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The Federal Government would embark on an assessment tour of all Unity schools in the country as students in exit classes resume for academic activities on Tuesday , the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba , has said .

According to him , the intended tour which would be led by him , aims to assess the level of preparedness of the various institutions.

A statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong, quoted Nwajiuba as saying this during an online meeting with the 36 State Commissioners of Education.

He said the Permanent Secretary in the FMoE, Sonny Echono , and the Directors of the ministry would join him in the assessment tour .

The statement reads, “ Ahead of August 4 2020 , the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has announced that all the 104 Unity Colleges are ready to open their gates to exit classes tomorrow .

“ Announcing the preparedness of the Unity Colleges at a meeting with Honourable Commissioners of Education of the 36 States of the Federation this (Monday ) morning via the Zoom platform , the Minister lauded Principals of Unity Colleges for the comprehensive preparation put in place for resumption.

“ Across states , Honourable Commissioners reported varying degrees of preparation and readiness for reopening between August 4 and 10 for virtually all schools within their jurisdictions .

“ From today (Monday ) , the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Permanent Secretary and Directors will embark on an assessment tour of all Unity Colleges to ascertain and confirm the reports they have received from the Principals of Unity Colleges .

“ Similarly, Federal Education Quality Assurance Directors deployed to the States have been directed to monitor compliance in their respective states . Honourable Commissioners from the States were enjoined to embark on assessment tours in their jurisdictions to ascertain the level of preparations for reopening .

“ While most schools will reopen tomorrow ( Tuesday ), others will continue to fine – tune their preparations in the coming days for reopening . Education Minister , Hon . Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, is asking all schools to communicate their specific reopening dates to their parents and students in order to avoid chaos in the system .

“ All returning students are to undergo temperature checks among other protocols before being admitted into their schools . ”

Medical doctors in Ondo State , under the auspices of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, have suspended their industrial action .

The doctors embarked upon the strike action in June following the inability of the state government to accede to their demands, mostly bothering on their welfare packages .

In a statement issued by the state chairman of NAGGMDP , Dr . Oluwafemi Aina , the strike was suspended after the government acceded to some of the demands of the association .

The chairman however implored the state government to address some of the other demands of the association .

According to him , the new demands included “ the immediate domestication of the Special COVID- 19 Hazard and Risk (Life ) Insurance for all our members who are part of the frontline health care providers in the state . ”

The association also demanded the immediate circulation and institutionalisation of the modalities of the already begun deductions of its members ’ salaries into the National Housing Fund Contributions by workers in the state ’ s public service .

Aina said the government should ensure “ the payment of the remaining Special COVID- 19 Hazard and Risk Allowances to members and the payment of Arrears of the Minimum Wage and Consequential Adjustments of Basic Salaries which the other Non -Health Public Servants in the state have been enjoying since January 2020 . ”

He expressed assurance that members of the association would continue to discharge their duties diligently with great passion .

Punch

South African Company , Shoprite Holdings Limited , says it will auction off its outlets in Nigeria , according to reports .

This is coming about 15 years after it opened its first store in Lagos in December 2005 .

The megastore company with presence in most Nigerian cities hinged this decision on the coronavirus pandemic which has disrupted major businesses globally .

In an “ Operational and Voluntary Trading Update (52 Weeks Ended 28 June 2020 )” released on Monday , the company said it has been approached by “various potential investors ” .

The update partly read , “Despite difficult circumstances, in a year incorporating the COVID- 19 lockdown and accompanying regulations governing trade, transport and operations , the Group increased total sale of merchandise for the 52 weeks to 28 June 2020 (including the impact of hyperinflation in the prior year) by 6 . 4 % to approximately R 156. 9 billion . Like – for – like growth for
the year was 4 . 4 % .

“ Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re- evaluation of the Group ’ s operating model in Nigeria , the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake , in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited , a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited .

“ As such , Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified as a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year . Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time. ”

The company , which provides jobs for more than 2 , 000 Nigerians , has over 25 stores across eight states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja .

The South African business established 40 years ago with over 500 stores across the continent is arguably Africa ’ s largest grocery retailer .

Punch

The organised labour in Ekiti State has called off the three- day warning strike embarked upon in the state public service over welfare and other issues .

The organised labour , comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress , Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council , had on Sunday ordered the commencement of the strike following the expiration of the 14 – day ultimatum it earlier issued to the state government .

In the resolutions at the end of meeting between the state government and organised labour made available to journalists , it was stated that the strike had been called off “ immediately” .

The document , entitled “ Resolutions at the meeting of the meeting of the state government with the organised labour on the outstanding welfare issues of Ekiti State workers ” was signed by the Head of Service , Mrs Peju Babafemi ; the Senior Special Assistant Labour , Chief Olayemi Esan ; and Permanent Secretary , Service Matters, Mr Bayo Opeyemi for the government .

Signatories on the side of Labour are the state chairmen of NLC , Kolapo Olatunde ; TUC, Sola Adigun ; and JNC , Kayode Fatomiluyi ; and the secretaries of JNC , Gbenga Olowoyo; TUC, Kuloogun Lawrence ; and NLC , Taiwo Akinyemi .

Among the resolutions are “ that state government will ensure continuous payment of the monthly gross salaries ; and that payment of the financial benefits of 2015 promotion will be implemented in September while payments for 2017 , 2017 , 2018 and 2019 will follow”.

Others are “that outstanding deductions for the months of May and June 2020 will be paid in phases ; and that government will pay the outstanding deductions, salaries and leave bonuses in phases ”.

It was also resolved at the meeting “ that other issues affecting public service relating to service matters shall be looked into in due course , and that negotiation on the implementation of the minimum wage and the consequential adjustment will resume as soon as COVID- 19 subsides ” .

Punch

The organised labour in Ekiti State has called off the three- day warning strike embarked upon in the state public service over welfare and other issues .

The organised labour , comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress , Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council , had on Sunday ordered the commencement of the strike following the expiration of the 14 – day ultimatum it earlier issued to the state government .

In the resolutions at the end of meeting between the state government and organised labour made available to journalists , it was stated that the strike had been called off “ immediately” .

The document , entitled “ Resolutions at the meeting of the meeting of the state government with the organised labour on the outstanding welfare issues of Ekiti State workers ” was signed by the Head of Service , Mrs Peju Babafemi ; the Senior Special Assistant Labour , Chief Olayemi Esan ; and Permanent Secretary , Service Matters, Mr Bayo Opeyemi for the government .

Signatories on the side of Labour are the state chairmen of NLC , Kolapo Olatunde ; TUC, Sola Adigun ; and JNC , Kayode Fatomiluyi ; and the secretaries of JNC , Gbenga Olowoyo; TUC, Kuloogun Lawrence ; and NLC , Taiwo Akinyemi .

Among the resolutions are “ that state government will ensure continuous payment of the monthly gross salaries ; and that payment of the financial benefits of 2015 promotion will be implemented in September while payments for 2017 , 2017 , 2018 and 2019 will follow”.

Others are “that outstanding deductions for the months of May and June 2020 will be paid in phases ; and that government will pay the outstanding deductions, salaries and leave bonuses in phases ”.

It was also resolved at the meeting “ that other issues affecting public service relating to service matters shall be looked into in due course , and that negotiation on the implementation of the minimum wage and the consequential adjustment will resume as soon as COVID- 19 subsides ” .

Punch

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi have said Part of the conditions for reopening of universities is ( for the government ) to ensure that the issues on the table before them are satisfactorily resolved . We have that clear .

He stated this while speaking with newsmen about government ’ s plan to reopen schools amid the COVID – 19 pandemic , and the ongoing university lecturers ’ strike over the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, among other issues.

Recalled, The Federal Government has set out some conditions; decontamination of schools – educational institutions in general , provision of hand- washing facilities , hand sanitisers , face masks, and space for social and physical distancing .

