₦airaland Forum

After 54 days of suspense, President Muhammadu Buhari last Tuesday released the names of 43 ministerial nominees that were forwarded to the National Assembly for clearance; as he tries to cobble his cabinet for his second and final term.

The list, which has elicited divergent reactions, has 14 ministers that were retained; while 19 were replaced. The list is also the highest since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Those dropped included: Ex-minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; Solomon Dalung (Sports); Adebayo Shittu (Communications); Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources); Ibe Kachikwu (Petroleum); Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture); Udo Udoma (Budget and National Planning); Ibrahim Usman Jibril (Environment); Khadija Bukar Ibrahim (ex-state minister, Foreign Affairs); Cladius Omoleye Daramola (ex-minister of state for Niger Delta); Prof Anthony Anwukah (ex-minister of state for Education); Aisha Alhassan (Women Affairs); Dan Ali (Defence); Okechukwu Enelamah (Trade, Investment and Industry); Aisha Abubakar (ex-minister of state, Trade and Investment); Heineken Lokpobiri (ex-minister of State for Agriculture); Isaac Adewole (Health); Abubakar Bawa Bwari (ex-minister of state for Solid Minerals); Usani Uguru; ex-minister of Niger Delta.



Kachikwu: Of all the 19 ministers that were dropped, the erstwhile Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu was the most anticipated because he had periodic squabbles with then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, a matter that snowballed into a protracted crisis of confidence.

On October 3, 2017, a lengthy letter dated August 30, 2017 and written by Kachikwu to President Buhari leaked to the public.

In the four-page letter, the former Petroleum Minister accused the former NNPC GMD of awarding $25billion contracts without consulting either his office or the NNPC board.

He further accused Baru of alleged insubordination, lack of adherence to due process and running a “bravado management style” that was capable of dwarfing the growth of the sector.

The matter, according to industry watchers, angered Baru’s backers believed to be influential politicians within the Presidency.

They considered Kachikwu’s letter an affront and swore not to see him return, despite the array of legendary projects he was supervising.

According to a top civil servant who craved anonymity, “since Kachikwu accused Baru of sidelining him, the power brokers ensured he remained sidelined till the end of the first tenure of President Buhari. They also ensured he never saw Buhari or succeeded in lobbying his way back a second time”.

Another ‘sin’ of Kachikwu was what was seen as his initial reluctance to aggressively resume oil exploration in the North as directed by Buhari in 2016.

He is also believed to be the sacrificial lamb in a power play between his backer, Theophilus Danjuma and the presidency over the blame game on rising insurgency.

Kachikwu was replaced with Festus Keyamo (Delta State), who was the Spokesman of the President Buhari Campaign Council for the 2019 election.



Usani: For the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, his hopes of returning to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were dashed because he was defeated in the intrigues of power play by Goddy Jeddy Agba who clinched the Cross Rivers State ministerial slot.

Sources at the presidency revealed that Usani’s first outing as a Minister was so tumultuous that three Permanent Secretaries served under him.

Sources confided in Sunday Sun that in his home state, Usani horribly divided and weakened the All Progressive Congress (APC) such that it was impossible to have a cohesive and formidable front. The development was linked to the loss of the party at the gubernatorial election.

He was also accused of causing some upsets at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. But a source in the ministry who spoke anonymously said that there was nothing unusual about having three Permanent Secretaries working under Usani.

“It was just a normal routine thing. Even the one that retired yesterday (Tuesday) attained the age of 60. So, there was nothing weird about it,” the source said.



Anwukah: In the case of the former Minister of State, Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, his non-return did not come as a surprise to the staff of the Federal Ministry of Education.

They attributed it to his poor performance and abrasive human relations; even with his personal staff.

In addition, many said he did not have a cordial working relationship with his superior, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who, unlike Anwukah enjoyed presidential patronage.

Anwukah, it was further gathered found it uncomfortable working with Adamu Adamu, who he feels possesses lower academic qualifications than himself.

Many believe that mindset gave rise to the power tussle that occurred in 2015 when they assumed office.

Adamu, apparently enjoying robust support from the presidential villa, frustrated Anwukah to the point that he threatened to resign. There were claims that Adamu took over the supervision of agencies and parastatals hitherto supervised by the minister of state.

According to analysts, the action made Anwukah redundant with little or no influence on the activities of the ministry. It was also gathered that Adamu appointed heads of agencies without Anwukah’s knowledge nor contributions.



Adewole: With regards to Prof. Isaac Adewole, the former Minister of Health, many expressed shock that he was not reappointed by President Buhari because the permutation was that he championed great reforms that should have guaranteed him a reappointment.

With his name not on the list, industry pundits are of the opinion that his running battle with Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) over welfare, remuneration and condition of service may have blighted his chances.

Nonetheless, it is on record that he championed the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) policy with has great impact on basic health care services.

Some officials of the ministry who pleaded anonymity said his inability to work closely with his then Minister of State, Dr. Osagie Ehinire, was also partly responsible for the poor records he had in some other areas of the healthcare system.

Some close observers claim the decision of the President was to compensate the ex-governor for his support and loyalty to the party, and to also keep him politically relevant in the state and beyond.



Udoma: Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the former Minister of Budget and National Planning, exhibited a rare trait of a Nigerian public servant by asking President Buhari not to reappoint him a second time.

Ministry workers hailed him for his patriotism and said he would have ordinarily made it for a second term as a minister as he was in the good books of Buhari.



Ogbeh and Lokpobiri: In the case of Mr Audu Ogbeh, the erstwhile Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and his Minister of State, Heineken Lokpobiri, many believe Buhari dumped them because of their woeful performance, especially Ogbeh’s.

Both Ogbeh and Lokpobiri were replaced with Senator George Akume and Timipre Silva from Benue and Bayelsa states, respectively.

Many insist that the shoes of Akinwumi Adesina, who was Ogbeh’s predecessor, were too big for him.

This was worsened by his inability to deliver his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), in his polling unit at the last presidential polls.

