Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Sudan Crisis: FG Yet To Evacuate Stranded Nigerian Students
The Federal Government has said it is yet to evacuate Nigerian students who are stranded in warring Sudan
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It rather asked them to remain indoors while it continues making arrangements for their safe evacuation from the troubled country.
This was contained in a statement from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Khartoum, signed by the Charge D’ Affairs, H.Y Garko.
It advised the students to disregard the notice circulated by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Sudan, asking students to converge at the African International University, NANSS office, and El-Razi University, for evacuation or bring $100 or $200 for evacuation.
The Federal Government has deemed it unsafe to embark on a journey toward the borders of Sudan without security clearance and guarantee from the Sudanese authorities.
However, the Embassy reassured approximately 4000 currently trapped Nigerian students that their safety and well-being are of priority concern.
The ongoing armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023, when clashes broke out across the country, mainly in the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region.
As of 23 April, at least 420 people have been killed and more than 3,700 injured.
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Khartoum is the authority on this matter and urges Nigerian students to take the necessary precautions.
The Embassy is optimistic that Nigerian students will take heed of their advice and remain safe during this tumultuous time.
Peter Obi Told to Withdraw Petition Against Tinubu
Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has told Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party to withdraw his petition against President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nnamani implored Obi and his supporters to embrace the ebullience and conviviality of welcoming Tinubu’s victory to the Office of the President of the greatest black nation on earth.
According to Nnamani, it was time for all Nigerians to unite and work towards building a new nation. He was optimistic that with the support of Peter Obi and his supporters, the country would be able to move forward and overcome its challenges.
Recall that Obi, the third-place candidate in the recent election filed a petition challenging the outcome of the poll.
Obi’s petition was filed at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, alleging that the election was marred by various irregularities, including the non-qualification of Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, to contest the election.
Obi stated that Tinubu failed to win the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election.
Furthermore, Tinubu was unable to secure one-quarter of the legal votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a recent statement, Nnamani made it clear that Obi’s attempts to petition the Presidential election were nothing more than “bad belle, petulance and demarketing.”
Nnamani stated that Obi was aware of his lack of national appeal and spread, and as such, cannot win the election.
Nnamani claimed Obi’s campaign has not gained the traction needed to win the election.
He said:
“His Petition is dead on arrival. He does not have the spread or national appeal. His appeal to non-electoral matters is to demarket the President-elect and besmirch his reputation.
“His petition is ego-driven, a joke carried too far. His attempt to highlight non-electoral issues is trying to embarrass the President-elect.
“Obi needs to come down from his high horse to allow sedate minds to negotiate on behalf of the Igbo and South East for a safe landing to include our stake in the national Palavar and Share of the accruals of the commonwealth.
“We must join the mainstream and participate in making a new Nigeria. We are not going anywhere. We de kampe and ready to bargain for our own share. It is common knowledge that others are doing the same.
“Igbo has to confront reality now or be consigned to the backwoods of history. Time to align is now.”
Nurses, Midwives Bemoan Exclusion From FG’s 40% Pay Rise
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institution (NANNM-FHI) sector has bemoaned over the exclusion of its members in the recent 40 per cent pay rise for federal workers.
In a statement issued by Mr Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman, NANNM-FHI sector, the association described the exclusion as an aberration and an attempt to cause problems in the system.
Nurses and other health workers have been calling for salary adjustment since 2010, with several committees set up to this effect.
The NANNM-FHI sector hence urged the Federal Government to address this issue and include its members in the pay rise.
However, Rilwan insisted that the committees set up to investigate the pay rise issue were yet to release their report.
He said:
“Instead of motivating those health workers, who have agreed to stay in the country to salvage the health system by this pay rise, the best thing government could do was to exclude nurses.
“The last time Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) was adjusted was in 2010 and most of the allowances due to nurses were being short paid, for instance 30 per cent shift allowance with less than 10 per cent being paid to nurses.
“Many things are causing agitation, including Nurses Special Salary Structure.
“However, we are just getting the news this weekend and we are studying the situation while consultation with relevant stakeholders is ongoing, especially our parent body.
“But the fact is that our members are not happy with the exclusion and we cannot continue keeping quiet.
“Nurses have suffered enough neglect and deprivation as front line workers in health sector.”
Meanwhile, the national chairman also confirmed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had earlier stated that the pay rise was necessary to reflect the current economic situation in the country.
Rilwan quoted Ngige as saying that, “the pay rise for Federal Government workers was to cushion the effects of inflation, rising cost of living, hike in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariff.”
Ondo First Famale Speaker Welcomes First Child At 54
Hon Jumoke Akindele Ajulo, the first female Ondo State Speaker has welcomed her first child at the age of 54.
While details are currently scarce, it was said that she gave birth on Saturday.
Her friends were quick to share the news on social media, indicating a sense of excitement and celebration.
One of them said:
“First Female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, got delivered of a baby yesterday.
“Her first baby!! GOD IS INDEED AWESOME!! Congratulations, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele. My own darling big sister.”
Akindele had previously represented Okitipupa Constituency 1 and served as Speaker from May 2014 to March 2017.
Air Peace Offers to Airlift Stranded Nigerians in Sudan For Free
Stranded Nigerians in Sudan to be airlifted for free
Private airline operator, Air Peace has offered to evacuate Nigerians who are willing to leave Sudan amid the ongoing crisis in the North African country.
This is as Air Peace Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema, expressed concern for Nigerian students and other residents who are left stranded in Sudan, adding that urgent steps be taken to evacuate them.
Onyema said his airline will airlift the stranded Nigerians if they could be moved to a neighboring country as Sudan’s airspace is currently closed to civil aviation flights.
Sudan Crisis: FG Yet To Evacuate Stranded Nigerian Students
Onyema explained that he felt compelled to provide help because Nigeria cannot afford to lose its citizens in Sudan. He pledged to ensure that the stranded Nigerians in the war-torn country are safe.
Highlighting the urgency needed in the situation, Onyeama said ;
“Again, Air Peace is willing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if the government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighbouring countries bordering Sudan. Everything must not be left to the government and the government alone.
“It will be a privilege and honour of tremendous pride that we will be out there to give every Nigerian stranded in Sudan a sense of pride and oneness in their country.
“We are very ready to do it immediately. No time wasting. Any action that would promote national pride, national cohesion, peace and unity, we are for it. Again, we have no apologies for believing in our nation and loving the nation despite certain national challenges.
“If they are moved to Kenya or Uganda or any other country, we will move in to get them out. Some parents have started calling on us to help. We are ready to do this again and again.”
What you should know
Daily Report Nigeria recalls Air Peace deployed flights to evacuate stranded Nigerians from South Africa at the heat of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the country.
Going by reports, up to 5,500 Nigerians, mostly students are currently left stranded in Sudan owing to the ongoing war that started two weeks ago.
N21bn for Renovating Lagos Stadium Not Justified – Shehu Sani
Shehu Sani, a former Nigerian lawmaker and social critic, has stated that the proposed N21 billion for the renovation of National Stadium Surulere in Lagos is unjustified
Sani stated this via a post on his verified Twitter handle on Monday.
He noted that although he is aware that the stadium’s floodlight had collapsed as a result of the “rain”, it still does not justify the proposed amount for renovation.
He wrote,
“I understand that the National Stadium Surulere floodlight collapsed as a result of the ’Rain’.
But please that proposal of using N21 billion to renovate that Stadium should not be justified because of this.”
In another development, a 5-story building on Sunday collapsed at Ladipo Oluwole Street, GRA, in the Apapa area of Lagos State.
The incident is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the demolition of some buildings in Banana Island over defective structures and an unapproved plan.
The latest building is said to have caved in following a thunderstrike during an early morning downpour.
Nigeria’s Internet Users Hits 154 Million
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that Nigeria’s internet user population rose to 154.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
NBS made the disclosure in its latest data published on its website.
According to the report the number of active voice subscribers in Q4 2022 rose to 222,571,568 from the 195,463,898 reported in Q4 2021.
Part of the report reads: “In Q4 2022, there were a total of 222,571,568 active voice subscribers, which is an increase of 13.87% from the 195,463,898 reported in Q4 2021. The growth rate on a quarter-on-quarter basis was 4.89%.
“Regarding active internet subscribers, there were 154,847,901 reported in Q4 2022, an increase of 9.07% from the 141,971,560 reported in Q4 2021. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, this grew by 1.35%.”
State by State internet and voice subscribers
On state profile analysis, Lagos State had the highest number of active voice subscribers in Q4 2022, with 26,460,867, followed by Ogun with 12,994,352 and Kano with 12,373,201.
Conversely, Bayelsa had the least number of active voice subscribers with 1,571,692, followed by Ebonyi and Ekiti with 1,920,996 and 2,001,846, respectively.
Also. Lagos state had the highest number of active internet subscribers in Q4 2022, with 18,702,394, followed by Ogun with 9,206,614 and Kano with 8,470,131.
On the other hand, Bayelsa had the least number of active internet subscribers with 1,101,002, followed by Ebonyi and Ekiti with 1,264,825 and 1,474,970, respectively.
Poly Students Appeal to Buhari to End HND-BSc Division Before May 29
The National Association of Polytechnic Students( NAPS) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to end the division between the Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science holders.
NAPS asked The President to answer its appeal before leaving office on May 29, 2023.
According to the NAPS deputy Senate President, Adeniji Temitope in a statement, the development was due to how Nigerian polytechnic students and polytechnic graduates “have been facing difficulties of dichotomy for the past years.”
Earlier, Adeniji said stakeholders in the polytechnic education sector had urged the Ninth National Assembly to pass the “Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma.”
In 2021, the Senate passed a bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between the HND certificate and the university degree holders in the country.
The piece of legislation, sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, passed the third reading on the floor of the Senate at plenary.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Ahmad Kaita, presented his report and all the amended six clauses were approved by the Senate.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Ibrahim Shekarau (APC, Kano Central), said:
“The enactment of the bill to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diploma for the purpose of employment in Nigeria will no doubt freeholders of HND from stagnation and ensure balanced treatment with their counterparts from other higher tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
Although the Ninth National Assembly had done its part by passing the Bill, the President’s assent to make it a law was necessary.
NAPS said:
“The Senate arm of NAPS through the Office of Deputy Senate President has agreed on shutting down all polytechnics, colleges of technology, and allied institutions that award HND across Nigeria if President Buhari doesn’t assent to the HND/BSc dichotomy bill in the next 14 days.”
The student body said it had observed that Buhari had been assenting to many bills, but the HND/BSc dichotomy bill was left out, vowing to “occupy the Presidential Villa in Abuja and continue to cry until Buhari assents to the bill.
“We shouldn’t be treated like an outcast in our nation.
“President Buhari should stop the HND/BSc dichotomy now and make it one of his major achievements.”
