Newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 30th August 2022
1. ASUU Extends Ongoing Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decided to extend its ongoing strike after a series of heated discussions.
According to the PUNCH, the decision was taken after the National Executive Council meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning.
Recall the National Executive Council (NEC) of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held a meeting in Abuja over the lingering strike.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the meeting, which started on Sunday night and slid into Monday morning, took place at its National Headquarters at the University of Abuja.
Members of NEC decided if they would call off the six-month strike or continue with the industrial action that entered the 196th day on Monday (today).
2. Ayu, Others Welcome Shekarau Back To PDP In Kano
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu on Monday confirmed the return of former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau to the party.
The ceremony to receive Shekarau back from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the PDP was held in Kano State, Naija News reports.
Shekarau defected along with thousands of his fans and supporters after a fallout with the NNPP leader and presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The former Kano Governor was also presented with his PDP membership card at the ceremony on Monday which was attended by PDP National Leaders.
3. PDP Crisis: Something Will Happen Soon – Wike
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Monday while speaking on the crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said, ‘something will happen soon.
Wike said that he has made up his mind, adding that what he is doing is right.
He further stated that no matter the gang up by some persons in the party, he will do what is right at all times.
The Rivers State Governor and the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar have not been on the same page since the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary.
Wike while speaking during the flag-off of Eneka Internal Roads in the Obio-Akpor area of the state said nothing has happened yet in the party.
4. FG Gives Update On Ending ASUU Strike, Insists Striking Lecturers Are Unreasonable
The federal government has described the lingering strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as unreasonable.
The government position was made known on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, in the Federal Ministry of Education, Bem Goong.
He argued that eighty percent of what ASUU demanded from the government have been given to them so, in fairness, the union should have called off the strike.
The reaction is coming amidst earlier reports that ASUU at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC meeting which took place at its University of Abuja Secretariat has extended its current strike which began on February 14, 2022.
Reacting, Goong said the government has met 80% of the demands by ASUU and working on resolving others, hence the striking lecturers in good faith should have returned to the classrooms.
In his words, “If you bring some demands and almost 80% have been attended to, there is no need to drag the strike anymore.
5. RCCG Denies Explosion In Redemption Camp
The leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has refuted the viral reports of an explosion in the premises of the Redemption City.
Truetells Nigeria understands that RCCG Public Relations Unit, in a statement on Monday, explained that the incident occurred inside an Axella Gas depot on the Sagamu bound traffic in between the Car Park C gate and the main gate of the Redemption City.
The church added that the combined efforts of its Fire Service and that of the Lagos state brought the fire under control.
The church also empathized with the people involved in the unfortunate gas explosion that occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 29, 2022.
6. Court Rules On FG’s Request To Extradite Abba Kyari
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application filed by the Federal Government seeking permission to extradite the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, to the United States of America, USA.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government had asked the court to okay Kyari’s extradition to face trial over his alleged involvement with a notorious internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
Delivering judgement on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the extradition application FG filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami was “incompetent and bereft of merit.”
According to the judge, Malami ought to be aware that the Extradition Act, forbade the surrendering of a defendant that is already facing trial before a competent court in the country.
7. We Couldn’t Dissociate Shettima From Terrorist Kingpin, Kabiru Sokoto, Chibok Girls’ Abduction – PDP
Eight years after the abduction of teenagers from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it could not dissociate Senator Kashim Shettima from the event.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that Shettima was the incumbent governor when the terrorists attacked Chibok at night in April 2014 and whisked away 276 students, mostly Christian female students.
PDP on Sunday flashed back to the event in reaction to Shettima’s speech at the just-concluded National Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), where he said his principal, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu will handle Nigeria’s economy while he (Shettima) will take care of the nation’s security.
Making reference to the statement while appearing on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Sunday, PDP Head of Digital, Anthony Ehilebo said owing to the antecedents, Nigeria cannot let Shettima be in charge of its security.
Shettima who is the running mate to the APC presidential flag-bearer spoke confidently about tackling the nation’s security challenges at the NBA.
8. Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Speaks On When IPOB Leader Will Be Released
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Lead Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has assured supporters of the embattled IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu in detention of the Department of State Services (DSS), that his freedom may soon come.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in a statement on Sunday, while announcing the release of Ukamaka Ejezie, an IPOB supporter popularly known as ‘Mama Biafra’, by the DSS, said his team were doing “everything legally permissible” to secure Kanu’s release from custody of the state service.
The 80-year-old woman was released on Sunday after more than three months in custody of the DSS.
Ejezie, who is said to be Kanu’s ‘foster mother’, was arrested on May 18, 2022 when she attended the IPOB leader’s court hearing at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
9. IGP Sends Warning To Nigerians Assaulting Officers
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has warned Nigerians against attacks on officers of the force and men in uniform.
The police boss in a statement released through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, warned that on no ground should any civilian assault uniformed officers.
Baba lamented some recent activities where individuals are seen in a brawl with officers and men carrying out official and lawful duties in various locations across the nation.
The IGP in the communique issued on Monday at the force headquarters in Abuja described the attack on Police Officers, who are uniformed agents of the state, as both illegal and an affront to the rule of law.
He warned that attacks on police officers and men in the line of duty would no longer be tolerated under whatever guise, as the Force holds the lives of its personnel sacrosanct.
10. 2023: We Dare Not Miss This Chance Because We Cannot Be Sure Of Another’ – Tinubu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has opined that there might not be another chance if he and his party lose the 2023 election.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Tinubu made the statement in a post shared on his Twitter page on Monday.
According to him, they are not keen on doing what is comfortable but want to do the right thing for the masses and the country.
He added that if they miss the chance in 2023, it is not certain whether there would be another chance for them.
