Tiv Youth Congress

Nigeria:Power supply drops to 30 per cent

2017-05-14T22:58:00.001-07:00

Nigerian’s power supply is set to worsen as the nation has recorded another system collapse.

The system collapse recorded on earlier in the week has culminated in a significant drop in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to many parts of the nation.

According to a report from the Presidency, yesterday, the power sector experienced a “system collapse on May 8, 2017 at 1429hrs. System frequency suddenly and sharply dropped from 51.06Hz to 43.37Hz, leading to system collapse.

It added that, “Prior to collapse, Benin/Egbin 330kV line (cct B6N) was out on fault due to cut sky wire between towers #460 & 461. On May 9, 2017, average power sent out was 3425Wh/hour (up by 468MWh/h). The reported gas constraint was 1915MW.

“The reported line constraint was 150MW. The reported high frequency constraint was 59MW. The water management constraint was 260MW. The power sector lost an estimated N1, 144,000,000 on May 09 2017 due to constraints.”

Further investigations showed that the nation recorded two system collapse incidents in April 2017 alone, which also affected power supply to consumers.

A study by NOIPolls, an Abuja-based research outfit, disclosed that power supply to households in the nation dropped to 30 per cent of installed capacity in the first quarter of this year, from the 37 per cent obtained in last quarter of last year.

The new aggregated power poll results released by NOIPolls for the first quarter of 2017 showed that the lowest power supply to households in Q1, 2017 was observed in January at 21 per cent.

The drop was attributed to the shortage of gas to the power generating companies and low water levels at the hydro power stations.

For Q1 2017, the monthly average cumulative hours of power supply experienced was recorded as 7.5 hours daily in January, which was the lowest. It went up to 9.8 hours in February, which was recorded as the highest

The results obtained from the poll also revealed that for Q4, 2016, average daily power cumulative supply was 9.6 hours, while in Q1, 2017, it dropped to an average of 8.9 hours daily, indicating a 0.7-point decrease.

A cumulative power supply of 8.9 hours per day was assessed to be a far cry from the standard 24 hours power supply which Nigerian households ought to be experiencing, thus further buttressing the issues inherent in Nigeria’s power sector.

The Federal government had embarked on several power sector interventions in the past, which have failed to yield any sustained positive impact.

Still, in the bid to revive the power sector, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, recently set out guidelines for the power sector recovery plans to create a viable industry that is privately run.

While this is a welcome strategy for the revival of the sector, the report posited that in the execution of the plan, constant evaluation with visible milestones within specific time frames should be maintained.

The report noted that, “Although there are evidences of concerted efforts to make the power sector work at optimum level, the sector is still riddled with vast problems ranging from generation to distribution.

“Industry watchers have blamed majority of the crisis bedevilling the power sector on the monopolistic nature of the hydroelectric generating systems. Nigeria is blessed with diverse natural resources which developed nations use to generate abundant electricity but less attention has been paid to those options.”

It added that, “Nigeria is one of the least electrified nations and its current power generation, which continues to hover between 3,000 and 5,000 megawatts, cannot keep up with the population growth.

“According to a World Bank report, about 75 million Nigerians lack access to adequate electricity and Nigeria was ranked highest among the countries with electricity access deficit when energy access, efficiency and renewable are on the rise in many developing nations.

“It is against this background that NOIPolls conducted its quarterly survey to assess electricity distribution to Nigerian households in the first quarter of 2017,” it added.

However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed that it has installed and energized a 40MVA 132/33kV mobile power transformer at the Damboa Transmission Substation in Borno State, on May 7th, 2017.

The GM (Public Affairs) TCN, Seun Olagunju, stated that the Damboa Substation, previously a 60MVA 132/33kV capacity transmission station with fully equipped control room and staff quarters was completely destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents on the 4th of July, 2014.

Revealed!!! EFCC Boss Release List of Serving Senators Involved in N155billion Malabu Scam

2017-05-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC boss Magu, had insisted that OPL 245 was awarded to Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 1998 by the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, against regulations.

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, has said he did not authorise the Malabu Oil deal, otherwise known OPL 245, but only conveyed the approval of then-President Goodluck Jonathan to all the parties involved in the transaction.

Adoke, who spoke in an interview with an online portal, said: “No, I did not authorise the transaction, I only conveyed the approval of the President to all the parties. Those are two different things. I did not authorise the transaction as I was not a signatory but only conveyed the president’s approval.”

Explaining the genesis of the transaction, Adoke said: “The Malabu issue has been in existence since 1998. I want to take it from 1998 because I have seen that in recent times, the EFCC has taken up interest in the matter with a view to persecuting me.

“In order to make me look bad they have deliberately bifurcated the transaction and have chosen to present the issues from 2010 when I became involved in the settlement. However,the transaction started in 1998, when the military administration of General Sani Abacha came up with the policy of encouraging indigenous participation in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

“They allocated oil blocks to indigenous companies on discretionary basis at a reduced signature bonus of $20 million. The beneficiaries include Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, South Atlantic Petroleum Ltd (owned by Theophilus Danjuma) and Famfa Oil Ltd (Folorunsho Alakija). Malabu was allocated OPL 245 and they made a part-payment of $2 million for the signature bonus and brought in Shell as technical partners.

EFCC, in a motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/14/2017, told the court that investigations revealed that Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd and SPDC showed that current serving senators of the federation were involved on the fraud thereby releasing the list of the senators to the high court, click the box below to view full lists now.

lETS TALK @ BENUE YOUTH HANGOUT 2017

2017-05-12T03:40:00.001-07:00

BENUE YOUTH HANGOUT presents the “LETS TALK” Event.................

Hello Benue,

Are you from Benue…? 28th May 2017 is for all Benue Youth Hangout. If you think we need to come together and talk in order to motivate the vibrant youth from Benue to effect all-round positive growth to themselves. You are only allowed to miss this event if you are not a youth.

BENUE YOUTH HANGOUT :- presents the finest inspirational Youth HANGOUT tagged “LETS TALK”. A Hangout to create a culture of innovation, equipping our youth, and stakeholders with the capacity to meet the emerging needs not just of today, but of tomorrow for the Benue Youth.

Benue Youth Hangout is a pro-development platform that seeks to engage young people to effect all-round positive growth for Benue State. This platform present this year’s event tagged: “LET’S TALK” is geared towards creating positive impact on societal issues such as politics, social media influence, gender roles, youth empowerment, leadership and financial literacy. The BENUE YOUTH HANGOUT 2017 is a must-attend event for all Benue youth, home and abroad and it is scheduled to hold on:

DATE: 28th May, 2017. | TIME: 3:00pm

VENUE: Macafa Parks & Gardens, opposite Ankpa Quarters, Modern Market road, Makurdi, Benue State.

For sponsorship, volunteering and questions use the numbers on the postcard or if you wanna attend this event and want to appear on our postcards inbox me for terms and conditions.
For information and inquiries, Please contact 08087299625; 08063472852.

A HUMANITARIAN IN BENUE STATE:- UKAN KURUGH CALLS ON NIGERIANS TO HELP, MR:- CHRIS WHO IS SUFFERING FROM (ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS) AN ARTHRITIS THAT AFFECTS THE SPINE.

2017-04-29T06:13:00.002-07:00

Presently he was lodged in at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital which is a tertiary hospital. The Doctors have ran series of test and medical studies here by have come to a concluding diagnosis of "Ankylosing Spondylitis" is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort.)

Although much cannot be done nown for him get back on his feet immediately but there is still hope in exploring other options especially India, where other forms of treatment can be explored better based on their advance technology. Chris is a very strong guy because his so confident he would walk again even when the Dr's insisted that for been down for so long had his bones stiffened which has resulted to what has got him down.

The mum told me a traditional healer once worked on Chris and he started moving the stiff lower part of the body but they later on lacked funds to continue and has asked me to beg you guys on her behalf that as we leave the hospital this morning, she needs support to return to the former to continue where she stopped while he will be taking the drugs we bought prescribed by the hospital (Drs) to suppress the pains he goes through. I will be given the total bill this morning by the hospital, By his grace
(Dr Hwande of FIRST FERTILITY HOSPITAL LTD) have given us an ambulance that will take us back to his base in gboko town.

Tiv Youth Congress here by call on all Nigerians and the Benue People in particular to join hands toghether to support Mr Chris to come back to sound health as humaniterian UKAN KURUGH is presently putting on his best. I patiently wait for a positive reply and i can be reached on 08069082285.

I want to use this opportunity to appreciate all those who looked after Chris in the hospital especially those who brought food morning,afternoon and evening thereby saving cost for us,i want to say God bless you all and replenish your pockets in a million fold,amen.

