Category: Headlines

  • Buhari Meet State Governors Over N30, 000 Minimum Wage

    Buhari Meet State Governors Over N30, 000 Minimum Wage

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with representatives of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) over the disagreement between the organised labour and state governors on the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

    Although the meeting was brief reporters covering the State House were barred from the meeting even as the governors declined to comment on the outcome of their meeting.

    Some of the Governors spotted at Aso Rock by our correspondent included the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari, that of Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode, Bauchi, Atiku Bagudu among others.

    Recall that controversies over a new National Minimum Wage has lingered for quite some time with the Federal and State governments still divided on how to go about its implementation.

    While the Federal government had initially settled for N24,000 states had insisted they can’t go beyond N22, 500 but pressures from the organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and United Labour Congress had compelled the presidency to settled for N30,000 in order to avert a proposed strike by the unions.

    Recently the Nigerian Governors Forum met in Abuja, the nation’s capital where they threatened to sack workers in their employ if they must abide by the N30,000 a development Labour kicked against.

  • Avoid Hate Speech –  US, EU

    Avoid Hate Speech – US, EU

    By Kenneth Atavti

    As the campaigns for the 2019 presidential elections commence, the United States, European Union and 23 other western nations have called for transparent campaigns in the run-up to the polls.

    They also warned political and non-political actors against hate speech and violence, stressing that their concern was to see a process leading to free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.

    The group, in a joint statement in Abuja, said they will follow the campaigns and monitor the election process closely.

    The statement was signed by the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic and Denmark.

    Other signatories included, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

    The group said, “As friends of Nigeria and its people, we will follow the campaigns and election process closely. Who wins the elections is for the Nigerian people to decide. Our concern is to see a process leading to free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.

    “We hope to see transparent campaigns and we urge all voters to use their democratic right and vote. We are particularly keen to see greater participation of women, youth and people living with disabilities.

    “We urge all involved – political and non-political actors – to refrain from using hate speech and take a firm stance against violence. The 2015 Peace Accords played an important role in that regard and we welcome new efforts towards that end.”

    The coalition expressed concern over widespread incidents of intimidation, interference and vote-buying during the recent gubernatorial elections.

    “We were also perturbed by irregularities and violence during party primaries, and noted with particular concern that several women candidates were disenfranchised,” it added.

    The statement reiterated the importance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that the commission must be allowed to operate free from outside pressure and intimidation, and in turn must demonstrate full neutrality and professionalism.

    It said, “We encourage that adequate funding is swiftly facilitated for INEC and supporting institutions, and we hope to see the entry into force of improvements to the Electoral Act as soon as possible.

    “We wish to draw particular attention to the fundamental role of the security agencies in providing a safe and secure environment for the Nigerian people to exercise their democratic rights.

    “It is vital that security agencies act, and are seen to act, in an impartial manner that maintains the high standards of professional conduct.”

    The group expressed support for media freedom and the vital role the independent media played in ensuring informed public debate.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has admonished political parties and aspirants to be law-abiding and carry out their campaigns in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The command spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, in a statement, advised them to rein in their supporters and to eschew any act that could cause a break down of law and order in the FCT, Abuja.

    “Political parties are advised to provide the Command with prior notice of all their political activities, especially those that will attract a large gathering of people for adequate security arrangement and coverage,” the statement added.

    Both, President Muhammadu Buhari and his rival in the leading opposition party, the People’s Democratic party, PDP has already kick started their campaigns.

  • BREAKING: Another Major kidnap in Zamfara,  45 now in captivity, lives lost

    BREAKING: Another Major kidnap in Zamfara, 45 now in captivity, lives lost

    From Abba Kabara

    No fewer than forty six men, including a woman were allegedly taken hostage in Shinkafi local government between last Thursday to Saturday morning by a group of suspected kidnappers.

    The first incidence, according to our source, occurred in the morning of Thursday along a road from Kwaren Shinkafi to Shinkafi town where a truck loaded with 35 passengers on their way to attend Shinkafi weekly market day were all kidnapped and forced into the surrounding jungle.

    Reliable source who confided in this reporter on condition of anonymity for personal security, said the whole 35 passengers fell victim as they were struggling to free their truck which was stuck in the sand.

    The source further revealed that the bandits appeared in large group on motorbikes, heavily armed with sophisticated rifles and surrounded the victims and carried them away as captives.

    It was further gathered that on the following Saturday, eleven other persons, including a lady working as Village Community Mobiliser (VCM) were also kidnapped in Kware village under the same local government, out of which one victim was allegedly killed in the attack.

