FIRSTNIGERIATV NEWS-IN-BRIEF (20-12-2021)

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ASUU Suspends Planned Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its decision to embark on a nationwide strike.

Instead, the Union has decided to go for more consultations and to give government opportunity to address all outstanding issues arising from the December 2020 Memoradum of Action (MoA).

ASUU had last week given a fresh three-week notice to direct its members to embark on strike, after it accused the federal government of blackmail and propaganda.

However, the Union in a statement issued by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said it has taken account of efforts by many patriotic Nigerians, within and outside the country, to ensure an amicable resolution of the dispute.

Unemployment is the remote cause for Terrorism, Banditry and Corruption In Nigeria – Keyamo

The minister for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, has identified unemployment as one major reason banditry, terrorism, and corruption thrive in Nigeria. He stated that the Federal Government is working to address the issues. The minister spoke at an empowerment programme held in Jos, Plateau state.

Represented by Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in a statement issued by NDE on Sunday, q the minister said: “You will all agree with me that unemployment is one of the remote causes of banditry, terrorism, corruption and other forms of criminality.

“Even though the Federal Government is working hard at check terrorism and all other forms of criminality and violent crimes, it is equally prosecuting the war against mass unemployment.

I am proud that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), whose board I am privileged to chair and also directly supervise, is effectively leading that war against mass unemployment.”

NIMASA Renews Stevedoring Rates

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed the revised Offshore Cargo Handling and Operations Stevedoring rates contained in the second schedule of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations 2014.
The renewal of the rates, which was reviewed downwards, is for a period of six months.

The Agency in a statement issued by Osagie Edward, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, quoted the Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, as saying the renewal of the reviewed stevedoring rates is in line with the Agency’s determination to make the best of a bad situation occasioned by the pandemic.

Jamoh stated, “The idea is to make this unpleasant pandemic moment as friendly as possible to both businesses and the economy, in general. We are aware of the adverse effect of COVID-19 on business globally, how it has distorted business plans and skyrocketed costs in various sectors, particularly, the petroleum industry.

The Agency’s regulatory powers under the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Stevedoring Regulations 2014 empowers it to review fees, levies, and charges stipulated in the regulations and issue directives accordingly.

Maharaj Ji Urges Buhari To Re-Open Southern Borders

The founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj ji has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to open the southern borders now for business to commence in earnest and save many souls who have lost hope.

Maharaj jí, who said this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Sunday as part of activities to mark his 74th physical birthday, said the closure of the southern borders has left many Nigerians unable “to pay for their house rent, shops, feed their families and paying for their children’s school fees and subjected them to other forms of hardships.

Maharaj ji reminded President Buhari that Nigerians are very lawful people but said without means of livelihood they would not be able to walk and think straight, saying “this has been our culture from the beginning, we were born into a Nigeria that is buoyant, strong, solid, foundational, rich in resources and materials, power, conscience and wisdom.

NASS To Disclose Buhari’s Decision On Electoral Bill – Presidency

Amid heightened anxiety over the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, the presidency on Sunday night said President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision would be revealed by the National Assembly.

The senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, made this known on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television.

Shehu said, “What I can tell you is that the President is conscious of his responsibilities in this regard. He has been adequately briefed on the pros and the cons of such a signature and the implications for the nation. Is there a decision by Mr President as we speak?

“I cannot tell you…I don’t know because if the President decides upon completion of all his consultations, usually, he will be sending a privileged communication to the National Assembly. And once that communication is privileged, it is only received by the National Assembly and on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Speaker or Senate President will read to members. “My assumption is that when they come back, we probably will be hearing from them.”

Buhari Condemns Recent Killings In Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the renewed terrorist killings in Kaduna state.

The president in a statement issued on Sunday night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the gruesome nature of the recent incident in Kauran Fawa, Marke and Ruhiya of Idasu Ward of Giwa Local Government Area, has made him “particularly sad”, describing the killings as “unacceptable.”

Bandits within the week have also killed citizens in Zangon Kataf, Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Igabi and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State..

President Buhari affirmed that security forces have turned the heat on the terrorists who are getting frustrated and are soft-targeting innocent citizens, looting their assets, burning their homes and killing them indiscriminately. He reiterated his directive to security and intelligence chiefs to do everything they can to destroy the terrorists.

IGP Tender Report On DCP Abba Kyari

The Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, has tendered the probe panel report on suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, to the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Abba Kyari was investigated over his alleged role in a $1.1m internet scam by an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon (popularly known as Hushpuppi) and four others.

Usman had on August 2 constituted the Special Investigation Panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, on September 14, during a television interview, said the findings and recommendations on Kyari had been submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for his “legal opinion” and thereafter for presentation to President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the final decision would be taken by the PSC.

Police Operatives Nabs Youth leader, four others for kidnapping

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Tactical Team in Akwa Ibom state have arrested one Eddy Etim Onuka, a youth leader, and four members of his gang for alleged kidnapping and murder.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon who disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpana-Abia said the suspects confessed to using AK-47 rifles during the operations.

Macdon said Onuka, a native of Oron LGA and youth leader of the Rice Miller Association, Oron, masterminded the two kidnap incidents one of which involved one Emmanuel, whom they shot, and another Aniekan whom they successfully kidnapped and collected over N20 million as ransom.

Macedon reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents, and also called on the good people of the state to always volunteer information that could help in combating crime in the state.

Lawan Guarantee Buhari Of Continued NASS Support

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has given assurances of the National Assembly’s continued support of President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Lawan stated this in Gombe while inaugurating Gombe North Senatorial District Empowerment programme by Sen Sa’idu Alkali.

He stated that President Buhari had
s provided great leadership for both the country and the All Progressives Congress (APC) since coming on board in 2015.

According to him, President Buhari has shown a great desire to turn around the fortunes of the country and has been relentless in that quest. He appealed to Nigerians not to be deceived during the campaigns, noting that APC continuity would bring more dividends of democracy for the country and the people.

Buhari Return To Aso Rock From Turkey

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Aso rock Abuja after attending the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey.

The president touched down at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday at about 2:35 pm.

A statement by senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari is back in Abuja after attending the three-day Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul.

He was received by his chief of staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the minister of the federal capital territory, Mohammed Bello.

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