The Nation Newspaper

Tag: retired

  • Retired Osun senior public servants to improve civil service

    Retired senior civil servants in Osun State have offered themselves for further service.

    They expressed worry about what they called declining and poor quality of service delivery in the public sector.

    The retired civil servants noted that though this was not peculiar to Osun State alone, their voluntary service to the state would enable it re-invent the civil service.

    The retired officers, under the aegis of Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Osun State, addressed reporters at the weekend in Osogbo, the state capital, ahead of public presentation and launch of a book.

    The association’s chairman, Chief Moses Inaolaji Aboaba, said the retired officials were ready to re-invent the civil service to enable it regain its lost glory and move close to what it was in the defunct Western Region.

    He urged the state government to partner the association, saying though “we might have exited the civil service, we are vibrant and can still be of assistance to any sitting government in the state”.

    Aboaba added: “Instead of using consultants, who are not familiar with the system, we would support the government with our wealth of experience. The civil service is our constituency and we are concerned about its development-oriented role.”

    According to him, among the reasons for the compilation, editing, publishing and presentation of a book, titled: The Civil Service as a Cornerstone for Development in The State of Osun – The First 25 Years, is to launch an aggressive but non-violent campaign for efficient and effective service delivery by public servants.

    He regretted the “intense politicization of civil service in Nigeria,” blaming the development on successive military administrations in power.

    Aboaba said: “Militant incursion into politics has done so much damage to the civil service. During the Murtala/Obasanjo military era, the civil servants, who had been working with contentment and dedication, were suddenly thrown out of service. It became worse with the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime, which turned the permanent secretaries into political positions by calling each of them a director-general.

    “Some of these situations have whittled down the role of the civil service as an agent of social change and transformation. So, its role as a front desk in the functioning of government’s civil service must be re-invented to claim its lost glory.”

    The chairman said the book would be presented to the public and launched on Thursday, June 21, at Atlatis Civic Centre on Ring Road in Osogbo with Governor Rauf Aregbesola expected at the event.

    He said the occasion would be chaired by Prof Olu Aina while the book will be reviewed by Prof Mayowa Oladoyin.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, is expected to be the royal father of the day.

    Past military and civilian governors in the state and their deputies are invited to the programme as well as civil servants from Level 12 are to be led incumbent Head of Service to the event.

  • Retired professors to Rivers govt: pay us

    Retired professors to Rivers govt: pay us

    Over 200 retired professors of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, have urged the Governor Nyesom Wike administration to pay their salary arrears for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 sessions.

    The retired professors, under the aegis of Contract/Adjunct/Sabbatical Professors and Other Academic and Technical Staff, said that the arrears ranged between eight and 23 months.

    While addressing a news conference yesterday in Port Harcourt, the capital, Coordinator of the group Prof. Sunny Amadi pleaded with Wike to  intervene to put an end to their predicament.

    He said: “We wish to draw attention to the painful plight of the above categories of staff of Rivers State University, who are currently burdened with outstanding arrears of salaries in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions, ranging between eight and 23 months.

    “This disclosure is coming on the heels of series of earlier appeals to the authorities to address the unfortunate situation and bring the travail of the affected staff to an end.”

  • Retired soldiers to get start-up capital

    Retired soldiers to get start-up capital

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali has said retiring soldiers would be given start-up capitals to establish themselves for life after service.

    He spoke at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, during the retirementgraduation of 403 soldiers who underwent skills acquisition training.

    The retired soldiers comprised 281 from the Army, 17 from the Navy and 105 from the Air Force.

    According to him, the money would be in lieu of the start-up equipment for whatever skills they acquired for post-service livelihood. He urged the retirees to continue to surmount security threats in their domiciled areas, assuring them the government is unrelenting in its quest to boost the welfare of both serving and retired personnel.

    His words: “You are all aware of the security challenges confronting our country, particularly insurgency in the Northeast, cattle rustling, kidnappings, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities.

    “Be reminded that as retired personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, much is still expected of you in contributing your quota towards surmounting any threat to life within your area of domicile.

    “This will help in curtailing these vices and enhance safety and security, which is essential for meaningful socio-economic development, as well as peaceful co-habitation and existence.”

    In his welcome address, NAFRC’s Commandant, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ajibola Jekenu urged the retirees to make good use of the skills acquired, saying they should be law abiding.

    At the ceremony were the Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Oshinowo, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, AVM Ibrahim Yahaya, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, among others.

  • Police hunt for killers of retired don

    Police hunt for killers of retired don

    The Edo State Police Command is on the hunt for killers of a retired lecturer of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Anthony Nosa Edosomwan.

    Prof. Edosomwan was reportedly kidnapped and killed last month by his abductors, who dumped his body by a bush path at Ogida Quarters, Siluko road, Benin City.

    Commissioner of Police Babatunde Kokumo said the abduction happened before he assumed duty in the state. He, however, promised to ensure the kidnappers are arrested.

    The deceased’s elder brother, Mr. Francis Edosomwan, said it was worrisome that his brother’s killers were yet to be arrested.

    According to him, his brother was kidnapped from his residence at Second Federal road about 6.30pm.

    The kidnappers took valuables, such as money and phones, before using the victim’s vehicle to escape.

    He added that the kidnappers demanded for N50 million ransom, with a deadline for payment. Another relative, who pleaded for anonymity, said the phone used for ransom negotiation was later switched off and the body of Prof. Edosomwan was later found in a bush path.

    The body was recovered by the police and deposited in the mortuary.

    Prof. Edosomwan was as a Director with the Edo State Arts Council, and lectured at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma before joining the University of Benin, where he retired last year.

  • A thought for retired Lagos primary school teachers

    A thought for retired Lagos primary school teachers

    Sir, I am forced to use the medium to newspapers to appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode , to please pay the gratuities and arrears of monthly pensions of retired Primary School Teachers under the purview Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). I had in the last eight months written two personal letters to the Governor on this issue but no actions have so far been taken to end the suffering of these teachers who retired before the New Contributory Pension Scheme took off in the state or had less than 3 years to go in service. They were therefore not covered by PENCOM.

    It is hard to believe that Lagos State, the most viable state in Nigeria in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), is owing gratuities and arrears of monthly pensions dating back to 2008, but this is the true situation as at the time of this letter.

    This category of Primary School Teachers served Lagos State in their prime but are now in their late sixties. Was it a crime that these teachers laid the foundation of sound education at the Primary School level? Is the State Government waiting until the demise of these teachers so as to subject their next-of-kin to endless verification exercise as these teachers are currently subjected to year in, year out without payment of their legitimate entitlements? Teachers’ rewards are no longer in Heaven but here on earth please.

    Although the plight of this category of teachers predated the assumption in office of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, governance is a continuum. The Governor should please pay these teachers do that they can enjoy the fruits of their labour while still alive. No next-of-kin derives joy in collecting other people’s entitlements.

     

    • Barrister Ayo Olalere,

    Apete, Ibadan

  • 33 states without RECs as five retired today

    33 states without RECs as five retired today

    •INEC redeployed senior officials in Rivers 

    Thirty-three states will be without Resident Electoral Commissioners as five are due for retirement today.

    Before now, 28 RECs had retired.

    A tweet by the Independent National Electoral Commission yesterday said: “By March 4, five more RECs will complete their tenure. This is in addition to the 28 RECs who had earlier completed their tenure.

    “Those leaving are: Prof. Jacob Jatau (F.C.T), Mr. Segun Agbaje (Ondo), Austin Okojie (Bayelsa) and Mr. Nasir Ayilara (Niger).”

    A statement signed in Abuja yesterday by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, confirmed the retirement of the five commissioners.

    “We thank these gentlemen for their contributions to the work of the commission over the last five years and wish them well in their future endeavours,” the statement said.

    The commission said it would next week consider the final report of the investigation of 202 officials from 14 states mentioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    INEC said it would redeploy its directing staff, which include the Administrative Secretary, heads of departments, deputy directors and assistant directors as well as all the 23 electoral officers, who head its local government offices out of Rivers State immediately.

    The statement said: “You may recall that late last year, the commission received a report from the EFCC in which some of our staff were accused of certain infractions. We would like to update you on the matter. A total of 202 INEC officials from 14 states were mentioned in the report.

    “Based on the EFCC’s interim report, the commission subsequently queried and invited them to appear before an administrative panel. The final report of the investigation into the matter will be considered by the commission at its meeting next week.

    “As we informed you last week, the commission received the report of its Administrative Panel on the December 10, 2016 Rivers State re-run elections. Twenty-nine members of staff were recommended for disciplinary action, and their cases are currently being handled by the commission’s Disciplinary Committee.

    “Still on the report on the administrative panel on the Rivers re-run elections, we informed you earlier that the commission’s office in Rivers State will be overhauled. In so doing, all the directing staff, that is, the administrative secretary, all heads of department, deputy directors and assistant directors as well as all the 23 electoral officers, who head our local government offices are being redeployed out of Rivers State immediately.

