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FEC Approves 14 days Paternity Leave For Civil Servants

By
Akintomide Aroso
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FEC Approves 14 days Paternity Leave For Civil Servants

The Federal Executive Council has approved the introduction of 14 days paternity leave for public servants in the new Public Service Rules.

Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, briefed State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Yemi-Esan said that the annual leave would henceforth be calculated based on working days instead of calendar days.

She said that the Annual Performance Evaluation Review and Promotions had been replaced with a new Performance Management System.

“We presented a memo on the revised Public Service Rules (PSR); and we are all aware that the PSR is an old important tool in the public service; it is what governs the actions of public servants at work.

“The last time these rules were revised was in 2008; and so, we recognise that the revision was long overdue.

“And so, we put everything that we got to ensure that we did the vision; these rules ideally, are supposed to be revised every five years.

“But this has taken more than that for us to get the revised PSR 2021.’’

She said that in doing the revision, there were a lot of stakeholder engagements.

Yemi-Esan said that a circular was put out for inputs from different sectors and from various groups that wanted amendments to the PSR.

“We set up different committees to look at what we got; and finally, a technical committee that consisted of permanent secretaries serving and retired and directors were put together to look at the zero draft that we got.

“After they reviewed it, we took it to the National Council on Establishment.’’

She said that, at the National Council on Establishment, the essence of the PSR was approved.

The head of service said that there were some revisions that were supposed to be made before making the new PSR public.

“Those revisions have been done; and so, we brought it to FEC this morning for approval and we got approval for it.

“Some of the revisions that we made–the first thing was that the 2008 version had 16 chapters;  meanwhile, the 2021 version now has 17 chapters in it.

“The chapter on APER and Promotions has been replaced by a new chapter on the New Performance Management System that has been introduced into the public service.

“There’s also a chapter that has also been reinvigorated–the chapter on training–this is an all-important chapter because of the importance that training has in the public service.’’

She said the revised PSR also had a new chapter on virtual meetings.

According to her, some of the guidelines in the policy document earlier approved by FEC were put into the new PSR.

“And so, we have accepted virtual meetings as a tool to be used in service now and there are some guidelines there.

“We also got approval to include paternity leave; this is something that is new, and this is something that the unions in the service asked that we include and luckily, we have been able to include it.

“We’ve also been able to ensure that leave now is calculated based on working days not on calendar days–that also has been approved.

“We also have introduced the transition from paper service to a digital service.

“So, these are some of the new things that are in the new PSR that has just been approved by FEC,’’ she said.

Yemi-Esan said that there would be a transition period from APER to the new system as work had started with some pilot ministries.

NAN

Jonathan: Lack Of Electoral Transparency Could Cause E-Transmission Crisis

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Jonathan: Lack Of Electoral Transparency Could Cause E-Transmission Crisis
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that lack of transparency could result in crises as he makes case for the electronic transmission election results.

Jonathan who spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the National Defence College (NDC), in Abuja, urged Nigerian lawmakers to reconsider the deployment of electronic transmission for the sake of transparency and avoidance of violence.

“Where there is no confidence in the electoral umpire, people resort to crisis. But unfortunately, sometimes when the result comes out, the damage would have been done,” the former president said.

“I urge the National Assembly (NASS), while looking at the law, they should allow the use electronic means of transmitting results for the sake of transparency as well as avoiding electoral crisis,“ he added.

Jonathan’s warning comes a few days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accused the National Assembly of being the only blockade to e-transmission of election results.

The commission said it would electronically transmit elections results “if the choice was up to INEC”, reiterating that it has over the years put adequate structures for such in place across Nigeria.

The election umpire had earlier in July expressed its readiness to switch to electronic transmission of election results.

INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the commission has since 2018 proven to the National Assembly its capacity to electronically transmit election results across all parts of Nigeria, including from remote areas.

But after months of consideration about whether or not the country should eliminate a crucial channel of election rigging and allow electronic transmission of results, lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress exclusively rejected the proposal in the Senate.

The APC senators said there was no capacity for INEC to transmit results via electronic channels throughout the country, leaving the final decision to the NCC. The move was rejected by opposition PDP senators, who voted entirely in support of electronic transmission of results as a needed improvement to a process long marred by irregularities.

Shortly after the rejection at the senate,  APC lawmakers in the House also followed their Senate counterparts to kick against the deployment of electronic transmission, leading PDP lawmakers to stage a walkout of the parliament session in anger.

Peoples Gazette

Senate To Buhari: Declare Bandits As Terrorists, Declare Leaders Wanted

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Senate To Buhari: Declare Bandits As Terrorists, Declare Leaders Wanted
President Muhammadu Buhari

The Nigerian Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits causing various havocs across the country as terrorists.

