By Temitope Ponle

The National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as an enduring national symbol that has evolved from pre-independence to a truly modern national institution.

This is according to a statement from Mr Emma Njoku, the Chief Press Secretary, NSIWC, on Monday.

Njoku said that the Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, made the assertion when he received a team led by the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu in his office in Abuja.

Nta noted that he was proud of the national and international achievements of the police force within the context of resources available to it.

He added that police personnel were constrained to work beyond approved hours of shift duties due to ongoing security challenges and manpower constraints.

It is worthy of note that at the last negotiations for the Consequential Adjustment of salaries arising from the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, the commission in recognition of their selfless sacrifices for the country, also recommended a percentage increase for the Police, paramilitary agencies, intelligence community and the Armed Forces, he said.

The acting chairman noted that the commissions position was unanimously endorsed by both the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Federal Government.

Nta further said that the commission had embarked on implementing more productivity and improvement schemes in the public sector to ensure that increases in salaries and allowances were backed with relative productivity as justification.

He also explained that the commission would extend the productivity improvement schemes to the security sector so that governments would have the empirical data needed for continuous positive investments and interventions.

Earlier, the I-G extensively briefed the commission on the current status and the need for a regular review of the conditions of service, remunerations and pensions of the police.

Adamu said this was in order to maximise the forces effectiveness and adequately motivate its personnel.

A highlight of the visit was the presentation to the I-G of some research publications undertaken by NSIWC in Incomes Surveys of the Health Sector (Private Health Facilities) and of the informal sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

The House of Representatives says it will prioritise issues of local government, electoral and judicial reforms in amending the 1999 Constitution.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, made this known at a retreat organised for members of the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review on Monday in Abuja.

Wase said it was evident that the country was passing through serious challenges as a result of the local government system not working as it should.

The federal lawmakerstressed the need forthe houseto pay special attention to the named issues as they embarked on amending the constitution.

According to him, lawmakers have the opportunity to write their names in gold by ensuring that they do everything possible to give Nigerians a people-oriented constitution.

He said that review of the electoral process was particularly important to give Nigerians a direction in its democratic growth.

Wase said that state creation as well as women participation in politics would also be given special attention by the house committee.

This is about our nation building. We have the opportunity to write our names in gold in whatever we are going to do here.

We should be guided by the fact that Nigeria needs very critical reforms at this very particular time.

By our own design at the secretariat, we thought we should segment the issues in the country so that we will have them in batches.

We are not going to have one batch constitutional review like it was done in the past. As issues come, we shall be treating them and we have classified the issues, he said.

Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas, the lead consultant to the committee, said in reviewing the constitution the house must take cognisance of the participation of Nigerians in the process.

He said in carrying out the exercise, the committee must find a way to harvest the views of Nigerians, while paying special attention to certain constitutional provisions.

He said this was necessary in order not to render the outcome of the exercise a nullity.

Dakas, a professor of law, said that there was the need for the committee to work in collaboration with its Senate counterpart.

He suggested a joint public hearing rather than seeing each other as rivals.

The Head, Governance Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, Mr Sam Waldock said the British Government had invested about 50 million pounds in supporting democracy in Nigeria in the last five years.

Waldock said the United Kingdom (UK) was proud to support democratic development in Nigeria, especially as it related to electoral reforms.

He said that it was the expectation of the UK government that the outcome of the review would lead to fundamental rebuilding of Nigerias democracy.

Waldock stressed that as the largest democracy in Africa and leading member of the Commonwealth, it was important for Nigeria to have a constitution that reflected the wishes aspirations of the people.

The Executive Director, Policy and Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the committee should give special attention to the issue of women participation in the nations political landscape.

He also said that the lawmakers should synergise with their counterparts in the senate and states to ensure a successful review. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Fosla Academy of Abuja on Sunday in Jos emerged football champions at the North-Central Zonal Playoff of the 2021 National Principals Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the academy which represented FCT defeated their Kogi opponents 2-1 to qualify for the national finals slated for Abuja.