POWER OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA
CHRIS IS A LUCKY GUY INDEED

I made a post this morning asking for assistance to take Chris and the mother back to gboko by 10am today since we have been discharged yesterday evening either by providing a car long enough to carry him without stress. Dr Hwande of 1st Fertility Hospital just called me now that his wife showed him my post, so he said after sanitation i should meet him @ the hospital and take his ambulance that will convey them (Chris and mother) back to gboko. God is indeed wonderful.

Dr Hwande God Bless You Sir !!!

I just collected the ambulance of First Fertility Hospital now with money to full the tank powered with air condition all for Chris as Dr Hwande directed the driver. Am now heading to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital to pick up Chris and his mother for onward movement to gboko.

Please follow UKAN KURUGH as he streams life on Facebook>>>>>>>>>>

UKAN KURUGH >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THE BENUE STATE COMMISSIONERS ARREST IN CHINA FOR STEALING MUMMIFIED BODY OF A KING WAS NOT FALSHOOD IT WAS A FACT.

2017-04-25T14:47:00.002-07:00

Look closely at the crowded picture and tell me its not DR TERSOO KPELAI who is not on the ground there in china THAT is a present sitting Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment under the Governor :-Samuel Ortom lead administration carrying out errands.

A Benue State commissioner was arrested by the Chinese Police. According to a very reliable source, the commissioner was caught trying to steal what looks like dead bodies wrapped in a carton and kept in a rest room somewhere in a hotel in Guangzhou.

The funny thing is that the commissioner insisted that his state governor must be present before he makes a speech.

Meanwhile...Tivyouthcongress reporters gathered that ...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Chinese police authority confirmed that a top member of Governor Samuel Ortom’s delegation at the just-concluded Nigerian-China Governors Forum was arrested for theft.

Mr.. Andrew R. Deal, chief of police of the China Groove Police Department, disclosed the name of the culprit as Mr. Tersoo Kpelai.

Tersoo Kpelai is the Benue state Honourable commissioner for Trade and Investment under the administration of Governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom.

The police chief disclosed this during a telephone conversation between him and a reporter of tivyouthcongress this evening.

Speaking via his office telephone number 704.857.2466 ext. 201, Mr.. Deal however didn’t confirm if the case was what led to Governor Ortom’s further stay in China, having concluded the event he went to attend about four days before the occurrence.

Mr.. Deal confirmed our reporters that the commissioner truly stole a mummified body of a king, and he was arrested but had to be released on bail immediately the police got a signal that he was on a governor’s entourage.

He however noted that his international passport was seized from him at the time the bail was granted.
Saying that Honourable Kpelai’s passport a day after the occurrence , the police chief added that investigations are still ongoing in order to ascertain What the suspect was going to do with the stolen item.

He also refuted media reports which earlier said that the commissioner was tortured by the Chinese police.

Mr. Deal said the suspect wasn’t tortured but was handcuffed and detained for about an hour before he was granted a temporary bail.

ISSUES ARISING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Information reaching us today 25th/04/2017 here in Makurdi Benue Nigeria has it that one Mr Asom Jerry was this morning picked up by men of the
police (SARS) for sharing a Facebook post made by a blog known as News Nigeria where it was alleged that one Commissioner who traveled with the Governor of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom was arrested in China for stealing while on a state working visit. Men of the Nigeria police i learnt are moving house to house to arrest all those who shared the post on their various Facebook timelines.

NOTE:->>>>>
This is were the story gets more interesting .......do you still want to go further to take note reasons why his excellency Governor of Benue still extended his stay in China.......

We use the word social media all the time to disqualify facts but we fail to take to mind that before the social media platform routers have been tucked up to switch before present time.

please i employ all well meaning Benue youths in all area of life to come out with one voice to stop this impunity in Benue state Nigeria.
It indeed is indeed a shame to us as Nigerians and Benue citizens at large.
It is indeed a call for attention to some of us publicly as a state.
.And to make it alarming arresting an individual who only shared a link when he was not even the publisher of the publication makes it more alarming and suspicious for a proper evaluation for clarification.

The Benue Governor was not in the state when the killings in Ikpayongu took place a community just before makurdi the Benue state capital coming from otukpo,
but all he could say when he came back was to still blame his people by calling Nigerians to support the FULANI .
we seem not to know what support he is seeking for ?
Is it more killings in the Tiv land or what?                                                                                 The Benue citizens i mean the communist never elected him to seek for favors from any DYNASTY but to serve the BENUE people.

This is the face of an incredibly preserved for over 700 years found by chance by Chinese road workers.
It was found in the city of Taizhou ,Jiangsu province in 2011.


Just as the Chinese Government is also investigating reasons behind the act, we at home too have been throne in to wonderof what the Benue state trade and investment boss intended to trade this for here in Benue Nigeria
indeed this is a call for attention.

We hereby call on all well meaning Nigerians particularly the Benue youths to rise up for true justice to speak in the life of Mr ASOM-JERRY.

ENGR;-INYA.

RICHARD QUEST OF CNN IN NIGERIA ,AS HE SPEAKS ON MONEY FOUND IN AN APARTMENT IN KOYI LAGOS NIGERIA.

2017-04-25T12:50:00.001-07:00

Richard Quest speaks on a range of topics during his interview on Nigeria Info FM.

CNN‘s international man of mystery Richard Quest is in Lagos, Nigeria.

The famous CNN presenter and journalist is in the country to shoot how easy it is to do business in Nigeria and also the challenges. He will be spending a week in the country.

Yesterday, Monday, April 24, 2017, Mr Quest was at Nigeria Info FM for an early morning interview.

Richard Quest at Nigeria Info FM

During the lively interview, Richard Quest spoke about the $38M found in an Ikoyi apartment.

“The best story of the day apart from Macron has to be the money found in the apartment” Richard Quest said in his radio interview.

He further said “The next best thing is the head of the security force who says it was money that was being kept for covert operations that nobody seemed to know anything about.

play Hidden funds in Ikoyi apartment >tivyouthcongress.com......

“These are very serious and legitimate questions. And if these spark a debate that goes further and further than the usual debate…if that is all it does then you have wasted a good crisis.

“But if it sparks a real debate about what transparency, and where money is spent, and accountability then it is to the good. The whole whistle blower law, that has been introduced, that has brought in so much money, that has started a process, I am telling you something it won’t be my generation that will see the end of this, it probably won’t be yours, it would probably be your children’s generation that will see finally the fruition of what we start to see now.“

EFCC official sweats it out while counting cash hid in an Ikoyi apartment

BENUE STATE GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM CALLS ON NIGERIANS TO SUPPORT FULANI HERDSMEN.

2017-04-25T01:26:00.001-07:00

Nigerians have to support herdsmen - Governor Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom has given reasons why Nigerians must support herdsmen to ranch their cattle
Ortom said that the people of Benue needs to end crisis with herdsmen and let the government fight for them
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has urged the people of Benue and Nigerians as a whole to support herdsmen ranching to stop herdsmen invasion.
TIV YOUTHCONGRESS.com gathered that the governor, who recently returned from China, while addressing pressmen at the government house said the state cannot afford to be spending a lot on security when the country is in recession.
Ortom advised the people of Benue, that money meant to be spent on security in the troubled state could be diverted to solve other problems if the state can end crisis with herdsmen.
Ortom said finding a way for herdsmen to ranch their cattle will solve the crisis that of herdsmen invasion the state is currently neck deep in, Daily post reports.
Ortom said supporting herdsmen to ranch their cattle will end herdsmen invasion crisis.
He said: "The solution to Fulani invasion is ranching. There is nowhere in the world where we have cattle moving about except in Nigeria. Why must we live with animals? How can we continue to spend on security in the midst of recession?
“We must ranch our cattle. Nigeria must come together to support herdsmen ranch their cattle.”
While reacting to the a violent clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ikpayongo area of the state in which six persons were reportedly killed and many others injured, he urged the youths to be law abiding and stop taking laws into their hands.
Ortom said the government will fight for the oppressed only if the oppresssed stop taking laws into their own hands.
He added: “Report where there are issues. Two wrongs can never make a right. People will begin to be afraid of Benue if we continue this way. No matter the provocation, we must be law abiding so that government can fight for us.”
READ ALSO: Suspended NIA boss grilled for 12 hours by Osinbajo's panel
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has declared a N10million reward for the arrest of Terwase Akwaza over the killings in Zaki Biam.
The police says Akwaza was responsible for the deaths of 67 people in the recent massacre, and the death of Mr. Deneen Igbana, the Special Adviser on Security to the Executive Governor of Benue State.
In a statement by police spokesman CSP Jimoh O. Moshood and posted by PR Nigeria late on Friday, April 21, the force said Akwaza aka Ghana, an indigene of Katsina-Ala is wanted for many crimes.

visit>>>>>>>>> tivyouthcongress

Can President Buhari clean up corruption in Nigeria?

