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We’re Not Beggars, Hunger Won’t Force Us To Resume – ASUU To FG

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said its members are not beggars and the stoppage of their salaries by the government won’t force them to call off their strike.

The leadership of the union also commended the members for keeping faith with the union despite the hardship imposed on their families as a result of the No-Work-No-Pay directive of the Federal Government.

Following the failure of the government to meet some lingering demands of the union, ASUU on February 14, 2022, announced a one-month warning strike, followed by another eight-week strike before it eventually commenced its indefinite strike.

The continued strike led to the imposition of No-Work-No-Pay by the Federal Government. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said the directive complied with Section 43 of the Labour Law.

Though some of the demands by the union are still undergoing negotiations, the ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed optimism that the union was on the threshold of victory.

He however noted that the resolve of the union forced the government to engage in negotiations.

He said, “As the struggle continues, our members are commended for their commitment and steadfastness in the patriotic struggle for the survival of the university system in our country.

“Our members are particularly applauded for keeping faith with the union despite the hardship imposed on our families as a result of the stoppage of salaries. They have made the statement loud and clear that we are not beggars and, as a result, hunger is an impotent instrument to break our resolve.

“Our cast-iron resolve has forced the government to sit down and negotiate with us. We have had five meetings with the Federal Government team and two meetings with the Minister of Education. The renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement is progressing smoothly and has reached an advanced stage.

“However, we must remain focused on the end of this struggle. UTAS (University Transparency and Accountability Solution) has been tested for the third time. So far, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) has tested UTAS and UPS and will start testing IPPIS next week. We are undeterred by the antics of some government officials in this respect.

“We are on the threshold of victory. Let us keep faith in the union. A people united can never be defeated.”

It was earlier reported that lecturers in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have embarked on no fewer than 719 days of a strike during the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Education rights groups such as Reform Education Nigeria, and Education Rights Campaign among others have continued to call for a total reform of the tertiary education sector.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta University branch of the union has said the state government has no power to disrupt its ongoing strike by directing lecturers in its universities to return to the classroom.

The state government had suspended all union activities in institutions of higher learning in the state following protests by students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, over the lingering ASUU strike.

ASUU Chairman in NDU, Bayelsa State, Prof Tombara Kingdom, in an interview said the union’s action was captured in the exclusive legislative list of the constitution and could not be dismissed by the Edo State government.

He added, “We have told our members not to go back to the classrooms, and I believe the members of ASUU in Ambrose Alli University will not listen to that directive from the state government. The state government should go back and look at the law books. They should know that they don’t have the power to suspend union activities. Union activities are on the exclusive list of the Nigerian Constitution.

“I advise them (Edo State Government) to retrace their steps so they can realize that they don’t have any power to suspend union activities. Such a directive from the state government is null and void. It is ultra vires. It will not hold water; they are just wasting their time.”

Credit: The Punch

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BON 2024: Madam Saje, Kanayo O Kanayo Set To Bag Lifetime Achievement Awards

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With the Kwara State government set to host the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on November 24, esteemed actors, Fausat Balogun, popular as Madam Saje, and Kanayo O Kanayo are poised to recieve the Best of Nollywood Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024.

The announcement was made by Seun Oloketuyi, founder, BON Awards, earlier in the week.

With the announcement the duo are set to join other Nollywood greats in the league of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. On this list are people like Adebayo Salami, Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo, and others.

While speaking about the duo, Oloketuyi explained that there was a need to start celebrating film heroes in their lifetime, when they can enjoy the accolades.

He said , “Why must we wait till our film heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but its better the recipient is alive to recieve awards.”

Also weighing in, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Producer BON Awards revealed that the choice of Kanayo and Madam Saje were not made lightly.

“These two are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and they still maintained their stand in the industry. They deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why we have chosen them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

The 2024 edition of the BON Awards is billed to hold at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, the state’s latest hub for filmmakers.

Oloketuyi had earlier expressed excitement about Kwara’s role as host, promising a fulfilling experience for the expected 500 Nollywood stars attending.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had also highlighted the studio’s potential to elevate Nigerian cinematography and promote local talent. The event underscores Kwara’s commitment to becoming a leading destination in the creative industry, fostering growth and investment in the sector.

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JUST IN: Prison Officers Involved In Bobrisky Bribery Allegations Will Face Prosecution — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

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The Federal Government on Friday assured that all individuals implicated in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser “Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky,” will be prosecuted.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, commemorating his first year in office.

Earlier, the minister had launched a comprehensive investigation into accusations of bribery and corruption within the “Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).”

This came after reports emerged that “Bobrisky,” who had been sentenced to prison earlier in the year, had not served his sentence within the correctional facility.

As the investigation progressed, the Nigerian Government, through the “Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board,” suspended several senior prison service officers on Thursday, “September 26, 2024.”

The officers suspended include “Michael Anugwa,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) responsible for the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; “Sikiru Adekunle,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and “ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna,” stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who was accused of escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.

Another officer, “Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) managing the MSCC in Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly accepting payments on behalf of an inmate.

In addressing the unfolding bribery and corruption scandal, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo” called on Nigerians to remain patient during the investigation, assuring the public that all involved would be held accountable.

“We will not spare anyone, regardless of their status. The investigation is ongoing, but rest assured that no one will be shielded or protected,” the minister asserted.

He further clarified that the investigation went beyond the allegations linked to “Bobrisky,” noting that of the four suspended officers, only two were connected to the “Bobrisky” case. “This process will continue; it doesn’t end here,” he added.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo” expressed his trust in the integrity of the committee members leading the investigation, encouraging the public to have confidence in their work.

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UPDATE: US Company Costco Denies Selling Baby Oil To Diddy

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American wholesale corporation, Costco, has denied selling “baby oil” to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

The federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.

In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” because he buys them in bulk from Costco.

Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell “baby oil.”

“None of the company’s US locations carry ‘baby oil,'” Costco told TMZ.

Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.

However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.

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