The president’s henchmen thus felt it was better to retire aged Ogbeh since he has shown sufficient frailty both in politics and civil service.

Meanwhile, Lokpobiri, it was gathered, claimed to have told President Buhari not to reappoint him as he is running for the Bayelsa gubernatorial election slated for November 16.

The aforesaid notwithstanding, political pundits maintain that with or without Heineken’s gubernatorial ambition, his chances of returning as a minister were too slim because the APC was more disposed to compensating Silva who has failed on two occasions to become the governor of Bayelsa State.



Bwari: For Abubakar Bawa Bwari who served as Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term in office, his exclusion from the 2019 ministerial list was a surprise.

After the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and current Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, resigned and Abubakar Bwari took over the reins of leadership, making civil servants to have high hopes of his return.

He was preferred to a fresh appointee because as an insider, he is sufficiently experienced to man the ministry, rather than having a rookie that will spend months learning the ropes again.

Some members of staff of the ministry said: “Mining as a technical area, needs familiar faces rather than the traditional practice of reshuffling ministerial appointees and bringing in greenhorns. Stability is essential for the growth of the sector”.

Subsequent events and press conferences revealed Bwari’s interest to be among the ministerial nominees, but unfortunately he was excluded.

During an interaction with some civil servants in the ministry who did not want to be named, they said: “Whoever will come in, it will take him or her not less than six months depending on how smart the person learns to understand the workings of the ministry and the sector at large. This is what stunts the growth of the sector”.



Dambazau: As regards Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, the immediate past Minister of Interior, his exclusion from the second term ministerial list was greeted with mixed feelings.

For those assessing him from a narrow ethnic prism, they insist he deserves kudos considering his efforts in ensuring that the heads of all the parastatals under his ministry came from one geographical zone of the country. But for the majority of Nigerians, dumping him was a more reasonable thing to do as ministers should reflect the heterogeneity and diversity of the country in all their dealings.

Under Dambazau, the headship of Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Prison Services, Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Police Force were all Muslims and from the northern part of the country.

If that did not vandalize his second term chances, then the January 16, 2016 video of Dambazau’s shoes being cleaned by his security detail, an official of the Department of State Security (DSS), did.

The 30-second viral video trended with the headline “Dambazau turns DSS officer into a shoe cleaner”.

The video showed the minister, dressed in white, sitting on a couch while the officer with a white handkerchief tried his best to ensure Dambazau’s shoes were shining.

Aside the aforesaid, many feel that the straw that broke the camel’s back and eventually consumed his second term ministerial ambition was the alleged rift between him and the governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje.

Although his son was lucky to win House of Representatives ticket, his ‘sin’ according to sources, was not only declaring interest to contest the governorship ticket against Ganduje, but also allegedly joining forces with the faction that worked against the re-election of Ganduje as the Kano governor.

Obviously, yanking off his name from the ministerial list was a payback from the governor who personally endorsed the ministerial nominees from Kano State.



Dalung: In the case of Mr Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, his exclusion from the ministerial list did not certainly come as a shock to many sports-loving Nigerians. He is reputed to have plunged the ministry into a circus of crises such that many wished they could fast-track his exit.

Under Dalung’s watch, all the Sports Federations crumbled like a pack of cards due to one challenge or the other.

Since his assumption of office as the minister, the sports family never experienced any relative peace. From the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), it has been tales of woe. The fund scam at International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has still not been unrivaled.

Under Dalung, the NFF and other sports federations were allegedly starved of the statutory monthly budgetary subvention for several months.

Apart from his multiple flaws in the sports circle, which earned him the derogatory description as the worst Sports Minister ever, his endless cold war with the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, actually nailed his coffin.

Despite all the alleged atrocious acts as a minister, Dalung was quoted in the media to have bragged that nothing could rob him the chance of returning as Buhari’s minister a second time.

Again, based on his dressings, the alleged horrifying grammatical blunder of the funds ‘spended was properly spended’ among others, Darling was certainly the most maligned minister and as such only a handful of Nigerians expected his return.



Enelamah: At the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, many kicked against the reappointment of Dr Okechukwu Enelemah as minister.

According to industry watchers, Enelamah as an ex-Trade minister and the acting Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing of Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Mr Terhemba Nongo were directed by the Senate to return N14.3 billion to the Federal Government from alleged opaque deals.

The directive was contained in a letter written by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Mr Mohammed Sabo. According to the Senate, the money was allegedly diverted from the 2017 budget of NEPZA.

In the letter, Mr Sabo asked the minister and the NEPZA boss to either return the N14.3 billion of face dire consequences.

The lawmaker had told journalists that the money was transferred from NEPZA account into the account of a private company, the Nigeria Special Economic Zone Company. He said the money was hurriedly transferred between April 8 and 10, ignoring an earlier warning not to do so.

He also said the money was first lodged in NEPZA’s account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, from 2017 budget allocations and thereafter moved into the private firm’s account.



Aisha Abubakar: Also, the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar who was in charge of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in all the parastatals under the ministry did not make it back.

She was heavily criticized by industry operators for not making much impact in the ministry.

Though she was later drafted to oversee the Women Affairs Ministry, many were elated not to find her name on the ministerial list.

Alhassan: Aisha Alhassan popularly called Mama Taraba was the erstwhile Minister of Women Affairs.

While serving in Buhari’s administration, she openly showed loyalty to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who was also the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections.

While many thought Buhari will fire her for the obvious insubordination, the Presidency rather ignored her until she finally resigned on September 29, 2019 ahead of the 2019 elections to pursue a gubernatorial ambition, which she lost.

She tweeted: “Today, the 29th of September 2018, I wish to transmit to the President my decision to resign as the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and withdraw my membership of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”

Not done, Alhassan stormed the APC office in Jalingo and retrieved all property she hitherto bought for the office. She was replaced by Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State, Trade and Investment.

Daramola: Cladius Omoleye Daramola, the ex-minister of state, Niger Delta was largely under the radar with many not knowing who he was. Ministry staff described him as a silent boss, just as industry stakeholders lamented that his impact was not felt and they believe it was what denied him a second chance at FEC.

