Ukraine Tension: Federal Govt. Raises Concern Over Refusal of Nigerians Into Poland

By

-

February 25, 2022

The Federal Government of Nigeria, has expressed concern over Poland‘s refusal to allow Nigerians fleeing Ukraine into the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, raised the concern on behalf of the government during a meeting with envoys of European Union countries over the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Onyeama said the government is receiving emergency calls from Nigerians who are going by road, evacuating Ukraine and a lot of them heading to Poland.

He further said the government understood that Polish authorities are not letting Nigerians specifically through escaping the conflict in Ukraine.

“And we have had a number of calls, desperate calls and that there are cases of women and pregnant women and so forth.”

Onyeama also said the government was informed that nationals of other African countries were being allowed into Poland.

Onyeama disclosed that he raised the issue with the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska, who assured him to immediately check with the capital and have the situation addressed.

He said, since Nigeria is preparing to host the President and First Lady of Poland, it seemed to the government as an aberration that a situation like that where people are fleeing a global crisis like what is taking place should be prevented from getting out to safety.

Onyeama said “We hope that the European Union and others, and if that is indeed the case, will prevail on, not just necessarily Poland, but also any other border country to please share some sympathy and humanness to refugees fleeing this crisis, be they Nigerians or any other nationality.”

Tarnawska, in her remarks, however said Poland is taking every necessary step to provide succour to those fleeing from Ukraine.

Earlier, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Samuela Isopi, who led the delegation, said the meeting justified the importance that the E.U attached to the issue of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Isopi told Onyeama that the European Union is ready to assist Ukraine with help, including financial and humanitarian assistance.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Vows To Reduce LASUST’ Tuition Fees

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

February 25, 2022

0

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to reduce the tuition fees of the new Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUST), Ikorodu.

Sanwo-Olu stated this on Friday when he had a stop at the Ikorodu campus on his way to the commissioning of the new plant of Kimberly-Clark Factory in the Odonguyan area.

According to him, reducing the feed will make the institution bigger and the best choice in Nigeria.

Addressing the students who came out to welcome him, the Sanwo-Olu said he is committed to making Lagos State University of Science and Technology one of the best universities of choice in Nigeria.

“Great students of Lagos State University of Science and Technology. You are now a university student; it is going to work well.

“We’d continue to do what we’re doing to ensure that you finish well. JAMB has put your name (Lagos State University of Science and Technology) as a full university.

“We know you have a small concern about your school fees, we are going to look at it and we are going to bring it down. We are going to be building this university that would be bigger than even LASU very soon,” Governor Sanwo-Olu assured.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the two newly approved state-owned universities would be reference points in an academic circle in no distant time.

He said the operation of the two additional universities would assist in meeting the demands and needs of the teeming youths who are craving for higher education to be future leaders and reference points not only for themselves and their families but for the nation.

Sanwo-Olu said converting former Lagos State Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology will bring about innovative engineering, science invention and other innovations that are critical to the development of the country and state.

NASU, SSANU Threatens Strike Over Federal Govt. Failed Promises

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

February 25, 2022

0

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Friday threatened to embark on strike.

The threat is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed jointly by Prince Adeyemi, General Secretary, NASU, and Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.
Both union stated on behalf of the Joint Action Committee (JAC)that the strike became necessary following Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with the unions.

Both union stated on behalf of the Joint Action Committee (JAC)that the strike became necessary following Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with the unions.

They stated also that the decision to embark on strike was reached at the committee’s meeting held on Feb. 24.

At the meeting, they explained, reviewed the status of the Memorandum of Understanding reached with the Federal Government on their industrial action of January and February 2021.

According to the statement, JAC noted that the January 2021 industrial action was preceded by a Memorandum of Action of October 2020 which highlighted inconsistencies in IPPIS payment and non-payment of earned allowances.

IPPIS is the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System used in paying Federal Government workers.

The statement noted other issues agitating the unions to include delay in the renegotiation of FGN/NASU and SSANU agreement and non-payment of arrears of the National Minimum Wage.

Usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures is another issue the unions listed.

The statement also noted “the neglect and poor funding of state universities, non-payment of benefits to retiring members, non-constitution of visitation panels to universities among issues the Federal Government is yet to implement.

“’ We wish to make it public that till date, except for the constitution of Visitation Panels which White Papers are yet to see the light of the day, none of the issues as agreed in the October 2020 and February 2021 Memorandum of Action have been implemented.

“The attendant problems of the IPPIS remain unabating as our members are still being paid salaries haphazardly.

“The untold suffering of our members due to the disorganized payment of salaries is further compounded by the unpredictable remittance of Third Party deductions – union check-off dues, cooperative societies, welfare schemes, bank loans, among others.

“We had informed the government of the development of software, the Universities Peculiar Personnel Payroll System (U3PS).

“Till date, we have not been invited to any meeting to formally present our software, talk less of accrediting it with the relevant government’s agency,’’ the statement also noted.

It added that the unions had agreed that N30 billion be made available for the payment of arrears of Earned Allowances for the non-teaching unions.

“We had an embarrassing situation where only 25 percent of N22 billion was paid to the non-teaching staff in a disbursement made in December 2021.

“This caused further confusion and dissatisfaction in the university system and till date, despite all entreaties, the arrears of the National Minimum Wage being owed members are yet to be paid.

“We notify all stakeholders of the possible breakdown of industrial peace in the university system borne out of disrespect for collective bargaining reached with NASU and SSANU by government,’’ the statement reads.

MAN SET TO MAKE MILLIONS FROM TELECOM COMPANY

By

faith Jegede

-

February 25, 2022

0

A South African man has come out of a 14-year court battle against a huge corporate opponent. Many are calling it a testimony to the idea that it is sometimes worth fighting on.

Nkosana Makate’s is now in line for a pay-out worth millions of dollars after a long legal struggle with mobile telecoms giant Vodacom.

Makate took the company to court when he felt that he had not been properly compensated for an idea of his that made the company millions of dollars, he refused to be silent.

Two decades ago, he came up with the concept that went on to become Vodacom’s Please Call Me texting service, which allows customers to send a free message to another user on the same network requesting to be called back.

Mr Makate said “Patience, loyalty, and being fair in all my dealings rank very high in my world, I live by those values,”

Mr Makate credited his idea to his wife Rebecca, who was the inspiration for the Please Call Me concept.

Twenty-two years ago Mr Makate was working as a trainee in Vodacom’s finance department.

He entered into a verbal agreement with the company’s then-director of product development and management, Philip Geissler, that he would get a share of the revenue generated by the product once it went to market.

At the time, the firm even shared an internal newsletter praising him for the concept. But something changed at some point and it is not clear why.

“Suddenly I was told that I’m being greedy for wanting a share of the profits from what I created,” said Mr Makate.

Instead of accepting the situation and deciding it was not worth taking on Vodacom, he went to court in 2008.

A team of experts estimates that Vodacom made at least $4.7bn (£3.4bn) from Please Call Me and he has not seen a cent of those profits. Mr. Makate has been asking for 15% of that.

The company initially denied that their ex-employee had come up with the idea and later decided that he was not due any financial benefits from it.

The case went through a number of courts before eventually, in 2016, it ended up in the highest court, the Constitutional Court, which found in Mr Makate’s favor and ordered the two sides to negotiate remuneration.

The company offered a settlement of $3.1m saying it was “overly generous”, but he rejected it.

“For me, it’s about what is right, what is fair and it’s about justice. What they are doing is wrong and I cannot allow that,” he said explaining how he turned his back on an offer that would have made him a very rich man.

“The figure they offered really makes no sense because it was nowhere near what I was owed.

“I’m happy we persisted with the court review because we have now been vindicated,” he said. Earlier this month, High Court judge Wendy Hughes said that Vodacom had gone against the Constitutional Court ruling and negotiated in bad faith.

Hughes also said he was entitled to a much bigger share of the revenue, which could run into the tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars.

Vodacom has been ordered to come back with a new figure. It has said it will appeal against the decision, adding that it had negotiated in good faith.

Shell Companies In Nigeria To Support Country’s Net Zero Emission Target

By

Angel Gimalo

-

February 25, 2022

0

Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mrs. Eloho Aiboni, has reiterated commitment to lower co2 emissions in Nigeria.

She made this commitment, in Lagos at the opening session of the 2022 edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

Aiboni said Shell companies in Nigeria have a clearly defined strategy to support the country’s net zero emission target which she said was also in alignment with the Shell group’s ambition.

She said, “Shell companies in Nigeria are contributing to meeting this aggressive target by driving operational excellence of our existing assets, generating maximum value to secure and fund our growth and energy transition activities, and driving alternative energy solutions through the Shell-seeded impact investing company, All-On.”

She said Shell was also expanding its domestic gas delivery network while building capability and relevant skills in the upstream towards energy transition.

Aiboni, who was represented by Shell’s General Manager Business Relations, Mr. Bashir Bello, described Shell’s gas infrastructure project in Aba, Abia State, as one of the many contributions Shell is making to boost industrialisation through the use of gas while helping to cut down on carbon emission.

“Our provision of access to cleaner and stable source of energy, through our gas pipelines, provides electricity to the popular Ariaria International Market in Aba which has over 37,000 shops and an estimated one million traders,” Aiboni said.

She said Shell remained committed to supporting the Paris Agreement’s aim to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “We also are working hard to help those who use our products to reduce their own emission.”

According to Aiboni, about 80 metric tonnes of Shell’s global CO2 emission in 2019 for instance, came from its direct and indirect operations compared to over 1,500 metric tonnes of CO2 from Shell’s customers’ use of the company’s products.

“The opportunities lie, therefore, in more environmentally friendly energy products and alternative energy sources including solar and hydrogen,” she added.

BUA Group Chairman Says President’s Support Buhari For Nigerian Enterprise, Unflinching

By

Angel Gimalo

-

February 25, 2022

0

President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded a Nigerian cement production company, the BUA Group for its strides in narrowing the gap between demand and supply of cement in the country.

The President spoke on Friday at State House, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital while receiving a top delegation from BUA Group, led by the Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, which was on a thank you visit.

President Buhari had last month visited Sokoto to commission the Line 4 of BUA Cement, which would ensure further availability of cement, of which Nigeria suffers about three million tonnes deficit.

“I want to congratulate you on your success,” the President told the BUA Group Chairman. “And I thank you for mobilizing senior members of your Group to come and say thank you to me. It is remarkable. What you have done in bridging the gap of cement supply in the country is quite commendable. You have proven that the productive capacity of a country is very important.”

Rabiu said BUA Group was currently building more factories in two different parts of the country, which will contribute about six million additional tonnes to cement supply.

He added: “Your presence at the commissioning of our Line 4 sends a strong message of commitment to the industrialization of our country. Like you often say, we need to add value to what we produce with locally sourced raw materials, and we remain committed to it. We are ready to work with the Federal Government and all other relevant stakeholders. The consistent effort of the Government in supporting local capacity has helped us a great deal.”

The BUA Group Chairman said the support of President Buhari for Nigerian enterprise was unflinching, “And we are encouraged to add more value.”

He further thanked the President for what he called his “Forthrightness, vision, and passion for Nigeria.”

Nigerian Presidential Aspirant Pledges Free Education

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

February 25, 2022

0

A Nigerian presidential aspirant under the banner of the People’s Redemption Party, Abdulfatah Durojaiye, has promised to introduce free education from primary school up to university level if given the mandate to rule the country come 2023.

He made the promise while addressing a news conference in Kano on Thursday.

Durojaiye said every Nigerian child should be able to access free education and healthcare because education and healthcare should not be a privilege but a right.

According to him, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo introduced a free education programme which recorded a huge success.

“I am one of the beneficiaries of the free education programme of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo which was implemented effectively,” he said.

He noted that no country could achieve greatness without giving its citizens quality education to enable them to contribute their quota towards the development of the country.

The presidential aspirant said as part of the effort to ensure adequate funding for the education sector, he would reduce the cost of governance.

“If given the chance to rule the country, we will cut expenses”.

He further queried why the country would have 10 presidential jets at the detriment of education and other sectors of the economy.

Pakistani Domestic Flights Now Permitted To Provide Passengers With Food, Beverages

By

Angel Gimalo

-

February 25, 2022

0

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has directed lifting of ban regarding in-flight meal services for domestic flights only.

According to a statement issued by the CAA, the restrictions regarding meals services on international flights will remain intact under the same regulations.

Domestic flights will now be permitted to provide passengers with food and beverages which were suspended for domestic and international flights, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The domestic passengers will be able to receive on-board food services from March 1, 2022, the CAA statement said.

Along with the notification to un-ban on-flight meal services, the CAA has also ordered all local and international airlines to follow Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) strictly.

The CAA, in March 2021, had written a letter to the Aviation Division to recommend lifting the ban on in-flight meal services for passengers. But the permission had been granted nearly one year later.

Dubai’s Emirates Reroutes Flights Bound For Russia, US And Sweden

By

Angel Gimalo

-

February 25, 2022

0

Several flights from Dubai to Russia have been cancelled amid the country’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Other services, including the US and Sweden, are also being affected because of the airspace closing in Ukraine and parts of Russia.

Dubai’s Emirates airline has rerouted several flights, including to Stockholm, Moscow, St Petersburg and some routes between Dubai and the US.

Travellers set to fly with the airline have been advised to expect longer journey times on some flights.

“Emirates has made minor rerouting changes to our Stockholm, Moscow, St Petersburg and to some of our US flights which are impacted by the closure of airspace over a portion of Russia and the whole of Ukraine, in line with the latest notifications issued by the authorities,” an Emirates representative told The National.

“Flight times on these routes may be slightly longer as a result. We are closely monitoring developments of the situation, and should it be required we will take the necessary action. The safety of our passengers, employees and operations will always be our top priority.

The Dubai airline also confirmed that partner airlines flydubai and S7 Airlines have cancelled flights to cities in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

From Abu Dhabi, Etihad has also rerouted some flights, the national airline of the UAE said on Thursday.

“Etihad continues to completely avoid Ukrainian airspace, and as a precautionary measure, has rerouted flights away from the border region to the east and north of Ukraine by a considerable distance. The safety and well-being of our guests is always Etihad’s highest priority,” said a representative for the airline.

Singapore Reopens To UAE Travellers

By

Angel Gimalo

-

February 25, 2022

0

After several false starts, travel from the UAE to Singapore has finally reopened.

From Friday, the island state is welcoming tourists from the Emirates, as well as from Saudi Arabia and Qatar as long as they are fully vaccinated.

Singapore has imposed tough measures to try to control the spread of so-called Covid-19 and has been cautious in its reopening.

Travellers can only visit the Asian hub for tourism purposes via its Vaccinated Travel Lane or VTL scheme, and that is only applicable to a few select destinations.

In November, the country delayed plans to extend this scheme to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, citing the much-touted Omicron variant of Covid-19 as the reason.

But from Friday, UAE travellers can finally fly to Singapore for a holiday.