Elder Statesman and National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, has called for the immediate exit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Naija News reports that Clark made this call in a formal letter addressed to the National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagun.

According to him, Wike needs to leave PDP for the party’s survival.

The former Federal Commissioner for Information and esteemed leader in the South-South region elucidated the alleged tactics employed by the former Governor of Rivers State to exert pressure on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the party, leveraging his close relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

During a press briefing at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) expressed his inability to remain silent in the face of Minister Wike’s persistent attempts to undermine Governor Fubara.

The head of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum, who acknowledged his political career predated Wike’s birth, cautioned Damagun that failure to halt Wike’s actions would lead to a situation where the matter would consume the minister, Wike, and their allies.

Clark, who is currently in the process of writing a book titled “PDP: To Be or Not To Be,” highlighted the concerning trend of former Governors Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), and Ben Ayade (Cross River) defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting that Wike’s current actions are reminiscent of those of his predecessors.

“After conceding that former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili and his wife made him what he is today and will forever remain grateful to them, he is now abusing them. I won’t allow him to destroy Rivers State,” Clark declared.

He alleged that having failed to use the APC to disrupt the PDP, Wike is now using the party against itself.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership has warned that it is prepared to embark on a fresh strike across the country in response to any attempt to arrest or detain its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Nigeria Police.

This declaration was made at the union’s headquarters on Tuesday morning, following an immediate emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) to deliberate on the police’s request to invite the NLC President in light of allegations concerning the financing of terrorism.

During the meeting, the NEC decided that Ajaero would accept the police’s invitation but emphasized the necessity for the union’s legal counsel to request additional time for Ajaero to be presented before the law enforcement authorities.

Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, has urged the nation’s workforce to be prepared for further instructions if the police’s actions do not align with the union’s expectations regarding Ajaero’s detention.

He said: “As a committed labour centre, we will honour the invitation of the police because we are not a faceless organization, but we are working with our lawyer for an extension of time.

“In the event that the President is arrested, all workers will down tools immediately. We should wait for further directives from our leadership.”

The United States (U.S) government has unveiled a humanitarian aid package amounting to $27 million for Nigeria, aimed at supporting vulnerable communities and enhancing resilience against the challenges posed by food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced on Tuesday in Abuja that this contribution is a part of the broader $536 million humanitarian aid package allocated by the U.S. government to sub-Saharan Africa.

Naija News reports that Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, officially unveiled the comprehensive aid package which brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa in Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $3.7 billion.

“The funding will be channelled to those in need through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

“It brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa in Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $3.7 billion.

“The assistance aims to address the critical needs of vulnerable individuals across the sub-Saharan region,” the mission explained.

It added: “This includes refugees from war and terrorism violence, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless individuals, and other conflict-affected people.

“It will focus on crises in the Sahel, among other areas, and support efforts to build durable solutions, such as voluntary returns and refugee integration.”

In an address regarding the development, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, highlighted the significance of the recently announced U.S. funding.

Mills noted that the initiative underscored the United States’ dedication to delivering essential aid and safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations and the communities that host them across the African continent.

“This assistance will make a real difference in the lives of those most in need in Nigeria and across the continent.

“This 27 million dollars in aid demonstrates the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing humanitarian challenges.

“We stand with Nigeria in its efforts to provide for vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts,” the mission quoted Mills as saying.

Lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has accused President Bola Tinubu of not being a good leader.

Speaking against the backdrop of the recent purchase of a new jet for the presidential air fleet, Adeyanju, in a post via his Facebook account on Monday, accused Tinubu of behaving like former Military Head of State, Sani Abacha.

The activist said Tinubu is behaving like Abacha pro max, adding that critics don’t make good leaders.

He further accused President Tinubu of being a hypocrite because of the purchase of a new presidential jet, an Escalade bulletproof vehicle, and a yacht while urging Nigerians to bear the hardship in the country.

