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Herdsmen Killings: Buhari should forget 2019 if bloodshed continues – CAN
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Dr ‘Supo Ayokunle has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to forget re-election in 2019, if the incessant killings by herdsmen, as well as general insecurity in the country is not urgently addressed.
Ayokunle stated this on Sunday, when he joined the Pastor of Oritamefa Baptist Church, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Reverend Dr Remi Awopegba, and other clerics and church members as they marched with placards, in response to the directive by the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, CAN, to hold peaceful protests within the premises of their churches.
The President, however, called on Christians and Nigerians in general, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of next year’s general election.
Recall that had urged Christian faithful to stage national protest against the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.
He said: “Christians, all over the country, have gathered in unity to say no to bloodshed in Nigeria. Since 2009, bloodshed has continued, and administration after administration has been promising and assuring us not to fear, telling us to go about our various businesses, telling us they are on top of the situation, but we have seen that they are not on top of it. Bloodshed has continued.”
“It used to be just Boko Haram, but now, herdsmen, especially the Fulani people, have joined them, and they have been killing people and decimating communities. Now, they have concentrated on Christian communities – the Middle Belt – which have a majority of Christians. They have been killing and maiming, and to cap it all, in the past week, they murdered two priests and also killed people who went to worship. If we are not safe inside the house of God, where again do they expect us to be safe? And the Inspector General of Police is doing nothing.”
“We have always heard of unknown gunmen. When will these unknown gunmen become known? Are they not humans? What of the intelligence service of the security agencies? Why are they inept? Instead of recovering guns from murderous herdsmen, they are asking people licensed to own guns to submit their guns? What kind of security approach is that? It’s questionable and shows sign of complicity. We have lost faith in the security agencies and all security chiefs must be sacked. If bloodshed continues, this administration should forget about 2019. We cannot continue like this. Enough is enough.”
“It is time to use our votes to say no to a government that cannot protect the citizens. I’ll advise citizens to be up and doing, be circumspect, and get their PVCs and be ready to vote out a government that cannot protect them. Whether Buhari is willing to re-contest or not is not my problem. My problem is that he cannot continue to be there while bloodshed continues; while herdsmen continue to decimate communities, and none of the perpetrators are brought to book. How many of them have you heard of being brought to book?”.
Also speaking, Reverend Awopegba, called on Christians in governance to live up to their faith by upholding righteousness.
Awopegba, however, urged Christians to be law abiding, just as he encouraged security operatives to step up efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/2019-afenifere-gives-reasons-it-wont-support-buhari/
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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