3 October, 2013

There are indications that the Federal Government may seek the intervention of past Presidents/Heads of States, Governors, traditional rulers and serving Senators to mediate in its current face-off with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The supervisory Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a palliative meeting with the President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Michael Olukoya; and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.
Olukoya had suggested that following the inability of the committees earlier set up to settle the crisis, the Federal Government should seek the intervention of past presidents, governors, traditional rulers and serving senators.
He also said that the  NUT still stood by its threat to solidarise with ASUU over the university teachers’ demands  unless directed otherwise by the union’s National Executive Council.
Olukoya said, “With the way this strike has lingered on for three months, we believe government should explore all modalities to end it. Government should invite past heads of states, speakers, senators, Ministers of Labour and Education and every other stakeholder in the sector to resolve this ugly situation.

03:37

President Goodluck Jonathan shocked Nigerians on Sunday when he declared that he did not know if the leader of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was dead or alive.

The Joint Task Force, JTF, in Borno State, had said in a statement August 19 that Mr. Shekau might have died of gunshot wounds he received in an encounter with Force’s troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on June 30.
However, Mr. Shekau appeared in a new video last week, claiming that he was not dead.

He also claimed responsibility for the attacks that killed several civilians on September 17 in Benishek, Borno State.

12:43

Bokoharam gunmen have launched a vicious attack on the College of Agriculture in Yobe state, killing 40 students.

Details of the attack are still sketchy but the provost of the college, Mulima Mata, confirmed the incident, which the News Agency of Nigeria said occurred early Sunday morning.

The Yobe state command of the Nigeria police could however not be reached to confirm the incident.

Residents believe the attack has the imprimatur of the extremist Boko Haram sect which has in the past three years slaughtered thousands of innocent Nigerians in attacks on schools, places of worship, media establishments and security installations.

The corpses of the students have been deposited at the General Sanni Abacha Specialist Hospital and more are still been expected at press time.

The Nation learnt that the students were shot in their hostels and classrooms while fleeing from the attackers.

14:17

University teachers said yesterday that their strike will go on - 89 days after it began. This is in spite of the intervention by Vice President Namadi Sambo in bringing the lecturers back to the negotiation table. The teachers are seeking proper funding of education and the payment of their N87 billion earned allowances. These are part of the 2009 agreement between the teachers and the government. The government has offered N30 billion for the earned allowances and made available N100billion for projects on the campuses. The lecturers rejected the offer. The strike has been on since July 1. The latest position of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the umbrella association of the teachers to go on with the strike, was made known yesterday by University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter Chairman Dr. Karo Ogbinika, in a statement. According to him, ASUU last month pulled out of the negotiation with the Federal Government, which was represented by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, based on the government's insincerity and non-commitment. He said the Presidency intervened, calling for another round of meetings with Vice President Namadi Sambo last week which, according to ASUU, also ended in a stalemate. The union said it was disappointed because it hoped the Presidency's intervention would dampen the tension the strike had generated; but, rather, the government was re-echoing the same stance by Suswam, which was why ASUU withdrew from the negotiation. ASUU said: "After the meeting on September 19 with the Vice-President

01:19

DEPORTATION OF IGBOS: Fashola Offers Apologies & Explanation Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Governor of Lagos State, has made a frank public apology and offered an explanation for the recent situation with "deportation of Igbos" to Onitsha, Anambra State. The Lagos state government was involved in a major controversy in July, 2013, having deported 70 destitutes at Onitsha Bridge. Although the officials later clarified that the people were relocated after being rehabilitated, Igbo people felt they were threated inappropriately, and were hated. Naij.com reminds that, on July 24, the evictees were, under the cover of darkness, dumped at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State. This action had provoked a passionate quarrel between the two states. Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Igbo socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga (the event was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island), Fashola assured he had absolutely no problem with Igbos. He thanked the gathering for honouring his late father, and said he owes an explanation to those who don't understand the true purpose of actions and meaning of words. "I cannot take the Igbos for granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our ancestors, and I put a lot of value in that relationship. "I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.

15:44

Latest Shekau Video "Questionable," Nigerian Army Say The Nigerian Army question the authenticity of the recently released videowhere Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who has been declared "mortally wounded" by the military, blasts Nigerian and world authorities. Speaking to journalists of Premium Times, Ibrahim Attahiru, the Army Director of Information, said the video is yet to be verified, as it is only a "purported tape". On August 19, 2013, a statement was released by the Joint Task Force; it has been alleged in it that Shekau is believed to have died from gunshot wounds he sustained in the course of Operation Restore Order at Sambisa Forest on June 30. The statement read, in particular, "Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide - a border community in Cameroun for treatment which he never recovered. It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July to 3 August, 2013." For a month, not a word about the incident leaked from the Boko Haram sect.

15:39

Ethiopia has confirmed a definite date for the first leg match against Nigeria in the final playoff leading to Brazil 2014 World Cup. The first leg of the World Cup qualifying clash will take place on Sunday, October 13 in Addis Ababa, their football association officials have confirmed. All ties will take place between October 11 and October 15 and the Ethiopia Football Federation has only now confirmed which day the match will be staged. "We have played our home games on Sundays and the match against Nigeria will not be an exception," commented EFF general secretary Yigsaw Bezuayehu. The return match will be held on Saturday, November 16 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The Nigerian federation has also retained Saturday as match day for the Super Eagles and Calabar as the venue for all the qualifying games. The Minister of Sports Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed to The PUNCH on Tuesday that the Abuja National Stadium may not host matches anytime soon. The stadium was announced early in the year as likely venue for the last match of the team in the qualifying series. He said it was the prerogative of the Nigeria Football Federation to decide which venue the Super Eagles games would hold. "And as a matter of fact I don't think it is even necessary to change their venue at this stage. Since they appear to have established a rhythm with Calabar I don't think the NFF would consider using Abuja for now.

08:48

Japan has launched the world's first talking robot into space to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakata who will begin his mission in November.

The android took off from the island of Tanegashima in an unmanned rocket also carrying supplies for crew onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Measuring 34cm, Kirobo is due to arrive at the ISS on 9 August. It is part of a study to see how machines can lend emotional support to people isolated over long periods.

The launch of the H-2B rocket was broadcast online by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).

The unmanned rocket is also carrying drinking water, food, clothing and work supplies to the six permanent crew members based at the ISS.

15:01

Wayne Rooney believes he is feeling the benefits of "more intense" training at Manchester United under David Moyes.

With three goals and three assists in his four club appearances so far this season, Rooney has enjoyed a fine start to United's season - something that looked unlikely during the uncertainty of the summer months.

The striker missed the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool at the start of September due to a head injury but has otherwise been an integral player under new manager Moyes.

Having worked with the Scot before at Everton, Rooney is familiar with his methods and feels they are bringing out the best in his game.

14:55

Former chelsea striker Victor Moses scored on his debut against Swansea on Monday night. Moses scored in the 36th minute after picking up a loose pass from Jonjo Shelvey on the half way line. The Nigerian moved towards the Swansea defence, evaded Chico Flores and placed an accurate shot past goal keeper Michel Vorm to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead. He had also created a good heading chance to Sturridge in the 25th minute before then, but Michel made a good save. The former chelsea striker was voted Man of the Match with an 8.4 rating. He had a 75% pass accuracy from 33 touches and completed three dribbles, which is the most for any player on the pitch. Moses was replaced by Raheem Sterling in the 81st minute. Tweeting after the match, Moses said:"Good point for us but disappointed not to win the game. Amazing feeling to score my first #LFC goal." Liverpool moved back to the top of the table with that points earned, and now have 10 points from four matches.

08:37