Dan-Ali: For Mansur Dan-Ali, the former Minister of Defence, his return would have been a miracle judging from his glaring abysmal four-year performance.

Security experts and the public expressed endless shock over his inability to tackle banditry and terrorism in his state, Zamfara.

The development got so bad that traditional rulers in his state indicted him for being complicit.

Rather than tackle the issues, he was reported to was giving one excuse after the other as insecurity ravaged the North.

As a liability in the Buhari administration, he had to be dropped.

Shittu: Adebayo Shittu, the ex-communications minister was enmeshed in complex web of controversies.

Aside battling the controversies surrounding his evasion of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, he was constantly at loggerheads with the APC and his governor, Abiola Ajumobi, who, in collaboration with the party, totally nailed his chances of governing the state.

What also worked against Shittu apart from the disagreement with his party, was his poor grasp of ICT, being the bedrock of his ministry. Though he conceded that he did not understand the complexities, stakeholders said he was also frighteningly slow at learning.

Bukar Ibrahim: Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, ex-state minister, Foreign Affairs did not incur the wrath of the power brokers, neither was she in the news for the wrong reasons.

Having served as a minister, she left to contest for House of Representatives ticket on the APC platform and won. She was hitherto at the lower chamber before becoming a minister.

She is currently the Chairman Ad-hoc Committee on Media at the House of Representatives.

Jubril: For Ibrahim Usman Jubril, the ex-minister of Environment, he tendered his resignation to become the 12th Emir of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ministerial-nominees-why-buhari-dumped-ogbeh-dambazau-kachikwu-dalung-anwukah-others/

Witnesses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have testified before the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Jos that the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Jeremiah Useni won the governorship election in their polling unites with a wide margin.

Testifying before the tribunal, Dung Isaiah Bitrus of Ratsak Zabot ward of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area during cross examination by counsel to Useni, Benso Igbanoi, said the PDP won the governorship election in his polling unit.

“PDP won the governorship election in my polling unit and I signed the result sheet and was given a duplicate copy which I handed over to my ward collation agent.”

Also, Lam Joseph Choji of Heipang in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area told the tribunal that in the result sheet that he signed, PDP won the election in his Kabong 1 ward with 550 votes against APC with 99 votes

Ringpwom Byetfa of Shishiri ward in Langtang North Local Government Area informed the tribunal that in his Kumbwan 1 polling unit, PDP scored 360 votes as against APC’s 68 votes.

However, during cross-examination by Useni’s counsel, Benson Igbanoi on the alleged certificate forgery of Governor Lalong, Lalong’s star witness, Hon Luka Fwanyil and former Attorney General of Plateau State, said Lalong contested the election with a name Simon Bako Lalong and not Simon Sule Lalong as being contested.

He noted that he was the returning officer for both APC and Simon Lalong in the governorship election and said the poll was peaceful, free, fair and credible.

“The election was free and fair; I did not receive any report of electoral malpractice from any of the collation centres across the state.”

When he was referred to the personal documents that Governor Lalong had filled and submitted to INEC under oath, Barr Fwangyil said he had known the then APC candidate for 30 years and for the elections into the state House of Assembly in 1999 and 2003 as well as into the office of governor, in 2015 and 2019; it was the same name “Simon Bako Lalong” that was used in his documentation.

Chairman of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Hon. Justice H.A. Saleeman, expressed disappointment over the failure of the 2nd respondent, Simon Bako Lalong, and his legal team to produce their witnesses as directed by the tribunal.

She said only four witnesses showed up for Lalong when seating resumed on Friday 26th July after the tribunal had reluctantly adjourned two times on Thursday at the instance of the respondents.

The defense counsel and Lalong’s lawyers, Pius Akubo, SAN, apologised and blamed the situation on distance, the Plateau rough terrain and the fact that that it was the period is the height of the farming season when many witnesses would be very busy on their farms.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/plateau-guber-lalongs-witnesses-testify-useni-pdp-won-own-polling-units/

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state is ready to host the world as the international football governing body, FIFA, commences tour of facilities in Nigeria’s bid to host the 2020 Under-20 female soccer fiesta.

According to Obaseki, “We are delighted at the endorsements of our facilities by the visiting FIFA delegation led by FIFA Consultant, Mainasarawa Illo.

“Edo State is the heartbeat of Nigeria, we made our mark in sports several decades ago and we are setting the stage to bring back those glorious years of leading in all sporting activities, with our huge investment in the sector.”

He noted that, “Edo is clearly the safest state in the South-south region, our people are very cosmopolitan with a rich and colourful culture.

“We have a functional airport, some of the best hotels in the country, reliable transport infrastructure that has Taxify and Uber leading the pack. So we have everything that will give our guests a memorable experience.”

The governor added that the remodelling work on Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will soon be completed while work on other sporting facilities is progressing.

Recall that FIFA, earlier in the week, scored Edo State high in its preparations towards hosting the Under 20 World Cup tournament in the state capital, Benin City, in the event that Nigeria wins the hosting right.

FIFA Consultant, Mainasarawa Illo accompanied by Amaju Pinnick of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during a tour of facilities said that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City is one of the venues proposed for use by FIFA.

Illo explained that “there was need to know before time, exactly what’s on ground, see the progress of work, so as to know if adequate preparations have been made to accommodate all the required facilities”

After the inspection, he declared that the facilities on ground were “absolutely breath-taking. It is scenic, picturesque, functional, strong and very promising.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/fifa-u-20-female-w-cup-obaseki-assures-edo-is-prepared-to-host-world/

- Europeans traditionally hold the position but aren't united.

- Lagarde has resigned as IMF chief to head the ECB

Europe has identified five candidates to succeed Christine Lagarde as chief of the International Monetary Fund as the lender set a Sept. 6 deadline for applicants.

Lagarde resigned this month to lead the European Central Bank. A European traditionally runs the Washington-based IMF and the next leader will confront a world economy at its weakest since the aftermath of the financial crisis. Just this week the fund further reduced its global growth outlook, already the lowest since the crisis, to a projected 3.2% expansion this year.

Previously, French finance minister before taking over at the IMF in 2011, Lagarde’s resignation is effective Sept. 12. The post she’s vacating has been held by a national of France more than any other country, and it’s France again leading the process of trying to build a consensus. The extra time might help -- or perhaps give emerging markets an opening to come up with their won candidate.

The IMF said in a statement Friday that its application process opens July 29 and closes Sept. 6. The Board intends to complete the process by Oct. 4.

With government leaders heading into the summer break, the timing is of particular interest. Europe has traditionally had a lock on the position, but has struggled to get behind any one candidate.

Trying to find someone who can win enough support from European countries has been hard, with the French now looking to widen the field by scrapping the job’s age limit, according to people with knowledge of the talks.

Under a half-century-old agreement, the head of the IMF is a European while the U.S. picks the World Bank chief. That tradition prevailed when the American David Malpass was selected as the World Bank’s president in April.

But Europeans are uncertain whether President Donald Trump’s administration will return the favor -- and emerging markets have been arguing for years that the arrangement reflects a world that’s since evolved.

The contenders are Spanish Finance Minister Nadia Calvino, Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno, former Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, World Bank chief executive Kristalina Georgieva of Bulgaria and Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn, according to a French finance ministry official. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, an early frontrunner, wasn’t on the shortlist.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-26/want-to-lead-the-imf-you-have-until-september-6-to-apply?srnd=premium-africa
Mynd44
Lalasticlala
Seun

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Barely few hours after the release of ministerial list, the battle has shifted to the struggle for portfolios by nominees and their godfathers.

It was learnt that Buhari did not attach the list of ministries to be managed by the ministerial nominees whose screening started yesterday.

All the nominees were kept in the dark yesterday of where they will serve because it is the prerogative of the President.

The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing may be split into two or three.

According to sources, top-rated ministries/offices are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Finance; Petroleum Resources; Health; Power; Works and Housing; Transportation; Education, Aviation, Budget and National Planning, Defence, Interior and Communications.

Some political leaders, governors and ex-governors are lobbying for “influential or weighty” portfolios for their favourites.

They are mounting pressure on those who have the ears of the President.

Some of these influential peddlers are also said to be hiding under “advisory service” to push for strategic cabinet positions for their favourites.

While it is taken for granted that Abubakar Malami( SAN) may return as the nation’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, nobody seems sure of who will man the Ministry of Finance.

It was also learnt that the President is being advised to split the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing into two or three.

A source said: “ The battle has shifted from nomination to portfolios for the ministerial nominees. I can tell you that the intrigues are also intense.

“Although Festus Keyamo (SAN) is a legal luminary in the cabinet, the consensus favours the retention of Abubakar Malami (SAN), who has earned the confidence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A governor from the Northwest is allegedly lobbying for the retention of the former Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, whereas some members of the “inner caucus” are making a strong case for an economist, Mahmood Sabo Sanono. Senator George Akume may likely be assigned the Ministry of Agriculture, coming “from the food basket of the nation”.

“Others are pushing for a former Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to have the Finance portfolio – for his commitment to probity. And being a leader the President defers to, some power brokers want Adamu Adamu to be in charge of Special Duties, The Nation learnt.

With her recall from UNESCO, Maryam Katagum may have the Education Ministry as Adamu is said to be no longer interested in the office.

Responding to a question, the source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not permitted to talk on the matter, added: “The jostle for the Ministry of Communications is between Sunday Dare (an outgoing Executive Commissioner with the Nigerian Communication Commission) and the immediate past Director—General of NITDA, Dr. Ali Pantami. But with a Northerner as the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, the arguments for Communication Ministry are for Dare.

“While the former General Manager (Crude) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Goddie Jeddy Agba will be in charge of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, it is unclear whether or not he will be a substantive Minister or he may retain the status of the Minister of State like his predecessor.

Also being considered for Petroleum Ministry is Uche Samson Ogah, who has been a key stakeholder in the sector for more than 20 years, it was learnt.

Said the source: “It is unclear if the President will still be in charge of Petroleum Resources like the case in his first tenure. His management of the ministry has mitigated the corruption, which the industry was noted for in the past. The petroleum sector is close to the heart of the President.”

The Health portfolio is believed to be for either Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora of a former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire. Some “strategists” are rooting for Dr. Chris Ngige, a retired director in the Federal Ministry of Health.

The appointment of ex-Deputy Governor Paullen Tallen (a close associate of the First Lady) is said to be part of steps to rev up Hajiya Aisha Buhari’s agenda for women. “There was a disconnect between the office of the First Lady and ex-Minister of Women Affairs Aisha Alhassan. Going by her gift in mobilization, Tallen is likely to be in charge of Women Affairs,” said another source, who also pleaded not to be named.

Another source said the “coming of Gen. Bashir Magashi into the cabinet might change the nation’s defence narrative,” adding: “We expect a radical change.”

“It is also very much likely that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing will be split into two or three with ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola limited to Power. Ex-Governors Rauf Aregbesola, Godswill Akpabio and a new nominee, Olamilekan Adegbite, are being considered for Works and Housing – given their records of physical developments in their states.”

Other permutations are Mohammed Musa Bello (FCT); Geoffrey Onyema (Foreign Affairs); Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Hadi Sirika (Aviation); Lai Mohammed ( Information); Ogbonnaya Onu( Science and Technology); Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources).

https://thenationonlineng.net/cabinet-battle-shifts-to-portfolios/

Gunmen have abducted 18 traders in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The traders were travelling from Pandogari town in Rafi Local Government to Bassa village for the weekly market.

The incident was said to have occurred last Saturday.

The traders were in an 18- seater bus when they ran into a blockade by the gunmen, who shot sporadically.

An eyewitness said yesterday that the traders were mostly women. Although some men were among them.

The eyewitness said the traders were forced into a waiting bus and driven into the bush.

