President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred National Honours on president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima. Tinubu and Shettima were conferred with the National Honours of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON). The investiture which took place at the State House Conference Center in Abuja, is part of a series of events lined up for the May 29 inauguration ceremony.     Expected also to happen today is an official handover of Transition Documents to the incoming Administration, a process that some believe will be the most organized and seamless Presidential Transition in the history of Nigeria, enabled by Executive Order 14 signed by President Buhari. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha who doubles as Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council, had disclosed at a briefing last Thursday, that an Inauguration Lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by His Excellency, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, former President of Kenya will take place on Saturday 27th May. This will be followed closely by a Children’s Day Program which would involve a parade and a party for the kids. As part of the schedule of activities marking the 2023 Presidential Inauguration, an Inter-denominational Church Service will hold Sunday the 28th at the National Christian Centre by 10:00am and an Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night will take place later on at the State House Conference Centre. The SGF further stated that on Monday, 29th May, the Inauguration Parade and Swearing-In exercise will take place at the Eagle Square by 10:00am, this is to be followed afterwards by a Post Inauguration Luncheon. Boss Mustapha assured that adequate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of all people throughout the inauguration period.

  The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on the Federal Government to rescind its request for a fresh $800m loan from the World Bank. On May 10, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a letter to the Senate seeking approval to take the loan to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. But in a communique issued after its crucial meeting on Thursday, the southern, and middle belt leaders expressed worry over the nation’s huge debt especially as the administration of President Buhari winds down on May 29. “SMBLF notes with serious concern, the continued snowballing level of indebtedness being incurred by the Federal Government, particularly the recent request for $800 million World Bank loan, and calls on the Federal Government to rescind that request,” the statement read. “Decries the rising cost of living in the country and the hyperinflation rate, confining a vast majority of ordinary Nigerians to a dire state of survival. Implores government at all levels to take urgent, practical steps to rejig the economy, check inflation and help improve citizens’ well-being and prospects.” On the post-election cases before the tribunal in Abuja, the SMBLF urged the judiciary to be transparent in determining all petitions brought before it. It commends Nigerian youths for participating in the 2023 general elections, saluting their courage and astuteness. While calling on them not to become discouraged by some of the seeming outcomes, the southern, and middle belt leaders told them “that the struggle for the needed change has just begun”. As tribunals continue their work across Nigeria, the group advised the judiciary to dispense justice. Nigerians, it said, “are watching with very keen interest the ongoing judicial processes at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as well as various election tribunals across the country”.

  Universities across the United Kingdom have faulted the country’s new immigration rules for foreign students shortly after the government announced new measures to tame the influx of immigrants. On Tuesday, the UK Home Office said that international students would no longer be able to bring family members with them starting 2024. The UK also said overseas students would be stopped from switching from the student visa route to a work visa until their studies have been completed. But in a statement on Tuesday, the UK International (UUK) – a body of universities across the UK – said the move was a threat to the country’s global success as a top destination for international talent and needed to be considered very carefully. Specifically, the body of universities said the development will worsen their financial pressure in the United Kingdom. According to the UUK director, Jamie Arrowsmith, foreign students contributed largely to the economy. Arrowsmith stated that UK nationals had a wide acceptance of international students. “International students make an invaluable contribution to our universities and to the UK’s economy. Building on the government’s explicit commitments and ambitions, which were clearly set out in the international education strategy, we have seen significant growth since 2019,” Arrowsmith said in a statement. “Our research shows that international students make a huge economic contribution to the UK, with a single cohort delivering a total benefit of £41.9 billion. “We also know that the public is overwhelmingly supportive of the international students we attract – just nine percent of people think we should be discouraging international students from choosing the UK.” While Arrowsmith said he understood the impact an unchecked influx may be having in some areas, he asked the government to explore other ways of curbing immigration that would not cripple an already weakened financial situation for the universities. “While the vast majority of students will be unaffected by proposals that limit the ability to be accompanied by dependents, more information is needed on the programmes that are in scope before a proper assessment of the impact can be made. “We, therefore, urge the government to work with the sector to limit and monitor the impact on particular groups of students – and on universities, which are already under serious financial pressures. The review process that has been announced must consider these issues.” “Ultimately, our collective aim must be to ensure that international students who choose the UK can be confident that they are welcome here, that their contribution is valued, and that the terms on which they have made decisions remain stable. Anything that threatens to affect the UK’s global success as a top destination for international talent needs to be considered very carefully,” the statement added.

