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Category: News

  • Kaduna Assembly Okays El-Rufai’s Probe Over Abuse Of Office, Money Laundering

    Kaduna Assembly Okays El-Rufai’s Probe Over Abuse Of Office, Money Laundering

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee has submitted a damning report, exposing financial irregularities and corruption during the tenure of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The report was presented during plenary on Wednesday, by the chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia.

    The committee, tasked with investigating loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015 to 2023, revealed that most loans obtained during El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purposes.

    Furthermore, due process was not followed in securing some of these loans, according to the Committee.

    The committee’s report accused former governor El-Rufai and his cabinet members of abuse of office, awarding contracts without due process, diverting public funds, and money laundering.

    The report also criticized the excessive borrowing during El-Rufai’s tenure, which has plunged Kaduna State into heavy debt.

    The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and other indicted officials by security and anti-corruption agencies.

    Additionally, the report called for the immediate suspension of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, and the chairman of the state universal basic education board.

    The committee also urged thorough investigations into key appointees from the last administration.

  • ‘It Is Exaggerated’ – House Of Reps Slam Labour For Circulating Fake Nigerian Lawmakers’ Salary

    ‘It Is Exaggerated’ – House Of Reps Slam Labour For Circulating Fake Nigerian Lawmakers’ Salary

    The House of Representatives has castigated organized labour in Nigeria, blaming it for circulating fake and exaggerated salary of lawmakers in the country.

    The lawmakers, while debunking the salary circulated by labour via social media, said the action of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in circulating “fake earnings” of National Assembly members in Nigeria is capable of stoking public resentment and undermine the credibility of the Legislature.

    The stand of the Green Chamber was made known in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, on Tuesday.

    The statement added that the House remains committed to ensuring better working conditions for Nigerian workers in the interest of everyone and is glad that the strike action initially declared by the labour to press home its demands concerning a new minimum wage has been suspended to allow for further negotiations with the government.

    The statement read, “The House of Representatives acknowledges the recent industrial action undertaken by the NLC and the TUC due to the breakdown in negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

    “The People’s House is pleased to note that the strike action has been suspended for one week to allow for further negotiation.

    “During this period, as we have previously demonstrated, the People’s House remains responsive and committed to actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the issues in the best interest of Nigerians.

    “House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has consistently advocated a living wage and better working conditions for workers.

    “At various fora, he has emphasised the importance of addressing key national priorities, including the state of the economy and insecurity, through legislative action.

    “While the Green Chamber is in full support of the call for improved wages and working conditions, there is a great need to exercise caution in increasing the minimum wage beyond what our economy can sustain to avoid unintended outcomes such as inflation, layoffs, and other adverse economic consequences.

    “Thus, we restate the importance of approaching this issue from a balanced perspective to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for all.

    “In the same vein, we observed with concern the direction of the strike action before its suspension and what it portends for the future.”

    The House, however, condemned the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid and airports, during the joint unions’ mandated strike on Monday, saying it brought pain to Nigerians and those responsible for such actions must be brought to book.

    “Importantly, the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid, constitutes economic sabotage and is detrimental to the well-being of our country. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable.

    “We also find it troubling that the leadership of Organised Labour, the majority of who live far above the means of the average Nigerian, would engage in actions that exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.

    “It is necessary, therefore, to state that while industrial actions and dissent are fundamental rights within our democratic space that must be protected, the manner in which Labour conducted itself during the just-suspended strike largely shows a lack of empathy for Nigerians.

    “Is the objective of the leadership of the unions to compel the government to implement a living wage or to inflict pain on Nigerians?

    “Additionally, it is important to address persistent misinformation and disinformation propagated by organised Labour leadership regarding the earnings of lawmakers.

    “This is especially because organised Labour has, for years, contributed to false narratives about the remuneration of members of the National Assembly, exaggerating figures to stoke public resentment and undermine the credibility of the Legislature.

