₦airaland Forum

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), although composed of intellectuals, from the lowest to the highest, remains a trade union. Naturally, it employs the crude and rough tactics associated with trade unions elsewhere in the world. Beyond this universal attribute, ASUU has a unique orientation.  Rather than see a strike as an instrument for demanding better remuneration, improved conditions of service and enhanced welfare, ASUU’s perception of a strike is that it is a weapon for crippling the system.

When, in July the leadership of ASUU announced to Nigerians that its members were embarking on a strike, the reason given was the non-implementation of two major items contained in the 2009 Agreement between the Federal Government and the Union. The items were: funding for the revitalization of Public Universities through the implementation of the Needs Assessment Report on Public Universities; and payment of Earned Allowances.

Over 5 months since then, ASUU and the Federal Government have been fighting what may now be referred to as a battle of supremacy. On the side of ASUU, the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has been assisting in the negotiation. The Federal Government’s team has deployed the best and the highest on ground, the Ministers of Finance, Education and Labour, Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), the Vice-President and then the President himself. It is unusual for the President of a country to be directly involved in negotiations with trade unions.  But, perhaps, because Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was, himself, an ASUU member, he joined in the negotiations. So, on 4th November, 2013, the President personally led a team of Government officials in a marathon meeting that lasted for over 13 hours.  At the end of that meeting, Government and ASUU agreed on certain items, which included funding for the revitalization of the universities and payment of earned allowances.

In particular, it was agreed that in funding the revitalization of the public universities, a six-year instalment payment was to be done: N200 billion for 2013 and N220 billion for each of the remaining 5 years till 2018. For this purpose, a dedicated revitalization account was to be opened at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). For the Earned Allowances, N30 billion had already been made available with a pledge by Government to make additional funds available, subject to a report by an Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC).

Part of the Agreement, which was conveyed to ASUU in a Memorandum, dated 6th November, 2013, was that ASUU would consult with its members and call off its four-month old strike which had crippled the nation’s university system. It was also agreed that this could be done within a period of 7 days. The information was that ASUU consulted its various chapters and the result was 62%:38% in favour of the strike being called off.  An unfortunate event, however, occurred during the period.  ASUU lost one of its key negotiators, Professor Festus Iyayi, in an auto accident on his way to Kano for a NEC meeting.It was, however, hoped that after the mourning of Professor Iyayi, ASUU would hold its NEC, present the results from the chapters and call off the strike.  That did not happen.  Instead, the Union introduced four new conditions referred to as “certain uncertainties”.

They are: that the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 Revitalization Fund for public universities shall be deposited with the CBN and disbursed to the benefitting universities within two weeks; that the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement in 2014 be included in the final document as agreed at the discussion with Your Excellency; that a Non-victimization clause, which is normally captured in all interactions of this nature, be included in the final document; and that a new Memorandum of Understanding shall be validly endorsed; signed by a representative of Government, preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation, and a representative of ASUU, with the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) as a witness.

ASUU insisted that until the Federal Government complied with the above, the strike action would continue.  Although some of these issues were discussed at the meeting with the President, ASUU’s insistence, as listed, was either an after-thought or a ploy to ensure that the crisis was never resolved. Curiously, when the President of ASUU was confronted that, as a matter of fact, a dedicated account had already been open at the CBN, his response was that ASUU had not been informed.  The issue of non-victimisation clause, demanded by ASUU, is an international requirement, which is usually taken for granted.

The last item, insisting that a Memorandum of understanding should be signed by a representative of Government, preferably the Attorney-General, is, to say the least, cheeky and disrespectful.  Why does ASUU think that it can dictate to Government who is to sign a document on its behalf? In appraising the four-month old ASUU strike, we are inclined to agree with a recent advert in one of the dailies, linking the ASUU leadership with certain opposition elements who had threatened in 2011 to make Nigeria ungovernable, should Jonathan emerge as President. Among them were General Muhammadu Bahari, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Nasir El-Rufai, etc., who were recently joined by Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso.  Dr. Nasir Fagge, the ASUU President is said to be deeply encircled by these men who hate President Jonathan with a passion.

