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The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has said it would join the indefinite strike championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the controversy trailing the proposed N30,000 new minimum wage.

MHWUN President, Biobelomoye Josiah, made this known on Monday at a news conference in Abuja.

He said members of the union would withdraw their services and consequently shutdown operations in their various places of work by midnight today in compliance with the directives issued to affiliate unions by the NLC.

Josiah also said the government should be held responsible for any hardships that may occur owing to their withdrawal of services in hospitals nationwide.

He explained that the tripartite agreement which arrived at the N30,000.00 minimum wage increment has been jettisoned by the government, adding that the lacked the political will to review and implement the legitimate demands of the Nigerian workers:

His words: “You may recall our National Body, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the organised labour have called on all workers in Nigeria to gear up for an indefinite nationwide strike which will commence Mid-night today.

“This is as a result of the failure to implement the constitutional requiremnt of the upward review of the national minimum wage which is long over due.

“We call on our members to remain resolute and be committed to the effective and orderly implementation of the nationwide strike commencing Tuesday except the government has a change of heart before then. It’s very obvious that the N18,000.00 National Minimum wage is no longer feasible and it is a trivialisation of a living wage.

“The government should be held responsible for the hardship that might occur (in hospitals) during the strike which ab initio should have been avoided, if the right thing had been done.

“Therefore we call on the government to increase the minimum wage to N30,000 which is a compromise figure agreed by the government and labour,” he added

N30,000 Minimum wage: What NYSC told corps members about labour strike

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has warned serving corps members against joining the strike declared by organised labour unions over the controversy trailing the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

Director-General, Brigadier General Suleiman Kazaure gave this warning on Monday while addressing 2018 Batch “C” Stream One Corps Members at Ogun State Orientation Camp in Sagamu.

A statement by NYSC’s Director of Press, Mrs Adenike Aderemi quoted Kazaure as urging corps members nationwide to be law-abiding and respect the constitution of the country as responsible leaders of today and tomorrow.

He said: “there is no provision for strike action in NYSC Act but services that will uphold the corporate entity of the nation. Any Corps Member that violates the rules and regulations of the NYSC Scheme would be sanctioned accordingly.”

Speaking further, General Kazaure promised that NYSC Management would continue to strive for the improved welfare and security of all Corps Members.

He used the forum to appeal to the Corps Members to embrace skill acquisition in order to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment as it would enable the become wealth creators and employers of labour.

Ogun State Coordinator, Mrs Josephine Bakare in her brief remarks, lamented the inadequate accommodation for Corps Members and Camp Officials and the need to expand the lecture hall in order to accommodate more Corps Members during lectures and other social activities.

She also disclosed that the attention of the State Government has been drawn to non-payment of State allowance to Corps Members.

“Corps Members with serious health challenges were given instant relocation. 21 nursing mothers and 4 Corps Members got instant relocation on health grounds”, Bakare added.

A total of 2,464 Corps Members comprising 1,207 males and 1,257 females registered in Ogun Camp.

Gov Shettima swears in 21 commissioners, appoints new SAs, Health Board CMD [Full list]

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has approved the allocation of ministries ‎to 21 new commissioners.

The officials were sworn-in on Monday at the Government House in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa announced the portfolios in a statement obtained by EMIRATCO POST.

Shettima has also approved the appointment of Dr Mohammed Aminu Ghuluze as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Borno State Health Management Board.

Shuwa said the Governor further appointed three Special Advisers, including two former members of house of Representatives, Shettima Shehu and Abba Dawud Lawan as well as Ibrahim Mohammed Askirama.

The SSG explained the new CMD, Dr Ghuluze, is to replace the immediate past CMD, Dr Salisu Kwaya‎bura who has been sworn-in as Commissioner of Health and Human Services, following his appointment by Governor Shettima.

Until his appointment, the new CMD, who is a surgeon, was the director of emergency and humanitarian services at the Borno State Ministry of Health.

The SSG added that the three newly appointed Advisers will be sworn-in on Tuesday at the Government House in Maiduguri while the CMD’s appointment takes immediate effect.

UPDATED: PHOTOS of WAEC Presenting Cert to President Buhari Today

The West African Examination Council has presented attestation certificate and confirmation of school certificate result to President Muhammadu Buhari.

ASUU embarks on indefinite strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike with immediate effect.

The decision was announced at the end of an emergency meeting on Sunday night.

This came just as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is also preparing to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, October 6th, 2018 over a disagreement between the organised labour union and the governments on the N30,000 minimum wage.

Briefing newsmen after the closed-door meeting, ASUU president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike will be total and with immediate effect.

He listed the reasons for their action to include: Failure on the side of the government to honour the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed between the union and the federal government in 2017.

He also mentioned that renegotiation with ASUU which the government intentionally ignored with impunity was part of the reasons for the strike.

Professor Ogunyemi, therefore, directed all the state chapters to ensure full compliance until their demands are met.

BREAKING: Labour shuns meeting with FG over new minimum wage

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

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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