The Nation Newspaper

Tag: promotion

  • AUPCTRE challenges Fed Govt on workers’ promotion arrears

    AUPCTRE challenges Fed Govt on workers’ promotion arrears

    The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE) has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of promotion arrears to public servants.

    Its Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Mr. Benjamin Anthony, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja.

    Anthony said: “The payment will go a long way in alleviating the pains of the workers in view of the current economic crunch.’’

    He praised the Federal Government for the approval of N44 billion for the payment of backlog of promotion arrears, salary shortfalls and other claims owed the federal public servants since year 2012.

    According to him, the present administration deserve a special commendation for the giant stride that will encourage workers to put in their best for the country’s development.

    Anthony said this was in spite of the economic challenges facing the country.

    He also urged AUPCTRE leaders in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure strict compliance and implementation of proper placement of salary steps of workers.

    The AUPCTRE chairman said that a circular from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation dated July 14, 2014 marked “HCSF/CSO/HRM/POL.1402/1/25’’ had directed the implementation.

    He said  the circular was, however, not being implemented by many MDAs as directed by the government.

    Anthony said the union observed with dismay that many organisations claimed ignorance of the circular and, in the process, wrongly placed their workers on salary steps during promotion.

  • Promotion of DCGs followed due process, say Immigration, NSCDC chiefs    

    The appointment of the 16 newly decorated Deputy Comptrollers- General (DCGs) in the three para-military services is based on the rule of law, Immigration, NSCDC chiefs has said. Five Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), were elevated to Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs), five ACGs were promoted to DCGs in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and six ACGs were also elevated to DCGs in the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS).

     The promoted officers were decorated by the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) at a brief ceremony in Abuja.

    But criticism greeted the promotion and decoration of the top officers when sources  alleged that due process and the laid-down regulations were not followed during the promotion exercise.

    Reacting to the development in separate interviews with the Comptroller- General of NIS, Mohammed Babandede, and the Commandant- General of NSCDC, Muhammad Gana, the duo said the appointment of the new top officers was based on the rule of law.

    Babandede said: “This promotion was based on the rule of law. We have an Act and there is a public service rule. They have spent the appropriate years required for them to be promoted and when you are talking about the rank of the DCG, it is a consolidated rank which only Mr. President approves. If you look at the pattern of the selections, it was based on geopolitical zones. They are officers that have spent requisite years for them to be appointed by Mr. President to the rank of the DCG. We have done all the character compliant and the most important is that they do not have any disciplinary case against them. Not only that we found them to be hard-working and contributory to the development of the service, we are not going to appoint anyone just because he or she has spent the years. That person must pass security clearance, must be able to perform and contribute to the change agenda we are driving.”

     On his part, Gana said: “I am celebrating my second year in office. Precisely July 17, 2015 I was appointed as the NSCDC CG. The former CG had to go with the DCGs, so there were vacancies for the DCGs. We had to engage the ACGs to act for the period of two years. So many of them have retired and normally there is a procedure and those of them that were successful went through the procedure, interview, screening by the SSS and were found to be above board. I have been working with most of them right from the volunteer days.”

  • ‘MSMEs promotion key to growth’

    ‘MSMEs promotion key to growth’

    Efforts at inclusive socioeconomic growth may not yield the desired results without support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Country Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Ronald Kayanja, has said.

    Kayanja, who spoke at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) forum to mark the World MSME day,  said businesses within the cadre respond to societal needs and contribute significantly to income generation, as well as poverty alleviation, particularly in rural communities.

    Kayanja, represented by Oluseyi Soremekun, urged policy makers and finance groups to help materialise the sustainable development goals of eliminating poverty and hunger, through expansion of finance portals with  flexible modalities for MSMEs.

    “Although MSMEs generate the most new jobs, they face many challenges with access as the primary obstacle. Financing constraints are also magnified for informal firms, which tend to be small in size, but contribute significantly to economic activity. The banking institution and the financial sector in general should create a tailor-made intervention for MSMEs to get funds. They need to be encouraged as they are key to inclusive sustainable development,” he said.

    According to the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), MSMEs make up nine per cent of all firms and account on the average for about seventy per cent  of total employment and fifty per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    LCCI President, Dr. Nike Akande called on the government to rekindle efforts at reviving growth in the non-oil sector, saying it is a guarantee for a more sustainable growth beyond the volatility of oil prices in the international market.

    She said: “This opinion was confirmed in the World Bank report that opined that in the 1960s, Nigeria was a major producer of palm oil, cocoa and rubber and agricultural exports generated about 75 per cent of its foreign earnings. Taking a cue from its history, agriculture is again expected to play an important role in Nigeria’s growth story.”

    Mrs Akande said issues ranging from lack of appropriate bankable business plans, competitive marketing strategies, standard accounting systems and dearth of technical ability, among other bottlenecks, were factors stalling MSMEs’ growth.

    She, however, expressed the belief that entrepreneurs were resourceful and have the capacity to aid economic recovery.

  • Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Army contingent gets promotion, cash

    The Nigerian Army contingent at the just concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2017, has been rewarded with promotions and cash prize of N150,000 each.

    The Army team surpassed its performance in the  last edition in an event that featured world class marathoners  and accomplished athletes.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said in a statement that  in  view of the achievement, and to encourage them, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has directed their elevation to the next higher rank respectively and donation of cash gift of N150,000 to each of the athletes.

    Usman said: “This year, the first soldier to arrive,  Private Auwal Hudu,  came 10th overall,  within 2hrs 45mins, while Private Raymond Nanribet took 12th position and arrived within 2hrs 46mins. Private  Sanusi Husamat was number 13 and has the timing of 2hrs 48mins. Private Danjuma Stephen took 14th position and arrived within 2hrs, 56mins.

    “Others were Private Gyang Dalyop, who was  15th position overall, and  within 2hrs 58mins, Lance Corporal  Gyang Yakubu, 17th position within 2hrs 59mins and Private  Muplang Luwadet was 18th person to arrive  within 3hrs 3mins.

    “Among the female fielded athletes,  Private  Hannah Adewale was the first to arrive and took 8th position among all the female marathoners with a timing of 3hrs 52mins, while  Private  Naomi Yunana was number 9th, with a timing of 3hrs 56mins, Corporal  Eunice Waje came 10th and made it within 3hrs 58mins, while Private  Lange Rose took 11th position overall with a timing of 3hrs 59mins.”

  • Ekiti promotes 15,772 workers, pays 2months salaries, Christmas bonus

    Ekiti promotes 15,772 workers, pays 2months salaries, Christmas bonus

    Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti has given approval for the immediate promotion of 15,772 public servants in the spirit of Christmas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said the promotion cuts across workers in the local governments, teaching service and the core civil servants.

    The statement said that the beneficiaries consisted mainly of those whose promotions were due since 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    It said the governor had consequently ordered that letters of promotion be given the affected workers without further delay.

    The statement, however, clarified that the promotion status still remained nominal, as the cash backing for the exercise would be effective only from March 2017.

    It announced that all categories of workers in the state had been paid two months salaries in December, while Christmas bonus would be paid immediately after the Christmas holiday.

    The statement quoted the governor as saying that, though, the state was currently grappling with economic challenges, it did not mean that deserving workers should not be recognised for hard work.

    “We won’t deny our workers their dues and entitlements, economic recession or no economic recession, as leaders of the state, we must be fair to all and that is what we are doing

    “Our administration is resolute in giving the best to all Ekiti people, including those in the public service.

    “This month alone, we have paid two salaries, we are also paying Christmas bonus after the holiday

    “We deliberately spaced the payment of the bonus so that after the Christmas holiday, workers will still have something to fall back on,” it said.(NAN)

  • Army Council confirms 227 promotions

    The Army Council Friday, approved the promotion of 227 senior officers from various ranks to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Army. Those promoted include 21 Brigadier Generals to Major Generals, 93 Colonels to Brigadier Generals and 113 Lieutenant Colonels to Colonels.

    The newly promoted officers are Brigadier General CM Abraham Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Brigadier General OU Obono, Acting Corps Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Artillery Corps, Brigadier General PJ Dauke Acting GOC 3 Division, Brigadier AA Nani Acting GOC 8 Task Force Division, Brigadier General JB Olawunmi, Acting Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation Corps, Brigadier General CC Okwonkwo, Commander 48 Task Force Division Engineers, Brigadier General MSA Aliyu and Brigadier General AM Jalingo, were all promoted to the rank of Major General, among others.

