TheNewsGuru

Tag: staff

  • I collected money from job-seekers on behalf of FCC Chairman, ex-staff alleges

    I collected money from job-seekers on behalf of FCC Chairman, ex-staff alleges

    A former staff of Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mr. Haruna Kolo, on Monday alleged that job seekers paid millions of naira to his personal account for transmission to the Chairman, Mrs. Farida Dankaka.

    Kolo said this in Abuja at the resumed investigative hearing of House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing job racketeering in Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government.

    The committee is also probing mismanagement of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS) in MDAs.

    The former member of staff FCC said he usually approached the Point of Sale Service (POS) agents to collect the money in cash to deliver to the chairman.

    Kolo, who now worked with the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), said Dankaka appointed him as her chief protocol, while serving in FCC.

    He said that he saw the allegation against him in the media regarding job racketeering.

    He said some of those who came to seek for job in the commission paid between one million to five million naira depending on the MDAs.

    Kolo said he had never been involved in selling job, adding that he only acted on the instruction of Dankaka who was always receiving the money in cash.

    According to him, she often gives me verbal instruction in respect of people paying for jobs and lodgment after the collection of the agreed amount.

    “The money is always sent to my account which I subsequently cashed to remit in cash,” he said.

    Kolo said his redeployment to AMCON was with the knowledge of the chairman of the commission.

    ”My going to AMCON was her personal favour to me and others that left FCC at the time,” he said.

    He, however, accused the chairman of going after him, when her sister was rejected at AMCON due to age factor.

    Kolo said the sister in question was already 51 years at the time she was given the job at AMCON.

    He said that he had been receiving several call threatening his life, while seeking protection from the committee, adding that anything that happens to me, the FCC chairman should be held responsible.

    Kolo also said contrary to the chairman’s claimed that FCC had not carried out recruitment exercise since her assumption of office was not true.

    He added that as a desk officer of IPPIS in FCC, the commission carried out recruitment exercise because “I am the desk officer of IPPIS for FCC and over 300 employment letters were issued but those captured by FCC were few.”

    In a swift reaction to Kolo’s allegations, Dankaka said she never collected any money from Kolo as alleged, adding that it was a conspiracy between him and the other commissioners to tarnish her image.

    Disturbed by the barraged of allegations, Dankaka immediately brought out a copy of Holy Qur’an, swearing ever to have collected any money from Kolo as a proceeds of job racketeering.

    According to her, I have never asked him to collect money from job seekers for me.

    Responding to the issues, the Chairman of the committee told Kolo, Rep Yusuf Gagdi, that the committee was in possession of an evidence that Kolo had N38.5 million in his account, which was withdrew from POS.

    He said a total of N75 million was in Kolo’s account in Access Bank, UBA and Eco bank as a proceed of job racketeering

    ”Kolo was serving as a front for collecting money for job recruitments in the commission as against the service, financial regulation and the extant law.

    ”The record I have about your account you don’t even have, the record of your service I have. We are not giving any judgment in FCC, we are still investigating.

    ”This committee will have to be judicial in nature. We knew why we asked Kolo to give us evidence. We must come out straight; we aren’t even talking about racketeering in other MDAs.

    “Kolo you are not supposed to leave here without being arrested. As a civil servant, you are not supposed to have such huge amount in your account,” the committee chairman said.

  • AAU suspends July salaries of staff over failure to submit result files

    AAU suspends July salaries of staff over failure to submit result files

    The Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has directed that the salaries of all staff and all financial requests from Deans of Faculty and Heads of Department be suspended with immediate effect.

    According to a statement signed by the University’s Acting Registrar, Ambrose E. Odiase, the Management’s decision is informed by “the non-compliance of some Deans of Faculty and Heads of Department to submit result files as well as the slow pace of upload of 2020/2021 sessional results to the University’s portal (Kofa).

    “The implication of this failure or slow pace, as it were, is that the current 2022/2023 academic session cannot be activated on the Kofa.

    When contacted for further explanation on the subject matter, the Head, Corporate Communication and Protocol, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Otunba Mike Aladenika, said: “The Management is disturbed with the backlog of results yet to be uploaded which we know is affecting the general progressaional movements of our students. It is no longer acceptable, hence the need to be more firm in our bid to positively get things done the way it should be.”

    On the issue of processing transcript in the University, Otunba Aladenika said: “The Management is aware of the scandalous nature of processing transcript applications in AAU, and as such it has directed that the ICT Directorate digitises all students’ academic records that are not captured on the Kofa.

    “It may also interest you to know that a cartel of transcript racketeering has been smashed in the University with suspects currently before a disciplinary committee with a view to determining the level and depth of their operations within the institution.

    “I can confidently tell you that it is no longer business as usual for recalcitrant elements in and outside the system, as we are more determined, than before, to wipe them out and return the University to the path of glory.”

    Otunba Aladenika further said that all these actions have the blessing of the Special Intervention Team.

  • Delays: INEC blames staff, vehicle owners, assures voters in Lagos

    Delays: INEC blames staff, vehicle owners, assures voters in Lagos

    Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State has blamed some members of its staff and vehicle owners for delays in the commencement of the Presidential and National Assembly election process in some areas of the state.

    Agbaje disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen after monitoring the electoral process in polling units in Somolu and Kosofe Local Government Areas. (LGAs).

    “I think they (the LGAs) had some challenges with some of the staff as well as vehicle owners,” Agbaje said.

    According to him, the commission after obtaining reports of such delays,  swiftly put machineries in place to get materials and staff to those areas.

    He said: “I am sure voting must have started in those areas by now because when the issues were raised, we have called the Electoral Officers (EOs), I am sure they have mobilised to the areas.

    “The assurance is that nobody will leave the polling units until the last person has voted in those areas.

    “We will not finish elections in those areas until the last person has voted. We have sent a message to all EOs that on no account should anybody be allowed to leave the PUs without voting.

    “Everybody on queue will have to vote until the last person but when it is 2.30 pm, the queue will be blocked but those who are already inside will be allowed to vote before the end of the exercise.”

    On lessons learnt, Agbaje said the commission had taken note of few challenges observed, especially the congestion of some polling units, and would address them in future elections.

    He said that while voters trooped out en mass in some polling units, some other polling units did not have crowd of voters.

    The commissioner commended Lagos residents for being peaceful and for appreciating what the commission had done to give elections more credibility in the country.

    On complaints that the Labour Party was not on the ballot in some constituencies, Agbaje linked this to court cases in the affected areas.

    Agbaje,  however,  stated that it was not true that LP was totally omitted from the ballot.

    “Most of the areas concerned have court challenges not INEC challenges. It is court cases and the ones that the court has given us directive to go ahead, we put them in the ballot..

    “They (LP) are in 14 constituencies out of the 24 Federal Constituencies in Lagos state.. So it is not true that they are not in the ballot,” he said.

    The REC who set out to monitor the election process at 1.10 pm, visited Polling Units 030, 011, 010 all in ward 08, Igbobi-Fadeyi, Somolu Local Government Area (LGAs).

    The commissioner also visited polling unit 076, Ward 6 at Ikosi Ketu, and polling unit 043 located at Isheri Junior Grammar School, Isheri in Kosofe LGAs.

    Voting ended in some polling units in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area and sorting and counting of votes had started.

    Sorting and counting was ongoing at PU 038 and 039 at Alagomeji, in Lagos Mainland LGA.

    NAN

  • HYPPADEC cautions staff against corruption, unethical conduct

    HYPPADEC cautions staff against corruption, unethical conduct

    The Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has cautioned its workforce against corrupt and unethical practices in the discharge of their duties.

    The Managing Director, Mr Abubakar Yelwa, gave the caution at the opening of a two-day workshop on asset declaration and code of conduct in Makurdi on Monday.

    He said it was imperative for public officers to declare their assets, to ensure high ethical standard within the system.

    Represented by Dr Murtala Marshal, an Assistant Director in the commission, Yelwa said it was mandatory for public officers to declare their assets and abide by the code of conduct.

    He said that similar trainings were ongoing for the commission’s staff in Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara and Pleateau States.

    ”We are determined to maintain high moral and ethical standards within the system.

    ”We are not joking with the fight against all manner of corrupt practices in public offices, we want our officers to know this,” he said.

    The managing director said that proper assets declaration would enable the government to track the assets and liabilities of its workforce.

    Yelwa said that the commission’s mandate to tackle ecological and environmental hazards could not be achieved without an ethically upright staff.

    Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Tivde Adoor described the workshop as enlightening and enriching.

    ”The workshop has opened our eyes to the issue of asset declaration and code of conduct. We didn’t know much about them before now,” he said.

    Adoor pledged the commitment of the workforce to put lessons learnt from the workshop to practice in the discharge of their duties.

  • Arise TV staff sent out of Tinubu’s event in Lagos

    Arise TV staff sent out of Tinubu’s event in Lagos

    The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, has said a staff of Arise TV staff was caught secretly streaming live its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, at an event in Lagos.

    The APC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a post via his Twitter handle.

    Onanuga said the journalist was not authorized by anyone and was consequently busted and sent out.

    Recall that Tinubu had a meeting with business leaders in Lagos on Friday.

    He also alleged that the journalist was on espionage.

    He said, “Arise TV cameraman clandestinely streamed live Asíwájú Bola Tinubu’s event in Lagos today. He was not authorized by anyone. He was clearly on espionage, but was busted and sent out. Is journalism by stealth part of the practice by Arise News?”

  • We won’t tolerate indolence, laziness – NIWA MD warns staff

    We won’t tolerate indolence, laziness – NIWA MD warns staff

    Dr George Moghalu, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has warned that the authority will not tolerate indolence and laziness from staff members of the authority.

    He gave the warning during the authority’s end-of-year celebration held at the authority’s headquarters in Lokoja.

    Moghalu said “the authority intends to introduce better incentives/welfare to our staff in the new year 2023.

    “The, there should be a positive response with dedication and commitment to hardwork and not indolence and laziness.”

    “I want to assure you that I will improve on what I have done as your head.

    “Be rest assured that we are in this together and the management will see to it that our salaries are increased next year by God’s grace.

    “For better retirement life, I have approved a training programme for NIWA staff retiring to prepare them for live after service”.

    Moghalu presented to each of the eight retirees of the authority a cash reward of N100, 000 and a picture each.

    On award presentation, Mr. Oregbes David from Administration Do of the authority, emerged the Best staff of the year, while award of the Best Performing Area office for 2022 went to Jalingo Area Office.

    The Most Improved Area Office Award went to Sokoto Area Office while Moghalu and Alhaji Mua’zu Jaji, Minister of Transportation, won the best performing Managing Director and Minister Award respectively.

    The Marine Department of the authority won the Best Football Team Award with a trophy.

  • INEC Director tasks workers on cooperative societies

    INEC Director tasks workers on cooperative societies

    Mrs Olaide Okuonghae, the Acting Director of Administration, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tasked Nigerian workers to form Cooperative Societies toward saving for the future.

    She said this at the 16th Annual General Meeting of INEC (headquarters) Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society in Abuja.

    Okuonghae, who represented Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the INEC Secretary at the event, advised Nigerian workers to key into cooperative societies while in service.

    She said that joining cooperative societies has immense benefit while in service and even in retirement.

    Okuonghae narrated how she was able to acquire a land and a house through savings in a cooperative society, before accessing retirement benefit.

    “Cooperative is beautiful society to join. Anyone who has not joined and still in service should not wait until when retirement is approaching.

    “You have to plan ahead of time. Don’t say that I still have enough time, because before you know it the retirement time will come and time cannot be rewind.

    “So please, I am begging us, this co-operative society is to alleviate the pains and the problems of the people, both when you are serving and out of service.
    “At the entire days, I will tell you the benefits are even more. As you start now, the benefit is also much,’’ she said.

    Okuonghae advised workers, especially newly married couples to explore opportunities in cooperative societies toward acquiring necessities of life.
    She said that many workers especially men died at tender age because they were carrying too much burden.

    Okuonghae said such untimely death could be averted with proper planning and support from cooperative societies.
    “I am appealing it is not about leaving all the responsibility to the man, you the woman has to support. How do we do that?

    “If you are in cooperative and your husband is also a civil servant and maybe he does not belong to a cooperative society and you are in one, you will be able to settle one or two things at home.

    “Actually what is causing problems in the home is lack of money as a woman you should be able to support your husband.

    “The economic situation of the country now does not allow you to leave everything for your spouse.

    “You must support your partner- either way, the woman must support the man, the man must support the woman,” she said.

    In her remarks, the acting President of INEC Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Mrs Zainab Ndakun lauded members for their understanding and support.

    Ndakun said that in spite of the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, the society in the year under review had been able to meet the expectations of members.

    Highlight of the AGM included the election of the new executives for the society as Mr Gana Nenrot was elected as President, while Ms Zainab Ndakun was elected as Vice-President among others.

  • ‘We didn’t recruit new staff’ – Immigration gives reason for delay in issuance of passports

    ‘We didn’t recruit new staff’ – Immigration gives reason for delay in issuance of passports

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Thursday, said It has adopted measures to clear the backlog of passport applications trapped by the COVID-19 lockdown.

    The Comptroller-General, Mr Isah Jere, represented by Mr Tony Akuneme, the NIS Public Relations Officer, gave the assurance during a press briefing at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.

    Jere said he understood the frustration of Nigerians over the delay in getting their travelling documents, but said the personnel were working extra hours to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

    “What we are facing is a deluge, an upsurge in the number of applicants and it’s actually overstretching our facilities as well.

    “Those at the passport unit are working beyond normal hours without being compensated.

    “They literally do two shifts without being paid for it just to make Nigerians happy and to satisfy our applicants”, Jere said.

    According to him, the upsurge in the demand for Nigerian passports in the last few months is not unconnected with the same upsurge across the globe of post COVID-19 pressures on migration.

    “Currently, it takes an average of two years to get a facility that you applied for since COVID-19 started in some part of the country.

    “Before now, it takes one to two months to get your document in Nigeria.

    “So, I want Nigerians to know that acquiring travel documents has become a little bit more challenging because COVID-19 has put pressure on the travelling populace worldwide.

    “For the period of 2020, all the applicants for Nigerian passports could not be attended to because we didn’t have physical contact with anybody.

    “Most of our facilities were shut down during the lockdown, so all the applications that were built for 2020 were naturally moved over to 2021 and the ones for 2021 was moved over to 2022.

    “So what we have presently is not necessarily shortage of passports, it is increase in the number of applicants, and it’s the same facilities that we had that we still have.

    “We didn’t recruit new staff, we didn’t open new branches”, he said.

    The C-G however said measures such as online application booking process have helped to stabilise the process and ensure crowd control.

    “What that means is that, you don’t just show up for your passport anymore, you have to go online and apply.

    “When you do that, the system gives you a date. So if the system gives you a bit of next month for instance, are you going to say immigration is delaying you?

    “The system is working on the number of people that have applied, and remember, like I said, the number of applications have doubled or even tripled.

    “This is a global factor that is not peculiar to Nigeria alone,” he added.

    Jere cautioned Nigerians against offering bribe to any immigration officer to process their documents, saying anyone caught will be prosecuted.

    “It is an offence to give bribe to our men, that is why we introduced online application in order to discourage direct contact with our men to avoid bribing them,” the C-G said.

  • Ifeanyi’s death: Police confirm arrest of all Davido’s domestic staff

    Ifeanyi’s death: Police confirm arrest of all Davido’s domestic staff

    Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of all members of Davido’s domestic staff after his son Ifeanyi Adeleke drowned in a pool on Monday.

    The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed on Tuesday morning after the report of Ifeanyi’s death went viral.

    Recall that Ifeanyi, the three-year-old son of the singer, drowned on Monday, October 31, 2022, inside the family’s swimming pool in Banana Island, Lagos.

    Speaking on the unfortunate incident, the Lagos PPRO said preliminary investigation is currently ongoing to unravel what led to the boy’s death.

    He said, “Domestic staff at Davido’a home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened. I wouldn’t call that arrest yet.

    “If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest”.

  • Health minister resigns amid hospital staff shortages

    Health minister resigns amid hospital staff shortages

    Portuguese Health Minister, Marta Temido, resigned on Tuesday amid widespread criticism of her decision to temporarily close some of the country’s emergency care services due to staff shortages.

    Local media reported that Temido’s resignation came hours after reports emerged that a pregnant woman died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday during an ambulance transfer.

    The report said the pregnant woman was to be transferred from Lisbon’s main hospital, Santa Maria, which had no vacancies in the neonatology service, to another hospital in the capital.

    The government took the measure to close emergency obstetric services, especially at weekends, as several hospitals did not have enough doctors during the summer holidays.

    Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa said he had accepted her resignation and thanked Temido for her work, especially “in the exceptional period of combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    He has not yet announced who will succeed Temido, but said in a statement that he will “continue the ongoing reforms to strengthen the National Health Service (SNS) and improve the health care provided to the Portuguese.”

    Temido became health minister in October 2018.

    She was elected deputy of the Portuguese parliament, representing the city of Coimbra in the central Portugal region in the last elections held on Jan. 30.