The Global Non-Governmental Organisation Executive Committee has revealed some of the challenges threatening the peaceful existence and education of Nigerian students in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Director, GNEC, Mrs Olasubomi Iginla-Aina, during a media chat last Wednesday said that based on findings during her visit to Northern Cyprus and interaction with Nigerian students there, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive on transfer policy was the major challenge the students were facing. She added that this had led to the deportation of a number of them or the inability to sit exams and further their education. “The students complained that they don’t get money sent from Nigeria on time. This is because the CBN money transfer is delayed in all the schools in TRNC. But the CBN policy for money transfers should be as easy as ABC. Let children receive money easily instead of delaying it. The government should look into the transfer policy of CBN and help.” Iginla-Aina explained that the government of Northern Cyprus, Nigerian students, and the University authorities complained about the false agents, who were raising the expectations of Nigerians that there were job opportunities in TRNC. On the contrary, there were not many job opportunities there She revealed that Northern Cyprus system told her that deportation rates would increase as persons with fake documents would be detected with the improved Information Technology system in the immigration services of Northern Cyprus. She called on the Nigerian government to strengthen diplomatic ties with the country. She said, “Our children are going there. We stand to gain a lot more if we take steps to help our people.” President, National Association of Nigerian Students, TRCN, Opeoluwa Ojekemi, who spoke via Zoom during the parley said the CBN directive had affected Nigerians studying in Northern Cyprus negatively. He revealed that the settlement of fees, rents, and other needs was difficult. Ojekemi also criticised the role of fake agents in propagating false information about immediate employment upon arrival.

  The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced orientation camp in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the first time in 13 years after the exercise was suspended in 2011 due to Boko Haram insurgency. Swearing in Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 corps members at a temporal orientation camp in the state capital, NYSC State Coordinator, Mohammed Adamu, credited Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, for facilitating the return of the orientation course to the state. The corps members are camped at the Arabic Teachers College which is serving as a temporary orientation camp amidst tight security by the military, police, civil defence and civilian joint taskforce. The corps members comprising 629 males and 496 females prepare for swearing in. On his part, Zulum expressed delight at the return of the orientation camp in the state, stating that the gesture signified the return of peace and security to the state after years of insurgency. He directed NYSC officials to identify graduates of science courses, medical and para-medicals for possible employment with the state government.

  The British police have charged the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences. According to Reuters, the UK police on Tuesday said they suspected she had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts. The 63-year-old ex-minister served during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, from 2010 to 2015.   She was the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Speaking about the charges, Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts. “These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.” The NCA said Alison-Madueke was accused of benefitting from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties. Reuters said charges against her also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.

  The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face industrial disharmony. MDCAN made this known in a communique issued on Tuesday at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council meeting which was held virtually. The communique was signed by its President, Dr Victor Makanjuola, and Secretary-General, Dr Yemi Raji. The NEC said it was dismayed by the non-implementation of the jointly agreed upward review of CONMESS and the introduction of Accoutrement allowance with the Nigerian Medical Association, as the released circular only captured the percentage increase on the basic salary, as against applying it to both the basic salaries and all allowances except hazard allowance. The communique read, “This error has resulted in the complete exclusion of the clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) from benefitting from the upward review. The commencement date for the new circular was agreed to be January 1, 2023, rather than June 1, 2023. “We believe this error will be corrected without delay. The recent upward review of CONMESS did not take into consideration the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal and exponential inflation that has pervaded our socio-economic space in the past three months. “Despite our association’s decision to keep faith with the engagement and negotiations with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for more than two years regarding the correction of the shortfalls in remuneration for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants), the issue is yet to be conclusively addressed by the Federal Government,” it noted. The council said it observed the non-universal implementation of CONMESS for all medical and dental doctors irrespective of the agencies of the government they are working with. The council decried the failure of the government to appreciate the magnitude of the impacts of brain drain in the health sector, as exhibited by the refusal of the National Council on Establishment to approve the Federal Ministry of Health’s proposal on the upward review of the age of retirement for the Medical and Dental Consultants and other health workers. The council said the government has failed to resolve the ongoing disputes with the National Association of Residents Doctors and its attendant impacts on access to health care by Nigerians, and the kidnapping of doctors in the country. The consultants are, however, demanding the immediate review of the newly revised CONMESS circular and issuance of a new circular that would reflect the agreed percentage on both the Basic Salary and other allowances, apart from hazard allowance. According to them, the review will ensure that the clinical lecturers would benefit from the upward review. Other demands include, “A call for the correction of the error of commencement of the implementation of the upward review of CONMESS from June 1, 2023, to January 1, 2023. “The upward review of the CONMESS should take into consideration the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal and the high inflationary trend that is currently being experienced. A demand for the immediate implementation and circularisation of the agreed modalities for correcting the shortfalls in remunerations of Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants). An appeal for the universal applicability of CONMESS to all medical and dental doctors, particularly those in public universities. The attention of the government is once again called to the impact of brain drain in the health sector, which is contributing to burnout among our members and inadequate healthcare workforce to cater to the health of Nigerians. We, therefore, demand the immediate implementation of the upward review of age retirement to 70 years for Consultants and 65 years for other Health workers, as an immediate measure to bridge the ongoing massive brain drain. “We appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency resolve all the contending issues with NARD, to ensure that the government hospitals return to normal operation for optimal healthcare delivery immediately. We call on the government at all levels, as well as the security agencies to do all within their powers, to ensure the safety of our members and other Nigerians while effecting the immediate and safe release of those currently held captive by kidnappers. “The NEC hopes that all these issues will be satisfactorily resolved within the next 21 days, failing which it can no longer guarantee the present relative industrial harmony within the government hospitals and our medical schools”, it said.

