ASUU strike: We cannot be intimidated – Union

The Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) on Thursday said that it would not
be intimidated by the Federal
Government’s directive to resume work
on or before Dec. 4 without resolving the
industrial dispute. Mr Clement Chup, the Chairman of ASUU,
the University of Abuja chapter, told the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja
that there was nothing like re-opening
the universities or calling off the strike. The Federal Government had on Thursday
directed all Vice-Chancellors of the
federal universities that were on strike to
immediately re-open the universities for
academic and allied activities. The Federal Government also directed
the universities’ Pro-Chancellors and
Vice-Chancellors to ensure that lecturers
who resumed for work were provided
with the enabling environment for
academic and allied activities. The government, however, warned that
any lecturer who failed to resume on or
before Dec. 4, automatically ceased to be
a member of staff of the institution. It also directed the Vice-Chancellors
directed to advertise vacancies (internal
and external) in their institutions. Some parents and students, who spoke
with the NAN in Abuja, expressed mixed
feelings concerning the Federal
Government’s directive. Mr Ekpontas Uwanna, a parent, said that
it was improper for the Federal
Government to order ASUU to call off its
strike in such an abrupt manner, without
reaching an agreement with the union. “This is a civilised country and I think
people have been trying to sympathise
with the government over ASUU strike. “’But with such pronouncement, I do not
think that it is the right way that the
Federal Government should handle this
matter,’’ he added. Another parent,
Mrs Joy Amadi,
said that it was a
shame that the
state of affairs of
the country’s tertiary education
sector was being
handled in such a
manner. “We are not in the
military era; this is
democracy and
any agreement
entered into by
the Federal Government, be it
with anybody or
association, must
be kept. “Issuing threat is
not the option but
with mutual
understanding of
both parties and
patience, there will be peace and harmony in the sector,’’ she said. Mr Dele Oluwadayo, also a parent, said
that the strike had dragged on for too
long, adding that parents and students
were fed up with the industrial action. “I think that the Federal Government and
the Pro-Chancellors are doing the right
thing by calling for the re-opening of the
universities. “But I want to say that the Federal
government should not be hard on the
lecturers. “I think ASUU is fighting for a good cause
but they should also be considerate,’’ he
said. However, a student, Mohammed Aliyu,
urged ASUU to abide by the Federal
Government’s directive. “It is better for ASUU to work with the
Federal Government’s terms and
reference; we are tired of the strike,’’ he
said. Another student, Priscilla Ekoma, said
that the Federal Government’s directive
was not in order. “Although it is not that I am happy that
we are on strike, but it is very, very wrong
for the Federal Government to order
ASUU to resume work just like that. “ASUU is making a case for all the
universities in the country and an
agreement should be reached, the crisis
cannot be resolved via intimidation or
threat,’’ Ekoma said. NAN reports that all efforts to get the
reaction of the ASUU National President,
Dr Nasir Fagge, as at the time of filing
this report proved abortive, as he did not
pick the reporter’s calls. (NAN)

Lagos To Prosecute Residents Who Do Not Comply With Monthly Sanitation Exercise

The Lagos State Government says it will no longer tolerate the residents’ non-compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, said that anyone caught during the sanitation hours would henceforth be prosecuted.

He expressed concern about the flouting of the no-movement order during sanitation periods by private and commercial vehicles.

“Government will henceforth evoke the zero-tolerance policy against human and vehicular movements during sanitation hours,” he said.

Bello said that the state-wide monthly environmental sanitation exercise would take place between hold 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Nov. 30.

The commissioner urged residents to come out en masse and actively participate in the statewide exercise.

Bello, nonetheless, said that more efforts would be concentrated on the cleaning of drains and canals.

“We call on the people of the state to complement the efforts of the state government by cleaning tertiary drains and gutters in their frontages and neighbourhoods regularly,’’ she said.

He, however, stressed that cleaning of drains should be carried out regularly and not only on the sanitation days alone.

Bello advised residents to embrace the waste management policy of the state government.

He said that the residents patronise the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators in efforts to dispose their solid wastes.

The commissioner warned those residents who still patronised refuse-cart pushers to desist from the illegal act, saying that it was inimical to the waste management policy of the state.

“Whatever the refuse-cart pushers collect ends up inside canals to cause flooding,’’ he added. [NAN]

Spain arrests three Nigerians for forcing mothers into prostitution

Spanish police said Thursday they have arrested three Nigerians who forced African women into prostitution in Europe, including by holding two women’s children captive for at least four months.

Five women in different Spanish cities were freed from the clutches of the gang after a long operation that began at the beginning of the year, on the basis of information from a young African prostitute, a police statement said.

In August, police rescued two little children, one of them aged three, from an address in Valmojado, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Madrid. They were found in poor health and malnourished.

“They were kept locked in separate rooms… at times gagged and tied to the bed” by captors who fed them tranquilisers to keep them docile, the statement said.

“The children were to guarantee that the women paid off their ‘debts’ by going into prostitution and to stop them running away.”

The mothers were eventually found in France, where they were forced to work as prostitutes.

The criminal gang holding them used that and other strategies to bring Nigerian women to Spain and force them to work as prostitutes, the police said.

The women were “enticed with fraudulent promises, with false job offers or by abusing their precarious situation”. They were smuggled to Spain by boat from Morocco.

Once in Spain, they were sold to pimps in EU countries, the statement said.

PlayStation 4: fans get their hands on new console after hours of queuing

Andrew House, right, hands over the first PS4 to Imran Chowdri. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/Rex

Diehard fans finally got their hands on the next generation PlayStation console after camping overnight from as early as Wednesday, with queues forming outside the launch venue in Covent Garden, central London.

The PlayStation 4 officially launched in the UK at midnight.

Imran Choudhary, from London, who was first in line outside the venue, said on Thursday: "It was always my goal to try and be one of the first people in the country to get hold of a PS4.

"It certainly takes a lot of commitment and it's been a bit cold out here but it will all be worth it when I get my console.

"Despite the long wait, I'm so thrilled to be a part of this launch, the excitement in the queue is electric."

The first-come first-served launch was tipped as one of the only ways for gamers to get a fourth generation PlayStation before Christmas.

People queuing on Thursday night were entertained by the rapper Tinie Tempah and were given pizza.

Tempah said before his performance: "I have always been a big gaming fan and it's such an honour to be involved."

The chief executive of Sony, Andrew House, speaking before he handed the first console to the first customer, said: "It's just absolutely energising to be here today.

"To speak to some of the guys lining up outside, just sensing their enthusiasm and excitement for a new platform, is really what it's all about. It's why we come to work every day.

"I got to shake some hands, and take some photos with fans, which is fantastic, and it's not exactly warm out there. We absolutely appreciate the support.

The managing director of PlayStation, Fergal Gara, said: "The response to the PS4 has been phenomenal and we are so grateful for the support and enthusiasm we have seen from gamers who have pre-ordered, as well as those who have shown such dedication in the queue.

Ian Chambers, Game chief digital officer, said pre-ordering levels had been four times higher than for the PS3.

Ryan Giggs says he is not ready to retire after turning 40

Manchester United midfielder, Ryan Giggs, has stated that he has no plans to retire, as he turns 40 on Friday.

The Welshman has spent his entire career at Old Trafford, where has made 953 appearances, since he made his debut in 1991 against Everton.

“I’m lucky that I have been at one club, where I am surrounded by good players and a good manager,” he said.

“It can be hard sometimes but I am still enjoying it. As long as that is the case I will carry on.”

Giggs, who has won 13 league titles – as much as Arsenal have – is out of contract at the end of the season. Although he now has coaching duties, he plans to continue playing as long as he can.

“If I’d moved from club to club I’d be finished by now,” he added. “I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection,” added Giggs.

“I enjoy it as much as I can and, of course, try to contribute to the team.”

Iyanya, Sound Sultan, Tiwa Savage, Efa, Sharon Ezeamaka & Others Dazzle At MTV Base Shuga Premiere In Lagos

MTV Base Shuga, season three premiered yesterday with all the electrifying excitement of a world class drama series as MTV Base and MTV Staying Alive hosting some of Nigeria’s biggest heavy weights in different industries within the marketing, telecommunications, health and the entertainment industries and more.

The event which held at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island Lagos, had guests adorning exquisite ensembles walk the black carpet.  Enthusiastic guests turned up in their numbers to show support to MTV Base and the cast of the award winning drama series.

The Shuga cast and crew also turned out in full force led by enigmatic director, Biyi Bandele. The exciting star cast include Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu, Okezie Morro,Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson, Kachi Nnochiri, EFA Iwara, Olumide Oworu and Sani Mu’azu. 

Newlywed songster, Tiwa Savage was also at the premiere along with other members of the cast, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Sharon Ezeamaka, Maria Okanrende, Owumi Ugbeye, Bikiya Graham-Douglas and KC Ejelonu who rivaled one another on the black carpet with their glamorous attires.

Speaking at the Shuga launch, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Network commented, “We are so proud of Biyi and our amazing ensemble cast who have done such a fabulous job in delivering this utterly compelling and thought- provoking drama that engages while also communicating important public health messages.”

Check out the pictures from the event below..

Iyanya

Jennifer Tan

Jimmie and Toolz

Toolz and Tunde Demuren

Sound Sultan

Basketmouth and Banky W

Bovi and DJ Neptune

Uru Eke & Alex Ekubo

Joyce Jacob

Kachi, Sharon Ezeamaka, Dorcas and Okezie

Leonora Okine

Leonora Okine and Damilola Adegbite

Makida Moka and Stephanie

Praiz

Nduka Obaigbena and Alex Okosi

Tiwa Savage and hubby, Tee Billz

OC Ukeje

Olisa Adibua

Olumide Oworu and EFA

Olumide Oworu, Ehiz, chris Attoh and Timini Egbuson

Sharon Ezeamaka and Beazy

Shuga cast and the Director, Biyi Bandele

Photo: D’banj, Olamide And Don Jazzy Record With American Rapper, Wale In Lagos

Live in Lagos Nigeria is American rapstar, Wale at Mavin Studio with Kay Switch, Don Jazzy, Olamide and D’banj making music  Hopefully we will be getting new music from DB Records D’banj and Mavin Records Don Jazzy featuring Maybach music artiste, Wale.

See photos below.

HEARTLESS: What Governor Adams Oshiomhole Said To A Poor Widow (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

This can best be described as the most shocking remark ever made by a State Governor to a poor woman. The heart of a man who can say such things, especially in front of a huge crowd and cameras is desperately wicked.

This video shows Governor Adams Oshiomhole ostensibly leading officials of the state to sanitize the city of Benin, the Edo State capital. In the course of his tour of duty, he came across a widow roadside hawker.

The poor widow knelt before the imperial governor, a former labour leader, begging for her little means of livelihood to be saved. She pleaded that she’s a widow.

But her pleas fell on the governor’s deaf ear. In what could be regarded as the most unkind cut of all, the governor said the widowed woman should “go and die”!

Afterwards he stood for some seconds looking indifferently on how the officials took the women’s belongings away, and he left the scene of the drama.

The huge crowd which witnessed all these was too shocked to say, or to do anything…

Watch video >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vw43BVPasDM

Source: Sahara Reporters

300,000 Nigerian Children Die Of Malaria Every Year – MAPS

The Malaria Action Programme for States, MAPS, has said that malaria is responsible for the death of more than 300,000 children under the age of five in Nigeria annually.

Speaking, yesterday, at the ongoing 5th Benue State Council on Health (SCH) meeting in Makurdi, Mr Dominic Usman, the organisation’s Behavioural Change Communication Officer in Benue, said the country also recorded over 100 million clinical cases of the disease annually.

According to him, the disease was also responsible for 11% of maternal deaths in the country.

“Malaria is the major cause of morbidity and mortality which has direct effect on the growing cases of poverty, low productivity and low school attendance in the country.

“The mosquito-borne illness causes over 100 million clinical cases and is responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths in children under the age of five and 11% of maternal mortality cases annually,” Usman said.

He said that the efforts by the Federal Government to eradicate the disease had not yielded much results due to structural and behavioural barriers by the citizens.

PDP congratulates APC over merger with G7 Governors

The Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday congratulated the All Progressives Congress on the purported defection of five PDP governors to its fold.

Mr Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, in a statement in Abuja, said that the PDP was not perturbed by the development.

“As for the All Progressive Congress, we congratulate them on their new entrants.

“We also like to recommend to them that a man who brings home ant-infested maggots should not complain if he is visited by lizards.

“The PDP is losing no sleep with this cross carpeting because disloyalty is a habit.

“It’s only a matter of time before men who are disloyal to their mother would become disloyal to their step mother. ” Metuh said.

He said that the Baraje-led PDP splinter group, which the defected governors belonged, was not recognised by law and could not merge with the APC as was being reported.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports from some persons passing off the cross carpeting of a group of former PDP members to the APC as a merger.

“This information is false and is intended to mislead the public.”

The party spokesman said that what happened between the group and the APC on Nov. 26, was not a merger.

According to him, you can only talk of a merger where there are two distinct parties.

He added that in the case of the splinter group and APC, there was only one party – the APC and the splinter group, otherwise known as the new PDP, which was never a political party. This, he said, was established on Oct. 10 by a court ruling.

According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission has written to the splinter group that the Alhaji Bamanga Turkur-led PDP was the only recognised party by that name.

“From the above, it is quite clear that there hasn’t been a merger but an opportunistic cross carpeting of disloyal elements into the APC.”

He added that the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan agreed to dialogue with the splinter group was out of magnanimity and his large heart as a leader, not because they were recognised by the law.

This, he noted, had been demonstrated severally by the President as an epitome of humility and a father to all PDP members and Nigerians generally.

Metuh, however, said that those who associated with the PDP splinter group were “motivated by blind ambition and vain glory’’.

Metuh said that PDP was not diminished because of the departure of the people: “We would like to draw attention to the fact that a tree that has been pruned of its under performing branches grows better and blossoms with new life.

“This is the case in biology as well as in politics.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five governors of the PDP defected to the APC on Nov. 26.

They took the decision after a meeting between the Baraje-ledPDP splinter group and the APC leadership in Abuja.

The group announced its intension to join the APC in a communiqué jointly signed by Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, leaders of the splinter group and Chief Bisi Akande, APC Interim National Chairman.

Sack threats: You will only worsen the situation – ASUU replies FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has replied the federal government over its threat to sack university lecturers if they fail to call off its ongoing strike.

According to the striking lecturers, the threat would not only fail but will worsen the situation, hence “another long path to making the strike linger more than necessary.”

The ASUU National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, while responding to the government’s directive, said the threat does not hold waters as it has confirmed the fears that the federal government cannot be trusted.

He said, “With the latest action, the federal government has shown that they are not committed to all they have been saying. We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of 200 billion naira is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the federal government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigerian. We are already in November and December is around the corner. If they don’t do that now, when do they want to do it? We are saying that the non-victimization clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the presidents”.

“It is a pity if the federal government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with the union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. We are not in the military era. The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again.

“They can re-open the school. ASUU did not shutdown the universities. It was the management of the schools that ordered the students to go back home.”

Reps to probe expenditure, subsidy on kerosene

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to conduct an investigative hearing on the expenditure and subsidy on kerosene.

The committee was also asked to ascertain the actual amount spent on kerosene subsidy from 2010 to 2013; establish the source of the money used in financing kerosene subsidy and the relevant budgetary approval; determine the companies benefiting from the subsidy; establish the extent (if any) to which the subsidized kerosene gets to the consumers at the regulated price and also investigate all incidental issues relating to kerosene supply and distribution.

The hearing followed a motion moved by  Adeyinka Ajayi (Osun) that the investigation be conducted into the matter.

In the synopsis of his motion, Ajayi said that kerosene, being the only source of energy for millions of Nigerians, was scarce and sells at an exorbitant price, wondering if kerosene was subsidised in Nigeria and who authorised it.

He had earlier noted that kerosene, which is supposedly sold to marketers at N40.90, hardly got to the consumers at the regulated price as it was only the Nigerian National Petroleum, NNPC, retail outlets that sold the product at N50 per litre, while other major and independent marketers retailed the product at between N130-N135 per liter.

The lawmaker also drew the attention of the House to the N634 billion said to have been spent on kerosene subsidy between 2010 and 2012.

According to Ajayi, the House should be more “concerned about the alleged racketeering going on at NNPC where allegations are rife that kerosene is purchased from the depot by dealers at between N65 to N75 per liter which in turn makes it commercially impossible to resell to Nigerians at the recommended retail price of N50.”

ASUU strike: Protest may be suspended within 24 hours

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday put the weight of the ongoing strike on the Federal government as it said that the university strike would be called off 24 hours after the federal government accepts the new resolutions reached with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 4.

Recall that the Union had conducted a referendum late last week, where 60 per cent of the lecturers voted for the re-opening of the shut schools.

relatively, in a swift reaction to a statement credited to the Education Minister , Nyesom Wike, the Union said that Wike’s assertion that ASUU was making new outrageous demands was “untrue and absolute lie.”

ASUU had avowed that it only asked the president to ensure that the resolution reached at the meeting was endorsed and signed by a reputable government official, preferably, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and would object to having a permanent secretary sign the agreement.

ASUU said a representative of the body, including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses.

The union had requested that N200 billion agreed by both the federal government and the lecturers as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities must be kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for disbursement to relevant universities.

While speaking with the Nations Newspaper on Wednesday, the National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, said the Union appreciated the effort of President Jonathan but observed that the letter sent to the Union does not include some of the resolutions reached with the President.

He said that, the supervising Minister of Education was not telling the truth for not disclosing that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the government has not released the N100billion.

Tomorrow by Yung Chido (@yungchido) Ft. Femi Kuti (@femiakuti)

Yung Chido, after dropping BRAGADO and MRS LIFE went back to the United States and on his return, he decided to drop this great song featuring a living legend, Femi Anikulapo Kuti.

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