Crime Facts

Presidency tough, I’m eager to go – Buhari

  President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, described his seven years in office as “tough” saying “I am eager to go.” This was as he called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities to consider the plight of the future generations of the country as the strike stretches into the fifth month. According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said this when he received some governors of the All Progressives Congress, legislators, and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. The statement is titled ‘Enough is enough, President Buhari tells ASUU, urges lecturers to consider generational consequences.’ Lamenting the toll his official duties have taken on him in the last seven years, President Buhari told the visiting governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office. He said, “The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, at the eid prayer ground. He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021.” “In ten to eleven months time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja.” The President explained that the schedule of work was much, saying he recently had to sympathise with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away most of the time from his family. He claimed that relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure. “I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making. I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said. Addressing the now six-month ASUU strike that has crippled academic activities in public universities nationwide, the President appealed to lecturers to consider the effect of the strike on future generations. According to him, the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that already beg for attention. He said enough is enough. While claiming that the government understands ASUU’s position, the President remarked, “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.” He urged well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation. President Buhari said students from Nigerian universities are already handicapped in competing with their counterparts in a highly connected and technology-driven workspace, therefore, keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill, and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage. “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education. “Through technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs,” he added. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, assured the President that the governors would work to ensure the party’s success in next year’s elections. He claimed that the roaring insecurity in the north has done little to the country’s food security, especially due to the “favorable seasons”. “In spite of the attacks by the renegades, our country remains self-sufficient in food production. We have seen investments that were not there before you came into power. “Not less than 20 states now have agriculture process zones. We have rice pyramids in Ekiti, Gombe, and Niger, while maize pyramids were revived in Katsina and Kano states,” he said. APC Governors at the lunch with the President include; Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Abubakar Bello of Niger State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Dr. Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

Christian group okays choice of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate

  Northern Progressive Christian Alliance (NPCA) has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress Flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate. The group, an interdenominational Christian forum known for promoting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance with members across the 19 northern states, said the decision to back Senator Shettima was based on competence, performance and love for Christians during his days as the Governor of Borno State. “It is high time Nigerians rose above ethnic or religious sentiments in the consideration of choice of leaders at all level of governance,” the group said. The Christian group,which disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary; Reverend Moses Bwala Bitrus and Pastor Nicolas Abimaje and made issued to journalists in Kaduna,said the election of a President and his running mate as well as other political positions shouldn’t be measured on basis of tribe, religious and regional interests ,but on who can work and tackle the plethora of problems facing Nigeria. While reacting to the trending allegation that Senator Shettima created and has been sponsoring Boko Haram, the group challenged those behind the allegations to provide evidence with an assurance that they will mobilize Nigerians to reject him outrightly and if none ,they should stop the campaign of calumny. ” We know all the efforts he has done to rescue the Chibok girls and end Boko Haram insurgency at the risk his life. A good number of our members in Borno and the Borno CAN Chairman Bishop Naga have confirmed that under Shettima as Governor, between 2011 and 2019 , the Christian communities in Borno enjoyed a better deal and he gave priority to growth and development of all residents in the State “. “We also gathered that in the history of Borno there was no Governor that worked with Christian community and sponsored highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011as much as Shettima.” “We want Nigerians to know that part of his principles of fairness was reason the Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong was elected the Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum after he insisted his successor must be a Christian.” The group,which noted that Shettima that didn’t choose himself, but Tinubu chose him, said , “we strongly believe that Tinubu/Shettima combination viewed as Muslim-Muslim Ticket is unacceptable.” “We urge Nigerians to rather view the ticket as a combine force that will help to tackle the issues of insecurity; poverty, unemployment, dwindling economy , dearth of industrial growth and several problems militating against growth and development of the country .”