  • Retired teacher dead

    Retired teacher dead

    A retired teacher and prayer warrior, Mrs. Bernice Adenike Fatade, is dead.

    She was 80.

    Mrs Fatade died at 6 p.m on October 2 at the Detomi Specialist Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

    A statement by her son, Olukayode, said his late mother built the lives of many personalities in the town and its environs.

    The late Mrs Fatade was a devoted Christian and prayer warrior.

    Olukayode added that burial arrangement would be announced later.

  • Retired nurse is NCP candidate

    A retired nurse and member of Doctors Across Borders, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, has been elected the Edo State candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) ahead of the September 10 governorship election.

    Omoragbon was the sole aspirant for the party’s primary held at its secretariat in Benin, the state capital.

    NCP’s Electoral Officer for the primaries Mr. Isaac Igbinedion said 36 delegates were accredited for the primary.

    He said 27 voted for the aspirant.

    But Omoragbon was absent during the primary.

    The party’s State Chairman Victor Ogba said the election was conducted because it was in accordance with the party’s constitution that delegates must vote.

    Ogba said Omoragbon was absent at the primary because he travelled to Europe on a humanitarian assignment, adding that his flight was cancelled because of the terrorist attack in Turkey.

    In a video chat with reporters, Omoragbon said his campaigns would be issue-based, promising to uplift the state, if elected.

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives were present at the primaries.

  • Retired soldier, siblings lose house to fire

    Retired soldier, siblings lose house to fire

    Fire yesterday razed two buildings in Ajegunle near Ikorodu in Lagos, destroying properties worth millions of naira.

    Nineteen rooms and two shops were affected.

    One of the buildings was inherited by a retired soldier, Master Warrant Officer Moses Dadeowo, and his siblings from their parents, the late Pa and Mrs Ebenezer Dadeowo.

    The fire, which started around 1pm from House 2 on Church Street spread to House 4 and affected some shops in House 70.

    Most occupants were in church when the incident occurred.

    The timely arrival of Lagos State Fire Service men from Alausa Station saved House 70 from being razed. They battled the fire till about 3pm when it was put out. Also on the scene were Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials and Ajegunle Police Station operatives.

    Occupants of House 70 quickly evacuated their belongings to the road side as the fire ravaged the attached shops.

    A  downcast Dadeowo told The Nation that he was called from the church that his house was on fire, adding that on getting home, he promptly woke up the children and evacuated them from the house.

    He said he and others lost all their possessions to the fire.

    Dadeowo said the fire might have been caused by epileptic electricity supply.

    He pleaded with the government to come to the aid of his family and other occupants, stressing that he has nothing again except for the dress he wore to the church.

    Another victim, Mrs Blessing Oladunni whose shop was at the back of House 70, said she learnt of the fire while in the church.

    “By the time I rushed back from the church, I was lucky that my neighbours had assisted to evacuate most of my wares; I am grateful to God my goods were rescued,” she said.

    LASEMA General Manager Michael Akindele said nobody was injured, adding that the cause of the fire was electric surge.

    Akindele urged Lagosians to always switch off all appliances when not in use and also ensure that all electrical apparatus are of good standard.

  • Retired teachers bemoan pension arrears in Enugu

    Retired primary school teachers in Enugu State have complained  about being owed 27 months of pension.

    The senior citizens lamented that some of them were yet to receive their gratuity after retirement since 2002.

    The retired teachers from the three senatorial zones made known their woes when they paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi in his office.

    A delegation of the retired teachers led by their chairman, Chief Matthias Onovo and the secretary, Chief Ben Nwachi disclosed that they had written relevant authorities in the past without any positive result saying that as a result of the lack of payment of their pension and other entitlements, some of their colleagues have died while many are bed-ridden for lack of fund for medical care.

    Having exhausted every avenue possible to see that the past administration paid them their due, the retired teachers resorted to calling on the Speaker to bail them out.

    They listed other grievances to include harmonisation arrears, 6, 15, and 33 percent pension increases; irregularities in payment of monthly pensions, and non implementation of promotion re-computer i.e promotion received after retirement among others.

    Ubosi assured the retired teachers that something would be done to alleviate their plight saying that, “your labours will never go in vain. You have laboured and you deserve to be paid. “

    The speaker said that they came at the right time when the government has set up an audit committee of the local governments of which he is the chairman, pointing out that the issue of teachers as well as their pensioners was part of the terms of reference given by the governor.

    He thanked them for making the submission that would serve as a guide to the audit committee set up by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led administration to look into the rot in the councils with a view to making them viable.