Posting on his Facebook page, Adeyanju wrote: “Critics don’t make good leaders. If in doubt, just look at Tinubu. The guy is acting like a Sani Abacha pro max just under one year. A hypocrite that can’t take what he gives.

“Just got back to Abuja from Lagos and saw Tinubu’s outrageously huge presidential jet.”

He also wrote in another post: “I have not recovered from the shock of how big Tinubu’s presidential jet is. It is so huge. We cannot subsidize the poor and the economy but we can subsidize Tinubu and politicians. Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could go off at any moment.”

Naija News recalls President Bola Tinubu-led administration, on Monday, unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased under his leadership.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who released the pictures, said it replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Onanuga, however, did not reveal the amount spent by the Nigerian government to acquire the new presidential jet.

He said it saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.

Onanuga said, “The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that its President, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the police over allegations of terrorism financing and other related offenses.

The confirmation was made in a statement by the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, on Monday evening. The police had invited Ajaero for questioning regarding charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

According to the invitation letter dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, Ajaero’s name surfaced in ongoing investigations related to the alleged offenses.

In his statement, Upah said, “A personal message sent to Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, ‘We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation), but the place was locked, sir.’”

Upah expressed concerns, noting that staff were present at the office beyond 6 pm and questioned why Ajaero was not addressed by his official title as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

He added, “Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.”

Upah also recalled that prior to the raid, the NLC had advised the government to engage in dialogue with organizers of a recent protest, despite the congress distancing itself from the event. The congress had also condemned the high casualty rate resulting from police action during the protest and demanded an apology from the police and the government.

“At its world press conference last Thursday, the congress had raised the alarm that should anything happen to the leadership of the congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable,” Upah continued.

He concluded by questioning the motive behind the police action, stating, “The question on the lips of those in the know is: Who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?”

It is worth recalling that security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja on July 7.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has stated that it has not made any fuel subsidy payment to anyone in the last nine months.

The disclosure was made on Monday by the Chief Financial Officer of the company, Alhaji Umar Ajiya in Abuja.

According to Ajiya, NNPC Ltd only handles Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation shortfalls between the company and the federation.

“In the last eight to nine months, NNPC Ltd. has not paid anybody a dime as a subsidy; no one has been paid Kobo by NNPC Ltd. in the name of subsidy. No marketer has received any money from us by way of subsidy.

“What has been happening is that we have been importing PMS, which has been landing at a specific cost price, and the government tells us to sell it at half price. “So the difference between the landing price and that half price is a shortfall.

“And the deal is between the Federation and NNPC Ltd., to reconcile, sometimes they give us money, so there is no money exchanging hands with any marketer in the name of subsidy,” he stated.

Speaking further, Ajiya said credit lines are prevalent in the downstream business based on the worldwide commercial system,

He revealed that NNPC Ltd. has had an open credit agreement with PMS suppliers in the past, with term lines agreement for payment.

Elisha Abbo, a former lawmaker who represented Adamawa North in the Senate, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the salary of senators.

For years on end, Nigerians have kicked against what they considered humongous salaries that are paid to federal lawmakers. 

Recall that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo recently called out federal lawmakers for determining their own salaries and allowances, calling it immoral.

“You are not supposed to fix your salaries or allowances; it is supposed to be done by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“With all due respect, you know it’s not right; it is not right for me to be the one to determine what I pay myself; it is immoral, and you are doing it; the Senate is doing it,” Obasanjo said. 

The Senate, however, debunked the claims by Obasanjo, calling them lies.

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also stated that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month.

Speaking on the matter, Abbo stated that the monthly earnings of senators are not a lot of money.

In an interview on Arise Television, Abbo noted that their monthly take home is only “big on paper” and not enough for the demands and challenges of their office.

Abbo recalled that his salary and allowances while serving as a senator was N14.4 million monthly, while current senators earn up to N29 million monthly. 

He said: “When I was in the Senate, cumulatively, all the allowances were N14.4 million per month. You have a wardrobe allowance, a vehicle allowance, and other allowances put together that were N14.4 million, including the N1 million salary.

