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Members of the Organised Labour, on Sunday, were absent at the reconciliatory meeting with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the N30, 000 new National Minimum Wage for the workers in the country.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said on Sunday that the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken as part of the ongoing negotiation.

He said the meeting was to ensure a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues of the new National Minimum Wage.

Mustapha said that the Tripartite Committee has been working assiduously, but there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with, and that was the reason for the rescheduling of the meeting.

“Basically, the only outstanding issue to be dealt with was the harmonisation of the 5th chapter of the report, and thereafter get the figures to be submitted to the government.

“The inaugural speech by Mr President included some very salient points, that caused me to reflect on the work of this committee, and one of it is that there is emphasis that the committee will by consensual agreement arrival at all their decisions and I think that was very important.

“Mr president went further to emphasis that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the county’s economy.

“So, it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new Minimum Wage on the economy.

“He also underpinned his speech by emphasising the fact we earn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian workers, but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage,” he said.

The SGF also noted that 27 states were faced with the difficulty in the payment of the basic minimum wage that was agreed, saying that he was not making any excuse for them.

He added that the meeting would continue tomorrow (Monday), thereafter members of the tripartite committee would continue with their meeting.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personaly ensure that Mr President receives and signs it immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) told NAN that members of the organised labour got the invitation to the meeting late.

“But hopefully, we will be around for tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting by 11a.m,” he said.

All efforts to get other members of the organised labour proved abortive.

New minimum wage: What Ngige said after labour leaders boycotted meeting with FG

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment has said organised labour would attend a meeting with the federal government on the contentious new minimum wage on Monday.

He spoke Sunday night in Abuja after labour leaders failed to show up for the scheduled meeting.

“They are not here today and they gave excuse why they are not here”, Ngige told newsmen.

“We also want to say that we do not support the State governments’ N22,500 proposal and we have also said so.

“We also have our own figure and the Tripartite Committee meeting will look at it and the outcome of the Monday’s meeting will be a consensual, I am sure of that, ” he said.

Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) told NAN that members of the organised labour got the invitation to the meeting late.

“But hopefully, we will be around for tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting by 11a.m,” he said.

2019 election: Cleric raises alarm

The Senior Pastor, Father’s Touch Ministry Church, Nyanya, Abuja, Pastor Evans Idoko, has accused some politicians of using religion and ethnicity to divide Nigerians ahead of the 2019 election.

Idoko made the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

“It’s regrettable that the unity of Nigerian is strengthened during sporting activities and otherwise becomes the case during electioneering activities.

“It is an indication that politicians have taken pleasure in using religion to divide Nigerians against themselves for political or selfish reasons. It must stop forthwith! Nigerians must resist it because it will take us nowhere,” he said.

He recalled with nostalgia how Muslims and Christians lived together peacefully some years back irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.

He said such divisions have been responsible for the obvious hatred among Nigerians, which, he said, has slowed down socio-economic and political development in the country.

“As 2019 political activities gather momentum, we appeal to politicians seeking elective offices to eschew hatred and bitterness, and promote courses that will promote peace and unity among Nigerians,” he said.

Idoko advised that the church should take the front row in moblising Nigerians to participate in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

“It doesn’t come by words alone. We have to take a step further to empower people educationally, financially and otherwise so they could have voice and knowledge to take their rightful place in Nigerian political and economic discussions,” he said.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, announced in Abuja on Sunday that Prince Charles would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria. The Prince of Wales and his wife, Princess Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are expected in Nigeria from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 in a high profile visit during which the royals would also have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of the visit, Arkwright said that one of the events on the agenda was for Prince Charles to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen. “People do want to come together and if we can provide that kind of environment then hopefully, we can come up with some ideas and solutions to resolving some of these conflicts”, he said. “Some of the issues like the farmers/herders crisis are deep-rooted and are about the economy, land resource, climate change and cultural issues. “The Prince of Wales will be looking at the causes, talking to people who are working in this area and together, seeing if we can find solutions and move on.” Arkwright said that addressing the root causes of conflicts would lead to a peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria and also become beneficial to the relations between Nigeria and Britain. He noted that the visit was also aimed at strengthening the existing ties between Nigeria and Britain as members of the Commonwealth. Prince Charles, who took over as the Head of the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations last April, succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, has already visited 44 African nations. “Prince Charles has not been here since the past 12 years. 2006 was the last time he was here and the Duchess of Cornwall, has never been to Nigeria. So it is about strengthening ties, particularly people-to-people ties. “We want to ensure that through the Commonwealth, which is another theme of the prince’s visit, we develop links to develop relationships whether in trade, environment or in education, all of which are important to the future of the Commonwealth and to the future of Nigeria.” The top diplomat said that other events lined up on the agenda of the visit would focus on culture, music, fashion, among others. “Prince Charles will be talking about rural livelihoods, agriculture, the environment, some of the passions that he has which is so relevant to Nigeria today and to young people and the importance of getting young people into jobs. “One of his passions as well is how do we build the skills of young people so that they will be equipped for the world. “There is a whole range of interests that he has and I think Nigeria is a wonderful place to come to because it brings together all of these interests.” The duchess is also to engage in literary activities with children and some Nigerian authors, while the prince would meet with traditional rulers and hold peace-building meeting with Nigerian youth ambassadors.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter has vowed to expose Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as not fit and proper to govern the state.

