₦airaland Forum

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday said he was not physically hurt in Monday’s attack near the Presidential Lounge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.



A man, identified by a security source on Tuesday as Oweru, had sneaked up to the ex-president’s car when it stopped at the junction of the road leading out of the presidential lounge.



The ex-president’s car, which was travelling in a convoy, was waiting to join the major road connecting the old domestic terminal, MMA2 and international wing when the attacker opened one of the rear doors and allegedly charged at Obasanjo.



But speaking with THE PUNCH on the telephone, Obasanjo admitted that the strange man opened the side of the Sport Utility Vehicle where he sat but did not hit him.



The account of the former president was delivered by his Media Consultant, Mr. Adeoba Ojekunle, and a security officer, who was in Obasanjo’s convoy when the incident occurred. Ojekunle explained that security operatives had noticed the presence of the alleged attacker before Obasanjo’s arrival.



He stated that they made efforts to eject him from the presidential wing before the arrival of the former President from a foreign trip.



Ojekunle said, “Our people were already on the ground before Obasanjo’s arrival. At about 7am, security men noticed the presence of the man and tried to get him out of the place. Men of the Nigerian Air Force, who came to handle security in the place, drove the man out of the gate.



“Officers of the anti-terrorism squad were also around. The problem was that when they drove the man out of the gate, nobody knew that he went to stay by the side of the road, close to the gate.”



He added that the suspect “pursued the vehicle on the road; the convoy was already on the road, not in the premises. The man suddenly emerged from the roadside, grabbed the door of the vehicle and opened it.”



According to him, “Nobody was prepared for the sudden attack. He had not touched Baba (Obasanjo). It was not true that he hit Baba. Don’t forget that Obasanjo himself was a soldier.



“If he had hit him (Obasanjo), the man himself could have been hurt. You know there were vehicles in front of the one conveying Baba and another one at the back. So, when the man was trying to open the door, running after the vehicle, the security aides in the vehicle behind got down and overpowered him. He was subsequently handed over to the security details at the airport. Chief Obasanjo was not hurt in the attack.”



However, THE PUNCH discovered on Tuesday that the suspect had not been admitted at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos State, as promised by the Commissioner of Police in charge of airport command, Mr. Chris Ola. During a visit by our correspondent to the hospital, it was learnt that the suspect had not been admitted to the only public neuro psychiatric hospital in the state.



The security source who gave the suspect’s name did not want to be named because of the sensitive nature of the matter. The source said the matter had been handed over to the State Security Service for further investigation.



Attempt to obtain a reaction from the SSS spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, failed as she neither responded to calls to her phone nor the SMS sent to her mobile.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011102521521

Nigeria’s success or failure under Samson Siasia’s watch would be entirely the responsibility of the former international, according to the NFA. Technical Committee Chairman, Christopher Green, said that Siasia had been told that although he would be monitored, he has an unfettered powers over his team.

“We shall monitor the activities of our staff, our players and all that we have but that does not mean that we are going to interfere with his job. We are not going to interfere,” .

“We are going to give the coach a free hand and we have started by asking him to get his back room staff. That is free enough but that does not mean that we shall not monitor. We have a monitoring team of the Technical Committee.

“But he is at liberty because the truth of the matter is that we have told him and he has agreed that the successes and the failures of the team are his sole responsibility. He has accepted them, so we should go to sleep. It is as good as that,” Green disclosed.

Green, who was the head of the committee that selected Siasia ahead of Keshi, said he had no regrets.
“Well, I don’t think I have any reason to blame myself or we have any reason for blaming ourselves tomorrow for picking Siasia.
“We were faced with two very good coaches, two coaches we considered the best in the country and it could have gone to any of them, but it favoured Siasia. So, I don’t have any regrets and we are not going to have any regrets tomorrow.”







http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2010/nov/09/sportsbreak-09-11-2010-001.htm

Our senators,you are only representing your selfselves because it is in Nigeria that the senate president earns the 3times salary of American President

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday said the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly would be illegal unless they received the presidential assent.



In his judgment in a suit filed by a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Justice Okechukwu Okeke also dismissed the preliminary objections by the defendants that he (Agbakoba) had no locus standi to institute the action.



But the Senate faulted the judgment by Justice Okeke, saying that it would definitely appeal.



Agbakoba had asked the court to challenge the claim by the National Assembly that the President’s signature was not necessary before the amended constitution could become a law.



He also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), as a co-defendant to the matter.



The National Assembly and Adoke, however, filed a preliminary objection to the suit, asking the court to dismiss suit with substantial cost.



The National Assembly had argued that the process of amending the constitution as provided for in Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution did not envisage that a single individual should approve the altered constitution when the supremacy of the people had been demonstrated in the process of amendment.



When the court first ordered the National Assembly to maintain the status quo, Agbakoba, explained that his action was not intended to jeopardise the 2011 general elections.



In his judgment on Monday, Okeke said, “The 2010 Constitution Amendment Act is null and void and will remain void until it is sent to the President for his approval.



“That the National Assembly can only go ahead to enforce the constitution where the President refuses to sign it 30 days after receipt.



“Having failed to comply with the provisions of Section 58 of the constitution, the purported 2010 amended constitution remains inchoate until it is presented to the President for his assent.”



He added that Agbakoba had sufficient locus standi to institute the action since he did not challenge the debate on the amendments to the constitution by the National Assembly.



According to him, the lawyer approached the court to ascertain if the claim by senators and members of the House of Representatives that the amended constitution did not require the President’s signature was right or wrong.



Citing Section 150 of the constitution, the judge added that the Attorney-General of the Federation was needed in the proceedings, being the chief law officer of the country even as a nominal party or at least, a witness to the proceedings.



Okeke, who also cited Section 2 of the Interpretation Act to back his verdict, said the constitution, having come into law through an Act, could only be amended through an Act.



He explained that an Act of the National Assembly could not become a law without the assent of the President.



Agbakoba had in his originating summons asked the court to hold that the ‘Constitution (First Amendment) Act 2010’ passed by the National Assembly could take effect as law without the assent of the President.



He added that the exercise by the lawmakers without the assent of the President was illegal and unconstitutional and urged the court to nullify the amendments on the grounds that the National Assembly had contravened section 58 of the constitution.



The former NBA president also asked the court to hold that in view of the provisions of section 58 (1) of the constitution, the assent of the President was a prerequisite before the amendments could become law.



According to him, unless the assent of the President is overridden pursuant to section 58 (5) of the constitution, Jonathan’s assent was sacrosanct before the amendments can become law



But the AGF had formulated three grounds for the court to strike out the suit. Apart from arguing that Agbakoba lacked the locus standi to file the suit, he said that the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.



In its reaction, the Senate faulted the judgment, vowing, “We shall definitely appeal this decision which we think did not reflect the spirit and intent of the constitution.”



The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze, said. “Our attention has been drawn to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos in respect of the alteration of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly.”



“We wish to state that it is within the jurisdiction of the court to reach the decision it did on the matter. However, we disagree with that judgment.”



Eze said the Senate believed that “the 1999 Constitution did not envisage that any single individual should sign the alteration after the people have spoken through the exercise of their sovereignty.”



According to him, members of the National Assembly believe that they were right in reaching the decision that the alteration of the constitution did not require the assent of the President.



He said, “One should have asked why the governors did not sign the amendment at the time it went to the states for approval. We were also guided by practice and conventions of other older democracies.



“The United States passed through the same argument after the Congress passed the bill of rights but the Supreme Court in that country ruled that the assent of the President was not required to alter the constitution.



“Members of the National Assembly embody the mandate and sovereignty of the people and the people speak through them. Sovereignty in a democracy belongs to the people and not to any office.”



Reacting to the development, the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh, said the House would take necessary action and appeal against the verdict when it received a copy of the judgment.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101109233678

Cristiano Ronaldo has won substantial damages from the Daily Telegraph after settling a libel case over false claims that he was putting an injured ankle at risk by partying in a Los Angeles nightclub while a Manchester United player.



The July 2008 story entitled ‘Ronaldo back in the limelight‘ alleged that the player had arrived in LA for an awards ceremony but ”headed straight for” a Hollywood nightclub where he threw his crutches to one side in order to dance with four models before they were served with ”£10,000 worth of Cristal champagne.”



The Portuguese star’s solicitor Allan Dunlavy successfully argued that the false accusations caused embarrassment, offence and distress to the player, and that he was right to be concerned.



”The truth is that these events did not happen and the claimant did not behave unprofessionally,” Dunlavy said.



”The claimant was in Los Angeles, having gone there on holiday in the knowledge and with the advance permission of his club, his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, his surgeon and his physio, and while he did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all whilst there, nor at any time whilst in Los Angeles.



”He does not, as a rule, drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously.



”Nor did he put his crutches down to take to the dance floor despite the risk to his injured ankle.”



Link:
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011090175879

Torino midfielder Christian Obodo is confident of making a return to the Super Eagles after a long break from the national team.



The former Udinese player was sidelined by injury for almost a year but had to join Torino after he returned to form in his desire to get a regular playing role.



Obodo told BrilaFM on Friday that his current form and his performance with the Italian Serie B side had boosted his confidence in challenging for a role in the Eagles.



He said, “I am going to make it back to the national team very soon.



”I have been working very hard lately so that I can make a come back to the team.”



The former Plateau United player, who was in Nigeria to bury his father, said he would do his best to help his Italian club get promotion to the elite division.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011090172365

This is what the average Nigerian encounters on a daily basis. I really wonder what the IG, CP, CP Aiport command/Default and other security agencies are doing.Anything and i mean anything could have happened there. The state of insecurity in this country is alarming. This reckless abandonment of security unfortunately has now become the order of the day and nobody is held accountable. I’m sure baba wwould have given the guy some knuckles “Eshe agbe. Ishora logun agba.” Baa wa

Barring any hitch, the body of nine wise men set up by the Northern Political Leaders Forum [NPLF] to pick a single candidate of Northern extraction to contest the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential ticket would make a final pronouncement on its recommendation on Friday.

A Daily Sun source disclosed that the committee took the decision to make its findings known this week to avoid a situation, where extraneous factors would come into play.

“They have finished with their consultations and they are determined to make a pronouncement, before the Sallah break (the Moslem Eid-Kabir festival). Their findings might even be on Thursday; but Friday is certain,” the source revealed.
The source could, however, not reveal the anointed candidate among the aspirants.

But further investigations revealed that the choice of the nine wise men led by the Chairman of the NPLF, Malam Adamu Ciroma is between former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Other PDP aspirants of Northern extraction who submitted themselves to the NPLF screening are former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau and the Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/09/national-09-11-2010-016.htm

It was hell for passengers plying the East- West road on Monday as protesting ex-militants barricaded the Mbiama Bridge. The action of the ex-militants got thousands of passengers plying the road stranded as they watched helplessly as the ex-militants chanted war songs.

According to eye-witnesses accounts, the ex-militants numbering about 200, and drawn from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States had invaded the East-West Road as early as 6.am, where they impounded twbBridge from both ends.
The protesters also got some disused tyres and made bonfire on the road chanting war songs to discredit the Federal Government.

The ex-militants who said they were tired of empty promises from the Federal Government confessed they were the ones that invaded Abuja a few months ago to complain about their exclusion from the amnesty exercise.
One of those who spoke on behalf of the ex-militants, Chris Etemo explained that after the invasion of Abuja to air their grievances they were given assurances that they would be absorbed and their allowances paid in arrears.

He said they had to resort to this action because they were tired of waiting as it became clear that the Federal Government had no plans for them. He berated President Goodluck Jonathan and the amnesty committee for neglecting them, adding that when lPresident Umar Yar’ Adua was alive, they were adequately catered for.
Etemo said it was only the absorption of the remaining ex-militants and the payment of all the money owed them that would assuage their feelings. He hinted that they would continue to foment trouble.

After waiting for several hours with the Police unable to persuade the boys to leave, the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) General Charles Osas Omoriege appeared on the scene with some soldiers. While the boys had expected an open confrontation, Omoriege rather chose to appeal to them to remove the barricade and opt for dialogue to seek a way out of their predicament.

After speaking with some of the boys for some minutes, the barricades were eventually removed and the soldiers were able to coordinate the traffic to return normalcy to the area. A source at the JTF said the commander is likely to met with the leaders of the group so as to know their exact problems and look for ways to address it.






http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/09/national-09-11-2010-001.htm

Runway lights at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday, went off for over an hour thus creating pandemonium among air travellers at the airport.



The development, our correspondent gathered, led to disruption of flights across the country as airplanes could neither land nor take-off from the federal capital city airport while the darkness lasted.



Hundreds of passengers were temporarily stranded inside aircrafts on the tarmac and in the terminal building of the airport while engineers with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria battled to fix the problem.



While the darkness lasted between 7pm and 8pm, several airplanes from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country were diverted to the Kano airport, according to airport sources.



Some passengers aboard a Lagos-bound Arik Air flight W3 061 said they spent over one hour on board the aircraft at the Abuja airport.



The Media Officer, Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola, who confirmed the development, said passengers had boarded and the airplane was ready to take-off when the runway lights suddenly went off.



He also said that one of the airline’s planes coming from Port Harcourt to land at Abuja airport had to be diverted to Kano airport due to the problem.



“It is not only our airline. Other airlines were involved. No aircraft could land or take-off at Abuja airport while the problem persisted,” he said.



The General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Mr. Akin Olukunle, who confirmed the development, attributed the problem to “electric fault.”


Link:
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011092472184

[quote author=Tudór link=topic=547175.msg7101167#msg7101167 date=1289215644]Foolish old man. This basterd has been predicting 'better days' for Nigeria since the days of yore even blocking Lagos Ibadan expressway every month causing traffic congestion and accidents all in the Name of Holy Ghost congress and whatnot.

What kind of useless Holy Ghost has the guy been calling for years that we are yet to see him/her/it.

Criminal pastor. The same morons running the sports ministry will embezzzle funds and come to Daddy GOat for Thanksgiving and special prayer. Yar'adua will rig elections and call Daddy GOat for inauguration service and blessing.


As far as Adejale is concerned, it's all good as long as you give him his 10% and prophets offering plus money to fuel the Jet is an added advantage.

Infact, going by precedent, I can categorically say Nigerian sport is doomed forever.[/quote]Are you okay at all? Always mind what you say. May the good Lord be with you.

The Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation, led by its Director General, Dalhatu Tafida, at the weekend visited Akure, the Ondo State capital, with a call to the people of the state to support the team to ensure that President Jonathan is elected next year.

Mr Tafida who paid a courtesy visit to the state’s governor, Olusegun Mimiko, said Nigerians need credible people like Mr Jonathan to transform the country.

He said Ondo was the 18th state to be visited by the team in the country to solicit support for the candidacy of Messrs Jonathan and Sambo in next year’s primaries and general election.

“We are in Ondo State to solicit the support of the people of the state for the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo. We are sure that the combination is the best for the country,” he said.

Mr Mimiko, a former member of the PDP who was voted into office on the platform of Labour Party, tasked Mr Jonathan to live up to his promise of conducting free and credible election in the country next year.

Mr. Mimiko, who described Jonathan as a child of destiny in respect of his political antecedent, said God has produced him for a special reason and urged him not to fail the nation at the 2011 elections as his actions would either make or mar the nation.

“We in Ondo State are determined to make sure that credible elections are conducted in this country. This will definitely portray the image of our great country in a positive way before the international community,” he said. “Yesterday, I was with the Vice president in Abuja at the launch of the NUJ Insurance Scheme and he promised that the present administration will conduct credible election next year. We must all support the federal government to make the promise come into reality.”

Mr Mimiko commended President Jonathan for appointing Attahiru Jega as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and for ensuring fairness and justice in the governorship petition in Ekiti State.

Working for victory

The Southwest caucus of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation on Sunday also assured Nigerians that Mr Jonathan’s victory in the 2011 general elections will guarantee political stability in the country.

The Chairman of the organisation’s Media Committee, Dayo Adeyeye, said in Ado-Ekiti that any attempt by the PDP to reject Mr. Jonathan as its candidate in the election would amount to “discrimination against his person.”

“If we say we do not want Jonathan as president at this moment and he is well qualified for the post, then we would have done a major disservice to justice and fairness in Nigeria’s political system and it will be the worst type of discrimination against his person,” Mr Adeyeye said.

“A Jonathan presidency in 2011 elections would guarantee political stability and continuity in the country because he is only trying to complete the eight-year tenure of Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket. I think it is good for PDP to pick Jonathan because it would be seen that this man has just done the job for one year.”

Mr. Adeyeye said that the campaign organisation is working to ensure support from the Southwest for Mr. Jonathan during the presidential primaries of the party.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5639755-147/fishing_south_west_votes_for_jonathan.csp

A bunch of political idiots. Both groups do not represent the yearnings and aspirations of citizens of the gateway state. Let it be foretold the the PDP come 2011 shall go into political oblivion. The fraud they committed in 2007 cannot be replicated in 2011. The party is a house divided against itself. Enough of political brigandage in Ogun State.

The race to decide who will be the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party{PDP} has led to tension and discord among members of the Ogun West Elders Forum, hitherto an apolitical group established to ensure the emergence of a politician from the zone as the next governor of the state.

The faceoff between the leaders was brought into public glare at the weekend in Abeokuta, as different factions, at separate press conferences, tackled each other over candidates of their choice.

The two aspirants at the centre of the hullabaloo are a former military governor, Tunji Olurin, and Gboyega Isiaka, former managing director, Gateway Holdings. Mr. Olurin is said to be the candidate of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, while Mr. Isiaka is said to be the choice of the state governor, Gbenga Daniel.

Messrs Obasanjo and Daniel are opposed to each other politically, hence the issue of succession has became a power play between the duo.

A faction of the Elders Consultative Forum, headed by Ishola Olateju, held a press conference to declare their backing for Olurin, whom they claimed has the credentials to represent the zone at the governorship election.

But reacting to the position of the Olateju-led group, another factional leader, Olawale Bankole, declared that the authentic choice of the zone is Mr. Isiaka, whom he said they have agreed to pitch their tent with.

Mr. Bankole said the endorsement of Olurin by the other group, “is a calculated attempt to mislead and deceive the people of Ogun West.”

“We, therefore, call on the good people of Ogun west and Nigerians at large to disregard the purported views and activities of this group, as they do not represent the position of the Ogun West Elders Consultative Forum,” he said.

Not to be sidelined

The Olateju group, at the press conference, however, said the other group carried out its work without informing all members of the Forum.

“They went round and picked two of our members, but did not tell us to nominate them,” he said.

“We don’t know how they arrived at their decision. Their decision was not totally acceptable to others who were screened, but they said it was their internal problem which they would solve,” Mr. Olateju said.

He said it was the forum which approached Mr. Olurin to contest and they are convinced about his quality.

“He is the candidate we have recommended. We believe we have not made any mistake or error. Olurin is just 63 and still agile. Experience is the best teacher, and his experience has outshined other aspirants. We would not fold our arms and see Olurin being sidelined,” he said.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5639806-146/governorship_slot_tears_ogun_elders_forum.csp

Fake man! Did you not think of all these before agreeing it with them in the first place? Now it is time to implement and you start dribbling. Just like your region's agitations did not get anybody's attention until it turned forceful, so too in this case.

The agitation by civil servants for an increase of the current minimum wage by N1000 is not worth an industrial action, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday during an interview with airport reporters.

Mr. Jonathan, who was with reporters for the first time at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, said his administration has been friendly with labour and that government is working hard to resolve the ongoing disagreement.

“On the issue of the wage, you know the federal government presently pays 17,000 and within this period, we raised it from 7,500 to 17,000. Now they are talking about the minimum wage of 18,000. You will agree with me that that 1000 difference for good people that have been friendly will not lead to any industrial action,” he said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had threatened to embark on a three-day warning industrial action, starting from November 10, demanding an increment in their minimum wage.

The president disclosed that due process has to be followed before the wage increase can be implemented, adding that the increase will not only affect the arms of government, but also the private sector.

“If it was salary increase, I don’t think we will be discussing this matter, but this is minimum wage. Because it is minimum wage, it has to pass through all the sections of government, as specified by law. It must go to the National Assembly, because the law must be made and the minimum wage does not affect only government employees, and that is what Nigerians should know.

“Assuming federal government, states, and local government can pay, what of the private people who employ? Every employer of labour is affected, so if we now just go and impose a minimum wage on all Nigerians without due consultation, do you think small and medium scale enterprises can all meet up?” he asked.

More consultations

Mr. Jonathan disclosed that meticulous consultations has to be done before the law for the increase in minimum wage is passed and signed, stressing that the government desires to carry all parties along in the process.

“One thing again that labour should understand is that we met at the council of states to discuss the issue of minimum wage, but the provision is that council of states will advise government, then I will now send the minutes to the National Assembly.

“During that process, we said that we need to look at it again and also reason with labour, especially as it affects the private sector and other smaller employees; and this is to tell you that government takes labour matters seriously.

“We agreed that we are meeting again in three weeks time. This is council that meets once or at most two times a year. They (labour) know that government is passionate about them, and I believe they will not over demonstrate this minor difference.

“Nobody is saying they will not be paid, but let the consultations be done properly, that government will not be blamed if there are some lapses along the line,” he said.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5639696-146/jonathan_pleads_with_labour_to_suspend.csp

A scheduled crucial meeting with the Federal Government today, on the contentious new national minimum wage notwithstanding, organized labour yesterday talked tough saying no appeal would stop the nationwide strike begining on Wednesday.

The workers’ unions said only the transmission of an enabling Bill to the National Assembly on the implementation of the new wage will stop the industrial action.

Government is to engage labour by 2:00pm on how to stave off the planned industrial action by the workers over alleged non-commitment of government to the implementation of the N18,000 new national minimum wage at a meeting expected to be attended also by the employers body, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

Meanwhile, as the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) go into the meeting with the Vice-President, Nnamadi Sambo- led Technical Committee set up by the National Council of State to address the issues, a flurry of support for labour came from a spectrum of stakeholders, such as the Labour Party and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), which described as justified, the workers’ position.
Labour had planned a three-day warning nationwide strike for Wednesday, November 10 to 12, after which it would order a full blown one if government fails to respond to its demand.

Indication that today’s meeting may not achieve the expected purpose, emerged when the NLC Strike Committee Chairman, Promise Adewusi told Daily Sun there was no need for the meeting and that labour would only honour the invitation out of respect for the office of the Vice-President.

According to him, the situation had passed the stage of discussion, because there was nothing to discuss.
Said he: “we ‘re not supposed to be at the meeting, but because of the respect we have for the office and person of Mr. Vice-President, we’ll be there. There is really nothing to discuss. And we also know that there is still time for government to take action on the matter. Alhaji Shehu Shagari did it in 1981, a minimum wage bill was passed within 24 hours. Chief Obasanjo did it. Within three days, a bill was prepared and passed. So there is nothing new in this if government is serious.

“All these meetings are mechanisms for buying time. We have passed the stage, on Belgore recommendation we stand,” he stated. National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dan Nwayanwu said there is no time for government’s usual rhetoric and endless negotiations because the working people of Nigeria had suffered for too long and government just has to perform.

While identifying with the course of the workers, the party boss described as callous the inability of government to pay workers their dues.“Since independence, the working people of Nigeria have been creating wealth for the nation which the leaders have been squandering. “All the developments in the FCT and other state capitals were made possible by the workers through hardwork and commitment, all they have been paid back with was massive looting at the expense of those who generated the wealth.

“Labour Party sides with the workers and will match side by side with them to Aso Rock and other places they are protesting to so as to make the implementation possible.” Chief Nwayanwu therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan, who himself is a worker not to waste time in ensuring the bill is presented to the National Assembly for quick, prompt and accelerated debates.

He stated: “It is a matter for regret that since independence, successive governments had never on its own, implemented wage raise without a strike. One would have thought that President Jonathan would make a difference. The time has come for government to put on its thinking cap and put in place strategies whereby salaries will be automatically increased.

“The take home pay of workers can hardly take them to the bus stop. This is one of the reasons Nigerian workers should see Labour Party as their only partner in progress in this struggle for a better remuneration.
The party chairman advised all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on government to do the right thing on time because the cost of the strike on the economy would be far greater than what it would take to implement the new wage.

The CNPP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu asked the government to respect the agreement as the only way to avert an industrial strike in the midst of national recession.
“CNPP is unaware of the new national minimum wage President Jonathan is referring to, apart from the national minimum wage Act of 2000, which pegged minimum wage at N5,500. It is therefore regrettable that either President Jonathan or the National Council of States are being misled by the salary increase to federal workers.
“It is our considered view that the Tripartite Committee Report has provided a critical legal framework for a new national minimum wage, accordingly it is incumbent on the Federal, State and Local governments and the private sector to adopt; as they were duly represented throughout the one year – from 14th July, 2009 to 1st July 2010 - sittings of the committee headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore.

“ We‘re at a loss which further due consultation President Jonathan is referring to, instead of implementing the tripartite agreement. We consequently challenge him to forthwith, submit the accompanying bill in the Tripartite Committee Report as an Executive bill to the National Assembly to give legal teeth to the new minimum wage.
“CNPP cannot separate the monumental corruption going on in our public institutions and our poor rating in the Global Competitive Index and Transparency International from abysmal poor remuneration of Nigerian workers.
“Is it not paradoxical that a president who is on jumbo salary, with uncountable perks of office is wavering on granting workers who go to the same market a less than living wage. Moreso when the workers are aware that the governors, parliamentarians are also on jumbo pay.”


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/nov/08/national-08-11-2010-001.htm

Thanks Punch, this is a good story. Our govt should be alive to their resposibility

The cause of the recent flooding that wreaked havoc on parts of Lagos and Ogun states has been widely linked to the waters released from the Oyan Dam located in Abeokuta area of Ogun. But a visit to the facility reveals much more, writes AKEEM LASISI, with photographs by Odutayo Odusanya. In a wide world of its own, the Oyan Dam nestles opulently like an alternative sea. But for the sturdy walls and other devices holding its gently dancing water from flowing off beat, anyone without a knowledge of geography or unfamiliar with the dam‘s history would hardly think that it is a man-made river.