  The President-elect Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, in Abuja, said he will not disappoint the trust conferred upon him by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and millions of Nigerians. He also affirmed that he understands the magnitude of the honour conferred upon him and the corresponding task ahead. Tinubu made the promise in his acceptance speech after he was conferred with the National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. “I understand the magnitude of the honour conferred on me today and the task ahead. Nigerians deserve no less. “You (Buhari) have charted the course and I shall not disappoint you,” he said. Thursday’s conferment makes Tinubu the 16th person to hold the GCFR Honour. Those before him are Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Sani Abacha, Moshood Abiola, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. Others who have been conferred with the title include British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and former Libyan Leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Buhari also conferred vice president-elect Kashim Shettima. with the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger. Earlier, he handed three key transition documents to the president-elect in line with Executive Order 14 mandating the transition council to issue handover notes containing, amongst other things, proposed policy direction to the incoming administration.

  Members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria have faulted plans by the outgoing Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to flag off operations of Nigeria Air despite restraining court orders on the controversial project. The AON, in an official letter written by its Solicitors to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on Wednesday, described the move as an attempt to “circumvent the court orders on Friday being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, among others. In a letter signed by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmad of the Nureini Jimoh (SAN) Chambers addressed to the President captioned: ‘Nigeria Air Project’ Last Minute Planned Disobedience to Court Order And Deliberate Plan to Rubbish the Achievement of this Administration, the AON said Sirika chose the last working day of the administration to bring in two aircraft in contravention of the court order urging the president to stop the Minister’s negative action. The AON noted that bringing in two aircraft for Nigeria Air ‘is a clever way to violate court orders.’ President Buhari was reminded that the suit was ‘filed to question the shady deals, deliberate infractions of the Nigerian laws and self-enrichment/ corruption mainly by the ministry of aviation over Nigeria Air project.’ In the said suit, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided by Hon. Justice A.L. Allagoa, granted three separate court orders of injunctions in the terms contained in the order, “restraining taking any step, in relation to the Nigeria Air project.” The AON implored the president to stop this action and ensure compliance with the terms of the order and avoid needless controversies after the exit of his administration. The letter signed by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmad Esq. of Nureini Jimoh (SAN) Chambers, vowed to ‘pursue contempt action against the minister personally whether or not he has left office. The letter which was copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, The Inspector-General of Police, The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Aviation, read: “We are solicitors to Airline Operators of Nigeria (“Our Client”). Our client filed the above suit to question the shady deal, deliberate infraction of the Nigerian laws, and self-enrichment, mainly against the Federal Ministry of Aviation over the Nigerian Air Project. “In the suit, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided by Hon. Justice A.L Allagoa, in the above suit, granted Orders of interim and interlocutory injunctions, in the terms contained in the Order, restraining taking of any step in relation to the Nigeria Air project. Copy each of the Orders are enclosed as Annexures 1, 2 & 3. “As your Excellency is well aware, the administration will hand over on Monday, May 29, 2023, but the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, is planning to circumvent the Court Orders on Friday 26th May 2023 being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, amongst others. “This was disclosed in the interview granted yesterday by the Hon. Minister to Channels Television and the same has gone viral on social media. The Minister is planning to hurriedly bring in two (2) aircraft and pretend that NigeriaAir has commenced operation.” The letter reads further, “Aside moral justification for commercial operation after the Minister’s last day in office, it is a clever way to violate the court orders. This action has no regard to whether or not it will stain the record of this administration, whether or not it will cover for corrupt actions raised in the suit and deliberately meant to violate Court Orders for self-serving purposes. “We, therefore, employ your Excellency to STOP this action of the Minister of Aviation, ensure compliance with the terms of the Order and avoid needless controversies on the action after your Excellency’s administration would have expired. “Notwithstanding, our client will still pursue contempt action against the Minister personally whether or not he left office, for the promotion of the rule of law, protection of the integrity of the court and in line with international best practices.” The PUNCH reported on Wednesday that the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, revealed that two Nigeria Air aircraft are scheduled to land in the country on Friday. The minister who revealed this on Channels Television promised that the aircraft will be unveiled in Nigeria’s colours in fulfilment of all the promises made by the administration in the aviation sector. Sirika had at an aviation stakeholder’s forum in Abuja in March said that Nigeria Air will commence full operations before the end of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Responding to a question on when exactly Nigeria Air will commence operations, the minister had said, “Before the end of this administration, before May 29th, we will fly.”

