NGO, Stakeholders Accuse FG, Others Of ‘Exploiting’ Mining Communities
A Non-Governmental Organization, Global Rights, has accused the federal government and critical stakeholders of exploiting mining communities, including taking decisions without carrying host communities along. Addressing participants at the Third West African Mining Host Community “Indaba” in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said, due to faulty governance systems, the extraction and trade of the resources found in mining communities often fuel conflicts, corruption and violence, hence the need to find solutions to the menace. She said: “Annually, across several platforms across the world, governments and mining companies gather to decide our fate. The fate of our ancestral lands and of our children yet unborn. At these confabs, the people most impacted – extractive host communities are excluded. How do you decide for us without us? Afterall, we are the ones who know where the shoe pinches. We are the ones whose lands are desecrated, whose resilience are weakened. We are the ones. “So, we chose to represent ourselves, to give ourselves agency to decide our own future as the African Mining Vision and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights has accorded us in Sections 20-22. This annual gathering unites us as a people to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that we are confronted with as West Africans. It is a platform for open and inclusive dialogue where ideas, experiences, and solutions are shared collectively. “We have also chosen to invite governments and mining companies. Perhaps, if they listen to us and dialogue with us, they might finally understand the powers that we have so generously bestowed on them are to protect our rights. Perhaps, they might understand afresh that the security of states start with the security of the people within the state, and adopt a human security paradigm to address the challenges around the efficient exploitation of our resources. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the wealth of West Africa’s minerals benefits the many, rather than the few and that it becomes a catalyst for peace, development and progress.” Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said there is need for the creation of a unique tax force for the mining sector to combat insecurity and other issues affecting it.
ASUU Decries Dissolution Of Governing Council In Dangote Varsity
The Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, has decried the dissolution of the institution’s governing council by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State. This is contained in a statement issued by the chapter’s Chairperson, Dr. Aliyu Ahmad and Secretary, Dr. Mudassir Nasir, in Kano on Wednesday, The union described as “inappropriate,” the dissolution of the council which was effected by the Governor Yusuf, on May 29. The union said it was dismayed over the continuous running of the institution, formerly known as Kano State University of Science and Technology, without a governing council, as a result of the dissolution. It said the development was in breach and disregard of the provisions of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (Amendment) Law of 2017. The union therefore called on the governor to, as a matter of urgency reconstitute the council “in order to avoid paralysing the university system.” It also urged the state government to settle the outstanding entitlements of staff of the university.
Growing concerns surround delisting of companies from NGX
Amidst rising domestic costs, fluctuating naira exchange rates, and challenges in dividend declaration and tax payments, several large-cap companies listed on the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) are considering leaving the market, raising concerns among equity market stakeholders. Over the past 22 years, more than 120 companies have either voluntarily or regulatory delisted from the NGX, and the increasing frequency of such announcements or rumours is causing unease among analysts and investors. Initial estimates suggest that approximately N182 billion in market value could exit the NGX due to potential departures by prominent companies like PZ Cussons (current price N20), GSK (current price N12.65), and Oando (current price N7.07). This trend underscores several critical issues within the market, including the perceived lack of tangible benefits associated with being listed, difficulties in raising capital, relatively lower valuations of publicly-listed companies compared to their private counterparts, and challenges in determining exit pricing. Many companies, particularly those with international interests, are opting for private status due to the opportunity cost of remaining listed on a formal exchange. Market analysts argue that this shift should be a cause for concern for NGX management and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While these companies intend to continue operations within Nigeria, they seek the advantages of private arrangements, which offer more confidentiality and flexibility in managing profits to minimize tax obligations, thus avoiding the need for widespread distribution of local dividends. To reverse this growing delisting trend and safeguard the interests of minority shareholders, several corrective measures are being considered. These include revising listing regulations to enhance the quality of publicly-listed firms, providing support for companies through innovative equity funding programs, offering incentives such as corporate income tax (CIT) reductions to listed firms, and increasing the costs associated with delisting. The issue of low exit pricing, which significantly impacts the value of investments held by minority shareholders, is a primary concern that calls for regulatory attention.
ASUU bemoans delay in releasing 8-month salaries, other issues
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns regarding the prolonged withholding of university academics’ salaries for nearly eight months due to the fallout from the 2022 strike action. The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke, highlighted this issue in a statement. The matter was discussed during the union’s National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, from August 19th to August 20th, 2023. Osodeke noted that this challenge is just one among several plaguing the Nigerian University System (NUS), as deliberated during the meeting. He emphasized that the application of the ‘No-Work-No-Pay’ policy to academics fails to consider that only the teaching aspect of their work was suspended during the strike action. Moreover, he highlighted the diligent efforts made by academics to make up for lost time under extremely challenging economic conditions, following the suspension of the strike through interventions by key figures including Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now Chief of Staff to the President and Visitor to Federal Universities. The statement acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian academics, commending their unwavering determination and courage in enduring economic, social, and emotional hardships due to the non-payment of their salaries. ASUU attributed past strike actions to successive governments’ failure to honour agreements and memoranda established through the collective bargaining principle endorsed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and adopted in Nigeria’s labour laws. ASUU called upon the government led by President Bola Tinubu to expedite the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement based on the recommendations of the Professor Nimi Briggs Committee. This move is essential to restore the credibility of the NUS. The union recognized ongoing efforts to secure the release of the withheld salaries and urged national leadership, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to actively pursue this matter. ASUU underlined the significance of releasing the withheld salaries in boosting the morale of Nigerian university educators. The statement also lamented the accumulation of promotion arrears owed to members due to disruptions stemming from the enrollment of academics in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Despite numerous attempts by the union and university administrations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has yet to address this issue. Consequently, ASUU appealed to the OAGF to promptly resolve the backlog of promotion arrears, considering the impact on industrial harmony and peace. The union’s concerns highlight the challenges faced by academics in Nigeria and the urgent need for comprehensive resolutions to safeguard their welfare and the integrity of the education system. The statement further read, “NEC was disturbed by reports of massive employment racketeering perpetuated by operators of the discredited IPPIS, including scandalous revelations at the recent sittings of House of Representatives Probe Panel on IPPIS. “NEC observed that the unsavoury trend has eroded university employment tradition in violation of the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003, and Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions of individual universities. ASUU rejects all illegal appointments sponsored by the IPPIS and its agents in Nigerian public universities. “NEC observed with dismay the Government’s moves to further erode the autonomy of universities as contained in the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act in respect of the dissolution of Councils. ASUU had cause to protest to the immediate past Federal administration over the same matter in 2015, and the decision was accordingly reversed. “Dissolution of Governing Councils of federal and state universities before they serve their full terms does not only violate extant laws on university autonomy, but it also adversely impacts operations of the universities. NEC therefore calls for the reversal of the recent dissolution of councils of federal universities to ensure their smooth operations and stability. “NEC reviewed the strenuous efforts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to impose the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) on Nigerian universities, despite well-founded criticisms and rejection by members of university senates and academic associations. NEC subsequently directed the leadership of ASUU to pursue the Union’s rejection of CCMAS to its logical conclusion. “Painfully, NEC reviewed reports of mass exit of experienced academics and professionals from Nigeria’s public universities owing to disabling working and living conditions. NEC submits that a salary regime that places the professor- at-bar on four hundred and sixteen thousand Naira (N416,000.00) or less (no thanks to amputation by IPPIS) for more than ten years is disconcerting, debilitating and dehumanizing for scholars. “NEC, therefore, advises governments at the federal and state levels to urgently arrest the growing ‘Japa’ syndrome on university campuses to reposition Nigerian universities for competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. “NEC noted with dismay the continued onslaughts on ASUU members at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna N. Oti, and her agents over the questionable appointment of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor at the University. “NEC reaffirms its earlier position that the promotion of Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali Pantami as a Professor in FUTO while serving as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was a breach of the University’s Appointments and Promotions Guidelines. “NEC further reaffirms its recognition of the ASUU-FUTO Executive Committee (EXCO) led by Comrade Chinedu Ihejirika, currently being subjected to unwarranted attack and persecution in the University. NEC subsequently resolves that ASUU would hold the FUTO Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, liable should any harm come the way of Comrade Ihejirika and other committed members of our Union in FUTO as well as those of their respective families. “NEC was grieved by the deepening crisis of governance occasioned by the mindless acceptance and crude implementation of neo-liberal socio-economic policies of the international money lenders by successive governments since the birth of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. NEC sadly noted the recent anti-people, draconian policies of the government that have brought millions of Nigerians to their knees and crippled businesses. “We note that the expectation of democratic dividends which heralded civilian rule in 1999 has almost evaporated, as more Nigerians are daily gasping for breath under the suffocating grips of
No fuel price hike in the pipeline, Tinubu reassures Nigerians
President Bola Tinubu has moved to allay fears of a potential increase in the pump price of petrol in Nigeria. The market has already been deregulated, and according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, it will continue to remain so. He said that the government aims to address inefficiencies in the midstream and downstream petroleum subsectors without reverting to a policy reversal. This declaration follows the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s (NNPC) statement that it has no plans to raise petrol prices, countering speculations and responding to warnings from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Previous price hikes have sparked outrage and nationwide protests, especially the last increase from N197 to N617.
Group decries lack of inclusion, calls for equity, representation in Benue
The Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM), a non-partisan political pressure group, has advocated for political inclusion in Benue state. Led by Air Vice-Marshal Monday Morgan (rtd), the National Coordinator, BRM joined concerned elders from Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C) to voice discontent over the exclusion of non-Tiv-speaking ethnic groups from the state’s democratic gains. Since the state’s creation in 1976, ethnic groups like Idoma, Igede, Jukun, Etulo, and Nyinfo have been denied the opportunity to hold the position of Governor, while political leadership roles have been carefully zoned and rotated among Tiv-speaking areas. Currently, about 90 percent of key positions at federal and state levels are occupied by the Tiv, exacerbating the marginalization of Benue South. According to a statement signed by BRM PMC, non-Tivs have faced opposition from major political parties in the state, with accusations of being sponsored against them. “Despite the recent change in government, the issue of marginalization persists, prompting BRM to call for fairness and representation. “The movement seeks justice for Zone C, comprising the Idoma and Igede communities, representing one-third of the state’s local government areas and population. BRM, supported by various senatorial zones, emphasizes the need for inclusive politics and governance. “Air Vice-Marshal Morgan, a retired Air Force Fighter Pilot, and former Chief of Defence Intelligence, has been at the forefront of this agitation. He has engaged with prominent leaders and sub-unit leaderships across the state to campaign for inclusive representation,” the statement said. While BRM remains resolute in its pursuit of justice, it called on the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to address the existing imbalance in appointments and promote fair representation as BRM envisions a future where political emancipation is achieved for all the people of Benue state, regardless of their ethnic origins.