‘President not meeting Jonathan in London,’ UK says

The United Kingdom has denied reports that it arranged a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan in London.

The denial was contained in a statement released by the Press Officer of the British High Commission in Abuja, Joe Abuku.

It reads:

“Reports suggesting that the British Government has set up a meeting with President Buhari, former President, Jonathan, and representatives of Niger Delta groups to discuss a solution to recent violence in the Niger Delta region are incorrect.”

“We are aware that President Buhari is currently in London seeking medical attention. We are not aware of any meetings on the Niger Delta while he is there.”

Buhari is in London to receive treatment for a persistent ear infection.

Militants threaten to attacks state Governors

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The Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) has threatened to attack any Governor who sabotages their efforts.

JNDLF, according to Vanguard, has agreed to dialogue with the Federal Government.

The militants’ commander for general duties, General Akotebe Darikoro said “We shall continue to engage in dialogue if our demands are met. Our representatives for the dialogue, especially the governors and others will not betray our demands with the federal government. Any betrayal on their own part shall be viewed as betrayal of the entire region and we shall go after them immediately as they know our mode of operation in which they will not escape from us.”

The Ijaw community in the Gbaramatu kingdom has also called on the militants to stop bombing oil pipelines.

 

Teaching Hospital doctors embark on strike

The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Branch of the Association of Resident Doctors has embarked on an indefinite strike over "incomplete salaries’’.

The President of the association, Dr Christian Adeneye, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Friday.

Adeneye explained that resident doctors in the hospital had been receiving incomplete salaries since 2014, saying that all efforts to make government see reason on the mater had failed.

"We are embarking on an indefinite strike from today. The problem is about the incomplete salaries that we have been receiving for two years now.

"We have been negotiating with the Federal Government but there is insincerity on the part of government.

"We have been mandated nationally. All centres that are yet to comply with the implementation of the payment of our full salaries should embark on an indefinite strike.”

He said that the strike had not been postponed as was speculated by a section of the media. The unionist confirmed, however, that there was a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representative, Mr Yakubu Dogara, where it was agreed that medical centres that were already enjoying full salaries should not join the strike.

The president said that the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was not in the list of teaching hospitals enjoying full salaries, so doctors there had to embark on strike.

He appealed to patients to bear with doctors on the development, assuring that work would resume as soon as government agreed to pay.

Adeneye said that doctors had shown enough understanding since 2014, when they started receiving incomplete salaries. Patients were being attended to by nurses, senior doctors and other medical workers.

Former Head of State returns to Nigeria after death rumours

Amidst death rumour which trailed his three-week medical trip to Germany, the former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has returned to Nigeria on Friday, June 10, 2016.
On arrival, IBB, as he is fondly called was received by the Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani  Bello, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, Mohammed Babangida (son), Aisha Babangida (daughter), Umar Ndanusa and former federal permanent secretary, Idris Adamu Kuta.
Governor Bello said his return will put to rest the rumour adding that Nigeria still needs the former military ruler around for his counsel.
He said: “Despite unfounded rumour about the life of our national icon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, we are grateful that it pleases Allah (SWT) to preserve his life and bring him back safely and healthier to continue in the good work of nation building.
“General Ibrahim Babangida remains one of the few leaders in this country that we still need around to tap from their wealth of experience and knowledge and we are
“Your safe return has finally put a lie to the rumour and the evil machinations of those who are playing God. We are grateful to Allah (SWT) that He has silence them”.
Babangida ruled Nigeria from August 27, 1985, to  August 27, 1993 after he overthrew General Muhammadu Buhari in a coup.
He annulled the June 12, 1993 elections, a poll which was considered by many as free and fair.
 grateful he is back and kicking like the old soldier he is.

WHO issues stricter virus guidelines to prevent sexual transmission

The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Tuesday said travellers should practice safe sex for no less than eight weeks after returning from areas with Zika infections, doubling the time period that was recommended in its previous guideline.

According to WHO spokesman in Geneva, new studies had shown that the virus is present in body fluids for longer than previously known.

The Zika outbreak in Latin American countries including Brazil, has raised concerns among scientists and athletes about the infection risk during the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Zika is mostly spread through mosquitoes, but WHO noted in a new guidance document that mounting evidence has shown that sexual transmission of the Zika virus is possible and more common than previously assumed.

"Men and women who are planning to conceive a child or who experienced the flu symptoms associated with Zika, should practice safe sex for no less than six months after returning from Zika regions,’’ WHO recommended.

While most Zika patients recover quickly, the virus could cause brain malformations in unborn children, as well as other neurological disorders.

An international group of 151 scientists demanded in an open letter last week that the games in Rio be postponed or moved to avoid intensifying the spread of the Zika virus.

WHO disagreed and argued that the best way to stem the spread was to take precautionary measures, especially personal protection against mosquitoes and practising safe sex.

Blame GEJ for states’ inability to pay salaries – Governor says

Governor Adam Oshiomhole has blamed the current economic challenges hitting some states on the alleged misrule that took place during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.

The Governor said most Governors in Nigeria have complained that they cannot pay salaries of workers.

He said this after having a closed door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Oshiomhole said “These issues were discussed yesterday (on Tuesday) and as usual President Buhari has been extremely supportive even though we all agree including PDP governors among us that the crisis that we are being faced was as a result of the misrule of the past.

“The challenge of today is as a result of the abuses of yesterday.

“But inspite of that, President Buhari has been very helpful. But for that, many states would have gone into crisis. I don’t know what you will call a state that is completely insolvent and bankrupt.

“We have to appreciate the President for the leadership he has provided, ‎I mean we all have a greater sense of security today than was the case around this time a year ago.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole increased the salary of Edo state workers from N18,000 to N25,000 on May 1, 2016.

Nobody can stop Fulani herdsmen – Professor says

Former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has said that nobody can stop the Fulani herdsmen from moving around freely in Nigeria.

Abdullahi said the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the free movement of citizens across the country.

You will recall that Governor Ayo Fayose banned Fulani herdsmen from grazing in Ekiti state, following the alleged of killing of two people by the cattle rearers.

The Professor also described the Fulani herdsmen as businessmen who can move freely to access the resources they require for their business.

Abdullahi  said “And if for any reason, somebody in one section of this country will deny him access then we have to take measures to response to that. We are not saying that if a herdsman encroaches on a farm land . . . and this has been the tradition here for years; when  they do some crops get damaged and an assessment is made and they pay. So why all the petty attitude?

“I see what is happening today as a new dimension to political and ethnic cleansing that if not carefully handled may lead to other big things. The Herdsman is a Nigerian his rights must be exercised as a Nigerian he has free movement like everybody else to pursue legitimate business and he cannot be denied access to any part of the country.”

“I am a Fulani man my ancestors were in the bush, but we find reasons to settle in one place. I have cows and anytime they cause damage I pay compensation and so that is the way it will be.

“The Fulani man is a Nigerian he has rights like any other Nigerian he works freely to access legitimate economic resources of this country like land. Land is common thing for all Nigerians. In fact, what really amazes me there is no Nigerian I know that works as hard as a herdsman; he sleeps on the branches of trees he has no permanent abode, he toils day and night with his animals,” he added.

Fulani herdsmen in Cross River state have begged the Governor, Ben Ayade to allocate a portion of land for them in the state for grazing.