    “This tactic diverts attention from the core issues at s

  • NLC expresses disappointment over Fed Govt’s silence on electricity hike reversal

    NLC expresses disappointment over Fed Govt’s silence on electricity hike reversal

    The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the federal government’s silence on the April 3 electricity tariff hike as disappointing.

    NLC disclosed this in its communique on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting where it suspended its indefinite strike for one week.

    The development comes after the federal government in a meeting with organized labour on Monday agreed to pay minimum wage higher than N60,000.

    However, the government has yet to say anything about the second part of labour’s demand, which is electricity tariff reversal.

    NLC expressed disappointment over the government’s silence and lack of concrete action regarding the reversal of the electricity tariff hike and the abolition of the apartheid classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

    “The NEC reaffirms that these issues are critical to alleviating the financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general populace. The electricity tariff hike and discriminatory Band classification remain unacceptable and must be addressed alongside the wage increase,” it stated.

    Recall that on April 3, the NERC approved tariff increment of over N200 per kwh for customers getting 20-24 hours power supply.

    The hike generated reactions among Nigerians.

    In reaction, the government earlier announced a minor reduction of N18, bringing it down to N208.80kwh for band A customers.

    However, unsatisfied with the reduction, the NLC, the Trade Union Congress and other organizations called for the complete reversal of the electricity tariff hike.

    It was part of the demand presented to the federal government, alongside the issue of minimum wage.

  • Resident Doctors to down tools Over Non-Payment Of Allowances

    Resident Doctors to down tools Over Non-Payment Of Allowances

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a fresh industrial action over non-payment of accoutrement allowances owed their members.

    This was disclosed in a communique issued after its general meeting held in Kaduna State, while informing all its chapters to give a two-week ultimatum to the chief medical directors and managing directors (CMDs/ MDs) to immediately pay the owed allowance. 

    The communique was signed by Dr Dele Abdullahi Olaitan, President; Dr Anaduaka Christopher Obinna, Secretary General; and Dr Egbe John Jonah, Public and Special Secretary.

    The resident doctors also warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in nationwide industrial actions.

    During the discussion, the group also urged for the abolition of doctor casualisation in order to ensure equitable and stable employment standards throughout the country. 

    They also urged healthcare providers to speed up their transition to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which would streamline payroll procedures.

    The doctors emphasised that any assault on medical staff would result in an immediate suspension of services until the area’s safety was secured for practice. 

    They urged the National Assembly to approve legislation criminalising assaults on healthcare workers. They also suggested that the examination fees for the West African Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians be reduced in order to enable resident doctor registration.

    The doctors’ threat to embark on strike is coming shortly after the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) resolved to relax the nationwide strike they embarked upon since Monday.

    The Labour leaders mentioned this after they convened a joint extraordinary National Executive Council in Abuja on Tuesday, top officials confirmed to newsmen.

    “The NLC and TUC are going to relax the strike and see what happens in the next one week with negotiations with FG,” one of the sources noted.

    “We’re just doing communique but it will be released after the meeting with the government team,” another senior official had confirmed.

  • Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    A member of the 10th National Assembly representing Bassa/Dekina Federal constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Paul Gowon Haruna has donated a traditional well to his constituency.

    Haruna is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    He is also a former member of the Kogi State Houses of Assembly.

    However, some residents of the constituency have kicked against the project. 

    Sharing pictures with SaharaReporters, one of them said, “This is a project from a House of Representatives member representing Dekina/Bassa Federal constituency, what a shame, not even a mechanised hand pump.”

    Another resident said, “It’s glaring these politicians don’t rate us, a federal lawmaker constructing well and celebrating it as achievement.”

  • Breaking: NDIC commences payment to Heritage Bank’s depositors

    Breaking: NDIC commences payment to Heritage Bank’s depositors

    Depositors of Heritage Bank (in liquidation) will be paid their insured deposits as from this week.

