Labour minister at the reconciliatory meeting with NARD
By Ekaette Ibuot
The Minister of Labour and Employment Sen. Chris Ngige has described the on going strike by the resident doctors as unwarranted, illegal, insensitive to the plights of the citizenry especially at this time of the present Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country.
Speaking at the opening of the reconciliatory meeting between the Federal Government and the representatives of Resident Doctors on Wednesday in Abuja.
The minister who doubles as the Chief reconciliator said six out of eight demands by the striking doctors have been met.
He said government is doing a lot in the health sector, while accusing the striking doctors as acting a script and being unfair to the government despite all its efforts.
He added ; “Essential services don’t go on strike according to ILO laws, if they do, other people can be hired. Let’s not use strike to intimidate government, l will not allow it to continue”.
It would be recalled that resident doctors on September 7th , 2020 embarked on indefinite strike on the ground that the Federal Government failed to meet up with their demands including insurance package, payment of outstanding Covid-19 inducement allowance, onward review of Covid 19 hazard allowance.
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed 3.879 Trillion Naira to the Federal Government, states, local government areas and other statutory recipients in the first half of 2020.
A breakdown of the disbursements showed that N1.53 trillion went to the Federal Government, while the states got N1.29 trillion and the 774 local government areas received N771.34 billion.
The information and data are contained in the latest edition of the quarterly review of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) released Tuesday in Abuja.
The Director, Communications and Advocacy, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji made this known in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
He said that the ; “NEITI Quarterly Review reports that the N1.53 Trillion received by the FG in H1 2020 was 4.28% lower than the N1.599 Trillion it got in the first half of 2019 and 7.36% lower than the N1.652 Trillion it received in the first half of 2018.”
The story is the same for the states and local government areas. “For states, a total of N1.298 Trillion was disbursed in the first half of 2020. This was 2.8% lower than the N1.35 Trillion disbursed in the first half of 2019, and 5.6% lower than the N1.375 Trillion disbursed in the first half of 2020”, the report stated.
For local government areas, the 2020 first half disbursements were 2.64% and 3.04% lower than the corresponding disbursements for 2019 and 2018 respectively.
The report however noted that disbursements in Q2 2020 were 1.09% higher than total disbursements in Q2 2019 and 3.66% lower than the one for Q2 2018.
FAAC disbursements in the second quarter of 2020 stood at N1.934 Trillion. This was made up of N739.2 Billion to the Federal Government, N629.3 Billion to state governments, and N375.4 Billion to the 774 local government areas.
The report pointed out that the total FAAC disbursements in the second quarter of 2020 was slightly lower than the N1.945 Trillion disbursed in the first quarter of 2020. This aligned with the projections made in the previous issue of the NEITI Quarterly Review which projected lower FAAC disbursement in the second quarter.
The NEITI report attributed the 0.55% decrease in Q2 2020 to a couple of factors, namely: “rebound in oil prices in the second quarter as a result of ease of lockdowns by countries across the world and the adjustment of the official exchange rate by the CBN from N307/$1 to N360/$1 in March resulting in higher Naira disbursements.”
The report also hinted that, FAAC disbursements in the first quarter and second quarter of 2020 were very volatile, with the difference in total disbursements between months ranging between N58.9 Billion and N199.3 Billion.
During this period the “disbursements were very volatile in the first half of 2020, compared to 2018 and 2019. Unlike 2018 and 2019 where aggregate disbursements increased and decreased in successive months, in 2020 they fell for two straight months, increased in one month, and then decreased for two straight months,” the report stated.
The report also observed that in the months under consideration in 2020, aggregate disbursements fluctuated by large amounts, compared to 2018 and 2019. “Aggregate disbursements were N716.3 Billion in January and this fell to N647.4 Billion in February,” stated the report. “Thereafter, disbursements fell to N581.6 Billion in March, before increasing to N780.9 billion in April. Disbursements then fell to N606.2 Billion in May and to N547.3 billion in June.
These figures indicate differences of N68.9 billion between January and February, N65.7 Billion between February and March, N199.3 Billion between March and April, N174.7 billion between April and May, and N58.9 Billion between May and June. For comparison, the highest inter-month difference in the first half of 2018 was N62.9 Billion, while the corresponding figure for 2019 was N63.5 Billion. Thus, there have been very wide fluctuations in aggregate disbursements so far in 2020.”