To a water freak, the temptation is even there to jump inside and begin to swim. But that would be a naked risk, if not a sporting suicide. For in terms of depth, the Oyan Dam can be about the height of some 20 storey buildings erected on top of one another. Speaking in figures, the lake covers 4,000 hectares and has a catchment area of 9,000 km. It has a crest length of 1044 m, height, 30.4 m and gross storage capacity of 270 million m. More importantly, the dread that had, in the past six weeks, developed around the name, ‘Oyan Dam’, would not encourage anyone who witnessed the flood that ravaged several parts of Ogun and Lagos States to venture too near the artificial river.



Ironically, this morning, Monday, October 25, the dam is calm - almost too calm for the image it has so acquired when many people linked the cause of the floods that have left many people homeless and turned them into unintended guests at a relief camp built for the victims by Lagos State government. Only two weeks ago, a young woman, Uche Victor, gave birth to a girl at the emergency home in Agbowa, Epe Local Government Area of the state. Some nine months ago, when Uche and her husband were concretising the agenda to have the baby, it could never have crossed their minds that it would be born far away from their home or their family hospital.



Yet, as a Yoruba proverb says, if a death that threatened to kill one eventually ends up seizing only one‘s cap, there is still a lot to rejoice about. For the couple‘s case is nothing compared to the tragedy the flood inflicted on Ugochi Ude and her parents. The school girl lost her life in the flood.



Damned from giving its best



Located in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State - about 20 km north-west of Abeokuta, the Oyan River Dam crosses the Oyan River, a tributary of the Ogun River. It was built in 1981 by the Sheu Shagari administration to primarily supply raw water to Lagos and Abeokuta. Commissioned by Shagari on March 29 1983, the dam is operated by the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, whose head office is on Alabata Road in Abeokuta area. The dam also has potential for use in irrigation and power generation, but the turbines installed there have never functioned.



While the Oyan Dam may have lived up to expectation in the area of water supply, with the Public Relations Manager of the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, Mr. Femi Dokunmu, noting that it gives this to Oyo and Ogun water corporations at a subsidised rate, there is little or no evidence that it has been given the opportunity to boost irrigation. Unlike what obtains in the North where many farmers plant across the year, making a full use of the dams that punctuate its arid land, farming by irrigation is not a popular tradition down South. The dam was intended to support 3,000 hectares in the first phase, but the land has since inception been lying fallow. Only this year, the federal government budgeted N43m for construction of the gravity irrigation scheme at the dam and N11m for dam operations.



Yet, the most perennially redundant segment of the dam are the three turbines of 3 megawatts each installed in it. They have never been put to use. Dokunmu, however, says that this is not in any way the fault of the operators of the dam. According to him, the running of the turbine is the responsibility of the Ministry of Power and Steel.



It is not the first time that the dam‘s activity would be linked to flooding. Right from inception, it dawned on its operators that some 22 villages in the neighbourhood had to be relocated. Hence, OORBA built Abule Titun, a then enviable settlement for indigenes of Gborigi, Baba Ode, Molakun, Abule Aare, Abule Gbose Durodoye, Ageru and other villages. Today, however, the story of Abule Titun is that of grass to grace and fatally back to grass.



In May 2009, after a heavy rainfall, the dam‘s operators were forced to release exceptional amounts of water for safety reasons, causing some flooding.



Rejecting the blame



As the victims struggle to cope with life while other stakeholders continue to weigh new options, however, operators of the dam are persistently crying that it is not the cause of the woes. At the OOBRA office, Dokunmu could not hide the frustration of the management at the conclusions many have reached on the cause of the flooding.



“Let me first correct the impression that many people have as far as the recent floods on parts of Ogun and Lagos State is concerned,” Dokunmu says. “I wonder why even the media appears not to be cohesive on this issue, anyway. The flooding was not as a result of the water released from the Oyan Dam. So, when people are looking for solution, they should not be coming to Oyan Dam. The solution is beyond the dam or the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority that manages it.”



According to him, all stakeholders should realise that the affected areas had been experiencing flooding since 1963 when the dam had not been built. The topography of the affected areas, which makes many rivers empty their water into the Ogun River, heavy rainfalls and blockages on flood channels are responsible for the disaster.



He further notes that the Ogun River receives water from Iseyin, Lanlate and other towns in Oke Ogun, as a result of the topography that makes all rivers to flow accordingly. But when reminded the fact that water was definitely released from the dam, he affirms it but maintains that the cause of the flooding is deeper than this. Dokunmu is also quick to note that the fact that the floods have receded is not because water is no more being released at the dam. It is because rain has gone down, because when they were releasing water, they were not pumping it from any strange place.



He adds, “The water that goes into the dam is not from oblivion. We are even helping to regulate flood. The rain that would normally have flowed into the Ogun River is part of what the dam collects. We first capture the water and hold it for a long time - until it becomes unsafe to continue to do so. When it reaches the capacity at which it is dangerous to continue to hold it, we open the valve and release through the channel built for it. Once the water is about 63 metres high, we have to open the dam and reduce to about 61/60. Now, imagine what would have happened if the dam was not there, now that the only 3 metres being released has caused so much apprehension and distortion of facts.”



The authorities started releasing water in August. But, Dokunmu says, necessary warning was given. The timing, he notes, further corroborates the fact that it was rain that caused the flooding. According to him, heavy downpour had been ravaging parts of Abeokuta since July, with the floods it caused washing away bridges while the rivers vomited endlessly into the Ogun River.



“He adds that the river too should not have had this problem if it were able to freely empty its content into the Lagoon. But the Lagoon itself is full and overflowing. The water that should thus have been entered the Lagoon was pushed back.



Dokunmu compares the process that Oyan Dam follows to release water to that of Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin, Oyo State. Because the dam, whose capacity is twice that of Oyan, it is not gated, nobody needs to make any announcement before releasing water. So, nobody links the dam with flooding.



“He explains, “Once its own reservoir is full, water begins to flow out. Those overseeing it don‘t need to tell anyone that they want to open the reservoir. But because we make announcement, people say, ‘They are the ones causing the flood.”



A Geography lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Alabi Soneye, has also corroborated this point, absolving Oyan Dam on the one hand, and linking the cause to climate ‘drama‘ on the other.