There is, therefore, enough to suggest that the ASUU strike is politically motivated.  If there is no superior reason or argument to contradict this proposition, then it is patently sad that some elements in the leadership of the ASUU would deploy the Union for promotion of sectional or regional political interest at the expense of political stability of the nation which is sine qua non for peace and unity now and in the future. The ASUU should demonstrate its love of country and commitment to her stability by being reasonable: call off its strike and allow the Federal Government to apply itself to faithful implementation of the agreements reached. My principled poser in this matter are these: Don't you think ASUU is now confused, not knowing what to do? Don't you think because of ego problem or as a result of unseen reasons known only to ASUU, that they are now playing and dancing to music which is out of this world? Is ASUU now ashamed to call off the strike?

Desmond Tutu or Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo

Nigerians doing what they know how to do best. You can't victimize innocent people all the time. Your end has surely come.

Must Chelsea concede silly goals in every match? Defence and keeper must wake up

Keneking: How does rhetoric (planning to setup in Nigeria) translate to ROI( return on investment).... WoolWorths has left Nigeria

This man must be high on something!!!

WoolWorths left Nigeria because they could not cope with the high competition in the sector, which has better known brands doing very well. If you don't know what to comment, switch your device off.

Idi Amin: Renaming the school after Lar, that I can understand because he was an honorable man. I am waiting for OBJ's d****, let me see the 1diot who will rename an edifice or school after his ugly name

Can you see how evil you are. Thinking of the death of a human being like you. This is a man, whom you and your entire generation will never near or equal his success in life. Wake up from your satanic mindedness.mcheew

Abuja – Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles Head Coach, on Thursday invited 30 players to camp in preparation for the Championship of African Nations (CHAN).
The championship is scheduled to take place in South Africa between Jan. 11 and Feb. 1.
A statement issued by the NFA said six players were put on standby in the event that any player on the main list sustains an injured.

Keshi
The standby players include the duo of Happy Okuoka and Obinna Nwachukwu of Heartland FC; Bello Ikeleji, who plays for Insurance FC of Benin and Izuegbu Abonima of Enugu Rangers.
Paul Ikenna of Sunshine Stars and John Austin Igenepo complete the number.
“We are going to CHAN for the first time, but we want to be the best at our very first outing,’’ the statement quoted Keshi as quoted as saying. Salvador, Brazil.
Nigeria would play host South Africa, Mali and Mozambique in Group A at the tournament, designed for players who play in the domestic leagues of their country.
According to the statement, regular Super Eagles Team B faces dominate the list with the inclusion of world-conquering Golden Eaglets’ trio of goalkeeper Sunday Alampasu, midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho and forward Taiwo Awoniyi.
First choice goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim and ace midfielder Sunday Mba top the list of regulars, with Shooting Stars’ forward Gbolahan Salami handed a recall.
There are four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight mid-fielders and nine strikers and all are expected to report to the Bolton White Apartments in Abuja on Monday, Dec. 9.
The invited goalkeepers are Chigozie Agbim of Enugu Rangers; Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland FC; Isah Danladi of Sharks FC and Sunday Alampasu who plays for Abuja Football College.
The defenders are Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC) and Reuben Ogbonnaya (El-Kanemi Warriors).
Other defenders include Umar Zango (Kano Pillars) and Chibuzor Madu (Enugu Rangers).
Midfielders are Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Osuchukwu (Enugu Rangers); Achiv Douglas (Lobi Stars); Kelechi Iheanacho (Taye Academy, Owerri); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United) and Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)
Forwards include Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United); Obiozor Christian (Enugu Rangers); Abubakar Aliyu (Nasarawa United)
Gbolahan Salami (3SC) and Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy, Ilorin) complete the full list of invited forwards. MY COMMENT: Keshi should watch out carefully not to go ahead and mistakenly play Iheanacho at the CHAN when he would have signed for a foreign club. Source: (NAN)

walakolobo: there is a thread already. ttp://www.nairaland.com/1542871/president-jonathan-wife-check-into/1

So how does that affect your comment on this?

sincerenigerian: Obasanjo privately met former P.M of Britain, Tony Blair few days before Jonathan travelled to London. The private meeting between the two former leaders was said to happened in Blair's private room. What was their discussion about in London? One must ask that question.

