The United Kingdom (UK) has released new travel requirements for people wishing to come to the country.
The UK stated that Nigerians and other citizens wishing to enter the country must apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
British and Irish nationals are, however, exempted from the new requirements.
The new rule comes into effect from November 15, 2023, and applies to everyone, including children.
The new travel rule states that all visa applicants wishing to travel to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) card before they enter or transit through the country.
The UK Home Office said persons who need the travel permit are those who were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and not already legally resident in the UK.
Also listed for ETA are those on visits shorter than six months, business people, tourism, and those visiting family and friends. Applicants are required to apply online before booking any travel to the UK. Once granted, it will be valid for multiple journeys over two years or until the passport one is applying with expires.
The UK Home Office, in a statement, further said travellers with valid visas may not be allowed to board without a valid ETA, as the ETA is digitally linked to travellers’ passports.
The statement reads: “The UK travel requirements are changing. Except for British and Irish citizens, everyone, including children who enter or transit through the UK, will soon require permission before they travel.
“This means that if you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and not already legally resident in the UK, you will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), your stay must be shorter than six months and could include tourism or visiting family and friends, transit, business, and short term study.
“You do not need to show a paper copy, but it may be helpful to prove the confirmation email for your own records while an ETA grants you permission to travel to the UK, it does not grant you entry. So, you would still need to go through passport control at the border to enter the UK.
“Make sure you show the same passport you used to apply for your ETA and that your passport is valid for the whole of your stay.”
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma defended himself against accusations of contributing to the state’s escalating insecurity, urging those blaming him to clarify their stance. He emphasized his reliance on divine grace, pledging unwavering service to God and humanity.
Uzodimma made these statements during the dedication of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Parish in his hometown, Ozuh Omuma, Oru East local government area.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, Most Rev Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma, underscored the dedication’s role in fostering peace and curbing violence in the region and other parts of the state.
After the service, Uzodimma expressed gratitude to attendees and maintained that neither he nor his government played a role in the killings in Imo.
Katsina varsity undergraduates murder 21-year-old colleague over female student
He described the insinuation as “evil, devilish and an attempt to smear his image and blackmail” his government.
Uzodimma reiterated that as a governor he needs peace to serve the people and urged those behind the insecurity in the state to have a rethink or be ready to face the wrath of God.
The governor said despite all the accusations and blackmail against his person and his administration, God has proven to be with him because power belongs to God.
In his homily, Bishop Ukwuoma congratulated the governor for building and donating a magnificent worship place of God to the Catholic Church.
The cleric, who said with the dedication of the church it has now become the property of the diocese and the universal church, warned against any infractions in the church.
He appealed to the leaders to lead the people well “because there is a lot of hardship in the country.”
The bishop appealed to the leaders to do everything within their power to prevent the looming strike by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) because it would not benefit the ordinary citizens but create more problems for them.
Tinubu Academic Records: American Judge Did What Nigerian Judiciary Could Not Do In 23 Years – Atiku’s Aide
AdminPhrank Shaibu, Special Assistant to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said the independence of the United States of America judiciary led to President Bola Tinubu’s ultimate defeat at the Northern District of Illinois court.
Shaibu stated this while reacting to the order by Justice Nancy Maldonado for the Chicago State University to release all of Tinubu’s academic records to Atiku.
Shaibu opined that Tinubu has been trying to evade justice since 1999 when the legendary human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), first blew the lid on his certificates scam.
He lamented that rather than deliver justice on the case’s merits, judges had continued to give Tinubu victory based on technicalities, claiming the development had led to over 20 dubious victories.
Shaibu said it was unfortunate that the Nigerian judiciary had failed to live up to expectations as the last hope of the common man.
He said, “Justice Maldonado, who has spent less than one year on the bench and who sat on this case for barely a month, has been able to do what the Nigerian judiciary could not do for 23 years.
“This explains why the Nigerian society is on the brink of slipping into the state of nature, which Thomas Hobbes described as short, brutish, and nasty.”
Husband not magician comments: Garba Shehu tackles Tinubu’s wife - says Buhari brought Nigeria’s economy out of crisis
AdminGarba Shehu, spokesman to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has insisted that his principal brought Nigeria’s economy out of crisis.
Shehu made the remark while dismissing claims that Buhari’s administration threw Nigeria into myriads of problems leading to the current hardship in the country.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Shehu said no past administration found itself in economic hardship like Buhari’s.
He noted that no government in the world can solve all the problems a nation faces.
According to Shehu: “If there were hardships or problems, these should be looked into, to know how they came about.
“No administration in this country found itself in economic issues like Buhari’s because of our dependence on oil and prices, which went down.
“We also had the Coronavirus pandemic. Nations shut their doors, and the economy plummeted. But, Alhamdulillah, Buhari brought the Nigerian economy out of that crisis.”
This came after the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, noted that President Bola Tinubu inherited a damaged economy from Buhari.
She made the remarks in Abuja while speaking at the interdenominational church service to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, tagged, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
She said the Tinubu administration inherited the situation on the ground but is willing to fix things without putting blame on any administration.
“All we inherited are things that had happened many years ago; we are not here to put blame on any administration but to fix what has been damaged.
“My husband is not a magician; he is going to work and I believe and hope that we will have peace in this country; the best is yet to come to us,” she said.
The murderers of singer MohBad, according to street hip-hop artist Portable, would never experience the same level of fame.
Imole’s death, as the deceased is also known, attracted loud attention on a global scale.
Because of this, in the days that followed his “questionable” death, his musical creations unexpectedly took a positive enormous turn.
Even after his death, tremendous streaming has continued worldwide for all of his tracks, including those that were already out.
Many insist just like his alias ‘Imole’ he continues to shine even in death going by the love and support he’s been shown.
Portable, who also recently released a song, ‘Alimi’ as a tribute to Mohbad, acknowledged the greatness which the late rapper possessed.
He bemoaned the phoney love among those in the music industry citing how the legendary American rapper, 2pac was jointly eliminated by certain individuals that were jealous of gifts and illuminating future.
He said: “Even 2pac did not win a Grammy. They killed him before he could. They joined hands together to kill him because they knew that he was a great artiste. Yet his killers did not ‘blow’ like him.
“All of you that killer Imole, you will never ‘blow’ like him.
“Music industry, full of fake people, fake love. They’ll use you to get themselves to the top.”
The “Zazu” crooner also cautioned people in the habit of jeopardising the success chances of others after attaining theirs.
He added: “When you climb to the to of the ladder, don’t break it because many others need it to climb to the top it.
“Moreso, if the person that used it before you broke it; would you have anything with which to climb on?
“Stop killing our super stars, appreciate them instead.”
Peter Obi, Ex-NBA President, Others Ask Edo Youths to Revive Spirit of Production, Self Rebirth
Admin...Stress Need for Ethical Standards
...Harp on Citizens Rights, Accountable Governance
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25th, 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi; the immediate past President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, Social Critic, Mr Dele Farotimi, have counseled Edo State youths on the need to imbibe the culture of self reliance, remain steadfast on ethical standards and also cultivate the spirit of production, as a means to better society.
The trio and others who spoke, including the former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Anselm Ojezua and the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami; also harped on citizens rights and obligations, and the need to always hold government accountable by seeking justice where necessary.
They all spoke during the symposium and launch of three hand books: “Citizens Rights and Obligations,” “Ethics, Values and Youth Re-orientation, and “Cottage Industry for Agro and Mineral Raw Materials Processing in Edo State,” organised by Unuedo Renaissance in Benin City, capital of Edo State at the weekend.
While Obi, Akpata, Farotimi and Ojezua spoke as guest speakers, Prof. Salami who served as chairperson of the event also gave the Keynote Address.
