News
Persons against Allagoa’s reforms behind protests at NSITF
The insistence by the Maureen Allagoa led management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSIFT, to continue with several reform initiatives aimed at repositioning the organisation, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is the reason behind the protests and picketing by some staff at the Fund’s headquarters.
According to a statement issued Friday by Godson Nwachukwu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at NSITF, tax evasion or underpayment is a crime punishable by law, adding that the Managing Director is thereof resolute that the NSITF under her watch must not be found wanting.
He said that inappropriate tax deductions were inherited by the leadership of NSITF under the current MD/CE.
Part of the statement reads- “The fact is that the appropriate tax regime was to be implemented in January 2024 but the domestic chapter of ASSBIFI complained that the timing was wrong and that staff members needed to be educated properly on the matter. It was therefore agreed at the social dialogue convened over the issue to use the months of February and March to enlighten staff and prepare their minds on the appropriate tax regime while April was agreed as the take off date.
“Reforms are usually difficult to execute, and this is not different. Staff do not want the appropriate tax . Hence, all the issues raised during the protest were part of the attempt to frustrate the implementation of the appropriate tax through blackmail .
“One is that the so-called N2.1B tax deducted from the staff emoluments did not take place under the management of Maureen Allagoa rather under the former management led by Dr. Michael Akabogu.
“Besides, the allegation is embedded in malicious falsehood.
“At the conciliation meeting earlier today presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the NSITF’S Executive Director Finance, Adegoke Adedeji provided evidence that the Fund remitted the National Housing Fund , Retirement savings and the N2.1B tax.
“Besides, the allegation of staff stagnation is baseless as promotion examinations were held in 2022 as well in 2023 . The management promotion examination slated for September 2023 was put in abeyance following the directives of the Ministry of Labour in order to address attendant issues.
“The NSITF under Allagoa has paid deserving attention to staff welfare . It reviewed the staff conditions of service, which came into operation 29 years ago . It also implemented a new consolidated salary structure approved by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission, as well as took sundry measures to reward hard work and excellence.
“It is only an enemy of progress that is blind to the new direction the Fund has taken under her leadership.”
The Nigeria Customs Service has said the alleged tenure extension of its Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, is false.
The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Tuesday, said that the news was inaccurate and misleading.
He explained that the appointments and tenure extensions of the CGC are made solely at the discretion of the President, in line with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 and other relevant regulations governing public service appointments.
“The attention of the NCS has been drawn to a fake release allegedly from the State House regarding an extension of the tenure of the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi. The NCS wishes to categorically state that this information is inaccurate and misleading,” Maiwada said.
He reiterated that at the moment, no such directive has been communicated to the NCS by the appropriate authorities and maintained that the leadership of the service remains focused on fulfilling its statutory mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
Suspended Kogi Central District Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has arrived at her homecoming rally in helicopter, bypassing state-imposed restrictions on movement and public gatherings.
A massive crowd of supporters gathered in the Okehi Local Government Area, waving placards and chanting slogans in solidarity with the embattled senator.
Despite police warnings to cancel the rally, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground.
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today,” she posted on Facebook earlier that morning.
“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody.” – Senator Natasha.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has described the recent gruesome killing of 16 traveling hunters in Edo State, as unacceptable.
The hunters were brutally killed by local vigilantes who claimed they were kidnappers. The action had drawn wife condemnation across the country.
Reacting to the incident, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, said the action was barbaric and expressed deep concern on how fellow citizens could be felled in such gruesome matter.
He added that the incident highlights the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for effective law enforcement and respect for human rights.
In a statement signed by Hajia Fatima Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Ojukwu was quoted to have said further that- “We commend Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his swift and decisive action in suspending the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), and banning all illegal vigilante groups operating in the state, but more need to be done” he said.
The NHRC boss said the Commission wishes to use this opportunity to remind the government and the people of Nigeria that every individual has the right to life, as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as well as Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, he said the Commission emphasized that the freedom of movement, as guaranteed by the Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has been grossly violated in this dastardly incident.
“We at the Commission demand that all the perpetrators be fished out and brought to justice. We call on the government to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future, there is no justification for jungle justice anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Learned Silk emphasized that every Nigerian has the right to life, dignity, and freedom from violence, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or occupation.
He said the Commission will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. “We urge the Edo State Government to continue its investigation into the killings and ensure that all perpetrators face the full wrath of the law. On our part, we will continue to monitor the process of investigation to ensure that justice is served. This will serve as a deterrent to others.
“Promotion and protection of human rights is paramount to national development, let’s all imbibe the culture of respect for human rights and fundamental freedom to make Nigeria a better place”. The Human Rights Advocate admonished.
-
News2 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News2 years ago“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News1 year ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News2 years agoDokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique
-
News2 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News2 years agoTsunami: Tinubu orders dissolution of managements, boards of MDAs, to sack all Buhari’s political appointees
-
News2 years agoLast minutes fever: Nigerian Hunters Service optimistic as Buhari signs five Bills into law
-
News2 weeks agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill