Tag: Ultimatum

  • Strike: FG rejects NMA’s 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes with NARD, others

    Strike: FG rejects NMA’s 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes with NARD, others

    The Ministry of Labour and Employment has rejected the 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) saying it is in direct collision with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 21.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the NMA had threatened to join the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) if the government failed to resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with its affiliate unions in 21 days.

    But reacting on Sunday evening, to the threat in a statement titled, ‘Labour Ministry to NMA: Your 21-Day Ultimatum in Collision With Our MoU,’ the government argued that the NMA’s position was at variance with the timeline stated in the Memorandum of Agreement.

    This ultimatum was part of the resolutions reached during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Benin City last week.

    “After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21 days’ notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with Affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association (including MDCAN, MEDSABAMS, and NARD),” the statement jointly signed by its President, Prof Innocent AO Ujah and Secretary, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe, read.

    According to the doctors, if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- day notice, the NMA will summon an emergency delegate meeting.

    NMA’s ultimatum is the latest in the lingering tussle between the Nigerian government and NARD which has gone on strike since July 31.

    Despite a series of meetings between the Federal Government and the striking doctors, no resolution has been reached.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in the wake of the disagreements threatened to invoke the “no-work, no pay” rule on NARD.

    But the NMA has thrown its weight behind the striking doctors and other health workers.

    “The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve the healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members,” it assured.

  • Doctors’ strike: NMA backs NARD, others; issues FG 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes

    Doctors’ strike: NMA backs NARD, others; issues FG 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all lingering industrial actions with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and other affiliate members.

    This ultimatum is part of the resolutions reached during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Benin City.

    “After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21 days’ notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with Affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association (including MDCAN, MEDSABAMS, and NARD),” the statement jointly signed by its President, Prof Innocent AO Ujah and Secretary, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe, read.

    According to the doctors, if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- day notice, the NMA will summon an emergency delegate meeting.

    “In the event that the FG fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21 days’ notice, NMA shall summon an emergency delegate meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements,” the NMA added.

    NMA’s ultimatum is the latest in the lingering tussle between the Nigerian government and NARD which has gone on strike since July 31.

    Despite a series of meetings between the Federal Government and the striking doctors, no resolution has been reached.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in the wake of the disagreements threatened to invoke the “no-work, no pay” rule on NARD.

    But the NMA has thrown its weight behind the striking doctors and other health workers.

    “The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve the healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members,” it assured.

    “NEC affirms that no doctor shall be victimized for participating/not participating in the strike action by NARD.”

  • Plateau crisis: Gov Lalong gets two-week ultimatum to end killings

    Plateau crisis: Gov Lalong gets two-week ultimatum to end killings

    The Plateau State House of Assembly has given Gov. Simon Lalong two weeks to address the security challenges bedviling the state.
    Mr Philip Dasun, Chairman, House Committee on Information conveyed the position of the legislators when he briefed newsmen in Jos.
    Dasun said that the assembly would know the next line of action after the two-week ultimatum.
    “As an assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment
    “We have given two weeks to the governor to take action on the resolutions the House has forwarded on security matters and how to restore peace.
    “We call on the Gov. Simon Bako Lalong to come up with a statement defending us as a people and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau.
    “We strongly call on Plateau people to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people,” he said.
    The committee chairman also called on traditional rulers to look inward and release the local security design to protect Plateau people as well as reinforce the vigilance, hunters and local wise men to defend the people.
    He said that as a sign of commitment to the urgent need for the people to protect themselves, the Plateau State House of Assembly had directed all local government Chairmen to suspend their planned recruitment of Adhoc teachers, and instead, recruit 200 vigilante personnel in each local government area to boost and augment local intelligence gathering.
    The legislator called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the mayhem and be punished according to the Law.
    “On behalf of the assembly, I wish to sympathize with the government and Plateau people on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities in the state.
    “I sympathize with communities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam.
    “The House condemns all these killings in totality, all these killings are unacceptable and condemnable.
    “We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their loved ones during these attacks,” he said.
    Mr Nanbol Daniel, Chairman, House Committee on Health in his contribution urged the people to protect themselves but should not go against the law.
    Daniel said that the assembly had resolved that Plateau Government should compensate victims of the attacks.
    The health committee chairman said that legislators would continue to update the people on their efforts to restore peace in the state.
  • Reclassification: Itsekiri graduates give Chevron 28-day ultimatum

    Reclassification: Itsekiri graduates give Chevron 28-day ultimatum

    The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) Worldwide has issued a 28-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to commence the reclassification of Itsekiri graduates under its Vocational Training Programmes (VTP 5 and 6) and Operational Training Programme (OTP 2).

    The group made the call in a statement signed by the NAIG’s President and General Secretary, Mr Ben Eburajolo and Mr Esiategiwa Mino, respectively, on Monday in Warri.

    Eburajolo, who read a copy of the statement at a media briefing, said that the association would not hesitate to disrupt operations of the multinational in its communities, should it fail to respond to their demands.

    The group also demanded the immediate resumption of development in Oil Producing Areas and provision of light and potable drinking water to Itsekiri host communities.

    Eburajolo said that the graduates were competent in their various locations and did not violate the company’s laid down rules.

    He said that the reclassification of the affected graduates should be backdated, noting that they had completed the practical side of the training.

    “Their reclassification should be backdated to January 2016 and January 2017 for VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6, respectively.

    “CNL should resume Operation and Maintenance (O&M) training with employment in view, immediately as enshrined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with you,” he said.

    Eburajolo said that the graduates were working in their respective organisations when Chevron promised them employment with good pay after their training.

    He alleged that the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, intervened on the matter in 2017 adding that the CNL management promised to do the needful in 2018.

    The group’s leader said that CNL had always claimed a dropped in crude oil prices as the reason for not reclassifying the affected graduates, noting that those on VTP4 were reclassified when the price was below $40/bbl.

    He noted that the prices of crude oil had risen and had been stable to above $70/bbl.

    However, a staff of the CNL who did not want to be mentioned, simply said that the claim “ was not true”.

  • Senate issues Accountant General 60 days ultimatum to refund diverted N665.8bn solid mineral fund

    Senate issues Accountant General 60 days ultimatum to refund diverted N665.8bn solid mineral fund

    The Senate has directed the Accountant General of the Federation to refund N665.8 billion that was diverted from the country’s solid minerals development fund.

    The office of the Accountant General of the Federation was said to have illegally diverted N665.8 billion from Solid Mineral Development Funds and Stabilization Funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Army. among others.

    The committee chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, in its investigation, discovered that many government agencies benefited from the funds illegally diverted in the office of Accountant General of Federation with other funds meant to be used in the development of solid minerals in the country.

    Further investigation showed that the federal government paid the entitlement of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his erstwhile deputy, Namadi Sambo, to the tune of N1.5 billion as severance package from the diverted fund on June 11, 2015.

    It was also discovered that INEC collected about N20 billion from Development of Natural Resources Fund apart from N17.9 billion collected from Brown Rice Levy, Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) Pool Levy and Rice Levy.

    The sum of N30 billion was also released to INEC for the conduct of 2015 general elections.
    While N10 billion was released on July 3, 2014, N20 billion was released to INEC on January 12, 2015 for the conduct of the general election.

    Other beneficiaries of the funds (Solid Mineral Development Funds) illegally diverted include the federal ministry of Foreign Affairs which got N3.6 billion; ministry of Works, N2 billion; Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, N13 billion; ministry of Sports, N500 million;

    N50 billion was diverted from the money to fund budget deficit in 2004, while monetization arrears due to PHCN staff to the tune of N57.5 billion was drawn from the fund.

    Others are N70 billion to accelerate capital budget in 2010, N80 billion loan to facilitate the funding of Capital budget in 2010, N80.7 billion loan to facilitate 2013 capital budget quarter 4, and N6 billion loan to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in 2014.