Addressing participants who were majorly youths drawn from secondary and tertiary institutions in Edo, Obi, a former Anambra State Governor who spoke virtually, asked them to imbibe the spirit of production as a means to progress like other countries of the western world.
Obi said because he understood the importance of production, he had to ensure it becomes one of his mantras during the presidential campaign to emphasise that he would make the country shift away from consumption to production.
He also noted that the country attained its present state because of scarcity of role models including political leadership to drive the necessary change.
Obi who commended organisers of the event, Unuedo Renaissance, enjoined all and sundry to be steadfast on ethical standards to immediate community and state, pursue and seek justice when necessary, noting that these are some of the vital issues that will ensure brighter future for the youth in Edo State.
On his part, Akpata, the former NBA president, enjoined the youths to always strive to enthrone good leadership which is deficient in Nigeria.
He said "because we are poor in leadership and management, Nigeria as a country has remained the way it is."
According to him, "In Nigeria democracy, citizens don't matter and out of the equation", adding however, that if the people know the enormous power they have and utilise it, there is no way the country will not enthrone the right leadership that will drive the country to prosperity."
Speaking also on one of the thematic areas, 'Cottage Industries for Agro and Mineral Raw Materials Processing in Edo', Akpata quipped: "Industries cannot work without ethics and values because you cannot place something on nothing."
He said the best way to move forward is by making ethics, values an essential ingredients in whatever we do either at home, in school, church and workplace.
To Farotimi, how to get Nigeria working again based on the three thematic areas can only be achieved through good governance, right ethics and values; where the rule of law works; that is where there is equal rights and justice; and citizens are allowed to determine how they are governed.
He said the central point of getting the cottage industries running is by fixing power generation in a more decentralised manner like off grid, renewable energy and tapping other sources of energy.
In his contribution, the former chairman of APC and now chieftain of the PDP in Edo', Anselm Ojezua, lamented that while Nigeria as a country has so much, it has nothing paradoxically.
He said while it's is on record that there is no state and even local government area in Nigeria among all the countries in the world that does not have one mineral deposit or the other, yet it cannot create jobs.
He said the failure to do so is because the country export the jobs it should have created along with the exported raw material sold at peanuts.
Ojezua while praising the organizers, said the time has come for government at all levels to stand tall and agree that rather than exporting raw materials, we should produce those raw materials to finished products which would in turn guarantee jobs for the employed youths and others in the society.
In her keynote Address, Prof Salami, chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, thanked Unuedo Renaissance for organising such a symposium to equip the youths with the necessary tools as citizens.
She said while citizens have right to life, liberty, fair hearing, quality educate as enshrined in the constitution, they should also know they have certain obligations to the state in form of respect to constituted authority, payment of taxes and levies.
On ethics and values, the UNIBEN VC, noted the need to abide by prescribed moral standards, noting that the major inhibitors to all these are week family upbringing, deficient leadership and widespread impunity in public places, illegitimate resource accumulation, corruption of political and public office holders etc.
The vice chancellor who was represented by the deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Kate Ogbomwan, advised youths to shun corruption both in public and in private, engage in civic education, pursue ethical revolution, hold leaders accountable at all times and organise orientation programmes rather than being mere critics, as well as create unity to enhance the state natural base for the benefit of all.
Earlier, President of Unuedo Renaissance, Nuhu Yakubu in his welcome address, said the objectives behind the programme was to empower the youths by introducing three remarkable handbooks namely; "Citizens Rights and Obligations", "Ethics, Values and Youth Re-orientation", and "Cottage Industries for Agro and Raw Materials Processing in Edo", adding that a combination of the books is the organisation's collective efforts to empower the youths of Edo State.
According to Yakubu, "The unveiling of these handbooks is a combination of our collective efforts to empower our young ones, instill unwavering values, prepare them for encouraging role of self sufficiency within our state and by so doing Nigeria at large."