NEITI also disclosed that from January to May 2020, actual government revenue was N1.62 Trillion, representing “62% of the expected pro-rata revenue of N2.62 Trillion from the revised budget”. That also explained a shortfall of 38% in government revenue for the first five months of the year. As oil prices continue to rise, and with the increased pace of economic activities, NEITI projects that “Government revenue will perform better in the second half of 2020, with the possibility of shortfalls in revenue compared to budgeted figures”.
On total net FAAC disbursements and deductions for states for the first half of 2020, the NEITI Quarterly Review observed wide disparities. For instance, Osun State had the lowest net disbursement of N13.13 billion, while Delta State had the highest net disbursement of N100.81 billion. This implies that Delta State received seven times the disbursement that Osun State received.
According to the report: “total net disbursements received by Delta State (N100.81 billion) was higher than the combined total net disbursements of N99.47 billion received by six states – Osun, Cross River, Plateau, Ogun, Gombe and Ekiti. Also, the combined total net disbursements of N321.29 billion received by the four highest receiving states of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa were higher than the combined total net disbursements of N314.08 billion received by 16 states – Osun, Cross River, Plateau, Ogun, Gombe, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kwara, Nassarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa, Ondo, Bauchi, and Abia.”
While Lagos State had the highest deductions, Yobe State had the lowest.
Details of these and more information are contained in the publication which is now available on NEITI website www.neiti.gov.ng.
The information contained in the NEITI Quarterly Review followed analysis of disbursements by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in the second quarter and first half of 2020 using data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and NEITI’s data generated from attendance at FAAC meetings.
The Quarterly Review is designed to provide timely information and data on FAAC disbursements to the three tiers of government.
The publication is a tool to support citizens’ education, enlightenment, advocacy, and promote constructive debates in tracking the utilization of the funds for purposes of development.
The Uyo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) revealed that, its has arrested four suspects in a case of child trafficking.
In a press statement made available to newsmen by NAPTIP Uyo Zonal Commander, Nduka Nwanwenne, hinted that, one Mrs.Eno Ime (35) a single mother of eight (8) children was apparently in difficulties of taking care of her full blown ninth pregnancy and her children.
According to the report by the agency, this situation, made her to be in need and very vulnerable
However, Nwanwenne said the heavily pregnant woman’s neighbour, Mr. Ita Jacob Udofia (45) pretended to assist by introducing her to one Mrs Juliana Effiong (40), the prime suspect who is a traditional birth attendant and quasi nurse based in Port-Harcourt.
The victim, according to the zonal commander was sent some money through Mr. Udofia, to come over to Port-Harcourt to meet the prime suspect.
“In Port-Harcourt, the victim was administered with some drugs and was delivered of a baby.
The victim was further induced with drugs that put her in a coma after delivery.
“When she came around, she was informed that her baby was dead.
“She said she saw the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira (#250,000) in her handbag but handed over the money to one man to help her retrieve her baby”. he said
Meanwhile the suspect, according to NAPTIP Boss had arranged to handover the baby to one Mrs. Nneka Ejekwu, who had cryptic pregnancy.
According to the agency, “Mrs.Juliana Effiong was said to have been treating both Mr and Mrs. Ejekwu with fertility drugs to enable her conceive of a baby.
“Having cornered the new born baby, Mrs Ejekwu, who had earlier parted with the sum of one million and three hundred thousand ,(#1,300,000) was invited by Juliana and induced into labour. By the time she came around, she was presented with a new born baby of the victim as her baby”. he Narrated
Nwanwenne, therefore, vowed that no effort will be spared in ensuring that the entire syndicate and others who engage in illegal child trafficking in the state are made to face the full wrath of the law.
VC University of Abuja, Prof.-Abdulrasheed-NaAllah
…FCTA Insists On Following Due Process
TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul- Rasheed Na’Allah has raised alarm that bandits and kidnappers have taking over the campus.
He appealed to Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Department of Development Control to help remove structures that constitute threat to the campus and made it vulnerable.
Na’Allah made this known when he played host to the Director, Department of Development Control Murkta Galadima, yesterday in Abuja.
He, however, lamented that any structure the university tries to build is being resisted and atimes they have to pay money to be able to raise such structures.
His words ; “One of our challenges which is at the highest level of priority is the encroachment of the university land which is also a national emergency
“The truth is that this university is in trouble right now because we have all sorts of people who are living in the campus, who are utilizing the land, who have no respect for the environment, it has even gone further that bandits are coming in and taking over lace both within staff residences and outside.