    In addition, N15 billion was released to Lucius Nwosu as part of judgement debt of N37billion for Genocide at Odi, while N14 billion was released to the federal Ministry of Power for Kasshibilla Hydropower Transmission Projects, among others .

    From the stabilization fund, N847 million was given to Ghana, Sao Tome Principe, while INEC again collected N87 billion to commence the conduct of fresh voters registration but paid back N21 billion and is yet to balance N66.7 billion.

    The sum of N32 billion for the completion of 4th quarter and 3rd quarter of 2013 capital projects was drawn from the fund, just as N2 billion was obtained for the funding of Army operations in 2013.

    Another N3 billion loan was given to INEC to speed up the electoral process in 2013, just as N3.5 billion loan was given to the Nigerian Army for recruitment of 9,000 personnel in 2013.

    The Auditor General of the Federation in his query against depletion of Special Funds had said, “Amounts totaling N455 billion were withdrawn from Development of Natural Resources as loans to various beneficiaries between 2004 and 2015, contrary to the established objectives of the funds.

    “The purpose of the Development of Natural Resources Fund is to provide financial resources to develop alternative mineral resources Development. The Development of Natural Resources Fund belongs to the Federal government.

    “Also, various amounts totaling N210.3 billion were withdrawn from the stabilization fund as loans to various beneficiaries, between 2004 and 2015 contrary to the established objectives of the funds.

    “The purpose of the stabilization fund is to provide for unforeseen contingencies and economic downturn and the beneficiaries are the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The stabilization fund bongs to three tiers of government.”

    In its consideration of the report by its committee on Public Accounts, the Senate ordered the Accountant General of the Federation to refund the money within 60 days.

    The Senate said, “The office of the Accountant General of the Federation should set in motion the process of the recovery of the loans and pay back to the special funds Accounts.

    “Ensure that henceforth, payments from these special funds are strictly applied for the purpose they were created. Ensure the stoppage of further withdrawal from these Accounts without a resolution of the National Assembly.”

  • Open grazing: Miyetti Allah denies issuing 72-hour ultimatum to Delta Government

    Open grazing: Miyetti Allah denies issuing 72-hour ultimatum to Delta Government

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Of Nigeria has distanced itself from a statement credited to MACBAN, in which a 72-hour ultimatum was issued to Delta State to reverse its laws on open grazing.

    According to the Secretary-General of MACBAN, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma, such a statement by faceless individuals is only meant to create mischief.

    Baba-Ngelzerma said MACBAN is a responsible association with eminent personalities like the Sultan of Sokoto as its patron and as such will never do anything to jeopardise the peace of the country.

    Reacting to the press conference earlier held by the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Chief Edwin Clark, MACBAN leader said the position of the association on open grazing still remains.

    He urged the Northern Governors to ensure the recovery of all grazing routes in the country, adding that Fulani herders have equal rights with all Nigerians and cannot be treated as second-class citizens.

  • NDDC board: Itsekiri group suspends ultimatum to FG

    NDDC board: Itsekiri group suspends ultimatum to FG

    The Itsekiri Liberation Group (ILB) has suspended its 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government for immediate constitution of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    According to the group, the decision to suspend the ultimatum was sequel to consultations by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio with stakeholders of the Niger Delta region.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the ILG had on Saturday, May 29, threatened to disrupt economic activities in the area if after 14 days, the Federal Government failed to inaugurate the NDDC board.

    In a statement signed by its chairman, Mone Oris, the group said it relaxed the ultimatum after wide consultations with the Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, the leadership of the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and an ex-militant leader, General Smart Omola (alias Gentle Lion).

    The statement which called for calm across the Itsekiri nation and Niger Delta at large, said that the decision was reached after being briefed of the outcome of the consultative meeting of the Minister, with the Olu-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko and other Itsekiri leaders.

    The statement reads in part: “Notwithstanding the suspension of the ultimatum, the leadership still stands on their demands that the NDDC board should be constituted almost immediately by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,

    “That an Itsekiri man should be made the Managing Director or Chairman of the board that is to be constituted.

    “That all ongoing projects in Itsekiri area be adequately funded for speedy completion and new projects awarded in Itsekiri areas because we produce the highest quantum of oil and gas in Delta and Edo states.

    “That Itsekiri should be accommodated in the recently employed staff of the commission and skill acquisition and other empowerment programmes of the commission.”

  • After Expiration of 48 hours Ultimatum, El-Rufai Threatens to Prosecute Anyone Negotiating Release of 39 Kidnapped Students

    After Expiration of 48 hours Ultimatum, El-Rufai Threatens to Prosecute Anyone Negotiating Release of 39 Kidnapped Students

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-rufai said he will Prosecute anyone caught negotiating on behalf of government the release of the 39 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Mando in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this to newsmen this on Sunday. According to Aruwan the State government has not appointed anyone to negotiate with the bandits for the release of the student.

    This is coming after the expiration of the 48-hour-ultimatum handed down to both the State and Federal Government to effect the release of the abducted students by the parents who protested over their children.

    The parents of the abducted students are reportedly sending prominent people close to the governor to persuade him into entering negotiations with the bandits.

    One of the parents Alhaji Ibrahim Shamaki, whose daughter spoke in Hausa in the viral video released by the bandits died of heart attack last week after days of trauma.

  • Pensioners give FG 21-day ultimatum, threaten nationwide protest

    Pensioners give FG 21-day ultimatum, threaten nationwide protest

    Pensioners in Nigeria have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest giving the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum.

    The pensioners during a briefing at the nation’s capital, Abuja called on the Federal Government to implement the Consequential adjustment of pensions, arising from the implementation of the National minimum wage for Nigerian workers; hence they will occupy streets in protest.

    The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abel Afolayan said it is disheartening that after two years of implementing the national minimum wage, the Federal Government is yet to approve their demands as stipulated in the constitution.

    Quoting from the 1999 constitution with respect to sections 173(3) and 210 (3) as it affects the 5 -yearly review of pension, Afolayan said they should be a review or together with the salary reviews of workers

    The pensioners said further that two years after the adjustment of salaries and the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage as approved by the Government, they are still waiting for the approval of their own consequential adjustment of monthly pensions, in compliance with the above constitutional stipulation, even after several efforts by the national leadership of the union.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that retired soldiers earlier in January occupied the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, over the non-payment of their pension arrears.

    The ex-servicemen appealled to the Federal Government to approve the payment of minimum wage arrears accruing to them between 2019 till date.

    They also demanded a stop on all deductions on the pension of all retired medical officers as well as the inclusion of officers who fought during the civil war on the military pension scheme.

  • Insecurity: Matawalle issues Zamfara bandits two-month ultimatum to surrender arms

    Insecurity: Matawalle issues Zamfara bandits two-month ultimatum to surrender arms

    Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has issued a two-month ultimatum to all bandits in the state to either repent and surrender their weapons or face serious consequences from the security personnel.

    He gave the deadline on Tuesday evening during a state-wide broadcast at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

    The governor decried that the activities of informants were becoming worrisome and asked residents engaging in such acts to have a rethink.

    He warned that the state government would squarely face any bandit that refused to surrender within the stipulated time.

    Governor Matawalle stated that the Federal Government would soon deploy additional 6,000 soldiers to help the state government fight the recalcitrant bandits.

    He was hopeful that this would go a long way in addressing the recent increase in the rate of insecurity in the state.

    Read the text of the governor’s broadcast below:

    BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ZAMFARA STATE, HON. DR. BELLO MOHAMMED, MON (MATAWALLEN MARADUN) ON THE SECURITY SITUATION AND NEW MEASURES AIMED AT DEFEATING BANDITRY IN THE STATE, MADE ON TUESDAY, 9 TH MARCH 2021

    In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful.

    My dear good people of Zamfara State.

