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2023 Census: Adhoc Staff Protest Non-payment Of Allowances

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About 467 adhoc staff of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Bauchi State have taken to the streets to protest the non-payment of their allowances.

The protest was carried out on Wunti Street in Bauchi metropolis on Tuesday.

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The adhoc staffers carried placards with inscriptions such as “No pay, no work,” and “We demand our allowances from NPC office”.

READ ALSO: Census To Hold In Sambisa Forest – NPC

The Spokesman of the ad-hoc staffers, Mr Abbas Adamu, while addressing the state Director of the NPC and staff in Bauchi, said: “We have done our job but yet to receive our due allowances.

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“On behalf of the Ad-hoc NPC 2023 Census staff who participated as special work force and facilitators for the upcoming 2023 census exercise.

“We are here to inform the Commission that we in the attached list have not received our training allowances which were conducted at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, centres from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5 for Special work force and facilitators respectively,” he said.

READ ALSO: BudgIT Demands Breakdown Of N896bn NPC Budget

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According to him, several appeals have been made to the state office of the NPC to pay for the omitted facilitators and special work force trainees, but the response has not been encouraging.

“We protest and present a letter to the office to demand for payment of our allowances within seven days from the date of the receipt of this letter,” he said.

NAN recalls that the protesting ad-hoc staffers were hired by NPC to provide support for the 2023 census exercise in the state.

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READ ALSO: Don Wants Law Guarding Against Ownership Influence Of Media Practice

Responding, Mr Hudu Baballe, the state Director NPC, lauded the ad-hoc staffers for carrying out the protest in a simple and non-violence manner.

I have listened to all your grievances and complaints and they are all noted. I have gotten the letter which would be forwarded to the Commissioner and the National Headquarters in Abuja,” he said.

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Baballe enjoined the aggrieved ad-hoc staff to remain calm as the commission would do everything possible to look into their plight.

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JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

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READ ALSO:Tinubu Orders Mandatory Health Insurance Across Ministries, Agencies

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

“The vacation will last 10 working days.

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“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

Details later…

 

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NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

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The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

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Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

READ ALSO:Release Corps Member’s Discharge Certificate, Falana Tells NYSC

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He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.

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FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.

The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.

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The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.

Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.

READ ALSO:FCTA Local Contractors Protest Non-payment Of N5.2bn Bills

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He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.

Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.

He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.

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If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.

READ ALSO:FCT Police Arrest Three Wanted Kidnappers

The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.

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There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.

On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: FCTA To Take Possession Of 4,794 Properties Revoked Over Non-payment Of Ground Rent

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Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.

He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.

The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.

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He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.

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