Stakeholders during the execution of phase II 2022 salary inspection programme in Abuja

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) implementing increases in salaries, allowances and fringe benefits without its approval to desist from such acts.

The Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr Ekpo Nta, gave the warning at a Two-Day Training Workshop for Salaries Inspectors in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is for the execution of the Phase II of the 2022 Salary Inspection Programme.

According to Nta, the commission over the years , through the salary inspection programmes, found out that some agencies are implementing unapproved salaries, allowances and fringe benefits.

I want to unambiguously, state that even where the establishment Acts of any fully funded, partially funded and self-funded federal agencies allow its board to determine its remuneration.

It can only do so after statutory input in line with Section 3(1) of the NSIWC Act 1999. This is irrespective of whether their establishment Act predates 1993 or not.

They are bound by our Act in the same way and manner that the Public Procurement Act 2007, the ICPC Act 2000, Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, etc upon enactment.

Whether pre-dating or post-dating their establishment Acts, apply to all federal government agencies.

The chairman said it was based on this that the federal government issued two circulars signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

He said the circular directed all MDAs to desist from implementing any increase without NSIWCs input, and after approvals by the government, such approvals must be conveyed by NSIWC.

The country will not accept fiscal indiscipline where the personnel budget and non-regular allowances of the overhead budgets for public service employees are not controlled and spiral out of control without a corresponding increase in productivity, especially in self-funded institutions.

This can be attributed to unregulated recruitment, implementation of the National Minimum Wage etc., Nta said.

The NSIWC boss reiterated that the commission had through this inspection and other activities saved the government over N400 billion yearly which would have been abused, wasted or misappropriated.

He said this years programme would cover agencies which had obtained approvals to implement new salaries, allowances and fringe benefits within the last six months.

He said they include the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and their parastatals and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and their parastatals.

Nta urged the salary inspectors to enrich themselves during the workshop, go into the field and carry out the inspection with dedication and zero tolerance for compromise.

He warned that any inspector found acting contrary to set rules and regulations would be sanctioned appropriately for criminal breach of trust or unethical conduct.

He then solicited support and corporation of the selected agencies for the success of the exercise which was a statutory requirement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Source: NAN News

Chief Odunayo Ategbero

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has advised people contemplating interim national government in Nigeria to bury the thought.

Its National Chairman, Chief Odunayo Ategbero, said the idea of an interim national government was completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended).

Ategbero condemned the alleged plot by some groups he described as desperate politicians to instigate, mobilise and promote the interim national government after the just-concluded 2023 presidential election.

It is important at this juncture to appreciate the infallibility of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) which does not contemplate any such arrangement in the political space.

It is the view of the BOT of ALGON that Feb. 25s presidential and National Assembly Elections outcome is sacrosanct as announced by INEC, he stated.

Ategbero added that what was important now was moving forward after the elections.

The President-Elect remains Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Nigeria has had a successful election even as it is acknowledged that there are some obvious infractions which should be left for the courts to adjudicate upon.

The Election Tribunal offers a legitimate opportunity for losers to contest their claim, he said.

Ategbero urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and to be steadfast in nurturing Nigerias nascent democracy in spite of unguarded utterances laden with inflamed emotions.

The BOT also condemns the heightened desperation by some Nigerians weaponising the victory with religious and ethnic sentiments for mere political and selfish gains.

We call on all Nigerians to trust the democratic process against all subterfuge and not to be used by traducers and purveyors of trouble in the interest of more than 200 million Nigerians.

An appeal is hereby made to the Department of State Service for immediate arrest and prosecution of these groups of desperate citizens fanning the embers of interim national government, Ategbero stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

DD/Website

By Olayinka Owolewa

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Terfa Ityav, has reiterated the commitment of the body to keep up with its development plan.

Speaking during a four-day visit to Kwara on Wednesday, Ityav said that the policy thrust of the commission includes education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health, infrastructure and security.

We are in Kwara State to inspect and verify some of the projects that are being done by the commission which are in line with our two to five years plan, he said.

The chairman lauded the efforts of the management committee of the commission for the execution of projects with direct bearing on the host communities.

Kwara is the third state after Kebbi and Niger that we are visiting to assess the level of work done by the management committee.

We give a vote of confidence to them because projects that have been shown on papers are actually existing, he said.

Ityav said that the commission would keep improving on the standard of its projects where lapses are noticed.

He said that the commission would consider some of the requests from communities in consonant with its budgetary allocation and capacity.

We have received a lot of requests from communities and we will consider them under our development plan, budgetary allocation and capacity, he said.

The Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, disclosed that the visit to the communities was to ascertain the level of projects compliance with their design and specifications.

Projects executed so far have met the aspirations of the communities and I assure you that the commission will not relent in its efforts to ensure that the right quality of projects is delivered, Yelwa said.

The working visit saw the members of the governing council and management staff of HYPPADEC paying courtesy visits to traditional rulers in Edu, Patigi and Moro local government areas of the state where projects are monitored and handed over to the host communities.

HYPPADEC has constructed schools, drainages, solar powered street lights, conducted medical outreach and distributed motorcycles to aid the security network of the communities in Kwara state within its two years of inauguration.

It was established by an Act of the National Assembly to address ecological challenges from the operations of Hydroelectric Dams.

Its operations is carried out in six states; Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau and Kogi comprising 56 local governments, 229 political wards and 1085 communities.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

DD/Website

By Bridget Ikyado

The Archbishop of Abuja Arch-Dioceses, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama, says those who saw the recent presidential elections as a referendum between Christians and Muslims or the North and the South have badly missed the point.

Kaigama made this known while delivering a sermon at the 2023 Chrism Mass celebration on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Chrism Mass is a religious service held in certain Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism.

It is usually celebrated each year on Maundy Thursday or on another day of Holy Week.

Some of those seeking power in Nigeria are so notoriously narcissistic and myopic.

They only see the interests of theirs or their narrow political constituencies.

Such a view is the most divisive understanding of the Nigerian political reality, he said.

Referring to a bible passage (1 Timothy 3:2), Kaigama said a leader must be sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, like Judas who betrayed Jesus.

We should search our hearts to see our infidelities, falsehoods, hypocrisies, the good intentions betrayed, promises broken and resolutions unfulfilled, he said

The Archbishop prayed for all priests, political leaders and for all the lovely citizen of Nigeria that they may enjoy peace now and eternal reward after.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, DG, NLRC

By Okon Okon

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) says it has launched a National Premium Identity Verification Platform (NPIVP) to provide identity of lottery operators in Nigerias lottery industries.

The Director General of the NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

The decision, according to him, was taken following stakeholders engagement meeting on Know Your Customer (KYC) and Verification Issues in Nigerian Gaming Industry, held at the NLRC Headquarters in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila said the measure was initiated by the stakeholders in lottery sector as a move geared towards mitigating and curbing unscrupulous activities in the lottery industry in Nigeria.

The new NPIVP will provide identification in less than 8 seconds, attach real-time human faces to players, minimize fraud, ease compliance and encourage more participation in the industry.

The NLRC D-G, during the meeting, identified the Federal Governments concern about prevalent complaints relating to customers identity and verification in the industry.

He said the initiative was in line with the commissions mission of creating a safe and secure environment for operators and players.

Our mission in the NLRC is to create an enabling, safe and secure environment for operators and players while ensuring the Nigerian Gaming Industry thrives.

As we are aware, the NLRC is the apex gaming regulatory institution in Nigeria, saddled with the responsibility of regulating the operation and business of the national lottery, setting standards, guidelines and rules.

This is to ensure transparency and integrity and also protect the interest of players, stakeholders and the public; while also carrying out periodic industry-wide assessments.

He said there were other duties as may be directed by the President as specified by the National Lottery Act 2005 (as amended).

Gbajabiamila also used the medium to read the riot act to operators and directed gaming operators to identify and verify the players and users of their various gaming platforms to ensure that the collected and collated personal data were secure.

To this end, the commission has collaborated with other Federal Government agencies to promote the gaming industry and ensure a safe and secure gaming environment among others, he said.

Contributing, Clement Omife, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, a representative of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), said the agency had done a lot about KYC, especially in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), being a critical aspect of its mandate.

We really appreciate the NLRC for this wonderful initiative. We have been doing this KYC and I can tell you that it will help to mitigate a lot of criminality in the lottery industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Babatunde Bamgboye, representative of Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (Lottery Operators), led by their Executive Secretary, Akingba Olabimpe, the CBN representative among others, were present at the meeting. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Prince Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has described Mr Adams Oshiomhole as a dependable leader in the political struggle to build a better Nigeria.

Agba stated this in a letter entitled Birthday Greetings on Tuesday to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the occasion of his 71st birthday.

He said that the occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate you and the leadership ideals that you persistently and consistently exemplify.

You have remained a dependable leader in the political struggle to build a better Nigeria, with our dear Edo state, where you served as governor for eight years (from 2008-2016) as a linchpin.

Your patriotism to Nigeria, which you first demonstrated about two decades ago as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), remains unassailable.

