Best move ever. These doctors are fast becoming demi gods.

Even soldiers in war-torn Borno are not agitating as doctors

It is unfortunate that Lai Mohammed had refused to embrace objectivity in d interest of national security and cohesion. Ogar to me remains one off d best spokesperson any security agency has ever produced. Her articulation, tact and image making posture is second to non. I belive d likes of Lai sees her as a threat since he cannot match her in d art of positively projecting an organization.

When Adams Oshiomole commended Gej and security people for their commitment to ensuring free fair and credible election in edo state, they didn't complain. When Mimiko did same, no body complained.

APC raised alarm cos they were apprehensive they wud lose d Osun election. So various falsehood were peddled, while their campaigns were mainly propaganda based. Having won d elections, they found it difficult to commend d process following antecedent. Hence their Bullish attack on any figure they perceive unfriendly. If d election was militarized as alleged, d turnout wud have been low. That wasn't d case. Its jus unfortunate

Meanwhile Ogar didn't accused APC of giving d bribe, why is Lai admitting to d crime. He's guilty as self-charged

It is unfortunate that at a time like this when Doctor shud be up and doing, they're shying awy cos of their selfish interest. What is money compared to d lives of innocent nigeria. Am sure some of them are scared of d virus that they're celebrating d strike. Bunch of incompetent individuals.


As for d president who resigned, may he enjoy our goodwill. He did it for humanity. God will bless him.

For those insisting on industrial action, may their conscience be their judge. Ebola will never come near our dwelling place. Amen

Info filtering around suggest d young dude crashed during a car racing course. Those in Abj knw how children of big men do wen racing with big cars or bike. (Pls confirm)

I also knw Elrufai as fct minister banned racing in d metropolis, a ban that's is still subsisting.
Who am I to judge, cos its none of my business.

But may allah grant him eternal rest. Ami

"We got instruction from above" is the commonest english sentence used by journalists today. Most of them employ it to cover their inability to engage in investigative excercise.
Each time these paid journalists particularly those on d other divide lack sunstantive evidence, they make recourse to instruction from above.

Ezekwesili was subjected to normal screening at d airport, they said instruction for above
An illegal poll centre was searched with a valid search permit, they said form above
Amaechi's aircraft failed to do obtain d necessary aviation paper, thus evading payment of taxes. When tempoararily grounded, they said... From above
Nyako was impeached following irresponsible leadership, they said... From above
I don tire. Na who dey for this above?

Atiku has removed Nyako his avowed enemy at d home front, now he's attempting to eliminate other threats that wud oppose his emergence as APC flagbearer. Tambuwa and KwanKwaso shud be careful.
Desparate politicians on rampage

They shud learn from Gej: No elective position is worth anyman's blood.

For d first time, I will believe this report. At least Ita and his people remain d last hope in national security arrangements.

His Organization is one of d most reputable security agencies still standing. I pray they get those girls alive

So d only charge Nyako can defend is 6bn debt, cos it was approved by d House. what has approval got to do with expenditure?

How situations changes, Gov Nyako now Admiral Nyako. Lol
Atleast he wasn't impeached as Admiral

bodejohn: What more will not be said about the opposition? Didn't the minister of power blame the opposition for the vandalization of gas pipelines a couple of days back? Pipelines situation in the heart of the region that currently runs the presidency.
Why not blame the opposition when every little activity of the government is heavily politicised and critized.
The earlier we know that the opposition and the ruling party are two sides of the same coin the better for us.

Is it not possible that the opposition elements could be sponsoring saboteurs to vandalise power installations simply becos that is the sector that the govt appears to be enjoying goodwill?
This is where the "think outside the box comes in"

Na tey tey. It's as if the site is sustained by Tinubu and co.
I just hope they won't kill this forum for nothing

What in Christ name is the meaning of excess work load when people abusy looking for jobs everywhere? That a lecturer supervises 10 students, that trannslates to excess? How many do they want in d firrst place? One?

Nigerians should be wise abeg. Billions upon billions on allowance, salary nko?

Not when CPC and CAN are holding paralell APC rallies in Ekiti. A house divided against itself can not stand. APC is an electoral fraud.

