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Tag: bello

  • Recall sacked members in LASU, KSU immediately – ASSU tells Ambode, Bello

    Recall sacked members in LASU, KSU immediately – ASSU tells Ambode, Bello

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the members of the public to prevail on the Administration and Visitor to Lagos State University, Governor Akinwummi Ambode and Kogi State University, Governor Yahaya Bello to immediately recall the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Union whose appointments were allegedly terminated because of their stand against the ills being perpetrated by the University.

    The Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nsukka Zone, Professor Ukooh David Ikoni made this known yesterday during a press conference at the Kogi State University Anyigba.

    He noted that the government of Lagos State should setup a machinery to investigate the conduct of the Administration in relation to the allegation of gross misappropriation of funds.

    “Since the Governing Councils of KSU and LASU have demonstrated gross incompetence in the management of University affairs, we demand the immediate dissolution of the Councils and reconstitution of new ones in line with laid down procedures of the Universities.

    “If this fails, the Union will have no other option but to compel the Administrations and Visitors of these two Universities to do so using all legitimate means possible at our disposal.

    He mentioned that the situation in Kogi and Lagos State Universities demand further elucidation, adding that from most quarters there had been wide condemnation of the proscription of ASUU in Kogi State University and the sack of over 150 academics of high profile, impunity still reigned as the government and the University Administration persist in these acts.

    “If the University was near comatose before the present administration came, it has certainly dealt the final blow to kill it. We have severally stated that the heavy tax regime in KSU before the coming of this administration was and still remains one of the causative agents of mass exodus of high profile staff trained by the system.

    “The coming in of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, has decided to impose a heavier tax burden in defiance of all principles of taxation. With the simple law of Economics, Kogi State University will only serve as a transit camp for lecturers if this persists,” he stated.

    He added that the continuous sack, throw out, humiliation, termination of appointments, the use of students to threaten the life and destruction of properties of their members in KSU, persistent use of security agencies to arrest and intimidate their members in LASU, have indicated the deplorable state and total mismanagement of these State Universities by their University Administrations and Visitors namely, Messrs Yahaya Adoza Bello and Ambode Akinwumi.

    “It is noteworthy that the Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors of KSU and LASU have consistently exhibited the power of a one-eyed monster, where they speak from both sides of their mouths.

    “If at all our colleagues in KSU and LASU have committed any sin it is the sin of insisting that there must be quality education for the citizens of this country and that quality education can be achieved without increase in school fees,” he stressed.

     

  • Unionism: Bello bans activities of NLC, SSANU, NASU, ASUP, others in Kogi institutions

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Wednesday announced the ban on the activities of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions and all forms of trade unionism in state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Bello, who made the announcement in a broadcast in Lokoja on Wednesday accused trade unionism in tertiary institutions of impeding government holistic reforms.

    He said he had respect for the rights of all citizens to responsibly associate and pursue their welfare within the ambits of the law and norms of a democratic society.

    The governor said his administration had made tremendous progress in resolving all issues relating to adequacy and frequency of remuneration for all categories of Civil Servants in the State.

    He reiterated his respect for the rights of labour unions in relations to the responsibilities of the owners and proprietors of tertiary academic institutions.

    Bello, however, regretted that the state-owned tertiary institutions’ trade unionism had let itself to impeding government’s efforts to carry out “holistic reforms in the civil service through its unjustified industrial actions.

    “The branch of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has proceeded on yet another strike for alleged non-payment of salaries and emoluments irrespective of clear evidence of government’s good faith and efforts contradicting JAC’s position,” he said.

    The governor said there was evidence of massive embezzlement at Kogi State Polytechnic’s earnings in excess of N157m committed under JAC’s nose.

    Bello assured that his government remained committed to meeting its obligations to all genuine employees of the state as promptly as available resources would permit.

    “Government will work to ensure uninterrupted academic calendar, henceforth, in all basic education, secondary and tertiary academic institutions in Kogi State.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, and except where specified otherwise, references herein to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions of Tertiary Institutions owned by Kogi State are referred to:

    “The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU). The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and The Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN).

    “Others are the National Associations of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and any other Union operating in any tertiary Institutions owned by the Kogi State Government,” he said.

     

    NAN

     

     

  • Suicide: We’ll resist Bello’s attempt to massacre Kogi workers

    …as labour leader mobilises against alleged oppression of workers in the state

    The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, on Tuesday said it will resist attempts by the Kogi State Government to starve its workforce of their entitlements.

    It, therefore, urged Nigerians to rally round workers especially those in Kogi State by donating relief materials to them.

    The President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said this while answering questions from newsmen on the Kogi worker who committed suicide on Friday, said this was necessary in order to avert another act of suicide.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Mr Edward Soje committed suicide on Sunday after going 11 months without his monthly salaries.

    “With the suicide mission embarked upon by the state worker, it shows that Kogi state workers are already internally displaced.

    “This unfortunate suicide mission by the Kogi worker is an issue that should worry all Nigerians, as non-payment of salaries is becoming a reality among workers in the state,’’ Wabba said.

    He disclosed that the NLC would soon have an audience with the Governor of Kogi in view of the fact that the plight of workers in the state was becoming worrisome.

    The NLC president, however, pointed out that non-payment of salaries had assumed a dangerous dimension in the country by leading to workers committing suicide, and should be tackled headlong.

    He said the labour union would also take its case to the National Assembly.

    “We will be demanding that the legislative body should urge governors of affected states to pay salaries when due.’’

    Wabba, however, said it was unfortunate that the Kogi governor had two weeks ago during a courtesy call on President Muhammadu Buhari claimed that he was only owing two months’ salaries.

    He added that it was more embarrassing that the same governor had, through the state’s Head of Service, later owned up that his government owed Soje only eight months’ salary.

    “This is an issue the NLC will not take lightly. We are resolute and we will mobilise our people to protest the non-payment of salaries in Kogi.

    “We have learnt however that the governor is in the habit of using thugs to harass people, but we shall be there, because we know he is not ready for dialogue,” the NLC president said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the late Soje, who was a Director in the Kogi State Civil Service, had committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital.

    He was a Grade Level 16 officer in the State Teaching Service Commission at the time he took his own life.

  • PDP will kick out governor Bello come 2019 – Ibrahim Idris

    PDP will kick out governor Bello come 2019 – Ibrahim Idris

    A former Kogi state governor Ibrahim Idris has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would kick out the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration in the 2019 general election.

    Speaking to newsmen at his residence in Lokoja, Idris said it is sad that PDP lost the 2015 governorship election due to internal crisis as a result of the imposition of candidates.

    The former governor, however, expressed surprise over the level of peoples’ support and acceptability for the PDP in the state.

    The PDP chieftain said the next governorship polls would be a walkover for the party as a landslide victory was assured.

    Idris said: ”In 2019, by the grace of God, PDP will field a governorship candidate that is young, focused, highly educated, intelligent, dynamic who will listen to the pieces of advice from elderly and experienced people and above all who will have the fear of God.

    ”We will not field somebody who will tear the state apart, neither shall we bring somebody that will spread hunger and starvation, but somebody that will wipe away our poverty and make the state great again.

    ”The elders say it is when a man marries the second wife that he knows who is better , we as a party have learnt our lesson and the electorates also have learnt their lesson that Kogi state is safer and secured in the hands of PDP.”

  • Bello visits Buhari, says ‘no pay for striking workers in Kogi’

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi says his administration will implement the no-work-no-pay policy following the decision of some workers in the state to sustain the strike they embarked upon on Sept. 22.

    Bello told State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday that a majority of the workers had resumed work.

    He, however, described those still on strike as “political civil servants’’, saying that the government would pay only workers that had resumed work.

    “Those workers that are on strike are political civil servants; the real civil servants are coming to work.

    “And we’re trying our best to keep up with the payment of salaries.

    “There is no denying the fact that the economy is biting hard everywhere and you will recall that I met four months’ salary backlog, which I cleared; and today we are up to date with salary payment.

    “We are owing August and September salaries as we speak.

    “We are up to date in terms of salary payment and those that come to work we shall pay.

    “And the no-work-no-pay policy shall surely apply to those that do not come to work.’’

    The governor pledged to maintain the periodic publishing of the state’s accounts.

    He said: “Very soon we are going to publish all the salaries that we have paid to workers since inception in newspapers for people to see.

    “All the noise about Kogi state government not paying salaries will be in the public domain.’’

    The governor advised people of the state to remain patient with his administration, saying: “Things are hard generally and we are trying our best (to make life easier for the people) and that is why we are transparent in everything that we do.’’

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the organised labour in Kogi, had in September, directed workers in ministries, agencies and parastatals to commence an indefinite strike from Sept. 22.

    The Chairman of the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Ranti Ojo, gave the directive while briefing newsmen in Lokoja.

    The leadership of labour had explained that the strike was embarked upon because the state government had refused to invite workers for negotiation over their demands.

    They maintained that the strike was the only other option left for the workers to explore for negotiation with the government.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Federal Government had also on Oct. 11, resolved to enforce the “No Work No Pay’’ stance as part of measures to restore harmony in the country’s public service.

  • Strike: Kogi workers begin 3-day fasting over unpaid salaries

    The organized labour in Kogi State has called on civil servants in the state to begin a 3-day corporate prayers with fasting from Wednesday, October 11.

