News
OYO: Two months after council poll, ad hoc staff yet to receive allowances
AFTER the conduct of the local government elections held on May 12 this year, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) is yet to pay its ad hoc staff their allowances, Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered
Few weeks after the poll, OYSIEC had received several awards especially for transparency and peaceful conduct of the exercise.
The success recorded by the commission in the just concluded council polls can not be attributed to Chief Ajeigbe led executive alone, as ad hoc staff who were the field officers played pivotal roles in the exercise.
Consult before giving land out for ranches, Oyo guber aspirant, Akande advises Ajimobi
Asides playing important roles in the exercise, the ad hoc staff made a lot of sacrifice at ensuring credible local government poll.
With all these, the ad hoc staff that participated in the exercise were yet to receive their entitlements two months after the conduct of the exercise.
Unlike their federal counterpart, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pays both training and elections’ allowances latest two to three weeks after the exercise.
But reverse is the case in Election conducted by OYSIEC as many problems characterized with the payment of the ad hoc staff allowances.
Also, investigations by Mega Icon Magazine further revealed that those served as ad hoc staff were told to bring their Biometric Verification Number (BVN) which is against the simple payment with any genuine means of identification.
According to some OYSIEC ad hoc staff, submission of BVN will not tally with the names submitted for registration, thereby called for method adopted by INEC in paying its ad hoc staff during elections.
Meanwhile, some of them see the idea of collecting their BVN as a way to deny ad hoc staff of their allowances.
It was alleged that there is no fund to pay the registered ad hoc staff hence the need for the commission to use different tactics to delay people from collecting their legitimate allowances.
Although, a stakeholders meeting was held recently at the commission’s headquarters where OYSIEC members at the local governments were told about the modality of payment.
The decision and modality to be taken by OYSIEC, according to those participated in the meeting will not go down well by many ad hoc staff.
As at press time, effort to reach the Commission’s spokesperson, Cosmos Oni proved abortive as his MTN line was not reachable. But, an inside source, who pleaded anonymity confirmed the delay in the payment of ad hoc staff, but assured that it would be resolved soon.
It was also gathered that the directive to submit their account numbers and BVN is from the governor’s office and finance commissioner to checkmate multiple payment.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
-
Politics6 days agoOyo Rep. Member, Akinmoyede Appoints Three More Aides
-
Crime & Court1 week ago
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
-
Health6 days ago
Oyo: Tragedy As Bride-to-Be Among Four Dead in Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
-
Politics4 days ago
#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls
