Presidential aide, Garba Shehu, has reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to finish major projects across the country before handing over power in 2023. He made the remark on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, noting that that is the major preoccupation of the government. “The president is determined to make the last push for major policies, infrastructure, and projects that he believes must be delivered before he leaves, ” the presidential aide added. Shehu listed some of the projects to include the second Niger Bridge; Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; East-West Road; Calabar- Lagos railway; Maiduguri-Port Harcourt railway and Ibadan-Port Harcourt rail line. “All of these are matters of priority and he is seeking to commission them before he leaves,” he said, reiterating that his principal is committed to leaving a lasting legacy and not on choosing his successor. “He is not going to write the script for 2023; he is not a kingmaker; he is focused on his job,” the spokesman maintained. “The actors in the field are there competing and scrambling for offices. It is up to Nigerians to determine who will lead them. I think the president is determined to ride on the Abuja-Kaduna Road back home when he finishes in 2023.” Aside from infrastructure, he also re-echoed Buhari’s earlier call to Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture even though he admitted the Federal Government alone cannot fund the sector. According to him, to see growth in the sector, people have to look beyond the government who he said is more concerned about providing the enabling environment for agriculture to flourish. “Now, as we speak, in Kano, we have an association of graduate farmers – People who have said, ‘Okay, we have the certificates – BSc, MSc – let’s go and do something different’. Nobody is regretting among those people,” Buhari’s spokesman explained. “They are doing quite well. And I am aware that in a number of states, graduates have organised themselves and they are reaping the dividends of their own decisions.”

The wife of a Kaduna-based journalist, Gladys Binniyat, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating health of her husband, Luka. According to her, Luka has been unable to walk since Tuesday. Binniyat, who is a freelance journalist with Epoch Times, a United State of America-based newspaper and the spokesperson for the Southern Kaduna Peoples has reportedly been in detention since November 4, 2021, on the orders of the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state, Samuel Aruwan. Efforts to admit Luka to bail have been futile. Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday, she lamented the treatment given to him at the prison clinic, stating that he should be taken to a better medical facility. Gladys said,”He called me on Tuesday saying that his legs are giving him issues. He said they were swollen and he could not work. “He was rushed to the prison clinic in a wheelchair. They just bandaged his legs and he gave them money to buy drugs which he used. “They took him back to the cell, before they attended to him. I don’t have confidence in the treatment they gave to him, he complained of pains at around 7 am and you gave him treatment by 6pm, if it is something that would have killed him that was how they would have left him to die. “I saw him this morning. His legs are still swollen and can’t work. I want them to release my husband for me so that he can be taken care of. “I am not sure of the kind of drugs given to him, I don’t trust them. I want him to be taken to a good medical facility for proper checkup and treatment.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the desire to conclude his tenure successfully because “age is telling on me”. Buhari, who clocked 79 on December 17, 2021, said this while reacting to a question during an interview on NTA, on Thursday. “About my age, I see my colleagues, they are now resting, and I assure you that I look forward to the next 17 months when I too will be less busy,“ he said. “The age is telling on me, working now for six, seven to eight hours per day in the office is no joke; there are questions of executive council, memos from as many states as possible to be considered virtually every week. Really, it’s a lot of hard work, but as I’ve said, I asked for it and I cannot complain. “I have been a governor, I have been a minister, and I’m in my second term as president. So, I’ve gone through all the system and really, what else can I do for this country? I have given my best.”

Workers at the National Assembly under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria have resolved to begin industrial action accompanied with picketing of the federal parliament on Monday. The workers are protesting against non-payment of a backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances, among others. The National Assembly and National Assembly Service Commission chapters of PASAN held a joint congress in Abuja on Thursday where it was resolved that the workers should down tools, about one week before the lawmakers are to return from recess. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives had embarked on Christmas and New Year break. Plenary is scheduled to resume on January 18, 2022. However, in a letter released by PASAN after the congress, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, the workers accused the management headed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos, of failing to implement the agreements earlier signed with them in a Memorandum of Understanding. The letter, which was addressed to the Clerk and dated January 6, 2022, was titled ‘Resolutions of the Joint Congress of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (National Assembly Service Commission/ National Assembly) Chapters Held on 6th January 2022.’ It was signed by Chairman, NASS Chapter, Sunday Sabiyi; and Vice-Chairman, NASC, M. A. Liman. It was copied to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Executive Chairman, NASC; National President, PASAN; Department of State Services, NASS; Divisional Police Officer, NASS; and Head of Sergeants-at-Arms. The letter read in part, “Following (the) management(’s) breach of the Memorandum of Understanding entered with PASAN on the 13th of April, 2021, on the full implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act 2019 and the Revised Conditions of Service, (the) congress hereby observes the following: “Breach of MoU by the decision of management not to honour it as at 31st December 2021, being the end of fourth quarter 2021; that in contravention of the new National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, management violated the said Act by shortchanging staff by eight months. “Non-payment of Rent Subsidy; non-payment of 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowance, including correction of miscalculated payments of the allowance; non-payment of six months arrears of hazard allowance for National Assembly staff.” PASAN noted that while the management had earlier identified the Supplementary Budget 2021 as one amongst the various sources of fund to implement the MoU, the workers were “amazed that suddenly, the supplementary budget and virement of the 2021 fiscal appropriations have become the source of funding items not captured in the MoU, including end of year bonus and promotion arrears.” The notice further read, “Resolutions in view of the contraventions above, the NASC/NASS joint emergency congress resolves as follows: “That Management should pay with immediate effect, eight months outstanding balance of minimum wage; year 2021 rent subsidy; 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowance; six months arrears of hazard allowance to National Assembly staff. “In addition to the MOU, congress also demands implementation of 50 per cent balance of CONLESS, immediate release of year 2022 training template for staff, (and) evidence of provision of gratuity for retiring staff. “In view of Resolutions 1 and 2, congress resolves to embark on industrial action, commencing with mass picketing from Monday, 10th January 2022, in protest of the breach of the MoU.”

The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG has reacted to the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB’s ban on the consumption of ‘Fulani cows’ (beef) in South-East, calling for a total boycott of all businesses operated by the Igbo all over the North. CNG through its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that IPOB’s order issued in a statement on Monday by one Emma Powerful, amounted to a grave provocation and serious threat to northern commercial interests in the South East and by extension, to the physical wellbeing of Northerners living as minorities among Igbo communities. In a renewed resolve to pay a coin for any direct or indirect attack or threat to Northerners and their interests anywhere in the country, the CNG called for the total boycott of all businesses, goods and services operated by Igbo in the North effective from the same April 2022. Insecurity: Tension in Imo, as stakeholders arrive venue The CNG also called on northerners everywhere to decline support for any political party or formation or movement that has the active participation of South-East politicians. “For the avoidance of doubt, the North while maintaining its tradition of tolerance and accommodation, shall however no longer be disposed to condoning further acts of irresponsibility in the form of deliberate threats of intimidation or harassment targeted at Northerners living and doing legitimate businesses elsewhere in the country. “Since such targeted utterances have in the past been preludes to physical attacks on northerners and destruction of their properties in particularly the South East, we urge northern transporters and suppliers of goods to consider alternative trade routes to avoid the imminent risks that come with this IPOB threat. “We warm that the North has had enough of the antagonism from the South East and its attack dog, the IPOB and will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted abuse and violations. “All those who have no other useful vocation other than attacking northerners under the slightest of pretexts should know that our patience has reached its nadir. “The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind,” Suleiman said. Source: Vanguard

The Lagos State Ministry of Education has said that Dowen College Lekki would be re-opened only after the school fixes all lapses identified by the ministry officials during a visit following Sylvester Oromoni’s death last month. The ministry also said all boarding schools in Lagos will be re-validated after resumption from the second term mid-term break ending February 18. This is coming after the Director of Public Prosecution absolved five pupils accused of complicity in Oromoni’s death on Wednesday. A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Ganiu Lawal, quoted the Education Commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo as saying: ‘’We will consider the possibility of reopening the school only when all issues surrounding school administration have been appropriately attended to.” – Though the statement was silent on the issues to be addressed, it noted that the ministry conducted a thorough inspection of the school during last month’s visit. The statement also noted that the ministry was reviewing the operational guidelines of boarding schools and the requirement for establishing them. It is also overhauling the “departments and agencies responsible for monitoring and inspection of schools.”

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has gifted N30 million to the families of three slain policemen in the state. The deceased officers – Inspectors Isaac Isodje, Saviour Udeh and Ebenezer Edward – served under the Diobu Division of the State Command. They were murdered by armed men while on a stop and search duty in November last year. Presenting the cheques on behalf of the governor to members of deceased officers’ families, the Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said the gesture is Wike’s demonstration of his commitment to ensuring that the families of policemen who lost their lives in the cause of serving Rivers are not left in misery. “This is a token of love from Governor Nyesom Wike to the families. Though money cannot replace a life, it is a way of showing love to all officers and men who serve in Rivers State that the State Government will always be behind them no matter the situation they find themselves in,” he said. “So, the amount here is a token of love from the Governor as a man who has the milk of human kindness and compassion to cushion the impact of this great loss.” Wike equally commended police personnel for their services to the state extended his condolences to the State Police Command and the bereaved families. He prayed to God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss.