New minimum wage: Cross River residents in strike fever, besiege banks, ATM to withdraw cash

In anticipation of the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, United Labour Congress, ULC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, bank customers in Cross River State have besieged commercial banks and Automated Teller Machines, ATM, in the state to withdraw their money.

DAILY POST correspondent, who visited some banks in the state, observed that the financial centres and ATM galleries experienced unusually long queues, with a source hinting that “the queues were so long such that it blocked the flow of traffic in some major streets such as Boco Biri, Chamley, Mutala Mohammed and other streets”.

Some customers, who interacted with our correspondent on Monday, lamented that some of the banks they visited have no money, with a depositor lamenting that, “I visited a bank at Calabar road, and there was no money in the ATM”.

A customer, Mr Matthew Nkanu, said, “You know, tomorrow is strike, we may likely run into problem of no money, hence the best thing is to source for it before we regret”.

Meanwhile, the Police in the state have deployed over 3,000 policemen to strategic locations with a view to preventing the breakdown of law and order while the anticipated strike lasted.

Speaking with DAILY POST on phone, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Hafiz, said Police have deployed over three thousand (3,000) of its operatives to strategic position to protect law and order.

“The Police constitution has guaranteed peace and security and the operatives have to ensure that we maintain law and order. Law and order must prevail in this state,” he said.

Hafiz continued, “We have deployed over three thousand police officers to strategic positions in the state. We are in touch with labour leaders and they have assured us that there would be no break of law and order.

“All our men are going to be on essential duties, we have over three thousand police officers, they are all going to be deployed to man security and protect the citizenry. Those on annual leaves have resumed and they are to work assiduously with a view to maintaining law and order.”

Over 25 People Killed In Auto-Accident In Erin-Ijesha Expressway (PHOTOS)

According to an online user, AustynZOGS (@Austynzogs), over 25 persons were killed in an auto-accident on Thursday at Erin-Ijesha junction highway in Osun State.

It was reported that the accident occurred when some Policemen halted a vehicle at a check-point.

Thereafter, an on-coming truck crashed into the halted vehicle, together with an 18-seater bus.

According to the report, all the occupants in the vehicles perished.

University professor, Frank Onyezili commits suicide in Benue

A Professor of Biological Science with the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Frank Onyezili has committed suicide.

It was learnt that the deceased’s decision to end his own life might not be unconnected with depression and loneliness which he was believed to have suffered lately because his family (wife and children) are said to be living abroad.

Onyezili took his own life at the weekend by drinking a substance suspected to be poison after leaving behind a suicide note.

A colleague of the deceased, who wouldn’t want his name mentioned, told journalists that the family of Onyezili had abandoned him and that could have been the reason he decided to end it all.

The Director of Protocol and Information of the university, Mrs Roseline Waku, confirmed the incident but said she was not privy to the information contained in the suicide note.

When contacted, the Police Spokesman of the Benue Command, DSP Moses Joel Yamu, said he was yet to get the detail of the incident as of the time of this report.

Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/10/24/university-professor-frank-onyezili-commits-suicide-benue/

Twins die in Calabar fire

By Ike Uchechukwu

CALABAR—Many rained curses on a woman who allegedly left her five years old twins at home unattended to as they were both consumed by the fire that razed their building in Calabar, the Cross River state capital yesterday.

It was gathered that the woman left a candle on the refrigerator in her room at 9 Edem Okon Street, II Transformer Inynasang in Calabar, in the early hours of yesterday, which later ignited a fire that consumed her two sons, Bishop and Ituobong and the building.

A neighbour and victim, Mr Daniel Udoh, said the tragedy was quite unfortunate and could have been avoided but for the carelessness of the mother of the children.

His words: “Their mother made them tea and bread and left for her boyfriend’s house leaving a candlelight on the refrigerator and asked them to off the candle when they were done but they slept off.

“I started noticing smoke at about 1 am and before I could come out with my son my house was already in flames from the roof while the woman’s room was already engulfed in fire.

“We tried putting off the fire but it was very difficult because of the rubber ceiling(PVC) which eventually escalated the fire that took over the entire compound. I had no choice than to leave the place, I didn’t come out with a pin, I lost everything in the fire,” he said.

Another resident, Mrs Gloria Asuquo, said the lady who fries yam and beans cake(akara), left her only children in the house to meet a lover.

Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/twins-die-in-calabar-fire/

Nollywood Shines At 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards [Full List Of Winners]

The Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood once again charted home the most prizes at the 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

The 14th instalment which held in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday, saw movies with Nigerian origin sweeping away 14 of the coveted awards and dominating the acting categories.

Among those who picked up the dark-coloured statuettes in different categories were, Richard Mofe Damijo, Joke Silver, Godwin Okereke and Dakore Akande.

Some of the winners: (L-R) Kunle Idowu a.k.a Frank Donga, Nicole Banna and Gideon Okeke.

The biggest single winner of the evening, however, was Michael Mattew’s Five Fingers for Marseilles from South Africa.

The gang violence thriller picked up five awards including the biggest award of the night, Award for Best Film.

Jade Osiberu’s debut production starring Dakore Akande, Joseph Benjamin, Funke Akindele picked up the Ayiam Osigwe Foundation Award for Best Nigerian Film.

The romantic comedy also won the prize for Best Costume and delivered the statuette of the Best Actress to Dakore Akande who wasn’t on ground to personally receive the award.

It was, however, accepted by castmate Lydia Forson, who made a joke about the pains of receiving an award on behalf of someone in a category she is also nominated for.

The event which lasted till the early hours of Sunday, was garnished with traditional performances from the locals while, Rude Boy, one part of the now disbanded pop band, Psquare, set the crowd into a frenzy as the event came to a close.

See Full List of Winners Below.

1. EFERE OZAKO AMAA 2018 award for Best Short Film

Dem Dem – Senegal/Belgium

Zenith – Cameroun/USA

It Rains on Ouga – Burkina Faso

In Shadows – Kenya 
Coat of Harm – Nigeria

Tikitat Soulima – Morocco (WINNER)

Nice, Very Nice – Algeria

Visions (Shaitan, Buruja, Brood) – Nigeria

Fallou – Senegal

Still Water Runs Deep – Nigeria/USA

2. JUBRIL MAILAFIA AMAA 2018 Award for Best Animation

Group Photo – Nigeria

Belly Flop – South Africa (WINNER)

Untitled – Ghana

Crush – Nigeria

3. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Documentary

Bigger Than Africa – Nigeria/USA

Winnie – South Africa

Boxing Libreville – Gabon

Silas – South Africa/Kenya

When Babies Don’t Come – South Africa

Uncertain Future – Burundi (WINNER)

We Came In Sprint Carts – South Africa.

4. OUSMANE SEMBENE AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film in an African Language

Mansoor – Nigeria

Five Fingers For Marseilles – South Africa (WINNER)

Icheke Oku – Nigeria

Agwaetiti Obiuto – Nigeria

Nyasaland – Malawi

Tunu – Tanzania

5. MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film by an African living abroad.

Minister – Nigeria/Italy

Alexandra – Nigeria/USA (WINNER)

Low Lifes And High Hopes – Nigeria/Austria

6. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Short

Torments of Love (Guadeloupe) (WINNER)

Baby Steps (USA)

Intercept (USA)

7. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Documentary

Evolutionary Blues (USA)

Barrows: Freedom Fighter (Barbados) (WINNER)

Sammy Davis Jr. – I’ve Got To Be Me (USA)

8. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Narrative Feature

Angelica (Puerto Rico) (WINNER)

Love Jacked (Canada)

Charlie: La Vie Magnifique Charlie (USA)

9. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Production Design

Kada River

Five Fingers For Marseille (WINNER)

Tatu

In My Country

Cross Roads

10. AMAA 2018 Achievement in Costume Design

Icheke Oku

Cross Roads

Esohe

Five Fingers For Marseille

Isoken (WINNER)

11. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Make-up

Siembamba

Icheke Oku (WINNER)

Five Fingers For Marseille

Esohe

The Road To Sunshine

12. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Sound

The Lost Café

The Road To Sunshine

Hotel Called Memory (WINNER)

Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll

Sidechic Gang

13. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Visual Effect

Siembamba

Icheke Oku

Lucky Specials (WINNER)

Esohe

Kada River

14. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Young/Promising Actor

Patrick Dibuah – Banana Island Ghost

Austin Enabulele – In My Country

Cindy Sanyu – Bella

Anine Lansari – The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux) (WINNER)

Maurice Paige – Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll

Nichole Ozioma Banna – Icheke Oku

Zainab Balogun – Sylva

15. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Seun Ajayi – Ojukokoro

Lionel Newton – Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll

Akah Nani – Banana Island Ghost

Richard Lukunku – Lucky Specials

Gideon Okeke – Cross Roads (WINNER)

16. AMAA 2018- AYIAM OSIGWE FOUNDATION Award for Best Nigerian Film

Cross Roads

In My Country

Isoken (WINNER)

Hotel Called Memory

Ojukokoro

Lost Café

Icheke Oku

17. TONY ELUMELU AMAA 2018 Award for Best Comedy

Sidechic Gang – Ghana

Banana Island Ghost – Nigeria (WINNER)

