CJN set to inaugurate 23 judges for Fed High Court.

CJN set to inaugurate 23 judges for Fed High Court.

The Supreme Court has concluded plans for the inauguration of 23 new judges for the Federal High Court.

The court’s spokesman, Dr. Festus Akande, announced that the event, which will hold on October 4, will be performed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Akande also said the apex court is planning a valedictory court session on October 10 in honour of the late Justice Chima Centus Nweze.

The new High Court judges, according to Akande, include: Dipeolu Deinde Isaac (Ogun State), Ogundare Kehinde Olayiwola (Ekiti), Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu (Lagos), Musa Kakaki (Kaduna), Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige (Sokoto), and Sharon Tanko Ishaya (Kebbi).

Others are: Salim Olasupo Ibrahim (Ogun), Yilwa Hauwa Joseph (Gombe), Wigwe-Oreh Chituru Joy (Rivers), Owoeye Alexander Oluseyi (Kogi), Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa (Benue), Amina Aliyu Mohammad (Katsina), Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi (Kwara), Hauwa Buhari (Federal Capital Territory), and Aishatu Auta Ibrahim (Borno).

Also included are: Hussaini Dadan-Garba (Bauchi), Ibrahim Ahmad Kala (Gombe), Mashkur Salisu (Zamfara), Onah Chigozie Sergius (Enugu), Egbe Raphael Joshua (Bayelsa), Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr. (Oyo), Ekerete Udofot Akpan (Akwa Ibom) and Ogazi Friday Nkemakonam (Ebonyi). 

The statement added: “A valedictory court session will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, in honour of the late Justice Chima Centus Nweze at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court at 10 a.m.

“As customary, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will preside over the session which will, among other things, feature the presentation of tributes by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in honour of the departed jurist.

"Justice C. C. Nweze died on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Abuja after a brief illness at the age of 64 years.

“He was sworn in as Justice of Supreme Court on October 29, 2014. He was born in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State on September 25, 1958.

“He attended St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka from 1972 to 1977, emerging with a Distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination.

“He gained admission into University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1979 where he graduated with a Degree in Law in 1983.

“In the same year, he represented the Law Faculty and, indeed, all Nigerian Law Faculties, at the Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, as the Chief Oraclist.

“His Lordship did his NYSC between 1984 and 1985 in Bauchi, after being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. He equally had his Doctorate Degree in Law from the same University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.”

Tinubu Approves N35,000 Provisional Wage For Federal Govt Workers.

Tinubu Approves N35,000 Provisional Wage For Federal Govt Workers.

President Bola Tinubu has approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months, following further consultations with the Federal Government delegation that met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) earlier this Sunday.

 It will be recalled that at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of petrol subsidy.

The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as well as waivers on VAT on diesel for the next six months.

 

Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month for a three-month period from October to December 2023.

It has earlier reported that during the meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday, several significant agreements and commitments were reached by both parties.

A statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orietation, Mohammed Idris, said the extensive discussions led to the following resolutions:

“It was stressed that the outstanding issues can only be resolved when workers are actively engaged in their roles and not during strikes.

“Labour Unions advocated for a higher wage award, and the Federal Government Team assured that Labor’s request would be presented to President Bola Tinubu for further deliberation.

“A sub-committee will be established to work out the implementation details of all items concerning government interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

“The ongoing issue between the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State was recognized as requiring urgent attention. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who attended virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.

“The NLC and TUC agreed to consider the offers made by the Federal Government, with a view to temporarily suspending the planned strike. This pause will allow for further consultations regarding the implementation of the resolutions mentioned above,” he stated.

The meeting, presided over by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, saw the participation of Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who also attended virtually.

Key government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, were present alongside the leadership of the labor unions.

Chief of Staff to the President, Gbajabiamila, speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, expressed his gratitude to both the government and Labour representatives for their dedication to finding common ground.

The meeting, which lasted approximately four hours, delved into a multitude of concerns affecting Nigerian workers.

Gbajabiamila highlighted several agreements reached during the discussions. These agreements encompassed crucial matters such as the wage bill, committees on salary increments, and the provision of CNG buses, among others.

“A lot of issues were addressed. Issues that concern the Nigerian worker, the average Nigerian worker. I can’t begin to reel them out here.