“It is about N29 million now. N29 million looks big on paper

“I’m saying this as an honest man. I’m not trying to support the National Assembly, and I’ve been a member of that vilified institution for five years. I am not standing with them, but I’ll bear the facts on the table.”

Speaking further, he said he became poorer after quitting his business to become a lawmaker.

He said: “I had to leave the company I founded, in which I was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, to go into governance when I won the election.

“I had to start subsiding my life because the money that was allocated to my office was absolutely nothing considering the demand and challenges faced by my own constituents on a daily basis.

“I had a case of just one person I took to the hospital; I spent N14 million on one person.

“And every month, from all over Adamawa State and other states, my office was besieged with people looking for help.

“I had to start calling some state governors to help me with cases that are being brought from their states into my office.”

The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of an additional 1,192 aides to his government.

The latest development was confirmed in a communique issued Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade.

“The aides include Yakubu Abdulhakeem, who will serve as the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability, 165 Senior Special Assistants, and 36 Special Assistants.

“Others on the list approved by the governor are 574 Ward Special Assistants and 290 Local Government Special Assistants,” the statement noted.

Ododo has also approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulsadiq as the Director of Protocol for the First Lady’s Office, alongside other members of the First Lady’s retinue.

The governor congratulated all the appointees, emphasizing the importance of dedicating their utmost service to the state and the broader global community.

Furthermore, Ayoade announced that all appointments would be officially effective from September 1, 2024.

Why We Appointed 717 Ward Special Assistants – Kogi Govt

Earlier, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, provided insight into the recent appointment of 717 Ward Special Assistants by Governor Usman Ododo.

According to Fanwo, these appointments are part of the Governor’s strategy to deepen democracy and ensure that governance is participatory, particularly at the grassroots level.

During a press briefing in Lokoja, Fanwo emphasized that Governor Ododo is committed to empowering the people by selecting Special Assistants who are deeply connected with the rural communities they serve.

“The Governor is determined to ensure grassroots participation in governance. He doesn’t want to be detached from the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots. We have learnt from past experiences, and we should be able to put those lessons to use,” Fanwo stated.

Reflecting on past administrations, Fanwo pointed out that many previously appointed Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants were often disconnected from grassroots realities, as they resided primarily in the state capital.

He said, “In the past, many of the Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants that were appointed lived in the state capital and did not relate with the grassroots people. There was a gap between the pulse at the grassroots and the impression of the Government. But with this novel appointment strategy, the people at the grassroots are already jubilating over the commendable inclusive governance.

“Those appointed are those who sleep and wake up in those Wards. They don’t live outside of their Wards, and they will be the foot soldiers of the Government in achieving the Consolidation Agenda of the Ododo Administration.”

Addressing concerns about the potential increase in governance costs due to the high number of appointees, Fanwo clarified that the salaries of three Ward Special Assistants are equivalent to what a single Senior Special Assistant would earn.

“I hear the people of Ogun State have put the people of Nigeria in serious trouble with the Chinese.” 

“You did not hear anything. The story is out there and it is so loud that even the deaf can hear that there is a Chinese problem in Nigeria right now. And just to correct your statement, it is not the people of Ogun State. It is the government of Ogun State. There is a difference.” 

“I don’t see any difference. Government acts on behalf of the people.” 

“Not true. Oftentimes, the government acts in the selfish interest of the people that are in charge at any particular time. Policies are sometimes made, actions are taken simply to settle personal scores, and the people end up being the victims. Now everybody is saying that the people of Ogun State should be careful how they go about calling their state the gateway to Nigeria. The people themselves are victims.”

“Come to think of it. The idea of an Economic Free Zone would have made the state truly the Gateway in terms of opportunities. It is sad that the Ogun state Government mismanaged its contractual agreements with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, and even ruined relationships in the process.” 

“I recall that as far back as 2007, the Otunba Daniel Administration initiated the Free Trade Zone concept in Ogun State. It was a bid initiative then, located in Igbesa.. It was called the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone. There was also the Olokola Free Trade Zone, the OKFTZ, which was a collaborative effort between Ogun and Ondo states and the private sector to be located on about 20, 000 hectares. The dream was to turn Ogun State into an industrial hub. When it was further reported that oil had also been discovered in Ogun State, the future could not have looked brighter.”

“It is one thing for government to dream. It is another thing for the goals to be achieved. I am not talking about the past. I am talking about a situation where because of Ogun State, the Court of Justice in Paris has attached three aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Government: a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737-7N6, and an Airbus A330, one of which is a brand-new Presidential aircraft, newly procured.”

“I think they have released the Presidential jet. It is the one President Tinubu is cruising to France or short work trip”

“Hmm. I hope they don’t seize it again while the President is in France. The Zhongshan Fucheng people you know are also planning to seize the 20 million pounds that was awarded in favour of Nigeria against P&ID in the UK, and they also want to confiscate two properties belonging to Nigeria in Liverpool.” 

“These people are thieves. I think that they are like the P& ID people”.   

“No, they are not. The only connection between this case and the P & ID in my view is that the Ogun State Government was careless. The most important thing in international trade is trust. When trust is broken, chaos results. Agreements are sacrosanct. When you enter into an agreement, you are required to honour it. States have to be guided by international best practices. The Daniel administration brought the Chinese, the Zhongshan. The Amosun administration later entered into an agreement with Zhongfu, a subsidiary of Zhongshan, a dispute arose and the company was driven away. Zhongshan went to arbitration and got a compensation award of $55.6 million and another US$75,000 plus interests., which now makes it over $70 million.  That was in 2021.The court gave the opportunity to file an appeal. Nobody responded in time, just as in the P&ID case, and by the time Nigeria woke up, our lawyers started quoting jurisdiction and sovereignty which were promptly dismissed by the US Court. And now the Chinese company wants to enforce the judgement.

“You have mentioned France, UK, US, my problem with these China people is their forum shopping. They have gone to every arbitral court possible: UK, Quebec, US, France, British Virgin Islands, and Belgium, just to embarrass Nigeria. Why Nigeria? Why not Ogun State?”

“Nigeria has a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with China. Its provisions are very clear. Signatories to that treaty can raise arbitral issues under customary international law, even when the wrongful act that has been committed is by the organ of a sovereign. Blame Nigeria, don’t blame the Chinese”

“But do you agree that there are many sides to this story? Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said this is a dispute between two Chinese companies, and that Zhongfu is an impostor, and the whole thing has nothing to do with either Ogun State or Nigeria.” 

“So, who does it have to do with? The concrete story at the moment is the ruling at arbitration and the provisions of the New York Convention which are enforceable in 170 countries. Get it into your head, there is something called International Arbitration, and at that level rules are rules and those rules are not made by your Nigerian big men.” 

“Well, if that is the case, the government of Ogun State should bear its own liabilities. I am not interested in the legal rights of the Chinese. I am a concerned Nigerian and I don’t think anybody should seize the assets belonging to 36 states and the FCT because of the wrongful act of one state of the Federation. Ogun State is just one part of Nigeria. If they have committed an international crime, they should pay for it in that state. Why should an Akwa Ibom or Gombe man lose part of the commonwealth of Nigeria because Ogun State people have caused problems?”

“I think the bigger issue is that you don’t know what will come up tomorrow from your state too. Or any other state. Most of these sub-nationals have serious foreign debt portfolios, protected by sovereign guarantee. When the alarm blows, Nigeria will be in a mess. What we need to address is the capacity of the sub-nationals to enter into international agreements. In particular, our states do not have the capacity to engage with China. Don’t be fooled by the open romance, and China’s interest in Africa. China is a friend only as long as its own interests are served. This is what African leaders do not understand. Our institutions in Africa are also weak.”

