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Over 400,000 Ukrainians flee country following Russian invasion

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Refugees from many different countries – from Africa, Middle East and India – mostly students of Ukrainian universities are seen at the Medyka pedestrian border crossing fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, in eastern Poland on February 27, 2022. As Ukraine braces for a feared Russian invasion, its EU member neighbours are making preparations for a possible influx of hundreds of thousands or even millions of refugees fleeing military action.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia invaded Thursday.

The United Nations’ refugee agency, UNHCR, says it is planning to deal with up to four million if the situation worsens.

But the European Union’s crisis management commissioner says the figure could reach seven million.

Poland

Some 196,000 Ukrainians have already fled over the Polish border, its frontier guards said Sunday. On Friday alone, 50,000 Ukrainians arrived.

While 90 percent of the refugees are being put up by friends or relations, nine reception centres are also being set up close to the frontier.

Poland was already home to 1.5 million Ukrainians before Russia invaded.

Across the country people are mobilising to offer accommodation, money, clothes and work to the new arrivals.

Romania

Of the 47,000 Ukrainians who have crossed into Romania since Thursday, 22,000 have already gone on to other countries, the government says.

Most are passing through Siret in the north of the country, where a camp has been set up with a second near Marmatiei. Romanians have also taken to social media to donate food and clothing to the refugees.

Hungary

Some 71,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Hungary since the invasion, says the country’s interior ministry.

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Several border towns such as Zahony have set up public buildings as reception centres, with ordinary people donating food and clothes.

Moldova

At least 70,000 Ukrainians have also crossed into Moldova, the country’s deputy prime minister said.

The UNHRC’s central Europe chief Roland Schilling hailed the small nation for its response to a “heartbreaking situation”.

He said local people as well as the Moldovan government “have been really impressive” in the way they are dealing with the flow.

Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița visited the border crossing of Palanca Saturday where a tent village and medical facilities have been set up.

“In these dark days for Ukraine, we stand by its citizens,” she tweeted. “Moldova will assist those in need of safe transit or shelter. We are with you Ukraine!”

Slovakia

More than 17,600 Ukrainians have crossed into Slovakia since Thursday, the UNHCR said. The Slovak ministry of interior told AFP that 6,514 crossed on Sunday between midnight and 6 am alone.

Internally displaced

Some 160,000 people are thought to be internally displaced within Ukraine.

“Displacement in Ukraine is growing but the military situation makes it difficult to estimate numbers and provide aid,” United Nations refugee chief Filippo Grandi tweeted Saturday.

But the EU crisis commissioner Janez Lenarcic said Sunday that “we are witnessing what could become the largest humanitarian crisis on our European continent in many, many years,” with up to seven million displaced and 18 (million) “affected in humanitarian terms”.

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May Day: ASUU urges Tinubu, governors to prioritise Nigerian workers’ welfare

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...workers worse hit by worsening economic situation

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, has implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors to make the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian workers a top priority.

Speaking on Tuesday, Professor Akinwole emphasised the dire impact of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, particularly exacerbated by the recent fuel subsidy removal backlash and ongoing fuel scarcity, on the working class and their families.

In a statement released to commemorate the 2024 May Day celebration, Akinwole underscored the invaluable contributions of Nigerian workers to the nation’s development, despite enduring undervaluation and inadequate compensation from both government and private sectors.

“Nigerians, particularly the working class, are celebrating 2024 Workers’ day experiencing fuel scarcity,” lamented Professor Akinwole.

“Workers who are poorly paid will still have to pay hiked transportation fare. The inflation in Nigeria is killing, and many are getting malnourished as the cost of food items have skyrocketed.”

He highlighted the disillusionment stemming from unfulfilled promises by federal and state governments to improve wages and working conditions, condemning the stark disparity between government officials’ wealth accumulation and workers’ impoverishment.

Expressing gratitude to Nigerian security forces for their service, Professor Akinwole urged President Tinubu to ensure special welfare provisions for families of those who have lost their lives defending the nation.

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He emphasised that just as education is vital, the welfare of security agencies should be of utmost concern to the president.

Also, Professor Akinwole called upon the President to finalise agreements with ASUU and enhance working conditions for intellectuals in Nigeria, warning of a brain drain if lecturers continue to face inadequate compensation and poor working environments.

“If this trend persists, Nigeria will lose the talent needed to develop the education sector, while those lacking skills will secure employment with little to contribute,” cautioned Akinwole.

He urged the president to address this disparity and collaborate with ASUU to establish a living wage and improved conditions for public university lecturers, recognising them as essential patriots deserving of special consideration.

 

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Court halts Multichoice Nigeria’s tariff increase on DStv, GOtv

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The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has issued a restraining order against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, preventing the company from implementing its planned tariff increase and adjustments to the cost of products and services scheduled to commence on May 1.

Presiding over the three-member tribunal, Saratu Shafii, granted the interim order on Monday, in response to an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, legal counsel representing the applicant, Festus Onifade.

In her ruling, Shafii directed MultiChoice to refrain from proceeding with the impending price hike set to take effect from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the tribunal.

Also, she mandated all involved parties to appear before the tribunal on May 7 at 10 a.m. for further proceedings regarding the motion on notice.

The petitioner, Festus Onifade, filed a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), seeking two specific orders.

These orders include an interim injunction restraining MultiChoice from implementing the impending price increase and any actions that could negatively impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd had previously raised the prices of all its packages on April 1, 2022, prompting legal action from concerned parties.

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Kogi Assembly Urges EFCC to Remove ‘Wanted’ Tag on Ex- Gov. Yahaya Bello

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In a recent session of the Kogi State House of Assembly, members passed a resolution urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove the ‘wanted’ tag placed on the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, following a presentation by Jibrin Abu, the representative of Ajaokuta State Constituency.

Abu brought forth a motion titled, ‘A call to end all false, frivolous, fictitious, and far from the truth smear campaign against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.’

Abu alleged that the anti-graft agency had been engaging in a witch-hunt against Bello, stating, “Kogi State, by allocation standard, is not rich so much so that N80.4b will be missing that the State will not be shaken to its foundation. This claim by the EFCC should be sanctioned and taken as laughable. Innocent Nigerians and Kogi State citizens that bought into the lies should by their personal volition withdraw their support.”

Former Deputy Speaker of the House, Enema Paul, echoed Abu’s sentiments, urging the EFCC to uphold the rule of law.

In his ruling, Speaker Aliyu Yusuf emphasized the importance of the EFCC operating within the boundaries of the law.

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He stated, “This House is not against the EFCC doing their job but they should do it within the ambit of the law and not in a Gestapo way. The country belongs to all of us, so we must respect the law and work with it.”

 

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