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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.”
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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