The Age Newspaper Online

The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly summoned Pro-Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, and Chairmen of councils of all Federal Universities to a compulsory interactive meeting scheduled on September 5, 2022. This was contained in a circular released by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) on August 26, 2022, but obtained by today, Tuesday, August 30, 2022. The meeting will be mainly on the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Recall that the ongoing ASUU strike started on February 14 and was extended for another four weeks terminated yesterday, August 29, 2022. Last week, the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu said the Federal Government had addressed most of the union’s demands including the release of N50b for the payment of earned allowances for academic and non-academic and non-academic staff of universities but said the that the union will not be paid the arrears of the strike period. The union has also insisted on not...

Bashir, one of the sons of Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, described the Academic Staff Union of Universities as a 'useless union' that should be dissolved and replaced with educators who care about students. This comes after ASUU decided to extend its ongoing strike. Bashir made the statement on Twitter, saying, "ASUU is a very useless union. They should be scrapped & replaced with educators that actually give a damn about students and how that translates to the future of this country." ASUU commenced strike on February 14th, 2022. Credit: Twitter | BashirElRufai Punchnews.com.ng

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia on Saturday, reportedly attacked the Bagai village in Bachi district of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State and in the process, killed a middle aged woman identified as Mrs Lyop Dalyop. The bandits also injured several other people and destroyed farmlands and food crops. A member of the community who spoke on the invasion, said the woman who had gone to the local church for a clean up in preparation for church service the following day, was attacked and shot dead by the assailants on her way home. He said, "Ngo Lyop Dalyop was returning home from the church, the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Bangai, after she has gone to clean the place for service the next day. "On her way home, the Fulani bandits  who had been lurking within the vicinity shot her on the head as she was about  entering her house, before those within the vicinity could fully realise what happened, the gunmen had already disappeared leaving the woman in a...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decided to extend its ongoing strike which has lasted for six months. According to reports, the decision was taken after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning, August 29, 2022. Recall that the ongoing ASUU strike started February 14 and three weeks ago, extended it for another four weeks that terminated today, Monday, August 29, 2022. The union is demanding the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). Following a meeting with the union two weeks ago, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said every demand of the union has been met, except that its members won’t receive arrears of the strike period. The union has also insisted on not calling off the lingering strike u...

By Daksun Habila The President of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo has said COCIN alone is enough to transform Plateau State for the better if its members live lives worthy of their calling as followers of Jesus Christ. Rev. Dr. Mohzo who was speaking at the COCIN Theological Education by Extension, TEE 2022 Annual Conference held in Gindir, Mangu LGA attributed the level of backwardness in the Church and society to lack of proper mentorship which he explained as, learning from those who are experienced in order to succeed. He called on the participants at the Conference to be teachable and humble by choosing Jesus Christ as their ultimate mentor and another outstanding human personality who is also learning from Jesus because the type of mentor you have will paint the future of the person being mentored. The COCIN President described the participants as fortunate and zealous people who are thirsty for the deeper knowledge of the Word of God which is being ta...

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, paid a visit to the former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Sunday, August 28, 2022, in Minna, Niger State. Obasanjo arrived at Abdulsalam’s Uphill residence at 12.30pm and after greetings with Abdulsalam’s family, he had a closed-door meeting with Abdulsalam for over 30 minutes and left at 1.13 pm. This is coming some days after returning from London where he met Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and other top politicians in the country. While speaking on his visit to Abdusalami, Obasanjo stated that he traveled to Minna to see the former military ruler, who was ill. “I came to see my brother who has been a little indisposed. When he was in London, I had wanted to visit him but the day I arrived in London was the day he left. “So, that is why I decided to come and see him at home. He is very special and I am still strong to visit those who are special to me”, he said. On his preferred candidate in the coming presidentia...

As part of effort towards promoting food security in her constituency, member Representing Langtang North/South Federal Constituency, Honourable Beni Lar has flagged off the 2022 distribution of farming implements to her constituents to enhance bumper harvest. Items distributed include; One thousand six hundred (1600) bags of 20-10-10 NPK fertilizers, three hundred cartons of herbicide and pesticides as well as fifty (50 ) irrigation water pumping machines. Speaking at the flag off ceremony which was held in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Honourable Lar said the distribution of implements was aimed at boosting agriculture, ensuring food security and empowering her constituents to be self-reliant. Honourable Lar charged the beneficiaries to make good use of the farming implements given to them in order to order to yield good harvest assuring that she will continue to provide support for them in different spheres of life in order to make them self-reliant. While s...

The Honourable member representing Langtang North/South Federal Constituency, Honourable Beni Lar has reiterated her determination to continually remain a voice for her constituents by speaking up for them in any circumstances. The Lawmaker gave the assurance when she was featured on a TVC live programme known as ‘One-On-One. Honourable Lar said, “I will continue to speak up for my constituents and ensure that they are empowered educationally, economically and socially. I will ensure that every child goes to school and remains in school.” While describing her political sojourn so far, the Lawmaker said, ”it has been very interesting,” and attributed her victories to the trust the people have in her as well as the positive impacts she had made in her constituency. According to the Lawmaker, her constituents felt the impact of her representation in the first year adding that, "Once the people felt the positive impact of a legislator, it became easier for them to trust that legislato...

MUPUN YOUTH ASSOCIATION _Press Release_ 26/08/2022 *THE MUPUN YOUTHS ENDORSEMENT HULLABALOO* The attention of NEC has been drawn to news items with misleading contents stating that "MUPUN YOUTHS ENDORSED APC CANDIDATE, DR NENTAWE..." The MYA NEC resolved that those involved should come out themselves and clear the air within 24hours from now or the Mupun Youth Association will be forced to react to such ridiculous results of their individualistic or sub group actions in such a way and manner they or their beneficiaries will not appreciate. Their actions or it's results are totally aimed at making a caricature of our people and nation and indirectly too, the personality of our fathers and elders: Sadly, a Mupun title holder, a Gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Patrick Dakum and, the Campaign DG of the PDP Gubernatorial candidate, ("the Masquerade"), Letep Dabang. Mupun Youths led by a responsible body, the Mupun Youth Association whom our elders ha...

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Labour Party (LP) flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike are meeting in London. According to reports, other Governors at the meeting include Samuel Ortom of Benue; Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Details of the meeting can not be ascertained as at press time, but observers believe it may not be unconnected with the 2023 general elections. The development is said to have troubled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate who is also in London and will be meeting Wike later in the day as well. Recall, that before today’s meeting in London, there are increasing fears in the PDP that the crisis between Atiku and Wike may affect its chances in the 2023 presidential elections. The party leaders speaking in separate interviews on Wednesday, expressed concern about the growing relationship between Wike and influential members of the All Progressives...

It would be recalled that the Plateau State owned tetiary institutions since June 2022, has been on strike, grounding all academic activities on grievances bothering on co-operative and union dues deduction, hitches from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), pensions and gratuity of members, peculiar academic allowance, among other demands. Membership of the Joint Union of Academics Staff of Plateau State Owned Tertiary Institutions (JUASPTI), include the Plateau State Polytechnic, College of Health Technology Zawan, College of Health Technology Pankshin, College of Art, Science and Remedial Studies Kurgwi, College of Agric Garkawa and College of Edication Gindiri. Meanwhile Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi Mr John Dawan has instructed students to resume academic activities immediately.  “I have directed the Registrar of the Polytechnic to put up a memo asking the students to return to the campus immediately." “We don’t want to waste further time after the union me...

By the provisions of Sections 36 and 37 of the Local Government Council Law 2016, being the statutory provisions that empower the Legislative Council to commence removal/impeachment proceedings against the Chairman of a Local Government Council either on allegations of gross misconduct or inability to discharge the functions of office; We, the undersigned Langtang North Legislative Council members hereby present a formal Notice of Impeachment of the Executive Chairman of Langtang North L.G.C, Hon. Bitrus Zulfa Rimven to the Leader of the Legislative Council for onward service on the Chairman, Langtang North L.G.C. The allegations of the undersigned Councilors herein against the Executive Chairman, Hon. Bitrus Zulfa Rimven are based on gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duty, disregard for the legislative arm and other offences – the details of which are as follows: 1. That from the months of December 2021 to May 2022, the Chair...

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos has on Wednesday transferred the Plateau State Labour Party Governorship case to the Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja on the directive of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court that all cases involving the double nomination of candidates be transferred to the Headquarters. It would be recalled that Justice D. V. Agishi of the Federal High Court Jos had ordered the Labour Party LP, Dr Patrick Dakum and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before the Court in ninety six (96) hours to show cause why they cannot be restrained from substituting Amb. Yohanna Margif as the validly elected candidate of the party. Our correspondent reports that Amb. Yohanna Margif who is the Governorship Candidate of the LP in Plateau State ahead of the 2023 elections had approached the Court through his Counsel M. B. Abdullah Esq. In a Motion exparte dated the 15th August 2022 and filled on the same 15th August 2022, prays the court for t...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will declare an indefinite strike over Federal Government’s failure to meet its demands. This is as most of the over 123 branches of the union have completed their congresses while others are expected to round off theirs today, Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Recall that the ongoing ASUU strike started February 14 and three weeks ago, extended it for another four weeks that would terminate next Monday. The union is demanding the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). Following a meeting with the union last week, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said every demand of the union has been met, except that its members won’t receive arrears of the strike period. The union has also insisted on not calling off the lingering strike until the arrears are se...

The Federal High Court sitting in Jos has ordered the Labour Party LP, Dr. Patrick Dakum and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before the Court in Ninety Six (96) hours to show cause why they cannot be restrained from Substituting Amb. Yohanna Margif as the Validity elected candidate of the the Party. It would be recalled that Amb. Yohanna Margif who is the Governorship Candidate of the Party ahead of the 2023 elections had approach the Court through his Counsel M. B. Abdullah Esq. In a Motion exparte dated the 15th August 2022 and filled on the same 15th August, 2022, prays the court for the following orders: "An order for interim injunction restraining the 1st Defendant whether by itself, its agents, privies or assigns or any other person acting through it, or howsoever from taking any action or process or further action or process for the purpose of changing or substituting the plaintiff as the validly nominated candidate of the 1st defendant for t...

Following allegations of non-payment of salaries made against the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, while he was Chairman, Mangu Local Government Council, LGC, between 2014 and 2015, a former union leader has exonerated him of any wrongdoing in a telephone interview with newsmen on Monday evening. Comrade Alex Bitson a former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Mangu Local Government Area, LGA, Chapter, spoke on behalf of union leaders who served together when Barr. Caleb Mutfwang was Chairman of the Council. Describing the allegations as false and unfounded, Comrade Alex revealed that Mutfwang was one of the best Chairmen they worked with, who was worker friendly, and concerned about staff welfare. He added that their memory of him in Mangu is not what some people are peddling now for obvious political reasons. In his words, “Hon. Caleb Mutfwang remains one of the best Chairmen Mangu ever had, who was worker f...

Ex-Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, not to neglect a group of PDP stalwarts led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Jang told Atiku that attempting to ignore the group, of which he is a member, would negatively affect his ambition to win the 2023 presidential election. Speaking on Saturday while flagging off the construction of Omagwa internal roads in Rivers State on Wike’s invitation, Jang said Atiku must close ranks with the group to win in 2023. He said: “I want to call on our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to close ranks with all members, particularly members of your (Wike) group of which I’m proudly one . Doing this will guarantee victory in 2023 general elections. “These men and women, as I have said, worked hard to build this party and they cannot just be wished away overnight. We need to come together, settle our differences by recognising that you need each and every one of us ...

... STRUCTURES NEED COMPLETING ...ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL SITE INSPECTED. The Publishers of the NewsGate Magazine, Newscrest Newspaper, The Age Newspaper and the Reporter of the Nigeria Standard in a media parely spoke to Dr Filimon Habila Golwa, the Chief Medical Director of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in his Jos office on the strike embarked upon by the staff of the Hospital and the Hospital Management Board and other related issues. He bared his mind. Enjoy the Excerpts: The Age Newspaper : For the benefit of our readers, may we know you? Dr. Golwa: My name is Doctor Filimone Golwa, the Chief Medical Director Plateau Specialist Hospital,Jos. The Age Newspaper : The Plateau State Specialist Hospital  and the Plateau State Hospitals Management Board are on strike for a while and you've just resumed, what led to the strike and why did you resume? Dr. Golwa: Right before now, if you can remember, we have embarked on strike before, sometimes in February 2022, and we have earmar...

