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Tag: Civil Servants

  • FG resumes monthly welfare package for civil servants

    FG resumes monthly welfare package for civil servants

    The Federal Government has resumed the monthly welfare package for civil servants that was initially on hold.

    The announcement came as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, addressed ministry staff and unveiled a new fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses delivered under the Presidential Initiative on CNG.

    The welfare support, which had been on hold for a while, was brought back as part of efforts to motivate staff and improve working conditions.

    Edun noted that staff are central to implementing the country’s economic reforms and deserve adequate support to remain productive.

    He also explained that the CNG buses were introduced to make commuting easier for workers while promoting cleaner and cheaper energy.

    The initiative is part of the administration’s push for greener transport and better service delivery within government institutions.

    Also present at the event was the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Ismaeel Ahmed, who said the deployment of the buses is aimed at encouraging sustainable practices in public offices and supporting local production chains.

    Earlier, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Lydia Shehu Jafiya, urged staff to remain committed and disciplined as the ministry continues to navigate economic challenges and carry out reforms.

  • Lagos ends remote work for public servants

    Lagos ends remote work for public servants

    The Lagos State Government has announced the termination of remote working for public servants.

    Mr Bode Agoro, the Head of Service, made the announcement in a statement shared on Tuesday.

    Agoro said the decision was in support of the implementation of the new minimum wage in the public service.

    The work-from-home initiative was introduced in February 2024 to mitigate the impact of the sudden removal of subsidies.

    According to Agoro, its cancellation aims to enhance service delivery.

    Agoro stated that the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has introduced various measures to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants.

    “It is hereby notified for general information that the governor has approved the cancellation of the work-from-home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service.

    “The cancellation of the work-from-home initiative, which has been in place since February 2024, will take effect on March 31.

    “Public servants are urged to rededicate themselves to their duties and ensure improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

    “Accounting Officers are instructed to give this circular the service-wide publicity it deserves,” Agoro added.

    NAN reports that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration approved an N85,000 minimum wage for civil servants in Lagos State on Oct. 17, 2024.

  • Gov Mutfwang puts smiles on faces of Plateau civil servants as he approves 13th month salary

    Gov Mutfwang puts smiles on faces of Plateau civil servants as he approves 13th month salary

    The governor of plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang has in his passionate commitment to the welfare of public and civil servants in the State, approved that the 13th-month salary be paid to bring a more joyful Yuletide to civil servants in the state.

    Governor Mutfwang in a statement by his Director of press and public Affairs, Gyang Bere also directed the swift payment of end-of-the-year bonuses for public and civil servants in the State.

    It was gathered that this is the first time in Plateau’s history that the state government is paying workers a 13th-month salary.

    This move is a testament to Governor Mutfwang’s desire to implement policies that enhance working conditions for government workers.

    The Governor wishes all workers Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

  • Finally , FG sacks civil servants with certificates from Benin Republic, Togo

    Finally , FG sacks civil servants with certificates from Benin Republic, Togo

    Finally, the Federal Government of Nigeria has terminated the appointments of civil servants who obtained degrees from private universities in Benin Republic and Togo between 2017 and now.

    The decision stems from concerns about the credibility of degrees awarded by tertiary institutions in these countries.

    Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), confirmed the development on Wednesday.

    This is sequel to the government’s earlier directive in August 2024, which recognized only eight accredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo as authorized to award degrees to Nigerians.

    The crackdown was prompted by an undercover investigation by Daily Nigerian that revealed how a journalist obtained a degree in just two months from a university in Benin Republic and used it to enroll in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. Following the exposé, the Federal Government banned the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from institutions in both countries.

    To address the issue, an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling was set up to investigate and curb certificate racketeering. A subsequent report by the committee revealed that over 22,500 Nigerians had obtained fraudulent degrees from private universities in Benin Republic and Togo.

    The former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, disclosed that many individuals claiming these degrees had never left Nigeria. Instead, they acquired fake certificates through racketeering networks involving both local and foreign collaborators. He noted that the fraudulent activities undermined the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

    Mamman stated, “Most of those parading the fake certificates didn’t even leave the shores of Nigeria but got their certificates through racketeering in collaboration with government officials at home and abroad. The Federal Government will ensure that all public servants with such fake certificates are removed from their positions. Private sector employers should also take similar actions.”

    Although the exact number of affected workers remains unclear, sources confirmed that the OSGF had issued a directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to identify and terminate the appointments of employees with such questionable qualifications.

    An anonymous official revealed, “There was a letter from the SGF cabinet affairs directing all ministries, departments, and agencies of government to identify and terminate the appointments of workers employed with certificates obtained from private universities in Benin Republic and Togo from 2017 to date.”

    Some government agencies have already begun implementing the directive. For example, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) confirmed the dismissal of five staff members in compliance with the order. NYSC Director of Information, Caroline Embu, stated, “Five members of staff were affected by the directive contained in the letter from the office of the SGF. No more.”

    The Federal Government’s action underscores its commitment to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s educational and employment systems, as well as combating the proliferation of fraudulent academic qualifications.

  • Just in: Plateau Gov Mutfwang finally approves N70k Minimum Wage for civil servants

    Just in: Plateau Gov Mutfwang finally approves N70k Minimum Wage for civil servants

    In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.

    The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.

    Full text of the statement reads in part:

    Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.

    The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.

    As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.

  •  FG to backdate payment of new minimum wage to July

     FG to backdate payment of new minimum wage to July

    The federal government has said it will backdate the payment of the new minimum wage of N70,000 to July 29, 2024.

    The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for Civil Servants has reached an agreement to implement the new minimum wage on July 29, 2024.

    According to Punch, this was stated in a Memorandum of Understanding issued at the end of the committee’s meeting, which a correspondent in Abuja saw on Friday.