Elections: High Court Issues New Directions To Hold Virtual Hearings Of Cases

  The Federal High Court, has issued new practice directions that allows for virtual hearing of cases and electronic service of notices on lawyers. This is to Provide for a fair, impartial and expeditious determination of pre-election cases. The new practice directions, which was issued by Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, forbade judges from granting more than two adjournments to any party in an election dispute. It also provided that interlocutory issues touching on the jurisdiction of the Court, shall be suspended and delivered at the stage of final judgment. According to a statement the court issued through its Assistant Director, Information, Catherine Christopher, the CJ made the new rules in the exercise of the power conferred on him by section 254, 285 (9), (10) and (14) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 29(5), as well as 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended). The statement adds that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court may direct that matters be transferred to the appropriate Division or any other Division as may be reasonably practicable considering the given circumstances. On service of processes, the new rules, provides that a party shall not serve a notice of an application on another party on the date scheduled for hearing. Also, to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, electronic mail and other electronic means may be employed by the Court in order to inform counsel of urgent Court case events. Provides that such notification shall be given at least forty-eight hours before the scheduled Court date. “In line with the provision of Rule 5(2) of the Rule, parties are expected to furnish the Court Registrar with functional telephone numbers and email addresses of themselves and their counsel. “The Court and the parties shall prevent unnecessary delays and accordingly, not more than two adjournments shall be granted to any party to an action covered by the provisions of the Practice Directions. “Where a party seeks to change his Counsel during the lifespan of a case, not more than two adjournments shall be granted to him to so do. “Where it is expedient, and in furtherance of the objectives of this Practice directions, the Court may schedule the time and date of hearing on such day and at such time as may be convenient for the parties,” the statement partly read. It further adds that counsel shall ensure that they are present in court and ready to proceed with their case at all times. “Where the provisions of the Rule 6(7) of the Rule becomes impracticable by reason of ill-health or any other unavoidable incidence, such Counsel shall ensure that a Counsel of requisite knowledge of the issues before the Court Is present in Court and ready to proceed with the case in his or her stead or apply that the case be heard virtually where practicable; with the consent of parties”, the new practice directions stipulated.

UK to announce new prime minister Sept 5

  The new UK prime minister to replace the outgoing Boris Johnson will be announced on September 5, the ruling Conservative party said on Monday, with 11 hopefuls currently vying for the job. The leadership contest was triggered last week when Johnson, 58, was forced to step down after a frenzy of more than 50 resignations from his government, in opposition to his scandal-hit premiership. The influential 1922 Committee of non-ministerial Tory MPs in parliament on Monday outlined a timetable for the party’s leadership election. Nominations will officially open and close on Tuesday, with a new prime minister set to be installed when parliament returns from the summer break on September 5, Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, told reporters. Tory MPs will whittle the current list down to a final two through a series of ballots, with the worst-performing candidate eliminated after each round, before party members choose the winner. With calls for Johnson to leave Downing Street as soon as possible — and to avoid the process dragging into MPs’ summer holidays — the numbers are likely to be pared down quickly to just two. The joint-executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, Bob Blackman, said they were committed to doing that before parliament breaks for the summer on July 21. The first ballot will be held on Wednesday, with a second ballot likely on Thursday, said Brady. In a bid to speed up the process, candidates must have at least 20 MPs backing them in order to enter the race, up from the usual eight, and any candidate who fails to get the support of 30 MPs in the first ballot will be eliminated. Among those running are Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, whose departures as finance minister and health minister sparked the wave of resignations. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Sunak’s successor Nadhim Zahawi have also declared, and Home Secretary Priti Patel is reportedly mulling a bid. But a poll of grassroots members by the influential ConservativeHome website released on Monday showed strong support for less high-profile candidates, with former defence minister Penny Mordaunt holding a narrow lead from arch-conservative Kemi Badenoch. Brexit figurehead Johnson dramatically announced his departure as party leader last Thursday but is staying on in Downing Street until a replacement is found. Javid said that with Britain facing a soaring cost-of-living crisis, energy price hikes and the war in Ukraine, there was a need more than ever for “competence” in the country’s leaders. “I’ve every hope that this campaign can and will be the turning point that we need,” he said at a campaign launch. – Fall from grace – On a visit to a science research institute in London, Johnson was asked directly if he would endorse any of the candidates, six of whom are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. “The job of the prime minister at this stage is to let the party decide, let them get on with it, and to continue delivering on the projects that we were elected to deliver,” he said. Johnson’s fall from grace has been spectacular. In December 2019 he won a landslide 80-seat victory on a promise to take Britain out of the European Union. His parliamentary majority allowed him to do just that but his premiership was hit by waves of scandal, not least about lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street that saw him fined by police. Another row blew up last week about his appointment of a senior colleague despite knowing of sexual assault allegations against him, sparking the government resignations. In his speech, he blamed the “herd” for moving against him, and his allies have been briefing angrily against Sunak. But Johnson refused to say Monday whether he felt betrayed. “I don’t want to say any more about all that,” he said. “There’s a contest under way and that has happened and you know, I wouldn’t want to damage any chances by offering my support. “I just have to get on and in the last few days or weeks… the constitutional function of the prime minister in this situation is to continue to discharge the mandate. And that’s what I’m doing,” he added. “The more we focus on the people who elect us… (and) the less we talk about politics at Westminster, the generally happier we will all be.” AFP

ASUU strike: We ‘ll do everything possible for varsities to re-open —Minister

  THE Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, has given the assurance that he would deploy all needed resources to join President Muhammadu Buhari in ensuring that the ongoing strike embarked upon by the four university-based unions is called off. Oprah, who was a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and also former member of the House of Representatives further said that he would contribute his quota towards delivering democracy dividends to Nigerians. Recall that public universities in the country have been on strike as a result of unresolved issues with the federal government which include the non-renegotion of the 2009 Agreement, controversy on the salary payment platform among others. The unions on strike are the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, the Non-Academic Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT. Honourable Opiah was among the seven new ministers sworn-in by the President on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. In a statement made available to journalists, Opiah said that having sworn an oath to serve the country as minister, he would join other colleagues to build on the existing standards as well as established modalities for growth in the system. He said he would move to work immediately to key areas of importance in the Ministry, adding that the President had given them charge to contribute their quota to nation building. According to him, “President Buhari has informed us that we have much to do, hence I am prepared to move into action quickly. “There are key areas that will be of importance in line with the desire of President Buhari administration aimed at improving on the quality of education Nigerians get. “I promise to deliver in my job using all resources available. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to serve our country under the administration of our dear President Buhari.” While appreciating the President for the opportunity to serve, Opiah expressed gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his support. Before the ministerial appointment, Opiah, who represented Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, was the Commissioner for Petroleum, Imo State.

‘You can’t compare 1993 to 2023’ — Edwin Clark tackles Tinubu over Muslim-Muslim ticket

  Edwin Clark, an Ijaw national leader and convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has criticised Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over his choice of a running mate. Tinubu had, on Sunday, announced Kashim Shettima, former Borno governor, as his running mate for the 2023 general election. The decision of the APC presidential candidate has elicited mixed reactions. In a statement issued on Monday, Clark made a reference to the comments by Tinubu in Ogun state, wherein the latter had said he lost the vice-presidential slot in 2015 because the APC didn’t want to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The Ijaw leader said the decision by Tinubu doesn’t reflect the secular state of the country, adding that a Muslim-Muslim ticket will promote division. “I feel threatened for our beloved country because of the way things are going. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with Christianity and Islam as the major religions, even though Nigeria is a secular state,” he said. “In compliance with Constitutional provisions of inclusiveness, the number one and number two positions in the country, viz, President and Vice President, have always been occupied by practitioners of the two major religions, to ensure balancing. “It will be recalled that the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, could not be chosen in 2015 as Vice President to Muhammadu Buhari, because he is a Muslim and Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim. Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in his own words, confirmed this in his statement in Abeokuta, Ogun State. What has changed? One quality of a good leader is consistency. A good leader must act in the same way at all times, to all people. He must not display double standard. “Today, what has the Presidential candidate of the APC, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, done? He has picked a person of his religion, a Muslim, as his running-mate. Such choice is not inclusive, it is not good for a secular state like Nigeria. “There is presently a sharp division in the country, even on religious lines, and all patriots are seeking ways to salvage the situation. Therefore, Alhaji Tinubu’s decision to take a fellow Muslim as his running-mate, will further worsen the situation in the country. He should know that patriotism is a quality of a good leader. “On the reasons adduced by Alhaji Tinubu on why he chose Kashim Shettima as running mate, is the APC presidential flag bearer telling Nigerians that there are no Christians in the APC from the north who are ‘competent, capable and reliable?’” Clark also said the decision of the APC to field people from same religion as presidential and vice-presidential candidates shows that a certain section of the country has been excluded, adding that it is wrong to assume that the south has no significant role on winning the presidency. “It is illusion to think that except one is from the north, you may not win election. So, the idea that unless you come from the north or you are a Muslim, or a Muslim supports you if you are not a Muslim, you cannot win an election, should immediately be jettisoned by proponents of such an idea. The north needs the south to be in power, same way the south needs the north to be in power. No part can do it alone,” he said. “About 46% or more of Nigerians are Christians. Yet a group of persons want to sideline and exclude them from the affairs of the country. This is not possible. “The question is, is Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu under pressure from these his core supporters and backers, to pick a Muslim as his running-mate, and did he cave in to the pressure because “it is his turn to be President of Nigeria”, despite complaints and protestations? “The PDP is the cause of these things because of its refusal to zone its presidency to the south. “These are dangerous signals. Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu cannot compare 2022/2023 with 1993. In 1993, majority of Nigerians, on their own volition, supported the Muslim/Muslim ticket of M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as President and Vice President, 29 years ago. “It was not shoved on them; it was not forced on them. Also, during that period, Nigeria was not so divided on ethnic and religious divides. If people are complaining, a good leader should listen. Unfortunately, we have leaders who not only ignore the concerns of the people with impunity, but also make crass statements.”

Stop Keeping Students At Home, Buhari Goes Tough On ASUU

  President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider their position on the prolonged strike. The president made call while receiving some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.   The president made call while receiving some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. He assured that the government understood their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls. Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, expressed worry that the hiatus would have generational consequences on families, the educational system and future development of the country. The President said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that already beg for attention. Buhari said the future of the country rested on the quality of educational institutions and education. “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake,” he said. The President called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position, and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation. Buhari said students from Nigerian universities will be faced with the challenge of competing with others in a highly connected and technology-driven work space, and keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage. “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education. “Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs,” he added. Buhari said resources should be channeled more into building infrastructure and operations of the health and educational sector, not to expand the bureaucracy to create job opportunities. “By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,” the President noted. Buhari urged those in political positions and places of privilege to be mindful in helping the many Nigerians that were looking for opportunities. “If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed,’’ he said. The President told the governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office. President Buhari said he would retire to Daura, not Kaduna, where he had a better house. The President said relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure. “I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said. On security, the President said the North West had posed more challenges, and some success had been recorded in other regions, North East and South South. Buhari advised some indigenes in the South South to stop hurting national assets, which also affect their livelihood. “I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added. In his remarks at the meeting, the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked the President for his leadership roles in improving the economy of the nation and the many successes recorded at the APC, which include two conventions to produce the party leadership and the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Bagudu, who is the Governor of Kebbi State, said the favorable seasons supported the vision of ensuring food production and making agriculture a priority, with clear results in rice pyramids in various states.

2023 Presidency: 22 APC Governors Will Deliver 22 States – Uzodimma

  Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has boasted that each All Progressive Congress governor will ensure victory for the party in their respective states in the 2023 presidential election. Uzodimma made the boast in Daura, Katsina during a sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari. “Twenty-two Governors will deliver 22 states because they have done very well,” Uzodimma said. “How many states are remaining?” Uzodimma also noted that the decision of Kassim Shettima as Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate in the presidential election was “a collective decision.” Uzodimma was in Daura alongside eight other APC Governors, including Aminu Masari of Katsina, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Abubakar Bello of Niger, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Simon Lalong of Plateau and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa.   The Governors described Shettima as one of Nigeria’s finest. Speaking after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari, Bagudu said a Tinubu-Shettima presidency will complement all the achievements of the last seven years under president Muhammadu Buhari. Bagudu further revealed that the APC Governors Forum is working hard to win the upcoming Osun Governorship election.

