Tinubu Mulls Full Varsity Autonomy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed plans to reinstate the Policy of University Full Autonomy, emphasizing its alignment with the government’s belief that autonomy empowers institutions to progress independently. During the University of Benin’s 48th convocation ceremony, conveyed by Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, the president stated, “University autonomy will shift performance responsibility directly to individual institutions, alleviating uncertainties.” Acknowledging concerns over unpaid salaries, Tinubu admitted, “The government is aware of the issues arising from months of overdue payments, particularly among teaching staff unions due to an eight-month industrial action.” To address this, he announced a four-month salary payment for university workers. Clarifying, Tinubu asserted, “This payment waiver is necessary and does not nullify the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy.” The government also pledged to enhance university conditions by providing vital infrastructure—lecture halls, student accommodations, administrative facilities, and educational resources—through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aiming to boost staff and student performance. Tinubu affirmed, “As a responsible government, we’ll allocate substantial resources to education and develop sustainable policies transcending this administration.” Highlighting universities’ multifaceted roles in research, technological advancements, skills impartation, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, Tinubu expressed commitment to fortify these institutions.

Tinubu Appoints 8 New Permanent Secretaries 

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday appointed eight new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. The appointment follows “the recently concluded selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,” a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read Friday. The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu appoints eight new permanent secretaries.’ According to Ngelale, the new appointees include Ndakayo-Aishetu Gogo, Adeoye Ayodeji, Rimi Abba, and Bako Deborah Odoh. Others are Omachi Omenka, Ahmed Umar, Watti Tinuke, and Ella Agbo. Tinubu said he expects the new Permanent Secretaries, having emerged at the top of qualified candidates after a diligent assessment process, to deploy their expertise and competence to revitalise service delivery in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the interest of Nigerians.

Peter Obi Slams Tinubu For Blaming Buhari For Nigeria’s Bankruptcy

*Charges APC On Transparency, Accountability To Nigerians The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Nuhu Ribadu’s claims of inheriting a financially bankrupt nation from the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. During an address on Monday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said the incumbent government, under President Bola Tinubu, inherited a “bankrupt country”. He conveyed that they are encountering significant budgetary limitations, affirming that “I’m comfortable sharing this information with you. It’s important for you to understand. Our current situation is highly critical. “We’ve taken on an immensely challenging nation, one in financial disarray to the extent that we’re repaying debts accumulated in the past. The severity of this matter cannot be overstated. “Nevertheless, our administration is making every effort to fulfill our obligations, notably those concerning the armed forces, amid these challenging circumstances.” However, in response to Ribadu’s statements, Peter Obi faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for its lack of transparency regarding the extent of the financial deficit inherited.  Obi emphasized the need for clear disclosure to inform the public about the nation’s current standing and future trajectory. Drawing parallels to the past, Obi recalled how the APC administration previously blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 for inheriting financial challenges and subsequently escalating the country’s debt profile. Expressing concern over the escalating debt from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N87 trillion in 2023 during the APC’s tenure, Obi highlighted the nation’s deteriorating state across various developmental indices, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and security. Obi stressed the urgency of implementing measures to reduce the high cost of governance, redirecting resources towards critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, and poverty eradication. The statement by Peter Obi on X formerly Twitter further questioned the rationale behind certain expenditures in the recently approved supplementary budget, emphasizing the necessity of allocating resources prudently to address the nation’s pressing needs. Obi called for concrete and measurable steps aimed at improving Nigeria’s current economic situation rather than allocating funds to non-essential areas.

NLC, TUC Strike Not In National Interest – Presidency

*Says It’s An Attempt To Blackmail FG The Presidency, in response to the ongoing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) nationwide strike, has denounced it as “unjustified,” alleging it as a move to pressure the government. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, conveyed astonishment at the strike’s continuation despite a restraining order from the National Industrial Court. In a statement released on Tuesday and made available to NIGERIAN ANCHOR, Onanuga criticized the decision, stating, “This move by the NLC and TUC, apart from being self-serving, is unwarranted. It appears to be an effort to coerce the government by the NLC leadership.” He further added, “We’re puzzled as to why the NLC and TUC chose to penalize an entire nation of over 200 million people over a personal issue involving NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero. His mis-judgment resulted in an attack on him in Owerri while attempting to incite Imo State workers into an unnecessary strike.” The presidency said further that the strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible, and will bring untold hardship upon Nigerians. See the full statement below: STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT NLC/TUC STRIKE ACTION NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST We notice with dismay the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to call out workers to commence a strike action from midnight, despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court. This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC. We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike. While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Mr. Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state. Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest. Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader. This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion. The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order. We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable. Bayo OnanugaSpecial Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy November 13, 2023

Tinubu Pays Tribute To Nigeria’s First Female Army General Who Dies @84

President Bola Tinubu has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Kale family, the Nigerian Army, and the medical community in Nigeria following the demise of Major-General Aderonke Kale (rtd), MNI, at the age of 84. Major-General Kale, renowned as the first female Major-General in the Nigerian Army and the inaugural female Commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, retired in 1997 after a distinguished career. In a statement released by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu lauded Major-General Kale as a trailblazer, describing her passing as a poignant loss for the nation. “Major-General Aderonke Kale was a pioneer in her field. She embodied the courage, professionalism, capacity, and resilience of the Nigerian woman. She thrived and conquered where many feared to tread.  She was a towering figure; an inimitable role model,” remarked the President. President Tinubu offered prayers for the repose of Major-General Kale’s soul and urged her grieving family to find solace in the indelible legacy she leaves behind.

