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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nigerian newspapers headlines Friday morning

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Hoodlums Go Berserk, Raze Govt Institutions, Media Houses, Banks [LEADERSHIP]

Despite the 24-hour curfew imposed by state governments in many parts of the country, hoodlums masquerading as #EndSARS protesters yesterday went berserk and unleashed mayhem, leaving many government-owned institutions, media houses and banks destroyed.

The hoodlums who apparently went on reprisal attacks following the orgy of violence that led to the shooting and injuring of teeming #EndSARS protesters in the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos State threw caution to the wind in Lagos State.

The hoodlums set ablaze the headquarters of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu motherā€™s house and buses at BRT terminal.

The Lagos Television, a state-run media organization, Television Continental (TVC), a popular 24-hour news channel, and The Nation, a national daily newspa- per, in separate areas of Lagos, were also burnt down by the hoodlums who went on rampage across the state.

A branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in the Lekki area of the state was also set ablaze.

The bank located on Admiralty Way in the highbrow area of the state is among some of the banks that have been razed by hoodlums disguising as protesters.

They also burnt down Adekunle pollice station near the Third Mainland Bridge, just as killings continued in Mushin area of the state.

The Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LA- SEMA) , Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that one of their paramedic interns Morinola Marian Omobukola was shot while on duty yesterday.ā€

The management of Nation Newspaper that was razed by the hoodlums said the armed men on motorcycles invaded the headquarters of newspaper on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos on Wednesday afternoon in a commando-like manner kicked their way into the premises after scaring away security men on duty, brandishing their sophisticated guns.

He said, ā€œThey poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it. Some of the vehicles parked within the premises were set ablaze, others vandalized Many boys came thereafter and swooped on the office, looting everything they could lay their hands on.

ā€˜ā€™These include desktop computers, laptops, air conditioners and other office equipment. At the time of the attack, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Mr. Victor Ifijeh, was among those trapped within the of- fice while the fire raged on.

ā€˜ā€™They were evacuated when men of Operation Mesa security outfit arrived. Their arrival ended the free rein of the invaders. It was obviously a targeted attack on the free press.

ā€˜ā€™The Nation had been listed on Twitter and other social media platforms by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities, as a target of attack.

ā€˜ā€™The Nation has robustly repor- ted the protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a bet- ter Nigeria.

ā€˜ā€™The Management is at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such unwarranted attack.ā€™ā€™

 

Exxon Mobil Confirms Staff Layoff As Oil Prices Crash Impacts Operations [LEADERSHIP]

Exxon Mobil Corp, has confirmed plans to lay off an unspecified number of employees as low oil prices force the company to delay major projects, its chief executive officer, Darren Woods said in an email to staff.

Woods also mounted an extensive defense of fossil fuels, calling them a ā€œhigher purposeā€ that aids global prosperity at a time when European peers are looking at renewables as the future.

ā€œThese are difficult times,ā€ Woods said in the message, the text of which was released by the company on Wednesday. ā€œWe are making tough decisions, some of which will result in friends and colleagues leaving the company.ā€

The oil behemothā€™s job cuts are just the latest sign of struggle among U.S. energy producers navigating the industryā€™s worst downturn in recent memory. This week two high-profile mergers were announced as explorers seek to gain scale and cut costs to survive the devastating impact of COVID-19 on global demand for fuel. Many have succumbed to bankruptcy.

Exxonā€™s stock has plunged 52 per cent this year and the company all but ended its aggressive, $30 billion-a-year counter-cyclical growth strategy.

The company was forced to slash its capital spending budget by a third, or $10 billion, after crude dropped to the lowest in a generation. Rivals such as BP Plc and Chevron Corp. have also announced large layoffs in recent weeks.

ā€œOur plan is to continue to stage project execution and spending,ā€ Woods said. ā€œMaking the organisation more efficient and more nimble will reduce the number of required positions and, unfortunately, reduce the number of people we need.ā€

But Woods was clear that the cutbacks are not a sign that his faith in oil and gas is in any way diminished. ā€œFossil fuels will remain about half of the global energy mix by 2040 and often provide the most cost-effective pathway to development in poor countries, especially those in Africa and Asia,ā€ Woods said.

ā€œWe often talk of companies having a higher purpose,ā€ he said. ā€œWell, I can think of no higher purpose than helping people and communities around the world grow in prosperity and achieve their aspirations for a better life through affordable energy.ā€

Most of Europeā€™s large energy companies have adopted aggressive targets to become carbon neutral by mid-century, in part involving big investment in wind, solar and battery storage. Exxon, under Woods, wonā€™t be taking this course.