2017-04-21T05:14:00.000-07:00

Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers in the world. It is also one of the world's most corrupt countries.
Most of its population of more than 160 million see little of that wealth. Many are on the verge of starvation.
It is different for those at the top, however, and many are accused of stealing billions of dollars with impunity.
The national spy agency claimed $43m found in the luxury flat belonged to the organisation. But on Wednesday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the head of the agency.
Buhari also acted against another senior civil servant accused of taking money meant to help feed the hungry and, instead, giving it to companies in which he had a personal interest.
The president has ordered an urgent investigation into the two cases - which, he says, are linked

Presenter: Martine Dennis
Guests:
Garba Shehu - Spokesman for President Buhari.
Salaudeen Hashim - Senior Programme Officer at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, an NGO that works closely with Transparency International.
Antony Goldman - Chief executive of the political risk consultancy Promedia

Apply MTN Nigeria Fresh Graduate Development Programme 2017

2017-04-20T13:31:00.001-07:00

MTN Nigeria - The leader in telecommunications in Nigeria, and a part of a diverse community in Africa and the Middle East, our brand is instantly recognizable. It is through our compelling brand that we are able to attract the right talents who we carefully nurture by continuously improving our employment offerings even beyond reward and recognition.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: MTNN Graduate Development Programme

Location: Lagos

Qualification
Minimum of a second class upper degree (2:1) or HND upper credit from a Nigerian or foreign institution in any of the following field(s) of study:

Electrical Electronics Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Physics Electronics
Information & Communication Technology
Telecoms Engineering
Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Age and Experience:

Age limit:26 years
Must have completed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
Must be fluent in English
Intermediate proficiency level in Microsoft Suite applications

Attributes:

Customer Focus
Fast learner
Entrepreneurial thinking
Proactivity & self-motivation
Willingness to work in any assigned functional area/location

Skills:

Digitally savy, result-oriented and innovative
Strong numerate and analytical skills
Strong inquisitive skills
Continuous learning and adaptability to new technologies
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to collect, analyse and interpret complex data
Ability to keep up with current developments and trends
Excellent relationship-building and teamwork capabilities
Ability to prioritize effectively and accept challenging responsibilities
Ability to work under pressure

Behavioural Competencies:

Must exhibit MTN Values of: Leadership, Innovation, Relationships, Integrity, and a Can-Do attitude.
Must exhibit MTN Vital Behaviours: Complete Accountability, Get It Done, Active Collaboration, and Complete Candour.

Job Conditions:

Normal MTNN working conditions
Open Plan Office
High performance culture
Valid international passport

Application Closing Date
24th April, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:

Follow link to Apply...>>>>>>>>>>>>

HON:-TARKIHGIR DICKSON (APC-BENUE) CONDEMEND THE PRESIDENCY FOR NOT REACTING TO THE FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACKS IN BENUE STATE NIGERIA

2017-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Reps task Buhari on herdsmen attacks in Benue and Ife

The House of Representatives has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately set up a Task Force to disarm herdsmen that attacked Buruku communities in Benue State that led to loss of lives and destruction of property last week.
In addition, the Presidency was advised, to as a matter of urgency investigate the reason behind the Ile Ife clash between Hausas and their Yoruba host that also led to loss of lives.
The lawmakers urged the Federal government to advise Osun State to pay compensation to the victims in addition to cleaning up arms in the community and withdraw unlicensed weapon in the country at large.
While condemning the 10th March, 2017 attack on Buruku, the lawmakers opined that the attackers may have been encouraged by lack of action on the part of the Federal government over past attacks.
As a consequence, the House is setting up an ad hoc Committee to meet with heads of security agencies to explain the reasons behind their inability to stop the attacks.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion by Emmanuel Oker-Jev (APC, Benue) and 10 others, who expressed concern that on Friday 10 march, 2017, the invading herdsmen became violent and destructive, created fear and tension which forced residents of most communities in Binev Council Ward to flee their homes.
According to him, the herdsmen destroyed farms, plundered yam barns and looted houses deserted by innocent and armless villagers.
He said: “On Saturday 11 March, 2017 the marauding herdsmen started indiscriminate attacks and killings of anybody they encountered around the communities of Ber Awuna, Dogo, Ortese – Mbashian, Tse Igyu, Tse Gebe, Anbighir, Tse Iwa, Gbaikyo, Agudu, Nyorum, Shonto and Abuku in three major kindreds of Mbade, Mbagoho, Mbashian, Mbaboor and Wuav.
“These violent attacks continued unabated without any intervention from any security agency throughout that Saturday and 20 people were reported killed by these armed herdsmen, out of which 10 bodies have so far been recovered and deposited at the local Government”.
According to him, the strange herdsmen, who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, seemed to be operating or supported by a killer squad of mercenaries that arrived the communities on Friday night on motorcycles and unleashed the mayhem the following day.
“The worst part of it is the attitude of security agencies once the crisis starts. They stand afar and they seem not to be interested.
“Now, we have reached the stage where it seems the Nigerian State is asking us to defend ourselves”, he added.
Tarkihgir Dickson (APC, Benue) condemned the Presidency for not reacting to past attacks, saying the attackers were encouraged by that silence.
“The president has said nothing and in my place, silence means consent. When we set up a committee we shouldn’t only send them to Benue State. The committee should go and ask the President what he is going to do”, Dickson said.
Mark Gbilah (APC, Benue), who said it was Fulani herdsmen that carried out the attack however regretted that the Nigerian military failed in its responsibility to protect the citizens.
He said going by the claims of a government officials that foreign herdsmen were responsible for similar attacks around the country, then Nigerian military has been
irresponsible by failing to check the invasion of Nigeria by the foreigners disguising as herdsmen.
However Baballe Bashir (APC, Kano) said it would be unfair to blame Fulani herdsmen for the attacks without sufficient evidence linking them to the violent acts.
On his part, Magaji Aliyu (APC, Jigawa) urged that all criminals acts be categorised as such, saying, “We must refer to these people as hoodlums and find out which interests are behind these groups and who arms them”.
In its resolution, the House also urged the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA) to send food and other relief materials to the affected communities.
Similarly, Sani Zorro (APC, Jigawa) in his motion on the Ife clash noted that concerted efforts must be made to stop a reoccurrence.
In their contributions, while Israel Famurewa (APC, Osun) said past Ife/Modakeke clashes have militarised the area and there is a need to clean up the arms in the area, Egho Oghene (PDP, Lagos) nited it has become necessary that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) be engaged and advised on the need to set up quick response team that will react to distress calls within six hours.
Albert Adeogun (APC, Osun) it was wrong to classify it as a communal clash because it was an incidence that was misinterpreted.
According to him, the relationships between the two have made it difficult to differentiate between them due to their deep cultural affinities.
He cited the case of the Seriki of Sabo that was born in Ife and now over 60 years of age, adding that intermarriage is common between the two groups.
Ali Madaki (APC, Kano) said the unfortunate clash was as a result of failure of the leadership that could not deliver on their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry.
Saying that action must be taken immediately to check the exodus of Hausas from Ife, the lawmaker said the incidence might have been averted if mainstream media had provided adequate coverage.
The two motions were unanimously adopted after being put to voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun.

DANGOTE CEMENT TRUCK OFFICERS STORMED LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IN A PEACEFULL PROTEST REQUESTING FOR THEIR UNPAID ENTITLEMENT.

2017-03-03T01:33:00.000-08:00

Workers of the Dangote Cement PLC on Thursday, were at the Lagos state house of assembly protesting their alleged non-payment of allowances and unlawful disengagement by the company.

The aggrieved Truck officers marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex in Ikeja, displaying placards with inscriptions such as "Dangote pay our performance bonuses now", "Dangote Cement Plc is a slave camp", “Dangote should pay our salaries’’ and “NLC, please come to our aid” .
In a petition addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the protesters sought the intervention of the House.

The petition was dated March 2 and signed by Mr Ibrahim Abubakar and Mr Francis Nwusulor, the Chairman and General Secretary of the forum respectively, It read in part:      In April 2015, the company announced both in print and electronic media about a truck entrepreneurship scheme that seeks to empower graduates financially.
The scheme entailed eventual ownership of a truck by every successful employee (truck officer), who are able to cover 400,000km with truck.
The workers said that they reached an agreement with the management of the company to be paid a N60,000 monthly each, in addition to a performance bonus of up to N90,000 monthly.
According to them, each of the 850 sacked workers is entitled to a compensation of at least a month salary in lieu of notice.
The protesters demanded that the company’s management multiplies the salaries of each truck officer by the number of trucks managed by him in a month.
They also demanded that the management should meet their pension requirements in line with the 2004 Pension Scheme as amended.
We demand compensation/damages for causing us huge personal costs of relocation and other economic losses, they stated.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the leader of the protesters, Abubakar added: “We are here today to plead with the leadership of the Lagos state House of Assembly to intervene in our plight as our representatives.

We were unceremoniously kicked out of the company after working for eight months in a scheme.
We signed up for a job even though with a small pay.
At the end of the day, we were underpaid over the period and asked to go home without even one month salary lieu of notice.
They are owing us allowances; they are owing us bonuses for eight months, he told NAN.
Addressing the protesters, Obasa said that the Assembly would investigate the allegations.
Obasa, who was represented by Mr Bisi Yusuff, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), said: “We will not listen to one party and leave the other.
We will call the management of Dangote Cement PLC to hear from them.
You need to exercise patience because the House is currently on recess to resume on March 28.“Once we resume, we will present your case.
We will ensure justice. Whosoever breaches labour law, law of contract as well as offer and acceptance law, will be brought to book.”
The Speaker, however, remarked that the owner of the company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote “is a respected business mogul and a father who listens.
He urged the protesters to be peaceful as their petition would be looked into and attended to as soon as possible.

DIRECTOR SOCIAL MEDIA
(FORUM OF DANGOTE TRUCK OFFICER)

ALIKO DANGOTE SACKS 800 NIGERIAN GRADUATES IN HIS TRUCK ENTREPRENUERSHIP SCHEME THAT NEVER WAS.

2017-02-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

THE DANGOTE TRUCK OFFICERS SCHEME THAT NEVER WAS

It was massively advertised as Dangote Truck Entrepreneurial Scheme in virtually all the non-media outlets both in the conventional and virtual media. It was designed in such a way that qualified graduates will be empowered to manage trucks assigned to them and eventually become owners after the trucks must have attained a defined mileage. So many young graduates excitedly keyed into the initiative with accolades being showered on the drafters of the scheme. It was described as a panacea to youth unemployment and was hailed by all from all quarters.

After the buzz and eulogies from the government and the public had died down, the goal post was shifted by Dangote Group. The recruited graduates were told that it's no longer and entrepreneurial scheme. They were cajoled to believe that they have been offered provisional offer of employment in one of the most 'respected brand' in the country, Dangote Cement Transport. With confirmation promised after 6months. The employment letter looked so vague and empty. It was bereft of the usual details that accompanies any offer of employment letter. Out of mixed feelings, some graduates accepted the offer and some rejected it. Most accepted it because they saw it as an avenue to work in a brand that has house hold name with great potentials. They were termed as Truck Officers with the mandate of overseeing trucks assigned to them and superintending over the truck drivers. Sadly, their hopes and dream in identifying with this brand has been dashed and short lived.

The events that have played out thus far in 8 months seems like a calculated and well orchestrated deceit with a timeline. The drafters of the scheme played it out methodologically with a defined template.

For the past 8months that Truck Officers have worked at Dangote Cement Transport, Dangote has only paid each Truck Officer roughly about 436,000 naira in total as monthly salary. What a paltry sum to be paid to a working graduate for 8months. This total sum is about what some relatively unknown companies without the clout of Dangote Group pay employees in 1 or 2 months with lesser work load compared to what obtains at Dangote Cement Transport.

This is the height of corporate fraud and enslavement. No medical benefit paid, no overtime allowance paid, no special duty allowance paid, no leave grant paid, no defined bonus paid, no form of welfare package paid, no confirmation letter as promised. Truck Officers were left at the mercy of just a misery 58,000 naira stipend paid monthly. Yet, they looked beyond the monthly take home to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities without any inhibitions.

A truck loads about 45 tonnes of cement worth over 2million naira per trip and a Truck Officer is expected to monitor the loading, dispatch and delivery of the consignment to its final destination and it's return to base with the assistance of the Truck Driver. In spite of this round the chain effort, no Truck Officer has made close to half of that amount from the company for the tireless efforts put in daily both weekends and public holiday to maintain the trucks for this past 8 months. This is regardless of the hazardous and unpleasant working condition Truck Officers are daily exposed to with nearly non existing working tools.

Within the 8months period under review, Truck Officers were responsible for the resuscitation of over 100 moribund and non operational trucks which are up and running today. So many Dangote trucks involved in accidents or broken down on the high way and littered across different parts of the country thereby causing nuisance on the road were brought back to Obajana through the major efforts of Truck Officers. This feats were mainly achieved under very strenuous conditions and risk with no special incentive paid.

The appreciation a Truck Officer gets in return for dedicatedly serving the Dangote brand for 8 months is a letter of disengagement.

This is indeed a capitalist world with heartless and conscienceless management at the helms of affairs. The management style has been so porous with no clear cut policy direction. Truck Officers are daily bequeathed with flip flop policies. Yet, they improvised and applied ingenuity in getting the job done. More so, the threat of dismissal and query even with verbal insults from management at times became a recurring trend in the course of the work. Amidst all these unfavourable challenges, Truck Officers still made huge impact in the discharge of their duties.

Tor Tiv IV, Dr. Alfred Torkula (1944-2015)

2016-02-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

The news of the passage of His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv, IV, was received with shock by most Nigerians, especially the people of Benue State where the paramount ruler was the chairman of the State's Traditional Council. He died on November 23, 2015 at an Abuja hospital where he was rushed to a week earlier after he suddenly took ill in Gboko, traditional headquarters of the Tiv nation.

Dr. Alfred Torkula was a great bridge builder who contributed immensely to the development of Benue State and the northern region. An astute administrator and technocrat, the Bemgha U Tiv (Lion of the Tiv Nation), who ascended the throne in April 1991, was a revered spiritual guide of his people. He was a true custodian of the rich culture and traditions of the Tiv nation.

The late Tor Tiv was a great advocate of peace and unity, and he played a pivotal role in trying to find a lasting solution to the incessant communal conflicts in the North Central geo-political zone, especially the clashes between farmers in Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa and Taraba states with Fulani herdsmen. He was a reformist who encouraged and promoted the peaceful co-existence of different ethnic nationalities in the country.

Some of his achievements include the creation of 14 second class stools in his domain; proposed creation of six additional first class stools and 60 third class chiefdoms in the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) as well as the introduction of the use of beads by traditional rulers in Tiv land. Instead of the turban that is the usual wear of royal fathers in the North, Dr. Torkula instead adopted the traditional regalia of the leopard skin cap and beads popular with kings of Bantu origin, where the Tiv link their ancestry. He brought integrity, colour and glamour to the traditional institution to the admiration of many in Benue State and beyond. He also introduced honourific chieftaincy titles which were bestowed on

prominent Tiv sons and daughters as well as non-indigenes.

Some of the beneficiaries of these titles include the late Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was honoured as the first Zege Mule U Tiv (The Great Shade of the Tiv), the highest traditional title in the land, an honour that was later conferred on ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.

Before his coronation in 1991, the Tor Tiv had spent more than two decades in the state civil service, rising to the position of director general before he was appointed Commissioner for Local Government Affairs by the then Colonel Fidelis Makka administration. The Begha U Tiv was not just a seasoned administrator; the versatile monarch of international repute was also an educationist. He obtained a bachelor's degree in French from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and later bagged a Master's degree from the University of Calabar, where he translated a play in English to French for his thesis. He authored several books including 'Death and Burial Customs of the Tiv People of Central Nigeria,' 'The Cosmology in Tiv Worldview,' 'The Tiv Woman: Challenges and Prospects,' 'Presidential Democracy in Nigeria: Grassroots Experience' and 'The Culture of Partisan Politics in Nigeria: A Historical Perspective.'

The late Orchivirigh Torkula served as Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from March 1994 to November 2001 and was later appointed Chancellor of the University of Calabar. Until his death he was the Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

The late Tor Tiv was born on July 14, 1944 in what is today known as Mbadwen district of Guma local government area of Benue State. He lived an accomplished and eventful life and the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill.

We urge the Tiv Area Traditional Council and the concerned kingmakers to follow diligently the established procedure in selecting the next Tor Tiv in order not to create division among the people. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family and the entire Tiv nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen!

Dangote Creates 28,000 New Jobs With New Truck Scheme

2015-10-20T04:09:00.001-07:00

A truck ownership scheme, newly introduced by the Dangote Group, is expected to create additional 28,000 jobs. The scheme will empower qualified Nigerians to be become self-employed truck entrepreneurs.

Dangote Group, through its cement subsidiary will provide a minimum of 7000 trucks for eligible Nigerians to become truck officers who will in turn hire drivers and a minimum of two assistants, to drive the trucks and deliver Dangote Cement to its distributors spread across the country.

A statement from the company said; “we have 7,000 trucks to share with intelligent, hardworking and committed individuals with business acumen who would like to deepen their entrepreneurial skills in the transport/haulage business, willing to manage and operate a truck, if necessary by appointing their own driver (who should pass the institutional screening, orientation and training process).

The package, the group said, include total support for the benefiting entrepreneurs, through provision of first class maintenance support, fuel and other resources available at its facilities.