Kogi, represented by Our Lady School, took the lead in the eighth minute after Victor Jonathan nodded the ball into the far corner for the opening goal.

But the FCT team rallied and responded almost immediately, with Simon Zakari equalising for them in the 21st minute.

Suleman Mohammed made it 2-1 in the 33rd minute.

The second half was very cagey as both teams could not register any goal till the final whistle.

Fosla Academy will now represent the North-Central zone at the national finals which hold from Saturday to March 31 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The national finals will also witness events in athletics and table tennis, with winners from the six zonal finals taking part.

NAN reports that 24 table tennis players, 144 athletes and six football teams will slug it out in the national finals in Abuja.

The revived National Principals Cup is aimed at grassroots sports development, especially in secondary schools. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Leicester Citys Kelechi Iheanacho scored two goals as they beat Manchester United 3-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday to set up a last-four clash against Southampton.

The Foxes took the lead following a horrendous error from Manchester Uniteds Fred, whose backpass became a through-ball for Iheanacho.

The Nigerian collected it and rounded the goalkeeper before firing home in the 24th minute.

Manchester United struck back seven minutes before half-time as Mason Greenwood rifled Paul Pogbas centre into the net.

But they never got to grips with Leicester City in midfield and they went behind again early in the second half.

Youri Tielemans surged at Manchester Uniteds soft centre, bursting through and brushing off a less-than-convincing challenge from Fred before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Jamie Vardy could have brought his seven-game goal drought to an end but he pulled his shot just wide of the near post when clean through on goal.

His selfless running, however, was instrumental in creating space for his Leicester City teammates.

Manchester Uniteds woeful defence was exposed again in the 78th minute as Iheanacho was left completely unmarked at the far post.

He headed home Marc Albrightons free-kick to seal the victory and send his side into the semi-finals.

We worked really well in training to get ready for this game. Tactically we worked hard.

We really felt ready to go and we passed the ball very well and got in open spaces and got the runs and the goals, Iheanacho told reporters.

I am really happy playing alongside Jamie (Vardy). Its helping me a lot, creating space and getting the shot in behind. So, I hope we can keep working hard together, he added.

Chelsea will take on Manchester City in the other last-four tie, and both semi-finals will take place at Wembley on the weekend of April 17 to April 18. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Kaigama

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Bauchi State chapter, on Sunday, directed its members to boycott all activities involving Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi.

Secretary of the association in the state, Bala Bawaji, said in a statement issued Sunday that the measure was necessary to express displeasure over the shabby treatment of Journalists .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sports Writers were denied access to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium to cover the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Day 17 match, between Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars.

The Secretary said in spite of the tags provided to Journalist by management of Wikki Tourists, Sports Journalists were blocked from entering the stadium to discharge their duties.

SWAN expresses dismay with the management of Wikki Tourist FC of Bauchi over the unending disregard for Sports Journalists in Bauchi.

Such development is hindering members from carrying out their legitimate duties whenever the team is playing home matches.

Therefore, the leadership of the Sports Writers Association has directed all members to boycott all activities of Wkki Tourists FC, with immediate effect, he said.

The secretary expressed concern that the incident of disrespect for Sports Writers at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, kept recurring during matches involving the club.

Bawaji reiterated that the boycott was indefinite, until discussions were held with Management of Wikki FC to address the problem.

Mr Imrana Gallaje, a Journalist, told NAN that they were treated with disdain and contempt at the gate of the stadium, despite the tags issued to them.

We arrived at the gate of the stadium with our tags by 2pm to make sure that we get seated before the arrival of the teams as the match was to start 4pm.

We remained at the gate uptil 4pm, and had to leave when we could no longer bear the embarrassment, Galaje said.

Commenting on the development, Media Officer of Wikki FC, Nasiru Kobi, said the incident was unfortunate, saying Sports Journalists were held with high esteem.

He assured that the matter would be resolved as soon as possible. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Foreign players in the French League will not need to be quarantined after returning from FIFA World Cup play-off duty, the French sports ministry has ruled.