  The Department of State Services has disclosed that some elements are planning to disrupt the handover ceremonies in some parts of the country. According to the service, these elements plan to undermine the efforts of the security agencies as well as cause panic among the citizens. In a statement released on Thursday by the spokesperson for the service, Peter Afunanya, the DSS urged citizens to adhere to the laid down protocols for the events across the country. The statement partly read, “It would be recalled that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council on May 18, 2023, held a World Press Conference during which he announced activities for the Presidential inauguration. The major highlight of the activities is the swearing-in of the President on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. On the same date, new Governors will also be inaugurated in most of the States. The Service is, however, aware of plans by subversive elements to disrupt the programmes in parts of the country. The aim is to undermine security agencies’ efforts at ensuring peaceful ceremonies as well as creating panic and fear among members of the public. security agencies’ efforts at ensuring peaceful ceremonies as well as creating panic and fear among members of the public. Based on these, citizens, the media, and Civil Society Organisations are advised to adhere strictly to security and civil protocols during the events. ” Advising Nigerians to shun fake news that could cause violence in the country, he urged unaccredited persons to stay away from the inauguration venues He said, “They are also urged to shun fake news, false alarms, skewed reportage/narratives, and sensationalism that may likely inflame division, tension, and violence prior to and after the exercises. This is more so that such undesirable acts will serve no purpose other than destroying national unity and cohesion. “Additionally, all unauthorised (and unaccredited) persons are warned to stay away from restricted and certain designated areas at the event venues. The Service reiterates its earlier call for the populace to remain calm and law-abiding. Meanwhile, it will continue to sustain collaboration with sister agencies to ensure successful inaugurations.”

  The Commissioner for Information, Delta State, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has warned that the state government will shut schools that engaged in cultism. This warning follows the recent revelation that some secondary school students are being initiated into cultism through an act known as ‘snake bite’ where a student is allegedly marked on the back of their palm indicating their initiation. The commissioner said the government would not hesitate to shut down any school where students engage in cult-related activities, adding that the Ministry of Education also plans to increase its supervisory role to end the trend. Aniagwu added that any student found guilty would be punished accordingly. He blamed parents, teachers, religious leaders, and sundry stakeholders for neglecting their duties to their children and wards. He said, “Let nobody make any mistake to think that cultism is restricted to Delta. “What we are suffering today flows from the failure of parents of yesterday, so parents of today must avoid such pitfalls. “Beyond the fact that we have asked the supervisory ministry to increase supervision, the authority in any school where cultism is found will be called to answer,’’ Aniagwu stressed. The PUNCH reports that a Delta state-based activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, on Wednesday raised the alarm on a cult initiation process in some secondary schools, known as the ‘snake bite’. Sharing a picture of the mark on two students’ hands, he wrote on his Facebook page, “Check your child if she or he has this mark, If YES, It’s a mark of initiation into cultism. The mark is called a ‘SNAKE BITE’. Check your children NOW!

  The two remaining kidnapped students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State have regained freedom after 707 days in captivity. It could be recalled that 11 students were kidnapped when bandits invaded the school on 17th June 2021. It was reported that some of the girls had become teenage mothers, while about four others were pregnant. The two female students Faida Sani Kaoje and Safiya Idris were reportedly released from their captors on Thursday morning. This comes after rounds of negotiation between a committee constituted by their families and the leadership of the bandits. Following the abduction, a bandit kingpin gave conditions for the release of the students. Four female students with two babies were later released in April this year after allegedly paying a huge ransom. Three other girls, Elizabeth Ogechi Nwafor, Esther Sunday and Aliya Abubakar were later released by the bandits on May 7. The committee of parents had disclosed while soliciting for support that the bandits demanded a sum of N100 million. An undisclosed amount of money, it was alleged, was paid as ransom after getting support elsewhere due to the failure of the Kebbi State government to meet the demand of the bandits.

  The Joint Health Sector Unions/Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have declared an indefinite strike. According to the aggrieved workers, the strike is as a result of the failure of the federal government to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other demands. JOHESU/AHPA is a conglomerate of four registered trade Unions which include Medical and Health workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institution(NASU). Declaring the indefinite strike Thursday morning in Abuja, the Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Dr. I Ogbonna Chimela, said, “Consequent upon the nonchalant, bias and lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Ministry of Health against JOHESU members and the resolution of the expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the unions held on Monday 8th, May 2023, our members in Federal Health Institutions nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw their services indefinitely commencing from 00.00 hour on Thursday 25th May 2023.” The unions had earlier on May 9 through a letter to the Federal Ministry of Health, giving the federal government a 15-day ultimatum to meet their demands. Ogbonna said the issues in dispute were: Adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS); payment of peculiar allowances to health workers; immediate and unconditional implementation of the Consultant Cadre circular for pharmacists in all all federal health institutions; payment of withheld salaries of members in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and outstanding April and May 2018 salaries of members in Federal Medical Centre, Azare; as well as payment of health workers excluded in payment of wage new hazard allowances. He said the mode of payment of all health workers in Nigeria is Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) while Physicians are on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). He said, “As at 2009, the Memorandum of Understanding at the inception of these two salary structures and subsequent Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) established strongly that once there is an adjustment in any of the salary structure, the other structure should be adjusted commensurately.”   The unions called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately approve and implement the technical committee report on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). They said “the unending vicious cycle of tyranny vested against members of affiliate of the Joint Health Sector Unions members of the respective af (JOHESU) in the health sector by the physicians dominated and oriented Federal Ministry of Health. ” The unions also called on the National Assembly especially Senators – elect and House of Representatives Members — elect to only facilitate the appointment of seasoned administrators and managers of cognate experience as ministers in charge of the health sector. “This remains the only way to normalize and do away with the perennial entropy that continue to engulf the health sector where productivity is at the lowest hub,” they said.

  A student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun State, Samuel Adegoke, has committed suicide after he lost his school fees to gambling in the school. Adegoke, a National Diploma II student of Electrical Electronic Engineering, reportedly took a substance suspected to be a sniper when his colleagues were preparing for the first-semester examination on Monday. The deceased’s colleagues told journalists that he lost his school fees and that of his friend on online betting on Friday. The school management had warned that no student would be allowed to write an examination without completing the registration. The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Sola Abiala, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Wednesday, said Adegoke took the substance a few minutes before the commencement of the examination on Monday. He said: “The student was rushed to the school clinic from where he was referred to a specialist hospital outside the school in Ilaro before he was pronounced dead. “It was detected at the specialist hospital that the late student drank sniper. “His father told the school that his son used his school fees to gamble last session but he rescued him by making another payment. “We have a policy here that any student that does not pay school fees will not write the examination. The boy realised that he would not write the exam and that was why he committed suicide. “We sent for his parents and briefed them. His father told us that his late son did the same thing last session and he had to send money to him to pay the fees. The man said if he was aware of the latest one, he would have paid the money. “When we asked the father to take the corpse, he rejected it and said he could not take his son’s corpse back home. “He asked us to bury him. The school paid part of the burial expenses and had to pay the fee for the other student whose fee was used to gamble to avoid another calamity. We didn’t want him to also commit suicide. “We were surprised that he did not leave any suicide note behind. We did not see any notes. We went to his house but found nothing other than the bottle of the sniper he drank.”