“What we have experienced this year is climatic drama. It is the same quantity of water that should have come in eight months now coming in four months. People have called it climate change. But it is more or less drama coming,” Soneye notes.



This is also the stand of the Meteorological Society of Nigeria, with its President, Prof. Jerome Omotosho, saying that it warned well ahead of the coming of the heavy rains. He cites attitudinal problem as what has heightened the tragedy, saying that people take even vital information for granted.



Omotosho explains, ”We predicted that most parts of the country would have reduced length of rain, and that rain would be condensed into a short period of time. We are in an age of an unusual weather, and the events unfolding are symptomatic of what we call climate change. Long before the rains came, we called a national meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the implications of the variations.”



In Abule Tuntun, life lives close to hell



The name, ‘Abule Titun’, means a new settlement. True to the name, Abule Titun used to be new and novel. Based on the low socio-economic background the villagers were coming from, and the fact that it was built some 30 years ago, the settlement was a first class estate in such a rural environment. Comprising over 100 three-bedroom flats, the architectural dream behind it, as well as the way the plan was delivered, still remains impressive despite the fact that the physical glory of the houses has dimmed.



By 1981 when the dam was first dug, flooding and threat of further disasters became the lot of the villages that surrounded it. The way the Nigeria LNG had to relocate the people of Finima, a community near Bonny in Rivers State, OORBA had to sell to the villagers the idea of their having to move. It was a hard pill for the people to swallow, based on the more-than-romantic attachment they had within their immediate places of origin, which straddles the cultural, religious and the supernatural. But because it is only a person that can keep his life that can keep his heritage, the indigenes had to open their mouths for the bitter spill.



“Ordinarily, we did not want to vacate our villages - where our fathers and forefathers lived and passed onto us,” says the Baale (Head of the village), Pa Mustapha Ogundijo. ”But when we saw the danger coming, we had to agree and move.” He adds that, at the beginning, the settlement signposted a new paradise ahead of them.



Unfortunately, all the infrastructure that could support good living and justify the river basin‘s authority investment in the village has completely broken down. While a painstakingly-tarred old but still viable road that leads to the dam is still good, the one that leads to Abule Tuntun is hardly passable. At some points, it is a network of mock gullies. At some others, it is a stretch of sharp, big, yellow stones waiting to pierce any tyre that dares to slide over it. The road is about three kilometres from the dam, but it took a taxi that took our correspondents about half an hour to get there, as the cab also had to also battle with tippers that indiscriminately scoop sands and stones from the area.



In Abule Tuntun, there is no light and there is no pipe borne water. While this is a common cross that many other millions of Nigerians are used to carrying, the case of the villagers is peculiar because they have never enjoyed the facilities despite the fact thast those materials relevant to the provision of the goodies were part of the initial plan of the village. This is evident in the fact that the wiring of every house in the village was completed before the residents moved in there in 1981/82. Although no transformer or electric pole was installed, in each house is erected a cable box, several bulbs, some of which flaunt solid and colourful lamp holders that, however, have never felt electric voltage in their existence. Apparently, the contractor who handled the aspect of the building had abandoned it for whatever reason.



This was part of the irony that kepts the Baale complaining bitterly while speaking on his experience in the village.



“There is no road,” the old man says. “There is no light. This is how we have been suffering here since. Many people have died. Many have abandoned their houses because the suffering is too much. Even when our farms yield good crops, we suffer a hell to convey them to the town.”



As a mark of the OORBA‘s good plan for the settlers, it built a school and a town hall in the settlement. But the school - Muslim School, Babaode - looks gaunt as it has largely been out of form. The hall too, which faces a dispensary said to have been built and run by Odeda Local Government Area, has been overgrown by bushes, making Ogundijo, who became the Baale three years ago, to urge government and the dam operators to urgently assist them. Curious enough, while the operators of Oyan Dam note that Abule Tuntun is in Abeokuta Local Government Area, Ogundimu and his people keep on referring to Odeda Local Government as the unit that controls the village.



He explains, ”They should save us. We live in peace among ourselves. We work diligently on our farms. We do not nurse any grudge against the workers of the dam. But even when our farms yield very well, it is too difficult for us to convey the crops to the market.”



While some of the settlers also take the advantage of the presence of the dam to fish the lake and farm vegetables along the fertile shoreline as the lake recedes in the dry season, the dam has also caused health crises for them in the past. Urinary schistosomiasis was once rampant among the villagers. Also known as bilharziasis or snail fever, schistosomiasis is a primarily tropical parasitic disease caused by the larvae of one or more of five types of flatworms or blood flukes known as schistosomes. The name bilharziasis comes from Theodor Bilharz, a German pathologist, who identified the worms in 1851. A 2009 study of levels of the disease in the Ibaro-Oyan and Abule Titun communities found high levels of infection due to use of untreated water.



Dokunmu acknowledges the fact that things are not in the best shape for the villagers. But he is, again, quick to absolve the OORBA of blame, saying provision of amenities to Abule Titun is the duty of government.



“As far as we are concerned, we have done our best by building those facilities. There is no agreement that says they have to be perpetually maintained by us.”



Birth cry from the relief camp



Since what is permanent in life is change, life has started taking shape at the relief camp floated for the victims by the Raji Fashola government of Lagos State.



Initially, there arose discordant tunes over the desirability of the camp. Some of the victims kicked against it, saying they were not prepared to live their embattled abodes. But the drama of what to happen later began to unfold when some smart folk decided to sentence themselves into the camp. They were never affected by the disaster, but they showed up, seeking to reap where they did not lose.



While this appears to have been sorted out, many of the accredited victims at the arena in Agbowa have since embraced the realities of their present station. According to one of them, who simply gave his name as James, he is already considering getting a shop in the area as it is tough navigating Ajegunle, former house and shop daily. James is a spare parts seller.



In the case of some other people, however, it is nature, which initially released the rain that got them into the camp, that has continued to decide for them. Among them is Uche, the19-year-old that just gave birth to the youngest mortal in the camp. Against all odds, Uche can now lead her campmates to sing Iyeyeriye, as juju superstar, King Sunny Ade, sings in his album titled The Child. The joy of the successful delivery has erased the memory of the flood or displacement in her.



And soon, Uche‘s daughter will get some juniors, as not less than three other women are also expectant mothers.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110813132431

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye, has predicted better days for sports in the country.

Adeboye, who was speaking at the special thanksgiving/prayer service for Nigerian sports held at the headquarters of the church on Redemption Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos, relived the good old days when Nigeria was first among equals in the comity of sporting nations but rued her steady decline in the past few years.

“Once upon a time, Nigeria was a leading nation in sports, I remember a time when we used to have world boxing champions from this country, when we had one of the best footballers in the world; in the person of Thunder Balogun. But now, our team which was originally called Super Eagles is now being called Super Chickens by some people. I know if we cry unto God to intervene, things will change for the better and the glory of the country will be restored,” he said.

Present at the event, which was first of its kind, were former internationals, Segun Odegbami, Peter Rufai, Gideon Njoku, Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Taiwo Afinnih, alongside former national tennis coach, Babatunde Obisanya, among others.

Tayo Oreweme, the Liaison Officer for the National Sports Commission in Lagos, represented the Sports Minister, Ibrahim Bio, who was originally scheduled to attend the event. Oreweme commended the initiators of the programme, while stating that Bio was pleased that the church was showing some concern for sporting matters in the country.

Also speaking at the event, Odegbami said that given the dire straits Nigerian sports finds itself, divine intervention was clearly needed, noting that the decision by the RCCG to pray for Nigerian sports meant that breakthrough is around the corner.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2010/nov/08/sportsbreak-08-11-2010-001.htm

Come rain, come sunshine eto is still my man. I won’t be suprise if he wins again. As long as Adamu doesn’t vote.

No Nigerian player has been nominated for the 2010 CAF African Footballer of the Year award to be presented in Cairo, Egypt on December 20.



The 10-man list of nominees for the prestigious award was unveiled by CAF on Sunday.



Nigeria crashed out in the first round of the World Cup in South Africa and have struggled to impress at the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers.



And no Super Eagles player joined one of the European giants in the summer transfer. But instead the shining lifght in the group – Osaze Odemwingie – joined lowly Premier League club West Brown. Obafemi Martins quit modest German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for Rubin Kazan in the unrated Russian league, while Chelsea’s Mikel Obi has not been able to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.



However, Nigeria have a chance of shrugging off the disappointment as Eagles forward Michael Eneramo has been shortlisted for the CAF Africa-based Player of the Year award. Eneramo is the leading CAF Champions League scorer after scoring nine goals for his Tunisian club Esperance in the tournament.



South Africa 2010 World Cup revelation Ghana‘s Asamoah Gyan, who has been nominated for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d‘Or award, occupies a prominent place on the African list alongside his Black Stars teammates at the world showpiece – Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng.



The trio will battle for the crown with three-time winner Cameroon‘s Samuel Eto‘o and the duo of Chelsea‘s Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba, who won the award last year.



Conspicuously missing from the list is Ghana and Chelsea‘s Michael Essien, who was nominated for previous awards.



Eto‘o, who has already won the award three times from 2003-2005, helped Inter Milan to win the UEFA Champions League in May.



Drogba, who also took the award in 2006, was pivotal for the Chelsea side that won the English Premier League title in May.











Eneramo faces a tough challenge from Ahmed Hassan (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Oussama Darragi (Esperance and Tunisia), Alain Kaluyituka Dioko (TP Mazembe and DR Congo)and Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo‘ (Al-Ahly and Egypt) for the Africa-based Player of the Year. award.



National coaches or technical directors of CAF member nations will choose the winners. 2010 CAF awards shortlist:



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011080402964

HERE WE GO AGAIN,WHY A TWO YEARS CONTRACT? WE HAVENT LEARN ANYTHING IN THESE COUNTRY WHAT A PITY.

The present crop of national assembly members are very irresponsible and greedy. If they go on with their evil plan, we can stop by a total recall. We sent them there to represent us and if they think they are now lords we can begin the process of recall. Most of them are seen and not heard. They are making a mess of the whole democratic process.

THIS FAYEMI MAN.PLEASE SOMEONE SHOULD TELL HIM THAT THE CELEBRATION IS OVER.NOW,GET DOWN TO WORK AND DELIVER YOUR OWN RESULTS. SHIKENA !! I’M TIRED OF OLD WORN OUT SONGS HE DID THIS AND DID THE OTHER THING. FOR ONCE,KEEP QUIET AND DELIVER WHAT YOU HAVE FOR EKITI PEOPLE.ENOUGH OF PRESS BRIEFINGS.ENOUGH SINGING TO THE PRESS DAILY

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday said he inherited a N30bn debt from his predecessor, Mr. Segun Oni.



Fayemi, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu on Sunday, spoke in a chat with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.



The statement explained that the sum included debts owed contractors and banks.



He said the debts remained the liabilities which his government had to offset.



According to Fayemi, “The immediate past regime took bank facilities, which attracted as much as 22 per cent interest rate, because of the high risk involved in dealing with an illegitimate government, which spent 42 months jumping from one court room to the other.”



The governor, according to the statement, however, declared that he would not allow the discovery to deter him from realising his promises to Ekiti people. Fayemi noted that the expectation of the people towards him were high, assuring that his administration would not fail them.



He said, “The state is indebted to the tune of about N30bn, being money owed contractors, banks, irrevocable standing orders to institutions at 22 per cent. This was because nobody was ready to lend to them at a favourable rate because of the uncertainty of that tenure.



“We are going to have to cope with that debt burden and at the same time look for longer term support that would enable us to deliver the promises we made to our people.”



Fayemi said his administration would work with international developmental agencies like the World Bank, United Kingdom Department for International Development and African Development Bank to fund his eight-point agenda. Apart from that, the governor said he would also focus on agriculture so that the state could regain its position as the ‘food basket’ of the South-West.



He said, “Education, health, development of human capital and freedom from poverty must remain inalienable rights of our people. But in accomplishing the necessary tasks, we will not privilege ideology over fact or dogma over common sense. Our primary objective will be what works best in the interest of our people.”



Fayemi reiterated his commitment to ensuring effective, responsive and transparent government, assuring that he would be careful in appointing commissioners and special advisers to reduce the cost of governance.



“We must reduce the cost of governance significantly. We promised free education, free medical care to children aged less than five, pregnant women, the disabled and the aged. We will focus our resources on these, and we have no apologies. That is what we are going to do,” he added.



Although Fayemi said that he would not institute a total probe of his predecessor’s tenure, he, however, warned that “it would be foolhardy for anyone to think that we’ll just forget about the past, without asking questions.”



However, Oni has described the allegations as untrue, noting that his government left an unspecified amount of money behind. The commissioner for information during Oni’s tenure, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who spoke on his behalf, said on the telephone, “Governor Fayemi should know that there were many ongoing projects and massive road construction work which did not stop even when there was a change of government. This was because we had mobilised the contractors and the process of paying the balance when the jobs are completed had been put in place.



“Oni was not a flamboyant governor, he was very prudent and managed the resources of the state government very well. That was why he was able to leave behind billions of money in the coffers.



“Where did Fayemi get the money he spent on his inauguration and the amount he used to pay workers’ salaries since he had frozen the state accounts?”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011081245535

FELLOW NIGERIANS LETS NOT BLAME MR. PRESIDENT, ALL THE BLAMES SHOULD GO TO OUR SOCALLED REPRESENTATIVES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS FROM COUNCILLORS TO SENATORS. ASSUMING THEY KNOW WHY THEY ARE WHER THEY ARE TODAY, SALARY INCREASE / MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE THEIR COLLECTIVE FIGHT AND NOT LABOUR / TUC LEADERS ALONE. ANYWAY LETS HOPE THAT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION FEVER IS NOT DISTRACTING THEM, BUT PLEASE FOR GOD’S SAKE THREE WEEKS IS TOO MUCH WAITING FOR COUNCILS MEETING. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AS A MATTER O

Vice-President Namadi Sambo and state governors will meet on Monday (today) over the impending three-day warning strike by workers.



The strike, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, is intended to protest the delay in the implementation of the N18, 000 new minimum wage by the Federal Government.



THE PUNCH learnt from a top union leader on Sunday that labour leaders had been invited to Abuja for the meeting with Sambo and the governors in order to resolve the problem before Wednesday.



The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to journalists on the issue, is one of those invited to the meeting.



He explained that the vice-president had to step in when the meeting between the labour leaders and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, ended in a deadlock on Friday.



The source said, “Nothing came out of the meeting with the minister. As a matter of fact, the matter has gone beyond the Minister of Labour. There is a meeting with the vice-president on Monday (today).”



When contacted, Wogu could not confirm whether or not the labour leaders would meet with Sambo.



“I am not sure of the meeting you are talking about. I am not in the vice-president’s office. The only meeting that might be holding on Monday is that of the technical committee.”



The technical committee chaired by Sambo was constituted during the National Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday.



The council, which comprises the President, the vice-president, past Nigerian leaders and governors, had deferred a decision on the implementation of the minimum wage, citing ‘technical and practical issues’ as reasons.



Although the NCS said it was “sympathetic to the idea (payment of the N18,000 minimum wage),” it mandated the Sambo-led committee to study the ‘technical and practical issues’ and submit its report in two weeks.



Wogu, however, refuted the claim that the meeting he had with the labour leaders on Friday was unproductive.



According to him, the meeting was convened to acquaint the labour leaders with the outcome of the NCS meeting.



He said, “The purpose of the meeting was to relay the outcome of the meeting of the National Council of State. So no one can say that the meeting ended in futility.



“Right now, the council has constituted a technical committee to address the issue and that is the highest council in the country. Why will they not be satisfied with that?”



According to him, the only immediate solution to the ‘problem’ is for the labour leaders to show some understanding.



He added, “There is a solution but the labour leaders have to show some understanding. If they are fighting for the people, they should at least do it genuinely.



“The technical committee has been given two weeks to submit its report. They should understand that this thing cannot be done in a day because it has to pass through the National Assembly.”



The Nigeria Labour Congress Secretary-General, Mr. John Odah, however, confirmed that labour leaders had been invited to a meeting in Abuja today.



Odah, who also insisted that the strike would go on as planned, said the labour leaders were not told the reason for the meeting.



He said, “Yes, we have been invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the council of state’s committee headed by the vice-president. We don’t honestly know why we are being invited, since we are not members. Going there as spectators is obviously not going to help in resolving anything.”



Odah also expressed displeasure that the government was prevaricating on the implementation of the minimum wage more than one year after it was jointly agreed on.



He, therefore, hoped the President would “see through the apparently reluctant governors and throw his enormous weight behind the suffering Nigerian workers.”



Odah said, “It is sad that up till this moment, we do not have anything substantial on the table to warrant our not going ahead with the warning strike.



“We note Mr. President’s call for dialogue. If the President calls for dialogue, we won’t disregard such a call.



“Our position is that we have a tripartite agreement in which state governments were represented on the negotiating table. Private employers represented by their umbrella bodies were also part of the agreement.”



When contacted, Sambo’s media aide, Mr. Sani Usara, confirmed that the vice-president would attend the meeting of the National Council on Minimum Wage on Monday (today) in Abuja.



The NLC had on Thursday raised an 11-member committee to mobilise workers for the strike.



A vice-chairman of the congress, Mr. Promise Adewusi, who heads the committee, told journalists in Abuja that TUC was firm in its determination to ensure the implementation of the new wage.



The TUC and NLC had on Friday accused the Federal Government of ‘technically repudiating’ the National Minimum Wage Agreement.



TUC President-General, Mr. Peter Esele, who also spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, said the strike would go on as planned except the government did something between Monday(today).



Esele said the NLC and the TUC would not wait for the outcome of the Sambo-led committee’s report.



President Goodluck Jonathan had, on Saturday, said the Federal Government was ready to discuss with labour unions to avert nationwide strike.



According to Jonathan, the council had agreed to meet in three weeks’ time because of the urgency of the matter.



The President noted that there was the need for due consultation to be made over the matter because of the involvement of the private sector.



He also said there was a need for the National Assembly to pass a bill into law to make the implementation hitch-free.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101108261596

Who else knows Mikel order the coach who brought him to the limelight. I keep saying Mourinho destroyed Mikel. I however believe he can still be the best if he is under the right coach and he doesnt full of himself.

New Nigeria coach, Samson Siasia, has urged Chelsea‘s Mikel Obi not to limit his game to defending but strive to score goals.



The 23-year-old Mikel, who was five years ago adjudged as the second best player at the Under-20 World Cup behind Lionel Messi, is now expected to play a big role in the Super Eagles under Siasia.



”Mikel is an offensive player, but when he moved to Chelsea, they changed him because they had a better player offensive wise like Frank Lampard who can score goals,” Siasia told MTNFootball.com.



”I don‘t think he is playing in his natural position because we all saw what Mikel played in 2005 (U-20 World Cup in Holland) and everybody loved him for what he did. He can keep the ball and create chances for the strikers to score goals. ”



Siasia said Mikel would have to do more going forward to become a world beater.



He said, ”Mikel is a fantastic player, but if you want to be a great player, you have to take risks, do something extra. As a defensive midfielder, you do not have to do much; you just win the ball and pass to the other player.”



The offensive player takes on more responsibilities,”







”(Michael) Essien scores goals from defensive positions, why can‘t Mikel take the kind of chances that Essien takes? If you don‘t shoot, you will never score. You keep passing those short balls, but sometimes you need to take a little bit of risk. That is what is missing in Mikel‘s game.”



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011080435031