Tag: staff

  • JUST IN: Gory: Five Okomu Oil staff in gruesome death [Photo]

    JUST IN: Gory: Five Okomu Oil staff in gruesome death [Photo]

    Five staff of Okomu Oil plc in Edo State have been burnt to death in a road accident that occured along Iguobazuwa road in Ovia South West local government area.

    Two others were critically injured and currently receiving treatment.

    The bus conveying the Okomu Oil staff were said to be going to the head office at Okomu from Extension 2 of the firm when it rammed into a lorry on Friday evening.

    Okomu Oil staff razed to death

    Several motorists and passengers were stranded as the burning vehicles blocked the highway.

    An eyewitness said help could not reached the Okomu Oil staff as the bus burst into flames.

    An official statement has not been issued by the firm but a top official confirmed the death of their staff.

    The official described it as sad day for workers in the firm.

    According to the official, “We are yet to confirmed the number of our personnel involved but we have confirmed five. Two are in the hospital.

    “They were coming to the head office from Extension 2. It is a sad day for us.”

  • Kidnapped Staff: Unizik SSANU stages rally in Anambra

    Kidnapped Staff: Unizik SSANU stages rally in Anambra

    Members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, on Friday staged a protest to the state government house, over the kidnap of their colleague, Engr. Emeka Chiaghana

    The Unizik Staff, was kidnaped in his house in Nibo, Awka South council area of the state on October 25, 2019 and had not been seen till date.

    The protesters numbering over 200, displayed placards with various inscriptions on the plight and whereabouts of their colleague.

    Some of the placards read: ‘We want Chiaghana back to us; Governor Willie Obiano please intervene, among others.

    Chairperson of the association, Comrade Njideka Nwangwu ,said the protest was necessitated by the abduction of their member .

    According to her, “By this peaceful protest , SSANU UNIZIK enjoins the government of Anambra State , security agencies , the university community and the general public to note this important development . ”

    Nwangwu noted that though SSANU was aware of the efforts of security agencies and UNIZIK management in trying to ensure the release of their kidnapped member alive , she said the relevant authorities should expedite action for him to regain his freedom and join his family .

    Responding on behalf of the state government, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu , assured members of SSANU UNIZIK that security agencies were on top of the issue .

    Prof.Chukwulobelu also said the state government had not gone to bed on the matter and had been conducting investigations underground to nail his abductors and reunite him with his immediate family.

    He said the state government had been feeding the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone with the latest information regarding Engr. Emeka Chiaghana’s kidnap .

    He said the latest update on the issue was given to Prof. Esimone on January 7, 2020 .

    Chukwulobelu, therefore urged the protesting senior staff of UNIZIK not to despair but to be strong in their faith as the state government and other security agencies would ensure that their colleague is released from captivity .

    Meanwhile, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said the Command was not sleeping in making sure the victim was released

     

  • UBA Celebrates Staff, Customers at  Customer Service Week

    UBA Celebrates Staff, Customers at Customer Service Week

    Pan African Financial services institution, United Bank for Africa is joining the rest of the world to celebrate the 2019 Customer Service Week, themed, “Magic Happens Here”, with recognitions for staff who have excelled in excellent service delivery.

    The event which is commemorated all over the world, recognises the importance of customer service and seeks to show appreciation to the staff who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism.

    The theme for this year’s celebrations embodies all that the bank represents as encompassed in its Core Values – the 3EEEs: Excellence, Enterprise and Execution.

    Already, all branches of the bank are engaged in various activities which will make the week-long celebration exciting and memorable. Branches have been colourfully decorated, and customers are being treated to different exciting gifts and activities.

    UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who spoke on the significance of continuous excellent service delivery to customers, appreciated the staff who have worked tirelessly to satisfy customers, and urged them not to rest on their oars.

    He said, “Over three years ago, we resolved to address the persistent customer service challenges in the Bank by launching the Customer First (C1st) Philosophy. The primary objective of which was to transform the Bank into an undisputed customer-focused institution delivering excellent financial services from the customers’ standpoint.

    “As we celebrate this year’s Customer Service Week, I would like to express my gratitude to you all for the journey so far. It is my belief that, with our collective strength and commitment to the Bank’s corporate goals, the on-going crusade on Customer-First Philosophy, anchored on our core values; Enterprise, Excellence and Execution (3EEEs), the C1st drive will permeate the system and become our most treasured initiative group wide,” he noted.

    Explaining the theme, he urged staff to do all they can to go the extra mile and promote great satisfaction for customers, adding, “Let’s strive to put the magical touch in everything we do to create a symbolic service experience for our ‘Employer’ – the Customer!”

    The GMD seized the opportunity to explain that UBA is on the right trajectory to entrenching herself as the preferred bank in the hearts of customers, adding “Our primary objective is to imbibe and demonstrate C1st philosophy as a ‘way of life’ in all our engagements with customers. This is truly our core essence and how we wish to be primarily recognised always.”

    Also commenting on the special week, the Group Executive, Customer Fulfilment Centre, UBA Group, Mr Anant Rao said that UBA in the last 3 years has deliberately focused on its Customer 1st philosophy leveraging on a three prong lever of People, Process and Technology, saying that large scale transformations have been engendered with clear focus on serving the needs of the customers while laying emphasis on creating a holistic end to end Customer journey and with our ecosystem revolving around our Customers.

    “The singular mission of our consistent and superior customer experience has been imbibed into the DNA of each and every staff of the bank. In this way, there is no gainsaying that Service has been institutionalized at UBA. The mantra of our Customers being our employers has been ingrained into the psyche of each and every staff,” Rao noted.

  • LASPOTECH dismisses five staff

    LASPOTECH dismisses five staff

    The Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Ikorodu, has dismissed five staff of the institution for various offences that contravene its conditions of service.

    The Polytechnic Spokesman, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said on Tuesday in Lagos that the governing council took the decision at its meeting on Sept. 20, 2019.

    Kuye said of the affected five staff, were two lecturers and three non-teaching staff.

    “The council after exhausting all the due processes as contained in the staff conditions of service, dismissed five staff of the institution for offences ranging from plagiarism and falsification of students’ examination results.

    “Also, fraudulently gaining employment without pre-requisite qualification, breach of confidentiality, assault and battery, among others,’’ he said in a statement.

    According to him, the affected staff are Talabi Kareem, Adeniyi Olatunji, Mutiu Badmus, Anuoluwapo Olorunseun and Rashidat Abudu.

    Kuye, however, noted that the affected staff had been duly communicated of the decision of the council.

  • Photos: Heavy flood ravishes Appeal Court in Abuja, activities grounded

    Photos: Heavy flood ravishes Appeal Court in Abuja, activities grounded

    For some staff and individuals, with cases pending at the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, it will take a while to overcome the effect of the negative impact of the rainfall experienced in the city in the past few days.

    Unlike the case last year, where minor flooding was witnessed around the court premises, the impact of the flood experienced between Monday and Tuesday this week was massive.

    Not only were vehicles submerged, offices were flooded with files and documents impacted.

    Most affected was the Abuja division, sitting on the lower end of the sprawling structure, which also houses the Court of Appeal headquarters.

    “Some of our files were affected. We intend to work with lawyers in cases affected, for replacement. We have never had it so bad,” a senior official, who prayed not to be named, said.

    Another, who sought to be identified with her first name, Juliet, said her car was among the vehicles that were affected.

    “We had to escape without our vehicles. We were only able to recover our vehicle the next day, when the flood receded.

    “My car is currently with the mechanics. They are battling to fix it. The car was totally submerged in the flood.

    “Beside the engine that is said to have been affected, all the documents I had in the car were also affected,” she said.

    A lawyer, Isaac Okechukwu said he was in court to ascertain the condition of things upon being informed about the development.

    “I heard that the court was flooded and some offices and case files affected. I came to see if my cases were among those affected,” Okechukwu said.

  • JUST IN: Abducted mother of AIT staff regains freedom

    The abducted mother of Head of DAAR Communications Centre Jos, Plateau state, Mrs. Dinah Ayua, who was whisked away on Saturday in Zakibiam, Ukum local Government of Benue state, area has been freed.

