School Teachers Embark on Strike in Sudan

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April 13, 2023

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee (STC), has embarked on strike, less than two weeks after announcing a breakthrough in talks with the authorities.

STC spokesperson, Sami El Bager said teachers are now on strike to protest the delay in the payment of their salaries of January and February.

He said a number of teachers received their dues only by mid-March while others did not and this is unacceptable. Teachers and their families are unable to pay necessary bills due to owed wages.

El Bager added that the Finance Ministry ignored what was agreed upon with the special committee formed by the Sovereign Council regarding the rights of teachers.

He called on the Ministry of Finance to adhere to what was agreed upon, so that teachers do not have to enter into another confrontation.

In March last year, the STC announced a partial strike in all states of Sudan as the Finance Ministry did not meet their demands for a raise of the minimum wage and a reform of the salary structure, payment of delayed salaries and allowances and a better work environment.

When talks with the Finance Minister reached a dead end in mid-December, the Committee called on all teachers to close the primary, middle and secondary government schools in the country from January 8 until January 28.

A month into the strike, the head of the Sudanese branch of the El Gadiriya Sufi sect, Sheikh El Reyeh Azrag Teiba and a number of politicians proposed to mediate between the teachers and the authorities.

After a special mediation committee was formed by the Sovereignty Council, Finance Minister, Jibril Ibrahim responded with a promise to pay the delayed dues by February 12 but could not commit to increase the minimum wage.

However, the ministry failed to meet its pledge by that date which prompted teachers to doubt the sincerity of the ministry’s commitments, pushing some to label them as political fraud.

In late February, the STC announced a temporary strike suspension to support continued negotiation efforts. The suspension was extended in mid-March in a sign of goodwill and announced strike again at the beginning of April.

Troops Intercept Large Quantity Ammunition In Kaduna

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 13, 2023

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Troops of Operation Forest Sanity, In another significant breakthrough have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari LGA.

According to a report forwarded to the Kaduna State Government, the troops followed up on credible intelligence around gunrunning activities, and in the course of diligent checks stopped a suspicious-looking vehicle within the location of interest.

A search of the intercepted vehicle – a black Toyota Corolla, revealed more than 2,000 rounds of various grades of ammunition, concealed in different parts of the car.

According to the state commissioner, ministry of internal security and home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan “After a thorough search of the vehicle, the following precise quantities were recovered:

1,079 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition
139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition

Five empty AK-47 magazines were also recovered.

The driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, is in custody for further investigation.”

Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with satisfaction, and thanked the troops for their proactiveness in denying bandits a major supply of ammunition meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.

The Governor warmly appreciated the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Major General T.A. Lagbaja, for the latest notable breakthrough recorded.

Governor El-Rufai charged the security forces to proceed with a thorough investigation of the arrested suspect, and intensify efforts towards dismantling gunrunning networks across the State and beyond.

OAU Hands Over Students Accused of Lynching Colleague

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 13, 2023

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The management of OAU, Osun State, says it has handed over suspects accused of the murder of a final-year student of the institution, Okoli Aishe to the police.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju stated this in an interview with journalists at Ile-Ife.

He said the Vice-Chancellor, Simeon Bamire, and the entire community were saddened over the murder of the student.

The spokesman stressed that the suspects should have adhered to the constitutional provisions and the university’s regulations rather than taking the law into their hands.

Olarewaju further said the university had set up a committee to unravel the circumstances leading to the gruesome murder of the student.

Aishe, a final-year student of the Civil Engineering Department was clobbered to death in a mob action after some students accused her of cell phone theft.

2m Nigerians Impacted In 2022 Poverty, Growth Strategy Projects- FG

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 13, 2023

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anger-over-corruption-poverty — Nigerian Women

Almost 2 million vulnerable Nigerians across the country have been impacted by projects implemented under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) for the year 2022.

A progress report presented at the NPRGS Steering Committee meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Wednesday also indicate that about 1.6 million smallholder farmers were impacted under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.

Besides, 13,000 youths have been trained under a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme in 6 States comprising Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, while arrangements are underway to provide similar training for 2000 beneficiaries in Edo State.

Equally, more than 8,000 Nigerians were employed in rural roads construction under the Rural Roads programme which built 40 rural roads in 120 communities, covering about 57.3 km across the country.

According to the NPRGS implementation monitoring update presented by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, “following the release of N50 billion, programmes that have achieved 100% completion include: Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP),and Construction of Rural Roads, among others.

