Don’t go on strike, NUC pleads with ASUU

The National Universities Commission on Monday appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities not to carry out their threat to embark on a nationwide strike. 

The commission, said through its Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okogie, that it was holding dialogue with ASUU and therefore urged its members to exercise patience with the federal government. 

Okogie, spoke shortly after the resumption of the re-appointed Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i in Abuja 

He, however, said ASUU was justified to threaten to go on strike. 

Okojie explained that everything was on course to ensure the speedy process of signing into law, the agreements between the government and ASUU to avert any industrial crises. 

He said, “Unions have a right to agitate. Our own is to go to where we think those problems could be solved. We have been in touch with chairmen of Senate and House committee on Education. They are very active on it. 

“These things you don’t do it over-night. But the issue of retirement age, there was one individual bill and the other one was a general bill, we crossed a lot of bridges. 

“If we have waited this long, what am saying is that there is no need to really go on strike. I don’t think they would go on strike. I am in touch with them. 

“Even if they are threatening, we will appeal to them. Honestly, I agree they really have a need to worry, because if it were me, I would worry too, but government has a way of doing its things. It has to go through the normal processes.” 

The Executive Secretary who spoke on behalf of other chief executives of paratstatals in the Education ministry, also applauded the minister’s reappointment.

He said, “With her coming back we are going to start from where we stopped. If it were a fresh person, he will start going round for familiarisation from one parastatatal to another. She has been on the ground. 

“She has a whole lot of four years to turn around this sector. We have seen what she was able to achieve within a period of one year.”

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

Farmer discovers two AK 47 police rifles buried on farm

A PEASANT farmer in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Sunday Adeleye, has founded two police AK 47 rifles hidden in green leaves on his farm.

Bolanta, the farmer was said to have reported the strange discovery to the Police Area Commander.

State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adisa Baba Bolanta hinted of the discovery the hints yesterday in Ibadan while parading some suspects arrested in connection with various crimes in the state before reporters.

Among the suspects were a middle-aged man, David Olatubosun and his son, Abiodun, who allegedly cars, stole.

The said Olatunbosun and his son  were arrested at Mikky Spot, Randa, Ogbomoso, following the discovery of a stolen Toyota Camry car with registration number CV 756 MUS at the suspects’ home. It was recently snatched at gun point in Lagos. 

Bolanta said his men also discovered eight other vehicles in the house at Iyalode’s compound. 

Bolanta said the recovered vehicles included; a Nissan Jeep (CE 434 KSF), Toyota Camry (CF 256 RSH), Toyota Corolla (EM 562 ABJ), Honda Accord (AJ 681 LRN), Toyota Corolla (BV 848 APP), an unregistered CRV Real time Sport Utility Venicle (SUV), a Toyota Sienna Bus (BK 259 KUJ) and Honda Jeep CRV (DD 201 LSD). 

The police boss, who paraded all the vehicles alongside the suspects, also vowed to track down those who buried the  police rifles on the farm.

The two rifles are numbered; 535653 and 3604188 with their magazines containing 30 and 28 rounds. 

The rifles painted in police colours, according to the police boss, are still serviceable.
Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

Jonathan meets PDP leaders as Southeast insists on PDP chair

President Goodluck Jonathan is consulting  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, governors and other stakeholders on  the choice  of party  national chairman.

The battle for the job is between the Northeast and the Southeast, with most party leaders having preference for the Northeast.

It was learnt that to pacify the Southeast, there is a proposal before the presidency to concede more ‘juicy’ ministerial portfolios and strategic agencies to the zone to pave the way for the emergence of a new chairman from the Northeast.
A presidency source said: “The President has started consultations with our leaders in the Board of Trustees, governors who are influential members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and members of the Expanded National Caucus.
“The next 72 hours will provide insight into the direction of the party. A series of meetings between the President and party leaders and organs will hold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja to conclude the talks.
“The emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) and deputy, Emeka Ihedioha (Southeast) is causing a lot of problems for the party because its zoning formula is now distorted.

“Some of our leaders are saying that since the VP, the Senate President and the Speaker are from the North, the National Chairman of the PDP cannot come from the North again.
“The Southeast is insisting on its right to occupy the post in the light of Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution.
The Article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.
“Ordinarily, if the Southeast goes to court, it will win the case based on the interpretation of the PDP constitution. But the President has initiated dialogue to avoid recourse to litigation.
“The Southeast that is complaining has also usurped both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives meant for the Northeast by the party’s zoning formula.

The source confirmed PDP leaders’ preference for the Northeast and the cards being laid on the table for the Southeast whose right is being abridged.

He added:  “The truth is that the presidency is tired of bitter politics among Igbo, which has led them to produce two national chairmen in three years. So, everyone wants a change of taste.

“The odds favour either a former Governor of Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno).
“To resolve the impasse over Southeast’s demand, a proposal is already before the presidency to concede strategic ministries to this geopolitical zone in lieu of the office of the national chairman of PDP.
A strong PDP leader, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We met in Enugu and resolved to pursue this demand to its logical conclusion.

“They are joking with whatever proposal is in the offing. Our position is that the Southeast must complete its four-year tenure which began in 2008.”

In line with zoning realignment in PDP, the office has been slated for the Northeast but the Southeast renewed interest at the weekend to retain the post.

Before the renewed interest of the Southeast,  eight leading aspirants had emerged from the Northeast.
They are from the Northeast are Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha and  a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan  (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.
But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the Southeast, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Hon. Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; ex-Governor  Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Hon. Jerry Ugokwe; Ex-Governor Sam Egwu; Senator Emma Azu Agboti; Senator Sylvanus Ngele; Ex-Governor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; Ex-Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; Ex-Governor  Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

New states ‘ll be created on merit – Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu  Tambuwal, yesterday, said the National Assembly, would create new states based “on merit”, as well as review the present revenue  allocation formula and assign constitutional roles to  traditional rulers.

He added that  the Reps would re-introduce the controversial Internal Party Democracy Bill, which seeks to make all National Assembly members automatic members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of their parties.

The Speaker  said this  in Kaduna at a Post-Election Violence Roundtable organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Tambuwal said he had set up a committee to review the relevant sections of existing laws to make the job of amending the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution easier.

On  the occasion,  the former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the  Federation, SGF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the Sheik Ahmed Lemu-led Presidential Panel on Post-election Violence was preparing the ground for more crisis by creating the impression that government would give monetary compensation to victims of the violence, even as urged those he described as old politicians to give way for the younger generation to take over from them.

The Speaker was represented by Godfrey Gaya, representing Zangon Kataf/Jabba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

On his part, the paramount ruler of Bachama, in Adamawa state, the His Highness the Hamman Bachaman, Asaph Zadok, lamented that the introduction of monotheism by Arabs and Europeans into Nigerian religious space was responsible for the unprecedented level of hate, intolerance and violence in the country, adding that, in the past Nigerians did not kill themselves over the deities they worshipped.

“The Speaker has inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee and we want to look at the Electoral Act and those laws that divide us instead of uniting us; those laws that tend to devalue us instead of empowering us.

“For example, we still have a Constitution that does not provide a definite role for traditional rulers. We would amend the constitution to provide a definite role for our traditional rulers.

“There is no doubt that if the constitution is not reviewed, it will affect the states. Right now, states are finding it difficult to pay the N18,000  new minimum wage.

‘’We go to the same market and I can assure you that if N18, 000 is the only wage we can pay our workers, it is definitely not fair.

“So, we are looking at how to amend the Revenue Sharing Formula. There is no way the Federal Government can continue to enjoy 52 % of all our revenue while the states and the 774 local governments that we represent have about 42 percent.

“We are looking at the issue of states creation. Of course the Sixth NASS tried its best but was unable to do anything.
“Of course this time around, we are starting early and I am sure that before the middle of our tenure, we will be talking of new states; feasible states and those that are not feasible.

“We will also be looking at amending the Electoral Act and matters that relate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘’There are certain things for which you could not have blamed Mahmud Jega, INEC Chairman, because some of those bills were signed few weeks to the election and it was not possible for INEC to take total control of all that happened.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

One dead in Ibadan building collapse

It was a gory sight in Oleyo, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as one person died and five others trapped when a storey building collapsed.
Four others were injured. It was learnt that the building went down at 10:30am while workmen were busy on the structure.


Shortly after the incident, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCSDC); Federal Road Safety Commissions (FRSC); Oyo State Fire Service and other sympathisers swarmed the building to rescue the trapped workmen.


Only one man, identified as Baba Ibeji, was rescued as at press time yesterday.
The rescue workers were hindered by lack of tools to clear the debris. Baba Ibeji said other workmen were still trapped in the building. 


Moved by the disclosure by Baba Ibeji, an NSCDC official, Olujide Akindele, crawled through a narrow opening in the debris only to return and confirm that he sighted another trapped person, who was already dead. 


Among the rescuers was the former Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan.
Olaosebikan said the rescue workers should focus on how to rescue the victims. He said it was not yet time to apportion blame.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

37 cabinet members take oath of office in Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday,  presided over the administration of oath of office on the 37 newly appointed members of his cabinet. He also set agenda for them on performance.

The newly sworn-in members of the executive council, include 22 commissioners and 14 special advisers with Mr. Mukaila Babalola, returning as Chief of Staff, COS, and Mrs. Oluranti Adebule as Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

The new Commissioners and their portfolios are: Mr. Benjamin Akabueze, Economic Planning & Budget; Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, Physical Planning & Urban Development; Mr. Tunji Bello, The Environment; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Transportation; Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Works & Infrastructure; Mr. Jide Idris, Health; Mr. Adeola Ipaye, Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, Finance; Mr. Wale Ahmed, Special Duties; Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, Home Affairs & Culture; Mr. Oladisun Holloway, Tourism.

Others are: Mr. Ibirogba Aderemi, Information & Strategy; Mr. Bosun Jeje, Housing; Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs; Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Agriculture & Cooperatives; Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, Science & Technology; Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, Establishment & Training; Mrs Oworu Senakpon, Commerce; Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Rural Development; Mr. Adesegun Oniru, Waterfront Development & Infrastructure; Mr. Oshodi Enitan, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Education.

Special advisers

The Special Advisers include: Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Housing; Mr. Dolapo Badru, Youths, Sports & Social Development; Mrs. Yewande Adesina, Health; Mrs Aderinola Disu, Central Business District, CBD; Mr. Oladiran Folami, Environment; Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Public Private Partnership, PPP; Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, Works & Infrastructure.

Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, Rural Development; Mr. Olukoga Fatai, Education; Mr. Lateef Raji, Information & Strategy; Mr. Taofik Tijani, Mineral Resources; Mr. Seye Oladejo, Commerce & Industry; Mr. Adebayo Salvador, Parastatals Monitoring; and Mrs. Abimbola Sodipo, Taxation & Revenue.

However, commissioners and special advisers are yet to be appointed for the Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, and Political and Legislative Bureau.

Speaking on the occasion, Fashola said the commissioners and Special Advisers were the privileged few to be chosen among the lots and that the hope of Lagos State residents depended on them.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide

MINISTERIAL SCREENING: Okonjo-Iweala to appear before Senate today

 World Bank Managing Director, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will appear today before the Senate to be screened for a ministerial appointment, sources close the State Security Service, SSS, told Vanguard yesterday.

She flew into the country yesterday and went straight to the Presidential Villa to meet with the President.

According to the source, after her brief meeting at Aso Rock with the President, her name was immediately forwarded to the SSS for screening. She was said to have been screened and passed on to the Senate yesterday for confirmation today.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former Finance Minister who helped Nigeria to negotiate debt relief in 2005, is expected to return to her old position but with added broad powers over economic management, sources close to the negotiations said.

“She will appear before the Senate tomorrow as her name has already been sent to the Senate President’s office,” a SSS source said. The SSS gave Okonjo-Iweala clearance to be screened by lawmakers after a meeting at its office in Abuja.

President Jonathan, who was sworn in for his first full term on May 29 after winning April elections, has reappointed 12 ministers from the outgoing government to their old jobs, including oil minister Deziani Alison-Madueke.

The return of many familiar faces led Jonathan’s critics to question whether his new team will have the reformist credentials it needs.

Okonjo-Iweala’s inclusion in Jonathan’s cabinet would bring more credibility to his reform ambitions.
Okonjo-Iweala is presently a Managing Director of the World Bank. She was Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs from June to August 2006, overseeing Nigeria’s External Relations.

From July 2003 to June 2006 she served as Minister of Finance and Economy of Nigeria and Head of Nigeria’s much acclaimed Presidential Economic Team responsible for implementing a comprehensive home grown economic reform programme that stabilized the macro-economy and tripled the growth rate to an average of 6 per cent per

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide