The Labour Party has clarified that it has no plan to merge with the Peoples Democratic Party.
The clarification was given on Thursday.
PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar had on Tuesday, suggested that opposition parties need to merge to defeat the ruling APC in the next presidential poll.
LP spokesman, Obiora Ifoh while reacting to Atiku’s suggestion in a statement on Thursday said the party has not discussed any merger
Ifoh said Atiku’s call “was only a proposal and every Nigerian should be interested in making democracy work in Nigeria and that what we have presently is an autocracy”.
“There was nowhere in the response that the purported merger between LP and PDP was mentioned,” Ifoh emphasised.
Meanwhile, the APC faulted Atiku’s merger plan saying he was still struggling to come to terms with reality after his loss at the presidential poll
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka said the PDP should focus on resolving its internal party crisis.
The Abia State Government has shut down 197 private schools in the state for operating below minimum standard.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting.
Kanu said that the closure of the schools was in line with the determination of the government to reform the education sector.
He made it public that about 900 schools have so far been inspected in the ongoing school inspection exercise.
“The inspection of schools is ongoing and as at the last count, about 900 schools have been inspected. A few of the schools are not so lucky, they failed the test of the required standards and they were shut down.”
He equally said that the government has directed the staff of ASUBEB to relocate from the office explaining that “just last week, as a proactive government ,staff of ASUBEB were evacuated from that building because the integrity of that building, the structure was suspicious.”
He added that government was doing everything possible to provide a permanent solution to that development.
[Channels Tv]
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
This followed the presentation and adoption of a report of the Committee on Communication by the Chairman, Sen. Bilbis Ikra (APC- Zamfara) at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.
Presenting the report, Ikra urged the Senate to consider the request of President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of Maida for appointment as NCC Chairman.
He said the request was in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Establishment Act, 2003.
He said the committee had screened Maida, saying that he passed all security clearance, possessed the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence and regulatory capacity to further ensure the success of the NCC.
He therefore urged the Senate to approve the nomination.
The Senate thereafter confirmed the appointment of Aminu Maida, as Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC.
[Guardian]
The Federal Government has revealed that it is set to commence the construction of 34,500 housing units in thirty states of the Federation including Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Borno, Enugu, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This disclosure was made by the Federal Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa on Thursday while delivering his keynote speech at the ongoing 12th Meeting of the National Council of Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Kaduna.
According to the Minister, the construction of the 34,500 housing units which is slated to commence before December is the Phase 1 of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates and Slum Upgrading Programme.
Dangiwa further explained that the 34,500 housing units would consist of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom affordable multi-level flats and bungalows for low-income earners, as well as high-end detached bungalows, terraces and duplexes for high income earners in thirty states and the FCT.
The Housing Minister also stated that the Federal Government have already mapped out several options to ensure to make the housing units are easily affordable by Nigerians upon completion.
He listed the options to include Rent-to-Own, Public Rental, Mortgage Loans, and where applicable, outright sale.
Nationwide Slum Upgrading Programme
Arc. Musa Dangiwa also revealed that the Federal Government intends to upgrade a total of 26 slums in the Six (6) regions of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister stated that the project would ensure the provision of access roads, water supply, solar street lights, drainages, and several other ancillary services that would improve the living standards of the slum dwellers.
- In his words, “This project would ensure the provision of key infrastructure and ancillary services including access roads, water supply, solar streetlight, drainages, sanitation and waste management services etc., that would improve the living standards of the slum residents in the project sites and the urban poor in general.”
[Nairametrics]
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday solicited the cooperation of all Nigerians in eliminating all forms of insecurity.
Ribadu said that the current administration in the country inherited a tough period in terms of insecurity, appealing to the citizens to be patient.
He spoke on the security situation in the country at the ongoing 19th Annual All Nigeria Editors Conference in Uyo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, which began on Wednesday, had the theme: “Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media”.
“It is a tough time, that is the reality. We are not condemning anyone but that is the truth.
