Friday Briefing: The Cost Of Releasing The Kankara Boys, A Second Covid Wave And The ASUU Problem
What you need to know.
Good morning.
I am writing about the release of the Kankara boys, a second Covid wave and why the ASUU strike isn’t over yet.
Freedom at last. But at what cost?
Six days after their abductions, over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state have regained their freedom, according to multiple government sources. President Muhammadu Buhari described their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and to the international community. But what did it cost the government? Were there casualties? Was there a ransom paid?
On Thursday evening, Katsina state Governor, Aminu Masari, denied that a ransom had been paid. The release, he said, had been secured through negotiation. He said those involved in the negotiations included “my adviser, some top military and police operatives, members of Miyetti Allah.”
Mr Masari also described the abductors as bandits, not Boko Haram, a significant position after the notorious sect released a video earlier on Thursday that purportedly showed the Kankara boys in captivity.
The boys are expected to be reunited with their family today in Kankara.
Sokoto: Like Zamfara, the Northwest state has ordered the immediate closure of 16 boarding schools over insecurity.
The second wave is here
The Presidential Task Force on Covid has officially declared that Nigeria is experiencing a second wave of the pandemic. On Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 1,145 new Covid infections. It was the highest ever number recorded in one day.
'Quote: “Lives have been lost, but we must slow down the pace of the spread, and at the rate at which the numbers are rising should be examined and our vigilance and compliance with the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions should be intensified,” PTF Chairman, Boss Mustapha, said.
Implication: Although it is unlikely, the federal government, through the National Economic Council, has warned of the possibility of another lockdown if the situation deteriorates. As the festive season kicks in, the NEC advised Nigerians to behave responsibly. The PTF has also advised strongly that “all non-essential trips be cancelled outrightly.”
What Next: The PTF will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on December 22 to decide what measures will be taken.
Plateau: Governor Simon Lalong has tested positive for Covid. France President Emmanuel Macron was also reported to have tested positive on Thursday.
What is happening with ASUU?
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government met again on Thursday to trash out their differences and find a way to reopen the nation’s public universities which have been shut down since March by the academics. But after the almost five-hour meeting which ended around 10 pm on Thursday, both sides kept mum.
In a Thursday statement, Minister of Labour and Employment and the key federal government representative in the negotiations, Chris Ngige, said all ASUU’s demands have been met.
Quote: “What the Federal Government expects of ASUU is to return to work while the relevant Ministries of Labour and Employment, Education and Finance work on the memo for the settlement of the outstanding salaries of July, August, September and October 2020, after all, the same government paid February-June salaries even while ASUU locked out students from the classrooms,” Ngige said.
Context: The academics are seeking a revamp of their salary structure and increased funding for universities, among other demands. While the federal government has offered more funding, about N70 billion, ASUU is holding out for more.
Kayode Fayemi: The Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum believes the strike will soon be called off. “We are nearer to the resolution of the crisis than people think,” he said on Thursday.
What else is happening?
FIFA Awards: Bayern Munich’s forward, Robert Lewandowski has broken the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly on the world’s best player award. He won the award for The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2020 on Thursday. Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, also emerged as the best male coach of the year.
NNPC: Thousands of applicants who were shortlisted by the oil corporation for jobs say they have been cheated after the positions were filled by pre-selected candidates.
Housing: As part of its mass housing scheme plans, the federal government has unveiled a prototype of the houses it will offer to low-income earners.
Birthday Boy: President Muhammadu Buhari celebrated his 78th birthday on Thursday. To pay tribute to his principal, spokesman Femi Adesina said Buhari was not a stingy man.
Moderna: The U.S. is set to endorse a second Covid vaccine which will expand its vaccination program as cases continue to rise.
UK Corruption: Widespread waste, negligence and corruption has been uncovered in the British government’s spending during the Covid pandemic.
What I’m reading: This fascinating investigative piece by Chinedu Asadu on how hospitals in Akwa Ibom train and employ unqualified nurses.
And that’s it for today and the week. See you on Monday, okay?