1. The resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), following its meeting at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 17th-18th August 2024, gave a 21-day ultimatum to the Government of Nigeria to address all the unresolved issues that have plagued the public university system. This ultimatum was duly communicated to the government through the Minister of Education via a letter dated 20th August 2024.

2. The issues in contention include (a) conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021; (b) release of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries due to the 2022 strike action; (c) release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); (d) release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions; (e) funding for the revitalization of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget; (g) payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget; (h) proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments; (i) implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities; (j) illegal dissolution of Governing Councils; and (k) University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a replacement for IPPIS.

3. The leadership of ASUU met to review government’s response on Thursday, 19th September 2024. We noted, with regrets, that government's failure to fully implement the Memoranda of Understanding/Actions (MOUs/MOAs) arising from the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009, particularly between 2013 and 2020, had continued to exacerbate crises in public universities. In particular, government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the FGN-ASUU Agreement that has lingered for upward of seven (7) years, and implement the Agreement, has not helped matters especially given the current economic realities in the country. Government’s wage awards should not and cannot replace the finalization of the draft FGN-ASUU Agreement package which was etched on collective bargaining principles.

4. Also, the government's refusal to address non-monetary issues such as the removal of universities from IPPIS, despite a presidential directive and a court order, is deeply concerning. In 2020, ASUU responded to the government's challenge to provide an alternative and more efficient payment platform by developing the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a purely homegrown technology solution. However, the government has refused to accept this alternative despite its superiority to IPPIS.

5. Furthermore, the government's failure to implement the recommendations of visitation panels and amend the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to prevent the proliferation of public universities, despite claiming a lack of funds to support existing institutions, is not only alarming, but embarrassing. When it suits their interests, government agents expressly amend old laws and pass new ones without much ado. However, the same political elites ignore ASUU’s consistent demands for quality university education and treat the country’s scholars like 16th-century slaves in their rabid pursuit of bountiful dividends of “contractoracy” and constituency projects.

6. What has become clear from recent engagements is that the current government has continued with the old antics, characterized by bureaucratic bottlenecks, time-buying tactics, denial of documentations, and lack of budgetary provisions, to confound and complicate matters. It is a fact that funds were allocated for payment of EAA and revitalization of public universities in the 2023 budget. It is also true that the Presidential directive on moving academics out of the IPPIS platform has not been heeded for close to one year! Our union shall not sit idly and watch agents of government undermine its resolve to cater for the welfare of its members and protect the integrity of the university system through these and similar acts of provocation.

7. Information available to ASUU does not support government's claims of insufficient funds, but points squarely to deficit of political will. The substantial inflows from subsidy removal and devaluation of the Naira, translating to the humongous monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the three tiers of government make nonsense of the outlandish claims. Elementary economics suggests that Government does not prioritize the welfare and well-being of Nigerian academics; otherwise, the prolonged engagements with ASUU should have yielded fruitful outcomes for stability and industrial harmony in the Nigerian University System.

8. We reiterate our firm belief in the principles of dialogue and collective bargaining, as enshrined in the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, for resolving all issues. This is why ASUU has been consulting leaders of thought, including former presidents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the leadership of the National Assembly, on how to peacefully resolves the lingering issues to the benefit of Nigeria’s public university system and the nation at large.

9. However, the government's continued use of empty promises, non-committal attitude, and delay tactics is fanning the ambers of crisis in our public university system. Therefore, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to address these outstanding issues in line with the African Union’s strategy of using the path of quality and accessible education towards realizing the AU agenda 2063. This is especially as 2024 has been declared the African Union Year of Education. The Nigerian ruling class should stop paying lip service to funding public education, which they benefited from in their days.

10. In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union. The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud.

Emmanuel Osodeke

President, ASUU

23rd September, 2024

3

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as he marks his 80th birthday today, September 25, 2024.

Oba Rashidi is an accomplished businessman who served as Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007 and as a Senator in the Third Republic.

He was elevated from Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland to a beaded-crown-wearing Oba by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on August 12, 2024.

President Tinubu joins family, friends, and the people of Ibadanland to celebrate the elder statesman on this milestone.

The President commends Oba Rashidi for his strength of will and courage in pursuing justice and lofty ideals.

President Tinubu salutes the astute politician for his service to the nation and dedication to the cause of a greater Nigeria.

The President recalls his time at the Senate during the short-lived Third Republic when providence crossed their paths.

He thanks Oba Rashidi for his friendship and support over the years.

President Tinubu prays for unceasing wisdom, robust health, and strength for Oba Rashidi as he marks this significant occasion.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

Renowned hip-hop mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs, famously known as P Diddy or Puff Daddy, has found himself embroiled in significant legal trouble, facing serious accusations that have placed the rapper and music mogul in the public eye.