    The Managing Director (MD) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, disclosed this at an on-going press conference, in Abuja.

    Accord to him, over 99 percent of the 2.3 million depositors have N5 million and less in their accounts and will therefore be paid in full.

    He explained that only about 4000 depositors have above N5 million in their accounts.

    For such customers, they will receive an initial N5 million along with others and later be paid more as the NDIC recovers assets of the bank and loans from debtors.

    Details later…

  • Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released 

    Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released 

    The Police Service Commission has announced the approval and release of a list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable and specialist cadres of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The commission noted that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, it worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission.

    It added that it ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.

    The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, made the development known in a statement on Tuesday.

    Ani said, “The Police Service Commission has approved and released the list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The commission today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, received the report of the Police Recruitment Board. 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for General Duty, while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre.

    “To ensure fairness and justice in the Recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission. It ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.”

    The commission had earlier inaugurated a Recruitment Board – a broad-based stakeholders’ body populated by representatives from the PSC, the NPF, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges, and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the PSC.
    Interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media.

    Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications (October 15, 2023 to November 26, 2023) in line with the Federal Character requirements.

    The PSC revealed that a total of 609,886 applications were received, while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise, which was physical and document screening.

    This stage was held in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory between Monday 8, January, 2024 to Monday 29, January 2024.

    The commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowed for its expertise in computer based tests.

    Ani on Tuesday noted that, “15,447 General duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for medical screening to determine their health status. The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening. Each stage of the Recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care.

    “A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection.

    “The selection of specialists was done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation.

    “The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police declared that the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.”

    Arase noted, “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.”

    The PSC Chairman disclosed.

  • BREAKING: Suspended Senator Abdul Ningi resumes plenary 

    BREAKING: Suspended Senator Abdul Ningi resumes plenary 

    Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, has returned to Senate plenary sessions after a three-month suspension. The Senate recently ended his suspension, which had started on March 12, 2024, by granting him a pardon and recalling him.

    Last week, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro put forward a motion for Ningi’s reinstatement, expressing regret on Ningi’s behalf and taking responsibility for his actions. Following appeals from several lawmakers, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Ningi’s unconditional return to the Senate.

    Ningi was initially suspended due to a controversial interview in which he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget. He claimed that the National Assembly approved N25 trillion, but the Presidency implemented N28.7 trillion.

  • Full text media briefing on Joint HYBRID NEC Meeting of NLC/TUC

    Full text media briefing on Joint HYBRID NEC Meeting of NLC/TUC

    Good afternoon distinguished Comrades. Arising from the join NEC Meeting of NLC /TUC a few minutes ago ,it was resolved as follows

    1. Agreement was reached to allow for engagement with Government for negotiation beyond 60k as against Government initial frozen position of 60k

    2. That the time-line of 2months initially tendered by Government has been shortened to one week by Organized Labour to allow for speedy conclusion on the new minimum wage.

    3. That both NECs in session unanimously agreed to *Relax* the strike action to pave way for continuous negotiation which is a new lexicon in the Labour Movement .

    3. Failure on the part of Government to conclude with Labour within one week shall prompt the Organised Labour to resume the strike without further notice .

    4. The strike is relaxed till you hear from the Organised Labour. *Work resumes tomorrow.*

    Comrade Ken Bassey
    State Secretary, TUC CRS

  • BREAKING NEWS: The Strike is Over!

    BREAKING NEWS: The Strike is Over!

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called off the nationwide strike.

    Mr. Festus Osifo, President of Trade Union Congress, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the unions. He mentioned that a communiqué would be issued shortly.

    Recall that both unions (TUC and NLC) on Monday commenced an indefinite nationwide strike to express their grievances over the hike in electricity tariffs and the lack of consensus on a new minimum wage.

    This action halted activities in critical sectors of the economy, leading to the closure of schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports. The national grid was shut down, plunging the nation into darkness.