The Cross River State Government is set to probe how the state workforce increased from about 18,000 to the present 56,358 in eight years.

The Head of Service, Dr. Innocent Eteng, revealed this at a news conference in Calabar, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Eteng said Governor Bassey Otu was worried and had expressed concern with the high cost of paying government employees’ salaries.

He said the huge number of government employees had created a significant financial burden for the present administration, thereby making it difficult to fund other priority projects.

He said in view of this, the state government had vowed to sanitise the payroll of the workforce, which he described as “currently bloated by several infractions”.

Giving a breakdown of the 56,358 workforce, the Head of Service revealed that the State Universal Basic Education Board has 14,328 staff, while the Primary Health Care Development Agency has 2,812.

He also said that the State Civil Service had 22,526 pensioners, among others

Eteng said: “The present administration has religiously kept its promise of prompt payment of salaries and has done up-to-date, except for a few civil servants whose names could not be reconciled on the nominal roll and payroll.

“However, there is an ongoing strategic clean-up of the state payroll, driven by the office of the HoS and the Accountant General, to rid the system of any ambiguities.

“As part of measures to address this, the governor has given a directive for the permanent secretaries to submit their nominal rolls for reconciliation.”

The Head of Service disclosed that so far, only nine of the 32 Ministries, Departments and Agencies had complied with the directive, adding that more than half of the workforce would not receive their salaries in March.

Eteng appealed for support and understanding of all in the effort to clean up the payroll.

He added: “If you go to schools, you will see that we need teachers in schools, but in the payroll, we have more than enough teachers. 

“This is the situation we are addressing.”

He also said that anyone still owed salary may be due to irregularities in their record, and such person must endeavour to do the right thing by presenting his case before the office of the Head of Service.

It would be recalled that there were counter accusations among former Head of Service, Ogbang Akwaji; former Accountant General of the State, Joseph Adie; and former Auditor General, John Odey, over bloated wage bills.

Eteng said extensive verification was embarked upon as soon as he and the new Accountant General, Dr. Glory Effiong, assumed office.

He added: “In line with the state governor’s directive to nip the controversy in the bud and streamline the wage bill, my office issued a directive to the 31 MDAs to submit their nominal rolls for reconciliation.

“So far, only nine MDAs have complied and we have reconciled their names. 

“Only workers in these nine MDAs who we can attest to will receive their salaries for the month of March.

“The remaining 22, which have refused to comply, will not be paid. 

“The government has paid all salaries up till February.

“We have even paid all recognised 2,860 traditional rulers in the state for March as the government is very committed to salary payments.

“We have even begun to clear the backlog of gratuities. 

“All pensioners have been paid for March. 

Tinuade Sanda has been removed as the managing director of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Naija News reports that this action was confirmed through an official statement signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the chairman of the DisCo, Dere Otubu.

The letter, dated March 21, 2024, and titled Implementation of NERC directive on seconded staff, was specifically directed to Sanda.

It outlined the directive from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) instructing EKEDC to ensure that the utility and subject directly employ all employees to the utility’s service conditions.

The letter further noted that the staff must be compensated through the utility’s payroll system. Otubu reiterated in the letter that EKEDC had no choice but to comply with this directive as mandated by NERC’s authority under the Electricity Act of 2023.

The letter stated: “In compliance with the above directive, all seconded staff of WPG Ltd are being released by EKEDC and returned to WPG Ltd.

“You are hereby relieved of your role, office, and position at EKEDC, effective immediately, and returned to your employer, WPG Ltd.”

Naija News understands that Sanda was further directed to hand over to the highest-ranking staff of EKEDC under her.

“We hereby record our appreciation of your valuable services and contribution to the growth and success achieved by EKEDC over the years as a seconded staff from WPG,” the statement added.

[NaijaNews]

The exchange rate used for calculating customs import duties and cargo clearance has decreased for the fifth time in under two weeks, moving from N1,612 per dollar on March 15th to N1,405.46 per dollar currently.

Previously, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had declared that the exchange rate for duty collection and cargo clearance would be determined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), based on the official market rate.

A breakdown of the decline in the past few days

• 15th  March 2024- N1,612/$
• 16th  March 2024- N1,593/$
• 19th  March 2024- N1,572/$
• 23rd  March 2024- N1,448/$
• 27th  March 2024- N1,405/$

Recent observations indicate a steady depreciation in value, evidencing the naira’s strengthening against other currencies in both the parallel and official foreign exchange markets. Over the last two weeks, there has been a notable improvement in the naira’s value, climbing from N1,615 per dollar on March 13th to N1,382 per dollar by March 26th.

Recent reforms by the CBN

The Nigerian Naira (NGN) has seen improvements recently, which are largely due to the strategic measures and reforms implemented by the central bank aimed at curbing inflation and stabilizing the foreign exchange (FX) market.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed its success in settling an over $4 billion backlog in foreign exchange forwards, benefiting businesses both within and internationally.

Additionally, it has imposed restrictions on International Oil Companies (IOCs), allowing them to only transfer 50% of their foreign exchange earnings immediately and requiring a 90-day wait to transfer the remaining 50%.

Further, the central bank has prevented commercial banks from allocating foreign exchange sales profits towards operational costs and dividend payments. Recently, it began selling dollars to Bureau de Change operators at a rate of N1,251 per dollar.

At its latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the CBN declared an interest rate increase from 22.75% to 24.75%, marking a 200-basis point rise. Mr. Yemi Cardoso, the committee’s chairman, explained that this adjustment aims to control inflation, currently at 31.7%, and to manage the foreign exchange market effectively.

[Nairametrics]

The Gombe State Executive Council on Tuesday approved the sum of N43.130 billion for the construction of a new ultra-modern governor’s residence, High Court and House of Assembly complexes.

The decision was made during the 37th SEC meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, held at the executive chamber of the Government House.

Our correspondent reports that since 2003 when former Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu vacated the residence after his defeat, all the subsequent governors of the state, Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Dankwambo did not stay at the official governor’s residence located at the Government House, despite several renovations to the edifice.

Governor Yahaya is also staying at his private residence located at the New GRA.

Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, said the council after scrutiny had approved the total sum of N43.130bn for an ultra-modern governor’s residence and befitting High Court and House of Assembly Complexes.

He added that the council had also approved the sum of N10bn for the construction of roads in four local government areas of the state, and construction of Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC) office accommodations.

Shedding more light on the projects, Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Dr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, said the ultra modern high court complex would be constructed at N14bn, while N14.23bn and N14.9bn would be earmarked for the House of Assembly Complex and the ultra-modern governor’s residence.

He said following the approval, contractors would be mobilised to site and work would commence in earnest.

The commissioner added that the council also approved N10.4bn for construction of 77 kilometres roads in Kwami, Funakaye Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state.

Daily Trust reports that the projects, especially the ultra modern governor’s residence and the complexes, were approved amidst the current economic hardship occasioned by removal of fuel subsidy.

Our correspondent reports that workers under the local government service in the state are yet to start receiving the new minimum wage, being enjoyed by the state civil servants since 2020.

However, following the removal of the subsidy, Governor Yahaya had introduced N10,000 as palliative for both the state and local government employees.

Pensioners were left out in the ‘palliative,’ as some retirees still collect the sum of N7,000 as their monthly pension.

However, after much outcry, Governor Yahaya had on Tuesday launched the distribution of foodstuffs as palliatives to the underprivileged and physically challenged residents of the state.

The food items consists of a 5kg bag of rice, maize and sugar each and carton of spaghetti.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, said the council had approved N549m for payment of registration fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (MBAIS) for 19,840 indigent students.

She said the students were in 151 senior secondary schools in the state, including those on exchange programmes.

The commissioner added that 19,000 out of the 23,000 students passed a mock examination conducted by the ministry.

Maigari said, “In 2019 when Governor Inuwa Yahaya assumed office, only 22 per cent of students were getting five credits and above. In 2023, we had had 67.8 percent who passed with five credits, including Mathematics and English.”

[DailyTrust]

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two modern-day legends of football, have been ranked in the top 10 of Daily Mail’s top 50 footballers all-time list.

Messi grabbed the number one spot, while Ronaldo is in tenth place.

The rankings highlight a significant gap between Messi and Ronaldo according to the publication.

Notably, Brazilian forward Neymar did not make the list.

The top 10 rankings also featured other iconic players such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Johann Cryuff, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo Nazario, Garrincha and Zico.

Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards so far in his career, while Ronaldo has won five.

[DailyPost]

Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, has asked the federal government to interrogate “key Nigerians” who claim to have close ties with bandits.

On March 20, the federal government said it uncovered the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.

In an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Kukah said it is clear that the government, through intelligence, knows what is going on.

He added that those who have publicly claimed ties with the bandits should be interrogated. 

“There are key Nigerians who are saying openly that they know more than they think the rest of us know, and I think that it is the business of the federal government to find out those who claim to know where the bandits are; those who are collaborating and cooperating with the bandits.

“It is the greatest humiliation of our nation. The security agencies in collaboration with those who have said openly that they know what is going on… I think the federal government has the capacity to go after those people.” 

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned against what he termed as deliberate efforts by some individuals to drag his name in the mud, saying his silence should not be taken for cowardice.

Adams, while speaking on the controversy generated by an audio clip, said he was ready to set the records straight on the various questions hanging in the balance on the alleged defamation contained in the clips which he said was “concocted, distorted, and disjointed.”

The PUNCH had reported Tuesday that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho; and the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mr Tayo Ayinde, had both threatened to drag the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, to court for allegedly accusing them of plotting an assassination.

Igboho and Ayinde, in separate pre-action letters by their lawyers, demanded that Adams should retract the said assassination claim against them or they would drag him to court.

In a March 20, 2024 pre-action letter, Ayinde, through his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), complained about a viral note, in which Adams was allegedly heard saying in Yoruba language: “So, be careful associating with Igboho. Just last night, he was with Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff. He was heavily paid. You know that I have an extensive intelligence network as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. Until about 2:45 am, he was with Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff, who Tinubu also uses in Lagos to coordinate the execution of his evil machinations. He has been doing work of that nature for Tinubu since his days in the SSS.

“He resigned from the SSS, Ibadan to concentrate fully on such work for Tinubu, who compensated him with the office of Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor. It was at his hotel somewhere in Ikeja, Lagos, that Igboho visited him to collect money for logistics to confront me. Igboho left lbadan at about midnight to attend this meeting which ended at about 2:45am.

“Tayo Ayinde gave N45m in cash to Igboho for the operation, thus shortchanging Igboho to the tune of N5m out of the N50m purse provided by Tinubu. The discovery of this has brewed disenchantment in their midst.”

However, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams described the voice note as distorted.

He also described the threat of lawsuits by Igboho and Ayinde as “a grand conspiracy” to discredit his person, saying he was ready to do everything to protect his hard-earned name and the office he represented.

In the statement titled ‘Don’t take my silence for cowardice, Gani Adams speaks on alleged defamation of character,’ he said his reaction became pertinent as it had become evident “that Igboho and Ayinde were not ready to toe the line of peace as initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.”

Adams therefore in a rejoinder to Olumide-Fusika’s pre-action letter, written by his lawyers, Oluwole Kehinde and Rosemary Thompson, dated Monday but obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday, denied the content and inferences drawn by Ayinde’s lawyer in the audio clip.

The letter partly read, “Firstly, our client denies the content and inferences drawn by you in your letter under reference regarding the alleged audio clip you attributed to our client. As stated in your letter, the content of the alleged video clip, which is a concocted, distorted, and disjointed part of a private conversation between our client and another person in 2021, was published and widely circulated by one Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Alias ‘Sunday Ighoho’) and not our client.”