Naija News recalls that on Monday, September 16, Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York after months of civil lawsuits involving allegations of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and rape.

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is currently holding him without bail, as he was denied release twice.

According to The Independent, federal prosecutors have released a newly unsealed indictment accusing Combs and his associates of coercing women to engage in abusive sexual acts, some of which were recorded, under a disturbing label Combs reportedly called “Freak Outs.”

Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, has maintained his client’s innocence, asserting, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

According to Sky News, the charges Combs faces span sex trafficking, drug possession, and firearms offences.

The indictment from the Southern District of New York outlines three primary accusations: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and the transportation of individuals for prostitution.

Key Allegations

1. Sex Trafficking and Abuse

Combs is accused of abusing, threatening, and coercing women, leveraging his power and influence to create a criminal network that perpetuated sexual exploitation.

His alleged actions, dating back to 2008, reportedly included drugging victims and forcing them to participate in “Freak Offs”—elaborate, staged sexual performances that were often recorded.

Victims were kept in drug-induced compliance during these events, which sometimes lasted for days, according to the legal filings.

2. Violence and Intimidation

Prosecutors claim that Combs and his associates resorted to violence and intimidation, including kidnapping, arson, and threats of physical and reputational harm, especially when anyone challenged Combs’ authority or reputation. Witnesses to the alleged crimes were reportedly silenced by force.

3. Years of Alleged Misconduct

The lawsuits against Combs have gained significant attention since November 16, 2023, when singer and dancer Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs subjected her to a decade of trafficking, rape, and physical abuse.

Below is a breakdown of the key individuals who have accused Combs:

Notable Accusations

1. Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura

Cassie, a well-known R&B singer and former partner of Combs, filed a lawsuit accusing him of a decade-long pattern of sexual abuse.

Surveillance footage obtained by CNN in May 2024 appeared to corroborate parts of her claims, showing Combs violently chasing her in a Los Angeles hotel.

Cassie settled the lawsuit with Combs the day after filing it, preferring to resolve the matter amicably.

2. Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith

A 51-year-old inmate, Cardello-Smith, filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party in the 1990s. The court awarded Cardello-Smith a $100 million default judgment after Combs failed to attend a virtual hearing.

3. Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones

Music producer Rodney Jones filed a lawsuit in February 2024, claiming that Combs subjected him to sexual harassment and exploitation.

Jones worked with Combs from 2022 to 2023 and claimed he was forced into encounters with sex workers hired by Combs.

4. Joie Dickerson-Neal

In November 2023, Dickerson-Neal alleged that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991 while she was a college student. The incident was reportedly recorded without her consent.

5. Crystal McKinney

After the release of CCTV footage showing Combs’ assault on Cassie, McKinney filed a lawsuit in May 2024, accusing Combs of sexually assaulting her in 2003 at his New York City recording studio.

6. April Lampros

Following McKinney’s lawsuit, Lampros came forward alleging that Combs assaulted her multiple times from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, following their meeting when she was still a student.

7. Dawn Richard

Former bandmate Dawn Richard accused Combs of sexual and physical abuse starting in 2009. Her lawsuit, filed in New York federal court, details alleged violent encounters and claims that Combs enabled the sexual exploitation of underage girls. Richard also claims that Combs withheld payment and issued death threats.

Combs’ Response

Combs has categorically denied all allegations, pleading not guilty to the charges. His legal team maintains that he is not a criminal, but rather an imperfect man who has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

“Diddy is an imperfect person but is not criminal,” Combs’ lawyer had said.

He urged the public to reserve judgment until all facts have been revealed, asserting that his client is innocent and prepared to clear his name in court.

“To his credit, Mr Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.

“Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his lawyer added.

[NaijaNews]

Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappe, is set to miss playing for the next three weeks due to a thigh injury, ruling him out of Sunday’s highly anticipated Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old French international sustained the injury during Madrid’s 3-2 La Liga victory over Alaves on Tuesday.

Mbappe, who netted his seventh goal of the season just before half-time, was substituted in the 80th minute, with Arda Guler coming on to replace him.

At the time of his exit, Madrid were leading 3-0, but two late goals from Alaves made for a tense finish.

Following the match, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reassured fans about Mbappe’s condition, stating, “He’s fine, he’s fine, a little bit (over) loaded. He asked me to change to avoid problems.”

However, a medical assessment on Wednesday revealed that Mbappe has sustained “an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg,” according to a statement from the club.

The forward is now expected to be sidelined until mid-October.

This injury not only rules Mbappe out of the Madrid derby but also puts him in doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Lille on October 2.

This would have marked Mbappe’s first return to France at club level since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid have faced several injury setbacks this season, with Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos still out of action.

However, the club received a boost with the news that Eduardo Camavinga is set to return to first-team training on Thursday and could be available for the match.

[Leadership]

Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri has gotten its 9th substantive Rector in the person of Dr.Basillia Igbokwe who has been successfully inaugurated as the 9th Rector of the institution.

In her inaugural speech, Igbokwe expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support she has received from the staff, students, the entire polytechnic community, the leadership of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, and the Federal Ministry of Education,

The new Rector assured of her preparedness to reach out to her colleagues who contested with her for the office of the Rector of the institution, adding that she would strive for a harmonious working relationship with the Academic and Non-academic staff, labour leaders, student union government, and indeed, the entire polytechnic community.

Dr Igbokwe reiterated her resolve to vigorously pursue the vision of the founding fathers of the institution but added that such would only be possible with unity of purpose and the support of all stakeholders.

She listed some of the agenda for transforming the institution to include, prioritisation of staff welfare, commitment to fighting malpractices, extortion, lateness to duty, absenteeism, cultism, indecent dressing and other vices on campus.

Igbokwe vowed to restore environmental cleanliness in the institution; to run an open-door policy, to promote ICT and consolidate the Smart Campus Initiative.

Other issues top on the agenda of the new Rector include improving the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR and funding of the institution, to revive the institution’s tissue and table water production factories, as well as revive the polytechnic’s fishery and poultry.

She promised to link the institution to the national grid for improved power supply, to do more in the area of corporate social responsibility, CSR, and to ensure linkages or exchange programmes, among others.

Earlier, the Chairman of the 15th Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede,
Henry Ikoro expressed delight at the huge success recorded by the event, noting that it was God’s divine making.

Ikoro also expressed optimism that their team would move the polytechnic to new heights. He congratulated all those who ran elections with the new Rector describing them as eminently qualified, but reminded that only one person would lead at any point in time.

In her speech, Imo Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru who represented Governor Hope Uzodinma, urged the new Rector to be firm and pursue only those programmes that would reposition and transform the institution as a premier polytechnic in Nigeria.

The Imo number two citizen reminded Dr Igbokwe that the future of the institution rests on her shoulders for the next five years, stressing the need to bring innovations in vocational and technical education, to ensure a cordial relationship with the polytechnic community, and to eradicate examination malpractices and cultism as well as encourage research.

The leadership of various unions in the institution including the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, students union, and departmental heads, among others, pledged support to the new Rector while urging her to prioritise the welfare of staff and learning environment of the students.

[DailyPost]

The presidency has confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this to journalists at the State House on Wednesday, September 25.

Onanuga, who spoke at a press briefing, along with Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, said there is no timeline as to when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will reshuffle his cabinet.

It is worth noting that President Tinubu appointed his ministers in August of last year.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has instructed his ministers to actively promote the accomplishments of his administration.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu urged the ministers to “go out there and publicize the administration’s successes”.

 He noted that some ministers were hesitant to speak publicly, adding, “Many Nigerians believe the president isn’t doing much, while the government is actually making significant strides.”

Tinubu emphasized that his ministers should focus more on communicating these achievements to the public.

Details shortly…

The long-awaited 2024 Edo State governorship election was held as scheduled on Saturday, September 21, 2024. At the end of the exercise, the Returning Officer for the election Prof Faruk Kuta who is also the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election with 291,667 votes. He defeated 17 other candidates among whom is his arch-rival, PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Out of the 18 local government areas in the state, APC outright won 10, while PDP secured eight. Not that it mattered because the two conditions to be met are twenty-five per cent of votes in two-thirds of the local governments in the state as well as a majority of valid votes cast.

I was a member of the Election Day Data Room Faculty of Kimpact Development Initiative, one of the INEC’s accredited Domestic Observers for the election. I arrived in Benin City on Thursday, September 19, and left on September 22, 2024. I had the opportunity to assess the pre-election day environment before the D-day last Saturday. KDI established an Election Security Early Warning System in the 18 LGA of Edo state assessing the pre-election environment to identify early warning and deployed 45 long-term security and campaign finance observers. KDI deployed 431 trained observers for last Saturday’s poll.

Last Friday, the organisation held a press conference to share thoughts on its observations and recommendations. Suffice to say that some of the projections of KDI were spot on. For instance, the organisation was on point when it predicted a high turnout of 24% and a low turnout of 20%. The turnout was 22%. It also predicted through simple weather forecasts that INEC and security agencies should prepare for rain because it might affect turnout and, at the same time, increase rejected votes.  The rain came affected turnout in some places and rejected votes increased compared with 2020. Thirdly, it prophetically predicted that the margin of lead would be low and close. KDI interventions also assisted in promoting peaceful and non-violent polls.

I have read many accounts of the election from civil society organisations, media, and political parties. I dare say it’s like an account of an elephant led by six blind men. They are all right in their observations, depending on what they were looking out for. As an accredited observer, the following things were commendable: First, the election was largely peaceful with no death recorded as against the fear of a bloodbath that was envisaged. It means the 43,000 policemen and other security agencies that were deployed worked. There was effective restriction of movement which turned out to be a double-edged sword as this may have been partially responsible for the low turnout of voters as many could not go the long distance to places where they registered.

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System device worked optimally. Thus, cases of impersonation and multiple voting were made impossible. There was also no account of underage voting.  Poll Officials were well-trained and performed their role professionally. Sorting, counting, and announcing of results at the polling units also went well. Presiding Officers complied with the electoral guidelines and scanned the Form EC8A; Polling Units Result Sheets, using the BVAS, and uploaded the same on the INEC Result Viewing Portal. By 10 pm last Saturday, about 96 per cent of the Polling Units Results had been uploaded on IREV.  This enabled CSOs and Political Parties Situation Room to be able to do an independent tallying of results.

On the flip side, the perennial challenge of the late commencement of voting reared its ugly head. According to YIAGA Africa, one of the accredited observer groups, as of 7:30 am Poll Officials have only arrived in 41 per cent of the Polling Units. As of 8:30 am when accreditation and voting should have started, only 17 per cent of the PUs were open by that time. One hour after the official time of opening, the election had only started in only 64 per cent of the Polling Units. My experience at Agbado Primary School, Akpakpava Road in Oredo LGA of Benin City, which is a Registration Area Centre and also served as Polling Station for about 11 PUs, was that there were inadequate buses to transport Poll Workers and materials to their PUs, while there was also no security personnel on the ground to escort the vehicles.

It was at this venue that I was a guest of Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television for two hours as we ran a commentary on the opening hours of the poll from 7 – 9am. It is unclear whether INEC did not hire enough buses for election day logistics or it was the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers that reneged on the MoU they signed with INEC to provide adequate buses.

There were reported incidences of vote buying with YIAGA Africa documenting that as much as N10,000 was paid per vote in Igueben, Akoko Edo, Esan West, Owan West, Ikpoba / Okha and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas. This is why the Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata SAN, said what happened last Saturday was not an election but a transaction. Unfortunately, vote buying is not a ground for the nullification of elections. There was also palpable low voter turnout with INEC putting the figure at 22.5 per cent. Factors that may have aided this included, Late commencement of polling; restriction of movement; rainfall on election day; perceived lack of dividends of democracy; rising cost of living; voting is also not mandatory but voluntary in Nigeria.

Ahead of the poll, it is disheartening that about five political parties decided to step down and endorse the APC candidate a few days before the poll. This was done in clear breach of the provision of S. 31 of the Electoral Act 2022, which makes a withdrawal from the race to be done not later than 90 days to the election. It is within the right of the Peoples Democratic Party to reject the outcome of the poll and go to the Election Petition Tribunal― that is a good thing to do rather than resort to self-help. After all, it was that act of courage that Adams Oshiomhole took in 2007 that led to his electoral victory at the court in 2008. That is why Edo State and seven other states are having their gubernatorial election on a different date from the rest.

My overall impression of the poll is that it was not a flawless and hitch-free exercise. However, it is the court that has the right to determine if the poll was held in substantial compliance with the electoral law and guidelines. Section 135. (1) says “An election shall not be liable to be invalidated by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of this Act if it appears to the Election Tribunal or Court that the election was conducted substantially in accordance with the principles of this Act and that the non-compliance did not affect substantially the result of the election.”

For Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, I congratulate him and pray he will succeed in delivering dividends of democracy to his people. I do not envy him for the many political IOUs he has garnered. I pray his tenure in office shall be peaceful, prosperous, and positively impactful. Good luck!

President Bola Tinubu says extracting raw minerals from Africa for refining by developed countries has worsened underdevelopment on the continent.

Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at an event organised by the Africa Minerals Strategy Group on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In his keynote address, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the scenario is lamentable.

Tinubu said there is a need for a new era of commercial partnerships, diplomatic relations, and economic collaboration between Africa and the rest of the world.

The president added that prior to colonisation, Africans and their European counterparts were “friends, business allies and mutual sovereigns”.

“A situation in which the raw minerals are extracted from our countries, exported, refined and sold to us as finished products merely consolidates the foundations of our misery and pushes us further down the depths of underdevelopment,” he said.

“Before Africa was plundered and overpowered with the technological innovation of the gun, our ancestors and their counterparts from Europe were friends, business allies and mutual sovereigns.

“Until the visitors became greedy and upset the cordial harmony by unleashing the trans-atlantic slave trade, the most devastating depopulation that mankind has ever witnessed.”

Tinubu urged fellow leaders to call for a new deal where all are equal partners and share benefits equitably.

In his speech, Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, criticised what he described as historical exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources, which has primarily benefited foreign nations while leaving local economies impoverished.

Alake said there is a need for a paradigm shift in which the entire mineral value chain — from extraction to processing — is localised.