He continued; “We now have our students being attacked . We are living in fear because of the bandits. Some of the indigens give land to them without really knowing them. Some don’t even ask for permission they just take over. Many times we have clashes. We are taking this issue seriously, unfortunately alarm was raised before and there were efforts that were made but were abadoned. So they have taken it that nothing will happen so they have grown so comfortable . We need FCT to work with us to the very end to get this campus safe. I am happy that the Federal Government just allocated about N400 million to start the fencing of the university and between now and December we must start.
“You can imagine when Very important personalty plane is flying over the campus. The elements we are talking about are faceless and you don’t know their capacity. They are called none state actors. If we fail to acts the future will never forgive us, this is serious and dangerous and that is why we are appealing to the Minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello, to assist us. There are many houses that have been marked for demolition as far back as 2012 but nothing was done. Recently we visited an area called Kado and we discovered more structures are being built and new allocation are being given” .
The Vice Chancellor also lamented that, ” Whenever we want to construct any structure they attack us and many times we had to negotiate with them sometimes, they collect money from the University just to use the land of the university. I am tired of negotiating with bandits”.
He further hinted that, the university is a beautiful place and the governing board intend to turn the university into a tourist attraction but the problem of kidnaping and banditry is hindering the efforts.
Buttressing his points, the Chief Security Officer of the school, Ibrahim Burga, collaborated what the vice Chancellor said , “Three female students were kidnapped in broad daylight. We have security report that armed bandits and kidnappers camps are around the hills and security agencies have already been informed of this development”.
In his response, the Director, Department of Development Control Murkta Galadima said there is need to follow due process in removing the structures.
According to him; “it is a topical issue, considering the size of the land and the number of squatters. We are talking from Gwagwalada bridge to Soka bridge (over 11,800 acres of land) within the University of Abuja land. The rate of squatting , to encroachment and invasion so all these things are beyond this office, it has to be done with FCT administration.
“We cannot just move in and demolish , we need to meet with the university, village Chiefs , Area Council Secretariat and tell them these are the challenges. Resettlement will also come in . We have already started the process . The next line is to come up with action plan.
” What we will do first is to sensitize these villages and map out strategies of the date and time to remove the structures”, he added.
The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has announced the cancellation of routine monthly petrol pump price advisory to marketers.
The decision, according to agency became necessary following Federal Government’s decision to end subsidy on premium motor spirit, while adding that the sector is now fully deregulated.
PPPRA, however, reiterated that marketers are now responsible for the pump price of the product.
Saying, “If we give you the price band for this month, it is like price fixing”.
Speaking on behalf of the agency, the Executive Secretary, Saidu Abdulkadir, explained that the price of petrol would now be determined like any other petroleum product such as diesel and kerosene.
Petroleum marketers had last week adjusted the pump price of petrol from N148 per litre to N160 per litre following a memo from the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that raised ex-depot price to N151.56.
The Executive Secretary who was represented at a press briefing in Abuja by Mr Victor Shidok, the General Manager, Administration and Human Resources, Abdulkadir assured Nigerians that the agency would monitor the marketers to check profiteering.
According to him; “The PPPRA as a regulator will continue the role of a watchdog in this deregulation regime. We will continue to maintain our role as a regulator and ensure that Nigerians are not short changed in any way in this process.
“You know how things are globally with the impact of Covid-19 to the global oil market. Accessing forex remains a challenge for marketers.
“We are hopeful that in a few months to come, Nigerians will understand what government is doing to stabilise the downstream sector”, he added.
Abdulkadir further stated that the agency would continue to monitor the code of conduct that guides operation of marketers in the industry and ensure that it was not violated.
He, therefore, reiterated that government was no longer in business of fixing the pump price of petrol but would monitor marketers to avoid profiteering.
The Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria is set to commence a one week online screening of ‘Body Concert’ performance by the popular Ambiguous Dance Company.
Director, Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Lee Jin Su, said the online streaming is a delibrate attempt to introduce the trend of Korea art to the world.
According to him; ‘Body Concert’, is a performance which has shocked the contemporary dance world with fresh choreography.
He , however, expressed optimism that the performance will provide dance enthusiasts an opportunity to experience an excellent performance team that has not only won awards at world-class festivals and performing arts festivals but has also recently participated in a promotional video for Korea tourism.
The “Body Concert” by Ambiguous Dance Company was created to show how much the body can express itself through music.
He further explained that the choreographer, Kim Bo-ram selected songs that he once wanted to dance as a dancer to form the choreography.
“From Daft Punk, a pioneer of Electronic music, to Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variation’ representing Baroque music, and ‘Make Me Cry’ of Handel’s opera, ‘Rinaldo’, a symbol of the Classics, this performance involves music and dance, not bound by genre. All work in exquisite harmony.
