over their platforms, in addition to the availability of technology through text and reverse image search engines to decipher and verify such contents.
The session, which was moderated by the Assistant Director General, Communication and Information of UNESCO, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, had the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Dr. Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Goodluck Opiah, as panelists.
Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture Abuja 25-Oct-2022
Penny Mordaunt has dropped out of the Conservative leadership race at the last minute after failing to secure 100 backers, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to become the next prime minister.
The leader of the Commons had struggled to get fellow MPs to publicly declare as former chancellor Mr Sunak's support surged.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.
While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them. Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja.
Peter Afunanya PhD, fsi Public Relations Officer Department of State Services National Headquarters Abuja
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Abuja (October 23, 2022)
Location: Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
Event: There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations. The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.
Actions to Take:
Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert.
Avoid crowds.
Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.
Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 20.77% in September 2022, up from 20.52% recorded in the previous month.
The new Consumer Price Index (CPI) report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s CPI rose by 20.77% year-on-year in September 2022. On a month-on-month basis, the index rose by 1.36% compared to the 1.77% increase recorded in the previous month.
This represents the highest rate since September 2005, according to data tracked by Nairalytics, a web portal that publishes Nigeria’s historical macroeconomic data.
Meanwhile, the urban inflation rate stood at 21.25% in September 2022 from 17.19% recorded in the corresponding period of 2021, while rural inflation stood at 20.32%.
The food inflation rate in September 2022 was 23.34% on a year-on-year basis, marking an uptick from the 23.12% recorded in the previous month. The increase in the food index was attributed to increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products, potatoes, yams, and other tubers, oil, and fat.
The ‘’all items less farm produce’’ or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce, stood at 17.60% in September 2022 on a year-on-year basis; up from 17.2% recorded in August 2022.
The highest increases were recorded in prices of gas, liquid fuel, passenger transport by air, passenger travel by road, and solid fuel.
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our brother and friend Richard Dilichukwu Okonkwo a.k.a Tidinz, who sadly and suddenly departed to rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Tidinz did not die from any overdose as widely reported by the media. He had a health condition that was linked to depression and stress.
He fought! He was strong! He was a warrior!
Richard who died at the hospital in the arms of his father on Sunday 9th October promised his fans an album project and his homecoming concert before the end of the year which he has been working very hard on so as to give out the best to his fans.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. We plead that the public kindly give his family and friends the time to mourn their loved one. May his soul rest in peace.
Last night I heard my kid brother Tidinz is No more. Rest in peace young king. You will forever be one of the dopest lyricists to bless the mic from the Southeast. You bowed out at 26. I’m so heartbroken.
The Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamoroudeen Animashaun, has dissociated himself from the Deputy governorship ticket picked by his wife, Olori Morenike Abeni Animashaun, on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a statement in Lagos, the monarch said his wife neither discussed her political aspiration with him nor secured his consent before contesting the primary.
The statement reads: ” My attention has been drawn to the recent political activities of Olori Morenike Abeni Animashaun, especially her affiliation with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). I wish to aver, for the avoidance of doubt, that she has never discussed with me her aspiration to the office of Deputy Governor nor have I given her my consent to run for any elective office in the first place.”
Oba Animashaun said by virtue of his membership in the Lagos Traditional Council, he was expected to support the government of the day in its bid to deliver dividends of democracy to his people rather than getting involved in partisan politics.
He called on his subjects, friends and associates to be wary in dealing with Olori in respect of her political pursuit, insisting that he has nothing to do with it.
” Perhaps, it is not out of place to wish Olori Morenike Abeni well in this ill-advised political charade even as I hope that she will soon back off, if only only in honour of my position as a reverred traditional ruler.”
Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, is currently attending a meeting involving Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, at the presidential villa.
The meeting, which also has in attendance Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president, and Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, is over the recent tussle for ownership of the Dangote cement factory in Obajana, Kogi state.
TheCable understands that the meeting started around 4pm.
