The Federal Government says all prospective corps members will undergo mandatory COVID – 19 tests ahead of the reopening of orientation camps nationwide .
It also said all National Youth Service Corps orientation camps would reopen effective November 10 , 2020 .
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Sani Aliyu , stated this during a briefing in Abuja .
Orientation camps have been shut since March this year as part of measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
But speaking , Aliyu said , “ We have developed guidelines with the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ) and the NYSC in the preparation for the reopening of the orientation camps on the 10 th of November , 2020 .
“ The PTF has also arranged additional safeguards to include the testing of all corpers and staff in the camps for COVID- 19 tests prior to commencement of the orientation programmes . ”
The Federal Government has directed civil servants who have not been going to work since March when the lockdown declared to curtail the spread of COVID- 19 started to return to work from Monday .
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Boss Mustapha ; and the National Coordinator , Sanni Aliyu , disclosed this at the press briefing of the task force .
Only civil servants of Salary Grade Level 12 and above as well as those on essential duties have been going to work.
But the PTF has directed that civil servants below SGL 12 can now resume work.
It however directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that they alternate the days the civil servants will be at work in order to ensure social distancing .
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr . Chris Ngige , will today ( Thursday ) meet with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in a bid to end the over six months strike by the university lecturers .
A statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry , Mr Charles Akpan said Ngige would host a meeting with ASUU in Abuja .
ASUU had embarked on an indefinite industrial action following its opposition to the government ’ s move to enforce the use of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System for salary payment .
The union had instead , insisted on a different payment platform , the University Transparency Account System .
But indications that the strike action may soon be resolved emerged on Tuesday when ASUU was summoned to a meeting by the Senate President , Senator Ahmad Lawan along with Ngige .
The meeting, chaired by Lawan , also had in attendance , the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu , the Accountant – General of the Federation , Ahmed Idris and the ASUU leadership led by the President , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi .
Addressing journalists after the three-hour closed session , Ngige said ASUU had shown how the UTAS they developed could work, adding that the demonstration would continue.
“ We will involve other government agencies who would also come and assess it. Discussions on it are not foreclosed yet .
“ UTAS is a homegrown software . It is what we call local content that Mr President is encouraging . It will be considered by the government , ” Ngige added .
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has reiterated the resolve of the Green Chamber, to effect key reforms in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
He also disclosed the House had on Wednesday last week urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, to produce an immediate plan for the identification and compensation for victims of police brutality in the country.
According to his Spokesman, Mr Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said this when he received a delegation led by popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke (Davido), who came on a courtesy visit to convey to the National Assembly, the grief of victims of police brutality.
The Speaker said the House identified” with the need to reform the police and had taken steps to address the situation, such as the recent Police Reform Act.
“The amended Police Reform Act contains most, if not all, of the grievances and demand Nigerians want to see, including a functioning police complaint unit that should be a liaison between the citizenry and the police, as Nigerians can no longer live in fear of those who are supposed to protect them,” he said.
According to him, “the House has been at the forefront of addressing the inhuman treatment meted on Nigerians by some of the SARS operatives, the Speaker noted that all the demands relayed have been captured in a motion sponsored by the House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, many days before the protests even commenced”.
Gbajabiamila, according to the statement said: “several resolutions were reached from the motion, some of which had been identified and implemented by the police authorities, such as the demand that the IGP take decisive action to stop the brutality and human rights violation by SARS and report the said actions to the House within three weeks”.
The House, according to the statement, also ” demanded the setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of officers found culpable of such violent misconduct and ensuring they are punished according to the law.
“He also emphasized the position of the House on the need to have an independent system for monitoring police actions and holding police officers to proper account for failures to follow the law and the police code.
“Besides, he restated the determination of the House to legislate on the lasting solutions to the problems of policing in Nigeria”.
He pledged that the” House will this week meet with the national leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and select civil society organisations to begin joint efforts at developing a legislative proposal”, as he “assured the delegation of the lawmakers’ total and unwavering allegiance to the sensitivity and needs of the Nigerian people”.
Davido had earlier in his remarks expressed the anger of most Nigerians, which according to him, were angered by government’s insensitivity and indifference towards the people.
Though, the statement noted he acknowledged “there are honest and hardworking personnel within the SARS operatives”, he however added that ” the bad ones have dented the image of the unit beyond the trust of Nigerians”.
He recounted his role in the #EndSars protest the day before, stating that the people want trust, accountability and communication.
On his list of demands, according to the statement, “Davido asked for the immediate release of all arrested protesters nationwide during the “ENDSARSNOW” protest, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality over the years, and appropriate compensation for their families”.
Youths protesting against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the now – disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has blocked traffic flow around Secretariat , Ikeja , along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway .
The protest has brought vehicular movements to a standstill as motorists and commuters are trapped in the gridlock .
A protester, Bamidele Oladipupo , said people have been voiceless for too long , adding that the # ENDSARS campaign was a statement that the youths are tired of being treated unjustly in the country .
He said , “ It is a shame that the people do not have a voice in their own country, something is going to spur people to take action and one of the things is the # ENDSARS . If you are a young person in this country , people can just stop you on the road , collect whatever you have on you and label you a criminal , and shoot you .
“ It is happening everywhere on the basis that you are a young person , if you have a little thing as small as a smartphone , you are their victim , so , the people are saying enough is enough . ”
A commuter, Idris Agbabiaka , while reacting to the protesters blocking vehicular movements, said , “ Although, I respect their agitation , blocking of the road is affecting us . I left Ibadan this morning and when we got to the Secretariat area of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway , the protesters have blocked the road . ”
The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the dissolution of the much – dreaded police unit after days of agitation across the country .
However , the protesters are not satisfied with the announcement. They want , amongst other things , the release of arrested protesters as well as a total overhaul of the Police Force .
Spurring the protesters on are Eedris Abdulkareem and Mr . Macaroni among others.
Youths protesting against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the now – disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force has blocked traffic flow around Secretariat , Ikeja , along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway .
The protest has brought vehicular movements to a standstill as motorists and commuters are trapped in the gridlock .
A protester, Bamidele Oladipupo , said people have been voiceless for too long , adding that the # ENDSARS campaign was a statement that the youths are tired of being treated unjustly in the country .
He said , “ It is a shame that the people do not have a voice in their own country, something is going to spur people to take action and one of the things is the # ENDSARS . If you are a young person in this country , people can just stop you on the road , collect whatever you have on you and label you a criminal , and shoot you .
“ It is happening everywhere on the basis that you are a young person , if you have a little thing as small as a smartphone , you are their victim , so , the people are saying enough is enough . ”
A commuter, Idris Agbabiaka , while reacting to the protesters blocking vehicular movements, said , “ Although, I respect their agitation , blocking of the road is affecting us . I left Ibadan this morning and when we got to the Secretariat area of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway , the protesters have blocked the road . ”
The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the dissolution of the much – dreaded police unit after days of agitation across the country .
However , the protesters are not satisfied with the announcement. They want , amongst other things , the release of arrested protesters as well as a total overhaul of the Police Force .
Spurring the protesters on are Eedris Abdulkareem and Mr . Macaroni among others.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered the police to stay away from protesters in the state in order to forestall further tension and loss of lives .
The governor said this in a broadcast .
Makinde said , “ The past few days have been ones of grief for the people of Oyo State . I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalised as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during these EndSARS protests .
“ As I stated clearly in my earlier statement , peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.
“ Last night , I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State . I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them. We have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters , at this time .
“ Therefore , we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots , especially Ogbomoso , to ensure that as people protest , they will not be harassed or brutalised .
“ I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State , that I am doing everything within my power , to ensure that no further lives are lost .
“ I urge all residents of Oyo State to go about their activities without fear . To the protesters , I say , you can please continue to protest peacefully .
“ These are trying times for all of us and I pray that God continues to guide us and give us the wisdom to navigate through them. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria . ”
A policeman identified as Erinfolami Ayodeji has been reportedly killed by protesters in Lagos State .
The PUNCH gathered that two other cops are in critical conditions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Surulere .
A senior police officer told news correspondent that the protesters sacked the Anti – Kidnapping Section of the Lagos State Police Command at Surulere .
News correspondent learnt that this was after policemen from the Area C Command shot dead a protester.
The Police Public Relations Officer , Muyiwa Adejobi , confirmed the incident .
He identified the deceased as Erinfolami Ayodeji, adding that the command would release a statement soon .
The Senate has intervened between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS quagmire, saying that the Government should not go into any agreement it cannot implement.
According to the Senate, it was disturbing and worrisome that the Federal Government will sign agreements it knows are difficult and sometimes impossible to implement
Speaking in Abuja when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by its President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi visited him in his office, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan who pleaded with both the government and ASUU should in the Interest of the students who are always the victims, to ensure that it is a give and take situation.
Lawan who urged ASUU members to be prepared to sheathe the sword to end the ongoing strike for students goes back to class said that the situation is not healthy for the country tertiary institutions.
He noted that the meeting was to enable the National Assembly to intervene in the ongoing disagreement between the government and the university governing body to put an end to the strike.
Lawan said: “Both Government and ASUU must find a common ground. We cannot afford to continue in this kind of crisis. This is why our children are forced to go to neighbouring countries like Ghana to school. What about those who can’t afford to send their children out of the country?
“ASUU must be ready to shift ground. It is supposed to be a give-and-take. ASUU cannot get everything it is demanding from the government”, said Ahmed Lawan who noted that he was confident that some of the agreements signed years back have already been taken over by events.
“I am sure ASUU is prepared halfway to meet the goverment to resolve the crisis for good.”
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan , and the principal officers of the red chamber are currently holding a crucial meeting behind closed doors with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities led by its President , Prof . Biodun Ogunyemi .
The meeting would discuss the alternative designed by ASUU to the Integrated Personnel Payroll System by the Federal Government for the payment of civil servants’ salaries .
THE Federal Government has inaugurated a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of Richard Gbadebo, the 300- level student of the University of Ibadan who died in the course of duty at a factory in Ibadan on July 28 .
A copy of the letter on the inquiry , dated October 5 and received by the Managing Partner , Abope Chambers in Abuja , was made available to journalist in Ibadan .
Femi Aborisade , Managing Partner , Abope Chambers, acting on behalf of the family of late Richard Gbadebo; the Alliance on Surviving COVID- 19 and Beyond in Oyo State ; and the International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network , had on August 24 , written the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr , Chris Ngige , to call for the inauguration of a commission of inquiry into circumstances surrounding Gbadebo’ s death in the course of carrying out his duty at Henkel Nigeria Limited , a subsidiary of Expand Global Industries Limited .
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a letter titled, ‘ Re: Accident investigation into the death of late Richard Gbadebo in the course of working on the Premises of Expand Global Industries Limited (Henkel ) , Ibadan , Oyo State ’ , said the Federal Government had set up the commission .
The letter , signed by the Director , Occupational Safety and Health in the ministry , Mrs. Nneka Adogu, on behalf of the Minister read in part, “ Sequel to your request for a commission of inquiry into the death of late Richard Gbadebo in a fatal accident that occurred at the above named factory on 28 th July and investigation of the accident by Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ibadan , a panel of inquiry to investigate into the fatality has been approved and set up by the Minister of Labour and Employment.
“ Please , be informed that sequel to the directives of the minister , more vigorous and robust investigation into the death of the victim will be carried out on the factory premises by the panel . The date for the visit of the panel members will be communicated in due course . ”
Reacting , Aborisade said , “It is a step forward in the struggle for a safe working environment in Nigeria . The setting up of the commission of inquiry may indeed be the first of its kind in the history of industrial relations in Nigeria . ”
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