“But I am happy to say that after four hours, we have reached certain agreements that is for the benefit of the Nigerian worker. Agreements on wage bill, agreements on committees on salary increament, CNG buses, on several other things, I believe, both TUC Labour and government side?

“Importantly, he announced that all categories of workers, regardless of their income level, would benefit from the wage bill, addressing concerns raised on social media.

“There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the wage bill.

“They spotted that and we communicated that to Mr President and he quickly say and agreed that all categories of workers will be given the wage bill. There’s nothing like low-income, mid-income or high-income. I think that’s worthy of clarification tonight,” he said .

The Chief of Staff was optimistic about the outcome and encouraged the Labour representatives to convene meetings with their respective branches and executives to present the agreements.

He expressed hope that the strike would be called off by Tuesday, providing relief to the affected workers.

Following Gbajabiamila’s statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero echoed the sentiment that the negotiations had made substantial progress, indicating that they had reviewed government promises and were committed to translating them into practical solutions for workers.

Ajaero emphasized the need for consultation with their labor organizations, indicating that a decision to call off the strike would require approval from the relevant labor organs.

He concurred with the Chief of Staff’s hopeful outlook and described the situation as straightforward.

BUA Cement reduces ex-factory cement prices to N3,500/bag effective October 2, 2023.

BUA Cement reduces ex-factory cement prices to N3,500/bag effective October 2, 2023.

We refer to our previous pronouncements regarding our intent to reduce cement prices upon the completion of our new lines at the end of the year, in order to spur development in the building materials and infrastructure sectors.

As per the commitment made to reduce prices and following a periodic review of our operations for efficiency, the management of BUA Cement Plc wishes to announce and inform our esteemed customers, stakeholders, and the public that effective October 2, 2023, we have decided to bring the price reduction forward. As a result, BUA Cement would now be sold at an ex-factory* price of 3,500 Naira per bag so that Nigerians can begin to enjoy the benefits of the price reduction before the completion of our plants.

Upon completion of the ongoing construction of our new plants, which would increase our production volumes to 17million metric tonnes per annum, BUA Cement PLC intends to review these prices further in line with our earlier pronouncements by the first quarter of 2024.

NOTE: all pending, undelivered orders which had been paid for at the old prices will be reviewed downwards to N3500/bag in line with the new pricing from October 2, 2023. Our licensed dealers are also enjoined to ensure that end-users benefit from this reduction in ex-factory prices as we will monitor field sales to ensure compliance.

Ekiti Now An Important Factor In Nigeria's Political Enterprise, Says Oyebanji.

Ekiti Now An Important Factor In Nigeria's Political Enterprise, Says Oyebanji.

....Counts Blessings of State Creation 27 Years Ago.

.....Appeals to Labour Not to Hurt Economy With Strike.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has counted many blessings that have resulted from the creation of the state 27 years ago one of which is its acknowledgement as an important factor in Nigeria.

The Governor,  in a broadcast to the people of the state to mark its creation of the state on October 1, 1996 and the 63rd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, noted that there are abundant reasons to say that the creation of Ekiti State was justified.

Oyebanji, as a young university lecturer, served as the Secretary of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, a body that included prominent traditional rulers, statesmen, captains of industry, top bureaucrats, among others, that fought for the creation of the state before the dream was realized. He expressed delight that 27 years after, the state has moved on progressively.

The Governor congratulated all Ekiti people on the 27th anniversary of the state creation and also thanked those whose toil and sweats brought it about its realization saying "As we are thankful to God for how long we have gone as a people, we also need to reflect on the unity of the past that gave us the State and the need to do even far  more to achieve more."

He expressed satisfaction that Ekiti has excelled in many aspects of Human Development Indices and has become a front-liner in education, life expectancy, access to quality healthcare services, physical infrastructure development, access to water, peace, ease of doing business, gender equality, social inclusion, among others.

While noting that Ekiti is building a formidable profile of a progressive and development-oriented State that is poised for inclusive prosperity for all, Oyebanji expressed his commitment to the dreams of the founding fathers to utilize the abundant mineral resources for its economic development.

He disclosed that his administration is already collaborating with appropriate Federal Government agencies that will invest in the exploration of the state's God-given mineral resources to create wealth, increase the internally generated revenue and realizing the share prosperity agenda of the state.

The Governor used the auspicious occasion of the double celebration to appeal to the Organized Labour to sheathe its sword and exhaust the avenue of dialogue to resolve issues around the planned indefinite strike action slated to commence on Tuesday in protest against the removal of subsidy by the administration of President Bola Tinubu which has caused hardship in the country.

Oyebanji said: "On our part, we have undertaken some interventions to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal on our people. Apart from the direct food distribution and cash transfer to the most vulnerable,  Government has also made buses available to staff and students, especially in the state capital, to ameliorate the cost of transportation. We therefore appeal to our Local Governments to replicate this in their respective Local Government Areas.

"Beyond this however, is that, the Federal Government has promised that there will be a wage review across board soonest. The good news is that, even, for those not earning salaries directly from government, with more money available for workers as more disposable income and more money for government to undertake critical infrastructure development, more jobs will be available and the circular flow of money will ensure that the current monetary challenges will give way to the envisaged shared prosperity.

"I therefore want to appeal to the organized labour movement to exercise absolute patience and dialogue in resolving the current economic challenges. We cannot afford to compound the already tensed situation by shutting down this extremely fragile economy. It will be like cutting one’s nose to spite one’s own face. Whatever may be gained thereafter will be nothing but a temporary victory which would have done an incalculable damage to the economy and which may be difficult to reverse in the immediate."

Governor Oyebanji noted that his administration acknowledge that one of the dreams of our founders is that government is a continuum and that no administration is an island from those before it stressing that the philosophy serves as the motivation for the continuation of ongoing and abandoned projects met on ground which are useful to the socioeconomic development of the state.

He explained: "For example, we have completed the Ado-Ekiti Central Bus Terminal, the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers’ Chamber, ten Secondary Health Facilities, major street lights, re-connection of Ekiti East, Aiyekire and some parts of Ekiti West and Ikole Local Government areas to the national grid after many years of darkness. 

"We have also undertaken new projects such as rehabilitation of many roads in Ado-Ekiti. We are continuing with the Ikole township road, just as we are rehabilitating the Ilawe-Igede, Ado-Ilawe roads, Ikere-Ilawe, Erijiyan-Ilawe roads. We are also reconstructing the Igbara-Odo-Ikogosi road among others. More projects will be captured for execution in the ongoing budget preparation exercise."

He paid tributes to all former helmsmen of the state including the late Col. Inua Bawa, Navy Capt. Atanda Yusuff, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Oni, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Ayodele Fayose, the late Brig.-Gen. Tunji Olurin, Rt. Hon. Tope Ademiluyi and Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi for the various roles they played in the development of the state.

Fayemi preaches peace, unity, and resilience on Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

Fayemi preaches peace, unity, and resilience on Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

In a heartfelt message on Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has called on Nigerians to keep hope alive and see the current challenges as necessary sacrifices for the emergence of a truly great nation.

In a message signed by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, head of the Fayemi Media Office in Abuja, Fayemi said the Independence anniversary provides an opportunity to renew hope and belief in Nigeria, confident that the country will soon deliver on the promises of its founding fathers. 

Excerpts from the statement

The independence anniversary serves as an occasion to reflect on our journey as a nation, acknowledging the challenges we have faced, the progress we have made, and the resilience that defines us as Nigerians.

Our country has come a long way since its independence in 1960. We have overcome many challenges and have achieved many successes. We have made significant progress in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

However, we are still faced with many serious challenges. We need to continue to work hard to address poverty, inequality, and insecurity. We also need to do more to create jobs for our young people and to build a more prosperous and inclusive nation for all.

It is crucial to recognize that the path to progress is not without its hurdles, but let us view these challenges as necessary sacrifices toward a brighter future. With unity, determination, and hard work, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way.

On this special day, let us renew our dedication to building a Nigeria that we can all be proud of—a Nigeria that offers equal opportunities to all citizens, irrespective of their background, a Nigeria that is a shining light of hope and progress on the African continent.

I urge all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of unity, tolerance, and cooperation as we move forward.

As we celebrate this year's Independence Anniversary, I am optimistic about the future of Nigeria. I believe working together we can overcome all our challenges and build a better future for our country.

I wish all Nigerians happy 63rd-anniversary celebrations. 

Signed 

Mallam Ahmad Sajoh,

Head, Fayemi Media Office, Abuja

October 1, 2023

Independence Day: Aribasoye tasks Nigerians on perseverance, unity and prayers for country.

Independence Day: Aribasoye tasks Nigerians on perseverance, unity and prayers for country. 

The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful for better days and united as the country marks her 63rd Independence Day anniversary.

Aribasoye also called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the country and her leaders for the entrenchment of good governance and well being of the people.

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Oke, noted that the Speaker made the call in a message to Nigerians on the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary and the people of the state on the state’s 27th Anniversary, pointing that Nigeria has come a long way as one indivisible entity which every citizen must work to protect despite the myriad challenges facing the country.

While appealing to the Nigerian workers to embrace dialogue on the proposed industrial action, he said the government is on the verge of fixing the country’s economy through bold reforms.

"There are however deep structural issues been addressed so that Nigeria’s economy can deliver prosperity for her people," Aribasoye said.

He noted that at a time like this, prayers and unity of purpose will help ensure the country remains indivisible, and tasked Nigerians to continue working hard to realise the mission and vision of the country’s founding fathers, who fought for the independence we are marking today.

“As we mark our country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, we must remain steadfast, united and prayerful for our country to remain one and overcome her challenges.

He enjoined Ekiti people to support the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji who he said “is trying his best to sustain Ekiti integrity and broader effort to support the state’s workforce during these hardship."

"Let me commend Ekiti people and other Nigerians for their loyalty to the country in the face of the modest successes recorded since 1960 and the developmental challenges, we should not be despaired but to remain committed to the task of charting a more progressive path for a greater future," he concluded.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's 27th Anniversary Address: Reflecting on Ekiti's Journey and Charting Its Future.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji's 27th Anniversary Address: Reflecting on Ekiti's Journey and Charting Its Future. 

 Being the Text of the 2023 Independence Day State Broadcast by His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria Government House| Ado-Ekiti | Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Ekiti kete, it gives me a great delight to address you on the occasion of the 63rd Independence Day celebration of our great nation and more importantly, the 27th anniversary of the creation of our dear Ekiti state. Twenty-seven years ago, during the 36th Independence Day broadcast, all Ekiti sons and daughter clang tightly to their radio and television gadgets, waiting with anxiety, to listen to that historic breaking of the news of the Federal Government's pronouncement of Ekiti as a State. 

For me, today is historic and self-fulfilling, it also brings a lot of memories, being my first State Broadcast as governor on an occasion like this. It is self-fulfilling because it gladdens my heart that providence has granted me a rare opportunity to be the Governor of the same State I was part of the movement that struggled for its creation on a day like this 27 years ago by the military administration of Gen. Sanni Abacha.

For the State Creation Committee, it was like a dream; even though the Committee had done everything to deserve the eventual announcement, yet, we were all overwhelmed with joy that the “Epic Struggle”, did not end in vain. 

It is difficult to believe that 27 solid years have thus far passed since the State was created. While everything seems like yesterday, we have abundant reasons to say indeed, the creation was justified. In terms of physical and economic development, our State has moved on progressively. Politically, the State is now an important factor in Nigeria’s political enterprise. In many aspects of Human Development Indices (HDIs), we have excelled.

Ekiti is a front-liner in education, life expectancy, access to quality healthcare services, physical infrastructure development, access to water, peace, ease-of-doing business, gender equality, social inclusion among others. Gradually and assuredly, Ekiti is building a formidable profile of a progressive and development-oriented State that is poised for inclusive prosperity for all.

Èkìtì kete, an occasion like this provides us another opportunity to pay homage to those who fought for the independence of this Great Nation and the creation of our dear State. While it will be difficult to mention them individually, for they are many, we acknowledge the individual and collective roles they played to give us a nation and a State today.

We must also acknowledge the great work done by patriots who have at one time or the other presided over the affairs of the State and gave their best for the development of Ekiti. These include His Excellency, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, the first democratically elected Governor of the State; His Excellency, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of the State.

Also on this list are the pioneer Military Administrator, Late Colonel Inua Bawa (rtd); Navy Capt Atanda Yusuf (rtd); His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose; Late General Idowu Olurin; His Excellency, Engr Segun Oni; Rt. Hon. Tope Ademiluyi and Rt. Hon Tunji Odeyemi. 

In this world that Williams Shakespeare says is a stage, and we are all players, they have played their parts creditably well. But the business of nation building is a going concern, it is never a completed task. Each generation is faced with different challenges, and the test of their place in history, is how well they are able to courageously confront the most pressing of their contemporary challenges. Today, we are generally faced with the web of challenges of insecurity, unemployment, poverty and inequality. 

