ASUU To Meet Over Strike Tomorrw, Says Union Not Under Any Pressure To Call Off The Strike

THE National Strike Coordinating Committee, NSCC, comprising of principal officers and Zonal Coordinators of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU will be meeting Saturday to take stock of the ongoing strike embarked by the union that is entering the fourth months.
Meantime, ASUU said that it was not under any pressure to call-off the strike despite what it called sponsored protests and rallies against the union, stressing that before the union decided to embark on the strike, it holistically took objective assessment of the situation.
One of the branch Chairmen of ASUU and member of NSCC who spoke exclusively to Saturday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said that the meeting will take place in Ondo state and that there would be a situation report including the meeting representatives of ASUU had with the Federal government last week’s Friday.
He said,”We are meeting tomorrow, National Strike Coordinating Committee. Tomorrow is arrival. Our Principal officers and Zonal Coordinators met with government last week Friday, one week today, so we want to discus the outcome of the meeting, after that we will now meet.”
Commenting on the plethora of protests by different groups over the strike which could be mounting pressure on the union to call off the strike, he said that “There is no pressure on us. We look at things objectively and remember that even me as I am talking we cannot suspend the strike.
“We have to get inputs from the branches that is why our strike is always very tight, because before we declared the strike, we have collected inputs from all branch officers in the universities in Nigeria, we collated it, discussed it extensively for two days before we declared the strike.
“And if there is any offer made by government, we have to look at it, that is the principal officers ten of them in number, the zonal coordinators who take over functions of NEC during the strike, so, they will look at what government has offered, brief us the branch chair persons then it is at this point we will now know whether to convene an emergency NEC to look at it holistically.
“By the time they are briefing us, they will also ask us to brief our committee members and take the issue to the congress, it is not a one man show, all these ones they are talking about politics it is not true, the process right from the least of all the lecturers to the highest that is the professor from each branch, we collate all their responses, it is only when they advice us to suspend that we suspend, it is not just one man show.”
He explained that during strike situation, the National Strike Coordinating Committee comprising of principal officers and zonal coordinators always take over the functions of NEC, adding, “every single week, the zonal coordinators will take the information to the various branches who will now take the information to congress, collating information from congress, the branch chairman will take it back to the zonal coordinator, the zonal coordinator takes it back to NSCC, the reason is that NEC has the larger component, we are many.”
He said that the reason behind allowing the smaller number of officers to meet during strike situation was to cut cost.
“Why NEC cannot meet during the strike is because of cost, we are more in number. In NEC we have over 100 people, but NSCC will be between 10 and 20, so it is manageable, we have a channel of communication.”
All attempts made to call the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge failed as he neither picked calls put across his GSM line nor replied the text message sent to him.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

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Master P's Wife files for divorce After 24 years Of Marriage

 New Orleans Hip-Hop mogul Master P's wife, Sonya Miller has filed for divorce from him citing irreconcilable differences after 24 years of marriage.

According to TMZ, Sonya is seeking full custody of their minor children and spousal support. Sonya is also the mother of popular actor and rapper Romeo Miller.

Two years ago Sonya tried unsuccessfully to sue Master P for an increase in child support after they separated but ended up with only $271.00 a month for all four of their minor children. Now that she's finally divorcing him, he'll definitely be ordered to pay more. Master P used to be worth about $200million based off of the success of his defunct Hip-Hop label, No Limit Record

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ASUU STRIKE UPDATE: ASUU Rejects N600 Billion Offer, Insists On Full Implementation Of 2009 Agreement

Varsity teachers remained adamant last night, saying their strike would go on, despite the government’s shifting of its position. The strike has been on for four months.

More cash has been pledged for projects on the campuses. Besides, the earned allowances due to the teachers have been increased from the initial N30 billion offer, which the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejected. The teachers are insisting on the 2009 agreement, which they say President Goodluck Jonathan was part of. Besides, they say, they do not trust the government.