The leading opposition party in the country said this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Lagos state Publicity Secretary, Barrister Taofik Gani in Lagos.

The party also said Sanwo-Olu will lose the 2019 governorship election irrespective of the endorsements he received from political parties in the state.

The statement reads: “At the appropriate time, we shall expose Sanwo-Olu as truly not fit and proper to be elected governor of Lagos State.

“Sanwoolu is a ‘bad market’ that cannot appeal to Lagosians even if he buys political parties beyond the registered ones in the country.

“Indeed the emergence is tainted with desperation to have someone as governor who will rather fund the APC leaders. Lagosians will not forget that this is the Lagos APC reason for dropping Governor Ambode.

“To us, the consequence of the Sanwo-Olu imposition is the terminal acrimony, defections and anti-party in the Lagos APC, which we shall duly capitalise on to end the reign of APC in Lagos state,” he said.

The PDP further described Sanwo-Olu as an emergency candidate who is unprepared for the job compared to the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje whose blueprint to free Lagos had been on since 2006.

What Prince Charles will do in Nigeria during visit

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, announced in Abuja on Sunday that Prince Charles would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

The Prince of Wales and his wife, Princess Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are expected in Nigeria from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 in a high profile visit during which the royals would also have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of the visit, Arkwright said that one of the events on the agenda was for Prince Charles to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen.

“People do want to come together and if we can provide that kind of environment then hopefully, we can come up with some ideas and solutions to resolving some of these conflicts”, he said.

“Some of the issues like the farmers/herders crisis are deep-rooted and are about the economy, land resource, climate change and cultural issues.

“The Prince of Wales will be looking at the causes, talking to people who are working in this area and together, seeing if we can find solutions and move on.”

Arkwright said that addressing the root causes of conflicts would lead to a peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria and also become beneficial to the relations between Nigeria and Britain.

He noted that the visit was also aimed at strengthening the existing ties between Nigeria and Britain as members of the Commonwealth.

Prince Charles, who took over as the Head of the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations last April, succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, has already visited 44 African nations.

“Prince Charles has not been here since the past 12 years. 2006 was the last time he was here and the Duchess of Cornwall, has never been to Nigeria. So it is about strengthening ties, particularly people-to-people ties.

“We want to ensure that through the Commonwealth, which is another theme of the prince’s visit, we develop links to develop relationships whether in trade, environment or in education, all of which are important to the future of the Commonwealth and to the future of Nigeria.”

The top diplomat said that other events lined up on the agenda of the visit would focus on culture, music, fashion, among others.

“Prince Charles will be talking about rural livelihoods, agriculture, the environment, some of the passions that he has which is so relevant to Nigeria today and to young people and the importance of getting young people into jobs.

“One of his passions as well is how do we build the skills of young people so that they will be equipped for the world.

“There is a whole range of interests that he has and I think Nigeria is a wonderful place to come to because it brings together all of these interests.”

The duchess is also to engage in literary activities with children and some Nigerian authors, while the prince would meet with traditional rulers and hold peace-building meeting with Nigerian youth ambassadors.

2019: We are done with Omisore – SDP

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Atakunmosa West Local Government Council of Osun State has dumped the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the just concluded governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

It also endorsed the Osun East senatorial candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Chief Francis Fadahunsi in the forthcoming general election.

The party chairman in the area, Chief Joshua Ogunleye, made this known to newsmen on Sunday when Adenigba Fadahunsi and his team visited his home in Osun.

Ogunleye said the party was done with Senator Iyiola Omisore in the area.

“The deal that SDP in the local government had with Omisore was terminated with the last gubernatorial election,” he said.

He stressed that the SDP was ready to work with the PDP candidate to ensure victory at the poll.