The same goes for Edo, in whose environment, you have continued to positively intervene for the development of our people and the growth of the state.

I must place on record your monumental contributions to the growth of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), which you led as national chairman from 2018-2020.

You did not only lead the party to victory in the 2019 presidential election, but you also ensured that the partys candidates emerged as presiding officers in the National Assembly.

Agba added that Oshiomhole, who is the senator-elect for Edo North Senatorial District, has yet been given another responsibility to serve the people.

God has decided to order your political pathway through the Senate, whose leadership positions you helped the APC to fill in 2019 with the right candidates, and I believe it is for a purpose that will soon manifest.

I pray that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen you as you do not tire in providing dependable and sharply-focused leadership to us in Edo State and others across the country who look up to you for inspiration.(NAN)

DD/Website

Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the UN Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo were meant for deployment for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Gusau said circulation of the video of the said equipment on social media, had given rise to insinuations that were inimical to public peace which might cause panic.

He said that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various UN Peace keeping operations; the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan.

The Mission is commanded by a Nigerian, Ma.-Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr.

It should be noted that the UN doesnt have its own troops, rather it enter into agreement with troops contributing countries to provide their personnel and equipment for operations in its various missions.

Therefore, it is imperative to state emphatically that the military fighting vehicles and equipment painted in UN colour as sighted are being moved through the Warri port for movement to the mission area in Southern Sudan.

The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of Gen. Lucky Irabor, wish to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of UN troops on our soil, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a video clip titled, tension as heavy military UN trucks arrive Nigeria, surface on one BVI Youtube channel on Sunday.

The commentator was seen raising alarm that something was cooking in the country that the government was not telling the citizens. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

By Patricia Amogu

A legal practitioner and mediation expert, Mr Chijoke Nnanna-Ibeku, says mediation can replace the law courts in the resolution of conflicts in Nigeria if the necessary structures are put in place for it to thrive.

Nnanna-Ibeku stated this, while speaking at a ceremony organised for the graduation of peer mediators at the primary and junior secondary school levels in Abuja.

Sooner than later, mediation will no longer be an alternative but the main thrust for the resolution of conflicts in Nigeria.

This is the second time we are graduating these children.

The idea is to imbibe the culture of mediation among children as much as possible children who will become future leaders; who will hold political offices, and change the narrative of conflict resolution in Nigeria.

I always say that in a class of 60 students who have undergone the peer mediation training, at least three to ten of them will imbibe this training and make it a normal practice in their lives, he said.

He said filling up the gaps left in the wake of resolving conflicts along ethnic, religion, cultural, and political diversities is a major focus of the programme.

According to him, that will go a long way towards bringing peace and reducing conflicts to the minimum.

We have in our template to certify 240 children as Peer Mediators this year .

This will be achieved every quarter by certifying 60 children as peer mediators.

Mrs Margaret Ibeku, Co-ordinator, Three Cs met Mediators, said the training was organised to preach the language of peace and create a generational change among children, so that peace becomes the language.

It is worrisome to see kids of about 10, 11 years of age fighting along tribal lines.

We felt the best way is to get these young minds to begin a generational change.

Firstly, preaching the language of peace, mediating in their families.schools, and communities, and as they grow up, they will continue to take it to the outer world.

Right now, we are working with all the government schools in the FCT, she said.

Mr Munsir Sule, an architect who is the Director of Physical Planning and Project Monitoring, described the training as a laudable one, and one of great interest to the board.

He said the programme was apt and timely.

Speaking on behalf of the chairman, Dr Alhassan Sule urged the children to imbibe the culture of peer mediation which they have been trained on and see the beauty in diversity.

It is a laudable programme, and it brings better understanding among peers. They should see further than the issue of citizenry.

It is cheaper than going to the courts. We are still going to train the teachers on this for them to better impact on the children, he added.

Highpoints of the day was the award of certificates to the students and parents.

There were dance competitions and the staging of drama by some of the children.

The News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) reports that Three Cs Met International Institute Of Mediation Negotiation Counseling and Conciliation organised the training. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Oxfam Nigeria, an International NGO, says empowering women financially and economically will make them independent.

The organisation said it would also make them self-reliant which was critical to their life, as it would end Sexual, Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.

Ms Helen Akinyemi, Oxfams Programme Manager on Gender Justice, said this during a community-based assembly of rural women in Abuja, in partnership with Nigeria Women Economic Development (NigWED) project to address SGBV.

Akinyemi said that poor economic status and financial dependence of women had further exposed them to violence and rendered them more vulnerable to abuse.