According to a circular by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, to the staff of the school, quoted yesterday by the news website, Sahara Reporters, the government has pledged to spend N200 billion on the universities in the 2014 budget and the same amount annually for the next three to four years.

This is in addition to the N100 billion already made available this year, but which ASUU has rejected.

The government has also increased to N40 billion, as a first installment, funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers – an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.

On the earned allowances, Aluko said: “Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million. So, Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC,” the circular said.

Aluko said the latest development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by its Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and ASUU representatives led by its President, Dr.Nasir Fagge, with Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Minister of Education Nyesome Wike.

A source in the Ministry of Education last night also confirmed that the meeting took place.

“But the government decided to leave the announcement of the decision to the ASUU chiefs,” the source said.

It was gathered that Sambo urged ASUU to call off the strike, as he apologised for the “take-it-or-leave-it” comments credited to Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the beginning of the strike. The Minister did not seem to have been involved in either meeting, perhaps as the government’s way of soothing the feelings of the university teachers.

Other points of agreement at the meetings include:

•Project Prioritisation: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized;

•TETFund Intervention: The government assured the teachers that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention;

•Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswam Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the implementors to monitor progress.

.Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blueprint for revitalising the universities to the Vice President.

Prof. Aluko stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemise the full issues on which the consensus was reached.

But ASUU last night was unimpressed with the new offer. National Treasurer Dr. Ademola Aremu said the offer failed to meet the teachers’ expectations.

He said the offer falls short of the agreement signed with ASUU by the government.

Aremu insisted that ASUU would not end the strike until the 2009 agreement is fully implemented by injecting N500 billion into the universities yearly to shore up the system’s quality.

Aremu, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said any offer below what is contained in the signed agreement, would amount to unilateral repudiation of an agreement the government willingly signed in 2009.

According to the unionist, ASUU is not making any new demand, but a mere implementation of an agreement. He pointed out that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties in 2009 stated that the government would commit N1.5 trillion to the system in three years.

He said: “ Even if the Federal Government made that promise, it would be a unilateral repudiation of the 2009 agreement. By now, the government should have injected N500 billion. That amounts to N100 billion in 2012 and N400 billion in the current year.

“As a matter of fact, any new commitment from the Federal Government is belated. Implementation of the agreement ought to have started before this year. I don’t think there is any way we can trust this government, going by its past behaviour on this issue.

“The mandate from our principal as at the last time we met was that we won’t end the strike until the agreement is fully implemented.

“We do not need promises again. What we need now is actual implementation. What if they do not release the funds again after making the promise?

“It was this same Mr President that mid-wifed the agreement in 2009 when he was the Vice President. The MoU was in his custody. He studied the agreement well before asking then President Umaru Yar’Adua to sign it. We can’t trust this government

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Genevieve Nnaji Tops Nollywood’s 100 Most Influential People [SEE FULL LIST]

Genevieve Nnaji Tops Nollywood’s 100 Most Influential People [SEE FULL LIST]

In order to be titled a Nollywood’s Most Influential Person( NMIP) the person’s actions and opinions should strongly influence positively the course of events in Nollywood and or the African film industry.

1. Genevieve Nnaji (Actress)

2. Omotola Jalade Ekehinde (Actress & Humanitarian)

3. Dr. Victor O. Olatoye (President & CEO Nollywood Film Critics USA/NAFCA)

4. Ben Murray Bruce (CEO Silverbird Entertainment)

5. Emeka Mba (DG-Nigerian Broadcasting Commission)

6. Jason Igwe Njoku (CEO iROKO Partners)

7. Peace Anyiam Osigwe (President & CEO AMAA)

8. Ibinabo Fiberesima (President AGN) 

9. Patience Ozokwor (Actress)

10. Fred Amata (Actor)

11. Emem Isong (CEO Royal Arts Academy/Film Producer)

12. Majid Michel (Actor)

13. Zeb Ejiro (Filmmaker)

14. Chinedu Ikedieze (Actor)

15. Osita Iheme (Actor)

16. John Okafor (Actor/Comedian)

17. Basketmouth (Standup Comedian)

18. Tunde Kelani (Film Producer & Director)

19. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (Filmmaker)

20. Teco Benson (Film Producer & Director)

21. Stella Damasus (Actress)

22. Zack Orji (Actor)

23. Ejike Asiegbu (Actor)

24. Olu Jacobs (Actor)

25. Nkem Owoh (Actor)

26. Mahmood Ali Balogun (Film Producer & Director)

27. Abdul Salam Mumuni (Film Producer)

28. Frank Rajah Arase (Film Producer & Director)

29. Vivian Ejike (Film Producer)

30. Stephanie Okereke (Actress)

31. Mercy Johnson (Actress)

32. Kunle Afolayan (Film Producer & Director)

33. Jim Iyke (Actor)

34. Desmond Elliot (Film Producer, Actor & Director)

35. Roger Quartey (Film Producer)

36. Segun Arinze (Actor)

37. Shirley Frimpong Manso (Film Producer & Director)

38. Fidelis Dukers (CEO Abuja Film Fest.)

39. Bond Emeruwa (Film Producer & Director)

40.Tchidi Chikere (Film Producer & Director)

41. Mac Collins Chidebe (Film Producer & Director)

42. Van Vicker (Actor, Film Producer & Director)

43. John Dumelo (Actor)

44. Funke Akindele (Actress)

45. Uche Jombo (Actress & Film Producer)

46. Nadia Buari (Actress)

47. Nkiru Sylvanus (Actress)

48. Ini Edo (Actress & Film Producer)

49. Sam Anwuzia (CEO of ZAAFA)

50. Mike Ezuruonye (Actor)

51. Moses Sneeze Inyang (Film Producer & Director)

52. Richard Mofe Damijo (Actor)

53. Jackie Appiah (Actress)

54. Monalisa Chinda (Actress & Film Producer)

55. Chika Zebrudaya (Actor & Comedian)

56. Ejiofor Ezeanyaeche (Marketer)

57. Paul Igwe TV Show producer

58. Omoni Oboli (Actress)

59. Juliet Ibrahim (Actress)

60. Emeka Rob Eze (Film Producer & Marketer)

61. Azuka Odunukwe (Marketer)

62. Samuel Aweyo (CEO Executive Image Movies)

63.Jeta Amata (Film Producer & Director)

64. Yvonne Nelson (Actress)

65. Victor Osuagu (Actor)

66. Arinze Ezeanyaeche (Marketer)

67. Lola Fani Kayode (CEO MNET)

68. Leila Djansi (Film Producer & Director)

69. Andy Amenechi (Filmmaker)

70. Fred Nuamah-CEO Ghana Movie Award

71. Chief Pete Edochie (Actor)

72. Prince Jide Kosoko (Actor)

73. Chijioke Nneji (Film Producer)

74.Onyemaobi Onyebuchi (CEO Onyeze Productions)

75. Okanayo O. Okanayo (Actor)

76. Agbor Gilbert Ebot (Film Producer)

77. Emeka Ike (Actor)

78. Kenneth Okonkwo (Actor)

79. Rita Dominic (Actress)

80. Kalsume Sinare (Actress)

81. Ayuko Babu (Founder Pan African International Film Festival)

82. Ramsey Nouah (Actor)

83. Victor Akande (Award winning Journalist The Nation)

84. Emeka Rollas (Filmmaker)

85. Emma Isikaku (Filmmaker)

86. Stella Damascus (Actress)

87. Sani Mu Azu (Filmmaker)

88. Joke Sliva (Actress)

89. Izu Ojukwu (Filmmaker)

90. Chioma Akpotha (Actress)

91. Oga Bello (Filmmaker)

92. Andy Best (Producer & Marketer)

93. Eucharia Anunobi (Actress)

94. Chidi Mokeme (Actor)

95. Charles Novia (Film Producer & Director)

96. Agya Koo (Actor & Comedian)

97. Bernie Anti (Soundtrack Producer)

98. Bob Manuel Udokwu (Actor)

99. Chika Ike (Actress)

100. Pascal Amanfo (Film Producer & Director)

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Hollywood Walk Of Fame;Reality Tv Star Kim Kardashian "Doesn't Qualify", Says Spokeswoman

Kim Kardashian may be a Hollywood star in Kanye West’s mind, but the Hollywood Walk of Fame disagrees. During his now infamous Oct. 9 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the rapper argued that his reality star girlfriend and baby mama should receive a star on the legendary sidewalk. Ana Martinez, a spokeswoman for the Walk and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, however, has now issued a response to explain why that won’t be happening.
“We don’t have reality stars on the Walk of Fame,” she tells Yahoo’s omg!. “We don’t have a category for it. We’re happy to consider reality stars once they get nominated for, or win, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar.” Martinez added, “We’ll consider them when they’re legitimate actors or singers.”
During his interview with Jimmy Kimmel earlier this month, West, 36, called the Hollywood Walk of Fame “dated” for not allowing Kardashian, the 32-year-old mother of his 4-month-old daughter North, to be honored. “I want to shout out to the stars on the Walk of Fame because they said something about they’re not going to put my girl on the Walk of Fame because she’s a reality star,” he said. “People are so so dated and not modern. There’s no way Kim Kardashian shouldn’t have a star on the Walk of Fame.” 
“I know he loves her, and it’s all very sweet,” Martinez told omg! of the remarks. “But she doesn’t qualify.”
In order to receive a star on the Walk of Fame, celebrities have to be nominated first before they can be considered. “I hate to say it, but a lot of people just don’t like her,” Martinez said of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star. “No one has ever nominated her.”

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President Goodluck Jonathan Celebrates Nigeria's Return To UN Security Council As A Non Permanent Member

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President Goodluck Jonathan has hailed Nigeria’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with a total of 186 out of a possible 193 votes.

A statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati read: ” On behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan wishes to convey his sincere appreciation of the support of all member-countries of the United Nations who voted for Nigeria’s election to the Security Council.

“The President believes that today’s endorsement of Nigeria’s candidature for the Security Council seat by the vast majority of member-countries is a glowing expression of support and encouragement for Nigeria’s active participation in the promotion of  peace, security and political stability in Africa and other parts of the world.”

This is the fourth time since it became independent in 1960 that Nigeria is being elected to the UN Security Council. It is also the second time (2010-2011 and 2014-2015) that Nigeria will be elected to the Council under the Jonathan Presidency.

“The President is particularly delighted by this historic victory and assures the global community that Nigeria, under his leadership, will continue to make very significant contributions towards the achievement and sustenance of global peace and security,” the statement said

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Miley Cyrus Goes Naked Again

 Covered in Glitter in Future's "Real and True" Music Video: Pictures

 

 

See photos of Miley Cyrus as a naked alien covered in glitter body paint in Future's upcoming "Real and True" music video. Credit: Dan Steinberg/Invision for Epic Records/AP Images

Is this the future? Miley Cyrus is stripping down for yet another music video, but this time she's covering up just a little in metallic body paint. The "Wrecking Ball" singer appears as a naked alien in Future's "Real & True" music video. The video isn't out yet, but three photo stills show a glimpse of what to expect.
PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus' raciest outfits
Cyrus, 20, collaborated with the 29-year-old rapper on his forthcoming album Honest. In the images, the former Disney star is seen naked, strapped into a metal reclining chair while Future examines her from behind a glass door. In another shot, Cyrus goes face-to-face with Future and appears to be breathing him in. A third behind-the-scenes photo shows Cyrus wearing a green jumpsuit and Future sporting an astronaut's uniform while looking at video playback.

Future and Miley Cyrus on the set of his new music video for "Real & True."
Credit: Dan Steinberg/Invision for Epic Records/AP Images

Cyrus and the "Karate Chop" rapper's collaboration wasn't one-sided. Future is also featured on Cyrus' track "My Darlin'" from her new album, Bangerz.