2015: North East Youth Unity Forum endorses Jonathan

By Maina Maina on August 14, 2013
Pin It
Youths under the aegies of Northern Youth Unity Forum, North East Region has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his concern and show of statesmanship in the distribution of relief materials to the victims of Boko Haram insurgence, particularly in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states where emergency rule was declared three months.

Coordinator of the group, Malam Usman Mustapha, who spoke to journalists at a press conference on Wednesday in Maiduguri said the group also appreciated the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima and the state minister of agriculture, Hon. Tijjani Bukar for their role in ensuring peaceful distribution of the presidential gesture to the people of the state without taking any political stand.


The coordinator said although some people were bent on seeing that the relief material did not reach the targer group, the Northern Youth Forum who pitched its tent with the poor in the society would follow up the distribution to ensure that the right people get the relief material.

He said, “The entire people of this affected zone are thankful to Mr. President for the gesture and to inform him that the packages have been duly delivered and are been disposed appropriately through the effort of his trusted minister, Bukar Tijjani”.

Usman Mustapha said the show of sincerity, honesty and concern by the minister had restored the confidence of the entire North-East in the presidency under President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the well being of the people and the restoration of peace and growth of the North-East.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/08/14/2015-north-east-youth-unity-forum-endorses-jonathan/

samilo88: INEC should consider enacting a law stipulating the number of times an individual can contest a particular position. Contesting in elections is a placebo for Buhari, we already know the outcome.

I think so too. When a perpetually unelectable man keeps polluting the political atmosphere with speeches coated with his usual bigotry, then there is need for a review of the working document that guide electioneering processes and activities.
They failed to groom leaders, now they want to succeed themselves ad infinitum

Dinosaur was alleged to have bought a bar and new Bugatti after the subsidy protest. Let's not forget that he was at the forefront of Kogi protest. Today he still claims to be an activist

kcjazz: The answer is for govt to get smaller and more efficient. Due to high unemployment rates govt picks the slack by employing civil servants.

So create a better busines climate. For high earning senators explore tje reduction of labour hours to save costs. Reduce double appointments and agencies. For instance i dont understand the diff between Doyin and Abati

Well spoken. But do you understand N92bilion for allowances, not salary as demanded by ASUU?

I first heard the concept of "thinking outside the box" from my boss. Each time there is an issue that needs urgent solutions, he prevails on his employees to do magic outside the conventional common sense. It is on this premise that I seek to x-ray the recurring industrial actions in our polity, especially when there is an insignificant contentious issue.

We all know that Nigerian politicians are desperate people. When in power, some try to improve on the society while others see it as opportunity to participate in the national moimoi abi cake.
Those that fallout of govt quickly become ardent critics, human right activists, anti corruption crusader and so on, sponsoring protests, strikes, and ultimately stirring resentment against govt.

Although some meaningful achievement are recorded by some admin, opposition elements, using propaganda as their tool, concoct positions just to make that govt unpopular. They become friends to media houses and regularly publish watery subversive articles, abusing and cursing leaders, they hold conferences, and most times go abroad. Undeniably, the power, aviations, rail, agric, and education sector have fared well in this admin, yet we still have people vilifying the govt. well, this is not to say that Gej is perfect, there is much to be done.

In recent times, few sectors have embarked on industrial actions- ASUU, ASUP, those in the oil sector, NULGE, NLC etc. sometimes, their grievances are so minute that one wonder if the issue is enof to hold the nation to ransome. Today ASUU claims that it's N92b Or nothing; ASUP is warming up for round 2, and a host of others. The question is what is the incentive for these actions?

2015 is drawing closer by the day, and the APC in their normal character appears to be disparate. They believe that the way power can slip into the hands is by making the PDP unpopular. Is it not possible that they are fuelling the Amber's of the striking workers? Or subverting the efforts of present admin? Why was ASUU chairman reported to have visited Tinubu? Is there is heinous collaboration going on?

My concern is the emergence of a better Nigeria. The opposition forces must bury their sword. Nigeria must not develop in their hands. While operating from the outside, they should be partners in progress and not spoilers.

Increasingly, the issue of capital and recurrent expenditure in governance has remained contentious, especially in political discourse. While progressive minds claim that by investing more on capital projects, issues bordering on infrastructures, unemployment, critical social amenities would have been taken care of, our current budget appears to be built around recurrent expenditures.

For instance, the Minister of state for Finance was recently quoted as saying that the 2013 budget earmarked over N1.7trn for salaries, a figure that represents about 30% of the entire budget.
It should be noted that the figure is higher than last year's N1.6trn.

How can this be addressed? Can we achieve the desired developmental strides if the satusquo is maintained? Where lies the problem?

Hopes of quick resolution of the present face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities were dashed on Tuesday as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the government has no resources to meet the union demands.

Foreclosing possible truce to the five-week old industrial action that has paralysed academic activities in the nation's ivory towers, Okonjo-Iwela said the striking university lecturers were asking for N92 billion in extra allowances, maintaining that government lack means of picking the bill.

Speaking in Minna at the annual National Council on Finance and Economic Development meeting, the minister said that ASUU demand was coming at a time government was making efforts at reducing the structure of public expenditures.

The theme of the meeting is: "Restructuring Nigeria's Finances." She said, "At present ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions.

We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work."

She declared that if the demands of the university lecturers are met and "we continue to pay them salaries and allowances we will not be able to provide infrastructure in the universities."

The minister argued that when she assumed office "the share of recurrent expenditure in our total budgets had increased astronomically. " "In fact recurrent expenditures accounted for about 77.2 per cent of the federal budget and we are now working to re-balance this ratio," the minister added.
http://m.naij.com/news/43485.html

I just read Premiumtimes report. They reported it as if the video was released through them. Alarmist paid to subvert security operations. We now know them

Oko_AGB: Op, ur ignorance de smell.

U have succeded in saying nothing. U seem to be caught in ur own web

My concern is the role of Associated Press in all this issue? Why always foreign media? Is it becos they know that we are gradually winning the war?

kemzyfab: they should just do whatever dey want quickly en let us all go back to school..no time

Like spending money abi? Don't forget that if they get money each time they embark on strike, it will form the basis for the sustenance of such actions. Is their so call allowance more important than the future of nigerian students? Allowance, Allowance and Allowance. Where will it take us to?

We all woke up this morning to the revelation that the leader of Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau released a video, claiming responsibilities for the various attacks in the north east. Vanguard and Premiumtimes were the first to publish the report. According to the report, Shekau was credited as boasting that he has defeated the Nigerian Army and is ready to confront the United States' Obama and France Hollande. He was even reported to be laughing.

I have searched everywhere for the video, yet no result. The video was reportedly released through AFP. Now the question is, where is the video? Was the report concocted to sway the heart and minds of Nigerians? Or to kill the morale of the soldiers and the SSS operatives who appear to be at the forefront of the fight?
If there is no video, can we comfortably say the Oyibo people have started again?

sheyie2007: 100Billion for what? SMH

They need money. Every year, it's one allowance or the other.
While many are working assiduously to reposition the nation, they are busy embarking on industrial actions.
No one is talking about lecturers sexually harassing students, lecturers abandoning lecturer, poor marking scheme, late marking of exams papers, late release of results, money for marks, victimisation of students, plagiarism on their part, contributions to journals, writing of books, conducting researches and so on.
God help us

ASUU: FG releases N100bn to Suswam-led committee, holds crucial talks today

By Ameh Comrade Godwin on August 13, 2013

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqa’yyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, has stated that presidential intervention of N100 billion had been released to the implementation committee of the Needs Assessment Report, headed by the Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam.

The Minister, who stated this while declaring open the mid-term review of the four-year strategic plan for the development of the education sector, said the fund was to address some challenges facing the education sector.

She said, “We have done this for the federal unity schools and it is helping in their transformation. The recent one carried out for all public universities has led to a presidential intervention to ensure that challenges identified are given due attention.



“As a result, N100 billion has been committed to this and the president has inaugurated an implementation committee chaired by Governor Suswam,” she added.

According to her, the implementation of the four-year strategic plan (2011-2015) was yielding positive result, noting that credible progress had so far been made in the six crucial areas as outlined in the plan.

She said, “We shall continue to dig deep and identify further challenges and address them.”

Professor Rufa’i, who appealed to all stakeholders to continue to show understanding, support and partnership to the education sector, said, “our actions today will define where we will be tomorrow.”