    Among the Colonels promoted to the rank of Brigadier Generals are Colonel IY Dogara, Colonel EO Aikhomu, Colonel Aminu Bande, Colonel IFD Briggs, Colonel PA Alamba, Colonel UU Bassey, Colonel UT Musa, Colonel AS Ndalolo, Colonel AI Taiwo, Colonel Y Hassan, Colonel IOO Olotta and Colonel UT Utaru.
    Others include the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel SK Usman, Acting Director of Chaplain Service (Roman Catholic) Colonel CC Iroegbu, Acting Director of Chaplain Service (Protestant), Colonel DD Danfulani, and Acting Director Islamic Affairs, Colonel SG Mustapha.

    Promotion in the Nigerian Army is an annual exercise by the Service to qualified personnel who have distinguished themselves over a stipulated period of time. Earlier in the year, the Nigerian Army carried out several promotion exercises for other categories of its personnel. These include the Junior Non-Commission Officers (JNCOs), Senior Non-Commission Officers and Warrant Officers category, as well as Junior officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to Lieutenants, Lieutenants to Captains and from Captains to Majors.

    The approval of the promotion by the Army Council for the senior officers is the last for the year. The promotion exercise is expected to re-energise the beneficiaries towards the discharge of their onerous tasks and responsibilities.

  • NIS official sues Interior minister, others over promotion

    •Seeks N250m compensation

    An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who claimed to have been employed about the same period with the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Muhammed Babadende, has sued the Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Danbazau and all other relevant individuals over his stunted promotion.

    The official, Daniel Makolo wants the court to, among others, compel his employers and other relevant individuals, including the Interior minister and Babadende to reverse the injustice done to him and promote him to his deserved rank. The suit is before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

    Makolo, who said he joined the NIS on December 14, 1987, blamed his stagnated promotion on the NIS authorities, who he said, were not comfortable with his objection to fraudulent and unlawful practices within the system, a disposition which brought him problems.

    He stated in a supporting affidavit that while Babadende was employed in 1985 as a Grade Level 08 officer, he was employed in 1987as a Grade Level 07 officer.

    “He (Babadende) was promoted to Grade Level 17 in 2013 and now on consolidated salary, while I am stagnated and kept in limbo on Grade Level 12 ever since by the same board, for equal service rendered.

    “We worked as immediate subordinates when we came into this service in 1985 and 1987. This NIS is still the same. I know as a fact that what is good for citizen Mohammed Babadende in NIS is equally good for citizen Daniel Makolo in NIS too. I am demanding for special promotion to at least, Grade Level 17,” he said.

    Makolo, who cited instances where he had been subjected to unjust hardship and punishment with the intention of forcing him out of service, said he had been cleared by the Federal High Court of moves to link him with Boko Haram.

    He added that the fear among members of the NIS top management was that with his disposition, he could become fraudulent should he be elevated to his deserved rank and position.

    Makolo said “The NIS and her board abused their powers/privileges on me deliberately in a crafty and mischievous manner on the altar of official powers in bad faith, keeping me in limbo while promoting my contemporaries. From all my complaints, the NIS and its board – the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Services Board (CDFIPB) – failed to give me listening ears and withheld my promotions since 1992”

    He explained that his resort to court action was because the relevant individuals and bodies failed to act on his several complaints, despite having served as “a loyal, dedicated and committed officer in the service of my fatherland in NIS and as a citizen, whose right has been violated and refused due promotion.”

  • Coach Abubarka hails stakeholders on Gombe Utd promotion

    Coach Abubarka hails stakeholders on Gombe Utd promotion

    Chief Coach of Gombe United, Coach Hassan Abubarka has praised the Governor of Gombe State , Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo for his morale and financial support to Gombe United which has resulted to the promotion of the team back to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).

    The former Niger Tornadoes, Zamfara United, Kaduna United, Juth FC of Jos and Olympic FC of Niamey coach spoke of his appreciation for the enormous support from the governor and the former accountant general of the federation to Gombe United.

    Abubarka who spoke to crestnewsng.com with delight of his team’s promotion to the NPFL was also full of praise to  Salisu Ahmed Saad, the General Manager of Gombe United, Ibrahim Kwairanga, a board Member, Haruna Garba the Team Manager and other associates of Gombe United and football stakeholders in Gombe State of their selfless contributions, sacrifices and concerted efforts that contributed in bringing back the Jewel of Savanah to the Nigerian  elite league.

    He also thanked God Almighty with special acknowledgment of the contributions of his assistant coach, former youth international, coach Oladuni Oyekale for the feat they both achieved, though  an enormous task as at the time of his engagement to Gombe United.

    The Coach did not leave out the contributions of the Supporters Club and football fans in the state and promised to build on the successes achieved so far with Gombe United as soon as hostilities resume in the 2016/2017 football season.

  • Oyo: no automatic promotion in schools

    Oyo State has said it will not renege on its decision to stop automatic promotions in public secondary schools.

    It stressed that its decision to reform the education sector will be pursued rigorously until it yields positive results.

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Toye Arulogun said this at the weekend while featuring on Saturday Special, a weekend magazine programme of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

    Arulogun said it was unacceptable for Oyo State to occupy the rung of the ladder positions in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and Senior School Certificate examinations (SSCE), when it should be setting the pace.

    He said the state was known for many firsts and its education sector should be the benchmark for others.

    The government spokesman said the reforms in the education sector were inevitable and that no amount of protests would deter the state from changing its stand on the “no automatic promotion policy  in public secondary schools”.

  • Groups kick against union chief’s promotion

    Groups kick against union chief’s promotion

    • ‘It’s a normal civil service exercise’

    Two unions have kicked against the transfer of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) National President Comrade Benjamin Okewu from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

    The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association (NAPA) have petitioned the Ministry of Aviation and other government agencies over the matter. The ministry, it was learnt, is investigating the case.

    According to investigations, the unions’ stand is predicated on alleged contravention of civil service regulations.

    Okewu was moved from NCAT grade level 12 to AIB on grade level 15, a development NAAPE and NAPA insisted was an affront on public service rules.

    The unions claimed that it was not right for the ATSSSAN President to benefit from what they have been mobilising against in the industry.

    They said failure to revert to the status quo  could cause industrial disharmony.

    Investigations revealed that ATSSSAN members at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), ostensibly, the most active in the industry, have frowned at the alleged division in the association, saying this may expose the factionalised associations to political manipulation.

    The Secretary-General,  NAPA, Abdulrasaq Saidu, said the secondment of Okewu was null and void until the right procedures are followed.

    Some ATSSSAN members in NCAA have  expressed  worry that though the tenure of Okewu had expired, its extension by some section of the association may have given room for this appointment at AIB, which they considered as  an “illegal elevation and promotion.”

    The union’s petition reads: “Of concern to NAAPE is that the ATTSSAN president upon resumption in AIB had done nothing else except fuelling industrial disharmony.

    “Immediately he came  on board, he threw caution to the wind by unilaterally stopping the release of NAAPE members for an already approved official engagement.

    “Secondly, he terminated the contracts of older hands, well seasoned and trained aviators, who had over 30 to 40 years of aviation background both in engineering and operations, in addition to  well groomed accident investigators.

    “This notwithstanding, Benjamin Okewu went ahead to reconstitute a disciplinary committee citing wrongly the public service rule and AIB proposed conditions of service for his actions.”

    The union said his action was without recourse to management as there existed  in the AIB, a subsisting disciplinary committee with a director serving as the chairman.

    Investigations revealed that both ATTSSAN, NAAPE members feared that “Okewu’s secondment“ would entrench personal vendetta that could plunge the aviation industry into industrial disharmony.

    The AIB has, however, described the secondment of Okewu as a normal exercise in the civil service.

    According to AIB’s spokesman, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, issues raised in a petition reportedly authored by NAAPE over Okewu’s placement or elevation is a misrepresentation of extant rules on secondment of personnel.

    Oketunbi said: “AIB management is constrained to respond to set the records straight. In the first instance, secondment is a normal exercise in the civil service. Mr Okewu was not placed in an underserved position even as the management has not violated extant rules on secondment.

    “If the authors of the petition had done their home work, they would have realised that the salary structure of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT),  Zaria is different from that of the regular civil service. NCAT is part of the tertiary education salary structure where the highest grade level is CONTEDIS 15 for a director while the civil service salary structure, which AIB operates, terminates at Grade Level 17 for a General Manager.

    “Besides, Mr Okewu was due for promotion as at January 2016. AIB cannot promote him, but only asked him to cover the duties of the Head of Human Resources in acting capacity as AGM (GL 15 or CONTEDIS 13). Moving into Human Resources from planning background in addition to his immense experience in industrial relations is a plus for his new assignment.

    “The management frowns at NAAPE meddling in the internal affairs of AIB and urge it to concentrate on working for the improvement of its members’ welfare. Trade unions should not fan embers of disunity, but work for cohesion and team work in establishments where they are represented.”