Surprisingly, Jonathan became sick in London due to yet unknown ailment. He was rushed to the hospital and spent some hours there. What really happened to Jonathan in London? Was he poisoned? Did he drink ogogoro as Sahara Reporters claimed? Does Obasanjo have something to do with this covert poisoning that has just befell Jonathan? What does Amaechi know about what happened to Jonathan in London? Amaechi was the first politician to issue a statement about what happened to Jonathan in London.

Obasanjo said last year that "he would strike back".................. Is this what Obasanjo meant when he promised to strike back as South-south cabals started to insult and attack him last year when Obasanjo said "Jonathan's Administration is all about chop make I chop". "You can help somebody get to power but you cannot help somebody govern". Obasanjo made this declaration in when visiting Sule Lamido in Jigawa State.

Is this the way Obasanjo plan to strike back? This is a $10 billion question.

Leave Obasanjo out of this. Instead of you to pray for quick recovery of our President and his wife, you are here finding fault and trading accusation at OBJ. Not only that, you are accusing Amaechi too. You b yam head o.

President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, have both checked in at a hospital in Germany as a result of a yet to be disclosed ailment.

On Tuesday night, President Jonathan had abruptly flown out of Abuja ostensibly to attend a Summit on peace and security in Africa organized by French government. Several ministers and service chiefs accompanied him to the airport for the late night flight, but only a handful of officials travelled on the actual flight.

A reliable source at the Presidency told Sahara Reporters that, contrary to the impression created that the trip was for the French-sponsored security summit, Jonathan and his wife are undergoing tests and receiving treatment in the same German hospital where Patience spent several months last year.

According to Sahara Reporters, the source added that Mr President had been feeling unwell since returning from a recent trip to London where he was hospitalized for a serious stomach-related ailment. Sahara Reporters had disclosed that the president fell seriously ill after a bout of bingeing on alcohol.

But the Presidency had denied that report before now.

The source revealed that plans were made for President Jonathan to receive medical attention in Germany after he suddenly fell ill last weekend in his home-state of Bayelsa during a visit there. The president’s sudden illness almost led to his emergency evacuation to Germany, the Presidency source said.

Sahara Reporters sources stated that Mr. Jonathan has had recurring abdominal troubles in recent weeks.

Our comrade gov. I may not be in total support of ur activities as a governor. But today, u have shown us all, what leadership is all about. Only few Nigerian leaders have shown remorse in this manner u have done. U did not only apologized to Madam Ifijie the "go and die widow",u also gave her 2M capital to commence business, scholarship to her son and a job with Edo state government. It is worthy of Emulation. Kudos

[quote author=sunch]That area is new benin market. Can someone in benin locate this woman. And mod let this be at the front page, pls[/quo te] The Governor said it took place in Kings Square Round about, not New Benin sir.

Whether Osaze or not, all I know is that Kelechi Iheanacho must be in the squad to the World Cup in Brazil.

Forza p: IMO,osaze is beta dan all our wingers expect moses

pls watch your spellings

Gov. Oshiomole has become so controversial of recent because of the ways he opens his mouth carelessly. He should regaulate his mouth, before it erodes all the good will he had got over the years.

Abuja court sentences Lebanese to life imprisonment for terrorism.
The court found Tahal Roda, guilty of terrorism charges.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Lebanese, Tahal Roda, to life imprisonment on terrorism charges.
Mr. Roda was charged to court by the Department of State Security Services, SSS.
The court, however, freed two other Lebanese, Mustapha Fawaz and Abdullah Thani, of the charges.
Mr. Fawaz is a co-owner of one of Abuja’s largest supermarkets, Amigo Supermarket, and Wonderland Amusement Park, also in Abuja
Both buildings have been sealed since the suspects were arrested by the military and the SSS.
More details later…
Related posts:
New combat tactics frustrate Boko Haram – Nigerian Army
Oduahgate: Jonathan arrives Abuja, confirms receipt of N255 million armoured cars report
Presidency slams Amaechi, says he is pretending to be Rivers’ “messiah”
Anglican Church rejects emergency rule in Borno, others; calls for National Conference
Soldiers raid Boko Haram camp, kill 37 terrorists- Nigerian Army
My comment: If all criminal and terrorism cases, especially involving highly placed individuals and could be dipensed on time like this one, Nigeria would be be a better country.

