Governors of the southern region of the country, have maintained their stand on the need for the creation of state police.
The Governors, who met yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under the auspices of the Southern Governors Forum, reiterated the need to have control over the security architecture of their respective states as the chief security officers.
Speaking on a national television interview, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who just replaced former Ondo governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu as the chairman of the forum, said the governors of the region are united in their call for state police.
He argued that federal security officers deployed to various states do not understand the local terrain, language or culture of the people, and before they settle down to understand such things, they are transferred to another state, making it difficult to gather intelligence on security issues.
Abiodun stated that it is obvious that the federal police is short of manpower, but with the creation of state police, security operatives who understand the terrain will be able to complement the efforts of the federal officers in curbing insecurity.
The Ogun Governor said: “We all spoke with one voice in support of state policing.
“We spoke with one voice in support of regional security outfits which almost all regions have set up.
“The outfits are working hand in glove with the law enforcement agencies and providing them with intelligence and support.
“We all know that we cannot have any meaningful development in the atmosphere of insecurity.
“We all spoke with one voice in support of state policing, and regional security outfits, working hand-in-glove with the security outfits.
“The governors are called state chief security officers. But, we know that the Commissioner of Police is appointed by the Inspector General of Police and is only answerable to the IG.
“And when the governor needs to call the attention of the CP on an urgent task in his state, the governor will have to first clear with the IG.
“What have we discovered? In most cases, a policeman from Borno, Maiduguri, posted to Lagos or Ogun states, for instance.
“Such an officer doesn’t understand the terrain, he doesn’t speak the language and he does not get the level of intelligence he needs.
“By the time he is settling down to understand these factors, he is transferred to another state.
“We’re calling for community police to tame insecurity in the state and the nation.
“Under the state police arrangement, a policeman posted to his ward won’t have problems with language and intelligence.
“In that case, the policeman understands the community and the locals, language, the sentiments and, he knows the criminals within his territory.
“It is also common knowledge that the federal police have a shortage of manpower.
“We, as governors, are not in charge or control of our states as far as security is concerned.
“Yet, we fund the federal police operations, yet we are not getting the best from them. They don’t have enough personnel.
“State policing is not something new.
“We have several types of policing structure in other climes where we took our democracy from.”
The property of a former military governor, General Anthony Stephen Ukpo (Rtd), in Rivers State which was revoked by the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, has now been reinstated by Gov Siminalayi Fubara.
The land was initially revoked by the Wike-led administration in a bid to allegedly spite former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
According to The Whistler, the property in question, Ogeyi Place Hotels, formerly Le Meridien Hotels Limited, is located at Plot 319, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt
Fubara's administration announced the cancellation of the revocation in a newspaper publication, citing that the original revocation was “made in error”.
The decision comes amidst a backdrop of recent political tensions and realignments in Rivers State.
In December 2022, an unconfirmed letter purportedly issued by the Wike-led government to Ogeyi Place Hotels Limited indicated that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the hotel was revoked for alleged default on ground rent payment.
At the time, Opunabo Inko Taria, former Media Adviser to Governor Wike, criticised the action, suggesting it was a punitive measure against the hotel for hosting a meeting of supporters of Atiku.
The revocation was seen by some as part of Wike’s political maneuvering ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
[PRESS RELEASE] SOSG to MURIC: Remain apolitical,your accusations untrue, baseless,biased, unfounded
Admin![[PRESS RELEASE] SOSG to MURIC: Remain apolitical,your accusations untrue, baseless,biased, unfounded](/media/k2/items/cache/1bf6aa93663548c9aa61877ec6e98802_M.jpg)
The attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to a malicious publication credited to the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging a plan by the state government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
The state government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC,claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year.
We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.
The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.
This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole.
From the look of things,those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.
We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu's nine-point Smart Agenda,therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.
It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions.
Therefore, for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.
To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar has been very cordial.
The present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.
On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours,such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.
In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.
It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore,the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they saw, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.
Abubakar Bawa
Press Secretary to
Sokoto state Governor
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Birthday
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Birthday](/media/k2/items/cache/b6726861acbd9382e98e9769f4f1c9bf_M.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu extends his warm congratulations to his Chief of Staff, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, on his birthday.
Honourable Gbajabiamila, a statesman and prolific public administrator, is an accomplished lawyer who previously served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
Owing to the quality of leadership and representation he provided for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Gbajabiamila maintained a perfect streak of re-elections across decades from 2003 until 2023 when he was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President.
President Tinubu joins family, friends, and staff of the presidency to celebrate an exceptional leader on this special occasion.
The President commends Honourable Gbajabiamila for his diligence, high sense of responsibility, patriotic zeal, and commitment to the common good.
President Tinubu wishes his Chief of Staff many more years in good health and renewed strength in his service to the nation.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Commiserate with Abdullahi Ganduje Over the Passing of Mother-in-law
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Commiserate with Abdullahi Ganduje Over the Passing of Mother-in-law](/media/k2/items/cache/652731c657243476443a708e840b6790_M.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over the passing of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Asiya Muhammad Gauyama.
Hajiya Asiya died in Kano on Monday.
President Tinubu states that the deceased will be missed for her contributions to her family and community as matriarch, guide, and leader.
The President prays for the repose of the soul of the late Hajiya Asiya and comfort for her family.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
A Kano State High Court sitting at Audu Bako has fixed July 11, 2024 to begin hearing of the motion on notice on the fundamental rights of the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and seven others.
The applicants in the suit are the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Ajuji Ahmed, Dipo Olayanku, Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Lady Folshade Aliu, Eng Buba Galadima and Kwankwaso.
The respondents in the suit are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When the case come up before Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad on Monday, counsel to the applicant, Barrister Robert Hon told the court that they had served the respondents with the court processes on June 10th and by the fundamental rights rules, they are to file their processes within seven days.
On his part, the judge said the respondents should be given ample time to respond.
He, therefore, adjourned the matter to 11th of July, 2024 for hearing of the substantive suit.
Daily Trust reports that the Court had issued an order restraining the EFCC from infringing, intimidating, arresting or harassing the applicants until the determination of the motion on notice.
[DailyTrust]
Mr Michael Agboro, a prosecution seventh witness alleged that the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Godwin Emefiele awarded contracts to companies belonging to his wife and a his broher-in-law.
Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.
The EFCC alledged that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated Jan. 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).
Besides he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; ”April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd”.
Agboro, an investigator with the Independent, Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) who testified earlier was cross-examined further by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN.
When asked if the defendant conferred unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, he answered :”he conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a Public Officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.
When asked if Emefiele alone could award and approv contracts, he answered that the contracts were approved by the defendant.
Answering if there was no difference between CBN and Emefiele, he said :”the difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN.
When asked if the defendant was a member of the tender’s board or procurement department, he said he did not know.
”We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.
”Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.
He also admitted that there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies in the course of performing his duties at the CBN.
Also when asked if in the course of their investigation they interviewed people in the CBN to determine whether the two firms executed the jobs they were contracted to do, the witness said “yes”.
However, when asked if the team in their final report stated this fact, the witness said he could not recall if they did.
Agboro being led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN on Marrch 11 tendered several documents including company registration documents and award as well as payments for contract relating to the two forms.
He added that documents his team, comprising of persons drawn from the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Department of State Service (DSS), showed that while a Director of ”April 1616”, Yaro, is a Public Officer, with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo were directors in Architekon.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter untilTuesda, for re-examination of the witness.
(NAN)
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, has announced that its graduates will now receive three certificates upon completion of their studies.
This initiative, described as “unprecedented in the history of tertiary education in Nigeria” by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Timothy Adebayo, includes the standard degree certificate, a Mind Education certificate, and an Entrepreneurship Training certificate.
A statement on Monday made available to PUNCH Online noted that the announcement came during a visit by Mind Education experts from China and Korea, who were at ACU to implement a mind education project.
Prof. Adebayo explaining the origins of this innovative program said, “The Mind Education project began following my visit to South Korea in 2023 to participate in the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) program. Other Vice-Chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions from Nigeria attended the program, where we observed how mind education is used to combat social vices among the youth in Korea and other Asian countries.”