"We got a lot of great records, and it all came from conversation and having a nice vibe," Future explained in an interview with MTV. "Whenever she allowed me in her personal life through conversation, I tried to take that vibe and go to the booth. I told her, 'You've gotta embrace your fears. If something's bothering you, you've gotta run toward it. If you're crying about it, you need to cry till you can't cry anymore. If you try to hold it back, then it's gonna eat you up. But if you embrace [it], the music moves.'"

Future and Miley Cyrus on the set of his new music video for "Real & True."
Credit: Frank Micelotta/Invision for Epic Records/AP Images

"The songs I did with her [are] very touching," he added. "Certain days it's about money, partying and vibing and some days [it's about needing] somebody to stand by you and hold you down. Certain days you wanna know if the love that you're with is really true, and one song we got is basically around all those subject matters."

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UN Security Council :Nigeria Elected Into Non-Permanent Seat

Saudi Arabia and Chad easily won coveted seats on the U.N. Security Council Thursday, despite criticism from human rights groups. Nigeria, Lithuania and Chile also won seats.
The five candidates endorsed by regional groups faced no opposition after there were no contested races for the first time in several years.
The countries were elected in the first round of voting by the 193-member General Assembly. Lithuania was the top vote-getter with 187 votes followed by Nigeria and Chile with 186 votes, Chad with 184 votes and Saudi Arabia with 176 votes.
Security Council seats are highly coveted because they give countries a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security, in places like Syria, Iran and North Korea, as well as the U.N.'s far-flung peacekeeping operations.
The 15-member council includes five permanent members with veto power — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — and 10 nonpermanent members elected for two-year terms.
The five countries elected Thursday will assume their posts on Jan. 1 and serve through the end of 2015. They will replace Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo.
Philippe Bolopion, United Nations director for Human Rights Watch, denounced the election of Chad, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
"The prestige of a seat at the world's foremost diplomatic table should prompt the new members to get their house in order," he said.
"Chad should put an end to the recruitment of child soldiers, which earned it a spot on the U.N. list of shame," he said. "Saudi Arabia should end its crackdown on human rights activists and grant women their full rights."
Bolopion also criticized Nigeria, saying it should "end chronic abuse by security forces and better protect civilians in the north" from attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist network.
Hillel Neuer, executive director of Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch, accused Saudi Arabia of denying women the right to vote, drive a car or travel without the permission of a male relative. He also accused it of "praising and shielding Sudan" whose president, Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
Neuer said Chad should not have oversight on U.N. peacekeeping operations as long it employs child soldiers.
Chad, Saudi Arabia and Lithuania have never served on the U.N.'s most powerful body while Nigeria and Chile have both been on the council four times previously.
Seats in the Security Council are allocated by region, and regional groups nominate candidates. There are often hotly contested races. In 2007, for example, a runoff between Guatemala and Venezuela went 47 rounds before Panama was finally elected as the Latin America candidate.
This year, there were initially two candidates for a West African seat but Gambia dropped out last week in favor of Nigeria.
To win, each country must obtain support of two-thirds of all General Assembly members present. Because balloting is secret, there is intense lobbying for votes by candidates, even in uncontested races, to ensure they get the minimum number needed for victory — and to see who gets the highest vote

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Stampede In Kwara As Former Gov. Bukola Saraki Shares Sallah Gifts

Several members of the Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a dozen residents, allegedly died on Wednesday night as they scrambled for sallah gifts distributed by former Governor of the state, Bukola Saraki at the PDP Charity House, which is near Mr. Saraki’s Ilorin residence. Several others were also injured.

Tragedy struck as indigent party members tried to outsmart one another as Mr. Saraki and other philanthropists distributed the yearly sallah gifts.

The dead and the injured have since been packed into ambulances and rushed to nearby hospitals.

“The event which is an annual activity of the party went on smoothly until the unfortunate incident of a stampede, which led to some people fainting.

They were immediately rushed to a hospital few blocks away from the venue. While some are currently responding positively to treatment, we however regret to announce that we lost  four of our party members to the unfortunate development." the Publicity Secretary of Kwara PDP, Mas’ud Adebimpe, confirmed in a statement.

On May 27, 2011, several people died at the Mandate House, Ilorin, as they scrambled for rice and other items.

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Obama Signs Bill, Govt. Averts Debt Ceiling

Washington (CNN) -
President Barack Obama signed a bill that ends the 16-day partial government shutdown and raises the debt ceiling, the White House said early Thursday morning.

Weeks of bitter political fighting gave way to a frenzied night in Washington as Congress passed the bill that would prevent the country from crashing into the debt ceiling.

Lawmakers worked precariously close to the midnight debt ceiling deadline amid warnings the government could run out of money to pay its bills if it didn't raise the debt ceiling.

Federal workers should expect to return to work Thursday morning, the director of the Office of Management and Budget said.

Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell said employees should check the Office of Personnel Management's website for updates.

Yosemite National Park said it was already resuming operations Wednesday night.

The GOP-led House gave the final stamp of approval to the Senate-brokered bill, passing it easily late Wednesday night. But it wasn't Republicans who made it happen; a majority of that party's caucus actually voted against the measure, which only passed because of overwhelming Democratic support.

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Delta Bye-Elections: 19 Opposition Parties Okay With The Result

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has cautioned the opposition, especially the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) to be mindful of their utterances on the just-concluded  Delta Central Senatorial election.
 The party chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, while briefing the press in Asaba, said rather than engaging in frivolous statements, the party should go to the tribunal to challenge the result in which Emmanuel Agwariwado of the PDP won.
 According to him, both APC and DPP were not qualified in the first place to contest the election.
 Chief Nwaoboshi said the apathy shown during the election by the electorate in the area was because people were yet to appreciate the power of the legislature, adding that it was unlike the governorship election where they think there was something to gain ahead.
 Meanwhile, 19 political parties have endorsed the result of the  bye-election, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) did a thorough job.
 The parties, excluding the forerunners in the election- APC, DPP, and LP commended the electoral body for its transparency in the election.
In a communique read at a press conference in Asaba, on Wednesday, the parties commended the military and other security agencies for maintaining peace, law and order during the election.
 The communique read by Mr Paul Isamade of the  Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) called on other parties to unconditionally accept the result of the bye-election.

Written By Alphonsus
Agbor, Delta State

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ASUU UPDATE: Strike To End After Sallah Holiday

ASUU/NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT "DEAL" (Internal MEMO Fed UNI OTUOKE)

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE

INTERNAL INFORMATION RELEASE OCTOBER 14, 2013

AN UPDATE ON ONGOING ASUU NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWING TWO RECENT MEETINGS WITH VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO

From the Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Following two meetings (on Thursday 19th Sept 2013 and Friday 11th Oct 2013) of representatives of the AVCNU (Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU) and ASUU Representatives (led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge) with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. N. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others, all Vice-Chancellors have been urged to inform and enlighten our academic and other staff on the following developments so that we can ensure a return to normalcy in our universities within the shortest possible time

1. Earned Allowances: The N30 billion already released will now be increased to N40 billion, and should be regarded only as first installment, and not a once-and-for-all payment. Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC.

2. NEEDS Assessment Capital Money: Government was cognizant and mindful of the ability of Universities to effectively/efficiently utilize the N100 billion fund immediately, hence that figure. However, in addition to this N100 billion dedicated and already made available for 2013, N200 billion (increased from N150 billion previously agreed) will now be earmarked in the 2014 Budget as well as each of the following three-four years until the Universities are brought to world-class standard.

3. Project Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.

4. TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.

5. Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.

6. Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.

7. Official Agreement Document: A signed document would be issued very soon to itemize the full issues on which this present consensus outlined here, brokered by AVCNU, has been reached.

