ASUU STRIKE: STUDENTS HAVE TO STAY LONG AT HOME, AS DSS ARREST STRIKE LEADERS

The government seem not to be ready to negotiate with ASUU and they have even decided to take hard measures against the lecturers.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapters of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and Bauchi State University, Gadau, Dr Adamu Babayo.

The Vice Chairman of the association, Dr Ibrahim Maina, condemned the action at a joint press conference on Sunday in Bauchi.

Maina alleged that Babayo was detained by the DSS operatives on Sunday, when he was invited to the department’s headquarters in Bauchi.

He said: “the ASUU Chairman, Adamu Babayo was invited through a Short Service Message (SMS) which is not a formal way of invitation.

“On Friday he received a text message requesting him to report to the DSS office in Bauchi on Sunday. He went to the office together with some of the executives of the association.

“The DSS operatives requested other members of his entourage to leave and detained him in their office,” he said.

Maina said that the action was a violation of fundamental human rights and queried the DSS to explain the reasons behind the arrest.

“Let them explain to us why he was detained. That will give us the idea of what needs to be done.

“If the detention is in connection with the ongoing strike; it is a nationwide strike embarked on by the universities in the country and not a peculiar or personal problem.

What wrong have we done by pressing for our rights through the strike,” he queried.

Maina maintained that industrial action is the rights of a worker as enshrined in the civil service act, which enable workers to press home their demands.

However, a DSS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, denied the allegation, insisting that Babayo was not detained but invited to answer some questions.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUU had on Nov. 5 embarked on an indefinite strike to press for implementation of the agreement reached with Federal Government in 2017.

It this move a wise one by the government

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2019: Ndigbo happy with Buhari on road construction – Ohanaeze

The apex Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Monday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari on the area of road construction in the region.

The National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro made this known while briefing journalists in Abakaliki.

He, however, stated that the South east region will soon take a stand on who to support in the forthcoming general election.

Isiguzoro noted that Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are good presidential candidates but Igbo will soon decide on who to vote in the 2019 election.

He, however, called on Buhari to fulfill his pledge on reactivation of the famous Enugu Coal Mine, which he made during his campaign tour in 2015.

“In 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari was seeking our votes, he did promise us that he would reactivate the ‘Enugu Coal Mine’ but till date the place is still moribund.

“And on who to vote as President come 2019, I want to state here categorically that we are yet to take a stand”, he stressed.

Isiguzoro also condemned the slow pace of work by contractors handling the ongoing rehabilitation of some federal roads in the region, noting that the delay had claimed so many lives.

“I must tell you that the people of South east region is happy with President Buhari’s ingenuity particularly in the area of road rehabilitation, like the Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Okigwe and Port Harcourt highways.

“So, we are using this opportunity to ask the contractors to hasty up because Christmas season is just around the corner. Another reason is that many lives have been lost on road accidents along those roads”, he added.

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El-Zakzaky: Iranians threaten to overthrow Buhari

Some protesters in Iran have threatened to overthrow the government of President Muhammadfu Buhari in order to secure the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Zakyzaky has been in detention since December 2015 when his followers clashed with some soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna state.

The sect leader has been granted bail but the federal government has refused to free him.

In a trending video, the Iranians with different placards chanted “Free free Zakzaky”.

The leader of the protesters criticised the Buhari government over the continued detention of leader.

“The judge of Nigeria ordered that Zakzaky and his members to be freed but the government didn’t listen to that and so we are calling on them to free Zakzaky,” he said.

“The government of Nigeria should know that it cannot keep Zakzaky forever in the detention and in jail, In Sha Allah, by overthrowing the tyrannical government, we will free Zakzaky and teach Nigeria and its people a good lesson.”

Last week, the IMN lambasted the Nigeria Police for describing Shiites as terrorists.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International said its investigation shows that the horrific use of excessive force by soldiers and police led to the killing of at least 45 supporters of the IMN in two days.

AI disclosed that its researchers visited five different locations in Abuja and Nasarawa state where wounded IMN supporters were receiving treatment, including two locations where bodies were deposited.

“We have seen a shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force by soldiers and police against IMN members”, said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement on Wednesday.

“Video footage and eyewitness testimonies consistently show that the Nigerian military dispersed peaceful gatherings by firing live ammunition without warning, in clear violation of Nigerian and international law.

“Those injured were shot in different parts of the body – head, neck, back, chest, shoulder, legs, arms – and some of them had multiple gunshot wounds. This pattern clearly shows soldiers and police approached IMN processions not to restore public order, but to kill.”

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Kano Assembly minority leader dumps PDP for PRP

The Minority leader Kano State House of Assembly representing Kura/Garun Malam constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad-Chiromawa has defected from the PDP to the PRP.

Chiromawa announced his defection while briefing newsmen on Monday in Kano.

According to him, he defected in order to join his political god father, Alhaji Salihu Sagir-Takai, who recently dumped the PDP for PRP.

“PDP is no longer politically habitable, that is why Iam leaving the party to better my political career and also to avoid being trapped in a political cross-fire looking the party”, NAN quoted him as saying.

He, however, added that his decision was due to the gross impunity and power tussle bedevilling the two major parties in the state.

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2019: Over 1.3million PVCs collected in Ondo – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ondo State has disclosed that a total of 1,372,158 Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, have been collected by electorates in Ondo State.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Dr. Rufus Akeju who addressed newsmen on Monday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, a total of 364,265 PVCs were still uncollected.

The REC noted that as at last registration, a total of 1,736,423 voters had been registered across the 3009 polling units in the state.

According to the REC, the display of preliminary register of voters would commence between November 6th and November 12th 2018 in all the polling units across the state.

Stating that the exercise was in line with the provision of section 19 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, Dr. Akeju emphasized that PVCs will be available at the Registration Area for collection by those who were yet to collect theirs.

“This will be done at all the polling units across the state. Voters are expected to visit the polling units where they registered to check the details of their registration and complain if there is any misrepresentation in the displayed register against their names.

“The Revision Officers (REVO) will be located at the Registration Area Collation Centers to hear complaints from voters on their registration details.

“Members of the public are enjoined to please avail themselves of this opportunity to ensure a very clean register. They are also enjoined to maintain orderliness throughout the exercise,” he said.

He added that the last two days of the exercise would be for the claims and objections which would be handled by the Revision Officers.

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Senate moves to investigate NNPC over alleged diversion of NLNG’s N378b

The Senate has resolved to probe the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru on resumption.

This is over the alleged diversion of N378 billion dividend from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, to defray the cost of under-recovery in the importation of fuel.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki disclosed this in a statement signed by his media adviser and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

He said “Senate on resumption of plenary we will further probe the claims made before the Senator Ahmad Lawan’s Adhoc Committee by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on how and why the corporation was diverting the dividend from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) to defray the cost of under-recovery in the importation of fuel”.

Saraki who gave this hint while reacting to questions from newsmen at the Ilorin Airport, admitted that he had received series of telephone calls on the issue by many concerned Nigerians and others who wanted to know the position of the Senate on the issues raised by the NNPC’s GMD before the Ahmad Lawan’s Adhoc Committee.

The Senate President averred that the disclosure by the NNPC boss in response to enquiries by the Senate adhoc committee probing the issue of illegal payment of subsidy on fuel, called for further investigation by the Senate and also showed that as alleged in a motion moved earlier by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, a lot of illegal and unapproved spendings are going on in the petroleum corporation.

In his words, “Let me assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We are confident that the adhoc committee will do a thorough job. All the issues will be unearthed. That is why when the Senate set up investigative committees on issues, we want Nigerians to have confidence in us that we do not act because we want to embark on a wild goose chase. There must be some serious issues to be looked into. The revelations by the NNPC’s GMD have justified the need for this investigation and they have shown that we are acting in good faith.

“When in my ruling on the motion raised by Senator Olujimi, I insisted that we want a transparent, honest and non-partisan investigation on the fuel subsidy issue, it was clear to me and my colleagues that there are certain irregularities being perpetrated and we should let Nigerians know the truth. That is why we set up the committee in the first place and to demonstrate the seriousness we attach to the issue, we decided that the adhoc committee should be led by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“We are however shocked that the NNPC’s GMD was claiming that the illegal diversion of dividends from the NLNG which should be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of funding the fuel subsidy was done ‘in compliance with the National Assembly directive that NNPC as the supplier of last resort should, and has, maintained robust petrol supply’.

“So, if the National Assembly called on NNPC to carry out its legitimate duty of ensuring adequate fuel supply to Nigerians, the GMD logically thinks the corporation by that call has the license to perpetrate illegality, spend money without approval and violate appropriation laws. It is my belief that if the National Assembly said the corporation should perform its duty effectively as a supplier of fuel to Nigerians without exposing people to needless suffering, that ought to be done within the ambit of the law.

“This investigation will require the GMD to produce the approval given by the National Assembly and other necessary approving bodies authorizing the NNPC to divert the dividend from the NLNG investment, which ought to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund belonging to the three tiers of government, for the payment of fuel subsidy.”

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Wike blasts EFCC, insists commission won’t investigate Rivers govt

Governor of Rivers Dtate, Nyesom Wike says he will resist any attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate his officials and adminstration.

Wike said this while accusing the anti-graft agency of engaging in media trial in the prosecution of corruption cases.

The Rivers Governor made the accusation on Monday on Channels Television’s Road Map 2019.

According to him, the masses were tired of the alleged persecution of some individuals.

He further called for collaborative efforts in curbing what he described as impunity in the anti-corruption war.

Wike added: “EFCC are not working, they cannot do it on their own. That is the problem we are having. You cannot just come and say this man is corrupt.

“Then the whole world will come and say that they are doing their work. We are tired of that.

“My administration will resist attempts by the commission to investigate my government or summon its officials.”

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N30,000 Minimum wage: Medical, health workers vow to shutdown hospitals

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.“ .

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