News
Tinubu orders sanction of civil servants drawing salaries after relocating abroad
President Bola Tinubu has directed that all civil servants who are drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad should be made to refund the money.
The President also directed that the supervisors and department heads of the culprits must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.
Tinubu’ gave the directive on Saturday at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week.
The event was also to honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries.
Represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers.
“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.
“I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning.
“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.
“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.
“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.
He reiterated that the government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to the government treasury.
The President acknowledged the challenges in the civil service sector and reiterated his commitment to address them for optimal performance.
“Our administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service is facing.
“I want to give you the assurance that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.
“Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service.
“I also supported the office in implementing far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery, ” the president said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports other activities to mark the night were the presentation of the top three prizes to the winners and an additional N500,000 cash prizes to 40 workers.
Making the presentation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the HOCSF announced the top three prizes won by three lucky officers at the event.
“The Star Prize is a Brand New 2023 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV; the second is a 2 Bedroom semi-detached bungalow; and the third top prize is a serviced plot of land measuring 400 sqm.
“I am also pleased to announce that the Nigeria Customs Service has graciously committed to donating 6 Toyota Camry Cars in support of the 2024 Civil Service Week.
” The office has started receiving the vehicles, and these will be presented as prizes to the next set of runner-up best-performing officers,” she said.
NAN reports that Dr Mercy Ilori, a staff of the Ministry of Transportation, won the star prize.
She appreciated Yemi-Esan, the Federal Government on behalf of other awardees for the gesture and the honour done to them.
News
Fire guts LAUTECH teaching hospital
Property worth millions of naira were on Saturday destroyed at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as a result of a fire incident.
The incident, which happened around 5 am in a paediatric consultant’s office, affected electronic gadgets, engines, books, office equipment, roofs, and others worth millions of naira.
A credible source told our correspondent that the fire incident was suspected to have started from an electric spark.
It was learnt that about 16 patients had to be quickly rushed out of the ward.
However, in a statement sent to PUNCH Online in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ogunleye Omotayo, said no life was lost in the fire incident.
The statement read, “The management of the institution wishes to state that the fire incident that occurred early this morning (Saturday), as carried by some news media, was put out without any remarkable damage to the hospital.
“Noting that no human damage was recorded in the incident, the management wishes to state that Investigation is still ongoing with regard to the cause of the incident.
“At the moment, light has been restored, and work activities have resumed in the section where the fire incident took place.
“The management wishes to thank all staff, the state Fire Service, and all other well-wishers for their concerns and prompt response. The fire incident raised no cause for alarm. Everyone is advised to go about their normal daily activities without fear.”
News
Nothing wrong having a Christian as Alaafin of Oyo, says Oladigbolu
Rahman Oladigbolu, a Nigerian filmmaker, says he sees no reason why the Alaafin of Oyo cannot be a Christian.
Two years ago, Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo, died at the Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, after battling an undisclosed illness.
He was 83 years old and had been on the throne for 52 years — the longest-reigning Nigerian monarch at the time.
Since his death, the throne has been vacant.
Speaking in an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo, Oladigbolu, a prince in the Oyo kingdom, said religion should not be a factor in the selection of the next Alaafin.
“In Oyo, where I came from, we are trying to select a new king. It has been the tradition for some decades that the Alaafin of Oyo will be a Muslim,” he said.
“Now, we have some Christians among the people vying for the position, and there are discussions about whether Oyo can have a Christian Oba. Of course, if you can have a Muslim Alaafin, I see no reason you can’t have a Christian Alaafin.
“The whole point should be to ensure that people would not be talking about religion in issues like this, but it is difficult because of the agenda of people wanting to impose their religion on others.
“So these are where all the problems still lie, and until we’re able to understand it, I don’t see how we can move forward.”
Oladigbolu said education and enlightenment are necessary to solve division caused by religion.
“It is only enlightenment that can carry people to the point where religious considerations no longer matter in societal affairs,” he said.
“When people are enlightened to the point where it doesn’t, then it won’t.
“But today, they still see each other from their religious prism because even the behavior of people that occupy positions in society gets influenced by religion.”
News
Tinubu writes senate, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation as COAS
President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the senate seeking confirmation of Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive chief of army staff (COAS).
Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
On October 30, Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the acting COAS following the prolonged illness of the late Taoreed Lagbaja, the former army chief.
On November 5, Lagbaja died of an undisclosed illness.
Onanuga said Tinubu is “confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience” of Oluyede for the leadership of the army.
Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th commander of the infantry corps of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992 and rose to the position of major general in September 2020.
Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th regular course.
Recently, Oluyede was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general.
He has participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) mission in Liberia, operation Harmony IV in Bakassi, and operation Hadin Kai in the north-east theatre of operations.
He was also the commander of the 27 task force brigade.
-
Politics1 week ago
Okpebholo fires permanent secretaries, dissolves boards
-
Business5 days ago
Lagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation
-
Politics1 week ago
DSS operatives arrest man with bags of cash during Ondo guber
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Daddy Freeze, Akah Nnani clash over Emmanuel Iren
-
News7 days ago
Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
-
News1 week ago
Alice Loksha, abducted UNICEF nurse, escapes captivity after 6 years
-
Health1 week ago
Five ways to rid your home of ants
-
Politics6 days ago
Aiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs