Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

Fed Govt seeks ASUU’s support for strike-free academic system.

The Federal Government has sought the support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ensure that the country runs smooth academic sessions free of strikes.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the appeal after a meeting with the union’s leadership.

She urged the union leaders to join forces with the government for national progress.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, said the minister told ASUU leadership, led by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, that she believed in mutual understanding between the union and the government to move the country towards the same progressive direction.

She expressed worry about unending disputes in the nation’s academic system, saying: “We should be part of the process to ensure such actions are averted.”

The minister called for “proactive problem-solving rather than reactive conflict resolution”.

Onyejeocha extended an open invitation for dialogue and complete transparency to ASUU.

The minister urged the union to allow the ministry to know its problems, noting that by prioritising open communication and proactive problem-solving, both parties could work together to ensure a smooth academic session in 2024 and beyond.

She said this would eventually paved the way for a vibrant and flourishing educational landscape.

Onyejeocha said: “I crave your indulgence to allow the ministry to know all the issues you think we should know. I want us to be on the same page, from item one to the last, for the sake of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Labour Ministry is not supposed to be reactive but be proactive. We should be part of the process to make sure that every issue is addressed.

“I am a product of the university system. We want to be on the same page because of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have to move at the same pace. I believe that we can move in the same direction.”

The minister urged ASUU leaders to consider the current economic realities when presenting their demands.

She called for pragmatism on past agreements between the union and government, suggesting that some demands might need re-evaluation in the light of the nation’s financial constraints.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

NAFDAC seeks stiffer counterfeiting law without fine option.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has promised to remain resolute in its commitment to rid the country of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome products.

It affirmed that threats to the lives of its officers as well as the recent negative press concerning the activities of fake drug manufacturers and sellers of substandard food and beverages would not discourage its efforts at ensuring the safety of drugs and food consumed in Nigeria.

NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who restated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s health, noted that an urgent review of the nation’s law on counterfeiting would address the issue.

Adeyeye said the support of the National Assembly for the review of the extant law for stiff penalties without an option of fine for the offenders had become expedient.

The NAFDAC boss said this would deter the audacious stance of perpetrators in the illicit trade, who appeared unfazed by existing penalties.

Section 3 (1) (a) of the Counterfeiting and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004, states that ‘Any person who commits an offence under (a) Section 1 of this Act, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or more than fifteen years or to both such fine and imprisonment’.

Section 3 (2) states: ‘Where an offence under Section 1 or 2 of this Act has been committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer, servant or agent of the body corporate (or a person purporting to act in any such capacity), he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly’.

Though she did spell out details of the agency’s proposed penalties, Adeyeye stressed that stiffer penalties without an option of a fine would discourage perpetrators from engaging in such illicit trades.

According to her, the recent exposure of a cartel involved in the production of fake wines and soft drinks in Aba, Abia State, underscores the gravity of the situation.

Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC remained steadfast to battle those aiming to profit at the expense of the well-being of their fellow citizens.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the director general expressed dismay at uncomplimentary commentaries in a section of the media.

She cited the interception of counterfeiters in Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, as an example of the agency’s commitment to fighting counterfeiting.

The NAFDAC boss said the agency would not be deterred by unfounded allegations, urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Adeyeye said officers from the Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) as well as Pharmacovigilance and Post-Marketing Surveillance directorates had been empowered to apprehend those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs and substandard food items.

According to her, despite numerous life-threatening encounters and attacks on NAFDAC officers, the agency remains undeterred in its mission to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

Adeyeye urged fellow Nigerians to provide useful information on the activities of counterfeiters, saying: “They live and operate in our midst. We should say something when we see something.”

The NAFDAC boss promised that the agency would persist with its sensitisation activities across the country in the new year, ensure that Nigerians were aware of the threats posed by counterfeit products.

Court declares Anyanwu as PDP national secretary.

Court declares Anyanwu as PDP national secretary.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The court also in a judgment delivered on Tuesday restrained the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting National Secretary, adding that in line with the party’s constitution, Anyanwu’s four-year tenure ends December 9, 2025.

But the PDP rejected the judgment, saying it would be appealed.

Reacting, the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ali Odefa, told The PUNCH: “Certainly, we will appeal that judgment. There was an earlier judgment from Enugu declaring Udeh-Okoye as the secretary. We will appeal it.”

After Anyanwu became the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 11 election in Imo State, demands for his resignation intensified.

On October 20, the South-East zonal executive committee of the PDP nominated Sunday Udeh-Okoye to replace Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

However, the National Working Committee of the party on November 14, 2023, ordered Anyanwu to step aside and directed the deputy national secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to take over.

Two members of the party, Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower, filed an ex-parte motion stopping the defendants from removing Anyanwu as National Secretary.

In the suit, the PDP; its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun; its National Executive Committee; the National Working Committee of the party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission were joined as the first to fifth defendants, respectively.

The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, had on November 23 stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as National Secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

Delivering judgment on the matter on Tuesday, Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held, or resolution reached, by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would be in violation of Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The plaintiffs have been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“The court is duty-bound to prevent that from happening. The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st-4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress. In such a situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs,” he held.

The judge also restrained INEC from recognising any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party, whether in an acting capacity or otherwise, except Anyanwu

Tinubu Slashes Travel Convoy By 60%.

Tinubu Slashes Travel Convoy By 60%.              .....office of the President, VP, First Lady, Ministers and heads of agencies affected.

President Bola Tinubu has slashed by 60 per cent the travel expenditure of government officials in his administration.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the decision was part of cost-cutting measures of the Presidency.

He said that the decision will affect the office of the President, Vice President, First Lady, Ministers and heads of agencies.

He said, “Tinubu has directed that all state entourages be drastically reduced. This is not a request. It is a directive. The office of the president and staff will be affected. VP, appointees are affected.

“By this directive, there will be a slashing of expenditure on official travel by 60 per cent.”

He said consequently the President is limited to 20 number of staff outside the country.

He also said every minister is limited to having just four members of staff on any foreign trip while heads of agencies are limited to just two.

Ngelale said Tinubu has also said that he will no longer travel with huge security delegations to any state in the country.

The presidential spokesman also added that if the president travels to any state, the security in the state will take care of his security and the same applies to the vice president and other top government officials.

Orji Kalu lauds Tinubu’s approach to fighting insecurity.

Orji Kalu lauds Tinubu’s approach to fighting insecurity.

The immediate past Senate Chief Whip and lawmaker representing Abia North senatorial district, Orji Uzor Kalu, has commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in tackling insecurity in various parts of the country.

Addressing the gathering at his residence in Igbere, Bende local government area of Abia state, Kalu, the ex-governor of Abia state, emphasized the critical role of security.

He handed over four patrol vehicles to both the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Igbere Vigilante Service.

Kalu noted that without addressing the issue of insecurity, meaningful development at the local, state, and federal government levels would be challenging to achieve.

The Senator stated that, under President Tinubu, Nigeria has made progress in containing insurgent activities.

However, he emphasized that no matter how much money is allocated to security in the budget, addressing insecurity requires the collective efforts of all Nigerians.

He said: “President Tinubu is having sleepless nights in the fight against crime and seeking ways to lift the economy of the country. Nigerians are suffering, but it is not the cause of this administration. We should collectively come together to fight crime and insecurity in the country.

“We must support President Tinubu. People should bring out their hearts to work for the country. President Tinubu should put his feet on the ground to openly fight corruption, electricity and crime if Nigeria must work.

 “I want to thank the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the supplementary budget that he gave us to pass a few days ago and 90 percent of that budget was for security.

“I am pleading with our society, that they should shun crime so that we can use the money budgeted for security to put in electricity, roads and among others, for people to move around.

“The beauty of constitutional democracy is the time limit. President Buhari is no longer here today, President Tinubu has taken over. People who are damaging our infrastructure thinking that it is owned by President Tinubu should know that President Tinubu is just a trustee holding the country for all of us.”

Kalu clarified that the provision of security patrol vehicles was not part of a constituency project but rather a demonstration of his backing for the police and vigilantes in their endeavours to combat crime in the state.

He praised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for assigning experienced police personnel to the state.

Kalu highlighted that, for the first time in the past eight years, the state experienced a peaceful Christmas and festive celebration in the previous December.

He noted: “This is purely from my heart because I felt that there was a need to support the local, state, and federal government in their fight against crime and criminality in the local government, the state and the nation at large. Crime is what nobody would want to be battling or faced with.

“I want to encourage the commissioner of Police and his team in their desire to ensure that Abia is safe for visitors and residents.

“I want to thank the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for posting the CP and his team to the state and for the effective posting that he has been doing since he took over as the IGP.

“This is the first time that Abia has a team of police officers that know the state very well, which is why we can say that the last Christmas was one of the best Christmas that we have had in the state in the last 8 years.

“Supporting the police is not because we have so much money to do it. It is because the mandate to give one vehicle to the DPO Igbere, Area Commander Ohafia and one to the Area Commander in Isuikwuato is to support them so that they can help in combating crime in the state.

“As long as we live and have more resources available, we will be able to support other commands in other parts of the state.

“The importance of a secure environment cannot be overemphasized. Our people should shun violence and see the need to be more resourceful for themselves, their families and the country at large.