An insider in the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, Lagos State, has narrated to FIJ how 101 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were released from the facility on Saturday morning.
Speaking to FIJ on Sunday, the source said wardens at the facility let them out of the medium and maximum security facilities as part of a swap deal with the terrorists for the release of travellers who were abducted in Kaduna on March 28.
They told FIJ that the freed terror suspects had been awaiting trial since 2009, and had spoken about their release happening before a new administration took over.
The source said, “They secretly released 101 Boko Haram suspects at about 6 am. The negotiations had been ongoing for some months.
“We used to pray together. During prayers, they spoke Hausa, and they told me they would be going home by October.
“Early yesterday (Saturday) morning, they owned the cell door and called them out. They had returned their properties already.
“I used to speak with one Adamu in G3 cell. He is no longer here. He is tall and slim, and has a long face.
“They told me that their release was based on negotiations and the pressure their sponsors gave Buhari. They felt if they didn’t get released before a new president, who might not be their tribesman, took the seat, they might not be granted amnesty.
“The controller of corrections, Ben-Rabbi Freeman, had been there multiple times to meet with them.”
The source said the freed inmates knew of the Kuje jailbreak before it occurred, and had shared the details without mentioning specific dates.
This source also said the freed inmates did not usually associate themselves with other inmates unless they were Hausa speakers, and had been prepped on how to stay off the radar after their release.
“When they spoke about their release, I asked how I would reach them, and they said they had been warned not to open bank accounts and use mobile lines, as it would be easier to track them,” the source added.
The inmates released, according to this source, are:
Muhammad Ridwan Malam Aji Muhammad Bukar Kachala Umara Tijjani Ibrahim Abba Hassan Muhammad Tahir Abdurrahman Muhammad Musa Fushimngamdu Isyaku Haladu Muhammad Musa Abubakar Aminami Muhammad Tahir Mahmud Tchad Muhammad Muhammad Abdullahi Adamu Idriss Abubakar Adamualkasim Abdullahi Abubakar Baffa Ajibukar Modukime Sale Alhaji Modugrema Ahmad Abuzar Baba Ganawali Yunusa Ibrahim Sabo Adam Konto Muhammad Muktar Abba Hassan Muhammad Abba Mamman Abu Umaru Ali Usman Abdullahi Abubakar Mubi Sale Adamu Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar Muhammad Abubakar Idris Hashim Abu Barra Abubakar Baba Ganamodu Muhammad Ali Abdullah Abubakar Muhammad Hilanta Muhammad Muktar Abdulwahid Abdulssalam Adamu Abdullahi Aliyu Abdullahi Alkaseem Abdulahi Husaini Aliyu Abdullahi Isah Husaini Yusuf Yusuf Muhammad Hamisu Muhammad Yakubu Salisu Bilyaminu Bulama Muhammad Haruna Umaru Abdullahi Abubakar Haruna Shitu Abdusallam Muhammad Kabiru Ladan Mansur Muhammad Abdullah Aliyu Abdulmummeen Ibrahim Muhammad Lawan Haruna Adamu Kabiru Ibrahim Umar Abubakar Nasuru Garba Hamza Yakubu Musa Ali Muhammad Auwal Nura Abdullah Sa’adu Abdurrauf Sulaiman Jibirin Yakubu Bello Adamu Saidu Muhammad Jidda Abubakar Na Tuka Abba Hassan Maji Umaru Umaru Adamu Subari Ibrahim Abba Muhammad Nur Hassan Baba Gana Musa Muhammad Yusuf Sadiq Buba Adamu Musa Mustafa Yahya Muhammad Muktar Umara Tijjani Umar Brema Suleiman Adamu Muhammad Muazu Kabiru Aminu Siraja Abdullah Husaini Abdullah Hamisu Abdullah Aliyu Abubakar Isa Ahmad Alhaji Kambar Auwal Mati Bashiru Hamisu Ahmad Yusuf.
FIJ sent an email to the Ministry of Interior, but as of press time, there was no response.
