Home Blog Page 1074

Ignore Ngige, Pay Lecturers’ Full Salaries, Falana Tells Buhari

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
-
1

Counsel for the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Femi Falana, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pay the unions lecturers their full salaries.

In a statement on Sunday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria asked Buhari to ignore the advice of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and pay ASUU members complete salaries from February to October 2022.

The Federal Government recently allegedly paid half-salaries to members of ASUU for the month of October, 2022. Some professors reportedly received salaries ranging from N71,000 to N121,000 for October.

The statement cited on The Cable read, “Since the industrial action was called off, the public universities have adjusted their calendars to ensure that the 2021/2022 academic session is not cancelled. Consequently, students are currently taking lectures or writing examinations that were disrupted during the strike of the ASUU.

“Therefore, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the ASUU strike the doctrine of ‘no work, no pay’ is totally inapplicable as students who were not taught during the strike are currently attending lectures and writing examinations.

“Furthermore, it is public knowledge that the members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors embarked on a strike that lasted two months last year.

“The federal government dragged the striking doctors to the national industrial court which ordered the NARD to call off the strike. As soon as the strike was called off, President Muhammadu Buhari jettisoned the ‘no work, no pay’ principle and ordered the payment of the salaries for the two months that the strike lasted.

“On that occasion, the President overruled Dr. Ngige in the interest of industrial harmony in the health sector.
In the same vein, the ASUU recently called off its 8-month old strike in compliance with the order of the national industrial court and the court of appeal.

“We are, therefore, compelled to call on President Buhari should ignore the advice of Dr. Ngige and direct the public universities to pay the full salary of each lecturer from February to October 2022.”

Exploring Mount Karthala, Comoros Island

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Mount Karthala, also known as Karthola, is an active volcano and the highest point of the Union of the Comoros Islands.

Located more precisely on the Grande Comore Island, where the capital Moroni is also located, it stands at 2,361 meters (7,746 feet) above sea level.

As it is a large shield volcano, it has an elliptical caldera which is 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) long and 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) wide, and the outer walls of the caldera with a height of about 100 meters (328 feet).

There have been more than twenty recorded eruptions, since the beginning of the 19th century when it first began with the recording.

Most likely the biggest lava flow has been in 1860, when the lava reached the western coast and the capital Moroni.

Even though there are still eruptions, Grande Comore luckily escaped so far major destruction, however, a bigger eruption is not excluded and could happen some time in the future.

The mountain has a distinct color and it is covered by moist evergreen forest up to about 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) above sea level.

When going more than 1,800 meters (5,905 feet), the vegetation consists of stunted trees and heathland where the giant heath Erica comorensis grows.

Other than the flora, there is a rich fauna where many of the species found on the mountain are unique to the Comoros and four bird species are found only on the slopes of Mount Karthala: Humblot’s flycatcher, Comoro white-eye, Comoro drongo and Karthala scops owl.

Due to the importance the volcano has, it has been proposed by the Government for a nature reserve to be created since the logging and the spread of agriculture are threatening with destruction of the flora and fauna.

Still, it has not been created even though it deserves to be protected, so that it will enrich the country more.

Once Upon A Time – November 6 – 1860 – Republican Abraham Lincoln Of Illinois Elected 16th President Of U.S.A.

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

1813 Chilpancingo congress declares Mexico independent of Spain

1860 Republican Abraham Lincoln of Illinois elected the 16th President of the United States of America

1913 Mahatma Gandhi arrested for leading Indian miners’ march in South Africa

1917 [OS Oct 24] Bolshevik revolution begins with bombardment of the Winter Palace in Petrograd during the Russian October Revolution

1978 Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi places the country under military rule; General Gholām Reza Azhāri forms government

Historical Events Today
Today in Film & TV
1947 NBC’s “Meet the Press” debuts – US’s longest running TV show

Today in Sport
1961 US government issues a stamp honoring 100th birthday of James Naismith (invented game of basketball – actually Canadian)

1865 American Civil War: CSS Shenandoah is the last Confederate combat unit to surrender after circumnavigating the globe, on its cruise that sank or captured 37 vessels

1528 Shipwrecked Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca becomes first known European to set foot in Texas

Famous Weddings
1919 “The Sheik” actor Rudolph Valentino (24) weds actress Jean Acker (26)

1935 English Prince Henry weds Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott

1983 Businessman Vidal Sassoon (55) weds dressage champion Jeanette Hartford-Davis

Tanzanian Precision Air Plane Crashes Into Africa’s Largest Lake, Lake Victoria

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

A Tanzanian passenger plane has crashed into Lake Victoria as it attempted to land in the lakeside town of Bukoba, killing at least 19 people.