Impressed by the positive outcomes, ACU entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Mind Educators to introduce the program to its students.
“We have since started training, and students will be awarded certificates of international status upon graduation from the university,” Prof. Adebayo added.
Meanwhile, the project coordinator, Robert Udo, shed light on the program’s objectives.
He said, “The aim of this project is to reshape the mindset of the youth to overcome social vices like sexual violence, drug abuse, and other corrupt practices.”
He further explained that since its inception in 2001, the IYF has helped many youths confront their challenges and integrate better into society.
The Mind Education program at ACU involves various activities designed to foster personal growth and positive mindset development.
“At ACU, we recently held a Mind Education Camp, employing games, dance, lectures, and other activities to help students develop a strong, positive mindset,” Udo stated.
Accordingly, the Mind Education course will be integrated into ACU’s curriculum, with students required to complete examinations at the end of their training.
This approach aims to ensure that ACU graduates are not only academically proficient but also mentally equipped to face societal challenges and contribute positively to their communities.
The initiative has garnered international support, with volunteers from China and South Korea participating in the program.
These university students are “eager to make a positive impact on other youths’ lives while also learning from their Nigerian hosts,” Udo added.
[Punch]
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has said that his administration inherited over N359 billion in salary arrears for several years from his predecessor.
The governor stated this at Okpoga, headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area on Monday, during a thank you tour of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
He alleged that previous administrations in the state lied to the people and that the Federal Government denied them funds to pay salaries.
The governor promised that his administration would continue to prioritise the payment of workers’ salaries.
“Henceforth, civil servants in the State will be paid from the 22nd of every month,“he said.
He thanked the people for the confidence reposed in him to lead the State and promised to revive the Igumale Cement factory as well as construct access roads in the area.
“I see that Okpoga is in darkness, I will light it up with 5,000 kw electricity. I have come to reduce your pains and suffering.,“he said.
He urged them to continue to support his administration and be patient with President Bola Tinubu , as he has good policies for Nigerians.
Earlier, Mr Daniel Onjeh, a former Senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress ( APC), urged the governor to match words with action by fulfilling his campaign promises to the people.
Onjeh said the opposition parties were mocking the people that he has abandoned them in terms of infrastructures and appointments.
‘The opposition is asking what you have done for Benue South. We want to see things manifest. Do not be distracted by the blackmail of the opposition”, he said.
Mr Benjamin Omakolon, the APC Acting Chairman, while receiving 500 persons who defected from the opposition parties to the APC at the event, promised them equal treatment.
[Vanguard]
![[POMR PRESS RELEASE] Exodus of Multinationals: Obi raises alarm, and offers Solutions](/media/k2/items/cache/d53babccd0e31a4b1c388f1eb6aad128_S.jpg)
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election Peter Obi has expressed concerns at the growing number of Multinationals exiting the country due to the bad business climate.
Obi noted that the reasons being adduced by these departing firms after many years of operations in the country are similar and largely governance problems that require urgent attention to stem the tide
Writing in his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said "I am compelled to address the alarming exodus of multinational companies from Nigeria, which has cost our nation a staggering N95 trillion in the past five years. According to The New Telegraph, in the last year alone, over ten multinational giants such as GlaxoSmithKline, Equinor, Sanofi-Aventis, Bolt Food, Procter & Gamble, Jumia Food, PZ Cussons, Kimberly-Clark, Diageo and others, have exited Nigeria, citing eerily consistent reasons.
"According to The Punch, "Multinational firms exit Nigeria over harsh business climate." The Guardian reports, "Insecurity, high energy costs force companies to leave Nigeria." The Nation states, "Poor business environment, inconsistent policies drive companies out of Nigeria."
"These companies have highlighted the same problems across the board. These issues are not coincidental but symptomatic of a larger governance problem. Why are we not facing and solving these problems head-on? The responsibility lies with our leadership, those we put in charge to urgently address these challenges.
"Tackling these issues requires creating a business-friendly environment that fosters investment, innovation, and growth. This includes prioritizing security, stabilizing our policies, and reducing energy costs. We must also cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
"We can build an economy that benefits all Nigerians, not just a privileged few. Let us unite to transform Nigeria into a nation conducive to business, attractive to investment, safe and prosperous for all citizens. Together, we can make Nigeria a beacon of hope and progress in Africa and the world. A new Nigeria is possible.