Tinubu Appoints Aide On People With Disabilities’ Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mohammed Abba Isa as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters. According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Isa’s appointment was borne out of President Tinubu’s determination to ensure all segments of society find placement within his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Tinubu charged Isa to create avenues of opportunity for inclusion through the inculcation of people with disabilities requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of Ministries and all agencies of government. The statement read: “In his determination to ensure that every segment of society is sufficiently catered to within the ambit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Abba Isa to serve as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters. “Mr. Mohammed Abba Isa is a distinguished champion of persons with disabilities with over a decade of experience in local and international advocacy on matters concerning persons with disabilities. “The new presidential aide is a graduate of Public Administration with honours from the University of Maiduguri where he would go on to earn a Masters in Public Administration at the same institution in 2017. “The president tasks the new appointee to proactively create avenues of opportunity for inclusion through the inculcation of PWD requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government while working closely with sub-national authorities to build a national consensus on PWD-friendly policy and environmental conditions in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).”

Tinubu Writes NASS, Seeks Approval For N2.1trn Supplementary Budget 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the House of Representatives, requesting approval for a N2.1 trillion supplementary budget. This development comes shortly after the Federal Executive Council’s unanimous approval on Monday for the allocation of the said budget, aimed at addressing critical concerns such as labour wage adjustments, national security, infrastructure maintenance, and more. The supplementary budget also aligns with the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, which President Tinubu has submitted to the House of Representatives. During the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues.  Notable allocations within the supplementary budget include N210 billion for Wage Award for Civil Servants, N605 billion for National Security and Defence, N300 billion for the maintenance of vital infrastructure like the Eko bridge, N400 billion for cash transfers to vulnerable households, N200 billion for seed and agricultural inputs, and N18 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct off-season elections.

APC Debunks LP’s Accusation That Tinubu Will Witch-Hunt Peter Obi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted allegations by the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure that President Tinubu will harass Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi. Abure made the allegations while reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgement that upheld Tinubu’s election. The apex court had dismissed Peter Obi’s appeal against the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) that initially affirmed the former Lagos State Governor as the rightful winner of the presidential election. The court threw out Obi’s petition over failure to prove their allegations of electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. While rejecting the Court’s ruling, Abure said Tinubu is planning to use security agencies to persecute and intimidate Peter Obi. However, the APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, called Abure’s claim untrue. He stated that President Tinubu is not the type to target his rivals, while describing the allegation as satanic and mischievous. Meseko pointed out that Tinubu has a history of including critics in his government, promoting unity, and even invited the Labour Party to join. “Even this so-called Labour Party was invited on board. But most of their people were busy criticising him, saying he wanted to put their people in government so the party wouldn’t pursue their case in court again and all that. I am saying this confidently that there is no iota of truth in what the LP chairman is saying.”

Supreme Court Victory: Senate President Congratulates Tinubu

President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the reaffirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court describing the decision as reflective of the will of the people. Akpabio in a congratulatory message to Tinubu by Eseme Eyiboh, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the decision of the apex court was a welcome relief. He said the victory finally unfastens the last bolts to the path for social-political engineering that President Tinubu promised the nation. “Mr President, I am personally elated that the jurists of the Supreme Court saw through the arguments and even without much technicalities easily confirmed your victory in the poll. “There is no doubt that victory came at a cost, but Mr President, that makes it even sweeter. “I know you have in your years of public service yielded your personal and other comforts for the collective good and what it cost to confirm the victory in the courts should be seen with a similar vista,” he said. Akpabio also urged the president not to relent in being a father figure to his former rivals, saying that it is superfluous to remind the president of his well-known big heart. He also called on the major rivals of the president to sheath their swords of political combat and join hands with his administration in the collective goal of making the nation great again. “The elections have been announced by the electoral authorities and confirmed by the courts, and I call on all former political rivals of the president to show good faith by joining hands with the Bola Tinubu’s administration in its ongoing efforts to take the nation to a higher level,” he said. He said that the National Assembly would continue to support the Tinubu Administration by leveraging its legislative tentacles to raise the level of governance to a higher pedestal.

Supreme Court Dismisses Obi’s Appeal Against Tinubu

The Supreme Court of the nation has dismissed the appeal brought forth by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the general election, challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu.  Obi had alleged various issues, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s alleged double nomination, which he argued rendered Shettima unqualified to serve as Tinubu’s running mate. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the matter of double nomination had already been addressed in a prior judgment and could not be revisited.  The court stated, “This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.” The appeal by Obi consisted of seven issues, but the head of the seven-member panel of judges, Inyang Okoro, noted that issues 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 had already been addressed in a previous ruling related to Atiku Abubakar’s appeal.  Atiku Abubakar was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his appeal had also been dismissed by the court. As a result, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the tribunal, affirming the election of President Bola Tinubu.