Of the 43 people on board there were 24 survivors, according to operator Precision Air.

The two pilots initially survived and managed to speak to local officials from the cockpit but the prime minister says they may have since died.

The plane crashed near the shore at the end of the Bukoba airport runway.

Rescuers were able to wade through the water to bring some of those still inside the plane to safety.

Abdul Nuri was at the airport waiting for the return flight to Tanzania’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam, when he saw the plane plunge into Africa’s largest lake.

“We were really shocked. People panicked and some started crying and shouting,” he said.

“At the arrivals gate people panicked as well – most of them were waiting to welcome their relatives.”

He has spoken to the fishermen who were first on the scene. They told him they managed to get into the plane to rescue people after a flight attendant opened the rear door after the plane had crashed.

The tragedy, which occurred around 08:50 local time (05:50 GMT), has been blamed on bad weather.

Emergency workers have used ropes to pull the ATR-42 aircraft even closer to the shore, and some of the plane’s body is now above the water.

It is not clear how many people remain trapped inside the plane

Immediately after the crash, the plane was almost completely submerged with only the brown and green tail fin visible.

Richard Komba, a survivor of the crash, told the BBC that when the plane was about to land, the weather had deteriorated, forcing the pilot to reroute the aircraft.

“We were then informed that we would be landing shortly, but there was heavy turbulence. We later found ourselves in the lake,” Mr Komba said.

“Water then entered the plane and those sitting near the front were covered by it. I was in the back seat and most of us in the back of the plane struggled to get out.”

He said one cabin crew member was struggling to open the aircraft’s door, but he was eventually able to be freed.

“When we got out, no boat was there – it took quite long to get rescued but the boat that came was not so good, it was a canoe.”

He said the survivors were “scared” because of the number of people trying to fit in the one vessel, but he said other rescue boats arrived minutes later.

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said the rescued passengers were in hospital and were not seriously injured, “but they are shocked and worried”.

Earlier, Mr Majaliwa went to the scene and said an extensive investigation would be carried out to determine the full causes of the crash.

“We are still identifying the bodies, but it is highly likely that the pilots might have perished,” he said.

The airport has been closed until further notice.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her condolences to those affected and called for calm as the rescue operation continues.

The plane was flying from Das es Salaam to Bukoba via Mwanza.

Precision Air is Tanzania’s largest private airline and is partly owned by Kenya Airways. It was founded in 1993 and operates domestic and regional flights.

Israel’s Outgoing Prime Minister Calls For Unity After Netanyahu’s Victory

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Israel’s prime minister on Sunday issued a plea for national unity, days after he was defeated in national elections by the former premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, with the backing of a far-right ultranationalist party.

In a memorial ceremony for the assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned of the deep divisions plaguing the country after the bitter campaign, Israel’s fifth election since 2019.

Netanyahu’s Likud Party, along with Religious Zionism and a pair of ultra-Orthodox religious parties, captured a 64-seat majority in the 120-seat Parliament in last Tuesday’s election.

They are expected to put together a new governing majority in the coming weeks.

Lapid’s outgoing coalition, a diverse collection of parties that included the first-ever Arab party to be part of an Israeli government, won just 51 seats.
The election, like the previous four, focused on Netanyahu’s fitness to rule while he faces corruption charges.

Religious Zionism has promised to push through new reforms that could weaken Israel’s judicial branch, grant Netanyahu immunity and possibly make the criminal charges against him disappear.

Critics say this agenda would deal a tough blow to Israel’s democratic institutions.

Religious Zionism also promotes a hard line against the Palestinians and Israel’s own Palestinian minority.

“The absolute majority of Israel’s citizens are not willing to let hatred dictate their lives,” Lapid said during the ceremony at Israel’s national cemetery. “We have to decide now, at this moment, where this country is going.”

