NLC appeals to President Buhari concerning the proposed new national minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to expedite action on the proposed new national minimum wage, by transmitting it to the National Assembly in good time.

Dr. Peter Eson-Ozo, NLC General Secretary, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

Eson-Ozo said the Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage, had concluded its meetings and N30,000 was agreed upon as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

“The report has been submitted to Mr President and what we expect now from Mr President is to do justice to that report, by quickly raising an executive bill on the new National Minimum Wage.

“And when that bill gets to the National Assembly, we want to assure Nigerian workers that we will be ready to engage them constructively,” he said.

Eson-Ozo added that there was no controversy over the agreed amount, as it was the agreement reached during the negotiations by members of the committee.

“We all signed up on the N30, 000, so why should there be any controversy,” he added.

ASUU Strike

ASUU Strike: One week after, govt yet to invite lecturers for negotiations – President

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the federal government is yet to begin any dialogue with the union over the ongoing strike.

The national president of the union, Biodun Ogunyemi, said this in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES Sunday evening.

The union embarked on strike one week ago over the poor funding of Nigerian universities and an alleged plan by the federal government to increase student’s fees and introduce an education bank. The union also accuses the federal government of not implementing a 2017 agreement.

Mr Ogunyemi on Sunday said the union has placed a memorandum before the government on how universities can be funded, but nothing has been done on it.

“For the minister, we have memorandum placed before them, but nobody is talking about the items there except to say that they cannot meet the union’s demand because of the

ASUU strike paralyses UI

The workload of serving judicial officers in Imo State may remain high till further notice, as Governor Rochas Okorocha is said to have put the appointment of new judges on hold.

A very credible government source which reached Vanguard weekend, disclosed that “the governor has already written the State chairman of the State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, who also doubles as the State Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Nnadi, directing that the processes for the appointment of new judges should be put on hold till further notice.

ASUU strike paralyses UI

The same source revealed that “the only person that survived the governor’s current sledgehammer was the Acting President of the State’s Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Anwuka, whose name had earlier been sent to the National Judicial Council, NJC, for confirmation of her appointment.” 

Although Vanguard gathered that “sometime this year, Governor Okorocha granted approval for the appointment of new judges to commence in the state

IBM Corp

IBM Corp said on Sunday it had agreed to acquire US software company Red Hat Inc for $34 billion, including debt, as it seeks to diversify its technology hardware and consulting business into higher-margin products and services.

The transaction is by far IBM’s biggest acquisition. It underscores IBM Chief Executive Ginni Rometty’s efforts to expand the company’s subscription-based software offerings, as it faces slowing software sales and waning demand for mainframe servers.

IBM, which has a market capitalisation of $114 billion, will pay $190 per share in cash for Red Hat, a 63 per cent premium to Friday’s closing share price.

Founded in 1993, Red Hat specializes in Linux operating systems, the most popular type of open-source software, which was developed as an alternative to proprietary software made by Microsoft Corp.

Why Buhari’s Minister Must Resign: APC chieftain

#podiumpolitics

Alhaji Ishaq Hadejia, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State has called for the resignation of the minister of water resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu with immediate effect.

Hadejia stated this while speaking to the sources in Dutse on Monday.

He alleged that Adamu has not been coming for political meetings or activities in the state because he said that he is not a politician.

Hadejia also criticised Adamu for abandoning Jigawa by refusing to collaborate with the ministry of agriculture to harness the potentials in it.

“If that is the reason for the minister, he should better resign it is because of politics he was given the appointment.

“It is really unfortunate that if something happened in the state, whether good or bad, you will never see the minister coming to rejoice or sympathise with the people.

“The recent flood which submerged over 500 communities in the state, with 40 deaths including lost of foodstuff, properties, farmlands, live stocks, the minister did not even bother to come and sympathise with the people,” Hadejia added.

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ACF Reacts to Killings in Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the spate of communal clashes in Kasuwan Magani village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

ACF in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Alh Muhammad Ibrahim Biu called upon the warring communities in Kajuru and in other states to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue in resolving their disagreements.

Biu warned communities that have lived together peacefully over the years to stop reprisal attacks.

The statement read: “Threats to our peace as one united people and a region over the years have affected our peaceful coexistence, unity, polity and socio-economic development.

“We must, therefore, come together and stop this unfortunate and condemnable carnage that does no one any good. Reprisal attacks are certainly not the best way to resolve disputes.

“We, therefore, call upon the warring communities in Kajuru and in other states to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue in resolving their disagreements.

“Leaders of the various communities should also play a greater role in ensuring that peace and harmony are restored in the affected areas."

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#nigeria

Security Council Meets in Peaceful Elections

The National Security Council (NSC) meeting held on Thursday on the security situation in the country and the effect on the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

The Minister of Defence, Brig.- Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), reported that President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the meeting at the Presidential Villa.

He said meeting recommended the deployment of security agencies to the states, to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct the elections peacefully.

Mr Dan-Ali was hopeful that the deployment of security personnel would further douse the tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and “some desperate persons” to sabotage the electoral process.

According to him, the meeting also addressed an attempt to put pressure on the electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations.

He, however, said the situation was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid the process being hijacked by hoodlums or armed bandits.

The minister pointed out that another area of security concern discussed at the meeting was post-election violence, to prevent “desperate politicians” from whipping up ethno-religious sentiments to create a security situation in the country.

He said the Council discussed the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.

The Council also called for the concerted effort of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 general elections were hitch free.

Similarly, it stressed the need for continuous sensitisation of the public by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The Council further called for regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, as well as international and local election observers and the media ahead of the polls.

Although the Chief of Defence Staff was absent, the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as the Inspector General of Police attended the meeting.

Also in attendance are the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha; and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd)