TheNewsGuru

Tag: staff

  • BREAKING: Finally, NASS staff call off one-week-long strike

    Finally, the protesting staff of the National Assembly has called off a one-week-long strike.

    The NASS staff had embarked on an indefinite strike to drive home their demands of unpaid allowances and conditions of service among others.

    The strike was called off after the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, pleaded with the staff and assured them that the money owed them by the National Assembly would be paid by the end of June 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalled that the strike would have stalled the resumption of the lawmakers today June 14, 2022.

    The lawmakers had to postpone their resumption by one week to ensure a smooth resumption.

    Details to follow…

  • INEC redeploys 146 members of staff nationwide

    INEC redeploys 146 members of staff nationwide

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed 186 members of staff in its offices across the nation.

    The commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said that the affected staff were either serving in their states of origin or had served for between 10 and 32 years in the same state.

    Okoye said the commission considered the development as unhealthy for the sensitive responsibilities they discharged.

    He said the commission met on Thursday and deliberated on a number of issues, including the deployment of staff across the country to ensure efficient and optimal performance.

    He said that in line with the commission’s existing posting policy, henceforth, no Head of Department (HoD) or Electoral Officer (EO) shall serve in his/her state of origin, adding that no staff shall serve for more than two electoral cycles in the same duty post.

    “Consequently, the commission has identified 186 staff for immediate redeployment.

    “Among them are 46 HoDs who are either serving in their states of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same state as well as 140 Eos serving in their states of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same state.

    “The redeployed members of staff are to complete the handing and taking over not later than Wednesday, March 9.”

    He added that the redeployment would be an ongoing exercise that would extend to other categories of staff in the commission’s Headquarters, state and local government offices nationwide.

  • FUTO appeals to politicians not to destroy the Institute with politics

    FUTO appeals to politicians not to destroy the Institute with politics

    The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has appealed to politicians in the country not to use
    political issues in destroying the Institute.

    Chairman of FUTO SSANU, Nwokeji Uchenna (KSJI) made the call on Sunday when fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    It would be recalled that the Alumni association of FUTO had said the award of professorship on Isa Patani was inappropriate.

    Nwokeji, who doubles as the chairman of the university’s Joint Action Committee (JAC), noted with regret that most of the issues bringing FUTO to the spotlight such as the Pantami professorship and the host communities grabbing of FUTO land were being sponsored by politicians for selfish political gains.

    He disclosed that since the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti came on board, staff welfare has become one of the top priorities despite the prevailing economic realities in the country.

    Nwokeji said, “We feel that the VC is being distracted on all fronts ranging from the host communities grabbing of FUTO land and this Pantami issue. We have seen people bringing coffins to the university gate in protests. These things are rather derailing the purpose of the university.

    “This is a university that has a governing council that is vested with the power to handle such issues.

    “You are not a professor in FUTO; you are not a member of the FUTO governing council; you are not a stakeholder of any sort in FUTO, but you are writing every day against FUTO. Rather than allow the council do its job, persons who have little or nothing to do with FUTO are being used to cause confusion.

    “If all these attacks are coming from FUTO, I think it can be properly addressed by the management. But in a situation where the concerns are only coming from outside in what can be regarded as a meddlesome interloper, we see it as politically motivated.

    “We want to call on politicians who have their personal political issues to settle to leave FUTO out of it. This is the only federal university of technology in the entire Southeast and Southsouth.

    “We want to implore Southeast and Imo State politicians, in particular, to help protect FUTO from the ongoing destructive politics because this is the only such institution we have around here. Our people should support FUTO management to achieve its purpose which is to turn out world-class scientists and technologists.

    “We feel that the land grabbing issue and all these distractions are being sponsored by politicians in Imo State particularly those of them from Owerri zone which is why we are calling on them to ceasefire. They are destroying what we have in Imo State. They should leave the FUTO land alone to allow the university expand and commence its teaching hospital site”.

    The SSANU chairman, however, expressed happiness that Prof. Oti had remained undaunted in her efforts to reposition FUTO despite the distractions and attempt to derail the university.

    “Our only consolation is that the VC is a focused and committed administrator whose eyes are always on the ball.

    “We call on the state and the federal governments to look into these issues to let the university focus on its core mandate of building our youths to be more responsible members of the society”, Nwokeji said.

  • N73.7m FRAUD: 2 former Bauchi accounts officers jailed

    N73.7m FRAUD: 2 former Bauchi accounts officers jailed

    The Federal High Court in Bauchi State has convicted and sentenced two former accounts officials of the state’s government to prison for issuing fake revenue receipts to intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2019.

    The two convicts, Kawu Chindo, a former Chief Accountant of Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board and Ali Baba of the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.

    The duo were dragged before the court by Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Bauchi State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had alleged that both Chindo and Baba produced and issued fake revenue receipts to intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2019.

    Following a petition by the state government, EFCC investigated and arraigned the two before the court, accusing them of conspiring to appropriate to themselves public funds to the tune of N73.7million by diverting the said amount to personal accounts, thereby committing the offence of fraud.

    The prosecution further accused the convicts of diverting the money to their personal accounts with the intention of defrauding the state government and innocent people who paid the money rather than pay the sum into the accounts of the pilgrims welfare board.

    Delivering judgment in the case, Justice Abubakar found the defendants guilty of the charged filed against them by EFCC.

    He, therefore, sentenced Chindo to seven years imprisonment, while Baba was sentenced to three months imprisonment.

  • Senator Shehu raises alarm, says Nigerian embassies staff exploiting Nig through rentals abroad

    Senator Shehu raises alarm, says Nigerian embassies staff exploiting Nig through rentals abroad

    Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central Senator has raised an alarm that members of staff of Nigerian embassies have been exploiting the country in the guise of paying rents.

    He made this revelation on Sunday in an interview saying: “From my observation, diplomatic staff have been fleecing this country in the name of paying rents.

    Sani, a former Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria rents about 60 per cent of the nation’s embassies, a costly affair considering the country’s economic challenges.

    “I found out that we have been renting about 60 per cent of Nigerian embassies abroad, some existed as far back as 1960 and we are still unable to buy a house in those countries,” the former eight assembly senator said.

    He underscored the need for an economic review of the dilapidated state of Nigerian Embassies, so as to avoid colossal loss of foreign missions.

    Sani opined that “Everything about the embassy should go back to the foreign affairs ministry; we should have targets, every year we should buy 10 buildings so that in five to six years, we are no longer renting.”

    The former lawmaker said while Nigeria worked on buying more diplomatic houses, the country should trade off foreign properties that we may not need.

    “I learnt we have a residence for Nigeria’s permanent representatives in New York and that residence has not been used for decades.

    “If that residence has not been used for decades, we have no reason to keep that building, we need to sell it off, use the proceeds and buy other properties in other countries.”

    He further noted that buying good diplomatic buildings could cost as much as US$2 million, adding that such should be done to chart the way forward to safeguard Nigerian embassy operations abroad.

  • FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    FCTA clarifies allegation of forceful COVID-19 vaccination of staff, visitors

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday in Abuja clarified that no staff or visitors were being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccines before gaining access to its secretariat.

    Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, made the clarification while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

    Attah, who led the enforcement team to all FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, said: “every individual must present either a vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the FCTA on Monday began enforcement of no vaccination no entry into the Area 11 Garki Secretariat.

    As early as 7 a.m., the implementation team and security men manned the entrance of the secretariat.

    NAN correspondent, who monitored the enforcement, observed that many staff and visitors were being turned back.

    Attah however said that considering the fact that the cases of Omicron variant was still surging, stringent measures had to be taken to protect staff and “everyone that has anything to do with the administration’’.

    He explained that the FCT Administration had given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved to avoid the stress of being turned back at the gate.

    “We have given a full one week for advocacy, and we got a van that went round announcing it.

    “Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the issue.

    “Those who say they don’t want to be vaccinated will get a negative test result.

    “So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.
    “Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, then get us a negative test result, not more than three days old, and that will grant you access.

    “People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something, they mean it.”

    NAN correspondent who monitored the exercise observed that crowd of vaccination seekers; both staff and non-staff had increased at all the approved centres in FCTA.

  • Over 103 Premier League players, staff test positive for COVID-19 in six days

    Over 103 Premier League players, staff test positive for COVID-19 in six days

    The Premier League has revealed a record 103 players and staff tested positive for the coronavirus in the period from December 20 to 26.

    Just a week ago, the English top-flight set a new high since testing began in 2020 with 90 positive cases.

    That mark has now been beaten as the Omicron variant takes its toll.

    So far in December, 15 Premier League games have been called off, while the three divisions below the top tier have been decimated by postponements.

    “The League can today confirm between Monday 20 December and Sunday 26 December, 15,186 COVID-19 tests were administered on players and club staff. Of these, there were 103 new positive cases,” a Premier League statement said.

    “The safety of everyone is a priority and the Premier League is taking all precautionary steps in response to the impact of the Omicron variant.”

    Liverpool’s game against Leeds, Watford’s trip to Wolves, and Burnley against Everton were all cancelled before their scheduled Boxing Day fixtures.

    Arsenal’s home match against Wolves on Tuesday was axed on Sunday after an increase in case numbers among Wolves’ squad.

    Leeds’ game with Aston Villa, scheduled for December 28, was also postponed on Sunday due to Leeds’ continued Covid and injury issues.

    Despite the rise in Covid cases and several postponements, Premier League chiefs last week opted against halting the season despite calls from some top-flight bosses for a ‘circuit breaker’

    At the same meeting, clubs were warned that games will go ahead if each team has 13 fit outfield players and a goalkeeper.

    “The League has reverted to its Emergency Measures, and has increased testing of players and club staff to daily Lateral Flow and twice-weekly PCR tests, having previously carried out Lateral Flow testing twice a week,” the statement said.

    “The League is continuing to work with clubs to keep people safe by helping mitigate the risks of COVID-19 within their squads.

    “We are also liaising closely with the Government, local authorities and supporter groups, while being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance.”

    Six Premier League games did go ahead on Sunday in front of full crowds despite Britain battling a significant rise in positive Covid cases.

    No restrictions have yet been put in place for the size of crowds at matches in England, although supporters do have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test taken in the previous 48 hours.

    Sport in Wales was forced back behind closed doors from Sunday, while in Scotland a restriction of 500 outdoor public events has seen Scottish Premiership clubs bring forward their winter break by a week.

  • Man Utd facing massive payoff to Solskjaer and staff

    Man Utd facing massive payoff to Solskjaer and staff

    Premier League club Manchester United are facing a massive payout to sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff.

    United handed Solskjaer’s coaching staff new three-year contracts only weeks before sacking him.

    Mike Phelan signed a new deal last month, and sources have now disclosed that he was followed by the rest of the coaching team, including Michael Carrick – now caretaker boss – first-team coach Kieran McKenna and goalkeeper coach Richard Hartis, says the Daily Mail.

    Now he has been fired, it is likely any new manager would bring in his own staff, meaning compensation pay-outs to Solskjaer’s men running into millions.

    Sources say that the deals were agreed in the summer, when Solskjaer signed his extension, and that it took time for the finer details to be ironed out.

  • I am too shy to address my staff-Don Jazzy

    I am too shy to address my staff-Don Jazzy

    Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy has opened up on a part of him that doesn’t make it to the limelight. Don Jazzy despite having a cult following on social is a shy person.

    In an interview, the showbiz expert said he has been unable to summon the courage to gather his staff to address them.

     

    According to the 38-year-old “Dorobucci” singer who had described himself as “Superman”, he tagged his inability to address his staff as a disability that calls his self-esteem to question.

     

    He said: “Sometimes, when I tell people that I’m shy, they’ll be like what do you mean?

    “See as my staff are like this, I have actually never gathered all of them to speak to them.

    “This shit is supposed to be a disability, this self-esteem something. Why the fuck can’t I talk to my staff?”

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that earlier this year, Don Jazzy shocked many when he revealed that he got married at the age of 20, and then got divorced at 22.

     

    He wrote, “For so long, everyone keeps asking me when am I getting married? Well, the truth is almost 18 years ago, I was 20 and I got married to my best friend Michelle @yarnstaswitch and it was beautiful. I loved love and I loved marriage. Michelle is soooo beautiful inside and outside with such a soft heart. But then, me being so young and full of dreams, I went and messed it up cos I was giving all my time to my music.

    “Music became a priority instead of my family. We got divorced when I was 22 and it hurt. I am still very much in love with my music and I wouldn’t want to marry another and mess it up again. So, I’m taking my time.

    “Why am I just saying this now?? I really like to keep my relationships private, actually; past or present. But I was watching the bounce interview with Ebuka, which is almost like a tell-all interview, and I felt bad skipping this huge part of my life. So yeah, make una no vex o.” (sic)

     

  • NTA staff stoned to death

    NTA staff stoned to death

    A Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA) Staff identified as Chukwu Odiahu has been killed in Okene, Kogi State by unknown individuals.

    Late Odiahu who works at the engineering department of the NTA boaster station in Okene was stoned to death on Tuesday evening after he closed from work.

    Although the cause of the attack on late Odiahu is yet to be known as at the time of filing this report, DAILY POST gathered that all the staff on duty have been arrested and are currently under interrogation at the Divisional Office of the Nigeria Police Force in Okene.

    A staff of NTA in Okene who spoke under anonymity confirmed the incident.

    The staff said” It is very unfortunate we all woke up this morning to see the death of one of our colleagues under the engineering department.

    ” When we closed transmission around 10pm on Tuesday, he left the office premises. Unfortunately this morning, (Wednesday), we discovered his corpse that he was killed with stones by some persons who we do not know.

    “All the staff on duty have been arrested because they are prime suspects. The incident has been reported to the Police for investigation. Odiahu is a gentleman who is committed to his duty. He died a horrible death”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) DSP William Ovye Aya is yet to confirm the incident as he failed to pick calls or messages sent to his mobile phones.