The Federal Government is expected to hold a crucial meeting with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, today in a move to end the ongoing strike by the union.
http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/08/13/ASUU-fg-releases-n100bn-to-suswam-led-committee-holds-crucial-talks-today/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=ASUU-fg-releases-n100bn-to-suswam-led-committee-holds-crucial-talks-today

It cannot be gainsaid that every developed society as it were, is founded on educational excellence. The advancement in science and technology ultimately translates into development especially in our globalised village. So when well meaning Nigerians clamour for the repositioning of our education sector, I celebrate them. But one wonders if this is the cause that our all mighty ASUU is pursuing. Today, ASUU strike will be 41days old, and students are still at home. The question is, what exactly are they fighting for?

We all know that since ASUU embarked on this strike, the agitation has always been "full implementation of the 2009 agreement", nothing more, nothing less. What then is the content of this agreement? And of what benefit is the agreement to the education sector and the students in particular? On July 3rd, the Chairman of ASUU, Isaa Fagee appeared on ChannelsTv where he struggled to justify the nascent strike. According to him, the FG has implemented some issues contained in the 2009 but “The other issue that mostly has to do with adequate funding for the system for revitalizing of Nigerian Universities have not been met by government”. here we see that their major concern is money. He went further to commend the government on the inprovement of infrastructures in the various universities, but lamented the nonpayment of some allowances to some lecturers. Some of these allowances according to him included
1. earned allowances for all lecturers. Where he noted that the academic earned allowance was expected to take care of excess work load carried out by the lecturers such as examination officers, deans and supervision of post graduate, masters and other programmes.
2. N100 billlion to address all burning issues
3. Granting the Universities autonomy and so on.
It is worthy to note that the group has abandoned salary increment, retirement age, infrastructures including hostels, and hospitals, standard of education, on the one hand and quality lectures and examination, strengthening the marking and screening process and so on. This is becos, our lecturers are now the best paid, the retirement age has been extended to 70 since they have Refused to give way for the younger generation. But what have they done to justify all these other than successive industrial actions.
Now that they want more money, what is the guarantee that the money will be judiciously used? History reminds us of the torrential corruption in these universities

few months ago, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Bamtale Omole was accused of misappropriating funds meant for the university and also for shielding corrupt officials http://premiumtimesng.com/news/124135-nigerian-agricultural-institute-workers-insist-boss-must-leave-over-corruption-charges.html

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, is allegedly at the centre of a huge corruption scandal worth billions of Nigerian naira http://www.africaworldnewspaper.com/massive-corruption-in-nnamdi-azikiwe-university-nigeria/

Group Accuses Unical VC of Academic Dishonesty and corruption http://crossriverwatch.com/2013/04/group-accuses-unical-vc-of-academic-dishonesty/

UniUyo VC was recently accused by the chief security officer of the School as being behind the recent crisis that claimed the lives of student, a development he claimed was meant to cover up some data that could have exposed his corrupt practices http://allafrica.com/stories/201307101175.html

NASU, SSANU accused OOU VC of corruption, call for his removal http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/campus-life/35010-nasu-ssanu-accuse-oou-vc-of-corruption-call-for-his-removal

Uniabuja Crisis is far from being over, as some faculties remain unaccredited, and many more.

For our lecturers, they must realise that nation building is a collective project that demands all citizens to contribute their quota. Incessant industrial action may not be the best contribution to the education sector. How have they emplaced measures to address sexual harassment, money for grade, plagiarism(13 senior lecturers were recently dismissed in Unical), to ensure that lecturers teach, that exam papers are marked accurately, that results are released on time, that graduates collect their certificates during convocation, that students are not victimised, and so on. How transparent is the university system.

It isn't about strike, strike and strike, they must crucify their selfishness and embrace the challenging task of nation building which requires our joint effort. 100 billion has been released, only God knows if they will manage it well

gbadexy: I would love to know too.
Who exactly claimed they shot shekau and what has the amnesty committee got to say now.

But what are your expectations, or forecast? And probable solutions? Where are we getting it wrong?
I anticipate your informed position

Few weeks ago, the media was awash with reports of a pact between the FG and Boko Haram, with Marwana believed to be the representative of the sect. Few days after, the same group claimed that Shekau has been shot, incapacitated and deposed. Yesterday, like the devil he is, Shekau reappeared in a video, daring all perceived obstacle including the United States, France and even Israel. Now, where is Marwana in all this? What should Nigerians expect? What is the way forward?
Your views may inform, educate, guide and probably give other nairalanders directions.