  On resumption of office as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has promised to resolve all pending labour disputes by working closely with the two labour groups – the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria. (TUC) Lalong also assured to address with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy. “The government through the NLC and TUC and their affiliates not only ensure that all impending industrial disputes are settled amicably but we will address with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of subsidy ” he said He also stated that the Ministry shall leverage Technology, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and agriculture among others to open up more employment opportunities for all Nigerians. “In the coming weeks, we shall unveil detailed plans of President Tinubu’s vision for Labour and Employment and also spell out the role that the Ministry and its agencies, development partners and Nigerians, in general, will play in actualizing it. We shall be engaging all relevant partners and receiving briefings towards a robust performance.” the minister. also revealed Lalong while delivering his address added that because of the level of unemployment, underemployment, and challenges associated with the work environment, President Bola Tinubu has tasked them to make sure that SDGs 8 is achieved to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour both in the public and private sectors. “We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times.” “This administration will therefore escalate the relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, NGOs among others to make sure that unemployment and underemployment is reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the Tinubu Administration,” he added We shall therefore mobilise and deploy all the resources of the Ministry towards ensuring that the matters relating to Labour and Employment are galvanised across relevant MDAs and sectors of the economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in a safe and conducive environment.”

  The African Union on Tuesday suspended Niger from all of its institutions and activities following last month’s coup “until the effective restoration of constitutional order.” In a communique issued on Tuesday, the bloc noted that its decision to suspend Niger followed the failure of the military junta to hand over power to the democratically elected President, Mohammed Bazoum. “The AU decides, in line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular, the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger from all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country. “The AU in this regard, calls upon all Member States of the AU and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, at large to reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.” The AU also commended the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States in its efforts to ensure a return to democratic rule in Niger. “The AU commends the efforts of ECOWAS under the leadership of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and calls on AU Member States to fully implement the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and endorsed by the PSC and requests the Commission, in consultation with ECOWAS, to regularly inform the Council on the progress being made on the implementation of the imposed sanctions.” Details later…

  The Labour Party, LP, has debunked a speculated merger with other opposition political parties, following the fall out of the 2023 general elections. The spokesperson of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Yunusa Tanko denied the merger while speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday. Tanko said the LP is not ruling out a “working alliance” with other political parties. Recall that a report had earlier claimed that Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Peter Obi of Labour Party have resumed talks on the possibility of a merger. The report claimed that the trio is considering the merger in the event that the presidential tribunal declares a rerun or a fresh election. But, Tanko said the LP is speaking with other political parties of like minds, adding that “merger is out of the question.” He said, “When you talk about merger, it means that political parties from different parts of the country come together, submit their documents to INEC and then they will be pronounced as a new political party and that isn’t obtainable at the moment,” he said. “So, the merger is out of the question technically. But, when you talk about the discussion of possible working alliance with the political parties – very true, that is very possible. “Even before the February 25 elections, there were discussions. “Discussions with political parties of like minds that believe in the ideology and principle of the Labour Party is a welcome development. “We will continue to talk to ourselves. Knowing fully well that Nigeria is at the doldrum of complete decay. “Most political parties that are progressively minded will not allow that particular situation to happen in Nigeria,” he said. Meanwhile, the spokesperson declined comment on the outcome of discussions with other opposition political parties.

  The federal government says the Nigerian embassy has evacuated 161 citizens detained in Libya for various immigration crimes. Kabiru Musa, charge d’affaires en titre of the Nigerian mission in Libya, said in a statement that the evacuees were scheduled to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday night. Musa said they were released to enable them restart their lives back home. “As part of the federal government’s pledge to ensure none of its citizens is left stranded abroad, we have successfully evacuated another 161 Nigerians from Libya,” NAN quoted Musa as saying. The Nigerian Mission in Libya with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Libyan authorities secured their release from detention centers across Libya so that they can return home to rebuild their lives. “The 161 evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli aboard chartered flight No.UZ0189 on Monday evening and are expected to arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos same Monday night. “They include 87 males, 68 females, five children and one infant. This further shows the commitment of the federal government in ensuring the safety and dignity of every Nigerian citizen in the diaspora.” He said the repatriated Nigerians were enlightened on the risks of irregular migration and warned against undertaking such journeys in the future.

