ASUU begins indefinite strike over allowance

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday renewed its hostility with the Federal Government as it declared an indefinite strike action. The resolution followed the body’s National Executive Committee meeting held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State on Sunday and dragged till the early hours of Monday.

According to reports, 51 of the 53 branches of ASUU unanimously agreed to embark on the strike.
The strike with the government, The Nation learned, followed the federal government‘s failure to honour the Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) which formed a component of the 2009 Agreement government signed with the union.

Declaring the strike, ASUU chairman University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, who addressed reporters at the university premises described the strike as a “painful yet inevitable decision.” He added that ASUU is tired of government’s dilly dallying, and cannot allowed itself to be insulted any further.

Throwing more light on the AEA, Ogbinaka said it includes allowances paid as part of excess work load responsibility allowance, and allowance for supervision of Post Graduate Programmes for lecturers, head of department (HoDs), Deans and exam officers, among others.

He added that the highest AEA is not more than N12, 500 per month, wondering why it has remained difficult for government to live up to its promises.

Arsenal sign Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre.
The France Under-21 international arrives on a free transfer at the end of his contract with the Ligue 2 side, becoming the Gunners' first recruit of the summer on a "long-term" deal.


"Sanogo is a good young signing for us," manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website.

"He has shown that he has potential with his recent performances for Auxerre and also for the France Under-20s side. We are looking forward to Yaya joining us and continuing his promising development."


The youngster will link up with the Arsenal squad for training at the end of his involvement in the Under-20s World Cup in Turkey, having scored two goals as France progressed from the group stage.

Sanogo scored 11 goals in 24 games for Auxerre after coming up through the academy ranks.

Forget It - There will never be a Martins or an Osaze in my Team - Keshi

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has for the umpteenth time ruled out the return of the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Ike Uche and Yakubu Aiyegbeni as he negotiates his crucial  World Cup qualification fixture against Malawi in September.

Speaking to some members of the sporting press on Monday at the first workout of the home-based Eagles preparing for their 2014 CHAN qualification  match against Cote d’Ivoire, Keshi rubbished claims that against the backdrop of what transpired in the Eagles attack at the just concluded Confederations Cup, he was contemplating recalling some of these players.

“I never said I will be recalling the likes of Osaze, Martins, or Ike Uche and others because of what happened in Brazil,” saying further: “We have seen them before, so why will I recall them because of what happened at the Confederations Cup in Brazil? I already have my team to prosecute my remaining matches, please let’s be focused,” Keshi said.

On his opponent in this weekend’s CHAN qualifier, he said in spite of having got the better part of  them (Cote d’Ivoire) at the  last Nations Cup, he will not be underating this set of home-based players he will be meeting because the Ivorians are a tough nut any day, irrespective of where they play.

18 Soldiers on Trial for Aiding Bosky [Boko Haram]

Eighteen  soldiers, including a  lieutenant,  on Monday appeared  before  a General  Court Martial in Jos,  Plateau State for aiding members of the  fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram,  and other insurgent groups in their  activities.

The soldiers are members of  the Joint Task Force code named Operation Restore Order in Borno State and the Special Task Force also known as Operation Safe Heaven in Plateau State.

The  JTF and STF were deployed in  the two states following the menace of  insurgent groups in the country. While the JTF is also  battling with Boko Haram members  in Adamawa,  and Yobe states,  the STF has been grasping with Fulani herdsmen who,  in the past 10 years had taken Plateau State by the jugular.

The soldiers are being tried under charges termed, “communication with the enemies, cowardly behaviour,  murder and manslaughter.”

The  General  Officer Commanding the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Ebisowei Awala,  said before  the inauguration of the five-member panel that  the soldiers were duly investigated by the military police.

 Awala described   the  court martial  as  one of the instruments conferred on him by the  Armed Forces Act chapter A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to address problems in the army.

He explained  that any officer who wanted to succeed in the military should be disciplined and loyal, adding that these were two “essential requirements” an officer should not lack. - Punch

Toyota named Best Car Brand of the Year

TOYOTA has been named the most valuable automotive brand, topping the list of 10 most valuable automotive brands of the year.

BrandZ in its eighth report since 2006, Toyota has been named the most expensive for the sixth time with a value of $24.5 billion.

On the list also is Lexus, which maintains the 10th place it posted last year with a value of $3.5 billion (£2.3 billion).

Toyota said it feels that its brands are outperforming the global market.

“According to the report, although automotive sales improved in some regions, they remained below pre-recession levels in others, adversely impacting overall brand values.

“In contrast, global sales for Toyota in 2012 increased by 22.6 per cent, to 9.75 million units, which positively contributed towards the company’s brand valuation in this year’s report, Toyota said in a press release.

The automaker also affirmed that “the BrandZ report also hints at growing ‘customer affinity’ with hybrid technology.

Toyota said its customers can choose from the widest range of hybrid vehicles of any manufacturer, including: Yaris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid Touring Sports, Prius,

Prius+, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and Lexus CT 200h, IS 300h, GS 450h, RX 450h, LS 600h.

007 Daugter dies ...Pierce Brosnan daughter dies of Cancer

Actor Pierce Brosnan is devastated after his daughter Charlotte died, aged just 42.

The mother-of-two died after a three year battle with ovarian cancer - the same disease which killed her mother Cassandra 22 years ago - at her London home on Friday.

Pierce, who has been filming a spy thriller, November Man, in Eastern Europe, last night said: ‘On June 28 my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her husband Alex, children Isabella and Lucas and brothers Christopher and Sean.

‘Charlotte fought her cancer with grace and humanity, courage and dignity. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beautiful dear girl.

‘We pray for her and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon. We thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences.’

Charlotte, who was adopted by the Irish actor in 1986 when her biological father Dermot Harris died, leaves behind her husband, artist Alex Smith and children Isabella, 15, and Lucas, eight.

She is survived by her brothers Christopher, Sean, Dylan and Paris.

Unbelieveable: Lagos Woman Kills Neighbour over sitting Bench

A 28-year-old woman Stella Gilbert is in police custody for allegedly stabbing her neighbour to death over a bench. The incident happened in the suspect's room at Ajegunle area of Lagos State on June 22.

The altercation over who should sit on the bench degenerated into a fight with Stella allegedly stabbing the deceased - identified as Stella Godwin, 27, a mother of three, in the chest. This led to the latter's death in the suspect's room.

It was gathered that Gilbert had initially poured hot water on the deceased before grabbing a kitchen knife and stabbing her to death.

The husband of the deceased, Mr. Godwin said his wife and the suspect were friends but that over time, the friendship became sour due to envy.

"Stella is our neighbor and she used to be a good friend to my wife as they bear the same name. However, for some time my family has been having issues with Stella due to envy and jealousy. The animosity degenerated into a fight on Saturday, June 22nd over a bench. A friend came to visit me and I went to get a bench outside the house to give him to sit.

"This bench belonged to our former neighbour but when he was relocating, he left it behind. Stella started abusing me to leave the bench. I warned Stella to stop insulting me; my wife came out and she too warned Stella to stop insulting me. They started quarrelling and fighting. I ran to the Ajegunle Police Station to get police because Stella poured hot water on my wife. Sadly, when I came back, I saw my wife's lifeless body in Stella's room. Stella had stabbed my wife in the chest with a kitchen knife; she also stabbed her all over her body. I was shocked and started weeping."

The suspect however said she did not intend to kill anybody.

"This is the work of the devil. I did not intend to kill her. Yes, it is true we have been quarrelling but I am shocked that she died from my hands. Mr. Godwin, his wife and his visitor overwhelmed me. Three of them came into my room and they beat me mercilessly. I had to defend myself as the beating was severe and in the process, I took a kitchen knife and waved it to scare her; they were in my room fighting me. I stabbed her in the chest and she fell and died. I did not know how she got the other wound but I did not want to kill her. You can see my body; I have bruises all over because they invaded my room and beat me. I was only defending myself. I am sad that she is dead."

A police source said the case was transferred to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba on June 27 for thorough investigation.

"We recovered three kitchen knives in the suspect's room. The deceased had multiple stab wounds on her body. The corpse was in the suspect's room because that was where the fight took place and she was killed there. We have deposited the corpse in the mortuary for autopsy," the source said.