He also pointed out that the gathering signified more than a book launch but an investment in the future of Edo State and nuturing of the potentials inherent in the youths who are the architects of tomorrow.
Yakubu further stated, "It is a manifesto to arming the youths with the tools and wisdom needed for the prosperous destination of of our dear state."
High point of the ceremony was the unveiling of the handbooks, powered by Unuedo Renaissance, an association of professionals resident within and outside Edo State in Nigeria and in the diaspora with the common objective to improve the socio-economic well being of the Edo people and the state, and a mission to be a rallying platform for professionals of Edo extraction with diverse fields of endeavour, common objective regardless of tribe, ethnicity and religions background.
It also possess the vision to continue to play a key role of connecting generations of Edo indigenes and bringing good governance to the people of the state.
Former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Olumide Akpata (right), former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and other guests at the event.
From left: Mr. Dele Farotimi; Labour Party chieftain, Prof. Kate Ukponwman, DVC, Administration, University of Benin; Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, VP, Unuedo Renaissance; Mr. Nuhu Yakubu, President; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, fmr NBA President.
The meeting between the Federal Government and Organised Labour, yesterday ended in deadlock as leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterparts, rejected the government’s offers.
However, the meeting will reconvene at 4 p.m. today.
Sources at the meeting told Vanguard that the labour leaders rejected President Bola Tinubu’s N25,000 provisional wage award for low-grade workers to cushion the effect of the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The labour leaders told Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to prepare to take all of them to jail because the government had been threatening them with a court order, saying “This is not acceptable.”
Recall that President Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, had said: “Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.
‘’For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.
“Commencing this month, the social safety net is being extended through the expansion of cash transfer programmes to an additional 15 million vulnerable households.”
However, Vanguard reliably gathered that Organized Labour in its meeting with the Federal Government team at the Permanent Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, rejected the N25,000 provisional wage award and demanded 200 per cent of the current minimum wage.
Besides, Labour insisted that the provisional wage increase should be for all workers, pending the enactment of a new Minimum Wage Act next year and must not be limited to only six months.
The labour leaders equally insisted that the conditional cash transfer for the poorest and vulnerable people should be increased to N25,000 for 15 million vulnerable Nigerians, against the N5,000 the previous administration was paying.
After many hours of horse-trading, the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is leading the government’s delegation, broke the meeting for the government team to consult with the President on the new demands
Gbajabiamila, it was learned, was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.
Some other issues raised by the NLC and TUC leaders included tax rebates for low-income earners, removal of Value Added Tax, VAT, on diesel for the next six months and provision of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and buses within the next two months.
The meeting that commenced at about 3.25 pm, ended around 7.15 pm to reconvene by 4 pm today.
Labour’s NEC to meet today on govt offers
Vanguard gathered that labour leaders would also hold their National Executive Council, NEC, meeting today to brief NEC members about the offers by the government.
The NEC is expected to take a position and give the leaders the new mandate to take to the government.
But briefing journalists after the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the President and leader of the government team, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced that Tinubu accepted organized labour’s demand that the wage award be across the board.
He said: “We’ve been at a closed-door meeting with labour and government side since three o’clock. So, it’s been about four four-hour meetings.
“A lot of issues were addressed. Issues that concern the Nigerian workers, the average Nigerian worker. I can’t begin to reel them out here. But I am happy to say that after four hours, we have reached certain agreements that are for the benefit of the Nigerian worker.
“Agreements on the wage bill, agreements on committees on salary increment, CNG buses, on several other things, I believe both labour and government side?
“Hopefully, we expect that labour will call a meeting of their various branches and executive tomorrow (today) to present the agreements that have been reached, and we pray and believe and hope that the strike will be called off tomorrow.
“So I want to once again thank Labour for taking time out on a good Sunday like this one when they should be with their families to come and discuss in the interest of the workers. Thank you very much.
FG, meeting with NLC, TUC ends in deadlock
“There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the provisional wage increase. We did communicate with the president and he quickly did say and agreed that all categories of workers would be given the wage bill.
‘’There is nothing like low income, mediun income or high income. I think it was worthy of clarification tonight.”
Making clarification on the N25,000 provisional wage award, he said: “There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the wage bill.’’
Also speaking, the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said: “I don’t have much to say than what the Chief of Staff has said. We have been meeting and we have looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government.
‘’We will look at how to translate them to reality. Then we are going to take those promises to our organs. Of course, you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off action.
“So like he (Gbajabiamila) said, we are hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what to do next. So it’s a simple one.”
On his side, the acting President of TUC, Tommy Etim Okon, said: “We do hope that by tomorrow, we are going to meet with our organs.”
Sources at the meeting told Vanguard that the government team had wanted organized labour to announce a suspension of the indefinite strike which it declined.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, also said in a statement issued at the end of the meeting yesterday: “The Federal Government has announced N25,000 only as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months.
“The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.”
According to the statement, the meeting resolved that “the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
“Labour unions argued for higher wage awards and the Federal Government team promised to present labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the implementation details of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the federal government, with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.
“Those at yesterday’s meeting included Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
“Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The Labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, Secretary, Nuhu Toro, TUC General, among others.
Meanwhile, Organised Labour has ordered the state councils and affiliates to ensure total compliance with the nationwide strike directive.
Not leaving anything to chance, organized labour has also set up a strike zonal coordinating committee towards the success of the indefinite nationwide strike.
In a circular by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, to all the 36 state councils and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, NLC directed the councils to hold joint meetings with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and work together to ensure total compliance with the strike directive.
The circular, titled “Indefinite nationwide strike”, read: “In furtherance to the notice of the indefinite nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, October 3, 2023, all chairpersons of NLC state councils are kindly requested to take immediately the following steps to ensure a successful outcome.
‘’To immediately send a circular notifying all affiliate unions and workers in their states on the need to comply with the strike. Ensure that their respective compliance teams leave no stone unturned in discharging their responsibilities, especially in areas of strategic importance to the overall success of the action.
“Hold joint meetings with the TUC and work together to ensure total compliance with the essence of the action; continue providing the progress reports of their activities as the action begins to the national secretariat and the platforms.
“The success of this action is critical for the survival of workers and the masses. That this will happen is dependent on our collective determination and commitment. No one else can do it for us.”
Similarly, NLC and TUC have inaugurated zonal strike coordinating committees to work with state councils, affiliates and other allies to effectively prosecute the strike.
It was gathered that the coordinating committees were inaugurated on Saturday.
The United States District Court in Northern District of Illinois has ruled in favour of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and ordered the Chicago State University to release President Bola Tinubu’s academic record by Monday (today).
But Tinubu’s lawyers insisted that the documents would not be relevant in Atiku’s appeal against Tinubu at the Supreme Court.
The PUNCH reports that Atiku had earlier secured an order from a US magistrate for CSU to make Tinubu’s academic records available to his legal team.
The magistrate, Jeffrey Gilbert, had ordered Tinubu’s alma mater to provide all relevant and non-privileged documents to Atiku’s legal team within two days.
The documents sought by the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Angela Liu, include Tinubu’s record of admission and acceptance at the Chicago State University, dates of attendance as well the degrees, awards, and honours obtained by Tinubu from the CSU.
But as the deadline given by the magistrate drew nearer, Tinubu’s lawyers approached the US high court, arguing that the earlier decision by the magistrate needed to be reviewed by a district judge.
The request for a review and delay of the magistrate’s order till Monday was eventually granted by the US district judge.
Tinubu’s application, filed by his New York-based lawyer, Oluwole Afolabi, advanced two reasons.
First is that his academic records in issue are not useful in Nigerian courts as claimed by Atiku because “the Nigerian election proceedings and the Nigerian courts have explicitly been unreceptive to the discovery.”
His second reason is that Atiku’s request “is unduly intrusive because it allows the applicant (Atiku) to conduct a fishing expedition into the intervenor’s private, confidential, and protected educational records.”
The former vice president in a fresh response filed last Wednesday, in Chicago, Illinois, charged the court to overrule Tinubu’s request in its entirety.
In a fresh judgment obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, Maldonado noted that CSU did not object to Judge Jeffery Gilbert’s decision that the academic record be made public.
The court held that Atiku’s interest outweighs any intrusion on Tinubu’s privacy interests in his educational records.
The judge overruled Tinubu’s objections to the ruling by the magistrate ordering CSU to make his academic records available to Atiku.
Judge Gilbert also adopted the magistrate’s ruling in full.
The memorandum opinion and order read in part: “For the foregoing reasons, the court overrules President Tinubu’s objections to Magistrate Judge Gilbert’s recommended ruling, and therefore, adopts the ruling in full.
“Mr Atiku’s Application is, therefore, granted. In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline, represented to the court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery.
“Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Given the October 5, 2023, filing deadline before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the court will not extend or modify these deadlines.
However, the judge stressed that his verdict “is expressing no view on the merits of Mr. Abubakar’s underlying claims regarding President Tinubu or his graduation from CSU, or on the validity of the Nigerian election. Nor is the court taking any position on what any of the documents or testimony from CSU may or may not ultimately show.”
“The court simply finds, on the narrow question before it, that Mr Atiku is entitled to the production of documents and testimony that he seeks from CSU,” he said.
Reacting to the verdict, a member of the PDP National Executive Council, National Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described President Tinubu’s appeal as a needless route.
Osadolor, in an interview with The PUNCH, said “If he was convinced that has had nothing to hide, there was no need for those appeals against the courts.”
According to him, the US judgment will reinforce Atiku’s appeal before the Supreme Court.
“Tinubu is not who he claims to be and that is what our candidate and our party want to prove.”
Efforts made to reach the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, one of the President’s attorneys, Oluwole Afolabi, has played down the importance of his academic documents, saying it will be of no use in Atiku’s Supreme Court appeal in Nigeria.
Reacting in a WhatsApp note published on Sunday by PM News, Afolabi stated that the Electoral Act does not allow for the introduction of new evidence on appeal.
“A party must provide a list of the documents he intends to rely on at the time his petition is filed. A party cannot spring a surprise on his adversary by introducing evidence that was not filed along with the petition,” Afolabi said.
Similarly, the Coordinator of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), said, “The documents can no longer be used. It is of no value. We have passed that stage.”
“One is whether President Tinubu attended Chicago State University. The answer is yes. Second, what were his grades in school? The school had already provided that,” Ogala said.
The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has announced N20,000 stipend for schoolgirls in the state to encourage them to attend school.
The governor, who made the announcement on Sunday in his Independence Day speech at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, said over 45,000 schoolgirls would benefit from the pilot scheme.
He said, “To support girls-child education and encourage parents to send their daughters to school, we are issuing a stipend of N20,000 to over 45,000 girl-child as a pilot scheme to support them to continue schooling. We are also re-introducing the girl-child school buses to transport them to and from schools.”
Yusuf also announced that his administration would establish more primary and secondary schools across the 44 local government areas of the state “in our quest to mop up all out-of-school children roaming our streets.”
He added, “Schools are being renovated in batches; we are providing free uniforms, school bags, and shoes at the pilot stage, and we are providing free exercise books and textbooks to primary and Junior Secondary School pupils. And arrangements have reached an advanced stage in providing one free meal (per day) to primary school pupils.”
The governor said his administration would also be sponsoring 1001 first-class graduates to study for Master’s degrees at universities abroad.
He restated the commitment and determination of his administration to tackle the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and youth restiveness bedeviling the country.
On the independence anniversary, Yusuf paid a glowing tribute to the great nationalists and patriotic freedom fighters who sacrificed everything to ensure the freedom of the nation.
The immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, may remain a little longer in detention as the federal government over the weekend distanced itself from a N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with the embattled former governor of the apex bank.
Emefiele was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with the government on condition of surrendering N50 billion to facilitate his early release from the custody of
the Department of the State Services (DSS).
The plea bargain was also said to be aimed at cancelling the trial of the former CBN chief on a series of charges including money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office.
The attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said there was no iota of truth in the plea bargain deal.
Fagbemi said neither his office nor the presidency has had anything of such nature with Emefiele.
The position of the minister was contained in a statement by the director of information in the ministry of justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro.
The statement reads in part “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report alleging that the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non prosecution plea bargain arrangement.
“The report further alleges that Mr.Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the attorney general, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Tinubu.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.
“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement.
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The leadership of the organised labour will meet with its organs today to discuss the N35,000 provisional wage award which the federal government approved yesterday for all treasury-paid federal workers for six months.
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, stated this in an interview with State House reporters yesterday after a four-hour meeting with the government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Ajaero said the organised labour could not unilaterally shelve the indefinite strike it scheduled for October 3 without recourse to its organs.
“I don’t have much to say than what the Chief of Staff has said. We’ve been meeting and we’ve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government and we’ll look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable.
“Then, we’re going to take those promises to our organs. Of course, you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off action.
“So, like he (Gbajabiamila) said, we are hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So, it’s a simple one,” Ajaero said.
The acting president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tommy Etim Okon, who also addressed journalists, said the labour would meet its organs today to review the outcomes of the meeting with the government delegation.
He added that the team from the organised labour would return for another meeting today.
He said, “Let me, on behalf of the TUC, also point out to the fact that we have had series of conversations surrounding the issue raised and we do hope that by tomorrow (today), we are going to get across to our organs so that we can also look at it and cross-fertilize ideas and see the way forward. I am sure we are coming back again tomorrow (today) for that.”
In a statement after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months, following further consultations with the Federal Government delegation that met with the leadership of the NLC and the TUC yesterday.
President Tinubu had, earlier yesterday in his 63rd Independence Day Anniversary broadcast, announced the N25,000 increment for low-grade federal workers.
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The minister said during the meeting, the labour unions made case for higher wage award.
He said a sub-committee would be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The NLC and the TUC had called for an indefinite strike commencing on October 3 in protest against the alleged failure by the government to provide palliatives and implement policies to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal on the masses.
Several workers’ unions across the country had declared their readiness to join the strike.
The unions include the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutes (SSAUTHRIA); the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and the Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
In different statements signed by their respective leaderships, the unions had directed their affiliates across the nation to start maximum mobilization of all its members without delay while urging all-out compliance from members.
The information minister said at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
He said the Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next six months.
“Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023,” he stated.
Idris said the government urged the labour unions not to embark on strike as the issues in dispute could only be resolved when workers are at work.
“The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” the minister added.
Earlier while addressing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Gbajabiamila had stated that all cadres of workers in the Federal Civil Service would benefit from the N25,000 wage increment for six months.
He said a lot of issues concerning the average Nigerian worker were addressed during the meeting.
“We have reached certain agreements that are for the benefit of the Nigerian worker.
“Agreements on wage bill, agreements on committees on salary increment, CNG buses, on several other things, I believe, both TUC, labour and government side.”
The chief of staff, who said the organized labour would brief its branches and executives today on the agreement, clarified that the president agreed that all categories of workers would benefit from the N25,000 wage increment for six months.
He said, “Hopefully, we expect that labour will call a meeting of their various branches and executive tomorrow (today) to present the agreements that have been reached, and we pray and we believe and we hope that the strike will be called off on Tuesday.
“So, I want to once again thank labour for taking time out on a good Sunday like this one when they should be with their families to come and discuss in the interest of the workers.
“There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the provisional wage increase. And we did communicate with the president and he quickly did say and agreed that all categories of workers will be given the wage bill, there is nothing like low income, median income or high income. I think that it was worthy of clarification tonight,” Gbajabiamila said.
Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja; TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro; among others.
The federal government has announced the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel for the next six months.
In a statement, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said it was part of the resolution reached during the meeting between government officials and leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the State House, on Sunday.
The minister said the government is “committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of the PMS subsidy”.
Apart from this, the government said it is committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” the statement added.
Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, Deputy President, TUC, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has renamed the Anambra International Airport after late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe.
Soludo announced this during the Independence Day celebration at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.
Soludo stated that it was a good thing that many of those who contributed to the independence of Nigeria in 1960 have had one project or the other named after them.
He, however, lamented that all the projects were named after public office holders, saying his government would change the norm starting with recognizing Achebe by naming the Anambra Airport after him.
“We must signal that you don’t have to hold political positions to contribute to the advancement of our civilization.
“Henceforth, we shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating our largely unsung heroes, as motivation to our children and youths in terms of what matters, including distinguished teachers, medical and other professionals, persons of honesty and integrity, philanthropists with known sources of wealth, entrepreneurs/job creators, community leaders/developers, clergy with great devotion, etc.
“An example of Africa’s unsung hero is the late Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe.
“Achebe was not a President or Governor or Minister. He did not build bridges, roads or airports. But he will outlive most presidents, governors or ministers.
“Achebe gave African literature an identity and a voice. In a way, he rightly reconstructed and redefined who we are and we will never forget. Indeed, he was not an Anambra hero, nor a Nigerian hero. He was an African and global hero, and yet largely unsung at home.
“Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to CHINUA ACHEBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UMUERI. Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” Soludo said.
Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, says he does not owe anyone an apology for supporting a northerner in the last presidential primary of the party.
He said he pitched his tent with a northern candidate because he’s a northerner, adding that he did not regret his action.
The erstwhile helmsman of the ruling party made this known in an interview with Daily Trust on Sunday.
In what many saw as a poor calculation and risky decision at the time, Adamu openly supported the then senate president Ahmad Lawan for the presidential ticket of the party.
But Lawan was resoundingly defeated at the primary with Tinubu winning by a landslide. Many have opined that Adamu decision to support Lawan, who was the least favourite to clinch the ticket, cost him his position as the party’s chairman.
Reacting to the political furore, the former Nasarawa state governor said he had no regret for the choice he made.
“The party chairman has a role, but with a ruling party, I could not take it on myself to float Ahmed Lawan’s name.
“I am curious because everybody put it on you.
Well, of course, I take responsibility as party chairman, but nobody with maturity in politics and governance will say that Abdullahi Adamu, as the chairman of the party, would just get up and say this is my presidential candidate. It doesn’t add up.
“Of course, there were processes. I don’t want to go back on that. What I detested about this whole setting was that people who wanted to win favours with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu continued saying there was cold war between me and him and making so much capital out of it.
“I am an established person from my root, right from birth. I come from a royal family and I am proud of it. I was born at a time when there was a northern Nigeria. I was brought into its values even though I worked mainly in the private sector. I saw myself first and foremost as a northerner in Nigeria and I have no apologies to anybody on this.
“But times are changing, if you want to take a count of people with the same feeling, attitude, commitment and loyalty to the North, you would have a problem”
He noted that identity politics is entrenched in Nigeria socio-political dynamics, adding that its reality is rife in the South-West where the president hails from.
“But go down South, especially the South West, and you would see that people are not ashamed of beating their chests and telling you who they are and where they come from and what they stand for. Go to the East, till today, we are losing lives in the East for what they believe in, not here.
“The reason I have no regret is that only what God wills will happen. God has made Bola Ahmed Tinubu the president of this country”