NEWS
Soludo Rejects Commissioner’s Nomination for Service Award, Gifts Workers Cash for Christmas
Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, on Wednesday Tuesday the nomination of a serving Commissioner for public service award on the occasion of 2022 Public Servants Day on Wednesday.
Mrs Theodore Igwegbe, the Head of Service (HoS) in Anambra, had during her speech, announced the Commissioner and 32 others as nominees for awards for their sterling performances in service of the state.
But Soludo said, while the HoS could nominate civil servants who are under her direct control, it was not within her powers to nominate a commissioner who is in the same executive council with her.
He congratulated all the public servants in the state, including those nominated for awards, the 21 commissioners and all the managing directors of parastatals and agencies.
“I congratulate the Commissioner for Lands, you know I am not a politician, I say it the way it is, I have told the HoS that it is not within her powers to begin to decide which Commissioner did well or not. No, it is not your remit to do that.
“You can have that for people who are under you, you cannot begin to tell me which Commissioner did what, they are your colleagues and you cannot set examination for your colleagues, it is wrong.
“That will create dysfunctionality within the government, soon, they will soon start running to HoS looking for awards, it is not done,” he said.
Soludo appreciated the public servants in Anambra for voting for the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the 2021 governorship election and for their contributions towards the achievement of his ‘Solution Agenda’ and successes so far.
He said his administration is focused on making Anambra a prosperous and livable homeland with simultaneous attention to policy thrusts of Security, Law and Order, Economic Transformation, Social Agenda, Transformation Governance and Environment.
He announced the suspension of Christmas Rice to public workers in Anambra as used to be under administration of Chief Willie Obiano and its replacement with monetary gift of N15,000 across board, including retirees.
He said the review was informed by the inflationary trend which had increased the price of 25kg rice from about N8,000 to N21,000 as well as the need to make workers have options of what to buy according to their various needs.
Soludo also announced a salary increment of 10 per cent for workers in the state effective next year to cushion the effect of the general inflation which is eroding the value of income.
He said Anambra could no longer afford the loss of 20 per cent of its public life to sit-at-home which, he said, is already becoming part of life in the Southeast.
He said his administration had successfully combated criminality which held eight Local Government Areas of the state under siege at the time he was inaugurated in March this year.
“Eight LGAs were totally taken over at the time we came, they said they were unknown gunmen, no, they are known gunmen born of women and from communities.
“Last week, one mad man living in Finland said he was declaring sit-at-home, it was only in Anambra that it was not observed. By the time you return next year, we shall stop sit-at-home.
“We must get back to work, working five days in a week, we must take back Anambra from the criminals, we can not build a prosperous Anambra when we work four days, when our children go to school four days, that is a 20 per cent loss in productivity,” he said.
The HoS called on Soludo to consider full implementation of the National Minimum Wage in the State and upward review of salaries to mitigate the economic realities of the day.
She urged the governor to approve and provide funds for the Civil Service Commission to conduct 2021 and 2022 promotion interviews in January 2023 and that of 2023 before 1st July, next year.
She decried the over politicisation of the public service in Anambra, excessive government interference and absence of performance measurement standards.
“As a routine, governments constantly interfere in the day to day running of the service through frequent changes of top officials and massive purges such that political factors rather than merit now plays a major role in the civil service.
“The politicisation has weakened the institutions of the civil service and created anomalies such as irregular and arbitrary appointments into the service, which leads to square pegs being forced into round holes.
“The absence of measurable objectives has led to a situation where the activities of civil servants are difficult to assess in a clear, consistent manner, this creates performance management problems,” she said. (NAN)
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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