The Senate mentioned this while calling on the President to wage war against bandits, including bombing all their locations to annihilate and eliminate them.

It advised the President to declare all the known leaders of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir representing Sokoto East Senatorial district and eight others.

Gobir noted his district had turned to a safe haven for bandits because of the recent onslaught against them in Zamfara State.

He recalled the killing of 21 security personnel last Saturday in Dama and Gangara and a yet-to-be-ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages by rampaging bandits.

The lawmaker described the incident as one which requires urgent action by the declaring war on banditry.

He expressed worry that losing such a number of trained officers would further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel in the country, thereby jeopardizing the security architecture of the country.

He also lamented that most of the bandits have now relocated to Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas due to the sustained military operations at the Zamfara axis.

Gobir said while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara State, no concrete measures have been taken in Sokoto State, leaving it totally exposed to the activities of the bandits.

“The operation should be holistic instead of restrictive in order to produce effective and the desired results,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen heroes and civilians who lost their lives in the unwholesome activities of the bandits.

The Upper Chamber then directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other relevant federal government agencies to give all the necessary support to the victims of the menace of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.

Twitter Ban: ECOWAS Court Adjourns For Ruling In January 2022

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Twitter Ban: ECOWAS Court Adjourns For Ruling In January 2022

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States has adjourned, for ruling, the case brought against the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the ban of Twitter in Nigeria till January 2022.

The cases marked as ECW/CCJ/APP/23/21, ECW/CCJ/APP/29/21, ECW/CCJ/APP/24/21, and ECW/CCJ/APP/26/21 were previously consolidated in July. This was done to enable all parties prepare for trial.

The cases were filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and 196 others, Media Rights Agenda and 8 others.

The suit against the Federal Republic of Nigeria challenges the action of the Buhari-led administration of banning Twitter’s operations in the country.

The ban took effect on June 4 after the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, announced the indefinite suspension of the social media app, claiming it was being used to spread false information and “activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

The ban, now 116 days in, has negatively affected Nigeria’s economic growth. A report in August said Nigeria lost over N150 billion as a result of the suspension of the app. Small and medium-sized businesses which relied on Twitter’s reach for marketing also suffer from the effects of the ban, as business owners reduced or completely cut off their operations from the app.

Obaseki Appoints Commissioners, Advisers Ten Months After Election

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Obaseki Appoints Commissioners, Advisers Ten Months After Election
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki

Ten months after election, Governor Godwin Obaseki has forwarded the names of 11 commissioner-nominees to the Edo House of Assembly for confirmation, just as he appointed two special advisers.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Edo Government, Osarodion Ogie, on Wednesday in Benin.

According to the statement, the two advisers are Crusoe Osagie and Sarah Esangbedo, appointed Special Adviser, Media Projects and Special Adviser, Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management, respectively.

The nominees are Oluwole Osamudiamen Iyamu (SAN); Obehi Akoria; Joan Osa Oviawe; Osaze Ethan Uzamere; Monday Osaigbovo; Marie Edeko Joseph Eboigbe; Moses Agbukor; Isoken Omo; Andrew Emwanta and Otse Momoh-Omorogbe.

In September 2020, Obaseki had won reelection on the platform of the PDP after defecting from the APC after being disqualified as the party’s governorship candidate.

Obaseki defeated the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who had defected to APC from PDP.

NAN

High Court Stops Anti-Graft Agency From Retrying Orji Kalu

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
High Court Stops Anti-Graft Agency From Retrying Orji Kalu
Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu

The Federal High Court has prohibited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from retrying former Abia Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order while delivering judgment in an application filed by the former governor seeking an order of the court prohibiting the EFCC from retrying him on a charge for which he had already been tried and convicted.

“An order is hereby made prohibiting the federal government through the EFCC from retrying the applicant on charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007 since there was no order in the judgment of the Supreme Court for the retrial of Kalu,” the judge said.

NAN

Late NAFDAC DG Dora Akunyili’s Husband, Others Killed In Anambra

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Late NAFDAC DG Dora Akunyili’s Husband, Others Killed In Anambra

Dr. Chike Akunyili, widower of the late Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dora Akunyili, has been killed by gunmen at Nkpor, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Seven other persons were also killed in the incident, yet-to-be-confirmed reports allege.

The incident reportedly happened on Monday evening.

Our correspondent gathered that Dr. Akunyili was returning from a trip to Onitsha, where he had gone to obtain a posthumous award of excellence for his late wife, when he ran into the hoodlums at Nkpor and was shot and killed.

The hoodlums, it was gathered, were chanting, “No election in Anambra in November.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, could not confirm the report, noting that he had yet to get details of the incident.

Our correspondent reports that the Agulu community, where the Akunyilis hailed from, is mourning; adding, however, that, “Nobody is ready to talk to the press.”

A former vice-president of Agulu community, who is also a retired Information Officer with the Federal Ministry of Information, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, but asked for publication to be delayed without giving reasons.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information also confirmed the incident but asked to be given time to obtain clearance to discuss the issue.

Six Dead, Others Injured As Security Forces Open Fire On Shiites In Abuja

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Six Dead, Others Injured As Security Forces Open Fire On Shiites In Abuja

No fewer than six persons in Abuja have been reported dead following the clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and security operatives on Tuesday.

The unfortunate incident happened near Gwarimpa gate in the capital, where members of IMN, also known as Shi’ites, were chanting songs as they marched along the road.

They were observing the annual symbolic Arbaeen Trek when police officers opened fire on them. Two civilians reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries.

Secretary of the Academic Forum of IMN, Abdullahi Musa, confirmed the clash.

Speaking with Sahara Reporters, he said, “They are just shooting people. As I am talking to you now, six people have been killed. They even carried some dead bodies away.”

On Monday, the Nigerian Police had beefed up security in major areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in preparation for the Shi’ites annual procession.

Unknown Gunmen Abduct Retired Air Vice Marshal In Lagos

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Unknown Gunmen Abduct Retired Air Vice Marshal In Lagos

The Lagos Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith in Ajah, Eti-Osa local government area of the state.

A spokesperson for the command, Ajisebutu Adekunle, told Peoples Gazette the police tactical teams were on the kidnapper’s trail.

The retired officer was kidnapped by unknown gunmen Tuesday morning when he was on-site supervising a project.

A witness said the gunmen arrived in a boat, attacked Mr Smith, who struggled with them before being whisked away to an unknown location.

Corporal Odiji, who was with him at the time, sent out a voice note alerting the authorities of Smith’s abduction.

In the voice recording, Odiji said, “This is an emergency. I am Corporal Odiji, attached to Air Vice Marshal Smith. They just abducted him from the site where we were working.

“Some gunmen who were wearing masks just came and snatched my boss now. They shot everywhere. I was near where I was fixing my boss’ vehicle.

“As I was coming, I saw them leaving in a boat, but I wasn’t armed so I just ran to the site, and I saw his glasses and where he struggled with them. Please pass this information. It is an emergency,” the witness narrated in the voice note.

FG: Airport Taking Bribes From Travellers To Evade COVID-19 Quarantine

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
FG: Airport Taking Bribes From Travellers To Evade COVID-19 Quarantine

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has accused Nigeria’s airport staff of taking bribes from travellers to evade mandatory quarantine at airports.

On Monday, the PSC decried the extortion by the airport workers.

“The PSC has noted with dismay, fraudulent activities at airports by employees who extort money from quarantine evaders,” said the chairman of the committee, Boss Mustapha, speaking at the national briefing of the PSC on Monday. “The authorities are conducting necessary investigation into various reports received.”

FAAN spokeswoman, Henrietta Yakubu, told journalists that the airport authorities needed time to find out the truth about the allegation.

“Honestly, our security is investigating so I cannot preempt them. Let them find out first. We need to find out if there is any truth to that statement, so you have to give us time, but I cannot preempt them. You can call again,” said Ms Yakubu.

Mustapha, who is also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also explained that the PSC had taken note of challenges raised by travellers who visit the ‘National International Travel Portal’ in compliance with travel protocols.

“Notable progress is still being made in the area of vaccines. More than 3.5m doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are being expected from the USA this September, while about four million doses of Astrazeneca is being expected early next month,” disclosed Mustapha.

“Nigeria will be receiving more than one million doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine shipment on a monthly basis. The PSC is committed to access enough vaccines for the 70 per cent eligible persons in the country in record time.’’

While warning against complacency, he explained that “global cases have been on a decline for some time now, but there’s need for more caution,” especially among Nigerians.

“The PSC has observed that caution is needed rather than over-confidence. To slide into complacency can be very fatal, hence the need for serious caution and adherence to non-pharmaceutical intervention measures,’’ he stressed.

On UK’s advisory on COVID-19 vaccines and changes to international travel rules, Mustapha stated, “The British high commissioner in Nigeria has stated that the UK government supports the vaccination programme irrespective of where the vaccines were manufactured.”

He further noted that “Britain will open up international travels using a standardised COVID-19 vaccination certification process” to allow for ease of travel from other countries, including Nigeria.

NAN

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