The SDP leader then solicited for the support of his followers for the PDP candidate, noting he was capable of transforming the zone.

In his response, Prince Fadahunsi recalled past dealings with Ogunleye and commended his host for his commitment to the welfare of his people.

Fadahunshi assured him that his place in PDP was always secured, and that the party would continue to accord him respect.

The former customs boss who also pleaded with SDP leaders to return to PDP, said: “Please, let’s return home and together, we shall rescue our land from the invaders.”

The event was witnessed by the local and ward Executive of the SDP in Atakumosa East local government.

Amaechi’s convoy runs into kidnap scene in Rivers

Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has rescued a kidnapped victim along the Omoku-Egbeda road in Rivers State.

Reports say Amaechi was on his way for an All Progressives Congress, APC, function in Ubimini Community, Emohua when he saw a Lexus SUV abandoned in the bush.

Emiratco reports that Amaechi who was leading his convoy consequently stopped by and ordered his security team to comb the forest in search of the occupants of the vehicle.

It was disclosed that the security personnel in the Minister’s convoy rescued one of the occupants of the abandoned Lexus Jeep.

The victims, it was gathered, turned out to be members of APC, who were attending the PVC sensitisation rally in Ubimini where the Minister was to address party supporters.

One of the rescued victims, Edi Chinda Edi said, “We were on our way to Ubimini for the APC programme when the kidnappers armed with AK-47 riffles barricaded the road and attacked us.’

A statement from the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Media Office obtained by DAILY POST said, “worried about the safety of other victims who were yet to be found, Amaechi directed some of his security personnel to continue the search and ensure that the remaining victims were rescued and their abductors arrested and prosecuted according to law.”

The Rivers State Police command is yet to confirm the incident.

WAEC certificate: Oby Ezekwesili attacks Buhari, Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for wasting time on WAEC certificate when Nigeria is facing a fiscal emergency.

She was reacting to the news that two top financial institutions, HSBC and UBS, have left Nigeria.

Ezekwesili stated that Nigerians should be alarmed by the CBN-acknowledged drop in foreign direct investments, FDI, and closure of the two global bank offices.

In a statement the former minister of Education sent to DAILY POST on Saturday, she said the decline in FDI was a pointer to the weakening investor confidence in Nigeria’s macro-economic policies and commitment to key structural reforms.

“The latest decline in the on FDI numbers ($1.7billion in the first half of 2017 compared to $1.2billion in 2018) signifies the weak confidence of foreign investors in the macroeconomic policies and commitment to key structural reforms in power, oil, gas and minerals sector of the administration.

“The country faces a fiscal crisis. It scarcely has the capacity to fund Capex out of revenues other than through borrowing. Problem is that debts (local and foreign) have risen, taking up with it, debt servicing which is now 69 per cent of revenue,” Ezekwesili stated.

“And yet the #APCPDP is having a debate over WAEC certificate. WAEC certificate? Do these people understand how serious and urgent Nigeria’s crisis is now?”

According to the former vice president of the World Bank, “Our campaign has outlined critical steps as part of our State of Emergency on the Economy within our first 100 days in office, ensuring confidence-boosting economic policy reforms in key sectors that signal positively to the private sector.”

While noting that the nation’s economic growth at 2 per cent is both too fragile and weak, mostly dependent on oil price recovery, she said, “We can no longer afford to be led by those who have no understanding of building economies, creating wealth for the majority and stimulating productivity, competitiveness and opportunity.

“Nigerians should wake up and see what we are facing. These men running for office don’t get it, and this is an emergency.“ .

New minimum wage: Falana reveals why it’s illegal for Governors to determine amount

nze ihunanyaNovember 03, 2018jamb

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has stated that it will be illegal for states to determine what they can pay as minimum wage.

According to him, the minimum wage was deliberately placed in the exclusive legislative list, to ensure uniformity in application.

Falana stated this at a tweet conference/roundtable to mark the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) 2018.

“I have heard arguments that every state should be allowed to determine what they can pay. But all the governors earn the same salary apart from allowances and security vote.

“All legislators earn the same no matter where they come from. Every Senator earns about N15million per month. So on the ground of equality, that argument cannot be sustained.

“Secondly, labour and industrial matters are in the exclusive legislative list, deliberately so. Otherwise, you’ll have starvation wages and state government that will not pay salaries at all,” he said.

Falana also stated that it was only when it involved addressing the terrible living conditions of the poor, that the government talks about inflation.

“You must also understand that this is a class matter. The members of the ruling class, regardless of political parties, are one and the same when it comes to addressing the problems of the poor.

