Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • University of Abuja Issues `no work, no pay’ Warning To ASUU, Others

    The management of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says it may enforce the “no work no pay’’ directive on unions that joined Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike over recent increase in fuel price, NAN reports.

    A statement issued by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Adikwu, on Sunday in Abuja said the warning was in compliance with the directive from the Federal Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government, on May 11, announced an increase in the price of petrol from N86.50k to N145 per litre.

    Adikwu listed the unions as the local branches of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities (NASU).

    He called on the striking staff to return to work without further delay in the interest of the growth and stability of the university.

    “ We appreciate the reasons adduced by a faction of labour for going into the strike.

    “However, considering the fact that concerted efforts are being made by government and all concerned to address the issues, we call on our staff on sympathy strike to resume work immediately in order to sustain the tremendous progress we have jointly made so far in stabilising the institution.

    “We may be forced to comply with the government directive on the strike if they failed to heed this appeal. ’’

    NAN also recalls that some labour unions on May 18 embarked on strike following the breakdown in negotiation and expiration of their ultimatum to Federal Government to reverse the increment in petrol price.

    [NAN] 

  • APC guber candidate ask Gov Ayade to justify the high rate of crime in Cross River State

    Worried by the recent increase of crime rate in the state, the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress in Cross River State in the 2015 general election, Mr. Odey Ochicha has challenged the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade to justify what he receives as security votes.

    In a statement released in Calabar, Ochicha observed that Ayade’s administration has classically departed from the primary function of government which is to protect lives and properties.

    He regretted that Cross River which prior to Ayade’s administration was regarded as the most peaceful state in Nigeria has now become a dead zone and haven for criminals.

    While tasking security agencies in the state to intensify efforts to clear off criminals, he hinted that the cordial relationship between security agencies and the state government that existed during past administrations look soured as it’s alleged that the governor was not providing the necessary logistics to them to do their job smoothly.

    The APC chieftain who said amongst other crimes, he was particularly worried about the increasing kidnapping cases in the state, reminded government that the tourism potentials of the state was fast deteriorating as a result of kidnapping.

    According to him, “Cross River state has not had it this bad in terms of security. Before Ayade’s administration, we were regarded as the most peaceful state in the country but that status has since died an artificial death imposed by Ayade.

    “The primary responsibility of a government is to protect lives and properties yet, we have a governor that receives security votes monthly but can’t guarantee the safety of his citizenry. He must justify his collection of security votes by beefing up security in the state”.

    Baring his mind on the recent concern expressed by the Igbo community who reside in the state that they were the prime target of kidnapping in the state, Ochicha urged government to take the issue seriously as the Igbos are very fundamental to the growth of the state’s economy.

    “I read on newspapers few days ago that our brothers, the Igbos who reside in the state have threatened to shut down their businesses as a result of the increase in kidnapping in the state and that they were the prime target.

    “While I think their assumptions may not be correct, I want to request governor Ayade to take the issue they raised very seriously. The Igbos are very instrumental to the growth of the state’s economy.

    “The government should not allow things to degenerate to the level of them shutting down their shops. It will give the state a very bad image and will threaten the tourism potentials of the state”, he said.

    From CrossRiverWatch

  • Cross River State To Digitalize Pension Administration To Curb Corruption – Commissioner

    Mr. Sunday Achunekang, Cross River State Commissioner for Rural Transformation, Establishment and Training  has said that his Ministry is looking at new ways to ease the suffering encountered by Pensioners in the State, by digitalizing the entire process.

    “We can’t adopt an old method towards solving a problem and expect different results. We have resolved as a Ministry that we should go digital. And so when we go digital and computerise all of this, so at a tap of a finger we should be able to know who is due for retirement and what day.

    The Commissioner further added that the digitalization will help in curbing corruption in pension administration in the State.

  • Uganda Govt bans smoking in public places and sales to U-21

    People lighting up in bars, restaurants or hotels now face being fined $60 (£41) or jailed for up to two months.

    And smokers must be at least 50 metres away from public spaces, such as schools, hospitals and taxi ranks.

    The new laws also ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and flavoured tobacco for water pipes or shishas, which have become popular in clubs of the capital, Kampala.

    In further anti-smoking measures, the government has banned the sale of single cigarettes and tightened rules on labelling, advertising and selling tobacco to under-21s.

    Buying single cigarettes has previously been popular among less well-off smokers.
    Enforcement?

    The government has said it does not anticipate jailing many people for breaking the new laws and that its mission is to prevent people smoking in the first place.

    The BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga in Kampala says it is unclear how rigidly police will enforce the legislation, given the number of other crimes they have to deal with.

    Our correspondent says smoking is not common in Uganda but the authorities have been concerned by the rise of health problems linked to tobacco use such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

    The laws included in the Tobacco Control Act build on a ministerial directive from 2004, which restricted smoking in public.

    [BBC]

  • Uganda Govt bans smoking in public places and sales to U-21

    People lighting up in bars, restaurants or hotels now face being fined $60 (£41) or jailed for up to two months.

