ASUU Strike: Police Use Tear Gas Against Protesting UniAbuja Lecturers

ASUU Strike: Police Use Tear Gas Against Protesting UniAbuja Lecturers. The Nigerian Police Force used tear gas against the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, as they mobilise for their protest into the streets of the Federal Capital City, Abuja. Eyewitnesses said that the lecturers had gathered at the mini-campus of the university at Gwagwalada for the protest when suddenly policemen and plain clothes security personnel took over the entire arena and prevented them from the embarking on the protest. Dr. Clement Chup, zonal Chairman of ASUU, told the journalists that ASUU forwarded a written request to the Commissioner of Police at Gwagwalada to notify him of their intentions, but all the protesters were shocked when the policemen showed up and prevented them from entering the campus. Read the press statement of ASUU rep below: "We, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of University of Abuja had actually planned to carry out a peaceful demonstration today (October 30, 2013, Wednesday). What we planned was to have a community marching just to march through some major streets in Abuja, to sensitize the public on the essence of our strike. You will agree with me that the strike that has been on for the past four months now is a cause for worry for everybody. We wanted to tell members of the public we are on strike because the Federal Government have refused to implement the agreement they had with our members since 2009. "But unfortunately when we got to the campus this morning, we were prevented from entering the campus by policemen. When they prevented us from entering the campus we sat down helplessly outside the gate, just chatting and trying to put heads together, the policemen came around and tear gassed us several times to disperse us. "We were wondering why security agents who supposed to provide security for law abiding citizens would turn around and begin to oppress the same people they are supposed to provide security for. It was really a cause for worry, even as they threw over 13 canisters of tear gas at us. Some of us were soaked in the tear gas and one of us who has asthma condition was rushed to the hospital. "We insisted that it is our right, so at the end of the day, we were able to carry out our protest at a point in front of the university gate. When they tried to stop us and they didn't succeed, they now allowed us to carry out our protest at the gate where we displayed our banners, sang our solidarity song and left". Commenting on the rally, the Divisional Police Officer, Gwagwalada, Mr. Tony Okon, said the presence of policemen at the campus, was to protect innocent citizens against hoodlums. "Shooting of teargas was to prevent hoodlums from joining the protest so that they do not take advantage of the situation and cause any damage" the DPO said.

Armoured car scandal: More shocking facts revealed at Aviation minister's hearing

More cans of worms were thrown up on Wednesday in Abuja during the public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on the controversial N255m bulletproof cars purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. But the woman at the centre of the scandal, Ms Stella Oduah, dared the committee as she again reneged on her promise to honour an invitation earlier extended to her. Her absence however led to a near disagreement between the Committee Chairman, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and a member, Jerry Manwe. Manwe had complained that the committee started proceedings without first clarifying why Oduah, who is the Minister of Aviation, was absent. He said, "We adjourned (on Tuesday)to take the minister today (Wednesday). Why is she not here? "She should have been the main issue today (Wednesday). "The absence of the minister (Oduah) is a slap on the face of the House." Responding, Onyejeocha argued that the hearing was not about Oduah alone. She overruled Manwe and moved on to hear the officials of the Nigerian Customs Service, Coscharis and First Bank Nigeria Plc state their roles in the purchase of the cars for Oduah by the NCAA. The committee chairman later read a letter from the Ministry of Aviation in whicn the minister explained why she could not make the public sitting. Onyejeocha told her colleagues that the Aviation ministry wrote to inform the committee that Oduah was on "transit" from Israel to Nigeria. In the letter, the minister, who had allegedly failed to honour 12 invitations by the House, claimed that she would arrive in Lagos late on Wednesday and applied to appear before the committee on November 4. But, Onyejeocha directed that the minister must appear on Thursday (today). She said, "If she fails again, we take it that she does not want to appear. We are saying this in the spirit of fair hearing. "Thursday (today) is sacrosanct and we will turn in our report whether she comes or not." The committee had on Monday issued a statement in which it insisted that the minister must appear before it on Wednesday. It warned that it would not hesitate to take necessary actions against her if she failed to turn up on Wednesday. The House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, had also said on Tuesday, that sanctions that could be imposed on the minister if she failed to appear before the committee, included issuing a bench warrant to facilitate her arrest by security agents. Fresh revelations on the deal But even with her absence, the committee, the NCS, Coscharis Motors and First Bank Nigeria Plc made fresh revelations on the controversial cars. Among the fresh revelations made public at the hearing was the difference in the chassis numbers of the cars inspected by the committee members and those in the transaction documents between the NCAA and Coscharis. Another is how the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Security Adviser were made to believe that the two vehicles were for the 18th National Sports Festival (Eko Games 2012) hosted by Lagos State. The Customs Service was the first to blow the lid when it told the committee that no duty was paid on the cars because Coscharis obtained a duty exemption certificate from the Federal Ministry of Finance. According to the Customs, the government lost N10.1m due to the waiver, which covered 300 vehicles, including the two controversial bulletproof cars. The Deputy Comptroller-General (Modernisation and Economic Relations), Mr. Manasa Jatau, who testified before the panel, disclosed that the Ministry of Finance granted the waiver after Coscharis wrote that it wanted to import 300 assorted vehicles for the EKO Games. He added that the "end beneficiary" of the cars, including the two bulletproof vehicles was the Lagos State Government. However,he hinted that the waiver was later used as a cover to import the bulletproof cars to evade the payment of import duty. He revealed that there was also a third bulletproof car imported by Coscharis. The Customs chief who did not name the owner of the third bulletproof car, added that the office of the NSA issued a security clearance for the two bought for Oduah. Asked whether a waiver granted for a specific purpose, could be transferred to a different end-user, he replied, "To the best of my knowledge, end-user certificate is not transferable." The DCG said, "N10.1m was the duty payable on the 300 vehicles; but no duty was paid because there was an import exemption certificate issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance. "The waiver was for a period of one year. "The waiver showed there were 300 vehicles for the sports festival, hosted from November to December, 2012. "Only three of the vehicles were bulletproof and the NSA gave security certificate for their clearance." Coscharis Motors was represented at the hearing by its Chairman, Mr. Cosmos Maduka, and the Managing Director, Mr. Josiah Samuel. The company admitted that it got a waiver to import vehicles for the games, saying that "it is the usual practice for government to approach us to supply vehicles for major events." However, efforts by the committee to establish how the waiver was used to cover the bulletproof cars, did not yield results. Samuel parried questions and chose rather to advertise BMW cars to members at the hearing. Coscharis accused of connivance The committee however accused the company of conniving with the NCAA to inflate the cost of the cars. But Coscharis denied the accusation. On the price of the cars, Samuel claimed that the BMWs were "7 Series, B7" security cars, which were costlier than their equivalent quoted by "independent amourers" on the Internet. He argued that the cars in question had factory-fitted armour, as against buying a plain car before taking it to an independent firm to rebuild. The Managing Director stated that the factory price for the grade of BMW cars it supplied the NCAA was €418,000, excluding other charges. On how the company gets and utilises duty waivers, Josiah said most times, the waivers would come too close to the date of the event they were meant to cover. "So, what we do is that we sign a Memorandum of Understanding with government to release the vehicles we have in our showroom. We then use the waiver to replace the vehicles we have supplied", he added. But, his response angered Manwe, who accused Coscharis of committing "fraud." Manwe said a quotation he received from an American firm showed that the same car sold for N42m. He said, "We are not fools; you have been taking us for a ride. "You imported the cars without paying duty, why are you selling one for over N127m? Are your own bulletproof cars manufactured in the moon. "You got a waiver to import cars for the National Sports Festival, but you ended up using it to import bulletproof cars for the NCAA. "You have been lying to us. You ripped off the people of Nigeria through the NCAA. That is the summary of what is before us here, so what are you saying?" But, Maduka protested, saying his company did a legitimate transaction. He said the whole scandal was "politically-motivated" for reasons he could not explain. Maduka added, "We followed all the processes required. We sold vehicles to the NCAA and First Bank financed it. "We were interviewed by the SSS(State Security Service), the NSA; we didn't do any wrong." • More drama But, more drama played out when the Aviation Committee's Sub-Committee on Inspection, reported that the armoured cars Coscharis supplied were different from the ones quoted in its letter to the NSA. The committee had visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on Tuesday to inspect the cars. However, members discovered that the chassis numbers were different from the ones quoted in the transaction documents. The leader of the inspection team, Mr. Ahmed Chanchangi, said, "We sighted the cars at the airport yesterday (Tuesday). "The chassis numbers do not correspond with what you said you supplied. It looks like Nigeria was shortchanged here again", he stated. However, Maduka disagreed and insisted that a member of his staff ought to have accompanied the team to the airport to ascertain the cars they inspected. The discrepancy in the chassis numbers was left unresolved. • Our role -First Bank First Bank which was the financier of the transaction, confirmed that it entered into a loan agreement, "not lease agreement" with the NCAA. The head of the bank's Lagos Mainland branch, which handled the transaction, Mr. Seyi Ojefeso, recalled how the NCAA approached the bank for a loan to purchase vehicles for its management staff. Ojefeso claimed that it was possible that the NCAA "got it mixed up" when it described it as a lease agreement. He explained that the NCAA applied for a total loan package of N643m to finance the purchase of 54 vehicles. For the bulletproof cars, he said there was a Coscharis proforma invoice attached to the application in the value of N255m. He added, "We offered an auto loan to the NCAA in May to purchase cars for its management staff. "The application was for N643m; we financed the purchase of the cars based on the application they submitted to us." The committee observed that the original request of the NCAA to the Minister of Aviation was N564m, but First Bank eventually approved a loan of N643. When asked to explain how the difference came about, Ojefeso said only the NCAA could answer the question since N564m was not in the agency's communication with the bank. RELATED ARTICLE: Anti-Corruption Protesters Demand Oduah's Imprisonment Related News Right-of-Way: Bayelsa Demolishes Gov. Dickson’s Private Home Anti-Corruption Protesters Demand Oduah's Imprisonment Oduah In Another Car Scandal, To Face Panel Today

Aliyu Ready To Join 2015 Presidential Election

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has expressed his readiness to take a shot at the Presidency in 2015, if he the people want him to join the race. The governor spoke yesterday in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted delegates of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), led by its Chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa. Aliyu said: "I always prepare myself for eventuality. I have never declared for anything. I didn't declare to be governor; I was called upon. So, if my people call upon me, I won't hesitate to contest." The governor cautioned against political intolerance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels of government to opposition. He noted that a one-party state was undemocratic. Aliyu maintained that a multiple-party system at any level would encourage healthy competition and enable the people to choose the best to be their leaders. He said: "Every ruling party wants to have a one-party state. I encourage a multiple-party system so that there would be peer review and for the people to have choices of ideology and style. We need to show the people the differences in what is to be done and how we can run the affair of governance. "A one-party state is undemocratic as it makes one to want to crush another over a little disagreement." Aliyu condemned the undemocratic forces in Rivers State, where the people were restricted from holding meetings or gatherings. The governor stressed that this should not be allowed to continue. He said: "Undemocratic forces are very active in Rivers State. People cannot meet or gather for activities. Even during the military era, people were still allowed to meet. This has already happened and, if we allow it to continue, it will ruin the peace in the country." Musa said he and his team were in Niger State for CNPP's annual conference. He said the CNPP was not an opposition party but an umbrella of smaller political parties and political organisations. Related News Right-of-Way: Bayelsa Demolishes Gov. Dickson’s Private Home N255m Car Scandal: More Shocking Facts Revealed At Oduah's Hearing Forbes Publishes World's Most Powerful List: Aliko Dangote Most Powerful Nigerian Alive

Niger Holds World’s Highest Childhood Pregnancy Rate, Says UN

The 20,000 girls below the age of 18 who give birth every day in developing countries make them and the countries they live in to face economic disadvantages, a UN report said on Wednesday. The report said that it made them face much higher health risks than older mothers. Every year, 7.3 million children become mothers in developing countries, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), said in its annual report that was launched in several cities, including Geneva. Some 70,000 mothers between 15 and 19 die from complications after birth each year. Having children at a young age prevents girls from entering the work force. If girls waited until the age of 20 before having babies, the gross annual income would be boosted by more than 7.7 billion dollars in India and 3.5 billion dollars in Brazil, the report found. At the same time UNFPA chief Babatunde Osotimehin stressed that poverty was an important cause of childhood pregnancies, along with discrimination against women. "Too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant,'' he said. "The reality is that adolescent pregnancy is most often not the result of a deliberate choice, but rather the absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl's control." The report said Niger had the world's highest childhood pregnancy rate, with 51 per cent of women in their 20s reporting that they gave birth before turning 18. In Asia, Bangladesh has the highest rate at 40 per cent. In other regions, Nicaragua holds the record in Latin America at 28 per cent and Yemen in the Middle East at 25 per cent. The U.S. accounts for half of the annual 680,000 teenage pregnancies in industrialised countries, the UNFPA said. Related News Freed French Hostages Leave Niger Niger Governor Aliyu Denies Leaving Baraje-led PDP N32m Ransom Paid For Oronto Douglas’ Sister — MEND

12 Reasons Why Many Guys Wouldn’t Like You

This goes to all the ladies out there. Have you ever taken time to think of the reasons why that guy dumped you? Why he doesn't like you? Why that guy dimmed his love for you? Why your guy changed all over a sudden? Why guys don’t fall for you? Why you are remaining single year to year? The 12 REASONS are:

|Read More Below|

 1. YOU LIE TOO MUCH – Guys aren’t stupid. They can tell when they’re being lied too. Don’t try to hide who you are because you think a guy won’t like the real you. You can’t fool somebody forever and once the truth comes out he’ll never trust you again. So be yourself to some guys who date you.
 2. YOU DON’T APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS HE DOES FOR YOU – Some guys are horrible with expressing their feelings, but they try to in their own little ways. Sometimes it’s something small like picking up a cupcake because they know you’ll like it. Lots of times an act like this goes unnoticed, If a guy is trying to show you he cares and you don’t see it he’ll think you don’t care or you don’t love him

You Won't Believe What This Pastor Did To His Church Members.

You Won't Believe What This Pastor Did To His Church Members. Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service, only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food - NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him. As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. "We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek." The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle. The clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him. He walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment then he recited, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 'The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame. He then said, "Today I see a gathering of people, not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples. When will YOU decide to become disciples?" He then dismissed service until next week. Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.

Advice to our sisters

SINGLE LADIES, let's talk about something very important... As a woman, stupidity is when you sit back cross-leg and search for an already made man. In case you don't know, every already made man out there, has a woman who has been with him from when he had only a pair of shorts and a single shirt. That's why majority of well to do men, usually make you nothing but a sex-toy, for you mean absolutely nothing to them. He might cheat on her with you, but truth is, he will never leave her for you! If you are guilty of hunting for an already made man, then I tell you, my dear you are such a cow, you actually need horns. When good healthy brains settles, yours floats! That man who is head over heels in love with you right now and you are taking for granted this minute... He may not own a car. He may not earn a lot of money. He may not live in a posh estate. He may not be able to shower you with gifts all the time. He may not have a great job. But it's enough to know you are the only one he craves for and loves unconditionally ... If he has a heart of gold. He is Honest. He is very hard working. He is humble. He keeps that smile on your face. He talks to you everyday. He actually listens to you. Again, He tolerates you when you're moody. His family knows you. He tells you, your beautiful all the time. He sees you every chance he gets. He appreciates the tiniest things you do. He is there, when you need him. He respects you. He is proud you are his and likes showing you off. And he treats you like a queen, my dear you are indeed lucky to have him. He may not have it all now, but one day he will... He may not be living his dream now, but one day he will.. And as he pictures all this, he pictures you. Ladies, there's no perfect man on earth, never you forget this fact. Learn to appreciate that man in your life who strives to be all you need. That man who promises you nothing but tries his utmost best to give you everything. Ladies, appreciate he that is in you, and to you men, don't be goats or act like dogs, appreciate and be all the above to your women. Let genuine love lead. Cheers and do have a great day!

STOP BOASTING

STOP BOASTING……. • Some are proud of Blackberry phones, BBM is now even in Techno phones. • Some are proud of ipad tablet computer not knowing that Secondary students at Osun State are using it free for their studies. • Don’t boast about your Jeep SUV because that is what some airport taxi operators use at Abuja airport. • Why must a Nigerian boast of travelling by air when other Nigerians are placing an aircraft on charter just to carry a corpse? • Never boast of the numbers of degree you have. World top billionaires are not graduates. • Don’t boast of your beauty.-‘Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last’- Proverbs 31:30 • Never boast of your height. Aki and PawPaw are worth over 50 Million Naira each. Be humble always. Whatever you are today or have achieved is not just only because of your hard work and smartness. The grace and favour of the Lord is upon your life! Appreciate the role of God in your life’s achievements..

Say thank you to our Nurses

About NURSES: Somebody asked: "You're a nurse?!? That's cool, I wanted to do that when I was a kid. How much do you make?" The nurse replied: "HOW MUCH DO I MAKE?" ... I can make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you're scared. ... I can make your child breathe when they stop. ... ... ... ... I can help your father survive a heart attack. ... I can make myself ......get up at 5AM to make sure your mother has the medicine she needs to live. ... I work all day to save the lives of strangers. ... I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of. ... I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your wife today is charted. ... I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don't just get sick Monday thru Friday. ... Today, I might save your life. ... How much do I make? All I know is, I make a difference. Repost this if you respect our work!To all nurses out there...Thank you

Love is all we need

If There Is Love, There Is Also Wealth And Success .. A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.” “Is the man of the house home?”, they asked. “No”, she replied. “He’s out.” “Then we cannot come in”, they replied. In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. “Go tell them I am home and invite them in!” The woman went out and invited the men in” “We do not go into a House together,” they replied. “Why is that?” she asked. One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home.” Read More => http://moonarticles.blogspot.com/2013/10/if-there-is-love-there-is-also-wealth.html