The people of Bokkos Local Government Area as well as the Plateau State Government are planning a befitting reception for the state’s former governor, Joshua Dariye, who is due back in the state after his release from prison following the pardon granted him by the Council of State. KOLADE ADEYEMI examines the atmosphere in the state over Dariye’s freedom. THE entire Plateau State is bubbling with news of the release of Chief Joshua Dariye from prison. From Qua'an Pan to Dengi, and from Dengi to Barkin Ladi and Jos, the Plateau state capital, everyone seems anxious to see Dariye return as a free man after four years of absence from his home state. Prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for N1.16 billion fraud, he was on June 12, 2018 sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for criminal breach of trust and another two years for misappropriation of public funds. Since his release penultimate week on health grounds and good behaviour while he was in prison, howeve...

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have suspended their nearly five-month strike. The suspension which was announced on Saturday, August 20, 2022, is expected to take effect from Wednesday, August 24, 2022. According to the education minister, the Federal Government has committed N50 billion to pay earned allowances for members of SSANU, NASU, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). SSANU and NASU on March 27, 2022, declared a two-week warning strike. By April 10, 2022, the unions extended the strike by another two weeks, citing the government’s failure to meet their demands. In June, the unions further extended the strike by two months. The strike by SSANU and NASU has led to suspension in the issuance of academic transcripts; mobilisation of graduates for the compulsory one year service organized by the National Youth Service Corps. However, activities in public universities are expected to remain limited...

Gov. Lalong and Hon Ubandoma, when the going was good The embattled Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Joshua Ubandoma Laven, on Saturday, accused Governor Simon Lalong of being responsible for the lack of payment of workers’ salaries in the council. He also said he has six court judgements against the state government, challenging the “illegal and forceful” termination of his tenure, adding that the governor has deliberately refused to grant him access to the council secretariat to complete his one-year tenure. Laven disclosed this while addressing journalists in Jos, the state capital. According to him, he has written to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to pay the local government workers, but the government has refused to honour the request. “My victory in court is a victory for democracy in Nigeria, I can assure you that the precedent I have laid down in Plateau saved the present clueless APC administration in the state ...

Former Minister of Information and leader of Nyesom Wike reconciliation camp, Professor Jerry Gana, has warned that if the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not resolved, Governor Nyesom Wike, himself and others will move out. Speaking while commissioning a project in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Gana called on Nigerians not to waste their votes for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), because they have failed Nigerians woefully. “We want to assure you that the problems with the PDP, we shall resolve them and if it doesn’t resolve, this leader, the governor here, together with all of us, we shall tell the people of Nigeria where to go. They are not baby. “Don’t make the mistake of wasting your vote to go to the other side. You know who I mean. They have failed woefully, embarrassingly failed, therefore don’t even go there,” he said.

Michael Nangwang, Abuja.  The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Abuja-Nigeria, Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum, on Friday 19th August, 2022, received the Labour Party Certificate of Return as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Plateau State amidst pomp and pageantry.  The LP  Certificate of Return was presented to Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum at the National Secretariat of the party, amidst fantastic cheers and jubilation from prominent members of the party from Plateau State who accompanied him to Abuja for the vital ceremony. Presenting the Certificate of Return to Dakum, the National Secretary of the party, Comrade Farouk Umar Ibrahim congratulated Dr Dakum on his victory at the LP governorship primaries which followed due process with INEC,CSOs,Journalists and security operatives present. Whilst presenting the certificate of return to Dakum as the Plateau gubernatorial candidate, Comrade Ibrahim implored the gubernatorial candidate to carry every member of the ...

There are indications that Gombe State University (GSU) has backed out of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike as the school management announced the resumption of academic activities. Recall, that the ongoing ASUU strike began on February 14, 2022, before the Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, and Allied Educational Institutions (NASU) National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) joined. Some of the things the union is agitating for include; the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). The union on August 1, 2022, rolled over the strike for additional four weeks, following alleged failure by the government to address the issue. However, the management of GSU announcing the resumption of academic activities in ...

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others over failure to renew their broadcast licences. This was disclosed by the Director General of the NBC Mallam Balarabe Shehu on Friday, August 19, 2022, in Abuja. The NBC boss directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of these stations within the next 24 hours. He explained that in May 2022, the commission published in the national dailies, the list of licensees that are indebted to NBC, granted them two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked and frequencies withdrawn. The affected stations include Africa Independent Television (AIT) and its sister radio station, Raypower FM; Silverbird Television, Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd), Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd), Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd), Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd), Crowther F...