“Those who are in charge must say the truth and say it as it is,” he said.
Ribadu, however, said the situation would be better.
“It is not going to be for too long. It is a matter of time, it will be better,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the Chief Bola Tinubu administration was committed to tackling the challenges.
“We have given Nigeria to President Bola Tinubu to manage for us.
“In the last five months, I have been by his side and seen how things are.
“We inherited a tough period. We appeal for patience and understanding.
Ribadu also solicited the support of editors.
” I appeal to you for support. We are going through tough times. It requires all of us to come together.”
Ribadu said that militancy in the Niger Delta had reduced drastically, adding
that insecurity in the South East Geopolitical Zone had been curtailed since the current administration came on board.
“Let me start with the Niger Delta. At the time we took over, crude oil production stood at 1.1mbd. Today crude oil production is over 1.7mbd.
“We have witnessed three weeks without any incident of security challenge in the Niger Delta. This is the first time since 1993, but we don’t talk.
“In the South East, when we took over last year, we had 46 police stations attacked. Today, we don’t have a single one.
“The leadership we have in our country now understands things a bit better,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government would continue to do its possible best to improve the welfare of the citizens and remain transparent.
(NAN)
Palpable tension has enveloped the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja as the Court is set to deliver a make or mar judgment in the legal battle on the Zamfara State Governorship election.
DAILY POST reports that the battle is between the immediate past governor of the State, Bello Matawale of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and his successor, Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Matawale, who was roundly defeated with over 65,000 votes at the March 18 gubernatorial poll, is currently the Minister of State for Defense.
Specifically, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), credited Lawal of the PDP with 377,726 votes, while Matawalle of APC was said to have scored 311,976 votes.
A 3-man panel of Justices of the Court led by Oyebisi Folayemi and supported by Cordelia Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo and Sybil Nwaka Gbagi is being expected to deliver the verdict.
The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had on September 18 affirmed the election of Lawal.
As of the time of this report, heavy security has been woven around the court to ward off possible breakdown of law and order after the judgment.
A group of sympathizers who had stormed the court as early as 8 am is being restricted to far distance by heavily armed mobile policemen.
Already, the court room has been jam-packed by friends, sympathizers and political associates of the two groups.
Meanwhile, the Justices are being awaited for the delivery of the judgment.
[DailyPost]
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, postponed the Sectoral debate billed to commence today owing to the failure of the Service Chiefs to appear in person for the event.
Naija News understands that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun failed to honour the invitation.
They were invited to appear today as part of the Sectorial Debates introduced by the House Pursuant to Order 17, Rules 1(3) of the Standing Orders of the House.
The Service Chiefs were to meet the parliament on their constitutional responsibilities to ensure the security of lives and property as well as the territorial integrity of the nation.
The service chiefs and the IGP, however, sent in representatives who were sent back by the House on the ground that the heads were to appear in person.
The representatives were introduced into the Chamber after a motion by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) which was seconded by Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano).
But after the self-introduction by the representatives of the service chiefs and the IGP, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, objected, saying that although the representatives were competent in their capacities, they would be allowed to speak on behalf of their principals.
He said, “Mr Speaker, I want to move, that Chief Executives, be it private sector or public sector, they must come in person. I want to pray that we don’t break this sacred tradition of our House lest we be taken for granted.
“I therefore move that this sectoral engagement be suspended until the leaders of the agencies that we invited who are our friends, who are working for Nigeria, people we are proud of, come. They should come to address us, take our questions and explain certain things to us.”
After the Deputy Speaker’s motion which was seconded by Nnolim Nnaji, the Speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen, put the motion to a voice vote and was adopted by the House.
He said, “Our dear brothers, you have heard from the House in an emphatic manner, that this House does not encourage, does not accept representation, particularly at this high-level engagement.
“We thank you for coming. Please convey our message to your service chiefs, that we understand the tight schedules they have and we are willing to make an adjustment to reschedule this engagement to Tuesday next week for them to appear in person.”
Food Crisis: World Bank Raises Alarm, Says 13 Million Nigerians Will Need Food Assistance In 2024
AdminA new report by the World Bank has revealed that between 12 to 13 million Nigerians will need food assistance in April 2024.
Naija News reports that the report comes just as Nigerians continue to battle the hard felt impact of the move by President Bola Tinubu to eliminate fuel subsidy, just as the country’s currency continues to dwindle against the dollar.
“It is estimated that 1.5 million to 2.0 million people in Burkina Faso, 1.5 million to 2.0 million in Cameroon, 0.5 million to 0.7 million in Mali, 0.2 million to 0.5 million in Mauritania, and 12.0 million to 13.0 million in Nigeria will need food assistance in April 2024—similar to April 2023 levels,” report by World Bank read.
Naija News recalls that in his inaugural speech at Eagle Square on Monday, May 29, Tinubu said that there was no funding for fuel subsidies in the 2023 budget and that such payments were no longer justified. To boost the economy, he said that his administration will instead direct funding toward infrastructure and other initiatives.
This data coincides with the National Bureau of Statistics’ most recent report on inflation, which indicated that food prices had drastically decreased in October compared to the previous month.
Despite NBS figures, Nigerians have struggled to buy food items as food and other commodity prices continue to rise.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released its timetable ahead of the Edo State 2024 gubernatorial election.
Naija News reports that the schedule of activities was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and was released on Thursday after a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee at its headquarters in Abuja.
According to the schedule, aspirants interested in contesting the governorship election will get the nomination form for N21 million, and youths aged between 25 and 30 will get a 50 percent discount on the nomination form fees.
Registration of old and new members will be held between November 16 and December 7, while the party congress, where its governorship candidate will emerge, will hold on February 22, 2024.
December 14 is the last date for submission of the ward register to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation, and stakeholders’ consultative meeting with the National Working Group will be held between December 19 and 20.
All offices’ sales of expression of interest and ad-hoc forms are slated for January 10-16, while January 17 is the last day to submit completed expression of interest and ad-hoc forms.
The screening of aspirants for the governorship seat by the National Working Committee will hold on January 18, 2024
Sales of the nomination forms to aspirants who completed and submitted their expression of interest form are slated for January 19- 25, while January 27 is the last date to submit the already completed nomination form.
February 22 is for the governorship primary, while February 24 is for the appeal on the governorship primary.
President Bola Tinubu has said his administration is committed to steering Nigeria towards self-reliance and reducing dependency on others. He said the administration envisions an unprecedented level of industrial activity, marked by the establishment of unique industrial hubs tailored to the strengths of each region in our great nation.
“Our commitment to ending poverty is deeply intertwined with our focus on economic growth and job creation,” Tinubu said, acknowledging that sustainable development can only be achieved by fostering an environment where job opportunities abound, ensuring food security, and eradicating poverty. Those indicators are currently negative in Nigeria.
President Tinubu gave the assurance at the 55th International Conference & Exhibition and Emerald Jubilee celebration of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) with the theme, Sustainable HR, Business and National Development.
Represented at the event by the minister of state for labour and employment, Nkiru Onyejeocha, Tinubu said his administration will prominently feature women and youth in all its endeavours, recognising them as integral contributors to our nation’s success in line with its vision to ensure exclusivity.
He told the HR practitioners that their role is crucial in moulding, and effectively managing people to become catalysts for economic resurgence in an increasingly competitive and changing world.
“I implore you to continually ensure that the bar is raised for impactful people management and organisational development, to ensure a skilled workforce that is in tune with the 21st Century workplace.
“I therefore invite you to partner with us in the continued quest to shape minds that will chart a better course for the future of tomorrow bringing progress and prosperity to our nation while eliminating poverty.
President Tinubu said his vision for the Nigerian workforce is one where every citizen who wishes to be, is gainfully employed and able to take care of themselves and their family. Together, keying into this vision, we will banish poverty.
President and chairman of the governing council of the CIPM, Mr Olusegun Mojeed said this year’s theme is apt. Mr Mojeed said now more than ever, HR is charged with the responsibility of shaping a progressive organisation and nation.
He said sustainability is all about people, businesses, the nation, and performance. “Sustainability is not a fad or a buzzword. A trend? Yes. But it’s a trend that’s worth understanding and considering for your people, businesses, and the nation.”
He stated that most industries in today’s ecosystem are experiencing rapid and exponential bouts of change triggered by disruptive technologies and generally increasing the agile nature of the external market.
“Sustainable people practise is a strong catalyst for cultural, national, and infrastructural development amongst others. Talent supply will play a major role in creating and shaping the conditions in which organisations and nations will operate,” he stated.
A record number of 61 recipients of the institute’s highest grade of membership was recorded in the ongoing conference for the fellowship grade. Mojeed said they have been assessed and certified by the membership committee and the board of fellows.
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Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has stated that it is wrong to label all Nigerians as corrupt in financial or other dealings.
Speaking at the Behaviour Change Conference and Exhibition 2023 in Abuja, on Wednesday, November 15, Owasonoye said experience has taught him that not all Nigerians are corrupt.
He said;
“At one of the recent Policy Dialogues organised by the ICPC, two very vocal participants boisterously but erroneously maintained that Nigerians who are not corrupt are those who have not had the opportunity to abuse, or collude in the abuse, of public office, authority or position.
“This erroneous belief by relatively few people that all Nigerians are corrupt can be considered in the light of the traditional anti-corruption interventions in Nigeria and the recent efforts towards expanding the focus of anti-corruption interventions to include the behavioural change approach.
“From my experience in leading the anti-corruption fight at PACAC (Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption) and the ICPC, I can tell you categorically that not all Nigerians are corrupt.”
The Labour Party has described the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar’s merger proposal as a good proposal that should be considered.
But the New Nigeria People’s Party said it could only accept the proposal if Atiku would support a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
The major opposition parties were reacting to the call by Atiku, on Tuesday, that opposition parties should enter a merger to dislodge the APC from power.
The PUNCH reports that Atiku made the merger proposition while hosting the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria.
The former Vice President warned against the likelihood of Nigeria slipping into a one-party state.
He said, “We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn.”
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, described Atiku’s call as a good preposition that should be considered by every Nigerian.
Ifoh said, “Atiku’s call is a proposition, and every Nigeria will consider a good proposition that is meant to remove the Octopus in power because they are not democrats.
“Every Nigerian is interested in having a true democracy. What we have now is far away from democracy. So, if there is a preposition by opposition elements to ensure that democracy is installed, why not? That preposition must be given a good thought. Anything that will make Nigerians witness democracy is accepted.”
But the NNPP described Atiku’s call as emotional and medicine after death.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Yakubu Shendam, said any merger being considered must be to support Kwankwaso to become President, otherwise, the NNPP was not interested.
Shendam said, “This is like medicine after death. If there is any future collaboration, it should not be as a result of emotions. We are going all along because we have a gladiator who has the capacity to take over Nigeria.
“We believe that there is a need to canvass for support from people to win the election, from all sides. However, we believe that single-handedly Kwankwaso can deliver Nigeria in 2027.
“But that doesn’t mean that we are not looking for players like Atiku to join our party. If there is going to be a merger, it should be with the NNPP, because Atiku is now retiring, so, he should support Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“We don’t want to join forces with people who are under emotions but we are comfortable as a party having a person like Rabiu Kwankwaso, as our national leader. We are calling on Atiku as an elder brother to close ranks with Kwankwaso if he wants to be relevant in 2027.”
Meanwhile, the ruling APC said it was not moved or threatened by Atiku’s call for opposition parties to close ranks against the ruling party.
The APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, said, “How and why should we (be threatened)? Atiku has been trashed in the court and trashed in the public opinion. In what way does Atiku and his party have the wherewithal to instill threat in the mind of the party in power?
“The PDP, as far as Nigeria is concerned, is inconsequential. Atiku and the PDP do not have the power to instill fear in the ruling party, especially a party that is progressive.”
On Wednesday, November 15, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that it generated N74.28 billion as revenue from imports between January to October 2023.
The command also intercepted Tramadol worth N3.55 billion imported into Nigeria from Pakistan and India.
Disclosing this at briefing, Customs Area Comptroller, Muhammed Yusuf said the command has recorded strides in the last ten months as a trade facilitation agency at one of the country’s air borders.
According to Yusuf, what was collected in 2023 was higher than the 2022 collection by 23 percent.
He said: “During the period under review January — October 2023, the Command collected revenue to the tune of N74.28 billion from Customs duty and other charges. In comparison to the revenue collected same period in 2022 which stood at N60.05 billion.
“This clearly shows a progressive difference of N14.23billion depicting a 23 percent increase in collection. The Command so far has met 76.34 percent of its annual target. This was made possible as a result of the resilience of officers in ensuring that agents were made to do proper declarations and to adhere strictly to import/export guidelines in tandem with extant laws.”
The Customs boss, however, disclosed that in anti-smuggling, the Command Intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products suspected to be tramadol tablets worth N3.55 billion imported into the country.
Yusuf stated further that the shipment was intercepted on suspicion of exceeding the approved threshold by the federal government.
He added: “In the area of anti-smuggling activities. The Command has intercepted unregistered pharmaceutical products suspected to be Tramadol tablets. The shipment was intercepted on the suspicion of exceeding the approved threshold by the Federal Government. The cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the aforementioned items stood at N3.55billion.”
He, however, urged officers of the Command to remain steadfast and focused in the discharge of their duties.
“I want to use this medium to profoundly thank the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing an enabling environment as regards the renovation in the Command. Let me extend the same gratitude to the Officers and Men of Murtala Muhammed Airport Command. I also want to urge Officers and men of the Command to remain focused and steadfast in discharging their assigned responsibilities.”
The organised labour, on Wednesday night, directed all the affiliate unions to resume work on Thursday.
Naija News understands that the directive was issued following the suspension of the indefinite strike that started on Tuesday, November 14.
The suspension of the strike was a sequel to the mediation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugbaja, the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, announcing the suspension of the indefinite strike in a statement, said the suspension was intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met the organized labour’s crucial demands to address the distressing abduction and brutalization of the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and others.
The statement read, “Sequel to the emergency joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC and TUC today, the 15th day of November, 2023 in which a thorough review of the offers presented by the federal government through the National Security Adviser during its earlier meeting with the leadership of both centers was made, a resolution was reached to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike, which commenced on the 14th November, 2023.
“This suspension is intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met our crucial demands to address the distressing abduction and brutalization of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and others.
“These incidents occurred at the hands of the Police and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s thugs in Owerri, Imo state, on the 1st day of November, 2023.
“An apology was tendered on behalf of the government by The NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation. Some of the perpetrators have been arrested, and we were given high assurances that all others will be fished out and prosecuted.
“High-powered investigation is currently being carried out and the leadership of the labour centers will be briefed continuously as progress is being made.
“We extend our commendation and salute to all affiliates and state councils for their unwavering commitment and tenacity, which contributed to the success of the nationwide strike.
“Therefore, all affiliates and State councils of both the NLC and TUC are hereby directed to demobilize, cease any further escalation of the indefinite strike action, and fully resume work tomorrow, Thursday, the 16th day of November, 2023.
“Once again, we convey our appreciation for your cooperation, resilience, and determination in ensuring the success of the indefinite nationwide strike.
“We encourage you to remain vigilant as we await the fulfillment of the remaining agreements.”