Most of the issues discussed, you will realise that most of the contributory factors of GBV lie in the economic development of women.

We want them to know what to engage in that will generate income and help them to participate actively in the productive sector.

All these will help to resolve gender issues, because when you solve one, you are solving the other. They are interconnected, she said.

According to her, Oxfam has carried out several sensitisation and advocacy exercise to end all forms of violence against women, children, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups.

The feedback has been so encouraging that is why we are here again and we were asked to bring it down to the women in rural community level.

Because these are the people that are most affected and they dont have the necessary information, sensitisation and their consciousness are not being raised.

It is something that they too can go back to their communities, as most of the attendees here are women leaders, and have group of women that they work with.

So, they will take it back to these groups as well as the communities and households to sensitise them and achieve the change that we are looking for in ending GBV, she said.

According to her, the attendees were also educated on where, when and how to seek help when faced with violence or witness any.

She said: There are safe houses in Nigeria, but most of these women dont know. So this is part of the reasons we are here to pass the information across.

Mr Lugard Okonobo, Director-General, NigWED project, said the meeting was to sensistise women on how to be financially independent, sustain their businesses and how to make it thrive amidst economic violence.

Our organisation focuses to addressing economic violence.

He, however, expressed sadness with issues like double taxation for women.

For some of them, their goods are seized at the markets place.

Some dont know how to check their taxes, some are married and their husbands are capitalizing on their ingenuity and education level to suppress them by taking over their economy.

For those who are subjected to SGBV, we try to provide some economic empowerment programmes to sustain them, he said.

He said NigWED, with the support of other partners, had empowered over 500 women with technical support, capacity building, infrastructure, amongst others, to support their business.

Responding to issues raised by some of the SGBV survivors, the DG urged the women to utilise the opportunity to be financially independent and generate sustainable business for themselves.

Some are facing abuse, we have to sit down to look critically and find out the causes because for every effect and reaction, there is a cause.

These things are subject to communication, discussion, dialogue. And with understanding, there will be a solution, he said.

Mrs Blessing Airujuwan, a survivor, said the meeting with other persons and sharing her experience had helped in addressing depression caused by violence and neglect in her marriage.

Airujuwan, therefore, encouraged other women facing any form of abuse and violence to immediately seek help to enable them survive and regain their sanity.

Similarly, a widow and mother of two, Mrs Rebecca Amana, stressed the need for women to be financially independent to reduce some of the factors that exposes them to GBV.

Amana commended the organisers for their support and for providing a platform for the women to share their stories, seek help and get supports to reduce the burden they carry. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

A group, the Alia Alliance, has urged Benue governor-elect, Rev. Hyacinth Alia to strive to meet the huge expectations of the people who voted him to bring about changes in the state.

The group gave the advice when its officials led by the Board Chairman of the Alliance, Mr Peter Ashiekaa, paid a congratulatory visit to the governor-elect on Sunday in Makurdi.

The Chairman said that the victory was a resounding testimony to the peoples resolve to change and redirect the path and course of their history.

It is also a resounding statement of the peoples confidence in your ability to lead them out of the woods to a Benue of growth and prosperity.

We pray God to guide and direct you, and give you the knowledge, wisdom and strength needed for your journey.

As a group, we at the Alia Alliance are proud to be associated with this process and the outcome, and we pledge and commit to supporting your administration in all ways possible to ensure your success, he added.

Also speaking, Mr Jimmy Ajim, a member of the board, commended the governor-elect for his doggedness that calmed all the storms before, during and after the general elections.

Ajim who is also the President of Ior Gboko Foundation, said they would partner with Alia to transform, empower, reform and uplift Benue indigenes, to build a better state.

In his response, the governor-elect thanked the group for its support and pledged to work hard with divine directions to meet the peoples expectations.

God rewards hard work, especially when you dont count the cost, it pays more.

I am not coming for money, I have learnt to work and make money, I am not coming to seek fame, I have worked to make a name.

We need to work together to develop the state, it is ours and nobody will do this for us, and we are not doing this for anyone but for ourselves.

God has chosen me not because I am the most qualified. He doesnt call the qualified but qualifies who He calls. I know with your prayers and assistance, we will prevail, he added.

Alia tasked the group to help mentor the youth on good conduct, and to play active role in the renewal and development of Benue.

It is paramount to start correcting wrong deeds, especially as it concerns leadership and mentorship.

The idea of having or acting as stooge, having manipulative leaders and followers should be corrected, he said.

He pledged not to disappoint the ordinary people who voted him to provide good leadership and better direction to the state.(NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News