    And smokers must be at least 50 metres away from public spaces, such as schools, hospitals and taxi ranks.

    The new laws also ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and flavoured tobacco for water pipes or shishas, which have become popular in clubs of the capital, Kampala.

    In further anti-smoking measures, the government has banned the sale of single cigarettes and tightened rules on labelling, advertising and selling tobacco to under-21s.

    Buying single cigarettes has previously been popular among less well-off smokers.
    Enforcement?

    The government has said it does not anticipate jailing many people for breaking the new laws and that its mission is to prevent people smoking in the first place.

    The BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga in Kampala says it is unclear how rigidly police will enforce the legislation, given the number of other crimes they have to deal with.

    Our correspondent says smoking is not common in Uganda but the authorities have been concerned by the rise of health problems linked to tobacco use such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure.

    The laws included in the Tobacco Control Act build on a ministerial directive from 2004, which restricted smoking in public.

    [BBC]

  • Gov. Ayade to wash citizens Cars for free on May 29, 2016


    Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade is hosting a free cash wash service to the public to celebrate his one year in office. 

    The service is initiated by Mr. Portrait Peterson and motivated by many others. It’s really a mega car wash explosion. It has happened before during his campaign for the gubernatorial elections last year, but this time, it’s going to be explosive.

    Want to get your car washed for free? Then see details below:

    Date: May 29, 2016
    Time: 12 Noon
    Venue/Location: Mary Slessor Round About, Calabar, CRS.

  • Gov. Ayade to wash citizens Cars for free on May 29, 2016


    Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade is hosting a free cash wash service to the public to celebrate his one year in office. 

    The service is initiated by Mr. Portrait Peterson and motivated by many others. It’s really a mega car wash explosion. It has happened before during his campaign for the gubernatorial elections last year, but this time, it’s going to be explosive.

    Want to get your car washed for free? Then see details below:

    Date: May 29, 2016
    Time: 12 Noon
    Venue/Location: Mary Slessor Round About, Calabar, CRS.

  • Comrade John Ushie – Cross River State NLC will embark on strike despite court sanctions

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade John Ushie has urge Cross Riverians to embark on a nation amidst courts conduct. 

    Speaking to our correspondent on phone this morning, Comrade Ushie said he’s on his way to Calabar to make sure the NLC and TUC strike holds. He said that members of the Congress and the general public will meet at the park station in Calabar where they’ll move around the streets and to the government offices for a peaceful demonstration.

    When asked about the retraction of the TUC and NUPENG from the strike, Comrade Ushie told our correspondent that their ordeal is not for those that has been compromised but for the ordinary Nigerians who are suffering the effect.

    “Comrade Ushie gave the reason for the strike being the increase in fuel price and the 40% electricity tariff. And that the government should reverse the prices in both section. He also urge the government to provide e-metres to customers to know exactly the amount of electricity their are consuming and paying for.

    “Asking about the minimum wage increase, Comrade Ushie said it’s not part of the strike and that, that’ll come later on when the one at hand is being solve.

    Comrade Ushie last word was that Nigerians should take their destinies on their hands and fight for their rights.

  • Comrade John Ushie – Cross River State NLC will embark on strike despite court sanctions

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade John Ushie has urge Cross Riverians to embark on a nation amidst courts conduct. 

    Speaking to our correspondent on phone this morning, Comrade Ushie said he’s on his way to Calabar to make sure the NLC and TUC strike holds. He said that members of the Congress and the general public will meet at the park station in Calabar where they’ll move around the streets and to the government offices for a peaceful demonstration.

    When asked about the retraction of the TUC and NUPENG from the strike, Comrade Ushie told our correspondent that their ordeal is not for those that has been compromised but for the ordinary Nigerians who are suffering the effect.

    “Comrade Ushie gave the reason for the strike being the increase in fuel price and the 40% electricity tariff. And that the government should reverse the prices in both section. He also urge the government to provide e-metres to customers to know exactly the amount of electricity their are consuming and paying for.

    “Asking about the minimum wage increase, Comrade Ushie said it’s not part of the strike and that, that’ll come later on when the one at hand is being solve.

    Comrade Ushie last word was that Nigerians should take their destinies on their hands and fight for their rights.

  • Senate Leaders withdraws anti social-media bill

    The Nigerian Senate has withdrawn an anti social-media bill sponsored by Bala Ibn Na’ Allah which was aimed at putting certain restrictions on users using social media platforms, Sun News Online reports.

    Political commentators have criticised the bill, calling it an infringement on the freedom of expression.

    The withdrawal of the bill came after a report by the upper chamber’s Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters submitted by David Omar earlier today.

    The report stated that the bill was unlawful as it infringed upon the people of Nigeria’s basic human rights.

    Similar instances have taken place across the world in places such as Egypt and North Korea and China, where social media platforms such as Facebook are heavily monitored and restricted.

    Petitioners also claimed that social media was an important tool in fighting corruption in Nigeria.

    For more on this story, visit Sun News Online.