This follows a change in policy by the Ministry over imposing quarantine restrictions on foreign players in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 returning from FIFA World Cup qualifiers outside the European Union (EU).

We confirm that international players returning from official competitions outside the EU with their national team, whether French or foreign, are exempt from the seven-day waiting period as long as they comply with a strict sanitary and medical protocol (bubble daily PCR test on their return to their club), the Sports Ministry said, according to the FIFA media outlet.

Earlier this week, the French league said that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs would not make available for selection the foreign players summoned for matches outside the EU/EEA zone during the next international period in March.

FIFA said last month that clubs were not expected to release players during the international window if there is a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days upon arrival in the country where the club is located or the country where the match is taking place.

But on 19 March, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged clubs to let their players leave for international duty.

We are living in a very difficult situation, especially but not only in Europe with regard to the COVID-19, Infantino said following the latest FIFA Council meeting.

Health has to remain a priority which is why we relaxed our rules a bit.

(But) obviously we would like the March games to go ahead with the best possible squads.

We call on all parties to understand that national team football is very important for the vast majority of countries round the world, Infantino said.

The South American Football Confederation called off its qualification matches planned for the upcoming window over player availability issues.

Qualifiers in the Asian region have also been postponed due to COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stressed the need for all to collaborate with security operatives to end criminality in all forms in the country.

The party said this in a statement by Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, the National Secretary of its Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), on Sunday in Abuja.

Akpanudoedehe said this while condemning Saturdays attack on the convoy of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.

He, however, thanked God for Ortoms safety and praised his security details for repelling the attack.

He expressed confidence that the security services would do everything to unravel the criminals behind the attack and bring them to book.

The APC reiterates that we must all collaborate to end criminality in all forms, a crime is a crime and should not be politicised in any way, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya
Gov Abubakar Bello of Niger and Chairman North Central Governors Forum (NCGF) has decried the attempted assassination of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and called for a thorough investigation by relevant security agents.

Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, said that something urgent and drastic must be done collectively to curtail the situation.

This issue of insecurity in our nation needs all and sundry to be collectively responsible in addressing it irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations, he said.

The Chairman of the NCGF applauded the efforts of the security details of Ortom who ensured his safety and other members of his entourage.

Bello said that the Forum is in solidarity with Ortom and the entire people of Benue.

He enjoined the security agents not to relent in their efforts to secure lives and property across the country.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, saying the brutal attacks on individuals and communities in the state, with the latest one targeting the governor, was unacceptable.

The president made the condemnation in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

Buhari welcomed the dispatch of a high level team of crack investigators to the state from the Police headquarters in Abuja, urging the officers to uncover who, or whatsoever, was behind the attacks and bring them to justice.

He also expressed his sympathies, and that of the government of the federation to Ortom and Benue indigenes.

Buhari, however, maintained that the unfortunate incident must not be politicized, reiterating that an attack on one Nigerian is an attack on all Nigerians.

The president directed the Police to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident involving the governor and into all such incidents affecting individuals and communities in the state.

Let there be open and transparent investigation and whoever is linked to it should be caught and be made to face the law, he furtherdirected. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joseph Edeh

The Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has condemned in strong terms, Saturdays attack and alleged assassination attempt on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue by suspected gunmen

A statement by Vice President of CBJ, Mr Ewache Ajefu, said the incident and the recent killing ofthe brother of a former governor of the state was aimed at making the state ungovernable.

We categorically warn that nothing must happen to Ortom and urge the Federal Government to step up security machinery to end all forms of criminality in the country, he said.

Ajefu commended the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mohammed Adamu for swiftly deploying a team of specialized investigators to fish out the perpetrators.

He also called on Ortom never to be deterred by the attack but he should remain focused and courageous in providing good leadership to the people of the state.

CBJ is an association of professional media practitioners of Benue origin with members spread across the country with the sole objective of promoting, projecting and defending the interests of the people.(NAN)

Source: NAN News