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The management of the Academic Staff Union Of Universities while reacting to the president's statement, noted that the president's declaration that only members of the union enrolled in IPPIS, will be paid their full salaries.

The union's president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi stressed that the union has an understanding with the FG on the improvement of an alternative payment platform called the Universities Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), which was received warmly by the FG.

 In his words, "I really don't think the president's speech was meant to disturb the union, we have met with the president and presented the matter to him, the meeting ended with a positive outlook. The UTAS has been presented to the minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, and is currently awaiting approval and implementation".

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) had embarked on an indefinite industrial action since March 9, over in the inability of the Federal Government to implement the 2019 agreement and also because of the lingering disagreement in the IPPIS platform enrollment.

Schools are now reopened but institutions under the platform of ASUU are to remain closed. Students are fed up and are earnestly waiting for an end to the industrial action so that they can resume their academic activities.

Meanwhile, there is still hope for students in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria as the FG and the Union (ASUU) will be having finishing talks soon concerning the lingering strike.

PANDEF criticizes Buhari over insubstantial appropriations to Niger Delta.

Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, umbrella body of monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of Niger Delta, has voiced deep concern at the low-cut appropriations by President Muhammadu Buhari to projects in the Niger-Delta region in the 2021 Appropriation Bill forwarded to the National Assembly for approval.

The group in a statement by the national publicity secretary, Hon Ken Robinson, said: “We are further disturbed that of the N3.84 trillion capital budget that Mr. President presented, nothing substantial was allocated to the Niger Delta region".

PANDEF asserted: “Mr. President said the 2021 Budget is expected to accelerate the pace of the nation’s economic recovery, enhance competitiveness and ensure social inclusion, among others,” querying, “how can those laudable considerations be achieved when the appropriation bill is lopsided in the usual manner, in terms of project distribution".

“For instance, in the budget presented, statutory transfer to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is only N63.51b. But the NDDC Act provides that the Federal Government shall contribute the equivalent of 15 per cent of the total monthly statutory allocations due to member states of the commission from the federation account; being the contribution of the federal government to the commission. Now the question we would like to ask is whether the N63.51 billion allocated to the commission in 2021 budget represents the said 15 percent. PANDEF would like to also ask, what are the projects in the Niger Delta region captured in N404 billion allocation for Ministry of Works and Housing; the N153 billion for Ministry of Water Resources; and the N110 billion for Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and etcetera. That there is NDDC or Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should not warrant the exclusion of the Niger Delta region from projects of ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government; whereas the region is in dire need of critical infrastructure. The state of the East-West road is an ugly stain on Nigeria’s political administrative logic, especially for something considered a signature project. The Calabar-Itu Road is also in an appalling state of disrepair. And what is the status of the touted Bonny-Bodo road, even with a reported contribution of US $167m by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited?"

“Regrettably, drawing from Mr. President’s 2021 budget speech, the principal interest of the federal government remains the exploitation of the resources of the Niger Delta people, and not the development of the region nor its people,” the regional group claimed.

#EndSARS: Security agencies, Okowa’s SSA stop protest.

Security agents comprising the police, men of the Nigeria Army and a Senior Special Adviser on security, to Delta State Governor Sen Ifeanyi Okowa, Omasan Mabiaku have stopped a protest against the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, today in Sapele, Delta State.

The protest led by one Kaycee Kadiri started as a rally at the premises of Oando Filling Station by Amukpe garage in Sapele on Friday morning amidst heavy security presence. Kadiri, while addressing the group called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu to call men of the Sapele Police Station, especially the Sapele area command to order “what we are going through here is hell, our people are being forced to cough out outrageous sums over no offence, do you know after the IG order, they still came out seizing innocent people’s car and forcing them to pay money”.

After a heated exchange of words between the protesters, security agents, and the SSA, the protesters were told the rally would not hold lest it is hijacked by hoodlums to disrupt the peace in the city. Although the security agents could not speak to journalists on the matter, the protesters were advised to choose representatives who later held a meeting with Hon Eugene Inoaghan, the Sapele council Chairman, Nufawa Adamu, the area commander, Omasan Mabiaku and representatives of the police, where the matter was said to have been ironed out after a lengthy meeting at the Area Commander’s office.

Akwa Ibom CP debunks bank robbery rumours.

The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State command, Mr. Andrew Amiengheme has debunked rumours making the rounds that there was a bank robbery at the banking layout, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo. Amiengheme in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo, warned mischief makers and peddlers of false information to desist forthwith or have the law to contend with.

He noted that, however, the Operatives of the Ikot Ekpene Division on Thursday, killed two members of a robbery gang in a shoot out while operating in one Ifuho village in the local government area. He warned those who do not want to eschew criminality and give a chance to the existing peace in the State to leave the State or be ready to bear the consequences of their action.

His words, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been inundated of a purported bank robbery incident at Udo Udoma. The Command wishes to categorically state, that there was no bank robbery incident in any bank at Udo Udoma or any part of the State. The Command wishes to warn mischief makers and peddlers of false information to desist forthwith or have the law to contend with. However on October, 8, 2020, and in response to a distress call, Operatives of Ikot Ekpene Division, supervised by its DPO, Joshua Benjamin proceeded to Ifuho village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where some bandits were operating. On sighting the Police van, the hoodlums opened fire on the Operatives, leading to a gun duel. While some of the hoodlums escaped through a nearby bush with possible gun shot wounds, two were hit by bullets. They were taken to the Police Clinic, Ikot Ekpene where they were confirmed dead. Investigation revealed that, one of the hoodlums, identified as “Ebube” was one of the inmates who absconded after a jail break in Ikot Ekpene sometimes ago. He was fingered as the gang leader who have terrorized Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and environs”.

The CP explained that in a follow-up operation, Operatives of the same Division arrested one Felix Nsikak of Ikot Inyang in connection with the robbery incident and recovered five GSM phones were recovered from him. He said while investigation has commenced to determine the level of his culpability, efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

He listed the items recovered at the scene of robbery to include “one locally made pistol, two live cartridges; one expended cartridge, one black Qlink motorcycle; GSM phones and some charms.

“The Commissioner of Police, while thanking the good people of Ikot Ekpene for giving timely information to the Police reiterates the Command’s readiness to rid the State of criminal elements”.

#ENDSARS: Omo-Agege condemns killing of police officer in Delta.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has condemned the reported killing of a policeman in Ughelli, Delta. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Etaga Stanley, a police corporal, believed to be an indigene of Ughelli South council area, reportedly lost his life on Thursday during #EndSARS protests in Ughelli town. It was also reported that another police officer, Sgt. Patrick Okuone, sustained injuries during the incident.

Omo-Agege in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Friday, described the incident as unfortunate. While calling for thorough investigation of the matter, he, however, urged the police to exercise restraint and follow due process in fishing out the suspected killers. The lawmaker condoled with the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Police Force and the people of Delta Central Senatorial District for the sad loss.

He said: “I humbly call on our highly-regarded traditional rulers to continue to urge our people to maintain the peace that we are known for in their various kingdoms and domains. Our royal fathers are a great force for peace in moments like this and we trust that they will help to ensure that those who wish to tear our communities apart are not allowed to succeed. We also call on our religious leaders to pray for our land. God will not allow the evil of bloodshed to reign in our land. Violence is never an option. No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace. Let us embrace the peace initiatives by all stakeholders, as our state is not known for violence and jungle justice,” he said.

Omo-Agege said that he had the assurances of the state police command that due process, as dictated by law, would be strictly followed and that there would not be indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens in the course of the the investigation. (NAN)

Lagos Assembly holds emergency sitting over #EndSARS.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday held an emergency sitting over the ongoing #EndSARS protest in the state. The PUNCH reports that some youths kept vigil at the entrance of the Assembly on Thursday over police brutality and extortion.

During the sitting, the lawmakers called on the Federal Government to put an end to the harassment, extortion, and intimidation of Nigerians by the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They also called on the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, to provide protection for the protesters, while they express their grievances. The emergency sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa.

Among the seven-point resolution passed after an extensive deliberation was that the Senate and the House of Representatives should carry out a probe of the allegations against F-SARS including killing, maiming and dehumanising of Nigerians.

The House resolved that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State should protect End-SARS Protesters in the state and ensure that they are not molested and that he should stop unwarranted molestation of the youths by the FSARS and its counterparts in the State.

They demanded that the Senate President and the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives should institute a public enquiry on the extra-judicial activities, killings, maiming and dehumanisation of the youths by the Anti- Robbery Squad; and ensure that the victims are duly compensated while erring officers sanctioned appropriately.

“SARS should be proscribed and a new security outfit which will be more efficient with clearly spelt out code of conduct and rule of engagements be established while sanction is imposed for the misdemeanour. Mr President should ensure that culpable officials of SARS receive the punishment as prescribed by the National Assembly,” the lawmakers stated in their resolution.

The Assembly also directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions to “liaise with the Commissioner of Police and Attorney General of the State to fashion out ways and means to address allegations of ruthlessness and extrajudicial killings contained in the petition against SARS in the state”.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also urged to engage relevant institutions “to protect lives and property in the state such that phones, laptops and other means of communication belonging to youths are not confiscated indiscriminately without a warrant".

FG hands over multi-million naira relief materials to Jigawa govt.

The Federal Government has handed over multi-million naira relief materials to Jigawa State Government for onward distribution to the families of over 140 people who were killed and rendered homeless during extreme flood across the state.

The items donated include: 5,952 mattresses; 5,952 nylon mats; 5,952 blankets; 5,952 mosquito nets; 200 cartons of detergent and 200 cartons of toilet soap. Other food items donated are: 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Rice, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Beans, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of Maize, 149 bags (20kg) of Salt, 298 kegs (20Ltrs) of vegetable oil, 496 cartons of seasoning and 248 cartons of tomato paste; 4,500 bags of Cement, 4,500 bundles of Roofing sheets, 4,500 pieces of Ceiling boards, 1,000 bags of 3 inches Nails and 3,000 packets of Zinc Nails were also donated to the State to help put up makeshift shelters for the affected persons.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq who donated the relief materials, also sympathised with the government and people of Jigawa State during a visit on Friday. He also expressed sadness over the flood which affected several Local Government Areas including Hadejia, Malam-Madori, Auyo, Miga, Kirikasamma, Kafin-Hausa, Guri, Birniwa, Ringim, Taura, Jahun, Kaugama and Maigatari.

Umar Farouq said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Ministry to activate the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately respond to displaced and other victims of the flood.

“The President, Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the flood and has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deploy some relief items, mainly essential non-food items that were distributed as pre-assessment support to the affected persons. We are here also with more relief items approved for distribution to complement the support of the State Government to the affected persons".

Speaking earlier, the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Namad who stood in for Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar described the flood as a disaster. He said the state had never experienced such flood even in the last 100 years.

“We lost over 144 persons to the flood. One hundred thousand acres of farmlands were also washed away while hundreds of persons have been driven away from their communities by the flood. We designed several water channels and prepared for the rainy season but still we were overrun by the floods. We appeal to the federal government to assist us in desilting the remaining waterways,” he noted.

The Deputy Governor also narrated the ordeal of farmers in the state and urged the minister to quickly come to their aid. “The most pathetic thing is that these farmers borrowed money to buy fertilizers to farm and now everything has been destroyed. We urge you to use your kind office to get fertilizers for the farmers so that they can farm and harvest crops before the dry season".

The Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq promised that 300 trucks were already being loaded with fertilizers for onward distribution to the State.