Signed.
Dr Yunusa Tanko
POMR SPOKESMAN
June 24, 2024.
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More...
The Nigeria Labour Congress has revealed why state governors are flouting the Minimum Wage Act.
Assistant General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Chris Onyeka said the reason is because they do not believe in the sanctity of the law.
Onyeka stated this in Abuja on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the minimum wage law and its implementation.
He said while workers are anxiously awaiting a new minimum wage to be passed into law, 15 states are yet to implement the N30,000 wage enacted in 2019.
According to him, despite the increased revenue accruable to states after the fuel subsidy removal and the attendant hardships brought about by the hike in pump price, the states are still recalcitrant in paying their workers the minimum wage.
Onyeka identified the states yet to implement the minimum wage, in defiance of the 2019 Act, as Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, Anambra, Imo, Benue, Taraba, and Zamfara.
“A state governor who does not believe in the sanctity of the laws will have a high proclivity to disobeying them.
“If you examine the history of some of these governors and their handlers, you will find a preponderance of those who came to power by breaking the laws.
“Is it now that they will obey the national minimum wage act?” he asked.
The labour leader said many governors were unwilling to pay civil servants their salaries because they see state resources as theirs and are, therefore, not willing to share with the workers who create the wealth.
Onyeka added that fiscal indiscipline in many states is legendary, and the personal greed of some governors resulted in their appropriating state resources into their private pockets.
He reiterated the need to cut the cost of governance at all levels and end wastages.
He identified the measures to include a reduction in the number of political appointees to reduce overhead, as well as a reduction in the number of logistics, official, and operational vehicles.
Onyeka said the salaries and allowances of elected and appointed officials of the three arms of government should be in sync with what is received by civil servants.
He said the government at all levels should streamline procurement processes to ensure integrity, accountability, fiscal discipline, and transparency.
As the governor of Sokoto deposed 15 traditional rulers, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over the sour relationship between the governor and the Sultan of Sokoto as well as the rumour of impending dethronement of the Sultan.
According to the human rights organization, Nigerian Muslims reject any thought of deposition of the Sultan.
MURIC’s position was articulated in a press statement issued on Monday, 24th June, 2024 by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said, “The governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, deposed 15 traditional rulers on 23rd April 2024. That was two months ago.
“However, feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.
“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.
“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
“Governor Ahmed Aliyu should not force Nigerian Muslims to take a drastically revolutionary measure. Having a traditional ruler as leader has been a condition Nigerian Muslims accepted a long time ago as a necessary weakness in the structure which they have to live with.
“A military governor, Colonel Yakubu Muazu, exposed this soft underbelly when he deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki on 20th April, 1996. Nigerian Muslims will be forced to make a hard decision if Sokoto governors continue to diminish the authority of the Sultan.
“For the avoidance of any doubts, Sultan Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the Sultan of the Nigerian people. His performance and style of leadership have warmed him into the hearts of Nigerians.
“Nigerian Muslims North and South of the country may be constrained to pick Islamic scholars only as President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims. It will be farewell to the leadership of traditional rulers over the NSCIA and an irreversible departure from Sokoto’s priviledged leadership position. But history will not be kind to Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Ahmed Aliyu for ruining the chances of Sokoto.
“That will make it impossible for any governor to harass or intimidate the leader of Nigerian Muslims. The power and influence of governors over traditional rulers have become absolute and totalitarian in recent time. Nigerian Muslims must be given space to breathe some air of freedom like all other associations.
“Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action. If the deposition of a Sultan and NSCIA leader happens a second time, Nigerian Muslims will not allow the embarrassment to happen a third time.
“MURIC reiterates its call on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to either repeal or review the state’s chieftaincy laws by adding the phrase ‘except the Sultan of Sokoto’ to Section 6, Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria which empowers the state governor to depose the emirs including the Sultan.