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Friday apologised for the comments he made to a widow in Benin during an inspection tour on Mission Road, in the state capital, a fortnight ago.
Oshiomhole said that he now regretted the comments which had become the subject of discourse in the social media.
The Governor, however, noted that he made the comments in anger.
Oshiomhole’s apology was made when the leadership of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), paid him a courtesy visit in Benin.
He noted that though the challenge of modern times had bestowed on the shoulders of some women and single mothers the status of bread winners of their homes, such should not be used as an accuse to flout the laws.
The Governor urged the Muslim women leaders to use their offices to propagate the essence of healthy living among children and women in the nation and the need to maintain proper sanitary conditions in their neighbourhoods.
Oshiomhole lamented that the challenge of widowhood had also exposed children to different temptations, adding that there was the need for society to be careful, to avoid unwittingly creating more problems for the nation.
He noted that money was not the best thing that guaranteed ones happiness, “but honesty and selfless service.
The Governor added that if Muslims and Christians were adequately committed to their religious doctrines, the world would be a better place.
He urged the women to propagate the message of Islam through the nooks and crannies of the nation, and to also inculcate the values of honesty in their followers.
Oshiomhole, however, assured the association of government’s support in ensuring that its present leadership made remarkable progress and also consolidated on the successes of their predecessors.
Earlier, the FOMWAN National President, Hajia Amina Omoti, urged the state government to look into the issue of the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies in public schools in the state.
Omoti also solicited for government’s moral and financial support for the effective running of the association. (NAN)

This was too callous of Gov. Oshiomole. I believe, after watching the video, knowing him for what he is - easily amenable fellow, he would have apologized to that woman. Am still crying sha

NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA!

This is to notify all students, both full time and part time, that academic activities will open in the University from the 1st day of December, 2013.

Announced by the Registrar, Dr. Modibo.

For more news, visit www.wazobiareporters..com

This boy looks insane, judging from his unkempt hair. He could have been treated as such, instead of the Italian Police trying the change his unkempt appearance just to ridicule Nigeria again. Am not trying to justify his action, if you can look very, perhaps when the Police discovered that his hair is unkept in the first, which might show the world that the boy is dementia, they now used this cap to wear. The Police, because it involves a 'Nigerian', want to use this to disparage Nigeria, as usual of the White people. And who knows if this boy is really a Nigerian?

ckkris: Name that LECTURER!

Do you have sight or reading problem? The name of the lecturer is clearly mentioned there and you are still asking to 'name that Lecturer'. Olodo like you.

Bye bye bro, till you come back to play for a better and caring country again, certainly not Nigeria, where talents are wasted, youthful dreams suppressed and leadership is careless. RIP

I give it to Vincent Eyeama. He is has been outstanding both for clubs in Israel, France and the Super Eagles. No any other deserves the award more than him

Controversy: Angry leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities allegedly chased away the Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada (retd.) from the emergency ward of the  Lokoja General Hospital on Tuesday.

Wada had gone to the hospital  to visit their  injured colleague, Dr. Ngozi Ilo,   and commiserate with them over the death of their  former President, Prof. Festus Iyayi,   in an accident involving his convoy  and an ASUU vehicle on Tuesday.

The  Chairman, University of Benin chapter  of ASUU, Dr. Anthony Monye-Emina; and the Benin Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Sunny Iyalo, had minor injuries and were therefore not admitted into the hospital.

The   ASUU leaders, including the National President, Dr. Biodun Ogunyemi;  the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Nassir Adesola; the Chairman, Lagos State University chapter of the union, Dr. Adekunle Idris;    Monye-Emina;   Iyalo  and lecturers from the Federal University Lokoja however sent the governor away from the hospital’s emergency ward.

Their grouse was Wada’s  late response to the accident and the uncaring attitude he allegedly displayed towards the union leaders  involved in the accident.

They also accused him of trying to make a political gain out of their misfortune.

Idris, who confirmed that  Wada was chased out of the  emergency ward, said,    “We are surprised that a state governor could resort to telling lies because contrary to the claim by his spokesperson that he showed care towards our colleagues, he did not.

“Somebody that did not stop after his convoy killed our leader; somebody that did not come to the hospital until some minutes to 5pm(on Tuesday) after the accident that happened around 11am could not be said to be caring.

“That was why we chased him out of the emergency ward of the hospital and we also prevented him from seeing Prof. Iyayi’s corpse in the mortuary.

“We are not happy with the fact that he came very late to the hospital and the fact that when he came, his press crew attempted to take photograph and video record of Dr. Ilo, who is our national welfare  secretary. We stopped them because that was  the  height of insensitivity.

“Somebody that could not provide us with an ambulance cannot be said to be caring. We had to call UNIBEN for an ambulance that took Ilo to the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital while our colleagues from the Federal University, Lokoja, with the assistance of the vice-chancellor, gave us the ambulance that was used to convey the remains of Prof. Iyayi to Benin.”

Idris added that though Wada  left the hospital “like a gentleman,”  some of  his overzealous  security aides tried  to be naughty.

He said, “Some of the policemen  that followed him to the hospital wanted to be naughty but we lectured them. The hospital workers and the residents of Lokoja who witnessed how we chased the governor  away were happy.”

Also, Adesola expressed dismay at  the efforts  made by the governor to rewrite the incident.

He said, “It was actually the last of the governor’s convoy that veered off the road and ran into a  vehicle that was conveying Iyayi and others.

“When the governor’s convoy came  with   noise and harassment, everyone on the road moved  to the side  of the road for them to pass  but  unfortunately, the governor’s aide  has told the world that an  ASUU  vehicle was avoiding a trailer and ran into  their escort vehicle.

“What manner of reckless lying is that? The front  of the ASUU bus remains  intact except for the windscreen that broke. Iyayi was sitting at the back of the bus and the  escort van  ran into it.

The most annoying part is  that the incident occurred around 11am and the governor did not even visit the hospital until around 5pm.

“He  came with a large  number of pressmen and security aides  and was attempting to make some political capital out of our misfortune.

“We actually had to chase him away from the emergency ward where our welfare secretary was still receiving treatment .”

But Jacob Edi, the Special Adviser, Media and Strategy to  Wada,  claimed that the ASUU leaders did not chase his boss away from the hospital.

Edi, who in a telephone interview  with one of our correspondents, insisted that Wada  was not indifferent to the plight  of the   accident victims, however, stated that the union officials were not  friendly.

He said, “When the governor went  to the hospital, the ASUU people   had a kind of adverse reaction to the governor.    But they did not chase away the governor. Nobody chased away anybody.”

The governor’s spokesman  added that the state government would not want to be involved in controversy over  the death of the former ASUU president.

He stated that Wada was pained by  the accident and had been sympathising with the bereaved families  and  the survivors.

It was however not only the ASUU leaders that   lambasted  the governor  over  the accident, the Nigeria Labour Congress, a former President of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele and an ex-Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, also  did.

They  described Wada’s convoy as reckless and   demanded the prosecution of the  driver  of the escort vehicle that   caused the accident on the Lokoja-Abuja Road.

The NLC,  in a statement in Abuja by its National President, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, described the death of Iyayi as avoidable.

It  also blamed the Federal Government for its neglect of  the road.

The NLC said its  position  was  that the federal   and   Kogi State governments  were responsible for   Iyayi’s death.

It  said that 10 years after the contract for the rehabilation of the  Lokoja-Abuja Road was awarded,  it  had been turned to a death trap.

The NLC  said,  “Iyayi’s death leaves a sour taste in the mouth and it is totally avoidable. It is blameable, lawlessness/impunity on the part of the Kogi State governor, who is fast acquiring for himself an accident-prone reputation.

The congress therefore advised  “siren-blowing and terror-dealing convoys” to  be conscious of other road users.

It  called on the Federal Roads Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police to ensure that those behind the  accident  were brought to justice.

Esele and Tsav    urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the convoy driver involved in the accident was prosecuted.

They spoke in different telephone interviews with   our correspondents.

According to them, Wada has a responsibility to caution his drivers as his convoy has become reputed for recklessness.

