The President , Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , has ordered the Niger Delta Development Commission to pay its scholarship beneficiaries studying abroad .
This was contained in a statement titled ‘ NDDC invites President Buhari to Commission Signature Project ’ and signed by the NDDC Director , Corporate Affairs , Charles Odili .
The statement quoted Odili as saying, “ Under the Commission ’ s finance protocol , only the Executive Director ( Finance) and the Executive Director ( Projects ) can sign for the release of funds from the Commission ’ s domiciliary accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria .
“ With the death of Chief Etang, the remittance has to await the appointment of a new EDFA .
“ Senator Akpabio, the Honourable Minister , said President Buhari who has been briefed on the protest by students at the Nigerian High Commission in London , has ordered that all stops be pulled to pay the students by the end of this week. We expect a new EDFA to be appointed this week. As soon as that is done , they would all be paid. ”
The Nigeria Labour Congress , the Trade Union Congress and 80 other organisations , under the aegis of the Alliance for Surviving COVID – 19 and Beyond, has asked the Federal Government to publish terms and conditions of all the loans it had taken .
The group , in a statement by its Chairman , Mr Femi Falana , ( SAN ); the NLC President , Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart , Quadri Olaleye, who are both co – chairmen, threatened a legal action against the government if it failed to publish details of the loans.
Recall that the Minister of Transportation , Rotimi Amaechi, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements on Tuesday last week , had asked the lawmakers to stop the investigation into the loan obtained from China to finance rail projects in Nigeria .
He warned that the probe would send a wrong signal to China , which could stop the loan , thereby thwarting the rail projects .
But ASCAB in its statement titled, ‘‘ ASCAB demands full disclosure of all loans obtained by Nigeria , ’ said it would “ challenge the authorities in court if the disclosures were not made . ”
The group also urged the National Assembly to reveal the terms and conditions of all external loans.
It said if the National Assembly failed , the Debt Management Office should publish the terms and conditions of all external loans , or face legal fireworks .
ASCAB , which is a coalition of labour and some 80 civil society groups , lamented that Nigeria ’ s debt profile which was N 12 . 118 tn as of May 2015 had leaped to N 27 . 401 tn in 2019 .
It stated that the figure represented more than 100 per cent debt increase adding that by 2020 , the nation had seen an astrological surge in the country’ s external debts .
The group said recent revelations at the National Assembly had confirmed the fact that the loans were taken without proper public scrutiny .
It also noted that a committee of the House of Representatives was feigning ignorance concerning the terms and conditions attached to a particular loan agreement .
ASCAB said the huge debt being incurred for the country had the potential of stifling the prospects of economic liberation and political freedom of the people.
The group said within one year, the National Assembly had approved a total of $ 28 bn loans for the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) with no commensurate improvement in the quality of lives of many Nigerians .
The coalition said it was important to ask whether Nigeria really needed the jumbo loans when sources of boosting public funds had either yet to be fully explored or completely ignored
The statement added , “ The country’ s level of poverty continues to increase with the skyrocketing loans obtained by the Federal Government.
“ Poverty, extreme hunger, frivolous lifestyles of public office holders continue to fuel violence and public disorder across the country.
“ Why the government has responded effectively to the needs of public officials including members of the National Assembly, the economic and social needs of the people remain a mirage , ” the coalition said .
The Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 has asked students with symptoms of COVID- 19 to stay at home as resumption of the Senior Secondary School 3 begins this week nationwide .
The PTF faulted state governments asking students to produce results of their COVID- 19 tests before resumption.
It said instead of compulsory test , which would only be valid for the period the test was conducted, students already showing symptoms of the virus should be asked to stay away.
The task force ’ s national coordinator , Dr Sani Aliyu , said these at the PTF press briefing in Abuja .
In preparation for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination , the SSS 3 students in Ogun and Benue would resume today , while their counterparts in Kano and Ekiti will resume on August 10 .
ShopRite Nigeria has debunked the story making the rounds that it intends to close shop in Nigeria.
The Country Director for Chastex Consult, Ini Archibong, in a telephone conversation with newsmen, said: “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria.
“We have only just opened to Nigerian investors which we have also been talking to just before now. We are not leaving, who leaves over a $30billion investment and close shop? It doesn’t sound right.
“We only gave this opportunity to Nigeria investors to come in and also help drive our expansion plan in Nigeria. So we are not leaving.
“I have tried to say this to many people as I can. There should be no panic at all and all of that. There is no truth in that report.”
Recall that reports have been circulating that the retail outlet has started a formal process to consider the potential sale of all or a majority of stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Governors Forum has decried the worsening security situation across the country.
Chairman of the forum , Ekiti State Governor , Kayode Fayemi , said this in a statement titled: “
NGF Expresses Solidarity with Governor Zullum and Borno State , ” which he signed and made available to the media , in Abuja .
He expressed gratitude to God for sparing the life of the Borno State Governor , Babagana Zulum , and members of his team who were attacked by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno last week.
The statement read , “ On behalf of the 36 State Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the platform of the NGF, I write to express our solidarity with you and the people of Borno State , following the attack last Wednesday , by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect .
“ This is one unwarranted attack too many . It epitomises our collective vulnerability and the fragility of the country’ s security architecture .
“ Although you emerged from this incident unscathed, we note with regret the injuries sustained by two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and a Police Officer attached to your convoy and do accordingly pray for their quick recovery.
“ Mr . Governor, Forum members are resolutely behind you in your effort to rid Borno State of these dastardly and wicked agents of evil .
“ We are appalled by the worsening security situation in the country generally , in – spite of all the efforts of government to end it.
“ On our part , the NEC Sub – Committee on Security will be meeting tomorrow and rising from the resolutions thereof soon dialogue with Mr . President and the nation’ s Security Chiefs to discuss this worrisome and rapidly degenerating situation. ”
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 .
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 .
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 ” .
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 ” .
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