“We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars based in the North to intervene before it is too late. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor himself. If the chieftaincy laws of Kano State can be repealed within 24 hours, nothing stops that of Sokoto State from being reviewed in favour of immunity for the office of the Sultan in a single day to save Nigerian Muslims from humongous embarrassment.
“It is arbitrary, irrational and condescending for a state governor to possess the power to dethrone the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria when even an ordinary chairman of a local government cannot sack the president of a campus students union. It is unacceptable. Enough is enough.
“In the same manner, it is tactless, reckless, myopic and senselessly audacious for any governor of Sokoto State who has the power to remove the Sultan of Sokoto and head of all Nigerian Muslims to actually use that power. Well, once bitten, twice shy. Nigerian Muslims travelled this road once, under military rule. We will not ply the same road again.”
As academic and non-academic workers in the university system have threatened to embark on another round of industrial action, students and parents have said they don’t want another closure of universities, calling on the workers and the government to find a way out of their face-off.
According to them, incessant closure of universities is one of the reasons the schools are not faring well in global rankings.
The students spoke under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and the parents under the auspices of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN.
Speaking in a chat with Vanguard newspaper, the National President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, noted that students were always bearing the brunt in cases of industrial actions by university workers.
“Government should listen to the lecturers and university workers generally. Some of the things the lecturers are complaining about are genuine.
“Look at the issue of the composition of Governing Councils for higher institutions in the country, many people who have no job being put into such positions were included. Such sensitive positions should be for technocrats in the education sector and academicians.
“Why would the government not honour an agreement it willingly entered into. Honour an agreement you signed.
“However, I would appeal to ASUU members to also give room for mediation and negotiation because in the long run, all parties would still come to the table to talk. Let the parties give room for negotiation and mediation. Students are always at the receiving end of such fight between the sides and nobody wants to waste his or her precious time,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said government should honour its promise to the workers.
“Government should pay them and fulfil their obligations. When they went on strike the other time, part of what was agreed to making the workers suspend their action was that nobody would be victimized on account of the strike.
“So, if you are not paying them their dues, are you not victimizing the workers? If ASUU goes on strike, SSANU and NASU do so, the university system would collapse. The other time parents had to keep their children at home for about a session, that is not good for the system.
“Look at the recent global ranking of universities, the best ranked university in the country was in about 1,000th position. All these incessant stikes are parts of the poor ranking of our universities. Government should just be alive to its responsibilities and avert another round of industrial disharmony, ” he noted.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is already warming up for another strike, following the inability of the government to meet some of their demands.
The union, last week, started nationwide press briefings and sensitisation on issues it said could disrupt academic activities on campuses.
Top on the list of their demands is the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and its implementation.
The agreement is about better welfare packages, funding of the universities, better facilities among others.
Also, ASUU is demanding the payment of four months withheld salaries of members.
Eight months salaries were withheld following the 2022 strike by the union, but only four months have been paid by the Bola Tinubu administration.
On the other hand, non-teaching staff under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologists,NAAT and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, NASU, are also demanding the payment of their withheld salaries of between three and a half months and five and a half months.
They are also calling for the implementation of an earlier agreement entered into by their unions and the government.
The academic and non-academic unions have given various timelines as when their demands must be met or they would go on strike.
Former Council Chairmen of 21 out of the 23 Local Governments Area (LGA) in Rivers State, on Monday, defied police order and staged a protest at their various council areas.
The pro-Wike former LGA bosses protested in their local councils despite an advisory against protests issued by the Rivers State Police Command.
In Buguma, council headquarters of the Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George, alongside his supporters, marched through the streets of the town as they gyrate to songs in solidarity with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
They waved placards with inscriptions asking the police to continue occupying the council headquarters.
Some of the inscriptions read, “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council”.
Also, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, some persons staged a protest, backing the continued closure of council premises by the police.
The police took over the council secretariats of the 23 LGAs in the oil-rich South-South last Tuesday following the crisis that erupted over the three-year tenure expiration of the former LGA chairmen.
Three deaths have been recorded in the wake of the pandemonium.
The state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, last week sworn in 23 caretaker chairmen but the police have continued to barricade the council premises in all the LGAs preventing both parties from gaining access to avert possibilities of break down of law and order.