KWANKWASO IN AKWAIBOM The NNPP Presidential candidate, HE Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso PhD, FNSE yesterday commissioned NNPP offices in AkwaIbom state. He was accompanied by the state Gubernatorial candidate Sen James John Akpanudoedehe and was received by a mammoth crowd. #RMK2003
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that Nigeria cannot emulate other countries legalising cannabis cultivation and usage due to the evil it would bring to the country.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said this on Friday when he hosted a delegation of Media Trust management, led by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Media Trust Group (MTG), Mounir Gwarzo, in his office.
According to him, the drug scourge concerns all Nigerians.
Marwa said, “It is everywhere. And it’s actually the number one problem because it’s also at the root of criminalities: the insurgents, the terrorists, bandits.
“We have about 15m Nigerians that use drugs and that is a very high prevalence which is approaching three times the global prevalence. When you talk drug, it is everywhere; every community has this problem and it’s now in families and neighborhoods. It’s critical for all of us as stakeholders to stand up and face this challenge.
“And it is in view of this that the President launched the war against drug abuse last year. The purpose of the war against drug abuse is to sensitize and make Nigerians themselves take the ownership of this war as their own personnel war because we’re all affected.”
He said that Nigerians must prioritise the anti-drug war to avoid the prediction of the United Nations (UN) that in another 20 years, the 15m drug users in the country may double.
“In the US, about 28 states have actually lifted the ban on cannabis. But only yesterday (Thursday) I was watching President Biden was in the process of lifting the ban. The circumstances are actually different.
“First of all, it is the law in Nigeria that possession of illicit substances is a crime. And now, it is left to the judgement of the judges to determine whether the possession elicits whatever punishment they deem fit.
“We in the NDLEA recognize it as a crime, but, using up all templates, whether the person who possesses (it) is dealing or is consuming it himself.
“We tend to not criminalise and punish users; ordinary users, if that’s what they’re doing. What we do, instead, we treat them and I think this point is very important to the medicare. So, of about 18,900 arrests in the course of my tenure so far over, over 12,000 were counselled and treated.
“You would hear that we jailed over 2,904. In fact, the number is rising because only yesterday (Thursday) in Lagos, over 20 convictions were achieved and people look at that direction. But actually, we do even more in the treatment of those who are in possession, and we have to be very clear.”
Dangote Cement Plc has disclosed that 27 workers of the company were shot at when armed thugs suspectdly acting on the order of Kogi state government invaded its Obajana cement plant.
The company in a statement by its Group Managing Director, Michel Pucheros, said that the invasion was carried out by armed vigilantes, led by some officials of the state government acting on the resolution of the Kogi state House of Assembly on controversial tax claims.
“In the process of forcefully evicting workers to enforce the shutdown, the vigilantes shot at 27 of our workers and also destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant,” he said.
While reiterating that Obajana cement plant is 100% owned by Dangote Cement Plc, Pucheros said steps have been taken to arrest the vigilantes who carried out the invasion.
Meanwhile Organised Private Sector (OPS) under the aegis of National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have berated the Kogi State government over the closure of Dangote Cement, Obajana Plant, describing the action as being hasty.
This is just as Lagos and Abuja branches of the Chamber in separate statements described the action of the state governor, Yahaya Bello as “shocking and disappointing” at the least, regretting that for every day the factory is shut, millions of naira are lost and the reputation of Kogi state takes a negative hit.
NACCIMA expressed regret that the issues between the company and the state over tax dispute ought not to have led to sealing of the company but should have been resolved in a conciliatory and amicable atmosphere.
The body, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Olusola Obadimu and issued in Lagos, said the state government should have trodden a path of caution, and called for the immediate reopening of the factory for normal production activities to resume.
Obadimu stated that NACCIMA’s position was based on some key considerations bordering on the impact of the factory’s closure on the economy and thousands of people whose means of livelihood depend on the production activities of the factory.