Nigeria descending into strife, violence, lawlessness — ACF

  The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has alleged that Nigeria is rapidly descending into strife, violence and lawlessness. The pan Northern organisation said the descent was getting to a point at which it could no longer afford to tell the President only that which he wanted to hear. ACF said the vast amount of money and other resources being pumped into the security agencies have largely been ineffective. According to the Forum, there was utter frustration among the broad masses of Nigeria, especially in the North, arising from the ineffectual management of the security crises by President Buhari . This was contained in a statement signed by Murtala M. Aliyu , the Secretary General of ACF. ACF observed that in other countries, the Kuje jail attack and similar ones that have happened in parts of Nigeria would have led to massive reshuffle, resignations and possibly prosecutions of officials that were negligent, incompetent or plainly untrustworthy. The statement read in parts : ‘Over the past few months, the security crises we face in Nigeria has been deepening and there is a dangerous escalation of violence and bloodshed. Criminal gangs, heavily armed bandits, armed robbers, secessionist insurgents along with those that call themselves soldiers of so-called Caliphate, have laid siege to Nigeria. More so in the Northern states.” “The highly coordinated attack on the Kuje Prison in the Federal Capital, Abuja, on the 5th of July, 2022, and the mass escape of hardened criminals many of whom are Boko Haram terrorists, have triggered an unprecedented wave of apprehension and panic among the long-suffering people, particularly of the North.” “Coming around the time the advance convoy of Mr. President heading to Daura and long after the deadly attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on the 28th of March, 2022, in which many people were killed and a lot more kidnapped, the question on the lips of the public, is how and where will these crises, which are unprecedented in severity, leave us?” “We noted that the response of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Kuje Prison tragedy in particular was to offer the familiar cocktail of platitudes, of sermons, condemnations and yet more sermons. As usual, the president asked the security services to ‘investigate’ the outbreak and find out what led to it. Presumably, in the view of the President, that was all that he was expected or required to do in the circumstances.” “Although we count ourselves amongst his ardent supporters and have always wished him well, Nigeria’s rapid descent into strife, violence and lawlessness is getting to a point at which we can no longer afford to tell him only that which he wants to hear. We do need tell the the president what he also needs to hear.” “We simply are unable to find any courteous or less painful words to describe the feeling of utter frustration among the broad masses of Nigeria, especially in the North, arising from the ineffectual management of the security crises by the President.” “The President in his Sallah message promised to deal with the situation before the end of his tenure. However, as long as the crises remains unabating, Nigerians will justifiably conclude that the government is ineffective and needs to do more if they will ever be able to quell the crises.” “Probably because President Buhari is unable or unwilling to hold his appointees responsible for any deterioration of the security situation and some other socioeconomic sectors under their watch, the vast amount of money and other resources being pumped into the security agencies have largely been ineffective.” “The required boost in manpower and equipment, long recognized as the missing link in the current campaign, have remained largely unimplemented to the required level needed to secure the nation.” “In other countries, the Kuje jail attack and similar ones that have happened in parts of Nigeria would have led to massive reshuffle, resignations and possibly prosecutions of officials that are negligent, incompetent or plainly untrustworthy.” “No person other than the President has both the mandate and responsibility to ensure that the government of Nigeria maintains peace, security, order and good governance. We demand that President Buhari braces up without further delay and rise to today’s occasion. The regime needs to reprioritize its programs and free more resources needed to end the pervasive insecurity that is bringing the country to its knees.” “We have a duty to tell the president what he needs to hear, which is that the patience of Nigerians is not limitless.”

Varsity strike: NUPENG threatens solidarity industrial action

  The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday vowed to join the solidarity strike being planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over a protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and other Unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions. Among other Unions that are presently on strike include Non-Academic Staff Union of Eductuational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT. NUPENG in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, argued that the rank-and-file members of NUPENG aligned with the NLC’s position on protest against unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector and would the not hesitate to join in the proposed nationwide strike on the matter. According to the statement, “NUPENG is worried and concerned about the prolonged ASUU, NASU, SSANU strike that has left activities in our tertiary institutions paralyzed for the past eight months. The Union joins other Unions to condemn the lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis. “We are deeply worried that the strike has left thousands of University students stranded and idle, making some of them susceptible to go into various social vices and crimes, thus truncating what otherwise should have been wonderful assets and blessings to our great nation and humanity. “This is definitely an unfortunate and a sad commentary on the level of governance and sensitivity of the political leaders. This also without doubt shows the insensitivity of the current administration towards promoting and projecting good and quality education. We are seriously concerned that instead of addressing the nagging issues in the educational sector, unscrupulous politicians are busy campaigning and wasting resources over the 2023 general elections. It is against this background that NUPENG demands together with other Trade Unions, that the Federal Government must immediately address and resolve all demands of ASUU, NASU and SSANU without any further delay to avert national solidarity actions from our members across the Country. “The rank-and-file members of NUPENG align with the NLC’s position on protest against unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector and will not hesitate to join in the proposed nationwide strike on the matter. A stitch in time saves nine. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. “We are by this statement putting all our members on alert to be in solidarity actions on the directive of Nigeria Labour Congress at very short notice. Our Solidarity remains constant, for the Union makes us strong.”