Esele recalled that the convoy of the governor was involved in  an  accident which resulted in the death of  Wada’s Aide de Camp and in which Wada was also injured.

Tsav,  who described the death of the former ASUU leader as unfortunate, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to meet the demands of ASUU.

This, he said, would be  in appreciation of the fact that Iyayi died while contributing to the development of university education in the country.

Tsav said that   accidents occurred in Kogi State not because the roads in Kogi were the worst but because the drivers in the governor’s convoy were not cautious.

He said that the roads were not meant only for the political office holders but   for  all Nigerians.

He said, “The convoy of Wada is known for being reckless; this is not the first time this is happening. It does not mean that the worst roads are in Kogi State.

 “I want to appeal to him to caution his drivers, they are reckless, he should caution them to be cautious on the roads, the roads belong  to every Nigerian.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/ASUU-leaders-chase-kogi-gov-away-from-hospital/

When has Dr. Biodun Ogunyemi become the National President of ASUU?

The Super Eagles under Coach Keshi, although, have won so many matches and even won the African Nations Cup early this year, yet many Nigerians and even none Nigerians appear to dismiss the patern of football they play, as not only non entertaining, but devoid of the 'wing' football that Nigerian National teams are known for. The Super Eagles may be winning matches, but if their brand of football cannot keep their fans, who are mostly Nigerians or entice the world with a better and entertaning brand of football, is that good for Nigerian football? Comparatively, the Nigerian under 17, the Golden Eaglet just conquered at the world stage, winning the cup and the players coming top in their respective departments. Interestingly, winning the cup was not what captivated the whole world, whom they took by surprise, but their youthfullness(reall or near real age) and most IMPORTANTLY, the brand of football these teenagers gave to the entertainment indulgence of the footballing world. The whole world was held spell bound by the 'total football' displayed by these kids, to the extent that many have likened their beautiful football to that of Barcelona or Arsenal(to my mind, they inputed chelsea's football signature to it too, especially as done by the energetic captain, Musa Mohammed). On a personal rating, there were at times that I was enticed that I said to myself 'even if they don't win the cup, they gave the world a new footballing order, which the coach aptly tagged 'total football''. Now the question is, can't the Super Eagles have some takes from the feat of the Eaglets, especially the kind of 'total football' they played and began to give Nigerians an entertaning brand of football too? What is your position on this?

Ogoge... Okpekpe, Afenmai in Edo state.Really like it.

The Kogi Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission has blamed the auto crash that led to the death, on Tuesday, of Prof Festus Iyayi, on wrongful overtaking by a vehicle in the convoy of Kogi state governor, Idris Wada.
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Kogi state commander of the FRSC, Olakunle Motajo, as saying  preliminary report by his commission suggested the accident was caused by a Toyota Hilux bus in Mr. Wada’s convoy.
The vehicle, Mr. Motajo said,  made “wrongful overtaking”, ramming into another Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the UNIBEN ASUU chapter  in which Mr. Iyayi and two others were travelling in the opposite direction.
Some residents of Banda community, who witnessed the accident, said the two vehicles collided and the ASUU bus somersaulted three times before hitting a big tree in the bush.
Mr. Iyayi died instantly while two others, including a woman, who sustained fracture in her left arm, were injured. The driver of the bus escaped unhurt, Mr. Motajo said.
NAN reports that seven policemen in the vehicle in the motorcade also sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the Government House Clinic in Lokoja.
Mr. Iyayi was travelling to Kano for the National Executive Committee meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) scheduled for Wednesday (today) when the accident occurred at about 11:45 a.m., union officials said.
But the Special Adviser to the Governor, Jacob Edi, had on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that Mr. Wada’s convoy caused the accident.
“There was a collision on a narrow road and it is too early to say who rammed into who,” Mr. Edi told PREMIUM TIMES.  ”The  ASUU car was dodging a trailer and an accident occurred. It is not fair to politicise this incident.”
He said his boss’ convoy travels at 80 km per hour.
This is the second time Mr. Wada’s convoy would be involved in deadly accident in less than a year.
On December 28, 2012, the governor’s motorcade was involved in a crash that the auto crash that broke Mr. Wada’s leg, killed his security aide and injured two other state officials.
 
 Source: Premium Times

He died for a just cause. He died for the struggle. RIP Prof.

Prof. Festus Iyayi was killed on Tuesday by a car in Governor Idris Wada's convoy on his way to a meeting in Kano to call off the ongoing ASUU strike. Below is Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon's reaction...
"The grand initiation of Professor Festus Iyayi is a lancinating loss of another stentorian voice, against retrograde and prebendal forces of primitive mercantilism. That he passed through transition on matters pro bono publico, bears eloquent testimony to our state of dystopia. Such is the evanescence of life.Its all vanitas vanitatum."
Oh dear...this grammar is enough to make ASUU call of the strike.

[quote author=1st.deolaw]I will make more earnings in Abuja compared lagos but the fear of spending worries me. I will earn double of my ends as at now.
Please what about business opportunities in Abuja?[/quote]It depends on the kind of profession you are into. Are you a skilled labourer, professioal, a trader?

A former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Festus Iyayi, is dead, union officials said.
Detail of the incident is still sketchy but a News Agency of Nigeria report says Mr. Iyayi, 66, died in a motor accident in Lokoja.
The late university teacher was among ASUU leaders who met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja last week to deliberate on how to end the four-month strike by lecturers.
Mr. Iyayi is believed to be travelling to Kano for Wednesday’s National Executive Committee meeting where a vote is likely to be taken on whether the ongoing strike should be called off.
Details later…
Below is Mr. Iyayi’s brief biography as published by Wikipedia.
Iyayi was born in Edo state, Nigeria. His family lived on little means but instilled in him strong moral lessons about life. Iyayi started his education at Annuciation Catholic College in the old Bendel state popularly known as ACC finishing in 1966. In 1967 he went to Government College Ughelli, graduating in 1968. In that same year he was a zonal winner in a Kennedy Essay Competition organised by the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
He left the shores of Nigeria to pursue his higher education, obtaining a M.Sc in Industrial Economics from the Kiev Institute of Economics, in the former USSR and then his Ph.D from the University of Bradford, England. In 1980, he went back to Benin and became a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at the University of Benin.
As a member of staff of the University, he became interested in radical social issues, and a few years after his employment, he became the president of the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a radical union known for its upfront style on academic and social welfare. He rose to the position of president of the national organization in 1986, but in 1988, the union was briefly banned and Iyayi was detained. In that same year, he won the Commonwealth Prize for Literature for his book “Heroes”. He was later removed from his faculty position. Today, Iyayi is a member of different Nigerian literary organizations and works in the private sector as a consultant.
RIP Prof. Source:http://premiumtimesng.com/news/149464-ex-ASUU-president-festus-iyayi-dies-auto-crash.html

World Cup winning coach Manu Garba has spoken up for the first time on how the historic Golden Eaglets were turned into a goals-scoring machine at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which ended last weekend in the United Arab Emirates

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Manu Garba celebrates after the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Semi Final match between Sweden and Nigeria at Al Rashid Stadium on November 5, 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by FIFA)
The team scored 26 goals en route winning the Cup, a record feat since the competition started in China in 1985 and speaking on how his players were turned into sharp shooters, Garba told Sports Vanguard
that it was down to the experienced coaching crew, which sold the philosophy of total attacking football to the players, who in turn replicated it n the pitch.
“When we started recruiting players into this team, the coaching crew wanted players who can score. We had to sell the idea to them that they must know how to score before passing making the grade.
“My task was made easy because I was surrounded by experienced former football stars like Emmanuel Amuneke, a winner of the African footballer of the year award, Nduka Ugbade, the skipper of the first Golden Eaglets that won the first FIFA Under-16 Cup and Emeka Amadi, who was a former goalkeeper of the Flying Eagles.
“With these high caliber coaches working with me, we drilled the players on the technique of scoring and I must tell you that it was a tough and painful experience because these young lads were pushed to
the limit and they coped well because they are young.
“They showed us that they had adopted our new philosophy of attacking football by scoring in all their matches. They were now just good at scoring but also good at unsettling the opponents with relentless
attack from all wings. They were truly goal-scoring machines and that was why we were confident that we were going to score not just once but three times”, added a beaming Garba.