Renewables on their own are not enough to solve climate change, according to Exxon, which claims to be focusing on novel technologies in partnerships with universities and start-up businesses.

ā€œTodayā€™s alternatives donā€™t consistently offer the energy density, scale, transportability, availability ā€” and most importantly ā€” the affordability required to be widely accepted,ā€ he said.

The stance appears to be at odds with a growing trend this year. Just last month China pledged to be carbon neutral by 2060, a shift that would set into motion a drop in oil and gas consumption, a

to government-affiliated researchers. The EU is aiming to reach neutrality across all greenhouse gases by 2050. California announced a new plan to end the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

Significant investments are needed by oil and gas companies such as Exxon to meet projected long-term consumption, Woods said.

ā€œThis is a compelling investment case for the industry and our company ā€” and is foundational to our long term strategies and plans.ā€

 

EndSARS: Your voice has been heard, Buhari tells protesters [SUN]

President Muhammadu Buhari has advisedĀ  #EndSARS movement to discontinue their protests, assuring that their voice had been heard loud and clear.

The president, who maintained studied silence on the shooting of protesters in Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, during his 12 minutes national broadcast, yesterday, said while the choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right, it comes with responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens.

ā€œThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments, but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.ā€

The address read: ā€œIt has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

ā€œI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robery Squad (SARS).

ā€œOn Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

ā€œThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

ā€œAs a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

ā€œOn approving the termination of SARS I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

ā€œSadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

ā€œThe result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexualĀ  violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

ā€œAll these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

ā€œThe spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.

ā€œOn the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the well being and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

ā€œGovernment has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.Ā  These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

  1. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small ā€“ and medium ā€“ enterprises; b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission; c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.

These are in addition to many other initiatives such as: a. Farmermoni; b. Tradermoni; c. Marketmoni; d. N-Power; e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.

ā€œNo Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.

ā€œWith regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

ā€œIn order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

ā€œLet me at this point reaffirm the Federal Governmentā€™s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

ā€œWe will continue to improve good governance and our democraticĀ  process, including through sustained engagement.

ā€œWe shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

ā€œBut remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

ā€œTo our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgement and making hasty pronouncements.

ā€œIn the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

ā€œFor you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

ā€œI therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

ā€œAnd I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

ā€œI would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.ā€

 

EndSARS: Ohanaeze condemns destruction of Yoruba property [SUN]

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has stoutly condemned the destruction of properties owned by Yoruba people particularly in Lagos State.

Ohanaeze also dissociated itself from the vituperations of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on happenings in Lagos regarding the #EndSARS protests.

The apex socio-cultural and political body of Ndigbo further condemned attempt to trigger inter-tribal war between Igbo and Yoruba, following the ethnic colouration being given the genuine protests by Nigerian youths.

President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, in a statement, decried a statement by a pan-Yoruba Group, the Apapo Oā€™odua Koya (AOKOYA) on the ongoing youths protest in Nigeria especially in Lagos as it related to Igbo youths.

Nwodoā€™s statement read: ā€œWe are ready to vehemently resist this in our time knowing the historical affinity of these two great ethnic groups dating back to the days of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe through to the famous hand shake across the Niger propagated by our iconic leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu.

ā€œThis spontaneous relationship built by our forefathers over the years has been strengthened in the last three years by the political emancipation movement, being propelled by the Southern And Middle Belt leadership Forum (SMBLF) made up of four ethno- political bodies of Ndigbo, in the South East, Afenifere in the South West, PANDEF in the South South and the Middle Belt Forum in the North Central Nigeria.

ā€œOhanaeze feels based on intelligence available to it that the motive of this disturbing statement Ā is not only to over take the mileage covered by this group in setting their people free from the hegemonic bondage but to ensure its destruction.

ā€œNdigbo are focused and unequivocal about what they want in a contemporary Nigeria as already articulated in the terms of engagement of this group which is to restructure Nigeria for a true federal system where Justice and equity will reign.

ā€œWe therefore wish to refute any position being ascribed to Ndigbo even if such position is being adduced by an Igbo that is not within the realm of the struggle to free Nigeria as encapsulated in the terms of agreement of this ethnic nationalities.

ā€œOhanaeze will therefore wish to urge the Yoruba and indeed the rest of Nigeria to disregard any outburst from anybody as coming from Ndigbo that is not as succinctly captured in the terms of agreement of the ethnic nationalities.

ā€œItā€™s, therefore, against this backdrop that Ohanaeze Ndigbo wishes to vehemently deny the allegation of Igbo youth involvement in Lagos #Endsars protest as part of a grand design to destroy Yoruba economy.

ā€œFor the obvious reason of having most of their businesses scattered all over the country particularly in Lagos, knocks out the thinking of an Igbo setting out to destroy another personā€™s economy. Only a fool living in a glass house uses stone to settle scores.

ā€œAlready, as it had always been during every crisis in Nigeria, Igbo businesses are target as happened last Tuesday in Abuja when car depots, belonging to Igbos was set ablaze by hoodlums.

ā€œOhanaeze believes and empirically too that Ndigbo youths underlying reasons for getting involved in the on-going #EndSARS protests is not anything different from the reasons of other youths in Nigeria which borders on aggravated neglect of Nigeria youths due to poor governance rooted in dubious political structure.

ā€œWe, therefore, wish to urge the Yoruba ethnic group to disregard the position being pushed by the AOKOYA because itā€™s not based on facts and reality on ground.ā€

 

I never ordered attack on Yoruba assets -IPOB leader [SUN]

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has denied that he ordered the destruction of economic assets of Yoruba people in Lagos State.

He said that agents of the Federal Government carefully twisted parts of his recent broadcast to create impression that he had turned the EndSARS protests against Yoruba.

He spoke Thursday afternoon, in an emergency Zoom meeting on the topic: ā€œ#EndSARS is not an ethnic protest, stop the propaganda to make it oneā€, organised by Njenje Media TV on the ethnicization of the #ENDSARS movement.

The event, moderated by Maazi Ezeoke also featured former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Kanu stated that those who caused division between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe during their time were bent on pitching Ndigbo and Yoruba against themselves.

He was emphatic that Britain was trying to divide Southern again for the North to conquer but that they had failed.

He asked people to ignore any divisive statements regarding Yoruba or any other ethnic group in Nigeria, credited to him, urging that to really situate what he said, one must listen to the about 2hour broadcast.

He said: ā€œI made a broadcast a few days ago when young people were being slaughtered at Lekki Tollgate. In that very speech, I was very clear and unambiguous but the people who cut and paste and put the clips together were trying to be very mischievous. Their intension was to infuse an element of tribalism or ethnicity in the ongoing campaign of young people to free themselves from the bondage they have found themselves in Nigeria. And that intension I believe, failed woefully. At no time did I insinuate or say anything conveying the erroneous impression that they are now peddling that we were going to take over or control Lagos Stateā€¦

ā€œMy stand is that I support our young people, I support the protesters, I also support the right of people to express their views without being distorted. As I said before, they cut out what I said and then quoted me out of context. If you want to know what I said, and the context I made the statements, you have to listen to the whole perspective (broadcast)ā€.

US calls for immediate investigation [SUN]

Similarly, the United States has condemned the use of excessive force on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos by military forces.

US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, in a statement said the United States welcomed an immediate investigation into the incidence.

ā€œThe United States strongly condemns the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, causing death and injury.Ā  We welcome an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces.Ā  Those involved should be held to account in accordance with Nigerian law,ā€ Pompeo said.

Pompeo further said the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression were essential human rights and core democratic principles.

ā€œWe call on the security services to show maximum restraint and respect fundamental rights and for demonstrators to remain peaceful.Ā  We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families,ā€ Pompeo also said.

 

Presidentā€™s broadcast: Nigerians attack Buhari for snubbing Lekki shootings [PUNCH]

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.),Ā  on Thursday, berated people he called subversive elements whom he alleged were bent on using #EndSARS protesters to cause chaos and truncate the countryā€™s democracy.

Buhari, who said this in aĀ  national broadcast, begged youths calling for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and police reforms to suspend their protests.

Advising them to resist the temptation of being used by those he described as subversive elements, he said his regime would not tolerate undermining of the countryā€™s unity by anybody.

The Presidentā€™s address came two weeks after youths demanding disbanding of SARS began protests.

But eminent Nigerians and #EndSARS protesters, who reacted to the Presidentā€™s speech, berated him over his failure to comment on the shooting of protesters by soldiers in Lekki, Lagos. They said his broadcast was devoid of empathy.

Although the Federal Government disbanded SARS on October 12, the protesters insisted that government had not met all their five-point demand, which included release of all persons arrested and justice for victims of police brutality and setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct (within 10 days).

