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JUSUN Threatens Strike, Issues FG Seven-Day Notice

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  The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the new national minimum wage and other benefits or face an indefinite strike. This ultimatum was conveyed in a communiqué released on Wednesday after an emergency meeting held at the JUSUN Secretariat in Abuja. According to the communiqué, the seven-day ultimatum begins on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and ends on February 19, 2025. JUSUN warned that failure by the Federal Government to meet their demands within this timeframe will result in an indefinite strike starting February 20, 2025. The union is demanding the full implementation of the new national minimum wage of N77,000 and other benefits for judicial workers. JUSUN has been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage for judicial workers, even though other public sector workers have begun receiving the revised wage. The workers had previously given the government a 21-day ultimatum to address their demands, but no action was taken during that period. The communiqué reads, “The meeting principally centered on the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day ultimatum issued to all Heads of Federal Courts, FCT Courts, and Judicial Bodies. “That after exhaustive deliberations, the following resolution was reached. That an additional seven (7) days’ notice is hereby given for the full implementation of the subject matter in line with relevant guidelines governing industrial disputes and the urgent intervention of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun. “That the seven (7) days commence on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and ends on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. “That failure to implement our demands within this stipulated time frame will mean the union cannot guarantee industrial harmony. Consequently, the strike will commence indefinitely from Thursday, February 20, 2025.” JUSUN has urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent a disruption of judicial activities nationwide. Punch

Blackout As National Grid Collapses

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  ABUJA – The national grid experienced another system collapse, throwing many Nigerians into darkness. Our correspondent reports that the grid lost power generation some minutes after 11 on Wednesday morning. The spokesperson of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Ndidi Mbah, has yet to respond to a message sent to her by our correspondent as she said she was at a function. However, sources in some power generation companies confirmed to our correspondent that there was a general grid disturbance on Wednesday morning. Our correspondent reports that there was a trip-off and the power went off before noon. Most power plants on the grid lost generation when the incident occurred. At 11 am, hourly power generation was 4064 megawatts but this dropped to 1,203MW at 12 pm and 0.00MW at 1 pm. This is about the first time the grid will collapse in 2025 after it experienced a line tripping in January. In 2024, the grid collapsed 12 and over 100 times in 10 years. On its X handle on Wednesday, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the development. “Dear Valued Customer, We regret to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 11:34 am today causing a power outage across our franchise areas. “While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to fully restore electricity as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” the post reads. Punch

JAMB Warns Against Illegal Registration Centres, 1,021 Register In Jigawa

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  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has warned candidates registering for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry to avoid unauthorized registration centres, cautioning that patronizing such centres could result in the invalidation of their registration. JAMB’s Public Relations Officer in Jigawa State, Mukarram Adamu, issued the warning in a statement on Tuesday in Dutse, the state capital. According to the statement, 1,021 candidates have so far registered in Jigawa State for the 2025 UTME and DE, out of a total of 201,867 candidates registered nationwide. Adamu revealed that the registration is being conducted at 12 approved Computer-Based Test centres across the state. The JAMB spokesperson emphasized that the approved CBT centres were established to ensure a smooth, transparent, and hitch-free registration process while also preventing cases of fraud and irregularities. The JAMB spokesperson emphasized that the approved CBT centres were established to ensure a smooth, transparent, and hitch-free registration process while also preventing cases of fraud and irregularities. Related News Jigawa okays recruitment of 9,970 security guards Varsity admission: JAMB sets 320 UTME benchmark for under-16 candidates JAMB blacklists six CBT officials for exam malpractice “JAMB has assured candidates that it will take every necessary measure to ensure the registration process is seamless,” Adamu stated. He further disclosed that the number of”201,867 candidates registered nationwide is expected to increase as the registration exercise continues. Adamu urged candidates to report any challenges or suspicious activities during the registration process and emphasized that JAMB remains committed to ensuring efficiency in the exercise. “Candidates are strongly advised to use only approved centres for their registration. Patronizing illegal operators could lead to disqualification,” he warned. JAMB also called on candidates to be vigilant and report any malpractices or unauthorized centres to the appropriate authorities. Punch

UK To Deny Undocumented Migrants Citizenship

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  The British government on Wednesday said it was toughening immigration rules to make it almost impossible for undocumented migrants who arrive on small boats to later receive citizenship. Under new guidance migrants arriving by sea, or hidden in the back of vehicles will normally be refused citizenship. “This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused,” a Home Office spokesperson said. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government is under pressure to reduce migration after Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party won roughly four million votes during the last general election — an unprecedented haul for a far-right party. But the change to the rules has been criticised by some Labour MPs. “If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them a route to become a British citizen,” wrote lawmaker Stella Creasy on X, adding that the policy would leave them “forever second class”. Free Movement, an immigration law blog, said the changes had the potential to “block a large number of refugees from naturalising as British citizens, effective immediately”. It called the updated guidance “incredibly spiteful and damaging to integration”. The announcement comes after MPs this week debated the government’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, designed to give law enforcement officials “counter-terror style powers” to break up gangs bringing irregular migrants across the Channel. Legal and undocumented immigration — both currently running at historically high levels — was a major political issue at the July 2024 poll that brought Starmer to power. On taking office, he immediately scrapped his Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak’s plan to deter undocumented migration to the UK by deporting new arrivals to Rwanda. Instead he pledged to “smash the gangs” to bring the numbers down. Some 36,816 people were detected in the Channel between England and France in 2024, a 25 percent increase from the 29,437 who arrived in 2023, provisional figures from the interior ministry showed. AFP

HoR Calls For Urgent Troop Deployment To Troubled Borno Communities

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  ABUJA – The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy troops to troubled communities in Borno State following recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents that claimed lives and destroyed valuable property. The resolution was passed on Tuesday after the House adopted a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Midala Balami, who represents Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency. Balami decried the worsening security situation in the affected areas and stressed the need for immediate military intervention to protect residents and restore normalcy. Speaking on the motion, Balami, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alerted the House to a recent Boko Haram attack on Jibwuwhi and Yarkawa communities in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State. He lamented that the assault led to tragic loss of lives, widespread destruction of properties, and the displacement of innocent residents. Balami expressed concern that despite ongoing security interventions, violent attacks have continued unabated, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated assaults, economic devastation, and worsening humanitarian crises. The House expresses deep concern over the plight of residents in Jibwuwhi, Yarkawa, and surrounding communities, who are living in fear and distress following the recent attack. Many have been forced to flee their homes, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures and humanitarian assistance. “The House is alarmed that, despite the scale of the attack, the response in terms of security reinforcement and immediate relief support has been inadequate. This lack of intervention has further worsened the suffering of the affected people, leaving them in desperate need of assistance.” A lawmaker has raised alarm over the escalating terrorist attacks in Hawul, Askira-Uba, Chibok, and other parts of Borno State, warning that the continued violence poses a grave threat to national security and ongoing efforts to restore peace, stability, and development in the North East. He cautioned that failure to take swift and decisive action to secure the affected communities and support victims could embolden further attacks, worsen displacement, and deepen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. Following the adoption of the motion, the House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to immediately deploy personnel and reinforce security operations in Jibwuwhi, Yarkawa, and other vulnerable communities in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State to prevent further attacks. The House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Borno State Government, to facilitate the prompt delivery of relief materials, including food, medical aid, and psychosocial support, to the affected victims. The House directed its Committees on Army, National Security and Intelligence, and Humanitarian Affairs to investigate the security lapses that led to the attack, oversee the implementation of security reinforcements, and ensure the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities. Additionally, the House urged the federal government to strengthen counter-terrorism strategies in Borno State by enhancing intelligence gathering and fostering greater collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups. These measures, it emphasized, are crucial in preventing further insurgent activities in Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency. Independent NG

Most Governors permanently Live In Abuja- NLC president

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  The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero, on Monday, stated that no governor has powers to ban labour unions, noting that union practice falls under the executive legislative list in the Constitution. This is just as he lamented that most governors are now living permanently in Abuja at the detriment of their states. Ajaero was reacting to the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, at a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat, Lokoja, the state capital. He said, “Let me say here, union practice falls under the exclusive legislative list in the Constitution. No governor has the power to ban them, you don’t ban what you don’t have control over. “Unions are registered nationally by the Registrar of Trade Unions. For administrative convenience, they may choose to have branches in states, so what are you now banning?” The NLC president, who expressed surprise that such a thing exists in the state, said the state government lacked the right to proscribe unions under the exclusive legislative list. He, however, lamented that most governors abandon their states and live permanently in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while the people they were supposed to govern are facing hardship. Ajaero added that the NLC leadership is in Kogi State to deliver and inaugurate 10 Compressed Natural Gas buses provided to the state chapter of the congress to ease transportation problems. Ajaero, who noted that the leadership had visited five zones, regretted that the governors were always absent, having travelled to Abuja. While stressing that workers were feeling the heat of the harsh economic realities, with the high cost of living, Ajaero said for government to contemplate increasing tariff on telecom, was pushing workers too far. He said the leadership would take to the governor the problems and demands workers reeled out, even as he said of the five zones visited, it was only in one the governor was around. Ajaero said, “However, there is a problem we are having in trends because most governors are now living permanently in Abuja. We have moved to about five zones, Kogi is about the fifth zone. We have met governors in only one state. Each time you go there, they are in Abuja and this is affecting governance. “I think we should be able to manage the centre and the units, so people will have the feeling of democracy, the dividend of democracy so that people can talk to their leaders. “So, if we capture all these things, the information you are going to give us will be conditional if the governor is around. If he’s around, we will convey your information to him. If he’s not around, whosoever he’s going to send, we pass it to him.” He said that Kogi State was strategic to the congress because it had union leaders as governor and deputy, adding that Governor Usman Ododo was one of his officials in Niger State and the deputy, an official of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT. He said, “So, we want to make this as a town hall meeting to listen to you to know what has been done and what has not been done properly, so we take it to them. “To us, it is like homecoming. We want to come and interact with them to find out whether they are doing those things we are criticising others for.” Earlier, the workers told the NLC President that for over 10 years, unions in the Kogi State Polytechnics, Kogi State University, and the State Colleges of Education, Technology, and Nursing had been under proscription by the state government. Other demands workers wanted the intervention of the NLC were non- implementation of annual salary increase, non-provision of housing for workers, as well as shortage of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools, among others. Punch

Police lied, we paid ransom for traditional ruler’s release – Edo lawmaker

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  The lawmaker representing Igueben Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Inegbeboh Eugene, has refuted claims that operatives of the State Police Command and other civilian security agencies were responsible for the rescue of the Onogie of Udo-Eguare kingdom in the Igueben Local Government Area, Friday Ehizojie, from kidnappers. Recall that the traditional ruler and five others were abducted by some gunmen on Sunday, February 3, 2025, while riding as passengers on a motorcycle along a lonely path leading to the community. Days after, the state police command claimed that its operatives rescued the monarch unhurt, while thanking vigilantes, hunters and other well-meaning residents of the state for the support. Also after the police statement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, also claimed that his men rescued the traditional ruler. Speaking on the floor of the assembly on Monday, Eugene said the monarch was not rescued by the police or the state security corps as claimed. The lawmaker stated that the community paid ransom for the release of their monarch. He said, “Mr Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler. “The information was for them to see what they could do, but at the end of the day, I want to tell you that the security agencies that I informed were playing hide and seek as if they were doing something, but doing nothing. “At the end of the day, none of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release. Some people even went to social media to claim that they were the ones that rescued him. “How do you rescue a person from a kidnappers’ den without the culprit being apprehended? Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home? If they know the kidnappers, they should show us. “Mr Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought our king back home. So, Mr Speaker, nobody should claim the glory that they rescued him. It is wrong.” The lawmaker thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for his swift response and the logistic support provided for security agencies during the period. He, however, urged the Speaker of the House to invite the new Commander of the State Security Corps to brief the House on what the outfit is doing to address the security challenges in the state.

UPDATED: S’Court Dismisses Fubara’s Appeal Against Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly

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  An appeal filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been dismissed by the Supreme Court in Abuja. Fubara was also ordered to pay N2m to the Assembly and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, by a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji on Monday. The case was dismissed after Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the suit. Recall that on October 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, admonished Fubara for failing to follow the rule of law in his actions. The court ruled that his decision to present the 2024 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to only four out of 31 members of the Assembly was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The court stated that presenting the budget to just four members contradicted the Nigerian Constitution. It added, “The appellant hurriedly submitted the Rivers State Appropriation Bill to four members, who then considered, deliberated on, and passed it into law within a few hours.” The court further held that Fubara’s actions violated Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires at least one-third of the Assembly members to form a quorum. The court noted that “four out of 31 members cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, constitute the required quorum for legislative business.” Meanwhile, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court also ruled against Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before the four-member Assembly led by Edison Ehie. The budget presentation was a result of the leadership crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly. Fubara had argued that the Amaewhule-led faction lost its legitimacy after defecting from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. However, the lower courts ruled that he failed to provide evidence of their defection and, therefore, could not legally present the budget to a four-member House. Following the Court of Appeal judgment, Fubara approached the Supreme Court to set aside the lower court’s ruling and allow him to present the budget to the Ehie-led faction. However, when the case was called on Monday, Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali, informed the Supreme Court that the governor had decided to withdraw the appeal. Ali stated that a notice dated February 6 had already been filed, explaining that the appeal had been overtaken by events. All 17 respondents in the case, represented by various lawyers, did not oppose the withdrawal. However, J.B. Daudu (SAN), representing the 3rd to 12th respondents (National Assembly and its leadership), and Wole Olanipekun (SAN), representing the 1st and 2nd respondents (Rivers State House of Assembly and Amaewhule), requested a cost of N2 million. Daudu further urged the court to dismiss the appeal rather than strike it out, as issues had already been joined. The five-member Supreme Court panel dismissed the appeal after confirming that the withdrawal was not opposed. In a brief ruling, Justice Abba-Aji declared the appeal dismissed and awarded a cost of N2 million in favour of the 1st to 12th respondents. Punch

[ICYMI] Civil Servants Face February 17 Verification Deadline

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  Federal civil servants have been given a February 17, 2025, deadline for identity verification as the government moves to weed out ghost workers. This was contained in a memo by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and sighted by our correspondent on Saturday. Civil servants are expected to verify their identities on the portal of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System amid the planned stoppage of salaries and other sanctions for ghost workers. Our correspondent gathered that civil servants had been in haste to generate their Taxpayers Identification Number to meet the deadline. Part of the requirement for verification is the TIN alongside the IPPIS number and salary account number. The memo read, “Following the Treasury Circular with Ref. No. TRY/A6&B6/2024-OAGF/CAD/026/Vol. V/910 dated 27th June, 2024 on the above subject matter and subsequent extension dated 16 August, 2024, I am directed to inform you that AGF has approved the extension of the OAF-IPPIS Payroll Validation Portal for an additional one week (10 – 17” February, 2025). “The portal will be deployed and made accessible to those employees that were unable to complete their validation before the end of earlier deadline. Visit OAF website: www.oagf.gov.ng and access the portal. “It is hereby emphasised that all employees concerned are expected to conclude update of their payroll information on or before 12 midnight of Monday, February 17, 2025. Please note that officers who fail to avail themselves of this last opportunity may suffer some consequences which may include suspension from the payroll. “Accounting Officers, Directors/Head of Finance & Account and Internal Audit Units of MDAs and other Arms of Government, are enjoined to give this circular the widest circulation it deserves and ensure compliance.” In 2024, President Bola Tinubu directed that all civil servants drawing salaries from the Federal Government after relocating abroad be made to refund the money. The President also directed that the culprits’ supervisors and department heads be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud while they were in charge.

Snake, Monkey Mustn’t Swallow $1.07bn Health Funds, Atiku Warns FG

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  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned the Federal Government that “claims of animals such as snakes, termites, gorillas and monkeys swallowing public funds must never be the fate of the funds budgeted for the critical sector of health in the 2025 budget.” In a statement on Sunday, Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide transparency on how the intervention fund would be allocated. The former Vice President emphasised the importance of accountability, stressing that every kobo must be properly utilised to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system. He said, “In recent years, there have been bizarre claims of animals being held accountable for missing public funds. Some of these fairytale-like claims were never investigated or punished to deter future offenders. “Against the backdrop of dwindling resources that has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of support in certain areas of our healthcare services, it is important that every kobo budgeted for the health sector has to be maximally utilised. “To this end, the Federal Government has to be deliberate about putting mechanisms in place for public audit and accountability in its $1.07bn budgetary appropriation in the health sector.” Atiku criticised the Federal Government for failing to provide a clear framework detailing how over $1bn would be spent in the primary health sector. He noted that while healthcare investment was essential for improving access to quality services, the government has a moral duty to disclose how these funds will be utilised. “We have read that the Federal Government plans to expend a whopping $1.07bn in the primary health sector. This amount is in addition to the N2.48tn earlier proposed for the health sector in the initial budget draft. “Nigerians deserve to know the details of these loans and how the funds will be spent. The budget should be accompanied by a clear policy framework explaining its disbursement,” he added. Punch

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