BREAKING: ASUU suspends strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced a conditional suspension of its nationwide strike. This comes after a series of meetings between top government officials and members of the union. ASUU has now directed its members to return to classrooms with immediate effect. President of the Union, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, addressed a news conference at about 9.30 pm Monday night, after another round of meeting with the government delegation, led by the Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. Ogunyemi explained that they decided to conditionally suspend the strike action, in view of the timeline of October 2017 for the implementation of the signed agreement. ASUU had declared a nationwide strike on August 14, over the failure of the federal government to implement the 2009 agreement. Last week, Ogunyemi stated that the industrial action had not ended, because ASUU was still ironing out some grey areas in the agreement with the FG .

Biafra: Obasanjo tells Buhari what to do with Nnamdi Kanu

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said President Muhammadu Buhari must meet with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, before the ongoing crisis gets out of hand. Talking to Newsweek, Obasanjo, who as president met with Niger Delta militant leaders in 2006 to stop attacks on oil installations, said: “I don’t see anything wrong in that [Buhari meeting with Kanu]. I would not object to that; if anything, I would encourage it. “I would want to meet Kanu myself and talk to people like him, people of his age, [and ask:] ‘What are your worries?’ Not only from the southeast but from all parts of Nigeria.” He said the Army’s “heavy boot” response to pro-Biafra sentiment is “not the solution” and added that the secession craved by IPOB, is not the way forward either. “We need to satisfy the youth in job creation, in wealth creation, in giving them a better, fulfilled life, in giving them hope for the future. There’s no easy way out,” Obasanjo added.

Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Saturday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers 1. The South-East Governors’ Forum on Friday proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB at an emergency meeting held at the Enugu Government House. Among the governors who made the decision were: Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willie Obiano of Anambra and the Deputy Governor of Imo State. 2. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to meet with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, before the ongoing crisis gets out of hand. Obasanjo noted that there was nothing wrong Buhari meeting with Kanu over the ongoing agitation for the rebirth of Biafra. 3. The United States Diplomatic Mission has said that it is joining well-meaning Nigerians to sue for peace, calling for an end to violence in the country. The U.S. Mission to Nigeria urged Nigerian leaders and citizens across the country to end incessant violence in the country. 4. President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly ordered the Nigeri​an military to weaken Nnamdi Kanu and his group, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) before he returns from the trip he is set to embark on. The president, angered by the audacity of the IPOB, ordered the military to move in and quell their violent clamour. 5. The Presidency on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari, will on Sunday jet out of Nigeria for New York, to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA 72. Buhari is expected to participate in the General Debate during which he will deliver the country’s National Statement. 6. Thirty one people were confirmed dead while seven others were seriously injured when two 18-passenger buses collided with another vehicle on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday night. The crash occurred close to a construction site around Elebolo area in Oluyole, Ibadan. The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the incident. 7. The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to stop attacking Nigerians from other parts of the country in the state. Wike maintained that the state belonged to all and would not tolerate a situation where IPOB members would attack citizens from other parts of Nigeria. 8. The Defence Headquarters on Friday declared the Indigenous People of Biafra a terrorist group. The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, who made the announcement, said recent developments had made it clear that IPOB was violent and possessed militant weapons. 9. Immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to summon a Council of State meeting. The former president said Buhari should summon the counsel of State so as to advise him on how to handle the current crisis across the country. 10. Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong on Friday revealed that two persons were killed during the violence between Hausas and Igbos in Jos, the state capital. Lalong said while two persons were killed several others were injured and hospitalised.

Biafra: Police finally reveals cause of Hausa, Igbos’ crisis in Jos

The Plateau State Police Command has warned residents to desist from making provocative comments capable of threatening the existing peace in the State. The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Terna Tyopev, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Jos. He was reacting to the Thursday’s clash between some Igbo traders and Hausa youths where two persons were killed. DAILY POST reports that there was palpable tension in the city of Jos Thursday evening following the report that Hausa youths were attacking Igbos over the situation in the South-East. Areas worst affected by the situation included Akpata, Teminus, Gada-Biyu and Yan-Trailer. Tyopev said the incident was caused by “the action and comments made by those who are so bent on causing violence,” He maintained that there was no crisis in the state, but minor confusion caused by “enemies of peace”.

