News

Jubilation As Kwara Govt Pays December Salaries, Pensions, Gratuities

Published

3 years ago

December 21, 2022

Editor

Civil servants and pensioners all over Kwara State are in high spirits with the prompt payment of their December salaries, gratuities and pensions, it was learnt.

The elated workers were said to have trooped into their banks with songs of praises for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and in preparation for the Yuletide season.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, Kwara State Chapter, Hon. Mrs. Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence said public workers in the State were in high spirits after they received alert of the payment of their December salaries ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“This is commendable, no doubt, because many states are still battling to clear the backlog of workers’ salaries and pensions,” the statement added.

She said the government also approved 100% payment of 2009 and 2010 arrears of pensions and gratuities for retirees in the local government from the SURE-P refund to states.

It was gathered that civil servants in the state who thronged to various banks yesterday said they had every reason to support the re-election bid of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq come 2023, while others promised to put in their best because the government had shown responsibility to workers welfare in the midst of dwindling resources in the country.

Many of the workers were seen at the secretariat praying for the governor and pledging their continued support, a statement from the campaign spokesperson said.

According to Hon. Mrs. Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence, “ (for)this singular action, and flowing from previous months of prompt payment of salaries, we can boldly and confidently say Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is one of the first Governors in Nigeria to pay this month’s workers’ salaries.

“This masterstroke can be described as an ‘avalanche of goodness’ from the most responsible, worker-friendly Governor in Nigeria, especially so, at a time the country and state governments are in financial despair and experiencing dwindling revenue and uncertainties.

“This issue will form a significant part of the governor’s re-election debate and messaging as it relates to stewardship so far in Kwara State and beyond but unfortunately, desperate opposition and critics have cautiously avoided this public discourse of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s efficient economic management.

“We cannot pretend to have forgotten so soon, how workers in this state were owed salaries spanning several months by previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led governments.

“We must not allow the PDP and their political godfather gain access into our state treasury with their obnoxious ‘geri-gedi’ salary policy. We are not unaware of the grace-to-grass situation of their godfather – his dwindling political relevance in our national political discourse and why he must not be allowed to use Kwara treasury to bounce back to limelight – not anymore”.

It would be recalled that Governor AbdulRazaq has implemented the N30,000 minimum wage for workers which is paid by only a few states in the country.

The Governor has made it a standing tradition to pay workers earlier during festive periods for them to make adequate preparations and provisions for their families. Besides, upon assumption of office the governor also cleared backlogs of salaries owed to workers by the previous administrations across MDAs.

This is as he has restored funding of MDAs with running costs to guarantee efficiency and effectiveness in their day-to-day operations and administration.

The Governor has over time been commended for his commitment to workers’ welfare by stakeholders in the state and country.

News

Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

Published

1 hour ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.

News

Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.

The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.

Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.

In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.

A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.

“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!

“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”

“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.

The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.

News

Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa

Published

7 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.