Others are psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be redeployed, and increase in police salary.

The protests, however,Ā  assumed a tragic dimension on Tuesday when soldiers shot protesters in Lekki, Lagos. Scores of protesters were killed inĀ  Lagos and other parts of the country by security agents and hoodlums.

Several policemen were also killed in the violence.

On Thursday,Ā  Buhari said the youth protesting against police brutality must stop their protests immediately.

He warned the protesting youths that allowing themselves to be used against democracy amounted to undermining the nationā€™s security which his regime would not tolerate.

The President said, ā€œI would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

ā€œFor you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

ā€œI therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

ā€œAnd I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect.ā€

The President also warned ā€œthose who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.ā€

Donā€™t make hasty pronouncements, Buhari tells international community

The President also advised members of the international community not to make hasty pronouncements on the situation that had turned international attention to Nigeria.

He asked them to first seek to know all the facts on the matter before rushing to take positions.

ā€œTo our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements,ā€ Buhari said.

Lawlessness continues as hoodlums kill cops, burn more police stations, inmates attempt jailbreak [PUNCH]

The reign of terror by hoodlums across the country continued unabated on Thursday with reports of attacks on the police personnel, which resulted in some deaths, and burning of many police stations across the nation.

In some states, inmates of custodial centres were set free by the hoodlums, while in others, the inmates attempted to flee from custody, but their efforts were thwarted by security agents.

Many public buildings were also sent on fire by hoodlums across the country.

Police, army storm Ikoyi prison over attempted jail break

Some inmates of the Ikoyi Custodial Centre in Lagos State, on Thursday, attempted to escape after setting a section of the facility on fire.

Personnel of the centre, in collaboration with other security agencies, were said to have foiled the attempt.

The Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos Command, Rotimi Oladokun, noted that the inmates wanted to take advantage of the ongoing #EndSARS protests and the curfew in the state.

ā€œHowever, the inmates met stiff resistance by the personnel at the centre. The inmates, in their attempted jailbreak, set a section of the custodial centre ablaze. There was no breach of the custodial centreā€™s security perimeter, as the combined deployment of military and other security agencies ensured the safety of the inmates and the custodial centre,ā€ he added.

However, hoodlums took over major parts of Lagos on Thursday, extorting money from motorists, commercial motorcycle riders and passers-by.

Many parts of the state were barricaded by the thugs, who carried cutlasses, knives and stones.

There was no noticeable security presence in many parts of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the hoodlums burnt the Ikotun Police Station and damaged the Ojodu Police Station.

He said exhibits at the Ojodu station were also burnt by the gang.

Adejobi explained that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Leye Oyebade, and the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, moved round some volatile areas within the state to clear obstructions on major roads.

ā€œThe areas where the police chiefs cleared barricades from included Falomo roundabout, Sura-Adeniji and Ilubinrin end of the Third Mainland Bridge, Iyana Oworo and Gbagada end of the Ikorodu Road, Ojuelegba (Surulere) and Apongbon Bridge, on the Lagos Island,ā€ he added.

 

Why Senate suspended Onochie, other INEC nomineesā€™ confirmation [PUNCH]

The Senate may have suspended the screening and confirmation of the nominees of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for appointment as Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, due to the inclusion of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, on the list.

Onochie, from Delta State, is the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, who has been defending the All Progressives Congress-led government with passion.

Apart from Onochie, other nominees on Buhariā€™s list were, Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (National Electoral Commissioner), Katsina; Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (National Electoral Commissioner), Ekiti; and Saidu Babura Ahmad (Resident Electoral Commissioner), Jigawa.

The Senate Minority caucus last week faulted Onochieā€™s appointment claiming that Buhariā€™s action was a violation of the Nigerian constitution.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan did not send Buhariā€™s official communication to the Committee on INEC saddled with the responsibility of screening the nominees before the Senate went on a three- week break on Tuesday.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the Senate President Ahmed Lawan decided not to forward the list of nominees following stiff opposition by a majority of senators opposed to Onochieā€™s nomination across party lines.

A senator who spoke with our correspondent on the issue, on condition of anonymity on Thursday said ā€œThe Senate President would have referred the nomineesā€™ list to the INEC committee but had to halt the process when it was obvious that majority of us advised him to maintain status quo pending when Onochieā€™s replacement will be sent to the Senate.ā€

Another Senator who also spoke on condition of anonymity said ā€œOnochieā€™s representative in the Senate, who is also a principal officer, expressed shock when the Senate President read the letter announcing her as one of the nominees.

