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The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has approved a special salary scale and new retirement age for teachers .

The President increased the number of service years for the teachers from 35 to 40 .

The gesture was announced in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in commemoration of the 2020 World Teachers Day.

Over the years , Nigerian teachers have continued to agitate amongst others, an increase in their retirement age , welfare, and salaries .

The minister , at the 2020 WTD celebration, explained that the implementation of the new teachers ’ salary scheme was to encourage the teachers in delivering better services .

The President said , “Government notes the emergency situation in our educational system with particular reference to the dearth of qualified and dedicated teachers to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of our educational system .

“ To address these challenge and set our country on the path of industrialisation where our educational system will produce the needed skills and manpower, I have approved the following :

“ The reintroduction of bursary award to education students in Universities and College of Education with assurance of automatic employment upon graduation , payment of stipends to Bachelor of Education students as well as granting them automatic employment after graduation is now a government policy .

“ The Tertiary Education Fund will now fund teaching practice in Universities and Colleges of Education, special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools including provisions for rural posting allowance , science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance .

“ Special teacher pension scheme to enable the teaching profession retain its experienced talent as well as extend teachers retirement age to 65 years and teachers service years to 40 , create a career path policy for teaching profession in Nigeria and , teachers conversion programme and ICT training to mitigate the current dearth of qualified teachers in the school system . ”

Punch

The pump price of petrol may reduce marginally this month , going by the fall in global crude oil prices, oil marketers said .

According to them, since the cost of petrol has been largely determined by the price of crude oil, the recent marginal plunge in crude oil cost could lead to a drop in petrol price in Nigeria .

Findings by news correspondent howed that Brent , the global benchmark against which Nigeria ’ s crude is priced, dropped in price by $ 1 . 66 or 4 . 06 per cent as at 13 . 20 pm Central Standard Time.

The commodity ( Brent ) traded at $ 39 . 27 per barrel at the same time , while the cost of crude in the OPEC Basket was put at $ 39 . 94 per barrel .

Crude oil in OPEC basket dipped by $ 1 . 77 when compared with what it traded on the preceding day .

Speaking to news correspondent in Abuja , the National President , Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria , Billy Gillis – Harry , said the prediction of marketers was that petrol price could dip in October .

He , however , said that oil marketers , particularly members of PETROAN , would continue to call for an enlarged stakeholders meeting in determining the price of petrol across the country.

Gillis – Harry said , “ We will continue to insist that the arm- chair pattern of fixing prices is not correct . You saw the confusion it caused the last time . We are going to have a meeting with them ( government ) that will involve all the stakeholders.

“So , hopefully by then we should be able to have proper information to give to you on the latest in price.

“ However , based on the slide in crude oil prices , there is the suspicion that petrol price may come down. ”

Punch

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities has directed its members to proceed on a 14 – day warning strike from today ( Monday ) over alleged inconsistencies in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System , non – payment of the arrears of the national minimum wage and the failure of the government to pay the earned allowances .

The union also hinged its decision on the non – payment of retirement benefits to its members , lack of seriousness and delay by the government in the re – negotiation of the 2009 SSANU /Federal Government Agreement .

The SSANU, in a statement by its President , Samson Ugwoke , explained that the strike was a prelude to a full – blown, indefinite industrial action if the grievances were not addressed by the government .

It alleged usurpation of the headship of the non – teaching units by academic staff members “ in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures , ” corruption in the university system and non -constitution of visitation panels for the universities in line with the laws and neglect and poor funding of state universities .

The statement said , “Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission to Vice -Chancellors for the immediate resumption/ safe reopening of universities , you are hereby directed to commence a 14 – day warning strike effective from October 5 to 19 , 2020 . ”

The Joint Action Committee , comprising SSANU and the Non -Academic Staff Unions of Universities and Associated Institutions, had earlier written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige , over the contentious issues and their intention to embark on strike immediately the universities reopened to press home their demands .

The letter , dated June 1 , 2020 , and signed by the Chairman of JAC and President of SSANU, Ugwoke and the General Secretary of NASU , Peters Adeyemi , urged the minister to act fast to avert the impending strike.

Punch

Steps to reopen the schools may meet a brick wall, as staff unions in schools, especially those owned by the FG, have sounded warning strike, while those already on strike, may not back out yet.

Commenting on the development, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, told one of news correspondents that the union’s ongoing strike would continue.

“We started out industrial action before the outbreak of Coronavirus disease in the country. All the issues we raised are yet to be addressed. The government is free to open their schools, just like our members are also entitled to their dues.

“As we speak, our members are being owed between three to six months of salaries. The government’s so-called fund saving platform, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, is a colossal failure. Apart from that, the government is yet to take any step to revitalise education sector among others,” he said.

Ogunyemi said though ASUU had been invited to a meeting by the government, it would wait and see what happens, adding that ASUU was always available for negotiation.

He added that if the government did not reach an agreement with the union before the reopening date, ASUU members would not resume work.

The Federal Government has announced that all Unity Schools in Nigeria should resume with effect from October 12 .

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu , stated this during a press conference in Abuja .

According to the minister , schools across the country, are at liberty to fix resumption dates and ensure adequate safety measures .

Adamu warned that schools who fail to adhere to outlined COVID- 19 safety protocol , risk closure if there is an outbreak from such institutions.

He said , “ We have consulted widely with all stakeholders in the education sector . Our eyes and ears are opened to the international media .

“ I ’ m glad to report that there has not been any single case of COVID- 19 in all Unity Schools . No single fatality among the students .

“ We have come to the conclusion that we have to review our decisions . After consultation with PTF, we have resolved that our Unity Schools be opened on October 12 , 2020 . ”

Punch

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has condemned the comparison between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia made by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , in his Independence Day address .

The President , TUC, Quadri Olaleye, in a statement , said the comparison was unnecessary as Nigeria was not at par in all ramifications with Saudi Arabia and other countries mentioned .

He said the country had achieved nothing despite six decades of oil exploration, adding that the government was paying lip service to infrastructure development.

He said successive governments had looted , laundered and wasted the country’ s resources while patronising hospitals outside the country.

Olaleye said , “ It is like comparing black and white . It is that bad !

“ It is ridiculous to compare Nigeria with Saudi , Dubai , or any other country, not even in Africa . With the natural resources that we have , we could rule the world , but government is not interested. There is no need for this comparison because it looks like the president is defending fraud and the impoverishment of Nigerians .

“ Come to think of it, what has Nigeria achieved with all the money made from oil since over six decades of oil exploration in commercial quality? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. All successive leaderships have done is loot, launder and buy properties in foreign land .

“ So , if the president is defending the hike (in pump price), what does he want to do with the surplus they will make from the hike ? The same old story of providing infrastructure! Our roads are nothing but death traps . Our leaders are not patriotic at all. ”

He argued that in Saudi Arabia, roads , water , and to some extent, jobs were not big issues .

“ On the other hand, Nigerians contend with estimated bills because power firms had refused to provide meters , ” Olaleye added .

The Ogun State Government has announced a two – day ban on public gatherings of more than 20 persons and outlawed procession as the nation marks its 60 th Independence Day.

Governor Dapo Abiodun , also imposed a two – day curfew between 10 pm and 6 am from Thursday to Friday which would take effect from Wednesday night .

Abiodun , in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary , Kunle Somorin , said the ban was part the efforts in curtailing the spread of COVID – 19 .

He said , “ All forms of gathering in the state , except the state announced Independence Day Anniversary programme, are restricted to a maximum of 20 persons . ”

The governor also said the state had opted for a low – key celebration of Nigeria ’ s 60 th Independence Anniversary .

He relocated the Diamond Independence Anniversary activities earlier scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre , Kuto , Abeokuta to the Arcade Ground of the state secretariat , Oke- Mosan , Abeokuta.

The statement reads partly , “In line with COVID- 19 protocols, admission to the venue will be strictly by invitation . Security and other aides of invited guests will not be allowed into the premises. ”

In the same vein , the Lagos State Government has opted for a low – key celebration of the 60 th Independence Anniversary due to COVID- 19 pandemic .

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu had directed that the planned parade and other activities that involve the gathering of more than 50 people should be cancelled .

“ He congratulates Lagosians on this auspicious occasion and strongly advises that they should celebrate quietly at home and pray for the country. They should also observe the COVID- 19 protocols , including wearing of face masks to protect themselves and their loved ones , ” the statement added .

Meanwhile , the state Commissioner of Police , Hakeem Odumosu , has instructed officers and men of the command to disallow any unlawful societies , under whatever disguise , from staging rallies or protests within the state on Thursday ( today ) .

A statement by the state police command ’ s spokesman , SP Muyiwa Adejobi , said , “ CP Hakeem Odumosu similarly warned parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from any rallies , protests or being mobilised to wage war against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , or else they (parents or guardians) of any youths arrested for such act will be prosecuted . ”

Similarly, public celebration of 60 th Independence Day in Cross River State has been cancelled by Governor Ben Ayade.

Punch

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , says it makes no sense for Nigeria to sell petroleum products at prices lower than those sold in neighbouring countries .

He made this known while delivering a speech on the occasion of Nigeria ’ s 60 th Independence Anniversary at Aso Villa , Abuja.

Buhari said , “ Fellow Nigerians , in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus , we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue.

“ Our government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources .

“ In this regard, sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible . The government , since coming into office has recognized the economic argument for adjusting the price of petroleum . But the social argument about the knock – on effect of any adjustment weighed heavily with the government . ”

Continuing , the President added , “ Petroleum prices in Nigeria are to be adjusted . We sell now at N 161 per litre. A comparison with our neighbours will illustrate the point .

“ Chad, which is an oil- producing country, charges N362 per litre. Niger , also an oil- producing country, sells oil at N 346 per litre. Ghana , another oil-producing country, petroleum pump price is N326 per litre. Further afield , Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre.

“ It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia. ”

Punch

US President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on an expansion of postal voting ahead of the November election.

The president appeared to be alluding to nationwide mass protests against racial injustice and police brutality during the summer, which saw people crowding together despite health risks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump has argued that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to voter fraud, though there is no clear evidence to support the idea.

It has become a point of contention in the run-up to November, with many US voters expected to cast their ballots by mail instead of going to a polling station due to concerns about coronavirus contagion.

Critics see the Republican president’s efforts to hamper the expansion of mail-in voting as a means of voter suppression, as he trails Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the polls.

Democrats have demanded increased support for postal voting and have expressed increasing concerns about delay-causing operational changes at the US Postal Service (USPS).

Following the outcry, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump mega-donor, on Tuesday said he was suspending the initiatives until after the election.

DPA

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, says the ongoing emergency rehabilitation of the Eko Bridge linking Alaka is almost completed and will be ready for use in October.

Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while inspecting the bridge in Lagos that the new bearings had arrived from overseas and had been replaced along with the expansion joints.

“We have removed the damaged expansion joint on Eko Bridge; we have also removed the bearings and replaced the damaged bearings with new ones.

“It was the bearings that failed initially and that is why we have the piers that are being worked on. Now, we have put the new bearings and we want to complete the concrete works on the piers.

“Then we will go on top of the bridge and replace the expansion joint before we open it to traffic.

“Before the end of October, we are going to open this section of Eko Bridge (linking Alaka) to traffic.

“At this point, we removed one expansion joint. We have fixed two. The construction materials we were expecting from Europe have arrived, that is why we are fixing them.

“The bearing has already been fixed there (pointing); what is on top this iron is the jack that we used in lifting the deck of the bridge up, then we now put the bearings on top of the piers.

“That bearing is like the pad that is carrying the load,” he said.

He said that the new bearings would be covered with concrete, assuring that the bridge would be completed and reopened to traffic before the end of October.

Vanguard