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Jigawa State Assembly Speaker impeached

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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IN what appeared to be an emergency seating, the members of the Jigawa State Assembly on Thursday impeached Hon. Isah Idris, speaker of the House.

He was replaced after 20 out of 30 lawmakers present unanimously voted Hon. Idris Garba as the newly elected speaker of the State Assembly.

On 7th May, the lawmakers broke the mace, a symbol of authority positioned in the state assembly over leadership battle. This occurred during a proposed motion calling for change of a standing rule forbidding whoever principal officer, previously impeached to re-contest for any position in the House.

According to report, the current speaker, Garba had similar impeachment experience when he was sacked as speaker in 2017 by the state assembly lawmakers.

Alkasim Karkarna, a lawmaker representing Yankwashi Constituency, was alleged to have broken the mace.

However, he is not the first lawmaker to experience impeachment in the country. In November last year, Speaker of the Anambra State Assembly, Rita Maduagwu was impeached by the same quorum of 20 from 30 state lawmakers.

In the same November, Ondo State Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun and his deputy, Mr Iroju Ogundeji were both impeached by the House.

Mr Peter Azi, former speaker of Plateau State Assembly was removed in July last year and replaced with Joshua Madaki, Chief Whip of the House.

Also, five days to the end of the tenure of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, speaker of the State Assembly Kola Oluwawole, and his Deputy, Shina Animasaun were sacked.

In July last year, the Benue State Assembly suspended its speaker, deputy speaker and majority leader, Terkibir Ikyange, Mrs James Okefe, Benjamin Adanyi for alleged abuse of office.

ASUU wants Buhari to investigate attacks on Labour leaders at Ngige’s residence

YEKEEN Akinwale
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ASUU wants Buhari to investigate attacks on Labour leaders at Ngige’s residence

THE leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), says President Muhammadu Buhari needs to institute a Panel of Inquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis that led to the attacks on leaders and members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday at the residence of Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The academic union stated this in a statement issued by its National President, Biodun Ogunyemi on Thursday, a copy of which was made available to The ICIR.

While insisting that all those found culpable should be brought to justice, ASUU said that “it solidarised with all comrades who were brutalised for no just cause.

“Nigerian workers should not, and will not, surrender to some power-drunk politicians who are out to enslave Nigerians in their own country,” it added.

The ICIR reported that members of the Congress who were on protest to picket the Minister’s residence on Wednesday over his refusal to inaugurate the board of National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) were attacked by suspected armed thugs.

The Fund replaced the National Provident Fund (NPF) which came into existence in 1961. Among other things, the Board is charged with the responsibility of implementing the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) of 2010.

The ASUU also commended the NLC leadership for its courageous defence of the rights of workers of Nigeria and urged Congress to stay steadfast and continue to resist all attempts to emasculate the Nigerian working, class and its organisation.

“For us in ASUU, there is no justification whatsoever for the attack on labour leaders. It is a retrogressive step which should not be tolerated in an aspiring democracy like ours. All well- meaning Nigerians should condemn this barbaric move against helpless and hapless workers,” it said.

It noted that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Waba, has, for more than one year,  consistently raised concerns about the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, as the major obstacle to the inauguration of the NSITF Board.

“Comrade Ayuba argues that Senator Ngige does not want to inaugurate the Board because it is to be chaired by a former Vice-President of NLC, Chief Frank Kokori. All entreaties to make the Minister shift ground at consultative meetings reportedly fell on deaf ears,” ASUU said.

“And the NLC was left with no other option than the picketing strategy which, unfortunately, the Minister failed to handle with care and caution.”

 

CBN offers up to N500 million loans for start-up companies

Jennifer UGWA
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CBN offers up to N500 million loans for start-up companies

THE Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with Bankers’ Committee recently announced that people in the creative and information industry (CIFI) will be granted start-up loans ranging from N3million to N500million.

The announcement which was made by the CBN through a press release on its websites notes that the scheme is hinged mainly on four pillars in the creative industry—fashion, movie, music and Information Technology.

