Niger Delta Avengers announces ceasefire in the region, shows support for negotiations with FG led by E.K Clark,

In a new press statement posted on their website, Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, announced a ceasefire on all interest of the Multinational oil Corporations in the Niger Delta Region and also signified their support for negotiations between the Federal government and elders of the region led by Former Minister of Information, Chief E.K Clarke. Read their new press statement after the cut...

The struggle has always being a Pan-Niger Delta one, we only know the anti Niger Delta elements are using some disorganized characters from the region to scuttle all effort to restore the essence of our humanity; resources control and self-determination. We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr.) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the federal government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational Oil Corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta. Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir.Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), The Kaiama Declaration document, The General Alexander Ogomudia report, The Leedum Mittee headed, Niger Delta Technical Committee report and restructuring to fiscal federalism. We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our times; we want the peace with honor this time around! Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this inhuman project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with that care as driving a vehicle like that of a truck laden with fire. We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interest of the Multinational oil Corporations, but we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period if, the Nigerian government and the ruling political APC continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade especially Ijaw communities. We promise to fight more for the Niger Delta, if this opportunity fails. Therefore, we will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to the dialogue table with the government and the Multinational oil Corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails. We also use this medium to warn those using rogue platforms like the defunct so-called MEND, RNDA- Cynthia Whyte especially Charles Okah who is franchising these internet based banditry from his prison cell, through Victor Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Timipre Silva, Selekaye Ebikabowei, Ayirimi Emani, Michael Johnny, Governor Adams Oshiomole to please inform those their paymasters that the days of doom are here. That those sold and bought up interests from around the corridors of power cannot arm-twist the NDA with bandits, drug addicts, illegal bunkerers, bank robbers and disorganized characters to derail the Niger Delta struggle.

DELSU sacks 6 lecturers for gross misconduct

SIX lecturers of the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, have been sacked by the institution’s Governing Council for various offences ranging from extortion, sexual harassment, leaking of examination questions, to bribery and corruption. 

Police Recruitment: Aptitude test for shortlisted applicants begins Aug. 22

The Police Service Commission ( PSC) says it will conduct aptitude test for shortlisted applicants for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force on Aug. 22 across the country. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, of the commission on Sunday in Abuja.

Budget Padding: Again, Jibrin asks Dogara to step aside

AGAIN, former Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmunin Jibrin has asked Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara to step aside for investigations to commence over alleged padding of the 2016 Budget. The post Budget Padding: Again, Jibrin asks Dogara to step aside appeared first on Nuc News.

UNESCO unveils ambassadors ‎for FCT and Bayelsa

Abuja - In order to fulfil its promise to educate 110,000 Nigerian girls and women with basic literacy and skills development, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has unveiled two ambassadors for Federal Capital Territory, FCT and Bayelsa State.

Breaking News - Boko Haram kills 10, abducts 13 near Chibok

Boko Haram Islamists have killed 10 people and abducted 13 others in a raid on a village near the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok where the militants kidnapped over 200 schoolgirls in 2014, locals told AFP Sunday. 

Nuc New Executive Secretary Appointed -You can hate me, just don’t work against NUC

Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the new Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), has pledged to promote accountability and improve staff welfare.

He made the promise while receiving hand over notes from Acting Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Rasheed, synergy among staff is needed to move the commission forward and achieve its mandate.

“Let us work together; let us be bold, honest and courageous; I will do my best to be open; to be transparent; to promote accountability.

“I will also ensure that staff who deserve anything in their welfare; in their salaries, allowances and promotions will get them as and when do.

“Everybody is a friend. I do not have foes in this place until they decide not to be.

“If you decide not be my friend; then it is not a crime; but if you decide not to be a friend of the institution, of NUC, then you will be in crisis,’’ he said.
 Rasheed said it was a special privilege to be given the opportunity to lead a commission charged with the responsibility of regulating universities.

The executive secretary urged the staff to eschew sentiments and gossips and be dedicated to their duties as incompetence would not be tolerated.

The professor of English Language said he had contacted past executive secretaries of the commission and would need their advice in piloting the affairs of NUC.

Earlier, Mafiana said he would work with the new executive secretary in stabilising the Nigerian University System (NUS).

He said the major problem confronting the NUS was data collection as many universities did not furnish the commission with accurate data.

Mafiana advised the new executive secretary to engage the staff unions in the universities in order to maintain uninterrupted academic activities.

“Federal Government’s attention should be drawn to start negotiations with the staff unions.

“All universities are due for visitation and we should conclude the process of ensuring that NUC regulatory roles are backed by law’’, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Rasheed was the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano.

He is the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board of Jigawa State University and a Sabbatical Professor at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

NAN recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday appointed new chief executives for 17 education parastatals.

Prof. Julius Okojie, the immediate past Executive Secretary of NUC, completed his two tenures of five years apiece on Aug. 1 having been appointed on Aug. 3, 2006.(NAN)