8. An Appeal to Call Off Strike: The Vice-President Sambo appealed to ASUU to call off the strike and apologized for the "take-it-or-leave-it" comments credited to the Hon Minister of Finance. All other parties present at the meetings also prevailed on the ASUU leadership to consult objectively with its members to get them to agree with what is now on the table and to call off the strike as soon as possible after the Sallah break of Tuesday/Wednesday October 15/16 2013.

9. ASUU President Responds: At both meetings, the President of ASUU thanked the VP for taking over negotiations and promised to consult with his ASUU Constituency.

We keep our fingers firmly crossed, as we await both the official consensus agreement document and full ASUU reaction. Statesmanship on all sides is called for at this point in time.

Thank you.

Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko

Vice-Chancellor

Federal University Otuoke

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How Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Forced Cash-Strapped Aviation Agency To Spend $1.6 Million On Two BMW Armored Cars For Her

Reporters have obtained documents further exposing the depth of corruption and mismanagement of public funds at Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation headed by Stella Oduah.

One of the documents details how Ms. Oduah compelled the cash-strapped Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to purchase two armored BMW cars for the minister. NCAA is the agency charged with ensuring the airworthiness of commercial planes flying within Nigeria’s airspace. Two officials of the agency told Reporters that the NCAA did not have enough funds to upgrade equipment, send staff for critical training, and hire enough qualified staff. “Yet, all the minister is concerned about is to have two exotic BMW cars from the little money we have for operations,” one of the sources said.

The documents obtained by SaharaReporters indicate that the transaction for the purchase of the two BMW vehicles started in June 2013. However, the request for delivery of and payment for the two vehicles was fast-tracked between August 13 and 15 2013. The transaction involved the NCAA, First Bank of Nigeria, and Coscharis Motors Limited.

In a letter dated August 13, 2013, J.D Nkemakolam of the NCAA sent a letter to the Managing Director of Coscharis Motors asking the company to deliver to the NCAA two BMW 760 armored vehicles based on a pro-forma invoice dated June 25, 2013 at the cost of N127, 575,000 ($796,846.21) each. The total amount for the two vehicles came to N255,150,000, or $1,593,687.31. The NCAA’s letter directed Coscharis Motors to deliver the vehicles with sales invoices, delivery notes, and attestation documents.

Our documents reveal that the payment for the vehicles was made into a First Bank of Nigeria account (number 2018912995 with sort code: 0111152303), according to a letter signed by Godwin Umeaka, Coscharis’ group financial controller.

The two black BMW Li HSS vehicles had chases numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044 respectively. The two cars were delivered to the NCAA on August 13, 2013, where it was received by two store managers, F. Onoabhagbe and Y.A. Amzat (who is also the agency’s head of transport). On August 15, 2013, Sola Ogunsakin of the NCAA signed off to certify completion of the transaction.

In an extensive investigation of the Aviation sector after three air mishaps in Nigeria’s airspace, Reporters found a pattern of questionable expenditures authorized by the minister. Several insiders within the aviation industry have told Reporters that Ms. Oduah and President Goodluck Jonathan had focused on the Aviation Ministry as a source for a series of corrupt activities.

“Under Mrs. Oduah, the ministry has carried out many big capital development projects. But what outsiders don’t know is that these projects are being used to divert big amounts into private pockets,” an aviation source said.

Our sources disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had investigated several corrupt practices in the aviation sector, but added that the anti-corruption agency never had the backbone to act on their findings due to political pressure from the Presidency.

Several sources at the agency told SaharaReporters that they were not aware of the whereabouts of the two BMW cars. Some of the sources stated that the cars were handed to the minister who had converted them to private use.

Several interest groups have been demanding the removal of Ms. Oduah, citing her corrupt tendencies, mismanagement of aviation funds and incompetence. Under her watch, the Nigerian airspace has witnessed several air mishaps that claimed the lives of at least 140 people.

A Presidency source told Reporters that Ms. Oduah still retains the confidence of President Jonathan. She is a close associate of Mr. Jonathan, serving as the treasurer who handled funds for the Jonathan campaign during the 2011 presidential election. She also co-chaired the campaign group known as Neighbor-To-Neighbor.

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