“I have never trusted the Chinese and their Belt and Road Initiative, or their debt trap diplomacy. But I blame African leaders who lack the capacity to read between the lines. Nobody should ever rely on the same Chinese who have seized assets in Zambia and Djibouti, and also have challenges with Kenya and Angola. They come bearing gifts and incentives, but always at a cost to the recipient.  Ogun State people should pay their own debt, please.  Maybe that will teach every other state government a lesson.”

“Serious embarrassment to Nigeria. But rather than blame the Chinese, I see something else: the point that other international investors would not want to do business with Nigeria, a country where there is no certainty, where you can reach an agreement with one government and another government would come and change everything and you lose money in the process.” 

“Professor Pat Utomi said that much in his commentary on the Ogun State saga. I won’t be surprised if more people raise an alarm like Prof. Utomi did. It is not only international investors that are at risk. Local investors too. When you try to invest in Nigeria, you get your fingers burnt, that is why people are running away from us. Ask Dangote too. And I think I agree with Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State when he says Nigeria’s politics is full of quacks…they’ve taken it to the lowest level.”

“But do you think President Goodluck Jonathan can help to rescue Nigeria, and restore the years that the locust has eaten if he decides to run in 2027?” 

“Wait, wait, wait! How did we just jump right now from international commerce to President Jonathan coming back to rescue Nigeria in 2027? Where is that coming from?” 

“It is all out there in the public space. Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi was the first to fly the kite. Then, there was a story in Basorun Dele Momodu’s The Boss Newspaper, and yesterday, only this yesterday, ThisDay newspaper carried the same story, saying that there are moves by Northern politicians to draft President Jonathan into the 2027 race after the #EndBadGovernance protests.” 

“Okay you have said it, you say they are flying a kite. I recall when I was a child, we used to fly kites, we even had this competition and the wish that our kites could fly as high as an airplane. Right now, I am not thinking of kites, please. I am concerned about how to get fuel into my car and move around. The situation is worse. The country is literally on its knees.”

“President Tinubu is off to France, for a brief work stay.”

“What has that got to do with what I am saying? They don’t have fuel scarcity in France, for God’s sake.” 

“I get you. I get you. bought fuel at N1, 200 per litre and it was a painful experience queuing at the fuel station. While I am suffering here and other Nigerians are suffering, the President goes to France in a new jet.” 

“I hear he also has a new car, a glamorous, Armoured Cadillac SUV called The Beast. The Chairman. The cost is said to be about N995 million.”

“What a Beast! N995 million. And the new presidential jet is how much?  $100 million? I hope both the jet and the Escalade are not made in China. And I get to go and queue up at petrol stations? And poor Nigerians are asked to make sacrifices for the country and endure hardship? Meanwhile, Nigerian Senators are earning N29 million per month! Is that how to lead by example?” 

“Well, let’s be realistic here. The President of Nigeria is royalty. You cannot expect him to go about like a plebeian. His security is also very important. You can bring up all your #EndBadGovernance narratives but it is an absolutely false equivalent for you to compare your miserable search for fuel to the lifestyle of the Nigerian President. All things fair and well, the President has tried to meet Nigerians halfway before leaving for France. The President has given NNPC Limited the approval to spend savings from petrol subsidy removal - dividends, taxes and royalties- about N7 trillion from August 2023 to December 2024 to pay for petrol subsidy.”

“In other words, the government has finally admitted that there is no fuel subsidy removal anymore. Government has reversed itself! So, subsidy is no longer gone! Subsidy is back! Nigeria, we hail thee! The same people that told us that there is no more fuel subsidy as recently as two months ago have now turned around to say in fact fuel subsidy is the only way forward. What a policy somersault! They have thrown the Petroleum industry Act (PIA) into the dust bin just like that? But does that mean I will now find it easier to buy fuel? Will the fuel queues disappear?” 

“No guarantee for now. But maybe you can buy fuel whenever it is available at a cheaper price.” 

“And when would that be? I am just tired. I don’t know who to trust again in this country, not even the Churches, despite the fact that I am a Christian.”

“As a Christian, you must have faith.” 