“I will appreciate that other well-meaning Abians will join the state government in supporting the security agencies in the state because the resources being given to the security agencies is not enough and can never be enough; I am saying this because in the Senate and I sit in most committees that interact with several security agencies in the country.”

The Abia North senator, who expressed fears over the impending food scarcity in the land, called on the traditional rulers in the state to encourage their subjects to embrace farming as a tool to address food insecurity.

He added: “Our people should embrace farming because there is a need for our people to address the rising food insecurity in the land. Our youths should stop idling about, but rather think of how to become more resourceful.”

In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie who received the vehicles Kalu and presented same to the Igbere Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohafia Area Command and Isuikwuato Command respectively promised that the vehicles would be put into good use.

According to CP Onwuemelie, the donation of the vehicles calls for more hard work from the respective beneficiaries within their Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

Governor Oyebanji Strengthens Fiscal Ties: Pays a Productive Visit to Accountant General's Office in Abuja.

Governor Oyebanji Strengthens Fiscal Ties: Pays a Productive Visit to Accountant General's Office in Abuja.

By Comr Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a proactive move aimed at bolstering fiscal cooperation, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State conducted a working visit to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, situated at Treasury House in Abuja FCT. Accompanying the governor on this significant visit was the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode.

The meeting, held in the heart of the nation's capital, signifies a commitment by the Ekiti State government to foster collaboration with key federal financial authorities. The presence of Governor Oyebanji and Commissioner Oyebode underscores the importance attached to maintaining strong fiscal ties between the state and the federal government.

Ekiti State has garnered commendation for its commendable fiscal discipline, a trait that positions it as a front-runner in responsible financial management. The governor's visit to the Accountant General's office is indicative of the state's dedication to upholding these high standards and ensuring transparency in financial dealings.

During the visit, discussions revolved around strategies to deepen growth and development in Ekiti State through collaborative efforts with various development agencies and institutions. Governor Oyebanji, known for his forward-thinking approach, emphasized the significance of partnerships in achieving shared prosperity for the people of the state.

The presence of Commissioner Akintunde Oyebode adds weight to the delegation, as he plays a pivotal role in steering the financial strategies of the state. The collaborative spirit demonstrated by both leaders is poised to yield positive outcomes in the state's economic landscape.

Ekiti State's commitment to engagement with federal financial authorities aligns with a broader vision for sustainable development. The governor's proactive approach and the state's high rating in fiscal discipline position Ekiti as a model for other regions aspiring to achieve economic stability and growth.

In essence, Governor Biodun Oyebanji's working visit to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation stands as a testament to Ekiti State's dedication to responsible governance, financial transparency, and collaborative efforts aimed at fostering growth and development for the ultimate benefit of its citizens.

Oyebanji Visits Former Governor Fayemi: A Gesture of Unity and Progress for Ekiti State.

Oyebanji Visits Former Governor Fayemi: A Gesture of Unity and Progress for Ekiti State.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a notable display of statesmanship, His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, the current governor, paid a visit earlier today to his predecessor, the esteemed His Excellency Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at his Abuja residence. The meeting was not only symbolic but underscored the significance of continuity in governance, transcending beyond projects and policies to foster a cordial relationship for the greater good of the state.

The beauty of continuity, as exemplified by this visit, lies not just in the seamless transition between impactful and landmark projects initiated by the former governor but also in the diplomatic ties forged between the two leaders. This visit serves as a testament to their commitment to the welfare and progress of Ekiti State.

The camaraderie between His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji and Dr. Kayode Fayemi stands as a valuable lesson in political collaboration, showcasing that beyond partisan lines, a united front can be forged for the collective benefit of the state and its citizens. Their ability to navigate the intricacies of political transitions and maintain a harmonious relationship reflects positively on the state's political landscape.

As the duo conversed within the confines of Dr. Fayemi's Abuja residence, it became evident that their commitment extends beyond personal relations to a shared vision for the development and prosperity of Ekiti State. The meeting was marked by discussions on ongoing projects, challenges faced, and prospects for future collaborations.

This diplomatic rendezvous not only solidifies the bond between the present and former governors but also sets an encouraging precedent for political leaders across the country. The commitment to a united and collaborative approach is a beacon for fostering stability and progress in the nation's political arena.

In essence, the visit of His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji to Dr. Kayode Fayemi's residence goes beyond a mere courtesy call; it symbolizes a commitment to continuity, unity, and the overall advancement of Ekiti State. As the two leaders continue to navigate the intricate landscape of governance, the echoes of their diplomatic engagement resonate as a positive example for political leaders nationwide.