University Lecturers Berate Minister Over Statements On ASUU Strike.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has accused the minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige, of misinforming Nigerians, especially on issues surrounding the union’s ongoing industrial action.

Ngige had, last Tuesday, on a Channels Television programme, said that the ministries of finance, education, labour and employment and the office of the accountant general of the federation would meet with ASUU to resolve the disagreement on Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).


Ngige specifically said that “The issue of ASUU will soon come to an end for two reasons – ASUU has called the federal government, to be represented by finance and the office of the accountant-general and the education ministry, to come for the test, ”a reference to the verification test on the suitability of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, a tool developed by the union as a rectification complement to the federal government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) the use of which is currently being protested by ASUU.

“We are ready to do that. After the Independence Day celebration, the four ministries and agencies involved will gather together with ASUU. We will look at the UTAS. If there are shortcomings with IPPIS as complained which UTAS has corrected. What’s wrong about it? It is software, we will look at it.



“Secondly, ASUU members have been collecting their money since COVID-19 came and I wrote a memo to Mr President that ASUU members are still Nigerians. Even the members have families that they care for. By upper week, we are going to arrange for this demonstration.”

However, the Lagos Zone of the union, in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the zonal coordinator, Olusiji Sowande, debunked the minister’s claim that a meeting had been scheduled between the university teachers’ body and government representatives to assess the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) developed by the union as an alternative to the government’s seeming controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The union also denied the minister’s claim that the IPPIS was the only reason for the union’s strike, and claimed that, “Dr. Chris Ngige was also economical with the truth by misinforming the public that the government has been paying the salaries of members of our union to date.”

ASUU said that, one month after the UTAS was produced and a letter addressed to the labour ministry on the development, it was yet to be acknowledged, not to even talk of inviting the union to any meeting.

The statement reads in part; “The minister also misinformed the public by narrowing down the issues in contention to our rejection of IPPIS which UTAS seeks to replace. Other issues in contention for which our union is currently on total, comprehensive and indefinite strike include failure of government to fully implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement and February 2019 Memorandum of Action with timelines for release of funds for the revitalisation of dilapidated infrastructure in public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, conclusion of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, setting up of visitation panels to federal universities and proliferation of state universities.”

#orientdailynews

How I Escaped Being Roasted Alive During Election – Pension Boss

The 73-year-old chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ebonyi state, Chief Nwofe Donatus Okemini of Agubata Agbaja, Izzi local government area of Ebonyi state, last weekend, narrated how he escaped being burnt alive by some hoodlums who attacked him during the 2019 general election.

Okemini explained that the assailants invaded his house at about 8:52pm and shot randomly into the air. He said that, luckily, he was able to escape with his wife and children before his home was set ablaze.


Speaking to Orient Weekend during a special thanksgiving service at the St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Agubata, Agbaja, the senior citizen commended those who, he said, contributed towards the well-being of his family since that attack.

He noted that, without God, his attackers would have shot him dead. “This is a year and seven months after the attack. People thought that it could have been the end of my life on 17th February, 2019 but God said ‘no’. On that night, about 8:52, people started shooting at random in all angles, facing the whole house. I don’t know how God blind-folded them. They kept away and didn’t see us.



“They continued shooting and so, we had to run away. I don’t know my offence anyway; because I’m not a politician, just a trade unionist, being the chairman of NUP in the state.

According to his son, Don Philip Mgboko, “Actually, I was in Abakaliki when I got a call that our house was on fire. I decided to rush to this place. I am happy that I saw my Dad escape the incident and he survived it. It was political violence that erupted in our (Agbaja) community and those who masterminded it decided to burn our house.”

I’m his remarks, Augustine Nwankwoagu, former speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, sued for peace and understanding during elections as there were no benefits from electoral violence.

“Sometime last year, his house was gutted by fire. It was not gutted by accident. It was purposely set on fire by unknown persons for what they believed in and for whatever purposes they had in mind. I think what they had in mind was that he should be burnt alive, his family members and properties.

“Man proposes, God disposes. God said “no, I will allow you burn the house for my own purpose but his life I will spare and the life of his family members. None of them was burnt but the house and all his properties were burnt, including money. That house was situated at the middle of the compound but for God’s purpose, today, that house is a better house standing here by the side of the home, making provision for people to come in and come and stay to celebrate with him.

“For those who did what they did, let us remember that whatever we do lives after us. The seed we sow, we will shall reap, it has not changed but you cannot change a man’s destiny.”

#orientdailynews

CAN Leader Warns Against Negative Utterances On Nigeria.

As Nigeria marked its 60th independence anniversary, the former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Cross River state and founder of the Calabar-based Intercessors Bible Mission (IBM), Archbishop Archibong Archibong has warned against denigrating the country with condemnations, saying negative utterances have capacity to impugn the country’s integrity and bring sustained sufferings.

In a chat with our reporter in Calabar, Thursday, shortly after his Church’s ‘Open Heaven’ programme and which was also used to mark the country’s 60th independence anniversary, Archibishop Archibong said the country remained the best in the world despite its challenges and therefore charged Nigerians to stop magnifying the country’s challenges but should learn to see its strides, successes and endowments, noting that Nigerians were using their tongues, through negative confessions, to destroy Nigeria.


“I used to criticize how things were in the country. One day, as I was praying, God told me to stop criticizing and speaking ill of Nigeria and instead to bless it and that I should begin to speak out what I wanted for Nigeria. The truth is that our words are powerful and could either build or destroy. God said in Numbers 14:28, ‘as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you’.

“In Genesis 1:1-4, the Bible says God created the heavens and the earth and that the earth was without form and that darkness covered the face of the earth. God did not look at the darkness or the formlessness of the earth, and did not confess it, He spoke only what he wanted to see and said ‘let there be light.’

“Today, as a prophet of God, I see things the way God sees them. God does not see Nigeria as a crooked and failed nation because he has blessed us with every good thing. Forget about the challenges that your eyes see, no nation is perfect, our country is our pride.



“In the midst of all the flaws in every man and every situation, including the situation of Nigeria, there is a God who perfects and beautifies. I see Nigeria as the best among other nations. I see Nigeria coming out of all its challenges and reclaiming its glory.

“As a prophet, I declare to Nigeria that it will no more fail. Nigeria, you will begin the divine mandate of leading Africa and fulfilling your divine destiny in these last days,” he declared, but called on Nigerians, both leaders and followers, to recognize that God is the owner of the country, saying it does not take God anything to turn things around.

Asked on what should be done to achieve actual greatness, the CAN leader advised the leadership of the country to return to God and recognize the Almighty as the creator and owner of the country.

He said, “Our leaders must change their ways. They must turn to God and rid themselves of greed, selfishness and primitive acquisition. Ethnicity and corruption had been the cankerworm eating the country’s foundational fabrics and must stop. Nigerians, both leaders and followers, must recognize the supremacy of God as the creator and owner of Nigeria.

“Most Nigerians are the ones encouraging our political leaders to play God and misbehave. What do you expect when Nigerians have raised the level of sycophancy to a dangerous level?

“When you hail, praise-sing and demand peanuts from them even in the midst of their poor performance and outright impunity, their heads would swell and they become un-challengeable, inaccessible and untouchable. This should stop for the will of the Almighty to be established in our nation.

“We all need to add prayer to our positive confessions and declare the word of God to our nation and by this, God will perfect the things that concern Nigeria according to his word in Psalms 138:8.”

#orientdailynews

New Anambra YSFON Boss Unveils 5-Year Vision

Newly installed chairman of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Anambra State chapter, Engr Akonam Obiefule, has rolled out a five year agenda aimed at taking grassroots sports to greater heights in the state.


Obiefule, a structural Engineer by profession as well as a strong sports analyst, was last week appointed as the new helmsman of YSFON in the South East State Nigeria.
He’s unarguably the youngest chairman in the history of YSFON in Anambra and Nigeria.





His enthronement is understood to have received the blessings of South East Coordinator of YSFON Ndubuisi Opara who was called ‘Warrior’ during his illustrious career spanned in the domestic and European levels.
In the new YSFON boss’ vision for the next five years, as exclusively gathered by Orient Sports, Akonam plans to set up a strong and virile YSFON Structure in the State.


This we further scooped, would include branding, creation of awareness for a new dawn in YSFON, packaging, familiarisation, strategisation and engagement in tournaments.
“That’s for the first year. And after that, we look at introduction of ‘Heroes Cup/Tournament that will be climaxed with Mikel/Iwobi/Anichebe vs Drogba and Friends with Mourinho in Attendance”, Akonam said.


“The third year will involve the Establishment of YSFON Sports Village while the fourth will include hosting of international tournaments involving the five South East States, National U-17, the Golden Eaglets and a European Club”.
“In all the above, we shall be organising and attending tournaments, seminars, symposia, training and retraining programs.

“There will also be awards and honours that would always be presented to deserving Individuals and entities”, the new YSFON said.

#orientdailynews

Fans To Return To Stadium UEFA Confirms.

Fans will be able to return to UEFA club and international matches starting at next week’s international break, UEFA has announced.

Stadiums will be allowed to be filled to a maximum of 30 per cent capacity, and will only reopen where local laws permit. No away fans will be allowed at this stage due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The decision has been made after the trial which saw around 15,000 fans in the stadium for Bayern Munich’s UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla. The pilot match was deemed a success despite host city Budapest recording a rise in infection numbers ahead of the event.


A UEFA statement further clarified: “Both the admission of fans and the capacity limit are subject to decision of local authorities. UEFA matches cannot be played with spectators where local authorities do not allow it and the limit of 30% may be reached only where the limit set by local authorities is not lower, in which case such limit would apply.

“Social distancing will be mandatory for spectators and additional precautionary measures, such as the wearing of masks must be implemented in accordance with local regulations.

“The UEFA Super Cup demonstrated that it is possible for fans to attend football matches in the right circumstances by putting their health and safety first with comprehensive mitigating measures in place. The match also demonstrated the acceptance of fans for precautionary sanitary measures and their readiness to follow them and behave accordingly.”



While there seems little immediate prospect of stadiums reopening in the Premier League, fans have returned in reduced numbers in both the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “Today’s decision is a sensible first step which puts fans’ health first and respects the laws in each country. While we all face a common enemy in Covid, different countries have different approaches and different challenges at any given moment.

“This decision allows much more local flexibility to deal with admitting fans than was previously the case, always respecting the assessment of local authorities.

“Twenty-seven countries on the continent already allow fans to some extent. This decision will allow for a coherent approach on a country-by-country basis and not on a competition-by-competition basis which was sometimes difficult to understand for fans.

“In these difficult times, it is important to bring more hope and passion back into the lives of football fans and we urge them to behave appropriately and respect sanitary measures in place for their own health and for the health of their fellow club or national team supporters.”

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, however, there remains caution with Borussia Dortmund director Michael Zorc recently airing his concerns that the Champions League should not be played in its current format due to Covid-19.

#orientdailynews

Lewandowski Named UEFA Player Of The Year.

Robert Lewandowski was named UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year on Thursday as Champions League winners Bayern Munich dominated the men’s awards.

The 32-year-old scored 55 goals in 47 games, including 15 in 10 in the Champions League, while team-mates Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich and manager Hansi Flick also scooped individual awards. Neuer and Kevin De Bruyne had also been up for the award.

“I have to say it’s amazing,” Lewandowski said. “It’s amazing, if you work so hard and you get this trophy, it’s something special.

“I have to say thank you to my team-mates, coaches, all the staff because they work very hard every day to prepare me for the games and also to my family because they support me a lot.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the biggest stadiums at the biggest club in the world. I’m very grateful and very proud and very happy.”

Pernille Harder, who recently joined Chelsea, was named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year for her performances at Wolfsburg. The German side were beaten in the Champions League final by Lyon but Harder beat Lyon pair Wendie Renard and Lucy Bronze to the individual award.

Bayern captain Neuer was unsurprisingly named Goalkeeper of the Season, beating PSG’s Keylor Navas and Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid. Neuer played every minute of Bayern’s European campaign, keeping six clean sheets and conceding only eight goals in 11 games.

Lyon’s Sarah Bouhaddi won the inaugural women’s award, conceding just twice in seven appearances as she won her seventh Women’s Champions League.

Ahead of Neuer, Bayern’s defensive quality was clear as their trio of Kimmich, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies made up the final shortlist, Kimmich coming out on top of the voting.

Bouhaddi was also joined by a Lyon defensive partner, with France star Renard named the women’s Defender of the Season as she also lifted the Champions League for the seventh time.

Manchester City‘s European campaign finished in disappointment once again but De Bruyne was named Midfielder of the Season ahead of Thiago and Thomas Muller, while another Lyon star in Germany international Marozsan won the women’s award.

Lewandowski was named Forward of the Season, top scorer in the Champions League as in every other competition he played in 2019-20. Harder backed up her overall award with the Forward of the Season gong as well, scoring nine goals on the way to the final.



Bayern boss Flick’s remarkable rise to prominence over the last year was recognised as he was named Men’s Coach of the Year after masterminding his team’s treble.

Lyon’s dominance of Europe was further confirmed as their manager, Jean-Luc Vasseur, won the first Women’s Coach of the Year award.