“Faith. You say, faith? Faith when Prophet Odumeje, the Liquid Metal, the Indaboski, the Onitsha trader who became a Prophet goes to Russia and says on TikTok that Russia is not at war. Faith when I hear that Pastor Adeboye woke up a person who had died for 11 days with an anointed handkerchief from the church. Faith when Primate Ayodele says Victor Osimhen will end his career if he joins Chelsea because there is a curse on that football club. Is the Primate now running a football ministry?” 

“Have faith brother because on the contrary, the churches are doing well. Davido’s father over the weekend donated a gift of one billion Naira to a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Lagos during a Thanksgiving service in honour of his late mother.” 

“One ginni?”

“One billion. Davido’s father is not called Baba Olowo for nothing. He simply lived up to his reputation. So just know that it is not everybody that is complaining in this country” 

“I just hope that Baba Olowo will also intervene when church elders begin to fight over that One billion Naira. And what is the wisdom in donating N1 billion?”

“He has the right to spend his money the way he deems fit. And why will church elders fight over matters of God. The Bible says...”  

“Forget the Bible. Just this last weekend in Abuja, some church elders pushed the Bible aside and engaged in open combat in their church premises. The FCT Police Command had to fire tear gas to disperse the fighters and put an end to the violence. The police had to lock up the church.”

“United Methodist Church. It was a fight over alien practices introduced by the Church headquarters in the US, which divided the Church.”

“Signs of the end-time. Alien practices in the church. Elders and the congregation fighting for hours. There is nothing we will not see in Nigeria.” 

“I can only say that it is not only the political leaders that are at fault. We, the citizens, have our problems too. Leave the churches alone. The Nigerian Constitution allows people to worship God their own way.”

“Anyway, I see that Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States have declared Tuesday, August 20, Isese Day, a public holiday for traditional religion worshippers.”

 “Fair is fair. So, if you think the churches have disappointed you, you can take the day off to celebrate with the Isese people.”

“I rebuke Satan!” 

“Leave matter. Many Nigerians are traditionalists. They just camouflage. What is important is that people must learn to defend the common good.”

“You are right. I am even surprised that the NYSC has now had to demobilize 54 fake university graduates and they are to face prosecution.”

“Be specific. They are 54 graduates of the University of Calabar, including a campus bread seller.”

“No. This is not about UNICAL. It is a general problem. In fact, it was the Vice Chancellor of the university that raised the alarm. NYSC is praising her for her vigilance. And I suspect it is not new. Can you imagine how many persons have been mobilized for NYSC over the years, holding fake certificates and occupying important positions?” 

“True. Too many quacks indeed in high and low places. What a country!”.   

Nigerian university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for a planned nationwide strike.

The notice is part of the resolutions reached at the national executive council meeting of the union, which was held at the University of Ibadan at the weekend.

Although the union is yet to make its position public, a senior member of the union told our correspondent in Abuja that the lecturers agreed to put the Federal Government on a 21-day notice before embarking on the planned industrial action.

ASUU  in July this year threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.

The Chairman of the ASUU Gashua branch in Yobe State, Melemi Abatcha,  in a press briefing at Damaturu, the state capital in July, outlined funding for the revitalisation of Nigerian public universities, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement as the major issues plaguing the educational sector.

“Funding for the revitalisation of Nigeria public universities i.e. improved infrastructure, conducive teaching/learning environments, students and staff accommodation, equipping of laboratories and libraries.  Consequently, the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities have remained on the same salary structure since 2009.

“Even with the directive of Federal Executive Council (FEC) for removal of ASUU from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform since December 2023 till now, ASUU members are still being paid via the obnoxious platform (IPPIS),” he said in a statement.

Among other issues highlighted include university autonomy, the proliferation of public universities, the backlog of earning academic allowances amounting to N50bn, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries of its members across the country.

Prior to that threat, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had on June 26, invited the union for a meeting to deliberate on the lingering issues affecting the universities. However, ASUU members say nothing substantial has since been done about their demands.