    In a statement jointly issued by the state chapters of the NLC, TUC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Olakunle Faniyi, Kolawole James and Isah Abubakar, Secretaries of NLC, TUC and JPSNC respectively, Labour urged Kogi workers to observe the 3-day fasting and prayers in their respective estates, settlements and villages from Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th October 2017 as from 10.00 am each day.

    “You are to use the period to gather in Mosques, Churches and other agreed places close to your residences at an agreed time for corporate prayer to call upon God for His divine intervention in our matter in Kogi state. Pray to God to continue to give us the boldness and confidence to continually resist the temptation to sell our future for a morsel of porridge. We are resolute as we take our case to God.

    “As you are already aware, the government is sending what it refers to as the balance of July salary into the account of some workers. Come to think of it- workers/pensioners who have not taken salary/pension between two (2) and twenty­ one(21) months, what is their fate? Our future as represented by our demands worth more than the balance of July salary, so let us not be deterred from this struggle for our emancipation.

    “We emphasize once more that nothing other than government meeting all our demands would make us retreat in this struggle. Where the government feels this is not practicable for now, our doors, as always, remain opened for dialogue because Kogi State belongs to all of us.

    “On Friday 13th October 2017, all Muslims are to book for prayers in their respective Mosques during the Juma’at Prayer, while Christians are to do the same on Sunday 15thOctober 2017 in their respective Churches during the Sunday Service.

    “Those that received the so-called balance of July salary should be benevolent to those that have been without salary all these while, even though is insufficient. You are advised that in your spending, let emphasis be on food as salary payment is not yet guaranteed in this state.

    “Workers who are fond of being used to lure others to offices through text messages and phone calls are advised to desist henceforth, as their contacts will soon be made public as saboteurs,” the statement read.

    The Labour urged workers to stay away from government offices as the strike continued indefinitely.

  • Okorocha, Bello, Dickson, 7 other govs owing workers’ salaries despite FG’s release of Paris Club refund – NLC

    …says 10 defaulting governors must give account of Paris Club refund spendings

    …kicks against increase in electricity tariff

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Tuesday made good its intention to name state governors who mismanaged the first and second tranches of the Paris Club refund released to them by the Federal Government.

    The congress also warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff, saying it will mobilise its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase when Nigerians were yet to get a good service foe the previous increase, which has been declared illegal by the court.

    This was revealed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba.

    Wabba who spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja, said six of the 10 states were in a terrible situation, pointing out that the congress had directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months salaries to declare an industrial action.

    In his words: “Out of the 36 states, we have 10 bad case scenario and out of this 10, we have six terrible ones. We have promised to name and shame them. Those states include Imo that has been paying workers salaries in percentage and has not declared utilisation of the bail out fund and Paris Club refund. It is part of the states that ICPC has mentioned in fund diversion.

    “They paid 40 percent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law. We have Bayelsa, which has between five to 10 months arrears. Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi, which is the worst case scenario.

    “We have three categories of workers in Kogi. We have 40 per cent that are being paid up to date, we have 25 per cent that has not been paid between eight and 16 months and another 25 per cent that has not been paid between eight and 21 months. In all, the sectors, they have categorised the workers into three categories.

    “We also have the case of Osun which is also paying in percentage, but is up to date. Ebonyi, unilaterally, without discussion with the union tried to reduce the salaries by certain percentage and have also not made available records of utilisation of the Paris Club refund.

    “We have the case of Zamfara, which is the only state that has not implemented the minimum wage and all attempt (including agreements they have signed) to get them to make available records of utilisation of those funds have failed. The last one is, Abia which has a problem with the parastatals. On the average, other states are above board.

    The NLC chief went on: “As I speak to you, both Zamfara and Benue are on strike and I am aware that Kogi has issued a notice, which is in conformity with the decision we took at our last NEC meeting that any state with liability of more than three months should start an action and we will be there to support them.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power that one of the problem in the power sector was low electricity tariff, Wabba said workers will not accept any further increase in tariff.

    He said: “A few days ago, I received a letter from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission informing us that they want to hold town hall meetings where they want consumers and other stakeholder to contribute. What immediately came to my mind is an attempt again to increase tariff when we have not been able to get out of the one they illegally increased by 45 percent.

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 percent increase, but now, they are coming again. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again.

    “We have gone to court to challenge their action and the court made pronouncement that the process they followed to effect the last increase was illegal and, therefore, set it aside. Here we are; even to respect that court order has become a problem. We must continue to respect the rule of law. We are still on that issue because no court of law has set aside that judgement.

    “Let us warn those people again because, for them, they must continue to feast on us. If this happens, it means more industries will close and it also means more darkness because the more they increase the tariff, the more darkness we have and more burden on the Nigerian worker. Therefore, we must situate our policies within the context of how it can improve the life of ordinary Nigerian.”

    Speaking on the economic challenge facing the nation, Wabba said: “There is no doubt that our country is passing through very difficult challenges and I think those challenges are to strengthen us, give us hope and make us to think more and be able to respond to issues that affect us. Economies do bubble and burst. Therefore we must not be lamenting that we are in recession or getting out of recession.

    “What matters is how do we put food on the table of the ordinary Nigerian; how do we drive our processes to ensure that industries are working? Once industries don’t work and we don’t produce, but continue to import, the situation will continue because there will always be crave for foreign exchange for us to import and because we don’t export anything, that issue will continue.

    “Our focus must be that our economic model is anchored around the people and around the issues of social justice. Once we don’t do that, then the problem will continue. That is why we have continuously engage the process, including options that are going to work.

    “For instance, the issue of taxation. It is only workers today that pay the correct tax while those that have more than enough, including those with stolen funds, don’t pay tax. Why should you continue to overburden the worker that is already paying the correct tax with more taxation?

    “If I am paying correct tax through pay as you earn, if means that I am paying correct tax and to introduce more tax means double jeopardy. If we are able to access the stamp duty alone, we will be able to generate over two trillion naira per annum. These are issues that we need to address. You cannot continue to rob the poor to make sure that the rich continue to live large.”

    Earlier in his address, NASU National President Comrade Chris Ani said the agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through, adding that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties.

    Ani said what workers needed at this point was time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal.

    Congratulating the government and its officials for bringing the economy out of recession, Ani said the union will only join the celebration when workers’ “welfare improves; jobs are secured; salaries are paid in full as and when due; wage increase is de-frozen and other withheld benefits are paid”.

     

  • Recall judgement: Melaye calls for calm, says ‘FG, Bello, INEC, security agents after me’

    The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, on Monday accused the Federal Government, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security agents of instigating the judges to oppose his application to stop his recall from the Senate.

    Melaye in a statement assured his constituents that the conspiracy against him by the coalition of the aforementioned will not work.

    In his words: “My great people of Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi state, in the face of obvious persecution and appealable judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja today, let not your heart be troubled. Lies will never overtake or conquer truth.

    “The presence of the Kogi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in court today over a matter that Kogi State is not joined as a party shows the clear collaborative efforts of INEC and Kogi State Government. However, these combined efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello, INEC, top Federal Government officials and top security agents to harangue and stampede me out of the Senate against the will of Kogi West constituents will fail woefully. He who is with me from above is greater than all of them put together.

    “I will not stop speaking truth to authority. Kogi State Government must pay workers’ salaries and pay pensioners. We cannot all sleep facing one side of the bed. We shall overcome this temporary Shenanigan in the long run. We will neither sleep nor slumber on this. I use this opportunity to thank my dear constituents for their abiding love for and confidence shown towards me. God bless you all. Imole de, okunkun parada!”

  • Gov Bello signs Pension Act into law

    Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has signed into law a bill establishing the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for employees in the state civil service.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the bill was passed by the state House of Assembly in 2015, after it was presented to the state legislative arm.

    Bello after signing the bill, said that the bill would provide a better welfare package for civil servants in the state civil service after retirement.

    He said the present administration was committed to ensuring that the welfare of its workforce was given priority and prompt payment of salaries of workers.

    According to him, the state government will from time to time make necessary adjustment that will improve the living standard of civil servants under the state civil service.

    “ Our retiring civil servants had given 35 years of their lives to the service of the state; government must reduce their hardship by ensuring payment of their pension.

    “We have to ensure that everyone is paid as and when due,” he said.

    The governor said that machinery had been put in place to restructure the payment of gratuity for prompt payment of pension of retirees under the old pension scheme.

    He commended the legislature for working earnestly to ensure that the bill scaled the legislative hurdles.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the signing of the bill was witnessed by Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly and members of the legislature.

     

    NAN

  • [Video] Pubic holiday saga: Those criticising me don’t want Buhari back alive – Gov Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has reacted to criticisms leveled on him after he declared a public holiday in commemoration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from a 103-day medical trip to London.

    Bello, who insisted the ‘Public holiday’ given to civil servants in Kogi state is justified, said only those who are not willing Buhari should return to Nigeria alive are the ones bitter over the President’s arrival.

    Watch him speak…

    Recall TheNewsGuru.com reported at the weekend that Governor Bello declared Monday, August 21 as public holiday and thanksgiving day to commemorate the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation in London.

    A statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja by his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, said the gesture was in line with the support of the Kogi people for “the renaissance of our nation by Mr. President”.

    “We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the Public Holiday to pray for Mr. President as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria,” the statement said.

    The Governor thanked people of the state for standing by the President and for trooping to Abuja in thousands to welcome the ‘Lion of Africa’.