    The spokesman of the state police command SP Shehu Muhammed, while confirming the incidence said already a powerful anti-crime squad has been dispatched to the troubled area.

    He said all the needed security organs, including the military were gully Mobiliser to comb and track the suspected hideout of the bandits.

    SP Shehu stressed that the police will do everything possible to track down and arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.

  • Anambra Speaker impeached over financial impropriety

    Anambra Speaker impeached over financial impropriety

    Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Rita Maduagwu has been impeached by 2/3 majority members.

    Maduagwu, who was impeached at about 2pm yesterday by 22 out of 30 members of the state assembly described the action as a mere figment of imagination of the members.

    The impeached speaker who represents Nnewi South two state constituency on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was removed following a motion moved by a member of the house, Hon Ikem Uzoezie and seconded by Hon Onyebuchi Offor.

    Part of the reason for her impeachment were stated as financial impropriety, gross misconduct and docility.

    Uzoezie also a member of the state ruling party, APGA, representing Aguata two state constituency was announced as the new speaker.

    Hon Onyebuchi Offor, the only Peoples Democratic Party, PDP member of the house told journalists at the state assembly complex that the former speaker stands removed, and that the house has adjourned for Thursday 15th November, when the house will reconvene to take stock.

    According to him, “Am not feeling very strong, but what I just told you is authentic and nothing stops it.”

    Maduagwu told journalists that the members who purportedly impeached her did not have 2/3 majority as required to execute such action.

    It was however gathered that the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano quickly sent some government emissaries like the Secretary to the state Government and Chief of Staff, Prof. Solo Chukwudebelu and Primus Odili respectively to the Legislative Complex to intervene and upturn her impeachment.

    Odili who rushed to the assembly complex just minutes after the impeachment, was seen making contacts and trying to mobilise the members for a meeting, even as it was not clear if he made any impact from the move.

  • Shocking! FG says 60 million Nigerians are mad

    Shocking! FG says 60 million Nigerians are mad


    *says more people will die of mental illness than AIDS, heart attacks, accidents, war by 2020

    *calls for the enactment of the Mental Health Act

    Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi has raised the alarm that no fewer than 60 million Nigerians suffer from mental health disorders (madness).

    Abdullahi who was represented by Mfon Bassey, Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at a workshop on the Mental Health Action Committee Stakeholders Meeting with the theme: “Strategies to Revitalize Mental Health Service in Nigeria”.

    He attributed the prevalence of mental health disorders in the country to inadequate attention by government to the illness, awareness and misconception by the public adding that more people will be disabled by psychological challenges than complications arising from HIV/AIDS, heart disease, accidents and wars combined by the year 2020.

    According to him, the ways to address the burden include fast-tracking the enactment of the Mental Health Act as well as the resuscitation of the National Mental Health Action Committee for the coordination of stakeholders’ activities on mental health and psychosocial supports in the country.

    He said: “In Nigeria, an estimated 20%–30% of our populations are believed to suffer from mental disorders. This is a very significant number considering Nigeria has an estimated population of over 200 million.”

    “Unfortunately, the attention given to mental health disorders in Nigeria is inadequate. The level of awareness of the Nigerian public on mental health issues is also understandably poor and with lots of misconceptions.

    “By 2020, it is estimated that common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse-related disorders, will disable more people than complications arising from HIV/AIDS, heart disease, accidents, and wars combined! This is an astonishing statistic and possesses serious questions as to why mental health disorders are not given the needed attention that it currently receives.

    “A policy for mental health services delivery was developed with several key provisions of the policy, including establishing a body at the Federal Ministry of Health to focus on Mental Health issues.

    “Some of the pertinent issues is how to address and dialogue with stakeholders on the burden of mental health, intimate them on the Mental Health policy, identify ways to fast track the enactment of the Mental Health Act and modalities for resuscitating the National mental health action committee for coordinating the activities of various stakeholders on mental health and Psychosocial supports in Nigeria”, he added.

    The ministry’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, said that the Nigeria’s statistics on mental health disorders is alarming considering the current economic hardships in the country.

    She said, “Considering the current economic situation in the country, the above statistics are damning and in the light of the recent suicidal episodes recorded in parts of Lagos (which are obviously is a tip of the iceberg), it forces a rethink in our general attitudes to mental health and questions our current maintenance of the status quo”, she added.

    Representatives of World Health Organization, WHO, Lead on Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Intervention, Dr. Rex Mpaazange, also decried Nigeria’s high burden of mental health disorders noting that people with severe mental disorders experience moderate to severe depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and generally have a life-expectancy 10-20 years shorter than the general population.