    The MoU states: “The NSIWC will generate the appropriate salary templates for other consolidated salary structures for implementation; the effective date of the implementation shall be July 29, 2024.”

    The committee, which was created to oversee the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage Act 2024, increased the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The committee comprises 16 members.

    Part of the committee’s mandate is to negotiate salary adjustments and develop a comprehensive template for the rollout of the new wage.

     

  • FG restores pre-retirement training for civil servants

    FG restores pre-retirement training for civil servants

    The Federal Government has allocated funds to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in the Service wide vote for the pre-retirement training for various categories of retiring staff.

    The Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, in a statement on Friday, said that the training was meant for staffers of federal parastatals in the country.

    Arabi said the move will help retiring civil servants to plan properly on how they will start a new quality life after their fulfilling service years.

    He said that in compliance with the requirement of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Bureau is already inviting competent and reputable companies with relevant experience and good track record.

    He said the essence of the programme  was for reputable companies to express their interest in training the staff of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    Arabi said that retirement provides a golden opportunity for civil servants to give a sense of redirection to their lives, especially if properly planned.

    “As most people find it difficult to live after their retirement because they failed to plan for it, the training will help the civil servants to plan.”

    He said the restored programme, which the federal government initiated over a decade ago, was an individual development and empowerment initiative.

    The director general said the programme is aimed at providing practical entrepreneurship training for prospective retirees to venture into any business of their choice.

    “The training will also help retirees prepare to  adjust to the challenges of life after retirement, for them to have personal understanding of financial planning.

    “The training will help them appreciate the types of business opportunities that are open to them, as well as provide them with guides on how they can access their terminal benefits.

    “The training is particularly important because it will help the retirees to cope with extended family pressures during their service years and even sustain them.

    “It is also good for their personal health and wellness, because idleness may seriously harm the body that has been actively working for over 30 years,”he said.

    Arabi said that the intervention would help ensure retirees’ financial stability, by reducing the rate of unemployment and poverty, aside in helping in increasing the country’s fortune of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He added that the training would also help potential retirees to live a legacy for their family to inherit even after death.

  • Civil servants must refund salaries received after ‘japa’ – Tinubu gives order

    Civil servants must refund salaries received after ‘japa’ – Tinubu gives order

    President Bola Tinubu has directed that all civil servants who are drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be made to refund the money.

    The President also directed that the supervisors and department heads of the culprits must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.

    Tinubu’ gave the directive on Saturday at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week.

    The event was also to honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries.

    Represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers.

    ”During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.

     “I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning.

    “It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.

    “The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.

    “Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.

    He reiterated that government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to government treasury.

    The President acknowledged the challenges in the civil service sector and reiterated his commitment to address them for optimal performance.

    “Our administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service is facing.

    “I want to give you the assurance that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.

    “Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service.

    “I also supported the office in implementing far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery,” the president said.

  • Abia Govt. to introduce Contributory Pension Scheme for civil servants

    Abia Govt. to introduce Contributory Pension Scheme for civil servants

    The Abia Government has expressed its resolve to commence a Pension Contributory Scheme for civil servants.

    The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Okey Kanu, made  this known on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting at the Government House, Umuahia.

    He said: “The state government has concluded plans to introduce a contributory pension scheme for Abia civil Servants.

    “The plans for establishing the scheme have gone very far and very soon we would start the cutover to a contributory pension scheme.”

    Kanu expressed the readiness of the State Government to introduce measures that would make  the payment  of pension seamless and give pensioners a sense of belonging.

    He said that the government had given a directive for all pensioners to be paid on the 28th of every month just like the civil servants in the state.

    Kanu added that the government had directed that going forward, pensioners would be paid their monthly pension in full, as against half of the amount which used to be the case in the past.

    He said that the government recently paid pensioners their pension arrears and noted that government was aware that some pensioners were not captured in the payment.

    Kanu said that the Ministry of Finance had set up a help desk to address issues arising from the pension arrears payment such as persons whose names were skipped, among others.

    According to him, the whole idea is to ensure that the whole process is smooth and successful.

    Kanu also said that the  government had approved the reconstruction of the 3.5-Kilometer Ekeakpara road which stretched from Osisioma Junction to  Ekeakpara Market.

    He said that the road would be rehabilitated with concrete drainage system to enhance the aesthetics and increase its lifespan.

    Kanu disclosed that the plans and efforts were in top gear in preparation for the upcoming Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) Medical Mission in the state.

    He said that there had been a massive registration by prospective patients seeking to get medical attention during the exercise.

    “The Ministry of Health and ANPA has slated to have about 200 patients undergo surgery, that number has now increased to about 350 patients because of the massive interest people have shown.

    “The number of patients that are registered shows that it is  going to be a very hectic period for those involved.

    “This means that they will be carrying out surgeries on about 25 patients per day; that’s very huge by any stretch of imagination,” Kanu said.

  • Aiyedatiwa approves payment of gratuities to retired civil servants

    Aiyedatiwa approves payment of gratuities to retired civil servants

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday approved the payment of N1.2 billion to fully offset gratuity of the state’s civil servants who retired 10 years ago in 2014.

    The governor also voted N320 million for payment of monthly pensions.

    Mr Sina Adeyeye, Press Officer at the Office of the Head of Service, stated in Akure that cheques would be presented to the retirees on Thursday.

    “As part of efforts to settle the backlog of gratuity of state retirees, the governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved N1.2 billion to fully offset gratuity of 2014 set of retirees.

    “Gratuities of those who retired in 2013 were paid in 2023, while those who retired in 2011 and some of those who retired in 2012 from the local governments have also been cleared.

    “This is apart from about N320 million government has set aside for settlement of benefits of all other categories of pensioners,’’ Adeyeye stated.