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FG Okays N5bn Compensation For Defunct Nigeria Airways Workers
Published
6 months agoon
By
EditorThe Federal Government is set to fulfill its commitment to settle the outstanding severance package for former Nigeria Airways employees.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, made this disclosure on the sideline of a stakeholders forum in Lagos, confirming the government’s intention to clear the last tranche of monies owed to the ex-workers.
The payment initiative was initiated by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, PICA, in 2019. Approximately N5 billion has been allocated for this purpose, benefiting around 1,000 former Nigeria Airways employees.
While specific financial details were not disclosed by Keyamo, he assured that the federal government has taken the matter seriously, and the ex-workers will soon receive the remaining portion of their severance pay.
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Nigerian Airways ceased its operations in 2003 following years of continuous struggles and aircraft fleet depletion. The one-time final payment to ex-employees, both domestic and overseas, had been pending until 2018 when the Federal Government, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved N22.68 billion for retirement benefits, representing approximately 50 percent of the total N45.3 billion entitlements for the former employees.
Originally, the ex-workers had submitted a claim of N78 billion as their retirement entitlement. However, this amount was revised following a verification exercise conducted by PICA and other stakeholders, aligning with the liquidated Nigerian Airways Ltd.’s service conditions. The agreed sum of N45 billion was then designated as the total retirement benefits for the affected staff. Due to financial constraints, the payments were disbursed in two phases, with the first batch receiving their payments in 2019.
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Bauchi Lawmaker Pledges To Expedite Passage Of Bill On Reduction Of Out-Of-School Children
Published
1 hour agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorHonourable Nasiru Ala, the Chairman, House Committee on Education in the Bauchi State House of Assembly has pledged to expedite the passage of the state framework Bill to reduce Out-Of-School in the state.
He made the pledge during a two-day regional stakeholders meeting on out-of-school children and retention, transition as well as completion models in Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states.
According to him, any moment the bill is sent to the state House of Assembly from the Executive, the lawmakers would expedite actions to ensure that the bill is passed within three to four weeks.
He said: “Based on the law making, we are going to enact this particular law on the domestication of the Bauchi state framework to reduce Out-of-School children bill within three to four weeks from the day of reception from the Executive Arm.
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“Our governor has been very cooperative and supportive on this particular issue of out of school children because it is a serious menace.
“As an academic, I’m not always happy anytime I hear the word Out-of-School children.
“That is why it’s not going to be a big deal in the Bauchi state House of Assembly to enact the state framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state.
“In three weeks time In-Sha-Allah, we are going to pass into Bill this State Framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state”.
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Also speaking, Mr Raphael Aiyedipe, Education Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had developed a National Framework of Action to Reduce Out-of-School Children and drive access to education in the country.
According to him, the framework commits to substantially and systematically decrease the number of Out-of-School children in Nigeria by 2030.
He highlighted some of the objectives of the framework to include; improve access and quality of education for all Nigerian children, drive improvement in learning and relevant skills development.
Others, he said, were to accelerate the social and economic development of communities and the country at large.
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“The Framework has 5 thematic areas that includes; political actors and this means gaining the political will and government commitment.
“Best practices and alternative pathways and this translates to defeating learning poverty, Community accountability, that is engaging stakeholders to build ownership.
“Technology and ICT which means improving access through innovative solutions and Financing mechanisms, that is, reaching the most vulnerable,” he explained.
News
EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court
Published
11 hours agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorA former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.
Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.
In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.
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He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.
Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.
Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.
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Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.
The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.
Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.
Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.
He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.
News
Tiktok Bans Nigerian Content Creator’s Account After Completing 24-hour Buried-alive Challenge [VIDEO]
Published
12 hours agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorNigerian man, Young C, has been successfully exhumed after spending 24 hours buried alive in a coffin.
Young C began the challenge on Wednesday, May 8 and has completed it.
At several intervals, Young C gave updates from inside the coffin.
His challenge however led to TikTok permanently banning his account.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Nigerian Man Exhumed After Completing 24-hour Buried Alive Challenge
After he was ‘’exhumed’, he cautioned viewers against attempting similar stunts due to the inherent dangers involved.
Watch a video of him being exhumed below
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