“‘Body Concert’ received the “Critics Choice Best Work” Award in 2010, listed in the Performing Arts Market in Seoul “PAMS Choice” in 2016, and officially invited and performed at Sibiu International Theater Festival in Romania in 2017.”
In 2019, they performed for five days at the Australian Castle Main Festival, received a five-star rating in the ‘Herald Sydney’ review, and was officially invited to the Berlin Contemporary Dance Festival ‘Tanz im August,’ and sold out all seats for the 4th performance.
An Abuja based Non Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has concluded plans to unveil a scheme tagged: “Adopt a Library Initiative”, aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural schools in the nation’s capital.
This, according to the President foundation Dr. Jumai Ahmadu was part of activities to mark 2020 edition of the International Literacy Day.
Ahmadu hinted that, the prolonged closure of schools occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in widening the gaps between schools in urban and rural communities.
She gave this hint at a world press conference in Abuja, while lamenting the absence of online learning platforms in rural communities, stressing that as parts of its scholarship scheme the foundation has concluded plans to launch “Adopt a Library Initiative”.
Ahmadu, however, called for collective commitment to supporting students in rural communities and providing resources to stimulate their interest in learning especially during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
In her words; “Since the outbreak of this COVID-19 pandemic, we have explored the gap regarding technology integration between urban and rural schools in the territory.
“And in our exploration we are guided by two main questions: Is there any significant difference in terms of technology availability between rural and urban elementary schools?; and Is there any significant difference in terms of students’ attitudes, competence and experiences in technology integration between rural and urban elementary schools?
“Our findings show that there was a significant difference in technology availability between rural andurban schools, including the number of interactive white-boards, desktops in labs, notebooks, netbooks, and tablet-computers. There was also a difference in teacher overall high-tech integration level between rural and urban schools.
She continued; “We at Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja and as part of our scholarship scheme has concluded plans to launch the “Adopt a Library Initiative.”
“With the help of friends and partners, we can reach more students with books, computers, internet facilities and other learning materials because from our study the urban schools might be more resourced in terms of ICT infrastructure than semi-urban schools”.
Ahmadu, therefore, called on all stakeholders in the education sector to support the scheme in rural communities across the six area councils in the territory.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on Arewa Youth Council to promote and immortalise the legacies of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Defunct Northern Nigeria.
She made this known when the leadership of Arewa Youth Council (AYC), paid her a courtesy call in her office,yesterday in Abuja, while noting that such legacies would influence the performances of public officers in the country, especially in the north.
The minister who was represented by her Special Assistant on Youths and Women, Simisola Ayoade, affirmed that the level of insecurity in the northern Nigeria was a clear departure of the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello, who worked tirelessly to promote unity of northern Nigeria and the country at large.
In her words; “I am delighted that our youths especially from the north are beginning to come to the full realization that they are critical stakeholders in governance. I want to state unequivocally that the present level of insecurity, social vices and economic backwardness in some parts of the north is a clear departure from the legacies of Sarduana of Sokoto.
“Therefore, continue to promote and immortalise the legacies of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, because such legacies will in no snall measure influence the performances of public officers in the country, especially in the north,” she stated.
While commending the leadership of AYC for the visit, the Minister identified education as key to breaking the yoke of drug addiction and other social vices among youths in northern Nigeria, just as she called on other youths to build one united nation.
Earlier , the President of Arewa Youth Council, Comrade Dogo Shagari, observed that despite Sardauna’s legacies, northern region has continued to embrace poverty, stressing that the northern states are behind every other states of the federation.
According to him, “We need something that will unite the north regardless of political parties or ethnicity. For many years now, no conscious efforts to fight poverty has been made commensurate to the growing population of the region. “We need to unite to fight poverty and to get qualitative population needed to fight poverty alongside investment in education”.
The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of “Icon of Peace/Nation Building” award on the FCT Minister of State.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Defence on schools’ safety and security.
The partnership tagged; “UNICEF & Save The Children” was aimed at committing the ministry to ensure that it handles the children and schools “in a manner that their security is ensured.”
UNICEF Education Officer responsible for Education in Emergencies Coordination at National Level, Judith Giwa-Amu said that, “We are looking for ways in which issues concerning school safety and security can be mainstreamed into their strategic document”.
She made this known in Abuja, at an event held ahead of the commemoration of the 2020 International Day For the protection of Education.
The partnership, according to Giwa-Amu was,” For them (Ministry of Defence) to be able to handle the children , the school in a manner that their security is ensured .”
“There is a fear that when the military are invited to protect the schools in the North East, we have the fear that by the time they go,non-state actors then look at the school as one that caters for the need of security in the school, we have fears that they will attack the school,” she further explained, adding that: “The safe school declaration is the one that has been signed by the 104 countries, Nigeria is among the 37 implementing countries.”
Noting that, “they have been identified as the major organs in charge of the implementation of safe school declaration,” she said the implementation guidelines were linked to the military”, explaining that it “recognises their role and the need to support education.”
“Security, education and humanitarian sectors are key sectors that must be engaged by all countries to the safe school declaration,” she declared.
The International Day For the protection of Education is a day set aside to review attention on the importance of protecting education, to ensure that a generation of children are saved. It is marked on September 9th of every year.
“We know that education is the acquisition of knowledge for use to support the socio-economic development of a nation.
“When you have children who are out of school, it is due to the reason that they are afraid or their parents are afraid and because of fear, their parents prefer them being alive than going to school. The next generation becomes an endangered species, where children experience gap and they can never make it up to other children in other parts of the world,” she stressed.
UNICEF and Save the Children collides education sector to commemorate the 2020 Sept 9th Day of Protection of education.
“In our relationship in education emergencies working group, we have found the need to partner with Ministries of Education, Defence and Humanitarian Affairs.
“We realise that the ministry of Defence has a great role to play. In countries of the world and in Nigeria, we know that education will not happen in some areas in the North East if the military is not physically present. However, we see that with military forces,it changes the civilian nature of a school,” she further said.
The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, while thanking the organization, said that; “Education is one of the most prized assets of a country.”
” It is so because it provides a solid foundation for the nation’s growth and development. Thus, the survival and future of a nation is threatened when her education is under attack,” he said.
He further noted that forced recruitment of learners or school personnel into armed groups was a crime against a nation, the minister said: “No nation can sleep in the event of the continued attack on her education, likewise the Nigerian military shall not relent in our efforts to protect the integrity of Nigeria and ensure her continued existence and growth in safety and security.”
“We shall continue to make efforts to ensure that education is not stopped even in the face of conflicts, keeping in mind all necessary protocols and guidelines including the Safe Schools Declaration.
As Nigerian Military continues to step up efforts towards protecting our national assets including education. I call on communities, groups and individuals to avail us all necessary cooperation. It is in our togetherness that we shall protect education from all forms of attack and save a generation,” he added.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has expressed the determination of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to partner with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, for strict enforcement of road safety laws in the nation’s capital.
Bello made this known when he received a delegation from the FRSC, led by the new Zone 7 Area Commander, Assistant Corp Marshal, Jonas Agwu on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, stressed the need for the Corps to massively deploy men and equipment to ensure enforcement of road safety laws on the roads.
Congratulating the Zonal Commander on his new command position, the Minister placed a lot of emphasis on the need for enforcement of traffic and road safety laws saying, “Enforcement is key. You have to massively deploy men and equipment on a very, very sustained level. Not just one week or two weeks but a sustained level, even if it takes months”.
The Minister in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Pinkeye stated that, particular attention should be placed on the traffic congestion that occurs regularly at the Lugbe axis along the Airport Road especially in the evenings where unauthorized trading take place usually under the pedestrian bridges.
The Minister, however, emphasized that the laws establishing the FRSC were explicit and very strong, and called on the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC to put the laws to good use.
The FCTA, he said, will support and partner with the FRSC with the effective use of the Mobile Court system. The Airport Road, the Minister emphasized further, is the gateway into the City and should at all times reflect orderliness.
Pledging the support of the FCTA for success in the discharge of his duties, the Minister urged Agwu to leverage on the good working relationship that already exists between the FCT sector of the FRSC and the national Headquarters of the Corps.
Earlier in his remarks , the Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu had commended the Minister for his openness and support for the FRSC, which he said, had contributed to the successes achieved by the Corps in the nation’s capital.
He also appreciated the good working relationship amongst the various relevant agencies in the FCT involved in management of traffic and curbing insecurity in the Territory, attributing it to the hard work and effective leadership of the Honourable Minister of the FCT.
Agwu also pledged to build on the existing structures available in the FCT to meet the effective road safety and traffic management objectives of the FCTA, adding that the creation of more designated bus stops and deployment of more high capacity buses will further aid traffic flow in the city.
Present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai Bornu, Director, Department of Human Resource Management, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, the FCT Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Ayuba Gora Wobin, the Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Alhaji Wadata Bodinga and other management staff of the FCTA.
