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Oyo APC stakeholders meet in Ibadan, vow to unseat Makinde

Peter Ayoade, Ibadan

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Thursday assembled in Ibadan to address all the crises in the party to form a formidable force in order to unseat Makinde.

The meeting which was attended by leaders of the APC from all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State was held at Premier Hotel, Mokola Hill, Ibadan. The reconciliation meeting was chaired by Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, former Chairman of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (2011-2015).

The APC stakeholders urged their supporters and other members of the party to see themselves as one and come together to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

Recall the APC lost the 2019 gubernatorial election to Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, the members are doing everything possible to unseat him in 2023.

The reconciliation meeting had in attendance Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Adeolu Akande, a former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Sen. Soji Akanbi, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin and Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi.

Other APC stalwarts at the meeting were Chief Goke Oyetunji, Barrister Niyi Akintola, Alhaji Fatal Ibikunle, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, Hon. Bosun Oladele, Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi, Ope Salami, Gbade Ojo and Yekinni Popoola former ALGON chairman.

In the communique issued at the meeting which was signed by a former Secretary to the State Government who is the Chairman of the communique drafting committee, Alhaji Waheed Olajide and Chairman of NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande who is the Secretary of the communique drafting committee, the stakeholders admonished various groups in the party to sheath their swords and work for the unity of the party to unseat the ruling party.

“All contentious issues that led to the crisis in the party were examined and addressed.

“The members were informed that there would soon be fresh registration of all members at a date to be announced.

“They were informed that the party will soon hold congresses to elect new executives in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The party will thereafter hold a convention latest by January 2021.

“The reports by the representatives to the meetings in Abuja were deliberated upon and the consensus is that every party member should support the peace initiative of the National Caretaker Committee. The meeting accepted all the proposals for peace as contained in the reports of representatives to the meetings in Abuja.

“Another meeting of selected leaders and representatives of stakeholders in the party in Oyo State is scheduled to hold in Ibadan on Sunday September 20.2020. It will be hosted by Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State.”

Following the submission of the reports, the stakeholders delibrated over it and accepted all the proposals.

They also mandated the representatives to the Abuja meetings to select the three members that will work with others on the fresh registration of members adding that all members of the APC to shun any action that could derail the peace initiative in the party.

UI will become Solution centre to Nigeria’s Problems’, Aderinto, others promise community

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Ibadan and a top contender in the Vice Chancellorship race Professor Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto on Thursday promised to make the premier University solution center to Nigeria’s problems.

According to him, Nigeria will be running to UI for solutions to its problem while promising to ensure that the premier university contributes to policy development, debates and engagements.

He stated this while presenting his programs and visions at the community forum alongside 17-other candidates organised by the ASUU, SSANU, NASU and Student Union Chaired by Dr Yemi Faroumbi.

No fewer than fifteen Vice Chancellorship candidates jostling to become the 13th vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan made presentations where they chorused underfunding and infrastructure limitation as impediments to the actualisation of full potentials of the Premier University.

They included Professors Adeyinka Aderinto, Remi-Raji, Kayode Adebowale, Bunmi Olaopa, Olatunde Kalilu, C.O.O Kolawole, Raheem Lawal, Oladele Layiwola, Olusegun Ademowo, Akeem Fawehinmi, Babatunde Lateef Adeleke, Kolapo Hamzat among others.

They all identified the problems of welfare, instability in academic calendar, problems of research, technology and electricity but promised to aggressively turn the tide to reposition the university of Ibadan to academic leadership in Africa and globally.

In his presentation, immediate past Deputy Vice chancellor (academic), Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, who promised to pursue aggressive fund mobilisation stated that UI will be repositioned to professor solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

According to him, UI will be positioned to present position papers on government policies and offer workable solutions to the problems of corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

Professor Kayode Adebowale who is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) promised to encourage town and gown and strengthen internally generated revenue.

Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade vowed to pursue proactive welfare system which will discourage industrial strike and engender collaborative re-focusing research for a post-oil economy.

While professor Kolapo Hamzat promised technology driven and research intensive university which will empower graduates to be self sufficient.

Professors Alonge, Kalilu, Salau, Raheem Lawal and Babatunde Adeleke all promised to reinvigorate the university as a world class and truly international institution which can compete globally.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Yemi Faroumbi, charged whoever emerges as the 13th Vice Chancellor not to “abandon yesterday and today” but to consolidate and build on the strength of yesterday and today.

According to him, the University of Ibadan should offer fresh hope for Nigeria and adding that the best of University of Ibadan must be its tomorrow and not her past and “must add value to this institution”.

COVID-19: Poly Ibadan meets Landlords ahead of Academic Resumption

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

 

The management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan

has held a crucial meeting with stakeholders and landlords in the school area ahead of academic resumption.
The meeting, which sought and secured the support of the landlords on issues of security and COVID-19 pandemic, was held at the North Campus Assembly Hall of the institution on Tuesday
Rector of the institution, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi, while addressing representatives of communities’ landlord associations noted that the infectious nature of the coronavirus pandemic had made it mandatory for the communities to also put in place safety measures to protect themselves and their tenants, which include the returning students.
He disclosed that a 15-man task force Committee on COVID-19 had been constituted by the management as part of preparations for the reopening of the institution.
“The 15-member committee headed by the polytechnic’s Director of Medical Services is saddled with the responsibility of preventing and curtailing the spread of the virus” he said.
The rector noted that the committee has among its eight-point term of reference: the prescription of minimum health and safety threshold required for resumption of academic activities, to identify and monitor specific areas of the institution that may be prone to the pandemic and come up with recommendations on how to handle such situation.

The stakeholders and landlords promised to persuade all neighbouring communities to fumigate their houses, especially the houses where students staying off-campus reside. They also pledged to cooperate with the management on issues of security and forward complaints to the Students’ Affairs Office for necessary action.

In attendance at the meeting were landlords from Sango, Alemuloke, Iso pako, Ijokodo, Agbaje, Apete, Awotan, Patako, Ariyibi, Arola, Olomo, among others.

Gov. El-Rufai Signs Law to Castrate Rapists In Kaduna

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has signed into law the amended penal code 2020 which prescribes surgical castration for a rapist upon conviction.

The development was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the governor’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, after the amended law was passed by the Kaduna State House of Assembly last week.

The state House of Assembly noted that “with the new law, anyone convicted of rape will have his organ surgically removed so that even upon completion of his jail term, he will not be able to commit the crime again.

It added that “in addition to the castration of the convicted rapist, the new law recommends 21 years imprisonment for the rape of an adult and life imprisonment for the rape of a minor.”

While signing the law, governor El-Rufai noted that in addition, such convicts will be listed in the sex offenders register to be published by the Attorney-General of the state.

He stated that these drastic penalties are required to help further protect children from such serious crimes.

See details of the amended Penal Code below.

The Kaduna State Penal Code (amendment) law 2020 amends the penal code law (no.5) of Kaduna State, 2017 by substituting section 258 as follows:

1. Whoever commits rape of a child below the age of fourteen (14) years shall on conviction, be punished with surgical castration and death.

2. Whoever has sexual intercourse with a male child below the age of fourteen years shall be punished with surgical castration and death.

3. Where a female adult is convicted for the offence of rape of a child, the court shall punish the accused with bilateral salpingectomy and death.

4. Where the victim is above fourteen years, the court shall on conviction sentence the accused with a punishment of surgical castration and life imprisonment.

5. Where the convict is a child, the court shall order as appropriate under the children and young person law cap 26 laws of Kaduna State 1991.

6. Where the victim is a child, the court shall in addition to the conviction, order that the convict be listed in the sex offenders register to be published by the Attorney General.

7. Where the court is trying the offence of rape involving a child below the age of fourteen years, corroboration of a medical report shall be necessary.

Controversy Trails Buhari’s Micro Enterprise disbursement Approval ahead of Edo Poll

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

With barely Forty Eight hours to the Edo State Governorship Election, the ongoing disbursement of the Micro Enterprise Enhancement scheme in Edo State approved by President Muhammad Buhari appears to be generating serious concern as many consider the move as a vote buying strategy by the All Progressives Congress, APC. 

About Two Thousand Women and Youths from the three Senatorial districts in Edo State are to benefit from the Federal Government Micro Enterprise Enhancement Scheme which will run from Tuesday 15 September to Thursday 17 September 2020.

While the social intervention handouts to women and youths in Edo state may be a good initiative, some Edo citizens have questioned the motive behind the disbursement especially with the election around the corner.

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo state Chris Nehikare, believes the people of the state are entitled to Government welfare package, but questioned if it’s actually the Government disbursing the fund.

But the All progressives congress APC insists the disbursement of the handouts is not political.

Edo citizens will file out on Saturday to decide who emerges from the September 19 Governorship election and only a free, fair, transparent, and credible election can ensure the will of the people prevail.

U.S reviews ban on migrant visa as Nigeria meets 90 per cent requirements

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The United States Of America says it is reevaluating the migrant visa ban on some categories of Nigerians following its satisfaction with the level of compliance in information sharing and other concerns raised by its government.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mustapha Suleiman, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the inaugural meeting of the U.S/Nigeria Forum in Abuja.

According to Suleiman, the Forum would serve as a platform where both countries can progressively improve on bilateral relations and address concerns for the benefit of their citizens.

Suleiman said that Nigeria has accomplished almost 90 per cent of the requirements by the U.S government which led to the ban on some categories of migrant visas which was imposed on the country in January 2020.

He added that the Nigerian government has put a lot of efforts in meeting the requirements which was why the U.S government is reevaluating its earlier stance.

He said The consular forum was agreed on earlier in the year during the Bi-National Commission of the United States and Nigeria which was held in Washington.

According to Suleiman, the Forum would serve as a platform where both countries can progressively improve on bilateral relations and address concerns for the benefit of their citizens.

Also speaking, U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard commended Nigeria on the progress made in information sharing and other concerns raised by the U.S government which led to the lifting of the ban.

JUST IN: FG Approves Establishment of New Anti-Corruption Agency, PCRMA

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of a new anti-corruption agency which will be saddled with proper coordination of all recovered looted assets.

Briefing state house correspondents after the FEC meeting on Wednesday, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami explained that assets recovered have been in the hands of several agencies and that better coordination will encourage international/overall coordination in recovering more looted assets.

It is on this premise that the new anti-corruption agency named, ‘Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency’ is to be saddled with the responsibility of managing the assets that constitute the proceeds of crime in Nigeria.

Malami told newsmen that the FEC has approved transmission of a bill, titled, “Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency Bill,” to the National Assembly.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), explained that once the bill becomes law and the agency is established, it would see to proper documentation and management of such recovered assets and thereby guarantee transparency and accountability.

According to Mr. Malami, an agency of this nature has become necessary in a bid to consolidate the gains achieved so far in the government’s war against corruption.

The Federal Ministry of Justice presented to Council a memo today (Wednesday).

“The memo is about a Bill which seeks the approval of the Council to transmit to the National Assembly for passage.

“It is the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and management Agency Bill.

“It is in essence a bill that is targeted and intended to have in place a legal and institutional framework. The legal component of it is having a law and the institutional component of it is to have an agency that will be saddled with the responsibility of managing the assets that constitute the proceeds of crime in Nigeria.

“What happens before now is the proceeds of crime are scattered all over, and mostly in the hands of different and multiple agencies of government inclusive of the police, the DSS (Department of State Service), EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), and ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission).

“So, with that kind of arrangement which is ad-hoc, there is no agency of government that is saddled with the responsibility of data generation, an agency that can give you off-hand the number of landed assets, number of immovable assets, the amount in cash that are recovered by the federal government by way of interim forfeiture overweigh of a final forfeiture.

“So, it is indeed over time a kind of arrangement that is not uniform and consistent.

“If you have a budget item for recovered assets, this agency will now be in a position to provide information to the federal ministry of finance, budget and National Planning on-demand as to what amount is there available for budget purposes, thereby establishing the desired transparency, the desired accountability which has not been available before now,” the AGF stated.

NLC gives FG 2 weeks to reverse Hike in Fuel and Electricity Tariffs

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a two weeks strike notice to the Federal Government to immediately reverse the twin increase of fuel and electricity tariffs.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made this known on Wednesday after he held the National Administrative Council (NAC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) meetings in Abuja.

Fuel Crisis Imminent as Tankers Halt Lifting Of Petrol Over Niger Ban

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) has ordered the immediate stoppage of distribution of petroleum products from Lagos to the northern part of the country till further notice.

PTD, on Wednesday, in a statement released by its National Chairman, Salimon Oladiti, said that the action became necessary after Niger government stopped heavy trucks including tankers from using all the link roads in Minna effective midnight September 15, 2020.

Trailers, tankers and other articulated vehicles were stopped from passing through the state once the stoppage came into effect.

Governor Sani Bello personally supervised the closure of the road at Bida end in a brief ceremony on Tuesday.

He said the closure was to allow the construction company handling the rehabilitation work speed up the job.

But tanker drivers union has said its members from Thursday will not be lifting products from Lagos to the northern part of the country because the Niger State government has shut out heavy duty trucks including tankers from passing through the state.

“The only alternative road is not motorable. This is Bida- Agai- Lapai- Lambata road. This road is a death trap. When we got wind of the plan of the Niger State Government to shut the roads about weeks back, I spoke to the Minister of Works through one of his aides and he assured that the ministry would do palliative and remedial works on the road. Unfortunately, over two weeks after our discussion, nothing has been down on the roads.

“As leaders, we have to do the needful and protect the lives of our members from avoidable accident and attacks from hoodlums. So, starting from tomorrow September 17, 2020, our members will not be lifting products from Lagos to the Northern part of the country.

“Until the federal government makes the alternative road motorable, our members will not resume lifting of products to the northern part of the country,” Oladiti said.

President Buhari unveils 60th independence logo

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has unveiled the country’s 60th independent anniversary logo. The logo was unveiled during the virtual Federal Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by the President.

President Muhammadu Buhari delivered a speech after the unveiling. Read the full speech below:

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Today we stand on the threshold of history as we formally begin a series of activities commemorating Nigeria’s Diamond Anniversary. The task history has saddled me with today is to proclaim a theme that will keep us united, help us forge ahead, and unveil a logo that will form the critical pillars, which are eleven months modest commemoration activities will rest on.

Celebrating 60 years of independence really calls for pomp and pageantry, but the global COVID-19 Pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act differently, has also forced on us the imperative of a low-keyed celebration. Operating within the limitations placed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we created an internet challenge for Nigerians to make a choice from a set of four pre-selected logos that will appropriately define the theme.

Of these four options, Nigerians from all walks of life participated in making a choice and I’m happy to let you know that the logo I will be unveiling is a product of choice from the Nigerian people.

I’m informed that the selected option depicts our togetherness; a country of over 200 million people, whose natural talents, grits, and passion glitter like the precious diamond we are. This to me is a sufficient appreciation to our most precious assets; our people. Everywhere you go, Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, business, Innovation, music, movie, entertainment, and culture.

Furthermore, I’m also made aware that the neatly encrusted diamond on the Nigerian map symbolises our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people, who are sparkle to the admiration of the world.

In the same vein, the fair green and the dark green colours should respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit, and love, as well as the abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land.

All these properties made us, unarguably, the most prosperous black nation in the world and Africa’s largest economy. It is therefore with a deep feeling of national pride and I hereby announce to you that “Together shall we be” shall the theme of our nation’s 60th-anniversary celebration.

Our founding fathers, in spite of differences in faith, tribe, and tongue, came together to fight for Nigeria’s independence. This shall be a befitting tribute to the struggle of our heroes past.

It is to the glory of God and in celebration of the attainment of the diamond age of 60 by our great nation that I hereby unveil the preferred anniversary logo for this momentous occasion in our national history.

At this juncture, let me thank members of the inter-ministerial committee on Nigeria’s 60th-anniversary celebration for the work they have done so far and remind them that this is just the beginning. As we celebrate this anniversary, this government will work towards greater inclusiveness and look forward to the participation of all Nigerians.

Buhari GIves Reasons for Stoppage of Food Importation into Nigeria

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Federal Government stopped food importation to boost agriculture and save Nigerians from joblessness. He stressed that practicing agriculture locally is vital in boosting productivity, reducing joblessness, and poverty in the country.

“For us to bounce back to productivity, especially in agriculture, the unemployed with many of them uneducated had to be persuaded to go into agriculture.

‘‘If we hadn’t gone back to the lands we would have been in trouble by now. That is why we virtually stopped the importation of food thereby saving jobs and foreign exchange,” the President said.

President Buhari disclosed this during a virtual meeting with members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) at the State House, in Abuja.

The president also justified the government’s borrowing to finance infrastructure, asserting that his government took loans in the interest of the country to solve the dire shortfall in infrastructure.

“We have so many challenges with infrastructure. We just have to take loans to do roads, rail, and power, so that investors will find us attractive and come here to put their money,’’ the President said after listening to a presentation by PEAC chaired by Professor Ayo Salami.

He regretted that the failure to provide the infrastructure for effective transportation deprived the country of its well-deserved status as the West African hub for Air cargo transportation and trans-shipment of goods.

On the issue of the economy, President Buhari noted the challenges posed by the “collapse of the oil market” and the decision of the government to abide by the reduced oil production quota allocated by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“We have to accept that decision; otherwise they (Middle-East producers) can flood the market and make the product unviable. So we have cooperated with what we get. With oil, we are in a difficult situation. The politics of oil is that the less you produce, the more you earn,” he said.

The President also broached the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it necessitated the recent government policies as they relate to energy (electricity) and fuel.

He said the Federal Government took such decisions because it places the country above politics.

APC Will Bounce Back Stronger in Oyo – Shina Peller

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shina Peller, has expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will bounce back stronger in Oyo state, dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reclaim power both at the state and local government level.

Hon. Peller made this known yesterday, 15th September 2020 at a crucial meeting he held in his house with all the stakeholders of the APC in Iseyin local government of the state, where he urged different groups and factions in the party to bury their age long differences in the interest of the party.

A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shina Peller, has expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will bounce back stronger in Oyo state, dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reclaim power both at the state and local government level.

Hon. Peller made this known yesterday, 15th September 2020 at a crucial meeting he held in his house with all the stakeholders of the APC in Iseyin local government area of the state, where he urged different groups and factions in the party to bury their age long differences in the interest of the party.

In his remarks, the federal legislator explained that the meeting became necessary following the reconciliation meeting recently held in Abuja by the stakeholders of the party in the state, where all the attendees were enjoined to go back to the drawing table with a common goal of championing a new course for the party right from their respective wards.In his remarks, the federal legislator explained that the meeting became necessary following the reconciliation meeting recently held in Abuja by the stakeholders of the party in Oyo state, where all the attendees were enjoined to go back to the drawing table with a common goal of championing a new course for the party right from their respective wards.

Hon. Peller said,

“This meeting was convened purposely to charge everyone of us to bury our differences, work as one big family that we are to champion a new course towards making our dear party stronger and formidable enough to dislodge the PDP at the helm of the state and local government affairs in the coming years.

“Also, this serves as a follow-up meeting to the reconciliation meeting recently held in Abuja by the stakeholders of the APC in state, where we all agreed to bury our differences and work harmoniously in the overall interest of the party. And I am very optimistic that this development will yield a positive result and make us stronger and formidable enough to reclaim power from the PDP.”

“This meeting was convened purposely to charge everyone of us to bury our differences, work as one big family to champion a new course towards making our dear party stronger and formidable enough to dislodge the PDP at the helm of the state and local government affairs in the coming years.

“Also, this serves as a follow-up meeting to the reconciliation meeting recently held in Abuja by the stakeholders of the APC in Oyo state, where we all agreed to bury our differences and work harmoniously in the overall interest of the party. And I am very optimistic that this development will yield a positive result and make us stronger and formidable enough to reclaim power from the PDP.”

In addition, Hon. Peller said, “So, I am charging everyone of us to come back together as one big family that we have always been and champion a new course towards rebuilding our party right from our respective wards.”In addition, Hon. Peller said, “So, I am charging everyone of us to come back together as one big family that we have always been and champion a new course towards rebuilding our party right from our respective wards.”

The meeting, presided over by Hon. Shina Peller, had in attendance Hon. Olayinka Taiwo, Dr. Oyedepo Mukaila, Comrade Shittu Gbeko, Hon. Adeoti, Alhaji Alobo and other notable personalities of the party.The meeting, presided over by Hon. Shina Peller, had in attendance Hon. Olayinka Taiwo, Dr. Oyedepo Mukaila, Comrade Shittu Gbeko, Hon. Adeoti, Alhaji Alobo and other notable personalities of the party.

Oyo State Tertiary Institutions Lament Makinde’s Non-Implementation of Minimum Wage; Condemns Fractional Salaries at EACOED

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

 

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-owned tertiary institutions has lamented non-implementation of the national minimum wage by Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government. The body also expressed displeasure over what it described as fractional salaries at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED Oyo).

JAC in a communique issued at the end of her meeting held on Friday at the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic Saki noted that minimum wage is yet to be implemented at the tertiary institution sector against other sectors in the state. The body demanded Oyo State Government to commence implementation of the national minimum wage.

However, the body appreciated the state government for releasing the white paper reports of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa and The Oke Ogun polytechnic Saki. It demanded the immediate implementation of the white paper reports by the councils of the concerned institutions.

The communique reads in full:

The meeting considered situation report from all the institutions in respect to staff welfare and institutional advancement. The body appreciates the government for the constitution of governing Councils in all the institutions.

JAC also appreciates the effort of the state government in the arrear of staff welfare as demonstrated in the prompt payment of full salaries, implementation of minimum wage at the other sectors of the state work force and positive posture towards commencement at the tertiary institutions.

The body considered diverse issues of interest to the tertiary education sector thus:

ISSUES

1. Minimum wage:  The body noted that minimum wage is yet to be implemented at the tertiary institution sector against other sectors in the state. The body therefore, demands, that government should immediately commence the implementation of the minimum wage at the sector by implementing the table so submitted by JAC, by September salary.

2. Financial autonomy:  The body observed the unnecessary bottlenecks created by the operation of Platinum consultant as a parallel authorizing body to the councils of the institutions in the authorization of various spendings at the institutions. JAC hereby, demand that government should relieve platinum of the authorization responsibility and such should rest with the council as enshrined in the laws establishing each institution.

3. Fractional salaries at EACOED, Oyo: The body noted with displeasure the ugly trend of fractional salaries at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, through incomplete remittance of cooperative deductions since June, 2020 till date. The body observed with disbelief the untenable excuse of implementation of promotions and annual increments which was also effected without payment of fractional salaries in the other five institutions apart from EACOED. JAC hereby, demands an investigation of the situation and the reversal of this mode of payment immediately.

4. White Paper report: The body appreciates the effort of government in releasing the white paper reports of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa and The Oke Ogun polytechnic Saki. JAC hereby demands the immediate implementation of the white paper reports by the councils of the concerned institutions.

Conclusion

While JAC recognizes and appreciates the efforts of this present administration so far, the body would want all the issues highlighted above to be urgently addressed by government. This will help to realize the educational objectives of this present administration and equally sustain industrial peace and harmony, as we look forward to the reopening of school soonest with assured provision of facilities that will ensure safety of both staff and students from Covid-19 pandemic.

Thank you

Signed

Outrage as Police Chase Suspected ‘Yahoo Boys’ to Death in Osogbo

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

 

A joint police task force on Tuesday was given a hot chase by aggrieved persons after an accident in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, according to eyewitnesses.

The accident involved three suspected internet fraudsters, who were being chased by the police unit.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at the East bypass when the Toyota Corolla with registration number KUJ-553LY Abuja veered off the road during the chase and hit an electricity pole.

One of the victims gave up the ghost instantly while two others out of the three who sustained serious injuries later died while they were taking away.

Eyewitnesses said the police officers were given a hot chase by sympathisers while running away after the incident.

They were said to have been shooting sporadically into the air to be able to escape jungle justice.

The Osun state police spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment on the matter.

Nigeria More Divided Than Ever Before – Prof. Soyinka

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says Nigeria is more divided than ever before under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He said this on Tuesday in a statement titled “Between ‘Dividers-in-chief’ and Dividers-in-law,”.

“The nation is divided as never before, and this ripping division has taken place under the policies and conduct of none other than President Buhari,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr Soyinka accused the President of going to sleep while communities were ravaged by cattle rustlers and thousands were displaced.

According to him, even when the President visited the scenes, rather than proffer an authoritative solution, he “advised the traumatised victims to learn to live peacefully with their violators”.

“And what happened to the Police Chief who had defied orders from his Commander-in-Chief to relocate fully to the trouble spot – he came, saw, and bolted, leaving the ‘natives’ to their own devices. Any disciplinary action taken against ‘countryman’? Was it a spokesman for some ghost president who chortled in those early, yet controllable stages of now systematised mayhem, gleefully dismissed the mass burial of victims in Benue State as a “staged show” for international entertainment? Did the other half of the presidential megaphone system not follow up – or was it, proceed? – with the wisdom that they, the brutalised citizenry, should learn to bow under the yoke and negotiate, since “only the living” can enjoy the dividends of legal rights?”.

His comments come just days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo made similar comments about the state of the country.

Obasanjo said the country is failing and badly divided due to the recent mismanagement.

He made the comment in Abuja on last week Thursday while delivering a speech titled ‘Moving Nigeria Away from Tipping Over’ at a consultative dialogue attended by various socio-cultural groups.

The consultative dialogue was attended by members of various groups, including Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum.

“I do appreciate that you all feel sad and embarrassed as most of us feel as Nigerians with the situation we find ourselves in,” Obasanjo said.

“Today, Nigeria is fast drifting to a failed and badly divided state; economically our country is becoming a basket case and poverty capital of the world, and socially, we are firming up as an unwholesome and insecure country.

“And these manifestations are the products of recent mismanagement of diversity and socio-economic development of our country. Old fault lines that were disappearing have opened up in greater fissures and with drums of hatred, disintegration and separation and accompanying choruses being heard loud and clear almost everywhere.”

Soyinka also noted that while he was not a fan of Obasanjo, he would not hesitate to agree with “any accurate reading of this nation from whatever source”.

He said, “I am notoriously no fan of Olusegun Obasanjo, General, twice former president and co-architect with other past leaders of the crumbling edifice that is still generously called Nigeria. I have no reasons to change my stance on his record. Nonetheless, I embrace the responsibility of calling attention to any accurate reading of this nation from whatever source, as a contraption teetering on the very edge of total collapse. We are close to extinction as a viable comity of peoples, supposedly bound together under an equitable set of protocols of co-habitation, capable of producing its own means of existence, and devoid of a culture of sectarian privilege and will to dominate.”