Home Blog Page 232

Enhance emergency management, Representatives urge NEMA and FRSC

0

The House of Representatives has directed agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Roads Safety Commission, and the Federal Fire Service to enhance their public engagement and response strategies.

This directive stems from the lawmakers’ resolution during Wednesday’s plenary session, prompted by a motion titled ‘Call to improve Nigeria’s emergency response and management’ presented by Jafaru Leko, the representative of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State.

Leko emphasized the importance of a well-structured emergency response system for ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of Nigerians, particularly in the face of recent emergencies like the Ibadan explosion on January 16, 2024.

The House expressed concern over impediments to timely response, including inadequate access roads and lack of public awareness on emergency preparedness.

To address these issues, the House urged the Federal Government to work with relevant agencies, establishing clear protocols and communication systems, as well as modernizing emergency response infrastructure.

Committees have been mandated to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

 

Chairman of the Labour Party, Abure, apprehended in Edo

0

Security operatives in Edo State have reportedly apprehended Mr. Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, just days ahead of the party’s primary election in the state.

Further details will be provided later.

 

Improve the preliminary draw for AFCON 2025

0

Today, the preliminary draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations took place at the Confederations of African Football headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, following the conclusion of the 34th edition hosted by Ivory Coast.

The draw included the eight lowest-ranked FIFA teams: Somalia, Djibouti, Sao Tome, Chad, Mauritius, South Sudan, Liberia, and Eswatini.

These teams are set to compete on a home-and-away basis during the FIFA Window from March 18 to March 26. The matchups for the preliminary draw are as follows:

– Somalisa Vs Eswatini
– Sao Tome Vs South Sudan
– Chad Vs Mauritius
– Djibouti Vs Liberia

In the recently concluded 2023 AFCON held in Côte d’Ivoire, the host team, the Elephants, emerged victorious by defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 in the final.

Zookeeper loses life attempting to save woman from lion, says NASU chair

0

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has closed its zoological garden on campus after a tragic incident where a nine-year-old lion killed Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist.

According to Mr. Wole Odewumi, the Chairman of the National Association of Non-Academic Staff of Universities at OAU, the lion initially attacked a woman working at the zoo, prompting Olawuyi’s intervention.

Unfortunately, the lion turned on him, resulting in his tragic death. The university has locked the zoo, conducted a mourning procession, and engaged with Olawuyi’s family.

The management assured necessary actions would be taken, and a committee, including Olawuyi’s union representative, will address raised concerns. The lion was later shot by a security operative.

 

The Senate will investigate the Buhari administration and Emefiele regarding CBN loans totaling N30 trillion

0

On Tuesday, the Senate decided to investigate the acquisition and utilization of the N30 trillion Ways and Means loans by the Central Bank of Nigeria during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ways and Means is a loan tool employed by the CBN to address government budget shortfalls.

The Senate attributes the current food and security crises to the extravagant spending of the overdraft received under Godwin Emefiele’s leadership.

A special committee will be formed to scrutinize the N30 trillion overdraft, the N10 trillion spent on the Anchor Borrowers Scheme, the $2.4 billion forex transaction, and other intervention programs.

This move follows persistent economic challenges and criticisms of President Tinubu’s policies.

The Senate’s investigation aims to unveil the alleged mismanagement of resources during Buhari’s administration, particularly focusing on the Ways and Means loan. In January 2023, Buhari sought to convert the N22.7 trillion loan to a 40-year bond, later increased to N30 trillion.

The House of Representatives approved this conversion, but the 9th Senate faced internal disagreements when some lawmakers demanded details before endorsing the loan.

The current Senate’s probe, prompted by the challenging economic conditions, will delve into the spending patterns, especially the substantial direct lending by the CBN, contributing to rising inflation and a weakened naira. The investigation will extend to other economic aspects, including the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

The Joint Senate Committee emphasizes the urgent need to address inflation, enhance food production, and stabilize the economy through coordinated fiscal and monetary policies.

The report underscores the impact of the N30 trillion Ways and Means on inflation, money supply, and the depreciation of the naira. The probe panel is set to summon key figures from the previous administration.

 

The People’s Democratic Party welcomes the investigation, attributing current hardships to Buhari’s actions. The Labour Party views the probe positively but questions the Senate’s commitment.