    The 67-year-old was abducted by gunmen in her Zakibiam residence located behind Ukum local government secretariat on Saturday at about 7pm.

    She was blindfolded and forcefully taken away to unknown location in unmasked vehicle

    The son informed our correspondent on phone that her mother was released on Wednesday night at Jootar village, along Zakibiam – Wukari federal highway, in Benue state.

    He stated that he was contacted within 24 hours by her abductors who initially demanded for N10 million ransom.

    Ayua, a popular On Air personality and TV was a House of aspirant for Ukum Assembly constituency during the last elections.

    His constituents have invited him to contest for the chairmanship of Ukum local Government in the November local government poll, which has been zoned to his ward.

    He expressed joy over his mother’s released from the kidnappers but called on the state and federal government to save the people of Sankera geo political bloc from activities of hoodlums.

    Insecurity in Sankera comprising Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala local Government areas known for mass yam farming, has forced residents to relocate to safer zones.

    Benue Police Command said it was investigating the matter .

  • Buhari loses ‘long-serving, honest’ staff

    President Muhammadu Buhari is mourning the death of a loyal and honest staff, Buhari Nalado Sandamu, who served him and his family, as a housekeeper for more than 30 years.

    “I have lost a good and honest caretaker,’’ said the President, who offered prayers for the repose of the house keeper, who was better known as “Commander’’.

    “I have lost a prudent and a wonderful custodian who did so well taking care of my country home in Daura. May Allah bless his soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen,” President Buhari added.

    The President sent a delegation to the family of the bereaved in Sandamu Local Government Area, Katsina, comprising Senior Special Assistant, Domestic and Household Matters, Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu and State Chief of Protocol, Amb. Lawal Kazaure.

    The President’s Housekeeper, Saleh Yuguda, was also on the delegation that visited the family of the bereaved.

    “Commander” died at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano on Monday

  • EXCLUSIVE: Ecobank commences nationwide retrenchment exercise, over 1,500 staff affected

    …affected staff duly compensated – Ecobank insists

    The management of Ecobank Plc last week Friday laid off over 1,500 staff on its pay roll, TNG can authoritatively report.

    According to one of the affected staff who confided in TNG, the mass retrenchment started last Friday (July 5) across the bank’s branches nationwide and affected mostly tellers and cashiers.

    “I’m devastated as I speak to you. I came in via an outsourcing company some three years ago. I was posted to one of the branches in Abuja and things have been smooth until last week Friday. I have no inkling whatsoever that I will return home jobless when I left for work last Friday. There was no body language whatsoever or sign to show that the bank was going to embark on such retrenchment spree. We were served our disengagement letters shortly after close of work on Friday,” one of the affected staff in Abuja told TNG on phone.

    Another affected staff in Lagos who spoke with TNG on condition of anonymity said they received text messages from the bank notifying them of the impending sack: “I’ve read stories of how banks forcefully disengage staff and up till last week, I had stubbornly defended Ecobank as the only bank in Nigeria that does not engage in such abusive corporate ideologies. I didn’t know that my sack letter was already being typed and was ready for disbursement. On that fateful day, a non pre-informed message of contract termination was sent to every cashiers/tellers that have spent three years and above in the bank. I had just spent five years with the bank and was even hopeful of a promotion anytime soon. But to my greatest surprise, I got fired instead. However, the most painful part of the whole unlawful retrenchment was the obvious fraud perpetrated by the bank in connivance with the outsourcing firms. The severance package was an embarrassment compared to the years of hardwork we have put in. Contract staff who worked for 13 years received less than N600,000:00 while core staff who worked for less than six years were paid not less than two million naira and above. You can see the discrepancies. But the bank will soon hear from us. I heard the sack is nationwide. We won’t take it likely. We are already organising ourselves to protest and seek redress legally. If other banks did this and nothing happened, Ecobank won’t,” the lady said furiously.

    However, a senior staff of the bank who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not in position to do so said the bank was professional in disengaging the affected staff. He noted that the severance package were duly paid to the outsourcing firms.