“So the legislators who earn N15million believe that if you increase minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000, there will be inflation. So, the government can pay if it wants to pay,” Falana said.

FRSC recruitment: JAMB conducts examination for 15,000 candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday said it has conducted recruitment examination for about 15,000 candidates of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) across the country.

The Registrar of the board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this to newsmen during the conduct of the exercise in Abuja.

The exercise, he said, was being conducted at the board’s Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the country and has so far been reported successful, except for a centre in Taraba.

“There has been no problem; all centres are doing well but at a centre in Taraba, some of their computers malfunctioned but we have ordered an immediate relocation of the candidates to another centre,” he said.

Oloyede reiterated the board’s readiness to deliver a transparent system for all forms of examinations conducted through the CBT system of the board.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, FRSC Corps Marshal, in July said that the corps would recruit additional 4,650 officers and procure new operational vehicles to improve road safety management in the country.

According to him, the corps will employ the best in road safety management in the second part of the year.

A NAN correspondent who visited one of the centres at Bwari Abuja, reports that two alleged imposters were apprehended by security agents at the centre while trying to access the examination with same printout which had the same seat number.

One of them, Apeh Baba, who spoke to newsmen after being apprehended, said he mistakenly picked his friend’s photocopy of the examination printout from home and decided to attempt to use it.

He however begged to be forgiven for the illicit act, while awaiting to be handed over to the police for further action.

Ekiti PDP stakeholders sack Fayose as leader, install Senator Olujimi

In what may be seen as a coup, some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday appointed the Senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, as the leader of the party in Ekiti State and the South-West.

In the same manner, the stakeholders passed a vote of no-confidence on the Chief Gboyega Oguntuase-led State Working Committee of the party in Ekiti, calling on the National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, to dissolve the executive and set up a caretaker committee to pilot the party’s affairs.

There was ominous sign of crisis in the PDP on Thursday, when some party members stormed the party secretariat in Ado Ekiti and locked it up, which signaled that they no longer had confidence in the party leadership in the state.

The stakeholders said they decided to call for the disbandment of the State executive due to alleged financial recklessness being exhibited by the SWC.

In a communiqué signed at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, the party said it took the decision to install Olujimi as leader since she is the most top-ranking elected official in the state and the Southwest.

The resolution, signed and read by the Protem Secretary of the PDP Stakeholders and former Assembly member, Hon Bunmi Olugbade, also overruled the SWC on the suspension of former State Secretary of the party, Dr. Tope Aluko , saying he remains a bonafide member of the party.

The leaders also resolved to back the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other candidates in Ekiti to win the 2019 elections.

It said: “We are poised to reposition and return the PDP back to the people and therefore call on the party leadership to constitute an independent committee to look into the affairs of the party in Ekiti state with a view to repositioning the party for the 2019 elections.

“that there is an urgent need for reconciliation and the panacea for true reconciliation is the immediate dissolution of the present state working committee of the PDP and a constitution of caretaker committee.

“that we appreciate the efforts of Dr. Aluko in discovering and detecting the illegal and suspicious withdrawals from by members of the SWC and hereby urge Senator Olujimi to liaise with the national working committee to freeze the party’s account in Ekiti with immediate effect.

“That Senator Olujimi should constitute Advisory committee in all the 16 local governments to midwife reconciliation and also Finance to strategise and mobilise funds for the party.

“That we appeal to our members who are aggrieved or sitting on the fence to come back to the party. Again, we stand by our party national exco , our presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku , the various candidates in Ekiti State and promise to vote for them substantially,” it concluded.

Senator Olujimi said ex-Governor Ayo Fayose was excluded from the meeting because he had just been released from detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial fraud.

“We knew what he might have passed through by staying in detention and we know it might not be easy for him to attend this meeting, so there is no faction at all in our party. My being appointed the Leader does not mean there is crisis.

“The very day he left office was the day he was summoned by EFCC and we knew the rigour he had passed through”, she added.

She added further: “We are going to work together, I mean with former governor Fayose. What we are doing is that, we don’t want to allow his exit from office to mean the end of PDP in Ekiti.

“So, let me assure our supporters that we are on the same page with former Governor Fayose and other stakeholders. We are not factionalised and we shall work hard and ensure will win in next year’s election,” she said.

Buhari orders arrest of elites making inciting utterances

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerian elites to stop misleading the people through their unguarded utterances. Buhari, who is the visitor to University of Uyo, gave this warning at the 24th convocation ceremony of the institution on Saturday. The President, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Yakasai, Director of Corporate Communications, National University Commission (NUC), said that development and progress could not thrive in a hate-filled and divisive society.

He said universities as home of great thinkers, should give guidance to the communities to enable the people to make informed decisions as the country approaches the 2019 general elections. He said that the Federal Government would not condone or tolerate incendiary remarks from any person or group of persons which were meant to cause fear and spread hate in the country.

Buhari said that the federal government would continue to do its best to ensure the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property in the country.

“At this point, I want to be very clear and equivocal, that the Federal Government will never condone or tolerate incendiary remarks from any person or group of persons, which are meant to harass, intimidate, cause fear and spread hate, no matter how highly placed such a person is. “Law enforcement agencies should fish out people who make inciting statements, instigate civil disobedience, broadcast hate speeches or stir strife, riot and rebellion and bring them to book. “We should continue to live together as brothers and sisters,” Buhari said. The president called on the fresh graduates to look beyond leaders who have failed themselves and the nation but choose their heroes from among those who believe in the progress of Nigeria and emulate those who are honest and work hard in their profession. Buhari said there was need for the curriculum of Nigerian universities to be diversified to include entrepreneurial skills to help graduates employ themselves and others after graduation.

Previous governments were corrupt – Osinbajo

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday restated that the Federal Government had achieved a lot in all sectors of human development and democratic process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo spoke at the 2017/2018 Barewa Old Boys Association annual lecture in Sokoto.

“There is a lot of impunity that have been defined to public office in Nigeria, especially grand corruption which had been sanctioned under the present administration. “I said grand corruption because our society had a problem of extended corruption affecting all government institutions and today has never been the case.

“Nigeria had in the past faced so much challenges of corruption in public offices with a lot of government money being stolen by individuals which the present administration blocked such instances,” he said. Osinbajo added that the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari had recorded tremendous success in the areas of security, agriculture, judiciary, legislature, among others.

“There is not a single state in Nigeria that is not undergoing a measure of FG project under the ministry of power, works and Housing. “More so, clearly we have not done all we want to see, but if we are to ask our brothers and sisters from the North-East of what Boko-Haram seize 14 local government in their state, you will agree with me that they have seen some change.

“If we are to ask the farmers enjoying the credit and support by the FG programmes and getting a more suitable supply of fertilizer, perhaps they may say that they have seen some change. “The over 500,000 graduates which have been employed under N-power programme, which is direct government employment, have been training in various fields to be useful for themselves.

“Also traders who are getting direct credit from the government to support their small scale businesses, they may say that we have seen some change,” he said.

The vice president further restated that the relationship between the executive and the National Assembly remained cordial, as the executive had never stepped into the affairs of legislative conduct.

“There had never been any attempt under the present administration to stamp the legislature as was experienced in the past administration. “Moreover, Nigeria had five Senate Presidents between 1999 and 2007, which is very easy to forget. All of this and many more took place in very recent history.

“So, you will agree with me that a lot had changed at least with regard to political understanding,” Osinbajo added.

FG Places 1.6m Nigerians with HIV/AIDS on Treatment

nze ihunanyaOctober 22, 2018

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has disclosed that the Federal Government has enrolled one million, sixty-six thousand, two hundred and twenty-three (1,066,223) people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) for treatment.

Prof. Adewole, maintained that 54,167 of the said figures are children adding that about 60,000 of the said people are domiciled in Abia and Taraba states.

Three million and two hundred people are estimated to be living with HIV/ AIDS in the country.

The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja at the national stakeholders’ consensus meeting on the implementation of the one year roadmap of the National Treatment PMTCT Programme (NTPP).

He said: “I inform you that since the beginning of the National HIV response about 1,066,223 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs), including 54,167 children (FMOH Dec 2017) have been placed on treatment with support from donors, development partners and Nigeria. Nigeria, through NACA, is currently providing treatment services to about 60,000 PLHIV in Abia and Taraba states.”

Adewole, therefore, challenged the private sector, corporate organisations, multinational organisations and independent bodies to invest in HIV management and contribute toward a sustainable healthcare delivery.

“As you all know, HIV is a condition that challenges us all. The cost of HIV management, including procurement of commodities, training programmes and strengthening of infrastructure is enormous, especially now that donor support is dwindling globally.

“The ability to provide cost-effective and performance-based intervention is a key strategy for a more efficient HIV/AIDS service delivery at all levels in the country,” he stated.

Adewole harped on the need for the country to take more responsibility in HIV response programme, if the citizens are to actualise the global year 2020 target of reaching 90% of people living with the disease.

“As the global community moves towards year 2020 end game for reaching the 90-90-90 targets, it has become imperative that Nigeria takes on more responsibilities in its HIV response, particularly in her efforts to increase ownership, ensure sustainability of the HIV response and consolidate the gains of all her previous initiatives.”

He explained that based on this, Nigeria “with support from her partners developed a one year roadmap to galvanise the country’s HIV treatment efforts towards achieving the 90-90-90 targets by 2020 with clear government leadership and ownership as well as a focus on increasing the number of PLHIV on treatment”.

“The programme is already up and running in 7+1 states which is termed the high burden states. The states are Abia, Taraba, Benue, Cross River, Nasarawa, Lagos, Kaduna and FCT.

Presently, almost all the states mentioned above are implementing Fast-track Initiative, which covers the TEST and TREAT strategy.

In order for us to achieve the mandate of NTPP programme, additional 50,000 new patients must to be placed on treatment yearly in line with the 90-90-90 Global Target,” he added.

The minister also announced that the Federal Government is determined to ensure that the programme is successfully implemented.

Uniport academic calendar

University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT academic calendar for the 2018/2019 academic session has been released by the management of the school. The calendar released is for UNIPORT Undergraduate students and it contains the schedule of academic events for 2018/19 session.

It contains the 2018/2019 UNIPORT resumption date for freshers and returning students. On the calendar also are, UNIPORT online course registration deadline for both freshers and returning [full time] students.

UNIPORT Academic Calendar
UNIPORT Academic Calendar For 2018/2019 Academic Session (First Semester)

APPROVED REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR THE FIRST SEMESTER OF 2018/2019 SESSION (FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS)

Resumption of the University for the First Semester of 2018/19 academic session has been fixed for Monday, November 12 with pre-resumption registration for fresh students.

The pre-resumption registration exercise would last until Friday, November 16, 2018.

Both fresh and returning students are expected to arrive on campus on Sunday, November 18, preparatory for the commencement of lectures on November 26.

Meanwhile, registration of Returning Students will commence on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic matters, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, made the disclosure in a statement conveying the approved Academic Calendar for the 2018/2019 session, which was made available to UniPort News.

According to the calendar, the University would close on Friday, December 21 and resume on Saturday, January 5, 2019 to enable both staff and student observe the Christmas Break.

Orientation exercise for fresh students is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2019, while Friday, January 25 would mark the end of registration for all students.

The 40th Matriculation Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, paving way for First Semester examinations that would commence from March 18 to April 12.

The combined 32nd Convocation Ceremony has been scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2019.

Lectures for the Second Semester will begin on April 29 and end on July 26, 2019.

Students’ Union Week which would feature election, is to hold between Monday, July 29 and Saturday, August 3, 2019.

The Second Semester Examinations are to take place between Monday, August 12 and Friday, September 6, 2019.

Also, Sandwich programme for the academic session would hold from Monday, July 1 to September 21, 2019.

Meanwhile, registration for students who would choose the second installment plan would end on Friday, May 31, 2019.

We wish all students of UNIPORT a prosperous 2018/2019 academic session

Bamigboye, Former Kwara Military Governor, Dies at 78

The first military governor of Kwara, retired Brig.-Gen. David Bamigboye, is dead.

The younger brother to the deceased, retired Col. Theophilus Bamigboye, confirmed the death on Friday on the telephone.

He said the late military governor died on Friday during a brief illness in Lagos.

NAN reports that the deceased was born on Dec. 7, 1940, and was the military governor of Kwara between May 1967 and July 1975.

He was credited with establishing the Kwara State Polytechnic in 1972.

Ambode’s fate sealed as all 337 Lagos ward chairmen endorse Sanwo-Olu

nze ihunanyaSeptember 23, 2018jubilation in osun over the lead of PDP over all other parties

337 ward chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State under the auspices of Conference of Ward Chairmen have endorsed Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as their governorship candidate ahead of Saturday’s primary election.

The group is made of ward chairmen from all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Authorities in Lagos State.

The endorsement took place at Martino’s Hall in Ikeja, during a meeting attended by Sanwo-olu, some leaders of the party and grassroots mobilizers.

Govenror Akinwunmi Ambode now appears to be totally isolated.

The Mandate Movement, a group loyal to APC national leader, Bola Tinubu; 57 chairmen of local government and council development areas; party chieftains, PSP operators among others, had declared Sanwo-Olu as their candidate.

Director General of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organization (BOSCO), Mr. Tayo Ayinde, in his remarks, recalled Sanwo-Olu’s achievements while he served in different capacities as Special Adviser and Commissioner at various times.

Ayinde assured everyone present that Sanwo-Olu will not abandon the party and its members when he eventually becomes the governor.

An APC leader, Cardinal James Odumbaku said Sanwo-Olu government “will be a listening and an inclusive one especially for members of the party whose input will be paramount and will form part of decision making process.’

Speaking, Sanwo-Olu thanked the ward chairmen for the endorsement.

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke in Yoruba, reminded them of their role to ensure that APC win both the state and federal elections in 2019.

Commenting on behalf of the chairmen, Mr. Shola Oshobajo assured Mr. Sanwo-Olu of his members’ support before, during and after the primary elections

Osun Results: PDP Supporters Jubilate as Adeleke Leads Oyetola

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, is leading the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola in the total number of votes scored in the results announced so far.

Out of the results of the 15 local government areas announced so far, Adeleke polled 126,475 votes while Oyetola trails him with 110,775 votes.

The results of the remaining local governments are being read but supporters of the PDP candidate have claimed victory and are celebrating in front of the INEC office in Osogbo where the results are being announced.

The result of Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas which have the highest number of votes are yet to be announced.

Osun decides: Shehu Sani reveals what election’s outcome means

The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has described the outcome of the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State as a ‘lesson and a warning.’

Sani made the statement on his Twitter page while reacting to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaring the governorship election in Osun State inconclusive.

INEC said Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled about 254,698 ahead of Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who garnered 254,345 votes.

This decision followed cancellation of votes in Orolu Local Government, Ife South LG, Ife North LG and Osogbo LG.

Sani wrote, “Osun election means four things; a lesson, a message, a warning and an opportunity to reset the meters and clock of our confidence and complacency.

“Osun election is a laboratory report of our sugar level and blood pressure.”

“Anyone who mentions my name is fooling you, I don't have any anointed candidate'' - Bola Tinubu tells APC members

Former Lagos state governor and APC National leader, Bola Tinubu, has informed the state party members that he does not have any anointed candidate that will become governor of the state come 2019.

Tinubu who has been alleged to have sworn that the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, will not be returning in 2019, said this when he spoke at a party meeting recently.

''Anyone who comes to me, kneeling down to be anointed is wasting his time. When I went to the Senate, it was the party members that voted for me in the Primaries, in 1999 when I wanted to be Governor, it was party members that voted for me to get the ticket. Anyone who mentions my name is fooling you, I don't have any anointed candidate, vote for whoever you want'' he said

Watch videos of him speaking below

Babajide Fadoju@BabajideFadoju

· Sep 22, 2018

"Anyone who comes to me, kneeling down to be anointed is wasting his time. When I went to the Senate, it was the party members that voted for me in the Primaries, in 1999 when I wanted to be Governor, it was party members that voted for me to get the ticket”.

Babajide Fadoju

@BabajideFadoju

“Anyone who mentions my name is fooling you, I don't have any anointed candidate, vote for whoever you want. Primaries la ma se”
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Buhari reacts as Tanzania ferry disaster kills 126

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with President John Magufuli and the people of Tanzania on the ferry disaster in the south of Lake of Victoria.

It was learnt that no fewer than 126 were killed and hundreds missing after a ferry capsized on Thursday on Lake Victoria in Tanzania,

Reacting, Buhari in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu expressed sympathy over the incident.

He said, the prayers and thoughts of all Nigerians are with the families and friends of the bereaved even as rescue efforts by emergency services continue.

Buhari prayed that God Almighty will comfort all those who lost relatives and friends in the accident and grant eternal rest to the departed souls.

Buhari’s minister, Shittu says he couldn’t afford N22.5m for APC forms, speaks on NYSC controversy

nze ihunanyaSeptember 22, 2018APC CAN'T SURVIVE ANOTHER FOUR YEAR

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu on Saturday declared that contrary to insinuation that he was rich as a Minister under President Muhammadu Buhari, he could not afford to pay the N22.5m All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial forms.

Shittu, who insisted that there was no way he could afford to pay the gubernatorial nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling APC pegged at N22.5m, added that he could not purchase the forms until those who believed in him came to his aid to buy the forms.

The APC chieftain, who is a gubernatorial aspirant under APC in Oyo state, made these revelations while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday.

Shittu, while responding to a question on the exorbitant fees charged by the party, said he was a poor man and there was no way he could pay such a ‘huge money’.

Shittu who purchased the forms through two of his aides, Saheed Oladele, Head of Adebayo Shittu Strategy Committee and Malik Aderogba, Head of Special Tasks for Adebayo Shittu’s Campaign Organization penultimate Monday said that he can’t have such money to buy the forms.

He said, “It is inconceivable that I can have such money to buy the nomination form.

“Those very close to me knew this fact. That I cannot on my own put down N22.5million. As a minister under President Muhammadu Buhari, there was no way I could pay such money. This is not a PDP government and you cant have money like those under the PDP. I earn less than a million naira a month and there are people who depend on me for survival”.

The minister insisted that it was those people who believed in him that bought the forms for him.

He added, “It was those who believe that the best thing to happen to Oyo State is for Adebayo Shittu to become Governor that paid for the form. I thank God for the opportunities I have had in life and the greatest being the Minister.”

Shittu, while speaking on the next Saturday’s gubernatorial primary election in the state, declared that all registered members of the APC in the state would vote.

He insisted on the direct primary option and appealed to all the party members to prepare head on for it on Saturday.

He added that, “I never pretended I did service. For me, and undoubtedly too, serving in the Oyo State House of Assembly at the time was on a higher service to my fatherland. And the matter was taken to the court and it was thrown out. Late Chief Bola Ige was my counsel then.”

2019: Nigeria can’t survive another four years under APC – Council boss

Council chairman of Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State, Barr. Clement Odoh at the weekend accused the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari of domesticating corruption in Nigeria.

Odoh, who made this known while interacting with journalists in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state, equally alleged that Nigeria cannot survive another four years under the ruling APC government.

He said: “The two major things the APC campaigned against the former President, Goodluck Jonathan: is the issue of corruption and insecurity but it is regrettable that the same problems are now the order of the day.

“President Buhari presented the picture that he is the Messiah, that when he comes corruption will be killed and insecurity will be brought to a stand still. And it turnout that we were offered a mirage. Since the APC took over the federal government, corruption has grown geometrically.

“Corruption has become a culture and in the other hand, insecurity has grown to a greater proportion, such that Nigerians are frustrated and nobody is talking about insecurity because they are tired of complaining.

“People are witnessing a high level of frustration and tiredness about the whole thing happening under this administration. Indeed, we are in a failed nation under this administration.

“Nigerians are in need of someone who will rescue them from APC. They believe that it would come from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2019 general election. The damage and injuries inflected on the people of this country for the past three years ago are too high.”

The council chairman noted that Nigerians have suffered so much pains and have nothing to celebrate under the President Buhari administration.

“The only solution to this problems is PDP. Nigeria cannot survive for another four years under APC. However, there is nothing to celebrate under APC except in the negative. And that is the truth about the situation in Nigeria,” he added.

NASS crisis: Why less than 73 APC Senators can remove Saraki as Senate President – Senator Omo-Agege

The Senator representing Delta Central at the National Assembly, Ovie Omo-Agege, has revealed why the Senate President, Bukala Saraki could be removed by less than 73 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the Senate.

The lawmaker also said it was the position of the ruling party that Saraki should be impeached.

He said the only reason Saraki became the Senate President was because he was a member of the APC, adding that now that he has left, the ruling party has the right to remove him.

He recalled that the day Saraki was elected Senate President, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had more members on the floor.

Speaking in an interview with Sun, the Senator said the PDP lawmakers decided to elect Saraki as Senate President simply because he belonged to the ruling party which also has majority of members.

According to him, “It is the position of the ruling party, the APC. And this was not a decision we reached lightly, we felt that the only reason Saraki became Senate President was because he was a member of APC.

“Some people have argued that under section 60(1a) of the Constitution that any senator could be Senate President, that he does not have to be a member of a political party.

“That is not correct because that is the language of that section of the law but the spirit and intent of that provision is that, that senator has to be a member of the majority party at the Senate.

“If that was not the case, the day Saraki was elected, I believe June 9, 2015 when he was elected Senate President, the PDP, the opposition party had more members on the floor.

“Therefore, if it was open to any senator, then PDP could have presented a candidate for Senate President and produce the Senate President.

“You only had about 12 APC senators on the floor that day because majority of the APC senators were at the convention centre supposedly waiting for a meeting with Mr. President.

“So if it is true as it is now being canvassed by the opposition that any senator could be Senate President and that Saraki did not get the position because of APC, then the question to ask is why did PDP not present a candidate for Senate President on that day?

“The reason they did not do that is because they knew it was not proper for the minority party to present a candidate for the office of Senate President.”

2019: David Mark can unite Nigeria – Jonathan