Must Read: Nigeria Oil workers prepare for showdown with Buhari-- NNPC reform

<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="OIL WORKERS REPAIRING PIPELINES AT OKRIKA JETTY IN RIVERS" class="attachment-860x800 wp-post-image" height="398" src="http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2012/09/600x398xOIL-WORKERS-REPAIRING-PIPELINES-AT-OKRIKA-JETTY-IN-RIVERS.jpg.pagespeed.ic.hpuKAhrTOv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineers At Work</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Nigeria’s oil workers on Friday criticised the on-going reform in the oil and gas industry, and vowed to take steps to protect their members’ interest.<br /> The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, NUPENGASSAN, described the reform as a cover-up and vindictive actions against their members. They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the newly appointed Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Emmanuel Kachikwu, to order by direct him to stop the on-going sack in the Corporation.<br /> Vowing to give equal response to whatever actions of government they consider capable of suppressing worker’s interests, the unions suggested that a team should be set up immediately to review Mr. Kachikwu’s actions so far in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.<br /> Within two weeks of the commencement of the reform, Mr. Kachikwu has carried out massive restructuring of the management of the corporation.<br /> Apart from the sack and re-composition of the board, Mr. Kachikwu has retired 38 top management staff, pruning the top hierarchy of the corporation from 122 to 83, while reducing the operational directorates from eight to four.<br /> New Group Executive Directors, GEDs, have since been appointed for the new directorates, along with Group General Managers, GGMs, for the various divisions, a move the new oil chief said was to rid the corporation of corruption and make it more efficient and profitable.<br /> Regardless, the oil workers in a joint statement by the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, and his counterpart in the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Igwe Achese, accused the NNPC management of executing an agenda that did not carry the workers’ unions along.<br /> The statement, which was also signed by their General Secretaries – Bayo Olowoshile and Joseph Ogbebor respectively- also accused Mr. Kachikwu of pursuing an agenda contrary to the idea canvassed by President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> “While we are fully in support of the fight against corruption, the fight itself should not be turned against workers whom government swore to protect,” the oil workers said.<br /> “The ongoing exercise portends a great danger in the oil sector if workers are meant to bear the brunt of government’s current action where the fight against corruption is now being used as an act of vindictiveness against workers.” <br /> The on-going exercise, the oil workers said, did not show any attempt to fight corruption and block leakages, but was “an act of cover up.”<br /> “We dare the new GMD of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to recover the stolen trillions of Naira in the sector than retiring and sacking of innocent workers. We are quite sure that the on-going action is not the idea of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”<br /> As players in all spheres of the industry’s operation, the unions said they have been trying to meet with the President to review the on-going reforms in the NNPC, saying they have so far been kept in the dark by his protocol staff.<br /> Despite being the representatives of organized workers in the industry, the union leaders claimed all their suggestions on the critical challenges affecting the on-going reforms were being not being considered by the authorities.<br /> They listed the issues to include the review of industry policy and fiscal framework; cash call and counterpart funding obligations; stability of the downstream oil and gas sector; pipeline sabotage and oil theft.<br /> On the NNPC restructuring, the oil workers said the gale of abrupt loss of jobs in the corporation was sending very wrong signals to their members throughout the oil and gas sector, particularly about their job security.<br /> Reminding government of its promise to create jobs through the entire strata of the economy, they noted that the situation in the NNPC was likely to have the opposite effect.<br /> “We believe people are not the problem, but the structure put in place. If there are strong structures and institutions, the organization will be a more effective place,” the unions stated.<br /> “So instead of a blanket sacking of workers, which other organizations are likely to key into, government reforms should be geared towards putting in place effective and strong structures and institutions that will meet the numerous challenges currently bedevilling the oil and gas sector in particular and the nation in general.”</div>

See: 11 Nigerian universities are substandard – NUC

<div><img alt="University " class="attachment-860x800 wp-post-image" height="360" src="http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/08/Baze-uni.jpg.pagespeed.ce.qj2efeI1Se.jpg" title="" width="480" /> <br /><br />The National Universities Commission, NUC, on Thursday denied 11 private universities operating in Nigeria full operational licenses for their inability to meet set standards three years after they were issued provisional licenses.<br /> Speaking at the presentation of the full operational licenses to nine other private universities, the NUC Executive Secretary, Julius Okojie, said the 11 affected private universities were given two years to get their full operational licenses, but failed to get in in three.<br /> The affected universities are Wesley University of Science and Technology, Landmark University, Rhema University, Samuel Adegboyega University, Paul University, Oduduwa University, Tansian University, Baze University, Obong University, Achievers University and Wellspring University.<br /> Mr. Okojie, who did not mention any punitive measure for the affected universities, explained that the provisional license was intended to create room for effective mentoring and qualitative growth within the first three years of operation of a new private university.<br /> He noted that the universities were also to be monitored by NUC to ensure that they comply with the original purpose of establishment.<br /> “That was also part of NUC’s initiative for early warning signals to detect compromises in quality for the application of corrective and remedial measures to redress such situations,” he said.<br /> He added that the commission monitors the activities of universities in the country, and inspects and penalises them through the accreditation process.<br /> “If we don’t monitor them now they will have problems. So they will slow down on programmes, (we) look at their staff strength and look at their programmes,” he said.<br /> Also speaking, the Vice chancellor of Caleb University,  Ayodeji Olukoju, said private universities are the way forward for tertiary education in the country.<br /> He said since interim licenses were given, the institutions had focused on academic programme development, system development and infrastructural development.<br /> The nine universities that received full operational licenses are Veritas University, Caleb University, Geofery Okoye University, Fountain University, Adeleke University, Western Delta University, Afe Babalola University, Salem University and Nigerian Turkish Nile University.</div>