    It is pertinent for me to address you once again on the state of security of our dear state.

    As you may recall, it was early morning, at about 1 a.m, on Friday 26 th February 2021, when a group of bandits attacked Government Girls Junior Secondary Schoool, Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state and abducted 279 schoolgirls.

    This sad episode shook the people of Zamfara State, our fellow Nigerians, and the entire world. It again brought to the global attention the type of security challenges our state and many others in the north were battling with and brought to the fore the urgent need to take further steps to deal with the situation comprehensively.

    We have already secured the release of all the 279 abducted students, hale and hearty. They have all been reunited with members of their families.

    Following this development, l undertook a four-day working visit to Abuja to brief Mr President and other critical stakeholders on security. As a fall out of my discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari and security high commands in Abuja, it was resolved that six thousand additional troops are to be deployed to the state to complement the current efforts by the security forces in the state.The troops will soon arrive in the state for their operations.

    As you may recall, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security forces to shoot on sight anyone found in possession of AK 47 without permission.

    You may also recall that Zamfara State has been declared by the national security council as a “no-fly zone” in addition to banning of all mining activities in the state.

    Again, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, has agreed to a timeframe within which the recalcitrant bandits should accept our peace truce and surrender their weapons to the government.

    As you are aware, the peace initiative of my administration has recorded a number of successes which include disarmament and recovery of weapons from the repentant bandits, securing the release of hundreds of kidnapped persons, opening of markets, and resumption of other economic activities across the state, and reducing the wave of attacks and killings of our innocent people, most especially in the rural communities.

    Even though we are enjoying relative peace as a result of the dialogue and reconciliation programme, many bandits have refused to key into the programme and elected to sustain their attacks and other nefarious activities against our communities.

    The government has equally observed that there is sabotage by some unscrupulous elements, both within and outside the state. It is also observed that informants are becoming rampant and their callous activities undetected due to some of our people’s attitude of indifference.

    As a further push to bring to an end the activities of the recalcitrant bandits so as to bring lasting peace to the state, the government has decided to take the following measures:

    i. The recalcitrant bandits have been given two months from today within which to embrace the peace process and surrender their weapons to the government;

    ii. All political actors are hereby advised to desist from any acts capable of endangering the state’s security, as security agencies have been directed to monitor the activities of all the political actors and take appropriate action against the violators;

    iii. Traditional rulers and Local Government Councils’ sole administrators are hereby directed to always remain in their respective domains to monitor the influx of any suspicious characters.

    iv. Conveyance of more than two persons on a motorbike is hereby banned with immediate effect. Security agents are directed to arrest and arraign the violators of this order for prosecution.

    v. Government also prohibits the movements of a large number of motorbikes in all the nooks and crannies of the state. Security forces are hereby directed to ensure total compliance.

    vi. Government observed, with dismay, the persistence of the activities of some yansakai, despite the banning of such vigilante groups. This order still remains in force.

    While government appreciates the role being played by members of the press in our efforts to bring lasting peace to our state, we have observed with great dismay the activities of some few media organizations in promoting fake news, causing psychological trauma and panic among our people.

    The government is therefore calling on such media organizations that publish or air news or opinions concerning the security situation in the state without proper cross-checking and balancing of their reports before going to press to desist from such professional misconduct.

    Government is not unaware of some unscrupulous elements, particularly among the political class, who regularly sponsor some social media handlers to create various social media accounts, including cloning some reputable media organizations, using them to publish fake news.

    The government will no longer tolerate such unethical conduct and will deal decisively with anyone found in this act.

    My dear people of Zamfara State, the primary responsibility of government is to secure the lives and property of the citizenry. All the measures we are putting in place are with a view to securing our state and putting behind us the dark period of banditry and other related crimes.

    I wish to appreciate the endurance, untiring support, and cooperation of the entire people of the state in our efforts to end banditry and to other government policies and programs. I thank you immensely for your continuous prayers and goodwill.

    Thank you all and wassalamu alaikum.