We are available to meet them at any time to ensure that we engage one another and we resolve the issues that are outstanding .

These are from our Memorandum of Action of February 2019 . So , we have made the minimum conditions available to them and we believe that they will engage the issues at the appropriate time .

Punch

With schools reopening for graduating pupils this week after months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic , parents of pupils in private secondary schools in Ogun State kicked against the request of N25 , 000 COVID- 19 test fee by the government .

Many of the parents , who took their demonstrations to the streets , faulted the decision of the government to ask them to pay N25 , 000 on each pupil before they would be allowed to resume .

The state government had said no boarding school pupil would be allowed to resume without a valid negative COVID – 19 test certificate .

The government also asked the parents to take their wards to designated places for the test between Friday and Monday .

The dissatisfied parents thronged the MTR 250 bed specialist hospital , Oke- Mosan , Abeokuta , the designated place for the pupils in Abeokuta .

It was gathered that attempts by the parents to get their children tested for free failed as they were asked to pay N25 , 000 for each child .

When news correspondent visited the venue , it was observed that many parents were locked out of the facility .

Some of the parents , who spoke with newsmen did not want their names in print because of attendant consequences but they lamented that the payment of N25 , 000 for COVID- 19 test shows the government cared less about its citizens .

They complained that the economic reality in the country has made it difficult to pay such an amount of money .

Speaking on behalf of the parents , the vice- chairman , Parents Teachers Association of one of the private schools , Dr . Kehinde Sanwo , queried the action of the government .

Sanwo, who was flanked by other aggrieved parents , decried the alleged discrimination against students in private schools .

She said , “ The parents here are good citizens of Ogun State and we are taxpayers . And it is so disheartening that we are here at the MTR hospital , the venue for COVID- 19 test .

“ When we arrived , we were told to pay N25 , 000 . Whereas, some people who arrived earlier paid nothing . So , we don ’ t know where the decision came from . Some of us have more than two children . Why this segregation ?”

Reacting to the protest , the state government insisted that the parents will need to pay the levy and get a certificate to show that their children are COVID- 19 negative before they could resume school .

The government in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo , said , “The government will bear the full costs of the COVID- 19 Test for all the boarding SS 3 students in the state – owned public schools .

“ All private school owners are also expected to ensure that all their boarding students are certified COVID- 19 test negative before being admitted into their boarding facilities .

“ To further assist the private schools , Ogun State Government has negotiated a huge discount in the cost of COVID – 19 Test with some healthcare service providers

“ However , private school owners and parents are free to engage any other service provider of their choice provided that the service provider is certified by NCDC as COVID- 19 Test service provider .

“ Indeed , Certificate of negative COVID- 19 Test from other locations across the country will be tenable provided, as usual , it is from an NCDC certified centre and the test has been performed within 72 hours of the date of resumption. ”

Punch

In conformity with the agreement reached by the Federal Government and the West African Examination Council on the commencement of the 2020 West African School Certificate Examination , Oyo State Government has announced an adjustment to its school reopening .

This indication was given in a statement made available to journalists , signed by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology , Olasunkanmi Olaleye.

The statement indicated that lessons would continue for Senior Secondary School 3 class till the commencement of the examination.

The West African Secondary School Certificate Examination is August 17 .

The statement added that “Students would go on Sallah break on Wednesday , July 29 and would be back in school on Monday August 3 , while Junior Secondary School 3 and Primary 6 classes were asked to proceed on holiday as earlier scheduled and resume for their examinations on the 10 th and 20 th of August respectively . ”

It urged stakeholders in the education sector in the state the new academic schedules was approved by the State Executive Council on July 21 .

“ On behalf of His Excellency , Governor Seyi Makinde, I wish to appreciate all stakeholders in the education sector for your unalloyed support and hardwork during the preparation for the resumption of academic activities in our schools .

“ Your dedication to work , love for our students and personal involvement in the training and observance of COVID- 19 protocols in the bid to contain Coronavirus infection among our school children is unparalleled. COVID- 19 is real and unabating at the moment . We shall , however , defeat the virus with science , diligence and courage .