Netanyahu did not attend the ceremony. But speaking later in Parliament, Netanyahu said that following the election, “it is time to get out of the trenches and know how to work together.”
The leader of Religious Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, complained that his voters have been unfairly “demonized” as supporting Rabin’s killing, an act he called “horrendous”.
Smotrich’s running mate, Itamar Ben-Gvir, famously held up a hood ornament pulled off Rabin’s car weeks before the assassination. “Just as we got to this emblem, we can get to Rabin,” Ben-Gvir, who is now up for a senior Cabinet post, said at the time.

Rabin was killed on Nov. 4, 1995, by a Jewish extremist who opposed his peace efforts with the Palestinians.

AAC President Candidate, Sowore Promises Free Education at all Levels

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
-
0

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Sunday promised to decentralize the power sector in Nigeria and generate 24,000 megawatts of electricity in four ears. He stated that there is enough money in Nigeria to provide free education, promising that he will provide free education at all levels when he became the president of Nigeria.

Sowore speaking on Channels TV on Sunday had declared: “the money is there. I keep saying this to Nigerians and I say it with that knowledge of how they manage Nigeria’s economy.

“The money siphoned from the country’s coffers in the past 16 years is “enough to have supported free education in this country or to have supported it for 50 years or 100 years ahead of now”.

The AAC presidential candidate noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has done better than Nigeria in managing and utilizing the country’s oil revenue, spending more on the citizens welfare.

Sowore had declared: “They provide free education for everybody. They even pay people to get married and we all started with the same oil that we are selling.

“But what we have been doing in Nigeria is corporate welfare and individual powerful people welfare.”

He pointed out on power that “with 24, 000 megawatts of electricity in four years, you would be creating nothing less than one to four million jobs.

“The private sector taking it over with stolen money is not working.

“The privatisation thing is a scam. It is still Nigeria’s money stolen by them.”

Naira Re-Design Policy: Nigeria’s Apex Bank Writes All Banks

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

LETTER TO ALL BANKS

RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF NAIRA RE-DESIGN POLICY

Further to the Emergency Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Friday, October 28, 2022 and as part of arrangements to ensure seamless implementation of the new currency re-design policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the following interim measures:

1. There shall be no charge on cash deposits by customers above the threshold specified under the Cash-less Policy effective October 26, 2022.

2. The requirement for cash evacuation to CBN branches using armoured bullion vans is temporarily waived in view of the anticipated large volume of cash deposits to be evacuated vis-a-vis the limited capacity of registered Cash in Transit companies. Banks may convey cash using other transportation arrangements but shall bear the associated risks.

3. Deposit of mutilated notes in the denominations covered under the dispensation (N200, N500 & N1,000 denominations) shall be permitted without any fees. All mutilated notes received will be processed in due course to check for counterfeit, forged or composed notes and banks shall be responsible for any defective notes and shortages in line with extant regulations.

4. The following charges are hereby temporarily waived until January 31, 2023:

a. Penalty for cash shortages by banks at CBN branches. However, all banks shall continue to bear the responsibility for meeting any cash shortages. b. Charges for deposits that are not in CBN approved cash boxes.

Furthermore, banks are to note the following:

a) Banks’ currency processing centers shall remain open from Monday to Saturday to accommodate all cash that will be deposited by customers.
Classified as confidential

b) No cash deposit by any customer should be rejected provided such deposits are lodged into an account with a BVN.

c) All deposits by new or walk-in customers should be accepted by banks subject to compliance with the requisite account opening documentations and KYC requirements.

d) No deposit should be boxed and or credited to any suspense account, general ledger or any other internal account of a bank.

e) All cash deposits, including mutilated notes must be lodged at only CBN branches.

Deposits should not be lodged with Bankers Warehouse or any other service providers.

f) Splitting of deposits is not permitted under any circumstance. All unusually large deposits should be paid into customers’ accounts with BVNs as a bulk amount.

g) Banks shall cease to load their ATMs with old Naira notes from January 31, 2023, as the old Naira bills shall cease to be legal tender from that date.

h) Banks are required to ensure full compliance with extant AML/CFT regulations on reporting of currency and suspicious transactions.

i) Banks shall ensure that customers are promptly attended to and well treated to avoid delays and long queues/congestion at banking halls

j) Banks shall deploy measures to detect fake or counterfeit notes and avoid any form of competition to ensure a smooth implementation of the policy.

Finally, banks are required to furnish the CBN with their daily vault cash position effective October 26, 2022 in line with the attached template.

The first set of returns up to November 1, 2022 is due before close of business on November 2, 2022. Thereafter, banks are to provide the daily returns on their cash position on or before 10.00am of the business day following the reporting date. The returns shall be submitted to BSDReturnscbn.gov.nq and BSD Group5Mailinqcbn.gov.ng.

The CBN shall monitor to ensure strict compliance with the above measures. Please be guided accordingly.

HARUNA B. MUSTAFA
DIRECTOR OF BANKING SUPERVISION

Gov Lalong to Return Missionary Schools to Original Owners

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
-
0

Plateau Governor Simon Lalong promised to return the state’s mission schools to their original owners.

Lalong made the promise when the Nigerian Papal Medalists and Knights Association paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Jos.

In a statement by spokesman Dr. Makut Macham in Jos on Sunday, Lalong said the mission schools would be returned to their original owners as soon as the committee set up to investigate the matter submitted its report.

He thanked the association for choosing the state to host its 14th National Conference and commended members for their contributions to the growth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, during his courtesy visit to Governor Simon Lalong at the Government House in Jos

The governor also praised them for their efforts in training leaders, which have had an impact in different fields.

Earlier in her remarks, the Association’s National President, Dame Esther Uduehi, thanked Lalong for her commitment to service and her efforts to change the negative narrative of the state.

According to Uduehi, since the governor took office as Governor of the Plateau, he has made the state safe and attractive for tourists and investors, and has improved people’s lives through laudable projects and programs.

She urged him to keep up the pace during the remaining part of his administration, in order to leave a lasting legacy for the people.

Uduehi also appreciated his devotion to the Catholic Church and his constant involvement in activities related to the spread of the gospel.

Special prayers were held for Lalong during the visit.

Stranded Migrants: Charity-run Vessels In Mediterranean Sea Await Permission To Disembark In Italy, Malta

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Three NGO ships are stranded in the Mediterranean as Italy and Malta fail to greenlight entrance into port.

Three charity-run vessels in the Mediterranean Sea are awaiting permission to disembark in Italy or Malta, as those on board need urgent assistance amid dwindling supplies and worsening weather conditions.

The vessels operated by Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF), SOS Mediterranee and SOS Humanity, have been at sea for more than a week, carrying nearly 1,000 people in total.

Italy’s new right-wing government has acknowledged the receipt of their requests to disembark but has stopped short of greenlighting their entrance into port.

“The latest request was made yesterday evening but we received no response,” Riccardo Gatti, MSF team leader on board the Geo Barents, told Al Jazeera via video message.

Similar requests forwarded to the Maltese government have gone unacknowledged.

Gatti said on Saturday the Geo Barents had entered Italian waters to find shelter from an incoming storm, carrying 572 people on board, including an 11-month-old and three pregnant women.

MSF media adviser Candida Lobes said water was being rationed and food supplies were also dwindling. Due to overcrowding, respiratory and skin infections were also spreading.

“The situation is simply unacceptable,” Lobes said.

South Korea Miners In Stable Condition After Rescue Operation

By
Angel Gimalo
-
0

Two miners who spent nine days trapped in a collapsed South Korean zinc mine living on instant coffee powder have been rescued.

The men, aged 62 and 56, are believed to have kept warm by lighting a fire and building a tent out of plastic.

They are said to be in a stable condition.

It comes during a period of national mourning for South Korea, after more than 150 people were killed in a crush in the capital Seoul last week.

The two miners were stranded nearly 200 metres (650 feet) underground after part of the zinc mine they were working in collapsed on 26 October in Bonghwa, in the east of the country.

They were finally rescued on the night of 4 November – more than nine days after their ordeal began.

Both were able to walk out of the mine and were taken to a local hospital. Their doctor said they should make a full recovery.

President Yoon Suk-yeol called their rescue “truly miraculous”.

“Thank you and thank you again for coming back safely from the crossroads of life and death,” he wrote on Facebook.

Authorities said the miners survived by drinking water that fell from the ceiling and using instant coffee mix powder as a meal.

The rescue operation began on Thursday when emergency workers drilled a hole and inserted a small camera in an effort to locate the miners.

The were eventually discovered sitting shoulder to shoulder to keep warm, in a spacious chamber where several mine shafts meet.

The niece of one of the survivors described how her uncle didn’t recognise her when he came out, because he was wearing an eye-mask after nearly ten days in the dark.

She described his rescue as “surreal”.

1...1,0731,0741,075...2,688Page 1,074 of 2,688