  A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, recommended that the Economic Community of West African States avoid a possible war with Niger since it would essentially be a battle between brothers. El-Rufai urged the West African group to take action to stop a war that might have consequences for the northern part of Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday via his account on X, (formerly Twitter). The former governor of Kaduna compared ECOWAS’s impending military intervention in Niger to a civil war between brothers. “I remember the Dire Straits rock classic from the 1970s,” He said, “TUESDAY THOUGHT: As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’ because a war within our sub region is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria. Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers. And so for this bright Tuesday, please enjoy this classic and reflect on the equally timeless lyrics. Music is something to enjoy, but being so overwhelmed with public affairs in the last 10 years, I have lost valuable pleasurable moments. Time to catch up on lost time. Enjoy!! Life is too short not too!! – #elrufai Recall that on Friday, August 18, 2023, the ECOWAS military leaders met in Accra, Ghana, to examine whether military intervention in Niger would be feasible. Following fruitless diplomatic efforts by several ECOWAS parties, this action is a response to the military coup that took place in the nation.

  The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday, said about 59,000 persons made up of pensioners and public servants in the employment of Anambra State and 21 local government areas, will be paid an additional N12,000 for the period of September to December 2023 to cushion the effect of the petroleum subsidy removal. Soludo stated that the gesture is in addition to the 10 per cent salary increase, which the state has been paying since January 2023 as part of its “foresighted” response to the rising inflation. This was made known in a statement by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, obtained in Awka, on Monday, while pointing out that the long overdue disruptive change, especially the removal of subsidy on petrol comes with certain hardships on all the residents of Nigeria. Soludo, in the statement, acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu has rolled out an agenda of palliatives as the response of the Federal Government towards alleviating the effect of the subsidy removal. However, he did not categorically indicate if Anambra State had received its share of the Federal Government palliatives said to be rolled out across the 36 states of the country, but the governor assured that Anambra State will partner with the Federal Government’s agenda to ensure that its residents benefit maximally from the federal programmes. While assuring that the state government will continue to clear the backlog of gratuity and pension of its pensioners, the governor said the state will be distributing rice to over 300,000 households in the coming weeks across the 326 wards of Anambra. He said, “Nigeria is undergoing fundamental re-setting of the macroeconomic framework. The long overdue disruptive change, especially the removal of subsidy on PMS and reduction of distortions in the exchange rate, comes with certain hardships on all the residents of Nigeria. Governments at all levels in Nigeria have shown a keen commitment to ameliorate the consequent short-term effects of the policy change on livelihoods. The President, Bola Tinubu, has rolled out an agenda of palliatives as the response of the Federal Government. We support the FGN agenda and expect to partner with the Federal Government to ensure that Anambra residents benefit maximally from the federal programmes. “Ours is a government on the foundation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. We are progressives, and the welfare of the ordinary Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable, remains our primary focus. In our 2024 budget, we shall roll out a more comprehensive agenda to address the medium to longer-term issues that will help to smoothen the path for all our residents, and ensure that everyone shares in our broad agenda of building a livable and prosperous homeland.” “In the meantime and over the remaining four months of the year (September – December 2023) as well as within the context of our 2023 budget framework, we are rolling out a few immediate and medium-term measures. Our response recognises that the subsidy removal affects all citizens, especially millions of the unemployed and underemployed youths and vulnerable segments of the population. Our interim response reflects the need to target the total population. “In our foresighted response to the rising inflation, our government had increased the salaries of all public servants by 10 per cent effective January 2023. We have been paying the 10 per cent adjustment since January 2023. In addition to the salary increase, we will be paying every pensioner and public servant in the employment of the Anambra State Government and the 21 LGAs (approximately 59,000 persons) for the period September 2023 to December 2023, a monthly flat non-taxable cash award of N12,000. This is to augment their monthly take-home.” The governor said highly vulnerable persons such as hawkers, wheelbarrow and truck pushers, vulcanizers, artisans, okada drivers, petty traders with capital of less than N100,000, are exempted from all forms of taxation/levies in the state. “We are reviewing the plethora of other levies, fees, and charges in these schools. Before schools resume in September 2023, we shall make further announcements to sanitize the system and reduce the burden on our pupils/students and their sponsors. “We call on the landlords to show empathy to their tenants at this challenging moment and consider easier options for rent payment. “Still on initiative to reduce the cost of transportation for the larger segment of Ndi Anambra, we will be applying to purchase many of the CNG-fueled buses to be provided by the Federal Government for intra-state transportation. The aim is to reduce the cost of transportation within Anambra. “We recently distributed a total of 1.1 million oil palm and coconut high-yielding seedlings to over 100,000 households. We plan to sustain the distribution of one million seedlings per annum over several years in continuation of our revolution to create a new palm-coconut green/industrial ecosystem that will guarantee 500,000 – 1,000,000 households earning N1.5m to N3m per annum, thereby lifting them out of poverty, create wealth and earn foreign exchange for Nigeria. “We are proposing a revolving loan scheme at near-zero interest rate. We are targeting over 100,000 micro businesses.