It is in response to these contemporary challenges that we came up with the six pillars of our administration’s development agenda, which primarily, is to ensure a shared prosperity for all Ekiti people. We are determined to ensure job creation and life abundance for our people. We believe in inclusive growth and collective development without leaving anyone behind. As it can be seen in our efforts so far, our Government is very focused and strategic in our development drive. We want to ensure every policy and programme is connected to the chains of Ekiti Development Plan 2021-2050 and the focal six pillars of administration to deliver the shared prosperity promise.

As an administration, we acknowledge that one of the dreams of our founders is that government is a continuum and that no administration is an island from those before it and that, development must be integrated, continual and strategic. Therefore, we see our Government as a continuation of those before us and that government projects that were ongoing or abandoned before we took over, but, which are useful to the socioeconomic development of the State, must be completed. 

For example, we have completed the Ado-Ekiti Central Bus Terminal, the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers’ Chamber, ten Secondary Health Facilities, major street lights, re-connection of Ekiti East, Aiyekire and some parts of Ekiti West and Ikole Local Government areas to the national grid after many years of darkness. We have also undertaken new projects such as rehabilitation of many roads in Ado-Ekiti. We are continuing with the Ikole township road, just as we are rehabilitating the Ilawe-Igede, Ado-Ilawe roads, Ikere-Ilawe, Erijiyan-Ilawe roads. We are also reconstructing the Igbara-Odo-Ikogosi road among others. More projects will be captured for execution in the ongoing budget preparation exercise.

Similarly, I am committed to the dreams of the founding fathers to utilize our abundance mineral resources for the economic development of the State. To achieve this, the State is already working with appropriate Federal Government agencies that will invest in the exploration of our God-given mineral resources. This is a major way of creating wealth, increasing internally generated revenue and realizing the shared prosperity agenda of our State.   

My word to you today, is that, the Ekiti Dream of our founding fathers remains our creedal confession and the sole mission unto which we are committed. We will not allow their dream for an egalitarian and inclusive society where fairness, probity, justice, equal opportunity and prosperity for all, is guaranteed, to fail. 

Ekiti kete, there is no doubt that times are hard now and tough for most people and government. We are nationally contending with serious macroeconomic slope which is affecting our micro-economic management capacity at sub-national and even at the individual levels. The current economic challenges is as a result of a confluence of economic issues that have spiraled into galloping inflation which has rendered income earners almost prostrate. 

While this can be traced to past policies inconsistencies, it is even more traceable to some other complex macroeconomic mishaps that have affected our foreign exchange regime. Consequently, every segment of the country is seriously affected by this challenge.

Yet, a hot pap must be sipped gently so as not to cause more damage unto an already precarious situation. Accordingly, government and labour have been in constant engagements for sometimes, I am pleased to note that the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is confronting these challenges frontally and the country will be better for it in the long run. 

On our part, we have undertaken some interventions to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal on our people. Apart from the direct food distribution and cash transfer to the most vulnerable, Government has also made buses available to staff and students, especially in the state capital, to ameliorate the cost of transportation. We therefore appeal to our Local Governments to replicate this in their respective Local Government Areas.

Beyond this however, is that, the Federal Government has promised that there will be a wage review across board soonest. The good news is that, even, for those not earning salaries directly from government, with more money available for workers as more disposable income and more money for government to undertake critical infrastructure development, more jobs will be available and the circular flow of money will ensure that the current monetary challenges will give way to the envisaged shared prosperity.

I therefore want to appeal to the organized labour movement to exercise absolute patience and dialogue in resolving the current economic challenges. We cannot afford to compound the already tensed situation by shutting down this extremely fragile economy. It will be like cutting one’s nose to spite one’s own face. Whatever may be gained thereafter will be nothing but a temporary victory which would have done an incalculable damage to the economy and which may be difficult to reverse in the immediate.

Finally, I want to congratulate all Ekiti people for the 27th anniversary of our state creation and to thank those whose toil and sweats brought it about. As we are thankful to God for how long we have gone as a people, we also need to reflect on the unity of the past that gave us the State and the need to do even far more to achieve more.

Once again, happy anniversary!

Long Live Nigeria

Long Live Ekiti State.

Biodun Oyebanji 

Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Sunday, October 1, 2023 | Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria