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Bauchi gov laments huge wage bill
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi state has decried increasing wage bill despite the state not employing new workers over the years.
The Governor who was speaking during the closing ceremony of a retreat organized by the office of the Head of Civil Service at the state Hajj Camp Friday, regretted that despite migration of workers who retired to pension platforms the nominal roll is increasing.
“Of course somebody has just spoken about the nominal roll, the nominal roll is developed by the service, we the Politicians are frustrated, yesterday somebody talked about stress, anytime I see the Accountant General, it stresses me, even when he was talking he was stressing me because I didn’t understand what he was saying, people are retiring, they are migrating to pension platforms but my salaries, the portfolio is increasing, and we are not employing and nobody will come and give me any explanation as to what is happening”, the Governor said.
The governor added that “yesterday Dr Ishaku spoke very well and this is a challenge to our civil service and to our political appointees, all of us, the new Commissioners are here, you are to drive the nominal roll, we have to get tangible and measurable savings from the salary portfolio otherwise we cannot get money to employ”.
Governor Mohammed said that the people have been hinted that over ten thousand of them would be employed, lamented that service no longer have the technical people, the engineers, the accountants as well as the administrative officers.
“They are all gone, even our extension workers are not there, how do we progress, our education system is producing graduates and we are not absorbing them, our system is very poor and yet we sit here and delude and deceive ourselves, paying six to seven billion Naira monthly while not employing”, the governor decried.
According to him, “some people are earning what they don’t work for, period, and we cannot develop the data, so, it’s a challenge”.
Governor Bala who urged the need for a change of mindset towards public service regretted that people believe they will sit down in their offices and get double salary.
“We have to change mindset, mindset of all of us. People believe that they will sit down in their offices and get double salary or in their local government and input people that will be collecting money or in our emirate councils or our local councils, we have to make the change because this is Haram, mind you, we are Muslims or christians, this is Haram money, that is why may be we are not progressing because we are all living on Haram, educating our children on Haram, living above our means”, Governor Bala Mohammed pointed out.
The Governor further said, “I have studied very well, our system is rotten, we try to eat what we cannot afford, somebody have spoken about education, how many of us are taking our children to government schools, even though they have teachers, they have everything, in some primary schools you don’t even have the teachers on reality checks but on paper you have so many of them, so we have to change”.
While stressing that the state primary health department agency has to work, the governor revealed that the over one thousand primary health centers have been built in partnership with development partners.
He however, observed that hospital rooms do not make a clinic without the human capital, adding that the state cannot employ because ghost workers have taken the job spaces.
“I am always frustrated, we want to employ, pre-service employment of Doctors, nurses and midwives, when we were growing, this is how it was done, seamless migration after graduation, at least you will get the trained nurse in a PHC, we don’t have them anymore, we have revolving fund that we established when we came but they have been encroached upon, equipments that we bought in the hospitals are been stolen and no body is doing anything, no penalty, our punishment and reward systems are not working”, the governor said.
He further noted: “I think that is the essence of coming here for us to sit down and talk to ourselves that we need to change”.
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Festus Keyamo, SAN, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has been formally inducted into the revered league of Honorary Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)—a distinguished circle that has, over the past six decades, admitted only a select group of eminent Nigerians.
The prestigious honour, conferred by the Institute, places the Aviation Minister among an elite class that includes former Presidents; Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor of Niger State, among other national figures recognised for their exceptional contributions to nation-building. With this induction, Keyamo becomes only the 16th Honorary Fellow in the 60-year history of the NIA.
In a citation, the Nigerian Institute of Architects described Keyamo’s induction as a testament to his national impact, visionary leadership, and enduring commitment to infrastructural excellence.
In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, the Dean of the College of Fellows, who represented the NIA President, emphasised that the Honorary Fellowship is reserved strictly for individuals who have demonstrated uncommon excellence, service, and achievement. He praised Keyamo for his transformative role in modernising Nigeria’s aviation landscape—an achievement that has significantly enhanced the architectural and infrastructural fabric of the sector.
He noted that the Minister’s visionary leadership has catalysed the renewal of airport infrastructure, promoted world-class design standards, and strengthened the interface between aviation development and national architecture.
“His efforts in repositioning the aviation industry reflect a deep understanding of functional design, structural aesthetics, and sustainable infrastructure—principles that lie at the heart of architecture,” the Dean said.
In his acceptance speech, the Honourable Minister expressed profound gratitude to the Institute for the rare honour, describing it as both humbling and inspiring. He highlighted the importance of cultural identity in national development, stressing that architecture and urban planning must reflect the soul of the people.
“In our urban development, we must integrate our culture into our town planning,” he stated. “Our spaces must tell our stories. Our buildings must reflect who we are. This is the essence of nationhood, and it is a philosophy I intend to continually champion, especially as we reimagine Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.”
A statement by Tunde Moshood,
Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had it that Keyamo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing aviation infrastructure that embodies innovation, resilience, and cultural relevance while supporting Nigeria’s broader economic transformation.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has explained why it recently honoured the Director General/CEO, of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike with its Mentorship Award of Excellence.
Anosike was given the award on October 23rd at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoyin, Ogun State during a youth mentorship conference organized by NANS.
In a statement issued Monday, October 28, 2025, NANS said the NiMet DG was honoured for consistently demonstrating exemplary leadership, humility, and generational impact in his service to Nigeria’s youth and emerging entrepreneurs.
Titled ‘Statement by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on the Presentation of Mentorship Award to the Director General of NiMet,’ it stated that the mentorship Anosike has provided to thousands of young Nigerians has paved the way for fresh ideas, empowered individuals, and anchored many on the path of excellence.
According to the statement which was signed by Comrade Adeyemi Samson, NANS National Public Relations Officer- “Young people who have had the privilege of working with him testify to his clear-sighted guidance, rare simplicity of approach, and genuine concern for their personal and professional development. His readiness to extend a helping hand, provide encouragement, and share insights has made a lasting difference.
“In his capacity as a distinguished professor, a man of dignity and repute, and a public servant committed to transformation, Professor Anosike embodies the very essence of mentorship that NANS strives to promote among Nigerian students and youths.
“By this award, NANS affirms its deep respect for Professor Anosike’s consistent efforts in nation-building, youth capacity development, and entrepreneurship support. We are delighted to honor him today and look forward to the many further achievements that will follow from his mentorship and service.
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