“It is vital to note that it is a huge production plant that supplies key domestic input (cement) into the economy and employs hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, directly and indirectly. This is aside from its substantial budget for corporate social responsibility outside of taxes.
“Shutting off the factory does not necessarily help the controversial issue of compliance on tax remittable to Kogi state government. Rather a continuous operation of the plant would more likely facilitate a faster resolution of the dispute,” he said.
The LCCI, in its statement signed by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona said the attack on the cement factory reflected the poor handling of investment protection issues in the country.
The Chamber said it believed there are more decent ways to handle regulatory and legislative matters concerning businesses in Nigeria than resorting to violence. According to the Chamber, the invasion of the Dangote Cement Factory by youths that led to the shooting of factory workers is unfortunate and avoidable.
“We advocate a win-win situation for businesses and the government. We will therefore call on all parties to exercise caution and be protective of jobs, assets of production, and government revenues from corporate organisations like Dangote Cement Factory,” she added.
The LCCI boss noted that the Federal Government and Kogi State Government had hitherto benefited from business revenues and social investments, and added that, “It is therefore expected that the government would be interested in creating an enabling business environment that can attract both local and foreign investors. And where there are infractions, handling such should be in accordance with best practices and the rule of law that protect investors’ rights and human lives.”
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a statement signed by its Director General, Ms. Victoria Akai urged the state government to employ dialogue in resolving whatever differences it has with the cement company so as to protect the image of the state as an investment destination.
The Kogi government on Wednesday sealed the plant, formerly owned by the state government, on the allegation that it was improperly acquired by Dangote Industries Limited, the parent company of the cement giant.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kinsley Fanwo, in a statement, said the state government sealed the factory in Obajana following agitations by Kogi indigenes on the questionable circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the company.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED ESCAPEE OF KUJE CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
… As Escapee is Handed over to Nigeria Correctional Service Kano State Command, CP appreciates the Good People of Kano State for their Cooperation
In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, psc(+), NPM, fdc on Community-based Policing and Intelligence-led Policing, Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abubakar Lawal, fdc rejigs its intelligence gathering strategy and Community Policing engagements.
2. On 23/09/2022 at about 1800hrs, based on credible information and sustained intelligence gathering, a team of Operation Restore Peace attached to the command’s Criminal Investigation Department arrested one Abubakar Mohammed Sadiq, ‘m’, 25 years old of Badarawa Quarters, Kaduna North LGA, Kaduna State, a suspected Kuje Correctional Centre escapee. The suspect was arrested at Rangaza Quarters, Ungogo LGA, Kano State. The Commissioner of Police directed that the suspected escapee be handed over to the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kano State Command.
3. The Commissioner of Police appreciates the good people of Kano State for their continuous support, encouragement and cooperation. He urged residents to continue to pray for the State, and the Nation and report incidents to the nearest Police Station and not take laws into their hands. Raids of criminal hideouts and black spots will continue throughout the State as the Command will sustain the tempo in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in Kano State. In case of emergencies, the command can be contacted via; 08032419754, 08123821575. Or through the "NPF Rescue Me Application" available on the Play Store.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
It’s incredible that someone can breach the tight security line and steal the phone of the former VP Sambo at the ongoing late Governor Solomon Lar Book launch in Abuja.
I welcome, with much happiness, the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists. Like the entire nation, I am delighted by this news, and we are all grateful to the military and other security agencies.
Our nation's Armed Forces, and all other security and intelligence agencies, are as good as any. Given the needed support and encouragement, as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish. I commend them for this remarkable outcome.
I congratulate and rejoice with the families of the victims for having them back alive.
I have made it very clear to our security and intelligence agencies that the ongoing momentum being experienced in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping must be sustained at all times, across the country. We must continue to work to secure every inch of our land.
Nigeria’s @DefenceInfoNG announcing that the remaining 23 kidnapped victims from the Abuja-Kaduna Train attack have regained their freedom today. This chapter of a most harrowing saga is finally over - even though the trauma will no doubt linger for victims and families.
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