The initiative is designed to target youth empowerment in order to reduce unemployment in the nation.

Although the total sum allocated to the scheme was not mentioned by CBN, Student of Software Engineering are eligible to receive up to N3million, while people interested in movie Production gets N30 million and N500 million for movie distributors.

“Interested applicants in the creative industry are hereby advised to submit applications to their banks for approval and disbursement,” the statement read.

The apex bank also gave a maximum of 10 years for repayment of loans excluding Software Engineering students loans, as they are expected to refund the loan within three years.

“A maximum interest of 9 per cent is applicable to all loans received,” said the CBN.

Oil Theft: Navy apprehends eight suspects, transfers case to EFCC

Amos ABBA
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Oil Theft: Navy apprehends eight suspects, transfers case to EFCC

The Nigerian Navy, NNS Victory Calabar on Wednesday, handed over eight persons suspected to be involved in the illegal conveyance of oil to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Zonal Office, including 105 drums of petrol and boat used for the illegal activity.

The suspects arrested onboard the boat include Godwin Eden (Nigerian), Justice Ebanga (Nigerian), Effiong Gilbert (Nigerian), Manasseh Obani (Nigerian), Ambe Festus (Cameroonian), Alpha Emmanuel (Cameroonian), Sakwe Felix (Cameroonian) and Vasco Mekora (Cameroonian).

In a statement, by Naval Commander M.D. Fefa who handed over the suspects to the EFCC, stated that the arrest was made on April 28, by a patrol team from his Command.

“My men intercepted the wooden boat ladened with drums of Premium Motor Spirit PMS, concealed under plastic drums of palm oil, at Oron Bar along the Calabar waterways, while they were transiting to Cameroon,” he said.

While receiving the suspects, Victor Ikang, Head, Extractive Industry Fraud Section, EIFS of the EFCC Uyo office, gave the assurance that the Commission remained poised to rid the nation of illegal dealing in petroleum products which has so far affected the Nigerian economy negatively.

“The EFCC is determined to enforce its mandate while collaborating with other security agencies like the Navy in ensuring that the Nations waterways are safe and secured,” he said, stressing that the culprits will be duly prosecuted.

In another development, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, released its monthly financial and operations report for January in a twitter post which reveals an 11 per cent decrease in oil theft occurred in January putting the number of vandalised oil pipelines at 230 hacked pipeline points, leaving only two ruptured.

Compared to 264 vandalised points posted in December 2018 which reflects a remarkable reduction in pipelines vandalisation.

A breakdown of the report indicates that Mosimi-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ilorin and Aba-Enugu pipelines accounted for 67, 62 and 30 points which translates to 29 per cent, 27 per cent and 13 per cent of the vandalised points.

“The Warri-River Niger axis accounted for 10 per cent and other locations accounted for the remaining 21 per cent of the pipeline breaks,’’ the report stated.

Ganduje signs bill creating four new Emirates in Kano State

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Ganduje signs bill creating four new Emirates in Kano State

GOVERNOR Umar Ganduje of Kano State has signed the State’s Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (Amendment) Bill into Law, paving way for the creation of four new Emirate councils in the state.

Ganduje assented to the bill on Wednesday, the same day it was passed by unanimous decision of members of the State Assembly.

The four new Emirates would be situated in Rano, Gaya, Karaya and Bichi.

Many believe that the move to create more emirate councils in Kano State is a ploy by the Umar Ganduje-led government to reduce the influence of the Kano Emirate, currently headed by Muhammad Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

However, Ganduje maintained that the move would enhance development and job creation within the state.

“With the creation of more Emirates, all sectors of the society would improve. It will also lead to more concentration on our health, education and other equally important sectors of the society,” Ganduje had said earlier on Wednesday while addressing newsmen before a State Executive Council meeting.

“That is the popular wish of our people, the people of Kano State. This will also go a long way in hastening growth and development for the state.

“The efforts didn’t get through many years ago but now we are happy to see that the idea would come into fruition,” he had said.

Presidential election petitions tribunal kicks off at Court of Appeal headquarters

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Presidential election petitions tribunal kicks off at Court of Appeal headquarters

THE 2019 Presidential election tribunal has kicked off at the headquarters of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday.

The tribunal has four petitions before it challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded general election.

Speaking during the opening of the proceedings, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, President of the Court of Appeal, urged all to conduct themselves in a mature manner, assuring that all parties would be given equal opportunity to make their case.

“We assure all stakeholders that each litigant will be given equal opportunity to present his case in a mature manner before us,” Bulkachuwa pledged.

She also warned the parties to desist from engaging in a public analysis of the proceedings of the court, or sharing information on social or electronic media, on the day-to-day running of the hearing.

“We are witnesses to what has been happening in high-profile cases where such cases are being discussed and publicly decided prematurely in both the social and electronic media before the announcement of the verdict by the court,” Bulkachuwa noted.

“We pray that this time would be an exception for the benefit of the nation. We don’t expect counsel to any of the parties to hype the polity after any sitting by making a public analysis in the media as to what transpired in court.”

“These proceedings should be treated as would any other low-profile case, where proceedings in court are not discussed publicly until a decision is pronounced by the court.

“This admonition is also extended to the parties, their respective counsel and the members of the press.

“Any breach will not be condoned and we will not hesitate in taking necessary action against such offenders.”

Among the four petitions challenging Buhari’s electoral victory was the one by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which wants the court to declare its candidate, Abubakar Atiku as the winner of the election.

Atiku and the PDP also want the court to declare that Buhari was not qualified to run for the elections in the first place as, according to them, he did not possess the requisite qualifications to vie for the post of president in the first place.

Kano Assembly passes bill for creation of four new Emirates

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Kano Assembly passes bill for creation of four new Emirates

THE Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Law, which seeks to decentralise the Kano Emirate Council by creating four new emirates in the state., namely Rano, Karaye, Bichi and Gaya emirates.

The amendment of the existing chieftaincy law was at the instance of a petition filed by one Ibrahim Chambers who argued that some traditional rulers in Kano State ought to be elevated to the status of emirs.

Many believe that the move to create more emirate councils in Kano State is a ploy by the Umar Ganduje-led government to reduce the influence of the Kano Emirate, currently headed by Muhammad Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ganduje and Sanusi are reported to have fallen out over yet to be disclosed issues. A probe is currently underway by the Kano State anti-corruption agency into the finances of the Kano Emirate, a move, many believe, is targeted at removing Sanusi from the throne.

Reports say Sanusi did not support Ganduje’s bid to be re-elected for a second term in office. In the February governorship election in the state, Ganduje lost significantly in Kano metropolis, an area largely controlled by the Emir of Kano.

The governorship election was majorly between Ganduje and Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had the support of his father-in-law, former Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso.

It was a closely contested poll that required a supplementary exercise before Ganduje was declared the winner with a margin of just over 8000 votes. Both Ganduje and Yusuf gathered over one million votes apiece.

Already, Ganduje has commended the state’s lawmakers for the new amendment to the local government and chieftaincy Act, saying that he would sign it into law as soon as the bill gets to his table.

He said this while address a press briefing on Wednesday before the commencement of the State’s Executive Council Meeting.

“We heard about a bill sent to the State House of Assembly, requesting them to make a law for the creation of four more emirs in Kano. We believe the petitioners did it in good faith. And they want the development of the state,” Ganduje was quoted as saying.

“I hope the legislative arm would work on it and forward to me for assent of which I am ready to sign into law without any waste of time.

“That is the popular wish of our people. This will also go a long way in hastening growth and development for the state.”

“With the creation of more Emirates, all sectors of the society would improve. It will also lead to more concentration on our health, education and other equally important sectors of the society. That is why I said there will be no waste of time in signing the bill into law.

“That is the popular wish of our people, the people of Kano State. This will also go a long way in hastening growth and development for the state.

“The efforts didn’t get through many years ago but now we are happy to see that the idea would come into fruition.”

The development in Kano is similar to what happened in Oyo State in 2017 when the Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, reviewed the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and created 21 new traditional rulers in the kingdom which historically had only one known ‘oba’, the Olubadan.

Though many claimed at the time that the move was targetted at whittling down the authority of the Olubadan, Ajimobi said it was the contrary.

“What we have done is an elevation of the Olubadan to Imperial Majesty and members of the Olubadan-in-Council to Royal Majesties. We will never disparage nor relegate the status of the Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he maintained.

Incidentally, Ganduje and Ajimobi are in-laws. The latter’s daughter is married to the former’s son.

 FG to arraign NFF President, Amaju Pinnick over alleged $8.4m fraud

Nneoma BENSON
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 FG to arraign NFF President, Amaju Pinnick over alleged $8.4m fraud

THE federal government has filed a 17-count corruption charge against the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, and four others, for allegedly misappropriating the sum of $8.4 million being the appearance fee paid to the federation by FIFA for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The four others include, Seyi Akinwumi, NFF’s first Vice President; Shehu Dikko, the second  Vice President; Mohammed Sanusi – General Secretary, and  Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, an NFF executive member.

The charges were filed on behalf of the federal government by the Special Presidential Investigative and recovery Panel (SPIP), headed by Okoi Obono-Obla.

The panel also accused the defendants of failure to declare their assets in accordance to the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act 2004.

Pinnick and Dikko were specifically accused of appointing ‘Financial Derivatives’, a company in which they have an interest, as financial consultants to the NFF, and thereby contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Also included in the listed charges, was the allegation that the defendants “dishonestly and intentionally” moved the sum of about N4 billion belonging to the NFF without the consent of the federation.

There have been reports that NIGERIAN football officials usually hide behind the FIFA regulation that prohibits government’s interference in football matters to divert grants and funds from sponsorship deals.

Both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Ministry of Sports have raised complaints over the alleged anomaly but they could not expressly take action against the NFF lest FIFA interpret it as interference and ban Nigeria from all football-related activity.

An investigation by Premium Times revealed how the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, in December 2016, petitioned the EFCC requesting an investigation into the NFF’s finances with regards to $802,000.00 which he said was a FIFA grant that had not been accountably managed.

The EFCC claims that in two years, beginning January 2014, the NFF, under Amaju Pinnick, has received a total of $16.4 million – including over $13 million from FIFA alone and the rest from CAF – into its domiciliary accounts domiciled with the Zenith Bank and UBA.

ActionAid tasks FG on social protection for women workers

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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ActionAid tasks FG on social protection for women workers

ACTIONAID Nigeria on Wednesday held 100-person rally to promote decent, safe and secure workplace for women in the country.

The international UK based group said women are more marginalised in terms of fair wages and rewards, stressing the need to improve women’s occupational health safety.

Tasallah Chibok, Director of Programmes, during the rally, said most women who work in industries and other profit-driven organisations such as quarry, agriculture, constructions among others are usually victims of undignified working conditions.

At the protest organised in partnership with Activista Nigeria, a youth movement, she cited an instance of women working in the informal sector like street vendors and domestic workers, who receive little or no employment benefits and even more susceptible to violence.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) during its recent celebration of 100 years anniversary at the 2019 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, canvassed safe working condition for labour, especially women. This in-line with the 189 ILO conventions aimed to promote decent work for labour.

The foremost, globally recognised body is recognised to create awareness, advocating for better workers welfare, job safety as well as consequences of work-related accidents, injuries and disease.

In its latest report issued on 15th April, titled “Safety and Health at the Heart of the Future of Work: Building on 100 years of experience,” 7, 500 people die daily due to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions globally.

It thus attributed attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN to global Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)., adding that, “Everyday, people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases – more than 2.78 million deaths per year,” ILO says.

“Additionally, there are some 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries each year, resulting to four days of absence at work”.

It further recognises, “the human cost of this daily adversity,” describing it as “vast and economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices estimated at 3.94 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.”

“ActionAid Nigeria believes that the duo of federal and state government need to ensure women workers in the public, private and the informal sector have their protections guaranteed in labour laws,” Chibok added.

“They must regulate, enforce, and punish all employers who violate labour laws and women’s rights.”

Less than three weeks to go, Okorocha creates four new universities in Imo State

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Less than three weeks to go, Okorocha creates four new universities in Imo State

THE Rochas Okorocha-led Imo State Government has given approval for the takeoff of four new state universities, just about three weeks to the end of his two-year-tenure.

They include the University of Science and Technology, Omuna Isiaku; University of Creative Technology, Umuna, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ogboko (Okorocha’s hometown), and the  Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

These universities, added to the already existing Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, bring the total number of universities owned by the Imo State Government to five, excluding the other tertiary institutions like the Imo State Polytechnic, the College of Education and Schools of health.

The final approval for the establishment of the new four universities was granted on Tuesday by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, commended the Imo State Government and expressed his readiness to accord the state all the help it would require in developing appropriate curriculum and strategies for the effective and smooth running of the school.

“By the provision of the law establishing the NUC and by the power conferred on me (as the Executive Secretary) and the Imo state House of Assembly having passed the law for the establishment of the universities, I hereby recognise the universities,” Rasheed was quoted as saying.

Okorocha, in his remarks at the event, explained that the establishment of the universities became necessary due to the huge numbers of Imo State citizens seeking for admission into tertiary education institutions every year.

“The challenges of no admission for our children will be reduced with the establishment of the new universities. As a state, we have made adequate provision for sustaining the university through enough funding to run the universities,” he said, adding that the project started five years ago.

However, the development has drawn criticism and condemnation from several quarters. Many described it as an inappropriate move for a government that has barely a month more to spend in the office.

Premium Times, in a report on Wednesday, quoted a top official of the Imo State University (IMSU) as condemning the move to create more universities when the existing one was not being properly funded by the governor.

“The staff have not been paid their promotion arrears since 2004 till date. Their pension remittances to PFAs have not been paid for the past 36 months. Gratuity also has not been paid to our retired staff,” the anonymous was quoted as saying.

“NUC is looking for money now. And you know, the governor is about handing over. By May 29, he ceases to be the governor of this state. So what he is doing now is to frustrate the incoming government.”

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be taking his oath of office as the new Imo State Governor on May 29. He defeated Okorocha’s son-in-law and preferred candidate, Uche Nwosu, of the Action Alliance (AA) in a fiercely contested poll earlier in February.

Unions sing discordant tunes

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned Okorocha’s this latest development, describing it as “plans to erode the basis of meaningful university education in Imo State”.

“ASUU cannot take him (Okorocha) seriously,” said Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National Chairman. “We don’t believe that he meant what he was doing because universities are not primary schools.

“You have to ask him what has he done with the Imo State University, why is he doing this in his last month in the office. If he meant well for that state, he was there for eight years. Why should he wait till the last two weeks or so to establish three universities?

“It is never done in any part of the world that you turn the establishment of universities into a constituency project. We see this as over politicisation of education and somebody must tell Governor Okorocha that he’s not helping that state.

“Every reasonable Nigerian should condemn this misadventure by Governor Okorocha. It is a misadventure and a joke of the century.”

However, Chairman of the IMSU chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Felix Chukwu, declared his support for Okorocha’s creation of additional universities in the state, provided they are adequately funded.

“We need development but will they be funded adequately? The governor is a wise man so I think I give him my support. But the issue is, will the government adequately fund the universities?” Chukwu asked rather rhetorically.

Imo’s budget for the entire education sector in 2018 was 13.5 billion, an approximation of $37 million.  That is far less than the budget of a single state university in the United States.

For example, the 2018 budget for the State University of New York was over $10 billion.

Imo education budget for all schools, colleges and universities in 2018 is 0.3 per cent of the NY state university.

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