The source noted that this was not the first time that such an incident would occur. “It has now become a regular feature that no one is doing anything about.”

It was gathered that most of the traders had contacted their families, asking them to pay the ransom demanded, to secure their release.

The eyewitness said the ransom being demanded was between N200,000 and N500,000, depending on their ‘personality’.

“They are asking the relations to bring the ransom to a location as far as Funtua town in Katsina State, to avoid being traced by the police. Some of the families are already complying,” the source said.

Contacted by our reporter, police spokesman Mohammad Abubakar said: “We heard about the incident, but no official report has been made.

“We are investigating the matter. We will get back to you when we get official report.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/gunmen-abduct-18-traders-in-niger-2/

Second Republic Presidential Adviser, Tanko Yakasai, has faulted the list of cabinet ministers released Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as an affront on the anti-Corruption war of the administration.

In his response to the list yesterday, Yakassai also added that the fact that many of the nominees were part of the last cabinet makes the delay in appointing them unjustifiable.

"The new ministerial list submitted by the President to the Senate is representative enough, but the nomination of certain people perceived to be fantastically corrupt made mockery of the President’s war against corruption.

“The fact that returnees are many, means the policy of the new government will not be much different with that of the outgoing. My only observation is that since majority of the nominees are already known to the President, his delay in submitting ministerial nomination is unjustifiable”, he said.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/ministerial-list-a-mockery-of-buharis-anti-corruption-war-yakasai/

The proponents of Obasanjo is a barbarian for attacking Odi.........


Here you are....

Azagbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, was thrown into confusion, following the alleged invasion of the community by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF), over the killing of two Army personnel by suspected criminals from the community.

The killing of the Army personnel has continued to draw the attention of individuals, government and the Civil Society Organization (CSO), who described it as barbaric and unfortunate.

Details shortly…

https://dailypost.ng/2019/07/23/breaking-army-raze-bayelsa-community-killing-2-personnel-photos/

Femi reminds us of Remi Oyo....


He will soon start writing letters when he is no more enjoying the cozy office at "Aso".

The Presidency on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Police for exercising restraint and professionalism during Monday’s violent confrontation with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity who spoke on Channels television said the police used live bullets when the protesters began to shoot which led to the death of a Deputy Commissioner of Police and others.

“People didn’t die in one year of the protest. Then, the protesters were peaceful and the police even provided cover for them. But who escalated to the level of violence and mayhem? It is the protesters”.

“If the police had responded according to the level of violence, we would have been talking of rivers of blood and I want to personally commend the police”

” The situation has been handled well until we had the violence protest by the Shiites members”.

https://www.independent.ng/shiites-protest-presidency-commends-police-for-exercising-restraint/

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, on Monday confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has paid the balance of N30.8 billion bailout fund earlier requested to the state government account.

Bello disclosed this at the Government House, Lokoja while delivering an address during the ground-breaking ceremony for the building of a chapel for Christians within the premises of the Kogi Government House.

Daily Trust reports that the administration of former governor Idris Wada had applied for a bailout of N50.8bn to offset salaries of workers but the money was not released to him on alleged ground of political intrigues in the build up to the 2015 Kogi governorship election.

The CBN eventually released N20 billion of the amount to Governor Bello upon assuming office in 2016 leaving the balance of N30.8 billion which was just released to the governor.

Bello thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the latest request for bailout as well as the CBN governor for ensuring the release. He also commended the Attah of Igala for leading traditional leaders to the president to make case for release of the fund.

“At this juncture, let me announce that we have our bailout of N30.8billion in our account”, he said. He said his administration would continue to prioritise education, saying,

“We believe strongly that in education, and especially basic education, lies the quickest route to redemption of the North from today’s existential problems”.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bail-out-fund-bello-confirms-release-of-n30-8bn-to-kogi.html

Mynd44
Seun
Lalasticlala

Super Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr is at a dilemma whether to accept Morocco’s overtures or continue managing Nigeria’s young team ahead of the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the 2020 World Cup qualifiers, which begin later this month.
Herve Renard, who led Morocco to the Egypt 2019 African Cup of Nations threw in the towel after the Atlas Lions’ failure to move beyond the second round of the competition, forcing the North Africans to begin a search for capable replacement.

A source close to Rohr told The Guardian that Morocco has approached the Franco/German with a view to getting him to take over their national team.

According to the source, Rohr, who has fallen out of favour with Nigerians following the unimpressive performance of the Super Eagles, is weighing his options and consulting with his friends before arriving at a decision.

“Don’t forget that he still has an existing contract with Nigeria, which he cannot break easily because of the financial implications.

“He has a close relationship with his players and top officials of the NFF hence his reluctance to quit Nigeria. But you can never say never.”

Renard, who won AFCON with Zambia (2012) and Cote d’Ivoire (2015), had been in charge since February 2016.

“It is time for me to close this long and beautiful chapter of my life,” said the Frenchman, 50.

In a statement on social media, Renard said he was “not without some emotion and sadness”, adding: “It is an inevitable decision taken well before AFCON 2019.

“I took this decision after having – of course – carefully considered [it]. It is therefore irreversible.”

Renard took Morocco from 81st in the Fifa world rankings to 47th.

He led them to two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and to the World Cup in Russia in 2018 – the first time the Atlas Lions had played at the global event for 20 years.

His hopes of winning a third AFCON title were dashed in Egypt, and Renard admitted it was not the outcome he had expected.

“We had all hoped [for] better for the Afcon 2019 in Egypt. But this is football – it gives birth to the wildest hopes (after three wins in the first round [for the] first time in Afcon final tournament for Morocco), and brings us hard to the reality of a too-quick elimination on penalties.”

https://m.guardian.ng/sport/morocco-wants-rohr-to-replace-renard-as-atlas-lions-coach/

Nigeria is supposedly to earn a little above...

N 0.6bn naira.......


Congrats Nigeria

The Confederation of Afrcan Football, CAF, paid the African Cup of Nations champions, Algeria, the sum of $4.5 million, Senegal, the second-placed team got $2.5m, while third-placed Super Eagles earned $2m.

Algeria lifted their second ever AFCON trophy after narrowly beating Senegal 1-0 in the final last Friday night.

Following the end of the tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have revealed the prize money for all participant countries.

As for hosts Egypt, they will receive $670.000 following their disappointing elimination from the round of 16, according to Vanguard.

The prizes will be distributed as follows:

Angola and Kenya (Third place in group-stages): $620.000

Round of 16: $670.000 (Benin, Uganda, Egypt, Mali, Guinea, DR Congo, Cameroon and Ghana)

Quarter-finals: $800.000 (Madagascar, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Benin)

Semi-finalists: $2 million (Nigeria and Tunisia)

Senegal: $2.5 million.

Algeria: $4.5 million.

https://dailypost.ng/2019/07/21/afcon-2019-prize-money-algeria-senegal-nigeria-others-revealed/
lalasticlala
mynd44
Seun

Two farmers have been shot dead by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Kautikari village, Chibok local government area of Borno state.

A source, who confirmed the incident to TheCable, said the farmers were rounding off on their farmlands around 4pm when the insurgents attacked, and while others ran into the bush, two of them were killed.

“They were caught unawares, and while they were asking what the demand was, they got killed,” the source said.

“There is a company of army in nearby Kwada, and they have moved into Kautikari.”

The source identified the deceased farmers as Ali Yanga and Wahum Dura.

Kautikari is about 17 kilometres from Chibok town, where the insurgents abducted about 200 schoolgirls in 2014.

The source said the insurgents have a camp around the area and they were ensuring no one dwells close to them.

“This is not harvest time that we would think they are attacking farmers to loot their farm. They attacked because they have a camp around that bush where the villagers have their farmlands. They are doing a massive clearance so no one would be close to monitor their activities,” he said.

He added that some of the farmers are still missing.

The attack comes a day after the insurgents attacked a convoy of aid worker, killing one of the drivers.

Sagir Musa, army spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a message seeking update on the attack.

https://www.thecable.ng/just-in-two-farmers-shot-dead-as-boko-haram-raids-chibok
lalasticlala

Ten years after Nigeria last hosted a FIFA World Cup event, the country is set for another chance as the world football governing body seems ready to award the country the hosting right of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup for 2020.

The breakthrough came following months of pressure on FIFA by the Nigerian Football Federation whose president is said to be working hard to bring as many FIFA and CAF competitions to the country.

Sources close to FIFA has revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that officials from the world body are already planning an inspection exercise to Nigeria to ascertain if the country would be fit to host the second biggest women football event on the FIFA calendar.

“Officials from Zurich are expected in August for a four-day inspection tour and some of what they would be looking out for during the planned visit is what Nigeria can offer in terms of infrastructure/operations, security, medical and the likes,” a source in the know of happenings in FIFA told PREMIUM TIMES.

It was also gathered that the world football governing is planning to spend as much as $4m on the event which effectively takes off a huge chunk of the financial burden from Nigeria, if finally given the hosting rights.

The news came a day after NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, completed his two-year tenure as 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football. CAF President, who is facing corruption charges, failed to recommend Mr. Pinnick for another term of office.

But despite stepping down as CAF’s first vice president, Mr Pinnick remains a strong member of the CAF exco. He also remains a member of the organising committee for FIFA competitions.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is an international association football tournament, organised by FIFA for national teams of women under the age of 20.

The tournament is held in even-numbered years.

It was first conducted in 2002 as the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship with an upper age limit of 19.

In 2006, the age limit was raised to the current 20.

No African country has ever hosted the event and Nigeria is looking set to be the first, having been pencilled down by FIFA to stage the 10th edition of the biennial football event.

Interestingly, Nigeria has made it to the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on two occasions in 2010 and 2014 but was defeated by Germany both times.

The last FIFA event held in Nigeria was the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which was the thirteenth edition of the tournament.

It was staged from October 24 to 15 November 2009 across some major cities in the country.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/341763-breaking-fifa-taps-nigeria-to-host-2020-women-u-20-world-cup.html

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-west), Inuwa Abdulkadir over anti-party activities.

A statement signed Thursday in Abuja by the APC national publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the decision followed a review of the recommendation of the Magajin Gari “A” Ward, Sokoto North Local Government, and the Party’s Sokoto state Executive Committee.

The statement said: “Abdulkadir failed to utilise the opportunity to defend himself before the disciplinary committee set up by the NWC to look into the various petitions received against certain members of our party.

“Following the suspension of Abdulkadir, the NWC will subsequently forward the decision of the Sokoto State organs to the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for further actions.”

https://dailynigerian.com/just-in-apc-expels-national-vice-chairman-inuwa-abdulkadir-over-anti-party-activity/

Blogger, you be Jenifa?


The two both of them

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the failure of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to properly investigate issues in the Edo State House of Assembly caused the crisis to linger.

Governor Obaseki spoke when the Senate Committee set up to look into Edo Assembly crisis visited the state for its fact finding mission.

The Committee arrived that state aboard a private jet marked N313MS.

Four of the Committee members were present but Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi said other members were allowed to stay behind because of the screening of the Chief Justice of Nigeria nominee.

Governor Obaseki who thanked the Senate for deeming it fit to visit the state with a fact finding team to understand what happened said the crisis would not have degenerated if the leadership of the APC had done same when the matter started.

Obaseki stated that he has performed his constitutional duty by issuing a proclamation letter and that the Clerk of the House undertook the processes as deemed fit.

He explained that there are issues within the legislature and they have gone to the judiciary as the constitution provides for clear separation of powers.

According to him, “When people arbitrarily make up their minds because of some predetermined outcomes and make statements and conduct themselves, this is what it leads to.

“I issued a proclamation. Consultations were held before the proclamation was issued. Various party organs met before decisions were reached. As far as I am concerned, I abide by the Constitution and issued a proclamation. I believe in separation of powers.

“Whatever the outcome, we expected that if a higher authority were concerned about the fate of this state, they would have called to see how to resolve the issue but that wasn’t done. The matter has moved to court and all parties are in court. I have done my own beat. Within the legislature, there are issues and they have gone to the judiciary and the constitution provides for clear separation of powers.

“We have evidence that people are under pressure. Look at this matter in the interest of our country and in defence of our democracy.”

Senator Abdullahi said the Senate was concerned about restoring peace and order as provided for in the Constitutional.

He explained that there was no clash with the House of Representatives Committee as their duties are seen as a function of the National Assembly.

He said, “The civility of Edo people is not in doubt. Edo State has a long history of parliamentary civility. I think everybody who is lover of this state will want to ensure that nothing short of that prevail.

“I want to assure you that we will do what the Constitution allows us to do. The House of Representatives Committee was here and we are here because it is bicameral legislature.

“Ours is to articulate and prepare the facts before colleagues. I know that the 109 will do justice to any matter before them.

“I assure you that we are out for the good of the state and its people.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-obaseki-blames-oshiomhole-for-edo-assembly-crisis/

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said leaders must be prudent and disciplined in the way they handle state treasury while in office.

According to Obaseki, leaders who have been saddled with the responsibility of leadership, especially at the state level must have it in mind that the money at his disposal must be used for the development of the state and not for personal aggrandizement.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja when he paid a condolence visit to the home of a former military governor of defunct Bendel State, Vice Admiral Husaini Abdullahi (retd) over his death, Obaseki described the late Milad as a leader who was disciplined and understood the fact that the money he had access to while he was in charge was for the state and not for individuals.

Obaseki said, “This visit is a solemn event. We came here to pay homage to a great Nigerian statesman. These are people who served this country who meant well for this country. They had all the opportunities to make all the money. When they served it was not the spirit to acquire for themselves otherwise he would have bought the whole streets of the state.

“But these were people who understood what public service meant, people who sacrificed for this country. People who had access to state treasury but they had a discipline that money for the state was meant to develop the people and not individuals.

"He should be emulated and that’s why I had taken time out to come and pay homage to him and commiserate with the family and to say that we are proud of their father and the work he did and to advise and encourage them to sustain his legacies.

“He was governor during the turbulent times in Nigeria. Even though he was a military governor, he was able to win the heart and soul of Bendelites at that time. He sustained some of the policies he met on ground. If you come to Edo today, there are so many buildings and infrastructure he commissioned while he was governor.

In terms of physical environment and governance, he contributed immensely to the development of the old Bendel State. “Definitely, we are going to name a monument after him. I’m already consulting with my colleague in Delta and when we make the decision, we will let you know.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/obaseki-to-ex-govs-edo-state-money-is-for-development-not-for-individuals/

Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, met with two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, to strategise on a fresh platform to seek re-election if the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole deny him the APC gubernatorial ticket.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Community Matters, Chief Osaro Idah, said Obaseki has no intention of leaving the APC, where he has firm support at the state, local governments, wards and units level of the party.

He was reacting to a report published in a national newspaper of July 16 that Obaseki met with two PDP governors to negotiate other platform for his re-election if APC denied him ticket.

We want to advise the media houses and members of the public to be wary of stories like this planted by detractors of the governor and Edo chapter of the APC. These persons are threatened by the wide acceptance and support which the governor enjoys from his people.”

According to him, the governor’s popularity within the party and across the state is overwhelming, adding that few deviants within Edo APC and their sponsors in Abuja are trying to cause trouble in their own home while seeking refuge elsewhere.

"Beyond Edo State, Obaseki’s growing popularity and influence within the APC recently earned him the position of Vice Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, a position he has tremendous respect for,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/edo-apc-denies-obasekis-meeting-with-pdp-governors.html

The wife of the acting chairman of Paikoro local government area of Niger state, Alhaji Sani Balarabe, has been kidnapped. Alhaji Sani is the elder brother of the Chief of Staff to the Niger state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe.

Malama Suwaiba Balarabe was said to have been kidnapped along with the wife of the manager of a private company in Kagara town, Rafi local government area on Monday.

A Source told Daily Trust on Tuesday that the gunmen had entered the area shooting sporadically into the air causing panic in the town.

“They first went to the manager’s residence where they attempted to kidnap his son but the wife begged them to take her instead,” he explained.

He said the assailants then scaled the fence of the acting chairman’s residence which is close to that of the manager.

Explaining further, he said the woman locked herself up in the toilet when she discovered that the gunmen had gained access to the residence.

"She had to come out when they threatened to kill other members of the family if she didn’t do so,” the source said.

According to him, the gunmen told her that her husband was their initial target, adding that since they didn’t meet him, they would take her.

He said the abductors are demanding N100 million before they could release her.

“As we speak, the family members and the kidnappers are yet to arrive at a ransom,” he noted.

The State police command’s public relation officer, DSP Mohammed Dan-Ina Abubakar who confirmed the incident said men of the command are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped persons.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/niger-gunmen-kidnap-acting-lg-chairmans-wife-demand-n100m.html

mynd44 lalasticlala Seun

One word..





INSANITY

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) might not bow to pressure by a section of Nigerians who want Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr sacked after failng to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

NFF president Melvin Amaju Pinnick in tweet with respected Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana said the Federation had no plan to relieve Rohr of his duties despite the Super Eagles crashing out in the semifinal stage of the AFCON.

Pinnick said Rohr has met the target set for him by the Federation, despite some rocky and difficult moments they’ve had together, adding that the Franco-German is a good coach by all standards.

“Gernot Rohr will not be sacked as Super Eagles coach. He will remain in the job. I have confidence in him,” the NFF president said to @osasuo on Monday night. “Gernot Rohr has taken us to the semifinal, the target we set for him,” Pinnick added.

“There are some people that have been calling on me and the federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that. In fact, Gernot is going on refresher training period with FC Bayern after the AFCON 2019. We have a long-term plan with him.

“We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people. He’s a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon,” the NFF president said.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nff-retains-rohr-to-be-sent-on-refresher-course/

An Ile-Ife Magistrate Court in Osun on Monday ordered that a 26-year-old man, Abibu Babatunde, who allegedly raped his 14-year-old niece be remanded in prison.

Magistrate Olukunle Owolawi, who refused to admit the defendant to bail, ordered that he be remanded in Ile-Ife prison custody.

The prosecution counsel, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between September 2018 and July 2019 at Sabo area, Ile-Ife.

He added that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 222 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Owolawi adjourned the case until Aug 8, for hearing.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/remands-man-for-allegedly-raping-14-year-old-niece.html

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said that fight against godfathers in the state was the path that his predecessor and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, taught his political protégés including him.

Speaking in Benin City when the House of Representatives ad hoc committee set up to look into the Edo Assembly crisis visited the state yesterday, the governor vowed that there would be no going back on the crusade against godfathers in the state.

He alleged that the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly was the handiwork of somebody who wanted to use the lawmakers to control him.

Obaseki, who spoke through his deputy, Philip Shaibu, said: “What we have here is somebody trying to use the House to control the executive. We feel that we have fought godfather. Oshiomhole led us to a strong fight to rescue the state from the hands of godfathers in 2006.

”We have joined the crusade Oshiomhole started in 2007. We will not go back on the crusade because it is helping Edo people. We can now galvanise the people because they can see roads, they can see schools and infrastructure. This is because the money that used to go the godfathers now go to the people.

”Oshiomhole has taught us to follow the path of the people. He told us to do the needful and make sure we fight the godfathers and take the money back to the people. That is what he taught us and we will not depart from it.

”Those ones have not been sworn in and they decided to abscond. I have contacted them and some of them told me certain things. I said we will deal with them. I said they must be members of the Assembly first before the discussion will take place.

”Somebody is interested in derailing them and the reality on ground. They are not elected to serve in Abuja. They should come to be sworn in first. I can assure you that I will bridge the gap between the governor and the legislature. We need peace because we want to turn Edo to investment hub.”

Chairman of the Committee, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC Adamawa) said there was hope that the issues would be resolved.

”We have spoken to relevant people involved in this crisis and all of them are willing and have given us their support. They are willing to sit down and say these things should come to an end.”

https://dailypost.ng/2019/07/13/oshiomhole-taught-us-edo-politics-gov-obaseki/

Non-academic staff of Nigerian universities will on Monday begin a three-day nationwide protest as a notice of their intention to go on an indefinite strike over the failure of the federal government to implement its agreement with them.

The agitation by the non-teaching staff is coming four months after their colleagues in the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) suspended their two-month strike.

The non-academic unions, comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), said the agreement now in contention had made them suspend their own industrial action in March last year.

According to the chairman of the Joint Action Committee of the unions, Samson Ugwoke, the protest will precede the resumption of the strike.

”We are directing our members to mobilise for a protest on 15th July to send a notice of strike to the federal government, ” he said.

The unions had embarked on a nationwide strike on December 4, 2017, following the failure of the government to address their grievances. That strike was suspended in March 2018.

The former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had said then that the government would source for N8 billion within five weeks to pay the striking workers.

The minister announced this as a resolution reached at a meeting on March 13, 2018.

But the unions during their protest in 2018 said the delay in the payment of Earned Allowances had become a source of discomfort and agitation by their members and a source of embarrassment for their leaders.

More details later…...


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/340517-fresh-strike-looms-in-nigerian-universities-as-non-academic-staff-begin-protests.html

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has come under attack over its call on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the airing of Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

MURIC had, in a statement sent to DAILY POST, attacked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing the BBNaija show to go on.

The Islamic group labelled the show being aired on national television as immoral, dangerous and Bohemian.

However, Nigerians on social media have opposed MURIC’s call for the banning of the reality show, arguing that the show is rated 18.

Here are some reactions gathered by DAILY POST from Twitter:

@4eyedmonk “MURIC needs to know the difference between free-to-air TV and subscription based TV. DSTV where Big Brother is airing is a subscription based TV where you go to pay to consume content, because you want to not because you don’t have other options.”

@Zaddy_Nomso “#BBNaija is a paid TV station, if you don’t like it watch Nat Geo Wild. Some of our Moral leaders are assaulting Women and getting protected. MURIC where is this energy when there is suffering and killing in the land?

@Teefhay “As a muslim sef I’m sorry to say this but the leader of this MURIC is a fool.”

@Balogun3103 “MURIC sends petition letter to Buhari to cancel #BBNaija2019 with immediate effect. Nigeria is not Saudi Arabia.”

@Buzuzu7 “Dear MURIC more Nigerians die from hunger and depression and many more have no access to tv talk more of cable tv. Direct this energy at pressuring this government to make good policies that will have positive impact on the people.BBNaija2019 is the least of our problems.”

@UniqueItohan “So they are seeing tv reality show but blind to the havocs Fulani herdsmen are committing? You are telling me killing people in their own community, land or house is normal and can be over looked.”

@DamyAdeyemi “Although I’m not a fan of #BBNaija2019, but asking govt to ban it is just laughable.”

@Fikkypearl “MURIC I’ve not seen you guys cry out against Muslim clerics that rape girls, yet it’s BBNaija that’s your headache.You think Nigeria belongs to you, the show is rated 18 and let me remind you there’s parental control on DSTV. Stop making noise Falz is still waiting for you in court.”

@Ashawolord1 “Plsss tell ur MURIC to channel their energy on giving u better advice. We Nigerians are not complaining about #BBNaija at least that’s giving us much more pleasure than reading or watching ur Fulani herdsmen.”

@Ayurmeday “To start with, are we in a Muslim Country? Secondly, will stopping the reality show solve the country’s problems?

@Delaniyi “Must you watch it, BBNaija is rated 18.There are lot of porn site out there.If you dont go there, you wont see it.You and your kids should stop watching it if you think its immoral.”

https://dailypost.ng/2019/07/12/nigerians-react-murics-call-buhari-stop-bbnaija/

lalasticlala Dominique Seun

Troost-Ekong right now...