Buhari Worse Than Jonathan In Governance – Ezekwesili

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October 13, 2020

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari had so far demonstrated that he doesn’t possess the needed temperament to lead a diverse nation like Nigeria out of its present challenges.

Speaking with Daily Independent, Ezekwesili, a former presidential candidate who is launching a new initiative called #FixPolitics, said Nigeria’s religious divides and differences have become deeper now due to the “irresponsible, clannish, provincial, incompetent, and ineffectual management of our diversity by President Buhari”.

According to her, while countries like Botswana, Singapore, and South Korea that gained independence in the 1960s like Nigeria had successfully transformed their societies, Nigeria was still groping in the dark due to the fact that the citizens are not bound by common aspirations and shared principles.

She said: “As a result of those failures to build consensus, Nigeria has hobbled along as a country of people who are not unified around common aspirations and shared principles.

“How different the outcomes would be if we were a country guided by aspirations like equal opportunity, inclusive growth and prosperity, social cohesion and stability.

“These are proven from our #FixPolitics research as some of the building blocks on which other countries transformed their societies.

“We found countries like Botswana, Singapore, and South Korea to have prioritised human development, merit, productivity and healthy competition among constituent parts, as well as their citizens.

“The results show up in their economic performance and the vastly improved wellbeing of their citizens in contrast to Nigeria – all three countries gained independence in the 1960s from Britain”.

However, the reality is setting in now. For after many decades of ignoring the obvious, it is becoming clearer to all discerning and reasonable compatriots that our union is facing the severest threat to its existence now.

“All is simply not well with Nigeria and Nigerians. Our country, Nigeria, is on the brink of a break-up despite the delusional protestations of Federal Government officials and their sycophants.

“Our ethnic and religious divides and differences have never been sharper and deeper than now.

“And this is all because of the irresponsible, clannish, provincial, incompetent, and ineffectual management of our diversity by President Buhari who simply does not know how to nor have the temperament to learn how to lead a diverse society like Nigeria.

“The totality of factors that threaten the existence of Nigeria is expressed in the consistent and unabashed ethnic bigotry of President Buhari.”

Ezekwesili said Buhari was far worse than his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

She added: “That President Buhari – who was elected by a representative section of the Nigerian people in a protest vote against his failed predecessor – has, in turn, dug Nigeria deeper into the trenches of humongous failure, will remain a wonder of historical proportion.

“Nigeria’s failures under President Buhari have become profoundly unsustainable.

“It is perplexing to watch our political leaders carrying on with their pretence that Nigeria is currently being governed.

“How can the political leadership of a country which is practically insolvent, terribly brittle on all fronts of national security and lost its diplomatic leadership and influence even in West Africa keep acting as if everything is normal?”

Ezekwesili, who said that there was no difference between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), added that politicians in both parties were like Siamese twins who placed their selfish interests over and above the wellbeing of the people they govern.

“Such imperviousness was the same attitude exhibited by the previous government of the current opposition party.

“Most Nigerians are fed up with the Siamese Twins-type syndrome of our politicians, regardless of whether they belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Their party acronyms may differ but the people in our politics today are of one embryo and exhibit a common and dominant political culture that places the narrow interests of our politicians over and above the wellbeing of the people they govern.

“Nigerians have experienced and now openly express frustration at the ‘hand-down’ and ‘turn-by-turn failure’ of the political leadership class in Nigeria at the federal, state or local government levels.

“They are designed by the environment that enables them to act without consequences and the incentive they respond to, to govern in ways that do not produce results for citizens.”

Source

IPPIS: Government Can’t Use ASUU Platform To Pay Us — University Workers

By

Alex Enemanna

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October 13, 2020

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The university non- academic workers have warned that the Federal Government cannot use the payment platform designed by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to pay them, even as they have rejected the new platform introduced by the Federal Government, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Rather, the workers asked the government to revert to the former platform being used to pay them, the Government Integrated Finance Management Information System (GIFMIS) or adopt their own platform, designed newly by their unions- the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

Under the Joint Action of NASU and SSANU, the non-teaching staff have also designed their own platform to be launched very soon, to handle the payment of their salaries and other related entitlements.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has earlier designed its own platform, called, Universities Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for the payment of salaries in the place of IPPIS; and insisted that the Federal Government should adopt this platform rather than the troubled IPPIS.

While ASUU has from the onset totally rejected the IPPIS platform as designed by the government because of the perceived problems and crisis that would associate with the system, NASU and SSANU went ahead to key into it after series on consultations and meetings with the government, believing that the perceived lapses would be addressed.

However, the General Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, told Nigerian Tribune that the IPPIS was repleted with series of problems when in February the IPPIS started the payment of salaries of workers in the universities and later in the universities centres.

Comrade Adeyemi said: “To our surprise, most of the things we agreed upon, the government did not comply. The government went back on its words. when this thing started we found out that some of our members were not paid their salaries at all, some were paid what is completely below what they were expected to pay.”

He explained that on the issue of 2009 NASU/SSANU and Federal Government agreements, which includes the payment of a number of allowances including earned allowance, all the agreements were jettisoned.

He pointed out that deductions, such as the National Housing Fund, which the workers were not paying before, IPPIS decided to deduct it without their knowledge and without following the due process.

The NASU general secretary stated that the position of the unions was that the government should return payment of the salary of their members to what it used to be before the IPPIS platform commenced; adding, “we were on Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and “GIFMIS” is another platform for payment.

He also disclosed that the JAC of NASU and NAAT has designed their own platform, which would soon be made known.

Comrade Adeyemi said, “we have designed our own platform, we are ready to also present it. Don’t forget that ASUU also said they have a platform they have designed. So, if the government is ready, it’s now the right of the unions to prepare their platforms. We have our own, they can’t use the ASUU platform to pay us.”

He pointed out that the platform was ready and would be presented to the public very soon, adding that they have agreed to do a formal launching of the platform.

Source

#EndSARS: Nigerians Afraid Of Police Than Arm Robbers — Reps Spokesperson [VIDEO]

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 13, 2020

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Spokesperson of House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said Nigerians are now afraid of policemen than they are of robbers.

ABN TV reports that the Reps member while responding to the ongoing nationwide protest against Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) a unit of the Nigeria Police Force, said the mode of dressing and the way SARS officers comport themselves do not give them the look of police officers.

Hon. Kalu who is the member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State while maintaining that the issue of human right is at the forefront of the legislative agenda of the 9th National Assembly, said the legislature is committed to securing the country’s respect in the comity of nations through protection of human rights.

According to Hon. Kalu, upholding the right and privileges of citizens indicates development, adding that growth is not only anchored on infrastructure.

The federal lawmaker assured that the National Assembly will come up with new piece of legislation in partnership with Nigeria Bar Association that will police the police.

He expressed dissatisfaction that the excesses of the police has remained largely unchecked, calling on Nigerians to have confidence in the current National Assembly to protect their rights.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW…

https://youtu.be/VKgXwF44bog

Launch Of 50 Bed ULtraModern Medical Centre Indicating Good Spirit Of Abians — NCDC Boss

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 13, 2020

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The Director-General Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has applauded the commissioning of 50 Bed ultramodern medical Centre in Umuahia Abia State, describing it as show of good spirit of people of the State.

While commending the new Abia Care Center for COVID-19, he said Abians shunned their political differences and came together for the common good of the people.

Ihekweazu was in the State for the commissioning of the centre built by the Concerned Abia Professionals was on Sunday the 11th of October.

In his address, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Dr. Adeleke Mamora, while lauding the synergy between the Federal and State Governments, Abians in the Diaspora, and other professionals for coming together to support government through selfless services, thanked all that contributed to the success of the project.

He also expressed gratitude to the CMD of FMC Umuahia, Dr. Onyebuchi Azubuike, for his efforts in making the new center a reality.

Speaking at the occasion on behalf of the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Deputy governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu stated that the state is leading in terms of COVID-19 testing capacity in the entire South East region.

Highlighting efforts of his administration in containing the pandemic, he added that Abia is the only state with 16-Modular GenXpert equipment, making it a leading state in the region.

He also disclosed that the survival rate at the State-owned isolation facility in Amachara is more than 99% making the State one of those with the highest COVID-19 survival rates in the country.

The Governor, commended the initiator of the Abia Care Center project, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, and her team, for the work they have done in establishing the project in the State and assured that Government will do everything in its power to assist FMC Umuahia to ensure that the facility is put into good use. Applauding private and public organizations that have supported the state in the fight against the virus, the Governor also commended the frontline workers who made sacrifices to ensure that the people of the state were protected from the virus.

In their remarks, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District. Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo, described the project as a reminder of the need for Abians to be patriotic and put Abia first in whatever they do as well as be passionate about her development.

They commended the commitment of members of concerned Abia Professionals in delivering the project.

Earlier, in her address, the initiator of the Abia Care Center, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma said she was led to undertake the project sited in FMC Umuahia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for Abians and all to give back to the society by being patriotic, and lauded all that contributed to the success of the project which will serve as a benchmark for the replication of more of such projects in the State.

Highlight of the occasion included the commissioning and signing of MOU between Concerned Abia Professionals and FMC Umuahia.

“Igbo Presidency Is A Competition Like Chelsea, Man United Match” — Sen. Okorocha

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 13, 2020

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Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC – Imo West) says the South-East geopolitical zone should produce the President of Nigeria in 2023.

He said the presidency was like a competition, with teams taking turns to win.

The former Imo State governor said that since the South-West, South-South and North-West have produced the president since 1999, it was only fitting for the South-East to get its turn.

Okorocha spoke at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi on Saturday.

“The issue of Nigeria president of Igbo extraction for me is more like a competition. The North has produced a president, the South West has produced a president and the South-South has produced a president; let us see when the South East produces a president, what Nigeria will look like.

“I think from that Chelsea, Manchester United match kind of thing, when they belong to the same country and when they play a match, that’s exactly the way I see it, but it’s only fair, fairness calls for that.

“Talking about the presidency of Igbo extraction, it will give everyone a sense of belonging and if everyone gets a sense of belonging, there is justice,” Okorocha stated.

BREAKING: Governor Wike Bans #EndSARS Protests

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 13, 2020

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Governor Nyesom Wike has banned all forms of protests in Rivers State.

The governor specifically said all proposed protests by #EndSARS campaigners have been prohibited.

Wike’s directive was contained in a statement on Monday night by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim.

He explained that there was no need for any form of demonstration since the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, had disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Government hereby wish to inform the general public that all forms of protests have been banned throughout the state.

“Therefore, all proposed protests under #EndSARS Campaign are hereby prohibited.

“Government took this decision because the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had already scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

“Therefore, there is no need for any form of protest against a Unit of the Police Force that no longer exists.

“Parents and guardians are therefore advised to ensure that their children or wards do not violate this order.

“Law enforcement agencies are also directed to ensure that the ban is enforced and that violators are brought to book.”

For over a week now, youths across the country have taken to the streets to protest against the brutality and extrajudicial killings of the operatives of the now-disbanded police unit.

Although the police unit has been dissolved, the protesters are demanding, amongst others, a total overhaul of the police force and the release of all arrested protesters.

Trump Test Negative For COVID-19, Says Doctor

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 13, 2020

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A mask-free Donald Trump departed for Florida on Monday for his first campaign rally after his battle with COVID, where hundreds of supporters awaited him with few wearing face coverings or practicing social distancing.

The president didn’t take questions before he boarded Air Force One for the trip to the Orlando Sanford International Airport, where his mega rally will take place outdoors.

It’s his first trip on the plane since Thursday, October 1, when he attended a fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminister, New Jersey, the day before the White House announced he and the first lady tested positive for the coronavirus.

In Florida, hundreds of supporters waited for the president. They walked in close quarters as they queued up in a line that stretched down the street.

Few were wearing face masks even as COVID cases are on the rise in the state.

Campaign volunteers took temperatures and passed out masks, but the campaign did not require attendees to wear them.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said such rallies are ‘asking for trouble.’

He argued this it the ‘worst time‘ to have rallies.

‘When you look at what’s going on in the United States, it’s really very troublesome,’ he told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday. ‘A number of states right now are having increase in test positivity.’

Meanwhile, Trump’s personal physician Dr. Sean Conley, released an update on the president’s health before Trump took the stage, stating the president ‘is not infectious to others.’

Conley said President Trump tested negative for COVID on consecutive days but did not specify which dates. The White House still has not answered questions about when the president last tested negative before he was diagnosed with the disease.

President Trump ‘has tested negative, on consecutive days, using the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen card,’ Conely wrote in a memo released by the White House press office ahead of Trump’s rally.

‘It is important to note that this test was not used in isolation for the determination of the President’s current negative status. Repeatedly negative antigen tests, taken in context with additional clinical and laboratory data, including viral load, subgenomic RNA, and PCR cycle threshold measurements, as well as ongoing assessment of viral culture data, all indicate a lack of detectable viral replication,’ Conley noted.

‘The comprehensive data, all indicate a lack of detectable viral replication. This comprehensive data, in concert with the CDC’s guidelines for removal of transmission-based precautions, have informed our medical team’s assessment that the president is not infectious to others,‘ he concluded.

2020 Ofala Festival: Senator Kalu Greets Obi Of Onitsha

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ABN TV EDITOR

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October 12, 2020

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Former Governor of Abia state and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu has felicitated with the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe Agbogidi on the occasion of the 2020 Ofala festival.

Applauding the efforts of the Obi of Onitsha in taking the Ofala festival to the global stage, Kalu called on the people of Onitsha to sustain their rich cultural heritage.

Kalu stressed that the annual Ofala festival remains a platform for advocating peace and unity across the country.

In a goodwill message to the monarch, Kalu described the Obi of Onitsha as a rare gem, whose reign has brought unprecedented development to Onitsha and Anambra state at large.

He said, “On behalf of the good people of Abia North Senatorial District, I congratulate the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe Agbogidi on this year’s Ofala festival.

“The festival is a vehicle for social integration, inclusiveness and unity.

“The Obi of Onitsha has over the years sustained extra-ordinary leadership qualities in various capacities.

“The people of Onitsha and Anambra state are blessed to have Igwe Agbogidi.

“Ndigbo will continue to rally support for Obi of Onitsha in view of his fatherly role to all sons and daughters of Igboland“.

Kalu while wishing the people of Onitsha a rewarding celebration, used the opportunity to sue for peace and unity across Nigeria.

I Will Never Leave My Husband – Chacha Eke

By

ABN TV EDITOR

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October 12, 2020

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Nollywood actress, Chacha Eke Faani has come out to address the controversies trailing her marriage to her husband Austin Faani.

The mother of three who is pregnant with her fourth child insists that her marriage is intact and that she can never leave her husband and children.

She stated that the drama that has surrounded her marriage lately is due to the bipolar disorder she’s suffering from.

Recall that some days back, Chacha took to social media to share a video announcing the end of her marriage to her movie director husband. In a video shared on October 3, the screen diva stated that she was done with her 7-year-old marriage.

A few days later, she shared another video from a hospital bed disclosing that she has been diagnosed of having “Bipolar disorder”, while debunking allegations that her marriage ended due to domestic violence.

However her brother, Aik Eke took to Instagram to counter her claim, stating that his sister is not bipolar and he’s aware that there’s a cover-up somewhere. He blamed Chacha’s husband, Austin for trying to clear his name at his wife’s expense.

Chacha has now released a new video, claiming that she’s still with her husband and that she can never leave her marriage and family.

Her words: “As has been peculiar with my previous pregnancies, something in me erupts whenever I am pregnant. That thing has been diagnosed a few days ago to be bipolar disorder.

It makes me think crazy, talk crazy and act crazy. I am not leaving my husband, I will never leave my husband and my children and my home. My family, having a home, being Mrs. Faani and mother to the beautiful children God has given me is too much blessing to take for granted.

“And so, I say this to as many as are out there, I didn’t leave my home and I am not leaving”

Abia Speaker Assures #EndSARS Protesters of President Buhari’s Good Intentions

By

Alex Enemanna

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October 12, 2020

0

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari through the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu, is handling the Special Anti-Robbery Squad issues in the overall interest of the citizens

The Speaker stated this while addressing a group of protesters who stormed the Abia State House of Assembly earlier today demanding an end to the Anti-Robbery Squad.

“With the steps taken so far, President Muhammadu Buhari and the IGP have proved that they are listening leaders who are sensitive to the good yearnings of the citizens”.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji appreciated the protesters for being peaceful and urged them to give the police authorities more time to conclusively resolve the issue.