News

Strike: We Haven’t Exempted ASUU From IPPIS – FG

Published

4 days ago

November 21, 2020

Funmilola joy

The Federal Government has debunked the report that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has been exempted from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, platform.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told Sunday Vanguard that government was quoted out of context on the matter, saying, there was no meeting it was agreed that ASUU would be exempted from the IPPIS payment platform.

The Minister explained that at the meeting with the leadership of the university teachers, government agreed that ASUU members that were yet to enroll on IPPIS will be paid through the platform with which they were paid the President Muhammadu Buhari’s compassionate COVID-19 payment in the months of February and June.

He further said that the platform was a hybrid platform between IPPIS and the Government Integrated Financial Management and Information System, GIFMIS platform which is for the transition period, adding that no government payment will be done without IPPIS knowing.

He said that IPPIS and GIFMIS would be used in paying the university teachers for the transition period, while the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS continues to undergo all the integrity test and cyber security test for confirmation for use

Reacting to the purported exemption given to ASUU on IPPIS, the Minister said, “The situation is that you need to get our communique to ASUU, I think it is better because a lot of people are quoting us out of context saying that we abandoned the IPPIS and that we said they should not be on IPPIS, it is not true.

“What we said in the meeting and what we agreed was that in the interim for the transition period that UTAS is being tested by NITDA and the Office of National Security Adviser for cyber security.

“For those transition period, ASUU members that are not yet on IPPIS will be paid through the platform with which they were paid the President compassionate COVID-19 payment done to them between the months of February and June.

“That platform is a hybrid platform between IPPIS and MINPSI platform for the transition period, that is what was used, it’s a hybrid. This is because no government payment will be done without IPPIS knowing.

“So there is a handshake between IPPIS and MINSI platform and that was what was used in paying them for that period and so we are going to continue with that until UTAS undergoes all the integrity test and cyber security test and it is confirmed for use.”

Also commenting on the new offer to ASUU, Ngige said, “The offer made is clear. You can understand it this way. Prior to meeting of yesterday, Government brought an aggregate offer of N50 billion to ASUU. N20 billion for revitalisation to show good faith that government is still with them on the issue of funding for revitalisation and pending the affirmation of the new sources of funding public education.

“There is a committee on that and the committee is working on sourcing new education funds, it is a NEEDS (Needs Assessment) committee. So pending that NEEDS committee effecting a new funding source and strategy, government offered them N20 billion for revitalisation apart from the funds that are coming from TETFUNDS that is also used for revitalisation, they refused the N20 billion and said that they want N110 billion.

“And that N110 billion is 50 percent of a tranche of N220 billion government said they don’t have that kind of money and then increased that N20 billion by N5 billion to become N25 billion and if it becomes N25 billion, the Earned Allowances will be raised to N40 billion immediate payment making for a total of N65 billion for revitalisation and Earned Allowances in the universities.

“Government then said alternatively, ASUU can opt for the revitalisation to move up to N30 billion, while the Earned Allowances for all the unions in the universities will drop from N40 billion to N35 billion, that is the second basket offered them, either of the two. Either you choose N25 billion revitalisation plus N40 billion Earned Allowances or revitalisation of N30 billion and N35 billion Earned Allowances. ”

Source:- Vanguard

Entertainment News

5 Reasons Why The New Sprite Clear Bottle Is More Than A Pretty Bottle

Published

6 mins ago

November 25, 2020

Funmilola joy

Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited just announced that its Sprite bottles will switch from the iconic green plastic packaging to clear plastic packaging. Basically, do not be alarmed when you see your favorite drink rocking a new look.

This makeover was inspired by the company’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint across the country. In simple terms, these bottles are way easier to recycle and if we are being honest, clear is way better. Sprite is anyway!

Here are 5 reasons we totally agree with the company’s decision to give Sprite a new look;

1. A World Without Waste

If you have not heard of this before, let this sink in.The new clear Sprite bottle serves as a reminder of Coca-Cola’s commitment to building a World Without Waste. To achieve this, the company plans to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle it sells by 2030, reaching a 100% collection and recycling rate of all its packaging. The vision also includes ensuring all packaging is 100% recyclable by 2025 and that all its packaging is made
with an average of 50% recycled content.

2. Easily Recyclable and Eco-friendly

Before you get your hearts in your mouth, the old Sprite bottles are also recyclable, but the process is much harder. Interestingly, they may seem prettier in green but they have much more limited use compared to clear plastics.

You may not realise it just yet but the clear plastic packaging ensures that the new Sprite Clear
bottles are easier to recycle. This development not only benefits you and our immediate environment but also poses material benefits for informal waste reclaimers due to the higher valuation placed on clear plastics. It is totally a ripple effect and a positive one.

3. DIY Trend

DIY is the new trend and the new Sprite Clear Bottle is calling everyone to jump on it. Think about this for a minute, nobody seems to be buying anything anymore when you can just make some of the things you want using the Sprite Clear bottle you bought an hour ago. It is affordable and easy to recycle.

Apparently, you can make a whole lot of fun stuff with the Sprite Bottle, from planters to organizers, a lamp, a huge chandelier, a roof and you won’t believe this, a canoe! Now, we are not sure how safe a canoe is but we advise you to start small, get on the trend and make money selling them or teaching them! Don’t worry, we will send an invoice for commissions.

4. #BeTransparent

The new Sprite Clear Bottle is not just another launch in 2020. It reinforces the brand’s goal to be transparent in all its activities. Most importantly, the launch strongly promotes the “Transparent” lifestyle where people begin to feel safe enough to open up, express themselves freely, no holds barred. #BeTransparent challenges you to have an unrestricted belief in your self-confidence.

5. Clear is Pretty

Well, the list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t say the obvious – the new Sprite Look is definitely pretty. It includes a see-through bottle, refreshed icon of the brand’s bold and iconic Sprite ‘spark’ with a distinct label and bright green cover. Other benefits are just a plus.

For lovers of Sprite, the iconic green bottles you are used to, will remain on the shelves during the transition period from November to December 2020 after which, we will enjoy the benefits of the new Sprite with its see-through bottle.

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Entertainment News

‘Some people can’t sing’ – Burna Boy throws subtle shade at Davido and others

Published

9 mins ago

November 25, 2020

Funmilola joy

Multiple award winning singer, Burna Boy took to Instagram to throw an indirect subtle shade at sensational singer, Davido and other musicians.

Kemi Filani recalls that the 29 year old has been nominated again for Grammy awards 2020.

Reacting to this, Burna boy wrote on his Instastory;

“Some people can perform but can’t sing, some people can sing but can’t perform.. quality over hype”

See how some social medias reacted to this;

sabigal1 wrote “Not shades but pure unadulterated facts”

ijoba201425 wrote “I knew this will surely happen nobody wey no get pride nah just the time to exhibit am.”

dessyhairshop wrote “Lmao,after getting nominated for Grammys you’re still shading up and down,oga go and sit down abeg”

houseofkhalid7 wrote “Make he win first before throwing shades abi na Angélique Kidjo go win am again”

mz_kissybabs wrote “This guy should rest abeg inasmuch as I love his songs, his personality is zero. Meanwhile ABT on repeat”

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Lifestyle

Practicing journalism in Nigeria is almost a waste of time – Journalist, Mary-Ann Duke Okon says as she considers leaving Nigeria to practice in another country

Published

12 mins ago

November 25, 2020

Funmilola joy

Nigerian journalist, Mary-Ann Duke Okon has taken to Twitter to lament that practicing journalism in Nigeria is a waste of time over claims the media is ‘outrightly being gagged’ and not allowed to freely do its job.

Mary-Ann also said she is seriously considering moving away from Nigeria to practice in another country.

She wrote: ‘Practicing journalism in Nigeria is almost a waste of time these days, as the media is outrightly being gagged and not allowed to freely do its job. I’m officially open to working outside Nigeria, I’m seriously considering moving away and practicing anywhere else but here!.’