Folarin Kehinde

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige stormed out of a meeting between stakeholders of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), been spearheaded by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajibiamila.

The meeting which had representatives from both FG and ASUU dissolved into a heated argument, climaxing in the exit of Chris Ngige.

Ngige before leaving the meeting, accused the ASUU president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke of encouraging Nigerians to vote out the All-Progressives Congress (APC) In the upcoming elections.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila called on the aggrieved parties including Chris Ngige and Emmanuel Osodeke to sheathe their swords and shift ground in the interest of the country and that of the students who have been away from their studies for seven months.

When Osodeke talked, he lamented that the salaries of the lecturers are paid from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which is not the order of the day in other countries.

Osodeke said, “Is there any country in the world where salaries of lectures are paid from the office of Accountant-General of the Federation? Where is the idea of the law? Let’s be patriotic to Nigeria. Are they using it in Central Bank (of Nigeria)? Are they using it in NITDA?

“So let’s respect the peculiarity rather than trying to put all of us into a small hole. And finally, sir! No country in the world will harvest the data of the academics, package it and give it to a foreign company. No country in the world! Thank you.”

Osodeke also told Ngige while leaving that he can go and tell lies to the public.

A Former Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun, has advocated that region must now form the component units of the federation in Nigeria, saying the country must return to true federalism for it to develop.

He said this in a lecture he delivered at the forum organised by the Coalition of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups held in Ibadan. A copy of the lecture was made available to our correspondent on Sunday.

Opadokun also said Nigeria must reverse the Independence/Federal Constitution which it practiced and made it the Giant of Africa after the independence.

He said each region must decide the number of states it would have and states should decide the number of councils it wants to have.

According to Opadokun, “Nigeria, like Germany, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Iraq, Indian, Malaysia, Russia, Pakistan, USA must now be a federation of regions.”

He said, “The Independence Constitution, upon which Nigeria secured her Independence, allocated spheres of influence to the regional and central governments, which made the component units independent and equal, while they were coordinating at the centre on an equal basis.

“The Central Government was not the boss of the component units. The Federal Constitution in practice enabled all governments to compete healthily as they provided services to the citizens, using the natural and human resources in their regions to improve the standard of living of their people.

“It’s an undeniable fact that the spectacular achievements recorded under the Federal Constitutional Governance remain unmatched and unsurpassed milestones of Nigeria’s identity till date. For example, the Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo recorded spectacular feats summarised in his 1959 valedictory address.

“The Independence/Federal Constitution, under which Nigeria prospered and was considered the Giant of Africa, is the antidote to our stunted growth and political instability. To that Independence/Federal Constitution, we must return for a reversal of our misfortune.”

He said Nigerians must choose to either continue with the unitary system that the government is practicing in the name of federalism or return to true federalism before the 2023 elections.

He also described as absurd the refusal of the Federal Government to grant Amotekun the approval to bear sophisticated weapons to protect the Yoruba people while the same government gave the Kaduna militia the right to obtain weapons.

Speaking on the insecurity in the country, Opadokun said the Nigerian government had failed woefully to discharge its responsibility of protecting the people.

“While the Yoruba people prompted their governors to establish a state outfit to give them some security respite, the Central Government has failed to give the states approvals to buy ammunitions that will empower the Amotekun outfit to protect citizens. Conversely, the Nigerian State is ready to deploy Nigeria Police officers or civilian outfits (like Tompolo) with guns and ammunition to protect inanimate objects,” he added.

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, promoted 12 former Commissioners of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police.

The commission also approved the promotion of 417 senior police officers. This was as it approved the promotion examinations for police officersscheduled to start from next year 2023 in line with the Public Service Rules.

These took place during the 15th Plenary of the Commission in Abuja, presided over by Acting-Chairman of the commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (retd.).

The commission approved the appointment of AIG Bello Sadiq, currently AIG Zone 1, Kano and AIG Dandaura Mustapha, AIG Zone 4, Makurdi, to the substantive rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police.

While the new DIG Sadiq was appointed to fill the vacant position of DIG, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), DIG Dandaura whose appointment takes effect from October 20, 2022 will be replacing, DIG Sadiq who is expected to retire from the service on the said date.

The commission further approved the promotion of twelve Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The new AIGs are: CP Egbetokun Adeolu, Admin Medical, Falomo, Lagos; CP Emienbo Assayomo, Kwara State Command; CP Christiana Cookey, Welfare, Force Headquarters; CP Evelyn Peterside, Eastern Port and CP Eboka Friday, Rivers State Command.

Others are CP Adesina Soyemi, Nasarawa State Command; CP Asafa Adekunle, CMOT, FCT; CP Edward Egbuka, Kogi State Command; CP Janet Agbede, Abia State Command; CP Oruebo Daso, Research and Development, FHQ; CP Olokode Olawale, Osun State Command; and CP Abutu Yaro, Edo State Command.

57 Assistant Commissioners of Police were also promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police. They include; ACP Suel Gimba; ACP Mohammed Danladi; ACP Richard Gara; ACP Lasis Titilola; ACP Obuagbaka John and ACP Aliko Dankoli.

Others also include; ACP Silas Bamidele Aremu; ACP Sylvester Uzoefuna; ACP Shaq Salihu; ACP Magaji Ismaila; ACP Ali Sarbi; ACP Theodore Obasi and ACP Sarah Ehindero, amongst others.