Restructuring: Northern groups ask Nigerian govt to implement 2014 National Conference

A group under the aegis of Conference of National Autonomous Ethnic Communities Development Association (CONAECDA) in the northern Nigeria has stated restructuring cannot be done on the basis of any group or political party’s ideas, but on national consensus. In statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Zuwaqu Kali Abungon Bonnat, General Secretary, Suleman Dauda Sukukum and the Conference President, Da. Ericson Fom, urged Northern Governors to intensify efforts towards the implementation of the 2014 National Conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan. “We’re concerned about efforts of some categories of people to chart new agenda on the quest for national restructuring. “These are the positions of the Northern State Governors’ Forum and Northern traditional rulers on one hand, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on another hand, and the renewed positions of many other agitators. “Any position presented by the Northern governors and traditional rulers’ committee, if it does not engage properly with our people, will be considered as the opinion of the committee and not of the over 400 ethnic nationalities of the North. “We believe a common position can be achieved where honest dialogue is allowed and the opinion of the diverse peoples of the geographical North, cutting across ethnic and religious communities, is sought and respected. “A political party is not the same as the Federal Government of Nigeria. This is why we consider it needful to make it public and to advise the APC leadership and committee on restructuring to consider their assignment and the outcome to be strictly a party affair, which should be subjected to national scrutiny and consensus. “It is a dangerous trend to have situations whereby political parties or successive governments jettison the outcome of a national dialogue involving all key stakeholders, such as ethnic nationalities, political parties, religious leaders, civil society, security agencies, and traditional rulers that produced acceptable resolutions simply because they were carried out by different individuals, governments or political parties,” the statement read.

Nigerian govt, university workers reach agreement over strike

Nigerian Government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities have reached an agreement over the ongoing strike by the workers. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this at a meeting with the leadership of the JAC of the unions and other officials of the Ministry of Education. The meeting ended Friday morning in Abuja JAC comprises National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU) The demands of the unions included the payment of earned allowances, a review of the governance system in universities and improved funding in line with UNESCO recommendations. Other demands included provision of infrastructure in universities and payment of salary shortfall being owed members, implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on university staff schools and registration of NUPEMCO, the Pension Fund Administrator proposed for university workers. Ngige, however, said agreements had been reached on all the issues raised by the workers. “We held discussions on all these areas and we reached agreement on all of them; government has already approved and released some N23 billion for earned allowances in the universities”, he said. “This is for teaching and non-teaching staff of the various universities in Nigeria. “We agreed on this that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is to expedite action on mandate for this payment. “We have the issue of shortfall; the issue is already being addressed and some universities are already credited with some amount of money for their short falls”. He also said the Salaries and Wages Income Commission had initiated the process of ensuring compliance with the NIC judgment, expressing the hope that this would be completed within four weeks. On non-registration of NUPEMCO as Pension Fund Administrator, he said that the process had begun and a consultant would be handling this on behalf of the unions. “We have also reiterated our commitment that the appropriate filled forms and particulars be submitted within one week while the Federal Ministry of Education will expedite action to bringing out the certificates. “Also on the negotiation of the 2009 agreement, we realised that Babalakin Committee is handling that and has collected memorandum from the various unions,’’ he added. Ngige, who also reacted to the issue of inadequate infrastructure and poor funding of universities, said the Ministry of Education was in the process of inaugurating a nine-man committee that would develop an alternative means of sourcing for funds. He also said that the meeting jointly agreed that government should intensify efforts to checkmate the excesses of corrupt officials in the university system. The meeting further agreed that universities should also operate the Treasury Single Account and that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should investigate cases of those operating multiple accounts. “We also agreed that government should expedite action and send visitation panels to federal universities that have not been visited and revisit the previous visitation panels for the purpose of implementation of their recommendations. “ Again on whistle blowing which is the new anti-corruption policy of this administration, government agreed with the unions that whistle blowers should be protected “On the issue of CONTISS 14 and CONTISS 15 for technologists, the technologists’ union, NAAT, is to provide the Federal Ministry of Education with information that would assist the ministry to develop appropriate scheme of service for the new cadres among others.”

LAUTECH to re-open on Friday

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, is set to re-open on Friday, September 15, 2017, after months of total shut down. This was contained in a statement by the University registrar, Jacob Agboola. Mr. Agboola said the leadership of the university has “approved resumption of activities on the institution’s campuses with effect from Friday, September 15, 2017,” while “students are expected to return to school on Monday, September 25, 2017.” However, Agboola made it clear that academic activities will not commence, until after the Independence day holiday on October 1. “Council thanked the governors of Oyo and Osun states, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola respectively, for agreeing to support the university with necessary funds to enable the university to return to its normal work schedule and reinvigorate its latent capacities for accelerated and sustainable growth and development,” he said. In conclusion, he said, “concerted efforts should, therefore, be geared towards ensuring that nothing is allowed to disrupt the normal work of the university again.” LAUTECH had been on shutdown since June, as various workers’ unions had embarked on indefinite strikes, to press home demands for payment of about 10-month salary arrears.

Biafra: Obasanjo, Gowon must meet with Buhari over Army, IPOB clashes – Okupe

Doyin Okupe, a former aide to ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a meeting with former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Yakubu Gowon, to seek a solution to the tension in the South-East. An ongoing military exercise in the region, Operation Python Dance II, has resulted in several clashes between the Nigerian Army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia state. Okupe said on Thursday that the situation was “frightening,” adding that unless some actions were taken to prevent further spread of “anxiety, anger, and danger,” it will not end. “In times of this type of national distress, we must rely on some human institutions in the country for urgent intervention,” he said. “Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo & Gen Theophilus Danjuma must meet with President Buhari within 24 to 48 hours. “I know that Ibrahim Babangida and and Gen. Abdulsalam are currently out of the country. “An emergency council of state meeting must be summoned to discuss and find immediate and even if temporary solution to this current problem. “Since there are no Igbo past heads of states, Ebitu Ukiwe and chief Alex Ekweme should be invited on this occasion for balancing. “Present and past army chiefs of staff, including Gen. Ihejerika and Minima should also attend. Two or three leaders of thoughts from the east, including the leader of Ohaneze should also be invited.”

NSCDC parades four men for raping 13-years-old girl in Borno

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno Command, on Thursday, parades four men for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in Maiduguri. The Commandant of the corps, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this to journalists in Maiduguri. Abdullahi, who named the suspects simply as Rawana, Adam, Muhammad and Ibrahim, said they were arrested by good Samaritans at Gwange area of Maiduguri on Sept. 7. He said that the suspects allegedly enticed the girl with a token and lured her into a room where they defiled her. “A member of the victim’s family caught the randy men in the act and alerted residents of the area who arrested them. “Preliminary investigations showed that the prime suspect lured the girl into a room and had canal knowledge of her after giving her N50. “The suspects had sex with the girl one after the other. “Medical examinations on the girl indicated severe penetration with no implications,” he said. He said that the command would transfer the case on completion of all preliminary investigations to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for prosecution. The commandant, who expressed dismay over the spate of rape cases in the state, called for behavioural change on the part of victims’ families to seek redress. “Victim’s families must be bold to seek redress in order to get rid of the menace,” he said. According to him, the command had recorded four rape cases in the past four weeks in the state. Abdullahi called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs) and community leaders to sensitise the people on the need to seek redress, to check the rising cases of rape in the society.

Biafra: Nigerian Army insists it won’t pull out of Aba, Umuahia

The Nigeria Army has made it clear that it is not pulling its troops out of Abia state. In a news conference on Thursday, Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, had stated that the army had agreed to pull its troops out of Aba and Umuahia – the two most volatile areas of the state. Ikpeazu also said he was working to ensure the total withdrawal of troops from the state. But in a statement issued by its spokesman, Sani Usman, on Thursday night, the army said it would carry out its operation ‘Python Dance’ to “logical completion” in the state. “The attention of the Nigerian army has been drawn to some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from Exercise Egwu Eke II, crediting such information to Abia state governor and the general officer commanding 82 division Nigerian army. This is not true. The Nigerian army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregards such rumours,” it said. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia state governor in his speech stated that ‘there will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and Umuahia from tomorrow’. This should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise Egwu Eke II. The general officer commanding 82 division has not said such thing. “Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise Egwu Eke II is commencing tomorrow as scheduled. Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to commence the exercise to its logical completion. We wish to state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into the various states security outfits till the end of this year.”