It also said, “Furthermore, it is obvious from the alleged defamatory remarks that our client mentioned that it was a ‘rumoured and unconfirmed information that he found difficult to believe’ and could not be shared publicly. Thus, there is no element of malice on the part of our client pertaining to the alleged statement attributed to him in the said video clip.”

Adams was further quoted in the statement by his media aide as saying “The reason for my silence in the midst of the various legal and media infractions by Igboho and Ayinde, was not because I am a coward, but because of the initial interventions of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other prominent Obas and several other important personalities in Yorubaland.

“But with the ongoing lies and aspersions against my person, I think it is time for me to come out open and set the record straight.

“Though my legal team has done what was required of them, I need to state clearly that the audio clip generating the squabbles was a distorted and disjointed content of a private conversation which held way back in 2021 with a US-based younger brother of a friend.

“The conversation was initiated by the young man who claimed he wanted a reconciliation between myself, Igboho and some other people.

“It was while responding on reasons for reconciliation at the time that he mentioned the names of the two people.”

Adams noted that in the circulating audio, he said it repeatedly that though it was very difficult to believe, there was an unconfirmed rumour allegedly linking Igboho to the murder of the late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.

“My statement was not done in bad faith and it was purely a private conversation,” he added.

He stressed that “However, on the issue of my brother, Tayo Ayinde, let me make it clear here that I repeatedly said that whatever was said was a rumour that couldn’t be substantiated or made public.”

[Punch]

The son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau was sentenced to more than six and a half years in prison for involvement in a transnational heroin trafficking conspiracy, the US Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, 52, planned to use the proceeds to finance a coup in the West African country that would lead to his eventual presidency and establishment of a “drugs regime,” according to the statement released by the US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

“Malam Bacai Sanha Jr. wasn’t any ordinary international drug trafficker,” said Douglas Williams, special agent in charge of the FBI Houston Field Office. “He is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason – to fund a coup.”

Sanha was a leader and organizer in the heroin trafficking conspiracy and was involved in its importation from Europe to the United States, according to the statement.

He was arrested along with a co-conspirator after arriving in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, in July 2022. They were extradited to the United States shortly afterwards.

In September 2023, Sanha pled guilty “to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for the purpose of unlawful importation,” according to Tuesday’s statement.

He was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

Guinea-Bissau has had a history of military coups interspersed with periods of democratic rule – though elected leaders managed to serve a full term since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974.

Sanha’s father, Malam Bacai Sanha, was initially installed by a junta as interim leader in 1999 before he lost the election the following year.

He won the presidency in a 2009 election but died while seeking medical treatment in Paris in January 2012 before completing his term.

His son, known as “Bacaizinho” in Guinea-Bissau, has served in several government roles, including as an economic advisor to his father.

AFP

President Bola Tinubu says individuals involved in kidnapping must be treated as terrorists.

Tinubu, who condemned the “reprehensible acts” perpetrated by kidnappers across the country, spoke on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the federal judiciary led by Olukayode Ariwoola, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu said those who resort to kidnapping children are cowards and incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian armed forces.

”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets,” Tinubu said.

“They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you, we will get rid of them.”

On the review of the salaries of judicial officers, the president pledged that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.

”I recognize that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow,” he said.

”When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.

”While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all.”

Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for its dedicated service to the nation and for upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of the government.

“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn,” he concluded.

In his remarks, Ariwoola commended the president for the honour of hosting judicial officers at a Ramadan dinner.

He also lauded Tinubu for his commitment to the reforms and improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.

“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully. We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” the CJN prayed.

Ariwoola praised the administration for achieving a significant milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the supreme court, a feat he described as unprecedented.

Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, expressed gratitude to the president for forwarding the executive bill titled, “judicial office holders salaries and allowances, etc, bill 2024″ to the national assembly.

Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi commended the president’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.

”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges. The president has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly,” he said.

”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary.”

The dinner was attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen.

[TheCable]