News
Withheld salaries: Normalcy returns to varsities as workers suspend strike
***As NAAT insists on the planned protest
By Francesca Hangeior
Normalcy is expected to return to the Federal Universities tomorrow as striking non-academic workers of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have announced the suspension of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike over the four months withheld salaries.
However, according to a circular to all branches of NASU and SSANU, the suspension will take effect tomorrow, November 5, 2024.
The circular titled, “Update on indefinite strike action,” was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.
But the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, said it would continue with its proposed nationwide protest and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Finance if about 50 per cent of the five months withheld salaries are not paid as promised at the end of the two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The ultimatum which commenced on October 30, is expected to expire on November 13.
NAAT’s President, Ibeji Nwokoma confirmed to Vanguard that his members have received one month out of the about three months they were expecting.
Meanwhile, in the circular by JAC to branch chairmen of NASU in the Universities and Inter-University Centres, the suspension is to last for one month pending when the Federal would pay the remaining one month out of the two months of the withheld salaries it acceptable to pay.
The government had agreed to pay 50 per cent of the four months’ salaries and one month was paid at the weekend.
The circular announcing the suspension of the strike said, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.
“You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on Monday, 28th October 2024 as a result of the Government’s insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands.
News
Equatorial Guinea S3x Scandal: Lady Reportedly Takes Own Life After Seeing Clips
In a twist of events related to the ongoing s3x scandal in Equatorial Guinea, one of the women reportedly featured in explicit videos involving high-profile individuals took her own life.
The woman is believed to have been overwhelmed by the spread of the footage, which has gone viral and caused a media uproar in the country.
The scandal erupted after Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, was arrested on charges of misconduct, including allegedly recording over 400 videos involving wives of notable figures in the nation.
The videos, which surfaced amid a broader investigation into fraud, reportedly include intimate encounters with influential individuals, escalating the controversy.
This latest development has sparked a public outcry, with many calling for stronger measures to protect the privacy and dignity of those affected by the leaked content.
Meanwhile, officials in Equatorial Guinea are reportedly taking steps to control the scandal’s impact as they continue their investigation.
Akelicious reports that Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, was arrested following a shocking revelation of over 400 sextapes reportedly involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.
Engonga, 54, came under investigation for fraud, leading to an unannounced search of his residence and office, where officials discovered numerous CDs containing recordings of his alleged sexual encounters.
The tapes reportedly feature encounters with high-profile individuals, including relatives and wives of government officials, such as the sister of the President, the wife of the Director General of Police, and spouses of approximately 20 ministers.
News
Deportation Rate Of Nigerians From Italy, Germany, UK, Ireland, Others Alarming – Japa Queen
The rising number of Nigerians deported; From “Japa” to “Japada” by Divine Chukwuemeka: Why are so many Nigerians being deported?
Devine Chukwuemeka, also known as “japa Queen,” a Nigerian-born migration researcher who has volunteered to study people’s movement from one location to another, provides this curated rundown.
According to M.S. Devine, sharing her insights into people’s migration with Oriontimes, “First, I’ll give the contextual meaning of the keywords.”
JAPA; fled Nigeria for a different country in search of better pastures.
“JAPADA” is the opposite of “japa,” which means to return to Nigeria after escaping.
Deportation is the removal of a person from a country; in essence, you were “japa-ed,” but they pursued you back.
📍The extradition pace of a Nigerians particularly from Italy, Germany, UK, Ireland and Greece has turned into an issue of concern.
For instance, the United Kingdom approximately deported;
1,105 Nigerians in 2015; 22,800 Nigerians in 2023. As you can see, the numbers have skyrocketed, and some of the reasons for the deportation are as follows:
Lack of documentation; overstaying their visa’s residency period; stricter immigration policies—you entered the country when X was tolerated; now, X is not tolerated, so you must leave; illegal immigration; and most common is criminal activity or a track record—why did you kill the shopkeeper or sell drugs?
The process of being deported does not end there;
Financial difficulties—deportees might have to start over financially; emotional difficulties—family members might be unhappy with them.
Some deportees pose a threat to societal peace or struggle with instabilities, necessitating their placement in rehabilitation facilities. Reduced Remittances: the country would not benefit from the tax or revenue on the money they send into the country again. Bad name: deportation is not a good thing in its fundamental form, so it muddies the country’s name.
P.S., are you familiar with “Deportation”?
P.S.S., what other factors might cause nation X to expel migrants?
P.S.S.: Do you know anyone deported?
Please let me know if you gained any knowledge; I value your intellectual contributions.
News
Delta govt reacts as EFCC arrests, quizzes, detains Okowa
Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the arrest of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as reported by a section of the media does not in any way fracture his enviable reputation.
Dr Oghenesivbe made the assertion on Monday night, saying that under the legal principle of presumption of innocence, Senator Okowa may be interrogated and released without criminal prosecution or until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction
He noted that EFCC usually invite suspects based on criminal allegations, which may be true or false, and the Law recognizes the innocence of all accused persons until proven otherwise.
The Bureau Chief further stated that in the instant case, former governor Okowa, made himself available to EFCC, and did not abscond from Nigeria as we are made to understand in somw.cases under investigation.
Dr Oghenesivbe Latimore, who was Okowa’s Executive Assistant on Communications from 2017 to May 29, 2023, appealed to the good people of Delta State, to keep their fingers crossed, pray for Senator Okowa, adding that he may be innocent at the end of EFCC investigation.
“The news of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s arrest by EFCC is trending on social media platforms based on reports by section a of the traditional media.
“There is no cause for alarm. It’s an established procedure in criminal matters to have a suspect arrested based on allegations in form of a petition to the commission.
“Arrest is not a proof of guilt, and not a judgment by a Court of competent jurisdiction. The allegations shall be tested in Court or Courts is the need arises. It’s important for us to keep our fingers crossed.”
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