“A total number of direct beneficiaries of the implemented programmes currently stands at 1,818,782 vulnerable Nigerians and a total of 9,527 Nigerians have also been directly employed through the implementation of the programmes so far.”

Additionally, at the meeting, the committee approved the sum N250 billion for the execution of projects for the year 2023. Projects scheduled for implementation under the NPRGS for the year include:

The provision of 100,000 homes for low-income earners which will create 1 million jobs directly and indirectly.
The expansion of energy access by providing 1,200 solar street lights in rural communities and 6 mini-grids for high-capacity productive farming under the Solar Naija Programme.
Creation of 4.5 million direct and indirect jobs through the Rural Roads programme which targets to connect about 750 rural markets.
Provision of N9 billion support for over 1.6 million vulnerable smallholder farmers for the 2023 wet season farming under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.
The expansion of the National Social Register with additional 3 million households.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State who is also the Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group for the Committee said though implementation has not reached expected levels, efforts are underway to touch each of the targeted 15 areas of implementation.

According to him, “today, we just came to review the implementation and update on the spending on the projects so far and approval for this year’s projects for the same scheme.

“Based on what was received from the co-chair of the Technical Working Group, over N50 billion have been spent so far. The performance so far hasn’t reached the level we expected. But nearly every aspect of the 15 areas targeted is being implemented in one way or the other.”

Other members of the Steering Committee present besides Governor Sule and Budget and National Planning Minister, Agba at the meeting were Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar; Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige who joined the meeting virtually.

The Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Nebeolisa Anako and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo who represented the Minister of Education, also attended the meeting.

Students Walk 15km to Sit for Exams in Zimbabwe

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 13, 2023

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School children turned away as teachers continue with industrial action — epa08809850 Kuwadzana Primary school children in Harare, Zimbabwe, 09 November 2020, walk home after reporting for school, seven months after schools had closed due to the covid -19 pandemic. When they reported for school the children were turned awaway because teachers are on strike over poor salaries.Teachers earn US$130.00 and are demanding US$520.00. . EPA-EFE/AARON UFUMELI

Students in rural areas are forced to walk for at least 15km to access schools with center numbers for their examinations despite government’s pledge to make education accessible in the country.

Speaking during a parliamentary plenary session, Rushinga legislator, Tendai Nyabani, said some schools in his constituency have been operating for more than a decade without center numbers.

He said that Learners find it difficult to sit for examinations at those schools because they have to walk for 10 to 15km just to write examinations yet the President said no place and no-one should be left behind.

In response, the Minister of Information, Monica Mutsvangwa said the government was committed to creating a conducive learning environment for all pupils.

She challenged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to investigate why schools that have been operating for years have not been registered as examination centers..

Nyabani said there must be an investigation and requests that the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to appear at the parliament and respond to that question raised by the parliament.

Learners Stuck at Home Without School Transport in South Africa

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 13, 2023

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Thousands of learners in Eastern Cape are stuck at home due to unavailability of transportation to schools.

Last year, Provincial transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said 140,000 learners were in need of scholar transport but the department was only able to transport 125,000 on its budget, leaving 15,000 learners stranded.

Binqose said this year, the budget would be up to R694-million from R691-million. He said the department would only know how many learners would need transport during the course of the second school term.

School Governing Body chair, Joe Ndlebe, said in KwaNojoli, formerly known as Fort Beaufort, learners from Sakhululeka Senior Secondary School are behind in their studies because they cannot get to school.

He added that 54 learners are on the waiting list for scholar transport with private scholar transport would cost each parent about R400 a month and most parents survived on social grants and could not afford that.

Council Speaker for the Sundays River Valley Municipality, Siseko Nodonti, who is also chairperson of the scholar transport committee, said about five schools have scholar transport problems in Addo.

He said at St Ignatious Primary, 373 learners had school transport but 107 did not and at Vusumzi Primary there are 42 learners who are transported and 54 are not.

Nodonti added that the department had promised to consider these learners in the new financial year.

UCL: Lampard Reveals What He Told Chelsea Players After 2-0 Defeat To Real

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Emenike Agu

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April 13, 2023

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Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard has said he told the players they need to believe they can pull off a famous comeback against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge

The Blues were beaten 2-0 by the La Liga giants in the first leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and will need to overturn the deficit next week.

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored for the title holders who are looking unstoppable in this season’s competition as Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell was shown a red card.

“I’ve just said to the players, special things can happen at Stamford Bridge,” the former Chelsea midfielder told BT Sport.

He noted that Real Madrid parade some of the best players in the world but insisted that anything can still happen in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard said that first of all the players must understand that this is a task they can accomplish.

“We have to [go up a level], for sure we do, and that’s what we have to understand,” the Englishman added.

Sadio Mane Facing Bayern Munich Axe After Dressing Room Altercation

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Emenike Agu

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April 13, 2023

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Senegal and Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane is said to be in hot water at the club after a dressing room bust-up with teammate and fellow winger Leroy Sane. The forward, who has struggled for consistency at the Allianz Arena, may now be thrown out of the club unceremoniously.

Mane joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer of 2022 and has not had the easiest of transitions to German football. The reigning African Footballer of the Year has 11 goals and five assists in 32 appearances for the German giants across all competitions.

Sadio Mane fell foul of the club’s hierarchy in their UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal first leg humbling at the hands of Manchester City. The 31-year-old started the match on the bench before making his way onto the pitch in the 69th minute as a replacement for Jamal Musiala. During the match, there was a tense exchange between Mane and German winger Sane, and this spilled into the dressing room after the final whistle.

Mane punched Sane in the face, connecting with his lower lip and reportedly leaving a mark. Both men had to be separated by their teammates, and Sane was asked to momentarily leave the dressing room.

The club have declined to comment on the incident so far, but are said to be considering punitive action against the Senegalese winger. He may face a fine or suspension from the club, and a complete sale away from the club is also a real option. The winger will now await the club’s verdict on his future, while enduring a fractious relationship with the rest of the dressing room, where Sane is quite popular.

Gov Ortom Calls For Postponement Of 2023 Census

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 13, 2023

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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State have called for the postponement of the forthcoming 2023 census until adequate security was restore nationwide and Internally Displaced Persons (IPDs) in the North Central geopolitical zone are resettled.

Ortom made this call on Thursday when he hosted the leadership of the Middle Belt Forum who were in the state to commiserate with him over the killing of over 134 persons in one week.

The attacks occurred in the Mgbam community in the Guma Local Government Area. The attacks were allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in Apa, Otukpo and Guma areas of the state.

The leadership of the Middle Belt Forum commiserated with the governor and used the occasion to appeal to the National Population Commission to shift the census start date from May 3, 2023, an appeal that resonated with the governor.

According to Ortom, many lives have been lost to these attacks on benue communities in the last six years. He further explained that the state’s anti-grazing law subsists and will be enforced after a two-week of grace to allow herdsmen to exit the state.

Benue: Enforcement of Anti-Open Grazing Law Suspended Temporarily

He again called on president Muhammadu Buhari to match his sympathy message with actions by ensuring that his directive to security operatives to fish out sponsors and killers of Benue indigenes for prosecution was followed to the latter.

Ortom further commended the Middle Belt Forum for always been responsive to the plight of people in the region, especially Benue, noting that people in the region were peace loving and law abiding and committed to the unity of the country

Court Remands Man for Alleged Assault, Homicide

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 13, 2023

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A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Thursday ordered that a 59-year-old man, Kelvin Iorfa, be remanded in a correction centre, pending legal advice.

The police charged Iorfa with assault and attempted culpable homicide.

The Magistrate, Roseline Iyorshe, did not take the plea of Iorfa for want in jurisdiction.

Iyorshe ordered the police to return the case file to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

She adjourned the case until June 8, for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Godwin Ato told the court that the case was reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi by Jenkies Shade of KM 4 Gboko Road, Makurdi on April 11.

Ato alleged that on April 10, Shade reported that Iorfa ruthlessly brutalised his older sister, Nguwasen of Clerk Quarters, Makurdi.
“He hit her with an object on her head and other sensitive parts of her body until she became unconscious,” the prosecutor said.

Following the petition, the prosecutor told the court that police detectives arrested Iorfa and he confessed to the crime.

He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 266 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004.

The prosecutor, who said investigation into the matter was still ongoing, prayed for an adjournment.

Reacting to the development, the Principal Special Assistant, PSA, to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Emmanual Agbakor advised all Benue people to desist from all forms of criminal acts as Governor Samuel Ortom under whose tenure the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2019 of Benue State was enacted is determined to stamp out violent and other crimes from the State.