Trial of those who stole public funds set to begin-- Buhari

<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="President Buhari" class="attachment-860x800 wp-post-image" height="501" src="http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/03/800x501xAQ4V0403.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Bwvacz77sM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="800" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>President Buhari</h3></td></tr></tbody></table><br />President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja that the prosecution of persons who stole national resources will begin in a matter of weeks.<br /> Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that his administration was irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.<br /> “Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress,” Femi Adesina, special adviser on media and publicity, quoted the President as saying.<br /> He added that his administration was diligently getting  facts and figures pertaining to the nation’s stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.<br /> President Buhari told Mr. Abdulsalami and members of his committee that the Federal Government, under his leadership, would not only ask for the return of  stolen funds stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial  in Nigeria.<br /> The President also said that as part of its actions to address the national problems it inherited, his administration was reorganising Nigeria’s revenue generating institutions.<br /> The President explained that a single treasury account had been established for all Federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds. <br /> “We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.<br /> “As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo  in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants.<br /> “That is why security-wise and economically, we’re in trouble,” President Buhari told his guests, adding that those who have stolen the national wealth “will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them.”<br /> Mr. Abubakar and members of his committee  urged the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.<br /> Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied Gen Abubakar on the visit were Matthew Hassan Kukah, a Catholic bishop; Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto; Cardinal John Onaiyekan; Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of  Nigeria and  Nicholas Okoh, an archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.<br /> Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd); Prof Ameze Guobadia; Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka; Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi; Yunusa Tanko, and Arthur-Martin Aginam.<br /> The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections,  was granted  permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council.</div>

At least seventy politicians from PDP defected to APC in Bayelsa State this weekend

<div><div class="first">At least seventy politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State this weekend. Leading these defections is Timi Alaibe, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).</div><span class="container container-pod container-pod-short"></span> <span class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-embedded centered clearfix block-story-object block-story-object-resource block-story-object-resource-image"> <span class="block-story-object-asset"><img alt="Bayelsa" class="media-element file-embedded" src="http://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/styles/normal_medium/public/page_images/news/2014/dickson_seriake_1.jpg?itok=DRDh4DrZ" title="" /></span><span class="block-story-object-content"><span class="block-story-object-content-header"><span class="block-story-object-content-header-description"> </span></span><span class="block-story-object-content-footer"> </span></span> </span> According to APC State leadership, the PDP defectors will be receive at a mega rally slated for Saturday August 15th.<br /> <br />Among the notable PDP leaders defecting include the immediate past Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district Heineken Lokpobiri; former Acting Governors Nestor Binabo and Werinipre Seibarugu, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Peremobowei Ebebi, Senator John Brambaifa, Senator Clever Ikisipo, and Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio.<br /> <br />Also listed include the former House of Representatives member Dr. Stella Dorgu, former NDDC chairman Professor Tarila Tebepah, Rear Admiral FBI Porbeni (Rtd.). The former House members include Christopher Enai, Warman Ogoriba, Bonus Indiamaowei, Nelson Belief, Nadu Karibo, former Secretary to the State Government Gideon Ekeowe, and former Deputy Speaker Fini Angaye.<br /> It was gathered that most defectors chose to decamp from the PDP due to influence from the former NDDC boss Timi Alaibe.<br /> <br />Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson plans to declare his intent to run for a second term as Governor on August 28, according to statements form his Chief Press Secetary Daniel Markson-Iworiso.</div>

President Buhari Can Use these 2 Cases Against Jonathan – Obasanjo

<div><br />Former President Goodluck Jonathan met secretly with President Muhammad Buhari on Thursday night, with corruption at the center of their discussion, two Presidency sources have disclosed.<br /> <div style="float: none; margin: 10px 0 10px 0; text-align: center;"> </div>President Buhari and President Jonathan met secretly last Thursday<br /> Our sources disclosed that the meeting between President and the man he unseated in the March 28, 2015 presidential poll lasted from 9-10 p.m. Nigerian time.<br /> <br />Our sources stated that they understood that former President Jonathan did not seek any explicit overtures from President Buhari, adding that they suspect that Mr. Jonathan was at the Presidential Villa to check Mr. Buhari’s temperament regarding the growing probe of sectors of the former president’s administration.<br /> <br />One source stated that President Buhari and Mr. Jonathan parted on an “amicable note,” with both men chatting and laughing.<br /> The meeting was kept secret, hidden from the media.<br /> <div style="float: none; margin: 10px 0 10px 0; text-align: center;"> <div class="adserves_ad_unit_main_imageads001"> <div class="singleadd"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><b>Less than 24 hours after the meeting, former President Olusegun Obasanio also requested to meet with President Buhari. One source revealed that, at a Friday meeting with President Buhari, Mr. Obasanjo urged the new president to act boldly and courageously on corruption. <i>According to the source, Mr. Obasanjo specifically told the president to be open to sending former President Jonathan to prison on account of his involvement in corrupt activities.</i></b></div><b><i></i></b><b><i>Mr. Obasanjo reportedly listed fraudulent selling of Nigeria’s crude oil and the arms import scams as two areas he would be able to assist Mr. Buhari to nail former President Jonathan.</i></b></div>