“ I cannot but must appreciate our teachers that took part in the revision exercise given to our students in terminal classes, that is SS 3 , JSS 3 and Primary 6 . I pray that all our efforts at recording success in all examinations by our students will not be in vain . ”

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), said his regime had done its best as far as fighting members of the Boko Haram sect in the North East and militants in the South- South was concerned .

Buhari spoke in an interview he granted State House correspondents after joining his family members and some top government officials to observe the Eid El- Kabir prayers inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja .

The President ’ s claim that he has done his best on insurgency and militancy came two days after insurgents attacked the convoy of the Borno State Governor , Babagana Zulum.

The governor was said to be on routine inspection when his convoy was attacked by suspected members of Boko Haram between Baga and Munguno on Wednesday .

On Thursday , multiple explosions from mortars fired by suspected Boko Haram members hit Maiduguri , the Borno State capital , leaving many injured .

But Buhari , who recalled that his regime inherited the security challenges from the previous administration , said he has done his best .

He however knocked security agencies on the current security challenges in the North West and North Central , saying they can do better than what they are currently doing .

The President said , “I want Nigerians to be very conscious of their country and what we inherited when we came in 2015 was Boko Haram – North East and the militants, the South – South . Nigerians know that we have done our best .

“ What is coming up in the North West and North Central is very disturbing indeed but I believe the military, the police , and other law enforcement agencies from the report I am getting , I think they could do much better .

“ They could do much better , but we are keeping them on the alert all the time to do their duties . ”

The statement was titled “ President Buhari pledges more resources to deal with ‘ very disturbing ’ security situation in parts of the country. ”

The statement read , “He ( the President ) said considering the security situation on ground when he came to office , ‘ Nigerians know that we have done our best . However , what is coming out of the North West and the North Central is very disturbing. ’

“ Responding to a specific question on the performance of the service chiefs which recently , he said needed to get better , the President said that the military, the police , and other security agencies are working hard .

“ We are making available resources to them to even do better , ” he assured, adding that “ from the reports I am getting , they could do much better …they could do much better . But we are keeping them on the alert all the time to do their duties . ”

Punch

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and thunderstorms from Friday to Sunday across the country.

NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja said cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms were expected over parts of Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Kano and Sokoto on Friday morning.

“Other parts of the north should expect cloudy conditions during this period. Later in the day, cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region.

“Over north-central region, cloudy skies with light rains are anticipated over parts of Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, and Abuja in the morning.

“Later in the day, there are prospects of thunderstorms over most places of this region,” it said.

According to NiMet, the southern states are expected to be cloudy during the morning hours with chances of rains over parts of Calabar, Eket, Warri, Enugu, Umuahia, and Imo State.

It forecast cloudy skies with intermittent rains over the region during the afternoon and evening hours.

The agency said morning thunderstorms were anticipated over the northeast while the northwestern region was expected to be cloudy during the morning hours of Saturday.

It envisaged chances of thunderstorms over the northern region during the afternoon and evening hours.

“Cloudy skies with thunderstorms are expected over Abuja and Benue while other parts of the north-central should expect cloudiness during the morning hours.

“However, widespread thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the region during the afternoon with more prospects in the evening.

“Cloudy conditions are expected over the inland and coast of the South in the morning with the exception of Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Eket where there are prospects of rains during this time.

“Moderate rains are anticipated over most parts of the south during the afternoon and evening hours, “it said.

According to NiMet, cloudy skies are expected over the northern region with chances of thunderstorms over Borno and Sokoto during Sunday`s morning hours.

The agency predicted isolated thunderstorms across the region later in the day.

“Cloudy skies are expected over parts of the north-central states in the morning, while during the evening hours isolated thunderstorms are expected to prevail across the region.

“Cloudiness is expected to prevail over the inland and coastal cities of the south in the morning.

“Intermittent rains are expected over the south during the afternoon and evening hours, “it said.

Vanguard