 

Both parties express skepticism about the Senate’s impartiality, given its perceived alignment with the ruling party. Former Minister Lai Mohammed and CBN’s Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Bukka, remain unavailable for comments.

FG plans to implement biometric gates at international airports in March

The Nigerian Federal Government has finalized arrangements to implement biometric clearance gates for the Nigeria Immigration Service across the country’s international airports.

These gates are set to be operational at major airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu by March 2024.

 

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed optimism during an inspection visit, emphasizing that the installation of 17 gates in Lagos, 10 in Abuja, five each in Port Harcourt and Kano, and four in Enugu will significantly enhance the efficiency of international passenger clearance.

This strategic move aims to streamline processes, reduce delays, and contribute to national security, aligning with global best practices and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

SSANU issues a protest threat following the federal government’s release of withheld salaries to ASUU

0

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has declared its intention to disrupt university activities nationwide if the withheld salaries of its members remain unpaid.

This follows the exclusion of SSANU members from the salary release by the Federal Government, which started with the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday.

ASUU Chairperson at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, it is true. Payment has started rolling in.”

The salary withholdings occurred during the ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ invoked by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration against ASUU and SSANU during an eight-month strike in 2022.

In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months’ withheld salaries for ASUU.

 

However, SSANU’s National President, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed discontent with their exclusion, emphasizing that while they aren’t against ASUU receiving payment, it’s unjust not to include SSANU.

Ibrahim decried the situation, stating, “This is just terrible; we found out that only ASUU’s payment was approved.

As it is, there is tension on all the campuses.

 

We are not angry that they are paying ASUU, but they should know that it is not only ASUU that went on strike.

Why should our case be different?” He highlighted that SSANU members would convene to decide on their course of action.

National Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, warned that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU should not be blamed if administrative and corporate governance grind to a halt due to the government’s inaction.

 

Meanwhile, ASUU, Abuja zone, lamented the death of some members, attributing it to the harsh economic conditions, poor remuneration, and unfavorable working conditions.

 

The union reported the loss of 46 academics in universities under the Abuja zone and emphasized the need for improved healthcare access.

Nigerians criticize Seyi Tinubu for advocating endurance amid economic challenges

0

Mr. Seyi Tinubu, the eldest son of President Bola Tinubu, urged Nigerians to be patient with his father’s administration amid challenging economic times, following protests in Ibadan and a lone protest in Uyo.

 

Despite criticism of President Tinubu’s economic reforms causing instability,

Seyi reiterated his father’s call for endurance and expressed confidence that the current generation would reap benefits from the hardships.

However, his message faced backlash, with some questioning his opulent lifestyle while advocating sacrifice.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized Tinubu’s economic policies, advocating for a managed-floating system instead of a rapid exchange rate unification.

The Presidency, in response, disagreed with Atiku’s proposal, citing past issues with a similar approach.

A lion fatally injures a veterinary worker at OAU while being fed

The head of the Zoological Garden at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, met a tragic end as he was fatally attacked by a lion while feeding the animals in their enclosure.

The university’s management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire, promptly halted their meeting to assess the situation.

Despite efforts from staff to rescue Olawuyi, the lion inflicted severe injuries, leading to his untimely death.

 

The university, deeply saddened by the incident, has euthanized the aggressive lion.

 

An investigation has been initiated, and condolences have been extended to the bereaved family.

The Federal Government initiates disbursement of salaries previously withheld from ASUU

0

The Federal Government has initiated the disbursement of previously withheld salaries for academics affiliated with the Academic Staff Union of Universities,

Multiple credible sources within the academic sector in Abuja confirmed this development on Monday.

Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, the ASUU chairperson at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, verified the information, stating, “Yes, it is true. Payment has started rolling in.”

In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four out of eight months’ worth of ASUU withheld salaries.

These salaries were held back during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ in response to a prolonged strike by certain university-based unions in 2022.

Highlighting recent developments, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman disclosed that the government has increased university workers’ salaries by 35 percent.

Furthermore, autonomy has been granted to universities by removing them from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System.

Minister Mamman emphasized that universities no longer require a waiver for recruitment and filling vacancies.

These decisions resulted from informal consultations with tertiary institution unions.

Further details will be provided later.