To be qualified for the scheme, Dangote explained that, each applicant must be a professional, who must ensure at all times the availability of his/her truck for loading at the plant level and off-loading at the customer/depot locations, which is to serve with excellence all of our cement customers with our product.

While the would-be entrepreneurs must be a graduate, the truck drivers need not be a graduate and both would work together to ensure the success of the new product delivery strategy.

“To become a bonafide owner of the truck, among other considerations, the truck entrepreneur must have logged a minimum of 400,000 km. On meeting the mileage target, a nominal amount will be paid by the truck entrepreneur and this amount will be provided to the truck driver who would have assisted the truck entrepreneur in meeting this target, the money will represent a discharge payment to the driver.

“Any driver so discharged above can again apply and be engaged to work with another truck entrepreneur”, the Group added.

By this, Dangote said it was up-scaling the quality of its customer service delivery and then take the advantage of this new strategy to create jobs for teeming jobless Nigerian.

BREAKING NEWS:- Appeal Court adjourns Saraki’s suit indefinitely

2015-10-20T03:52:00.001-07:00

ABUJA—Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, yesterday, granted an indefinite adjournment in the suit filed by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to stop the Federal Government from opening its case against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Saraki is facing charges for alleged false declaration of assets.

Though the appellate court initially slated yesterday to deliver judgment on whether or not Saraki should submit himself before the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel of CCT tomorrow, a senior registrar of the court, Mrs. Christine Aruna, informed all the parties that the judgment has been deferred indefinitely.

Effort by newsmen to confirm why the Justice Moore Adumein panel decided to postpone the judgment met a brick wall, yesterday.

The main entrance to the court was kept under lock and key as lawyers, Senators, journalists and supporters of the Senate President, who besieged the appellate court premises in their numbers, could not gain entrance into the court room.

Reason for adjournment

A highly-placed source at the court disclosed to Vanguard yesterday that the judgment had been ready since Saturday.

The source, who craved anonymity, insisted that the “11th-hour deferment of judgment on Saraki’s appeal” was not unconnected with the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees that were forwarded to the Senate by the Presidency.

An aide to the Senate President, yesterday, blamed the postponement of the judgment, earlier fixed for 2p.m. yesterday, on “last minute intervention by a governor from the North-West, the Presidency and some highly-placed chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC.

“You can see that the courtroom is even under lock and key, which is not the usual practice when the appeal court is not sitting. Don’t you wonder why today should be an exception?”

The Federal Government had on Friday, told ‎the appellate court that it has garnered sufficient evidence to establish that Saraki, as a public officer, acquired several assets beyond his legitimate earnings.

FG, through its lead prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, equally told the appellate court that five witnesses it lined-up against the Senate President, have all expressed their readiness to appear before the CCT tomorrow to testify and tender exhibits against him.
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Among those that FG billed to give oral testimony against Saraki included the erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and present governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

‎Specifically, El-Rufai is expected to testify that he was the one that sold one of the assets that Saraki bought in Abuja, which the government alleged that he failed to list among the assets he acquired while in office as the governor of Kwara State.

The prosecuting counsel, maintained before the appellate court that Saraki has already been furnished with all the proof of evidence against him, including copies of four separate ‎assets declaration forms that he earlier submitted before the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

‎Therefore, FG, urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal that Saraki lodged before it and order him to go to ‎the CCT and clear his name.

Saraki is in his appeal, challenging the legal propriety of the 13-count ‎criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

He was among other offences, alleged to have owned and operated foreign bank accounts while being a public officer.

However, Saraki, aside challenging the charge, also queried the constitutionality of the warrant of arrest that was initially issued against him by Chairman of the CCT, Justice Umar.

Besides, the embattled Senate President, through his team of lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, wants the higher court to ascertain whether the Justice Umar-led panel subscribed to the appropriate legal procedure when ‎it ordered him to mount the dock and enter his plea to the charge despite preliminary objections against his trial.

He raised 12 grounds of appeal against the CCT, supported by a 16-paragraphed affidavit and four exhibits.

Saraki also deposed another 17-paragraphed affidavit of urgency, wherein he urged the higher court to intervene and protect him from what he described as “a politically motivated witch-hunt”.

Out of the 12-grounds, five of them are basically seeking to invalidate the charge against Saraki.
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He is begging the appellate court to suspend the proceeding of the tribunal pending the hearing and determination of his substantive appeal against the Justice Umar-led panel.

The appellate court had on October 8, okayed accelerated hearing on the matter.

When the matter came up on Friday, the‎ Justice Adumein-led panel‎,‎ in a short ruling, struck out Saraki’s application for a stay of further proceedings of the tribunal.

It was the view of the panel that the application ‎was already overtaken by events.

Earlier, Saraki had through his ‎lawyer, Mr. Daudu, SAN, argued that the CCT erred in law by going ahead with his trial despite that fact that “it was not properly constituted”.

He contended that whereas the constitution provided for a three-man panel to ‎sit over cases brought before the tribunal, he said that only two Justices sat on September 22 when he was docked.

According to him, the composition of the tribunal was in violation of paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

Daudu maintained ‎that the tribunal was wrong in assuming criminal jurisdiction against the Senate President when it was not listed in the constitution as a superior court of record.

He described the CCT as an “inferior court”, saying it does not in any way, share ‎concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal High Court.

He therefore urged the appeal court to nullify the proceedings of the tribunal against Saraki and also set aside the criminal charges filed against him by the federal government for being illegal and unlawful.

Nevertheless, FG, bent on going ahead with the case, asked the appellate court to dismiss Saraki’s arguments as baseless and grossly lacking in merit.

Jacobs, SAN, argued that ‎the tribunal was properly constituted and empowered to try the accused person.

He urged the court to invoke the Interpretation Act to resolve the issue on whether the two-man panel had indeed formed a quorum as envisaged by the law.

More so, the prosecuting counsel ‎submitted that the tribunal has criminal jurisdiction hence the use of words like “guilty” and “punishment” in the law that established it.
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“We urge your lordships to dismiss this appeal and order the appellate to go before the CCT and face criminal charges against him. We have gathered enough evidence to prove that he made anticipatory assets declaration”, Rotimi added.
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‎Saraki was in the charge before the CCT, marked ABT/01/15 and dated September 11, 2015, alleged to have falsely declared his assets, contrary to the constitutionally requirement.

He was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filed prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets.

The offence was said to have been committed while Saraki held sway as a governor.

‎He was also accused of breaching section 2 of the ‎CCB and Tribunal Act, an offence punishable under section 23(2) of the Act and paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

FG alleged that Saraki claimed that he owned and acquired No 15A and 15B Mc Donald, Ikoyi, Lagos, through his company, Carlisle Properties Limited in 2000, when the said property was actually sold by the Implementation Committee of the Federal Government landed properties in 2006 to his companies, Tiny Tee Limited and Vitti Oil Limited for the aggregate sum of N396, 150, 000, 00.

He was alleged to have made false declaration on or about June 3, 2011, by refusing to declare plot ‎2A Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which he acquired between 2007 and 2008 through his company from the Central Bank of Nigeria for a total sum of N325, 000, 000, 00.

Similarly, Saraki was said to have refused to declare No1 Tagnus street, Maitama, Abuja, which he claimed to have acquired in November 1996 from one David Baba Akawu.

Some of his alleged offence while in office as governor, which are said to be punishable under section 15(1) and (2) of the CCB and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, were allegedly committed between October 2006 and May 2007.

His actions were classified as a gross violation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
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Saraki has since pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him

BREAKINING NEWS:-N33.8bn debt: Nigeria gives Ghana February ultimatum

2015-10-20T03:47:00.001-07:00

Nigerian gas company, N-Gas, the main supplier of gas to Ghana’s Volta River Authority through the West African Gas Pipeline, has given the VRA up to the end of February 2016 to clear its outstanding debt of $171.5m (N33.79bn).

The N-Gas buys gas from oil companies in Nigeria and transport the commodity to its customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana through the $1bn WAGP, which is operated by the West African Gas Pipeline Company.

The N-Gas had recently said it would cut gas supply by 70 per cent to Ghana’s main power generation company by Friday, October 16, 2015 due to unpaid debts of $181m.

The VRA was said to have paid $9.5m last Friday out of the $181m debt for gas supplied from August 2014 to this month.

Sources close to the team that met the N-Gas officials last week to negotiate the payment terms told The Finder that the $171.5m was to be paid in three tranches from now to the end of February 2016, according toGhanaWeb.

The sources, however, declined to give the breakdown of the payment dates and how much would be paid for each tranche.

The debt covers gas supplied to the VRA and the cost of supply and transportation of the commodity from Nigeria to Ghana.

It was reported that as of July this year, the VRA owed banks to the tune of over $1.3bn, and that it would be very difficult for the company to secure a loan from any bank in Ghana to pay its debt to N-Gas.

This means the Government of Ghana, which is the 100 per cent owner of the VRA, will have to look for money to bail out the firm in order to ensure that the N-Gas does not cut gas supply to the country.

The N-Gas had deferred a plan to slash gas exports to Ghana beginning last Friday over the unpaid debt, compelling the country to pay $9.5m and ask for time to come up with the rest.

The VRA received gas and pipeline-related transport services totalling $231m, but paid only $50m, with an outstanding balance of $181m. It, therefore, owes WAPCo $103m.

Ghana gets about 25 per cent of its power supply through gas from Nigeria, which flows through the pipeline via Benin and Togo, and the threat by the N-Gas to reduce volumes by 70 per cent would have raised the cost of supply.

The N-Gas is jointly owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The International Project Agreement signed in May 2003 by WAPCo and the governments of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo, with the secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States as witness, provides that the N-Gas be allocated a space in the pipeline that can transport up to 200 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

Ghana has a deal with Nigeria to receive a contractual 120 million standard cubic feet of gas daily.

BREAKING NEWS:- Ortom: Suswam left N169billion debt in Benue State Before Leaving Office.

2015-10-20T03:39:00.001-07:00

Former governor of Nigeria’s central state of Benue, Gabriel Suswam left a crushing N169billion debt in the state, his successor, Samuel Ortom has revealed.

Ortom who revealed the humongous debt profile at a stakeholders’ forum in Makurdi, said the debt was discovered during a verification he ordered on his assumption of office on May 29.

“Ours is the first administration since the creation of Benue State that met a deficit treasury on assumption of office. To worsen matters, the previous administration attempted to foist further financial burden on the state by employing about 5,000 workers and creating first class stools at its exit point.”

The governor said he met a situation where salaries and pensions had not been paid and everything was at a standstill.

“While we took steps to address the situation, we also embarked on a debt verification. We obtained initial preliminary figures of N90 billion, which the Ministry of Finance gave us. The transition committee turned in a figure of over N130 billion after its painstaking exercise, saying the amount was not exhaustive, as it did not get access into some aspects of the state and local government financial profiles.“As the government updated its records during compilation of figures for the Federal Government bailout, the amount increased to N169 billion, yet revelations continue to crop up. Of this amount, over N69billion was being owed state and local government workers as salaries, pensions and gratuities.”

Ortom said his administration discovered questionable transactions involving billions of naira in the government shares in companies, loans, bonds arrangements, SURE-P and government business.

“The need to get to the root of all these, especially as the people demanded to know why the state had been brought to its knees, necessitated the setting up of commissions of enquiry, which are carrying out assignments.”

He said the state was forced to secure N10billion loan to pay two months’ salaries and meet critical obligations.

“We also sought and obtained permission from the House of Assembly to secure another N5.5billion to pay counterpart funding for development projects with partners, so as to retain them in the state. The amount will soon be accessed and it is hoped that it will attract at least a matching amount into the state.”

Ortom said he could not ratify the appointment of the 5,000 workers recruited into the civil service in the twilight of his predecessor’s administration, as there was no money to pay their salary.

He added that investigations showed that the state and local government wage bills of close to N4billion appeared to be bloated and were being verified.

On the bailout funds from the Federal Government, the governor said arrears of local and state government pensions and gratuities were not covered by the funds.

“A few days ago we received bailout funds for the payment of salary arrears at the local government and state levels. We accessed N15.5billion for the payment of teachers’ and local government workers’ salary arrears, as well as N12.5 for state government workers.

“Unfortunately, these funds may not clear all salary arrears. Local and state government pensions and gratuities have not been covered by the funds. We, however, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative, which we believe will ameliorate the plight of and motivate workers at the local and state levels to offer their best, to confront the challenges.”

The governor said he had trimmed his government’s size through the reduction of ministries from 17 to 13 and special advisers from 28 to 20.

He took the opportunity to unveil the state’s development blueprint, which he called: ‘Our Collective Vision for A New Benue.

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Boko Haram: Buhari, Service Chiefs didn’t discuss deadline extension – Vande

2015-10-20T03:23:00.002-07:00

Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, Abayomi Olonishakin, on Monday led other service chiefs to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting centred on the war against Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the meeting, Olonisakin ‎explained that the constraints and successes of the operation were reviewed, ahead of the president’s December deadline to defeat Boko Haram.“We briefed the president on the security situation on ground after a 60-day review and we had to brief him on the challenges to ensure that the mandate we have is properly delivered,” he said.

“Of course, the challenges we are looking at are the issues of probably, the weather as it were and some other logistics that we feel we should have so that the mandate can be quickly delivered.”‎

On the possibility of an extension to the December deadline, he said: “We have not said that. The mandate is that we should clear Boko Haram from the occupied territories and ensure that we reclaim all the lost grounds. That is exactly what we are doing.

“It is a military operation and military operations have timelines and these timelines, we are working on them assiduously.”Aliyu Ismaila, permanent secretary at the ministry of defence, said Buhari was happy with the progress report and remained optimistic that the war against insurgency was on track.

“We are here to brief the president on the situation of what armed forces have been doing in the north-east and the south-south. That is exactly what we discussed with Mr. President.

“The directive is that we should continue what we have been doing; and in the next few days, there will be another meeting. But by and large, the president is excited and confident that the leadership of the Nigerian armed forces will do us proud.” www.tivyouthcongress.blogspot.com

EXPOSING THE WICKEDNESS OF CORRUPTION:- TY Danjuma`s Oil Wells & The Murmuring Of Nigerians

2015-08-28T10:54:00.002-07:00

Theophilus Danjuma is not a person the Biafran people will forget in a hurry. He supervised the brutal killing of GeneralAguiyi Ironsi, the first military head of state of Nigeria. He was among the troops that invaded the
Biafran territory during the civil war and was fabled to be heartless in the discharge of his duties towards Nigeria.
Theophilus Danjuma became a general in the Nigerian Army and it was said that he convinced Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s head of State after the assassination of fellow Biafran killer man, General Murtala Mohammed in 1976.
During the Obasanjo recycling presidential jamboree, Danjuma posited that if Obasanjo fails to win the 1999 presidential election, he will run away from Nigeria. Obasanjo won the election and rewarded him with the post of Minister for Defence and charged him with dismantling the military structure capable of truncating his democracy.
The sharing of national cake of oil block to PDP party men in the most non transparent manner is one of the fallout of the Nigerian brand of dictatorial democracy. Oil blocks worth about $2billion dollars auction value could be sold to a party faithful for as low as $500million dollars .The facilitators share the difference between the auction value and the real value among themselves in the ratio of 50:50. Or 60:40 in favor of the awarder, the facilitator or the government middleman who could be fronting for the strongman in the state house..
Theophilus Danjuma got his on a platter of gold. Late Head of State Sani Abacha awarded the Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 246 to SAPETRO in February 1988. The block covers a total area of 2,590 square kilometers .SAPETRO partnered with Total Upstream Nigeria (TUPNI) and Brasoil Oil Services Company Limited (Petrobas) to start prospecting on OPL246. Akpo, a condensate field was discovered in April 2000 with drilling commencing in 2001. In 2006 Danjuma divested his investment in Akpo oil field to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for $1Billion dollars .However, Danjuma still had some conscience left in him. He paid tax of $500million dollars to the Nigerian state and had about $500 million dollars remaining. He then released $100 million dollars to the Nigerian people in the form of foundation for social responsibility projects. This sum as paltry as it seems is better than nothing. General Danjuma should do well to bring out more for the impoverished Nigerians.
This is where this former Biafran killer man towered above his fellow oil block commandeers. There are so many Nigerians from all the six geopolitical zones who have oil blocks. They include former presidents, former governors, former ministers, party chieftains, friends of government, serving and retired military officers especially service chiefs etc .To date there is no record of what they did with the proceeds of their oil blocks. They are building more estates, more refineries, factories etc outside the shores of Nigeria, especially Europe, America and the Middle East and recently South Africa. The rest of their proceeds they use to purchase INEC officials, impose candidates on the electorates, rig elections and throw fabulous victory dance and thanksgiving services. Others engage in frivolous constant reburials of long dead ones, constant acquisition of new wives, concubines , jets, private mansions all to the mockery of impoverished and ‘ancestrally cursed‘ fellow countrymen.
If all the people who cornered the nation’s resources in the name of oil blocks decide to bring twenty percent of their loot, the nation could raise about $40 billion dollars in a week. This amount translates to N6trillion naira, which is more than the entire Nigerian budget of $31 billion dollars for 2012.
How can a few set of Nigerians be so heartless, wicked and insensitive to the hungry faces around them that they cannot device a veritable means of giving back to the impoverished suffering ‘son of a bitch ‘countrymen what they obtained through processes that is far from transparent, it is shortof being called fraudulent. Danjuma received knocks when he announced what he did with his own commandeered resource. Nigerians called him a thief, but if Danjuma is a thief, what of the others who sat on their own oil proceeds never considered returning any back to the people. A friend of government who owns oil block took a young girl friend to Dubai in 2010 and gave her a gift of $1million dollars just to prove his everlasting love for the nagging babe. That is the kind of expenditure they do with their oil loot.
A lot of Nigerians have died in hospitals because they cannot pay medical bills, others have taken to robbery because they cannot see any gainful thing to do while another group takes to prostitution to raise money to pay school fees. Others are seeking for academic sponsors for educational improvement but cannot find. The list is endless and there is frustration palpable everywhere in Nigeria, yet a few Nigerians are so insensitive that they cannot surrender part of their loot back to the Nigerian masses from which they fraudulently commandeered their resources.
Danjuma had the conscience to surrender a part of what belongs to Nigeria which Obasanjo gave him when they were sharing the never ending national cake. Others should follow suit. They should repatriate these loots back home and use them to establish affordable universities, hospital services and other ventures capable of reducing frustrations on the streets. Others should equally build roads in their villages, provide transformers, pipe borne water for communities across Nigeria. There is equally need for scholarships for indigent students, sponsoring medical trips for acid victims and other traumatic and life threatening victims.. Some could fund sports and build sporting facilities for recreational and sports development purposes. Others could sponsor activities that brings up talents in the people. The list is endless. Farmers need to be given free or highly subsidized fertilizers; seedlings and storage facilities need to be built.
These oil block commandeers should as a matter of urgency borrow a leaf from Theophilus Danjuma , repent from insensitivity and take urgent steps to give back to the impoverished, frustrated Nigerians what they collected through the back door. Failure to do so and urgently too, a time will come when even God will engineer the people against them and there will be no end to their calamities.

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ISSUES:-House Summons CBN Governor Over Ban on Foreign Currency Deposits

2015-08-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

The House of Representatives on Tuesday 11th August, 2015 summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to explain the recent policy directing commercial banks to reject foreign currency deposits.

This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Hon. Emmanuel Ekon representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika of Akwa-Ibom State.

Hon. Ekon said, though the CBN Act of 2007 confers the bank with the power to devise suitable mechanism for the exchange of the Naira periodically, Nigerians need to understand the merits of the policy.

“Though the policy may have both short and long term economic benefits for the country, Nigerians do not have any explanation from the CBN on the merits or otherwise of the said policy.

“The apex bank has not created avenues to address the fears of parents wishing to remit money for their children’s education or manufacturers placing orders for goods abroad.

“The explanation of the said policy to members of this House by the Governor of the Central Bank will enable us to disseminate the information to our respective constituents”, Hon. Ekon said.

The lawmaker further explained that if the CBN fails to sensitise Nigerians, the policy might become counterproductive as it appeared to have been misunderstood already by the public.

“There are lots of panic within the economy as we speak.

“People don’t know what becomes of their businesses which largely depend on foreign exchange for transaction”.

“There is need for the CBN to carry out adequate sensitisation of the public regarding this policy by way of explaining the policy and its benefits, otherwise, the nation’s economy may suffer for it”.

Also, Hon. Chris Azubogu representing Nnewi North South/Ekwusigo of Anambra State said Nigerians needed to be properly informed and educated about the policy.

He said “when we get better explanations, people will know what it is all about.

“Also, bank customers will know the limit of borrowing and take into cognisance the need to prepare their minds for what they want to embark on”, Hon. Azubogu said.

The Deputy Whip of the House, Hon.Pally Iriase representing Owan West of Edo State, also expressed his support for the motion. He said “domiciliary account is one asset that a country that does not have a viable foreign exchange market uses to transact business abroad.

“We should be able to sit down with the CBN to find out what it has done with this policy so we can make informed decisions”, Hon. Iriase said.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.Yakubu Dogara, in his ruling, stressed the need for interaction with the bank’s management for the purpose of informing Nigerians. He said “As we speak, there is serious confusion out there. “The reason for allowing the presentation of this motion is that we all have to be sensitised on what the CBN is doing”.

The motion was thereafter unanimously adopted by the House.

BREAKING NEWS:-President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:

2015-08-27T12:57:00.001-07:00

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:

Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President

Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service

Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)

Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

The appointments are with effect from today, August 27, 2015.

Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology. He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.

The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali, holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.

The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 27, 2015

EXCLUSIVE: How I was abducted, kissed death and released from Boko Haram

2015-03-17T07:14:00.002-07:00

2015-03-17 12:36:50

The story of how Mama Maryamu Bala of Madagali in Adamawa state is unlike the other people that were captured by insurgents. She had terrible experiences; ugly and undeserved treatments unleashed on them by Boko Haram from the north east Nigeria. Hers is a much fascinating and mind touching story.

Cover picture: A woman holds up her abducted daughter's picture

Hear her story:

HOW I WAS ABDUCTED

My Name is Maryamu Bala from Madagali, Marghi by tribe. The past three months was a hell of experience on earth. Though I was not being subjected to any heinous work, what I saw and went through will convey my sympathetic story to you.

That fateful day, I and my granddaughter (Abigail) are working on my farm in the borders between Madagali and Gwoza when all of a sudden I heard my daughter shout "run grandma, they are coming on us, run they are here to kill us". I told her “granddaughter run and leave me. What use will I be for them at this my age (67)? Even if they carry me to their camp I will only be a liability to them. I tell you that girl refused to go until when this people (Boko Haram) came and pounced on us. Out of shock I fainted for some hours. Before I realized it, I saw myself in a very big forest with different kinds of people both old and Young including women of different age groups having a sort of division of labour with instructors and armed men monitoring everything everyone is doing.

MY LIFE IN BOKO HARAM CAMP

My grown up daughter being a very agile and beautiful Girl they immediately seized her to a different unit of the camp. They converted the two of us to Islam when found out that that we are Christian from Madagali. They gave us Muslim veil and told us from today we are no longer Christians. They thought me to be meditating a portion of Koran on daily basis. My son you cannot believe me, it surprised me so much that their kind of Islam is different with the one I know many of my relations are practicing in Madagali. They thought us to be worshiping on difference timing from the time I use to see my people observing when they are to pray. Atimes east is not a compulsory focus area of worship, anywhere can serve the purpose. My first three weeks in that camp opened my eyes to discover that that place is meant to be training amateurs and foot soldiers. Sometimes you see Helicopters are dropping things in cartoons, heavy objects are always being uploaded using the people captured with very hash instructions. Failure to do that or any unnecessary delay you will just hear a gun shot on somebody's head, if you are lucky it will be on your leg. They then drag your corpse to a nearby bush and burry.

In that camp I saw different people they called Ameer, who are mostly going round the camp making sure all people are always adhering to the teachings of Islam. There are other people who are always armed and combat ready that they do refer to as commandant. These ones are more dreadful than any one; they are the people commanding thousands of newly recruited members. On daily basis I am the one that normally ask to pray for them, asking Allah's favor on their behalf as I happened to be the oldest woman, not doing any work at all.

I was later taken to a different camp close to Sambisa, the camp is between our lands in Michika and those areas of Cameroon, I know those areas very well because as a young woman we use to go there for farms, fire woods and trek through to other parts of Cameroon. That camp formation is more organized and structured than the former one. In this one I suspected it to be where Chibok Girls were kept. Every morning a lanky shrink bearded man will come and address the whole congregation, given order for duties. I was treated by a professional Doctor. In that camp I also saw engineers, young girls who are nurses, drivers, carpenters, communication experts and many others that I cannot describe their careers. It was only in that camp that one of the commandants came to my sleeping room and asked me to be careful to follow all instructions or else he will drink my blood for lunch. I knew that day my life has come to an end and I concluded my granddaughter has gone to our ancestors as there was no trace of her since I left the former camp.

My son I saw devils; I saw cannibals and people who can do anything in the name of religion. My duty in that is to always observe the Abridged five normal prayers a day, to also sit down to be memorising Koran. After my stay in that camp for more than a month I noticed people on every day going into the other phase of the building amidst tied security, some of the people they resemble Arabs with long hair, while some are pure white coming around having some series of meetings. A girl who is one of the maids confided in me and said "Mama you see other side of the camp is where Abubakar Shekau and top commandant are living, there are many girls of our age there, even me they don't allow to go there."

When that young girl said that to me, I quickly remember the story of abducted Chibok School Girls, though I did not see them but my spirit told me they are in that camp.

HOW I WAS RELEASED

They still transfer me with many other people to a different camp much closer to Cameroon as I was told by our Ameer that we will be taken to Sudan for special training. It was there I started crying to that man, asking him what use I will be to them, begging him to help me go back to Madagali. The Man immediately shouted me down and threatened to kill me. Same day they brought other people from another camp. Miraculously I saw my granddaughter in a very bad condition. It dawned on me that they could have defiled her.

In the night, a man I never met walked up to where we were sleeping and said, "I saw you crying yesterday and it touched my heart, I was kidnaped just like you for more than four years, but don't worry I will help you to escape you and your daughter this night."

After some few hours he still came back to us and tapped my daughter. When she woke up, he asked her to wake me too. The man held my hand, commanded us not to say a word. My brother we trekked in the that evil forest until my strength failed me, when the man notice I no longer have strength, he backed me and we walked close to thirty kilometers and got to place well fenced. There he asked us to sit down and rest. We rested for about five minutes. He now told us to go and get bench, close by. It appears that place is use to be a deserted training camp of the Boko Haram.

They arranged the bench and chairs and he asked my girl to climb up to the other side. When my daughter successfully did that, this hefty man high held me up to my daughter's end where she struggled to hold me down. Immediately he jumped up to our side, we walked outside that forest to a point we discovered a narrow path, it was there he said we should just keep on walking until the day will break and he bade us goodbye. It was from that place we trekked for five days to Yola, Adamawa state.

By Tom Garba, Yola, Adamawa state

Source: Store in besieged Kenyan mall run by attackers or associates

2013-09-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) -- To anyone shopping at Nairobi's Westgate Mall, it would likely have seemed just another store.

But according to a Kenyan intelligence official, the small shop concealed an ominous secret. It was rented by the Al-Shabaab terrorists, or their associates, who within a year would carry out an attack on the upscale shopping mall.

The information -- revealed Friday to CNN by the source, who is close to the investigation into the attack -- suggests the Somalian terror organization had been planning the operation at least that long.

How the team of terrorists got their weapons and explosives into the mall without notice is a central part of the investigation into the attack, which left at least 67 people dead and parts of the upscale mall in ruins.

The Kenya Red Cross said Friday that 61 people remain unaccounted for. Some could be buried in the rubble of the partially collapsed mall.

Photos: Kenya mourns mall shooting victims

Voices from the Westgate Mall

Bergen: Unlikely women were attackers

At least five of the terrorists also died before Kenyan forces were finally able to bring the siege to an end on Tuesday. The terrorists stormed the building Saturday.

Read: Mall attack timeline

On a Twitter account believed to be run by Al-Shabaab, the group promised more attacks to come.

"The mesmeric performance by the #Westgate Warriors was undoubtedly gripping, but despair not folks, that was just the premiere of Act 1," according to a tweet posted Thursday.

CNN could not confirm the authenticity of the tweet, but CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank said the account, which has also posted links to statements from Shabaab leader Mukhtar Abu Zubayr, appears to be legitimate, even if not "100% authenticated."

Several Twitter accounts attributed to Al-Shabaab have been shut down in recent days, likely for violating the company's rules against promoting violence in tweets.

While Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said Friday that eight suspects are being held for questioning in the attack, authorities are increasingly concerned that some of the attackers managed to escape alongside fleeing civilians in the aftermath of the initial attack, U.S. law enforcement officials told CNN.

On Thursday, a Kenyan counterterrorism source told CNN that one of the suspects is an injured Kenyan who was being evacuated when a machine gun magazine fell out of his pocket, leading to suspicion he was among the automatic-weapon toting terrorists who roamed the mall killing civilians. He is being held in a military hospital, the source said.

READ: Source: Kenya mall attack suspect eyed after ammunition fell out of his pocket

Among the suspects are three people picked up near the Ugandan border, the Kenyan official who revealed information about the mall store told CNN.

Facebook’s Zuckerberg Says U.S. Spying Hurt Users’ Trust

2013-09-27T10:14:00.001-07:00

Facebook Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday said revelations about U.S. government surveillance hurt users’ trust in Internet companies and that knowing more about the programs would help relieve some of the public concerns.
In a rare appearance in Washington at an event hosted by the Atlantic magazine, the 29-year-old social media billionaire urged the federal government to tell the general public more about the requests for data it makes to Internet companies.

Zuckerberg was also holding meetings with members of Congress from both parties to lobby for immigration reform.
“What I can tell from the data that I see at Facebook is that I think the more transparency and communication the government could do about how they’re requesting the data from us, the better everyone would feel about it,” he said.
“From reading in the media, you couldn’t get a sense whether the number of requests that the government makes is closer to a thousand or closer to a 100 million. … I think the more transparency the government has, the better folks would feel.”
Zuckerberg also expressed concerns that the outcry about vast secret spy programs run by the National Security Agency and the U.S. response could alienate other countries and hurt innovation globally. In San Francisco last week, Zuckerberg said the government “blew it” on the spy programs.
“Response to the NSA issues that have blown up are a big deal for the Internet as a global platform. And some of the government statements I think have been profoundly unhelpful,” he said.
“‘Oh, we only spy on non-Americans.’ Gee thanks,” Zuckerberg said, adding, “We’re trying to provide an international service, not get crushed in those places either.”
Earlier this year, Facebook said some 1.1 billion people around the world used its site each month.
The tech sector has been pushing for more disclosures about government data requests as Internet companies seeks to shake off the concerns about their involvement in vast secret U.S. surveillance programs revealed by former spy contractor Edward Snowden.
Earlier this month, Facebook joined Yahoo! Inc, Google Inc and Microsoft Corp in asking the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for freedom to disclose aggregate data about the orders and requests for information they receive under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
On Wednesday, Zuckerberg said the revelations about U.S. online surveillance had a much bigger impact on users’ trust in Facebook than any criticisms related to the company’s own privacy policies.
PRIORITY ON IMMIGRATION
The issue that brought California-based Zuckerberg to Washington was his push for immigration reform, which has prompted him to wade deep into political waters.
This year, he founded an advocacy group, FWD.us, that lobbies for a comprehensive immigration reform, promoting the concept of building a “knowledge economy.” The group has come under fire for ads that backed pro-immigration lawmakers on issues unrelated to immigration, such as oil drilling.
“We just want to be there to help support folks who are going to have to take challenging positions on something that’s going to be controversial but they ultimately believe is the right thing,” Zuckerberg said.
He was scheduled for sitdowns on Thursday with Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi as the House of Representatives poses an uphill battle for the immigration legislation, which already has been passed by the Senate.
Zuckerburg, who ditched his signature hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans in favor of a dark suit and tie on Wednesday as he made his way through the hallways of Congress, said he was optimistic the legislation’s chances.

We’ll not succumb to blackmail, BSU ASUU tells Suswam •As Ajasin varsity gets set to pull out of strike

2013-09-27T10:02:00.003-07:00

Barely 48 hours after the Benue State governor, Dr Gabriel Suswam, ordered the Benue State University (BSU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume work on October 2, 2013, the striking lecturers have waved the order aside, saying they will not succumb to blackmail.
The governor had directed the management of the state university to evoke the “no work, no pay rule,” on the lecturers if they failed to pull out of what he described as “sympathy strike’’ and resume work as from October.
But the chairman of BSU ASUU, Dr David Ukooh, who spoke to newsmen yesterday after the union’s congress said his members would not succumb to any form of blackmail, threat or intimidation.
Ukooh said the governor’s comment was “mere political propaganda’’ intended to blackmail the lecturers, adding that BSU ASUU executive lacked the power to suspend the strike.
“The strike embarked upon by BSU ASUU is a national strike and not a local one. The branch exco has no power to suspend the strike. We are a union and we have modalities which has to be followed logically. The NEC of ASUU called this strike and it is only when they ask us to call off the strike that we can do so.”
“This is not the first time ASUU will go on strike. If the governor insists on no work, no pay, we are not worried, we will meet our work where we left it. But when we resume, we will also insist on no pay, no work. The governor’s statement is borne out of ignorance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akungba-Akoko, Professor Olufemi Mimiko, has said that the university will soon recall its students and lecturers back on campus if the three-month-old strike by ASUU is not called off by the end of September.
Mimiko disclosed the plan of the university during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune. He said the protracted strike had affected the activities of the institution, which had unbroken and stable academic calendar in the last four years.
“We had unbroken four-year academic calendar before the strike began. The strike has affected our programmes. It is not in the interest of our students.
“We hope ASUU will call off the strike soon. If not, we are considering taking a measure to bring our students back on campus. Precisely, if by the end of September, the strike is not called off nationally, we will begin the process of calling off the strike locally,” he said.
“We are consulting with our lecturers. Ours is a state university and the case is different. We don’t have any subsisting agreement with the ASUU. It is the Federal Government that has issues with the ASUU.
“In the first instance, our own lecturers are not even expected to go on strike along with the ASUU of the Federal Government-owned institutions. They are not employees of the Federal Government.

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