ā€œThe Principal officer has mobilised his colleagues in the leadership to oppose Onochieā€™s nomination and the Senate President had no choice than to put the entire screening process on hold.ā€

The Spokesperson for the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, however, said ā€œThat (screening) is not the priority issue for the Senate now. Our priority now is on how to ensure peace and stability in the country and we are seriously working towards achieving that.ā€

 

FG, ASUU disagree on payment platform for N30bn allowances [PUNCH]

THE meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities deadlocked again on Wednesday, following the disagreement over the payment platform that would be used in disbursing the salary arrears and the N30bn Earned Allowances of the university lecturers.

The FG team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had offered to pay the salary arrears and the N30bn earned allowances of the university lecturers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System platform pending the roll-out of ASUUā€™s preferred platform, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

But the ASUU delegation led by its National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, reportedly insisted that the university teachers would not enrol on the government salary platform.

The spokesman, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Charles Akpan, explained that the meeting adjourned till Monday to enable the union leaders to get across to their members on the mode of payment.

The parley is expected to reconvene on Monday to decide on the platform for the disbursement of the funds pledged by the FG.

Among other things, the government had agreed to pay N40bn, being the pending Earned Academic Allowance of the university teachers overdue since November 2019.

Out of the amount, N30bn would be paid on or before November 6, while the remaining N10bn would be spread equally over two tranches to be paid in May 2021 and February 2022.

The two parties equally agreed to the planned release of N30b for the revitalisation of the education sector.

The government offered to pay N20b as funding for the revitalisation of public universities by January 2021 as well as seek for sources of alternative and additional funding of the university system, among other conclusions.

 

Sanwo-Olu: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact [THE NATION]

The CCTV footage of the shooting of #ENDSARS protesters in Lekki are available and intact, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated.

The footage, he said, would be provided to the judicial panel on police brutality, extra-judicial killings and extortion when necessary.

The Governor said this during a live programme on ARISE TV on Thursday monitored by The Nation.

He said the CCTV cameras have footage of what happened during the protests and shootings.

Sanwo-Olu also explained the footage would be given to experts for analysis.

He said: ā€œI will just speak up the truth on what actually happened. There is security personnel of The Lekki Concession Company on the ground. I had called the Managing Director that night when I saw the pictures.

ā€œWhat he said to me is that because of the curfew that has been announced, they took a decision that they will take out installations that are critical to them.

ā€œThe camera that you saw is not a security camera or a motion camera. The camera is a laser camera for vehicles. It picks the tag on cars and number plates.

ā€œIt is not a camera for human beings. It is an infrared camera that just picks the tag on the vehicles. Security cameras for the plaza are still available.

ā€œThese are some of the footage that we are going to use for our investigation. Security cameras are installed on top of towers and they are there because I have seen them. Nobody can touch the security camera.

ā€œThese are things that we can leave open for citizens to come and verify when the panel of inquiries starts.

ā€œWe will adopt this as evidence so that experts can come and review what kind of cameras are those shown at the footage.ā€

 

#ENDSARS protests hijacked ā€“ Buhari [THE NATION]

The #ENDSARS protests across the nation have been hijacked and misdirected, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared.

In a nationwide speech on Thursday night, he warned those who have hijacked the protests, saying government would not tolerate violence of any form.

He said: ā€œI must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well ā€“ intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

ā€œThe choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.ā€

 

Two Policemen, two stations burnt in Ibadan [THE NATION]

Two Policemen from Testing Ground Division, Iwo Road, Ibadan were on Thursday burnt to ashes.

A police station in Akobo was also burnt down, looted and amunitions carted away.

The culprits, suspected hoodlums and thugs also caused a scene at Bashorun, Iwo Road with sporadic gunshots.

An attack was also launched on Ashi, Bodija and Alabebe, Iyana Church Police Station.

Agbeni, Ogunpa, Dugbe areas of Ibadan also has record of violent clashes with some of the shops in Agbeni looted in the wee hours of the night.

The hoodlums who operated in separate groups also unleash mayhem on innocent individuals as shops and stores within the vicinity were also bugled in the process.

Crisis started early Thursday morning when a policeman was alleged to have knocked down a youth in what seem an innocent road accident but which attracted the anger of the hoodlums.

The situation led to the attack of the policemen which led to two of them been overpowerered from the angry youths.

They were burnt in a bonfire made in the middle of the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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