    Investigations by TNG revealed that Ecobank has working relationships with three outsourcing firms; ICS, VLA and L&B. Findings also showed that the bank is gradually winding down partnerships with the outsourcing firms with its recent launch of its academy to train fresh graduates for subsequent direct employment into the system. Hence, the massive termination of appointments of staff earlier recruited by the outsourcing firms.

    According to the bank, 332 graduates are currently undergoing intensive training at Ecobank Academy in preparation for full employment into Ecobank Nigeria. The programme combines the three categories of Entry Level, Graduate and Management Trainees with a program duration of 2months, 12months and 21months respectively.

    The Managing Director of the bank, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan during the graduation of one of the trainee batches said the trainee programme initiative is part of Ecobank’s transformation agenda to make the bank a most preferred financial institution in the country.

    “This programme is our own way as a bank to invest in creating future leaders for the Nigerian banking industry. We are investing in the people to accomplish our vision both as a bank and a country. A key success factor of any bank is capital; and we must therefore train those who will be empowered to oversee this capital and put it to good use in the interest of depositors and investors. Staff of banks must be well trained and knowledgeable so that they can ensure that funds in the banks are effectively deployed. For us at Ecobank, we must also ensure that we deliver on our promise as a financial institution of choice not only in Nigeria, but the whole of Africa. We therefore take the development of adequately trained manpower as a “must do” in striving to achieve our goals”.

  • Wema Bank sacks over 1,000 staff

    Wema Bank sacks over 1,000 staff

    Reports reaching TNG has it that Wema Bank Plc on Friday laid off over 1,000 staff on its pay roll.

    According to an insider source, those affected spread across the bank’s branches all over the country.

    The source further revealed that the bank was found of retrenching staff yearly without following due process.

    While it is true that the retrenchment exercise is carried out yearly by the bank to checkmate the number of unproductive staff to the barest minimum, however, we also have cases of people that are due for promotion that were unjustly relieved of their jobs,” the source said.

    A top official of the bank who spoke under condition of anonymity to TNG said retrenchment within the bank is an exercise carried out regularly to ‘weed out’ those who are either unproductive or over stayed their welcome in the bank.

    Its not strange. Banks generally retrench staff regularly to check dormancy and bring new bloods on board. I don’t know why it is becoming news now that Wema is doing it. If you are given a target and you don’t meet it, the bank will show you the way out. Its not an industry for lazy people. If you check your facts well without a biased mind, you will see that the affected staff have been queried repeatedly for their lateness to meet up with targets or not meeting it at all. Sometimes it does not even have anything to do with targets but disregard for basic banking and corporate principles. If every other person do not meet up with their targets or are generally lackadaisical to work, how does the bank pay salaries and maintain its long corporate existence?,” he queried.

    Asked if the bank followed due process in the retrenchment process, he said: “See the bank is a corporate entity. We follow due process in all we do and won’t embark on anything that can tarnish our image. We couldn’t have laid off people without following the outlined process,” he said.

    However, when TNG on Sunday night reached out to one of the affected staff, she declined to comment on accounts that she was still shocked to believe what was happening.

    Please I can’t say anything for now. I’m not even sure if this is real or fake. It doesn’t make sense to me. The bank can’t just end my years of diligence, professionalism and loyalty like that without prior warning or signal. I think there is a mix up somewhere. When and if I successfully process this and can come to terms with reality, I’ll get back to you, she said sounding teary on phone.

    Efforts by TNG to get comments/reactions from the Head, Brand and Marketing Communications of the bank was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.

  • Abducted BOWEN staff regain freedom

    The two members of staff of BOWEN University, Iwo town in Osun State who were kidnapped on Monday around 4:30pm on their way home from work along Iwo-Osogbo road have regained their freedom.

    It was gathered that the gunmen shot one of the victims and kidnapped two of them while one escaped unhurt. The injured victim is still recuperating in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

    As at the time of filing this report, it is unknown whether ransom was paid to secure their release.

    However, members of the institution’s community heaved a sigh of relief as they saw it as answer to prayers.

    Meanwhile, students of the institution were today asked to embark on a three weeks holiday towards the forthcoming elections in Nigeria.