Full list of UEFA award winners:
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

UEFA Women’s Player of the Year: Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg)

UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year: Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich)

UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year: Jean-Luc Vasseur (Lyon)

Goalkeeper of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League season: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Defender of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League season: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Midfielder of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League season: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Forward of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League season: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Goalkeeper of the 2019/20 UEFA Women’s Champions League season: Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon)

#orientdailynews

*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020

*WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT*

*BIBLE READING: 2CORINTHIANS 5:7; MATTHEW 14:22-33*

*"And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." Acts 3:7(NKJV)*

It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of faith in Christianity; according to the Scriptures, all things(mankind inclusive) were created solely for the Pleasure or Will of the Lord God Almighty (Rev. 4:11). Simply put, the moment we stop pleasing Him becomes the moment we become liabilities to Him rather than assets. This reality check ought to sober us for "without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him..."(Heb.11:6a). In other words, failure to walk by faith turns one into a liability in His Sight.

The life of faith is a life that transcends the sensory perceptions of human beings. To rephrase, walking by faith goes beyond what one can see, hear, taste, smell or feel. According to the fifth chapter of Luke's Gospel from the fourth to the seventh verse, after the Lord Jesus Christ used Peter's boat to minister to people on the shore, He then initiated a defining moment for him in one of the most remarkable miracles on record: "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch"(verse 4).

It seems Peter was rather too modest and polite for such audacity was quite outrageous. Here was a professional fisherman(who probably had a PhD in Marine Biology and Fisheries) who had worked tirelessly the previous night when fish were normally closer to the cool surface i.e. the best time to make a successful catch, yet to no avail; on the other side was a trained Carpenter, Who knew next to nothing about the rudiments of fishing, telling the former with confidence what to do. What temerity, many would have been thinking! But not Simon Peter, thankfully: "But Simon answered, and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your Word I will let down the net"(verse 5).

The result was a net-breaking, boat-sinking and overwhelming miraculous draught of fish because a man dared to suspend the limitations of his five senses in order to receive a Divine breakthrough by faith (verse 6-7). The currency of the supernatural is the currency of faith, therefore, we must dare to believe God even when external circumstances speak otherwise. The onus lies upon us to always remember that "the just shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 Darby Translation).

*PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we glorify Your Holy Name for Who You are.Thank You, O Lord, for giving us the opportunity to continually trust in You. We receive the grace to always rise above contrary circumstances and exercise genuine faith in Your Word. Blessed are You, O Lord, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

*CONFESSION
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I hear. I am not moved by what I smell. I am not moved by what I taste. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by the Word of God.

Happy 60th Independence Anniversary Nigeria 🇳🇬

Good to be back here. Hope everyone is cool 😎?

A few people are consciously making sure the effort of a lot of us fails.
For how long can we allow this to continue?

Phone Lines: 09020020925, 08098888925

CALLERS REVIEW:
Caller 1: The Law at Law from Enugu. There’s nothing like political accessibility in this country. Where are we going to? Nigeria as a nation today can never come back to it’s original shape, it has reached it’s elastic limit. There are two types of Leadership:
1.Transactional Leadership
2.Transformational Leadership
We are practicing transactional leadership not transformational leadership

Prof. Augustine: Without dragging with the caller. It’s not all about lamentations, I came with hope, let the people get prepared. When all those are not there, you have to find a way to survive and have victory in your life time Lamentations wouldn’t take us anyway. So, what I’m saying, I take in all they say, I look like a ‘Nigeria’. Nigeria is like an ugly lady, the lady is not so beautiful. Nigeria was designed to fail, the problem started from the Amalgamation. I want us to leave the threshold of lamentation, and think, how do we have have a paradigm shift and take position from the current leaders?.

Lyrics: You said something about the Paradigm Shift.
Prof. Augustine: When you expect too much, so little is delivered. The government need to give good governance. Coming to the Paradigm Shift you asked - To the youths, look at yourself, help yourself and encourage yourself.

Caller 2: Chimdalu from Nsukka. I share the Dr’s view.

Prof Augustine: The youths are complaining
Florence: With all due respect sir. The youths are not complaining. They don’t have to basic amenities to move them forward. As a social worker, I have a vast network of friends in different industries, but there’s something that keeps them from pushing forward.

Prof Augustine: We are in a democracy, where the people shout that their votes do not count. You have to have strategic performance. We need to have hope, we have to have that audacity. Power is like a buffet, nobody gives it to you, you have to take it. Be under mentor-ship. They think that they have lost hope but all hope is not lost. The can form a political party and out number them.

Florence: When I got the message yesterday. I got tired not in the sense that I personally is tired. But people are hungry we are not talking about the third factor, POVERTY.

Lyrics: Okay. We will have to continue this discussion next as we run out of time.

#theawakeningp