The Adventures Of Supermama – South Africa

Koko: The Box TV – Nigeria

18. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

Kate Henshaw- Roti

Reine Swart – Siembamba

Okawa Shaznay –In My Country

Dakore Egbuson – Isoken (WINNER)

Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson and Sika Osei – Sidechic Gang

Mariam Phiri – The Road To Sunrise

Tunde Aladese – Lost Café

Joselyn Dumas – Potato Potahto

19. AMAA 2018 Award for the Best First Feature Film by a Director

My Mothers Story –Flora Suya- Malawi

Ogwuetiti Obiuto – Onyeka Nwelue – Nigeria

Five Fingers for Marseilles- Michael Mathews- South Africa (WINNER)

Isoken – Jadesola Osiberu- Nigeria

18 Hours – Njue Kevin – Kenya

Banana Island Ghost – BB Sasore- Nigeria

The Blessed Vost – Sefia Djama – Algeria

20. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Cinematography

The Road To Sunshine

Five Fingers For Marseille (WINNER)

The Lost Café

The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux)

Siembamba

21. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Director

Jade Osiberu – Isoken

Michael Mathews- Five Fingers For Marseilles

Frank Rajah Arase – In My Country (WINNER)

Safia Djama- The Blessed Vost

Oluseyi Siwoku – Cross Roads

Shemu Joyah- Road to Sunshine

Darrell Roodt- Siembamba

Akin Omotosho- Hotel Called Memory

Peter Kofi Sedufia – Sidechic Gang

The Lost Café – Kenneth Gyang

22. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film

Isoken – Nigeria

Five Fingers For Marseilles – South Africa

In My Country – Nigeria

The Blessed Vost- Algeria

Cross Roads – Nigeria

Road to Sunshine – Malawi

Siembamba – South Africa

Hotel Called Memory – Nigeria

Sidechic Gang – Ghana

Lost Café – Kenneth Gyang

23. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Sika Osei – In Line

Sivenathi Mabuya – Lucky Specials

Rahama Sadau – Hakkunde

Toyin Abraham- Esohe

Joke Silva – Potato Potahto (WINNER)

24. AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role

Vuyo Dabula – Five Fingers For Marseille

Richard Mofe Damijo – Cross Roads (WINNER)

Sam Dede – In My Country

Sani Bouajla – The Blessed Vost

OC Ukeje – Potato Potahto

Chris Attoh – Esohe

Oros Mampofu – Lucky Specials

Frank Donga – Hakkunde

25. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Soundtrack

The Road To Sunshine

Tatu

Hotel Called Memory (WINNER)

Isoken

Siembamba

26. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Editing

Hotel Called Memory (WINNER)

Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll

Lucky Specials

The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux)

Siembamba

27. AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Screenplay

The Women

Potato Potahto

Ojukokoro

Five Fingers For Marseille

Hakkunde (WINNER)

The Lost Café

Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/10/21/nollywood-shines-at-2018-africa-movie-academy-awards-full-list-of-winners/

School Principal Reportedly Flogs Female Corps Member In Akwa Ibom

A school principal allegedly flogged a female corps member in Akwa Ibom for helping a friend to write attendance at her place of primary assignment.

The corps member was mercilessly flogged by one Deacon Friday Udoka, the principal of her PPA, the Government Technical College in Abak, Akwa Ibom State.

According to reports, the assault was because the lady, Kolawole Olaitan Adeola, helped her friend write her name in the attendance register of the college, on Friday, October 19, 2018.

The principal was said to have flogged her in his office before dragging her outside to continue the flogging in the presence of students. Udoka then proceeded to notify the NYSC Local Government Inspector that he no longer needs her in the school.

Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/108794/school-principal-reportedly-flogs-female-corps-mem.html

Minimum Wage: NLC Threatens Fresh Industrial Action November 6

The organized labour comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has threatened to embark on a fresh nationwide industrial action on November 6.

According to the groups they will be protesting over what they describe as the government’s unwillingness to implement a new minimum wage for workers.

In the statement jointly signed by the leaders of the two labour centers, they accused the Federal Government of deliberately refusing to forward the resolutions of the tripartite committee.

They claimed that after series of negotiations, the committee had reached a consensus for a minimum wage of N30,000 but the Federal Government has failed to take further necessary actions.

According to the statement, the organized labour will proceed on the nationwide strike action, if the Federal Government refuses to take the necessary actions on the resolutions which they describe as a done deal.

The organized labour and the Federal Government have been enmeshed in serious debates over a new wage structure for workers.

This has led to several industrial actions, with the government threatening to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy for the workers.

The Nigeria Governors Forum, on the other hand, has stated that although the governors are not against a new wage structure for workers, some states lack the capacity to pay.