The Lagos State Police Command has denied torturing Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti who is in custody over the assault of a policeman in the state.
Following the altercation with the yet-to-be-identified officer, the singer turned himself in at the Ikeja police command in Lagos in the company of his lawyer and family representative.
An order for his arrest was subsequently put out by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
Spokesman of the State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said since the singer turned himself in, police authorities have not and will not lay a finger on Seun Kuti.
Contrary to some people’s emotion-laden expectations, we are smart enough not to torture him.
SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER: SEUN KUTI TURNS SELF IN
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) May 15, 2023
Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, in the early hours of today turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, in company of his lawyer and family representative. He has been placed under arrest 1/2 https://t.co/KDvQIWHupz pic.twitter.com/nRQn0yLmLh
He pledged the commitment of the Command to ensure a full and transparent investigation of the case.
“We will not undermine our case. Not a finger has been laid on him nor will be laid on him. Like we assured, full and transparent investigation,” Hundeyin stated.
“Contrary to some people’s emotion-laden expectations, we are smart enough not to torture him.”
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika who is the lawyer to the afrobeat musician says his client will at the right time and place and in as rigorous a manner as possible defend himself under the law.
Olumide-Fusika stated this In a press statement dated May 16th and obtained by Channels TV’s judiciary correspondent, Shola Soyele. The lawyer was reacting to certain comments made in the media by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
According to Olumide-Fusika, his client expected that “having completed his investigative work, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, a law enforcer, would proceed according to law by sending the file containing his report of investigation for legal evaluation towards possible prosecution.”
“Although he had been with the Police since 8:00 am on Monday 15th May 2023, Mr Seun Kuti notes that it was at about 8:00 pm that day, after Mr Benjamin Hundeyin had already completed and published his investigative report above, that he was asked to make a statement to the Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
“Mr Seun Kuti has therefore volunteered to his interlocutors a statement to the effect that since Mr Benjamin Hundeyin has already done the investigation and issued and published his report on it, there was no useful purpose to be served by any statement from him.”
The lawyer also said that he and his client await the next move of the police on the allegation of crime against Mr Seun Kuti, who is ready to defend himself against what he calls, “Mr Hundeyin’s published ‘investigative findings’.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, have asked the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to dismiss the application by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a live broadcast of proceedings.
Naija News reports that Atiku and PDP had filed an application requesting the tribunal to broadcast its proceedings. This was backed by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
But in their response to the application filed on Monday by their team of lawyers, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Tinubu and Shettma described it as frivolous and a bid to waste the court’s time.
According to the APC candidates, the court is not a soapbox, stadium, or theatre where the public should be entertained.
They described the application as an abuse of the processes of the presidential election petition tribunal.
They wondered why a petitioner desirous of a prompt hearing would file an application to distract the court and waste its precious time.
Tinubu and Shettma argued that the relief sought by the applicants is not such that the court could grant, adding that the application relates to policy formulation of the court, which is outside the PEPC’s jurisdiction as constituted.
“The application also touches on the powers and jurisdiction invested in the President of the Court of Appeal by the Constitution, over which this honourable court as presently constituted cannot entertain.
“The application touches on the administrative functions, which are exclusively reserved for the President of the Court of Appeal.
“The application is aimed at dissipating the precious judicial time of this honourable court.
“The said application does not have any bearing with the petition filed by the petitioners before this honourable court.
“It is in the interest of justice for this honourable court to dismiss the said application filed by the petitioners,” they said.
Tinubu and Shettma faulted the applicants’ reference to virtual proceedings allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They argued that Atiku and his party failed to draw the court’s attention to the fact that the respective courts made practice directions for the exercise.
They also noted that it was only the heads of courts, rather than individual judges or Justices, who drafted the practice directions.
“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.
“The position of the law remains, and we do submit, that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents stated.
Tinubu and Shettma added: “At the very best, this application is academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.
“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.
“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind opened doors, not in camera.
“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.
“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.
“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.
“It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.
“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court.”
Also, in its counter affidavit filed last on Monday, INEC raised similar arguments and prayed the court to reject the application by Atiku and his party.
The details of the telephone conversation between the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have emerged.
Bliken phoned Tinubu on Tuesday after announcing the imposition of visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during the 2023 elections.
In a statement released by the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, Blinken told Tinubu that the Joe Biden administration is committed to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
The US Secretary stated that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under Tinubu’s tenure.
Miller added that Bliken and Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, and reforms to support the economic growth of Nigeria.
The statement reads: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emphasize his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.
“The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.
“Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.”
The Federal Government has rejected the planned five-day warning strike of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), describing it as illegal.
This was made known by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, while reacting to a letter from the NARD executive notifying him of the impending industrial action, billed to commence at midnight, May 16, 2023.
Ngige said on receiving the letter, he contacted the Minister of Health, who informed him that a meeting had been scheduled by his office with the resident doctors on Wednesday, May 17.
He, therefore, advised the doctors to avail themselves of the opportunity for social dialogue with their employer rather than embark on a warning strike, which is unknown to the law.
He said, “I will advise them to attend the meeting with the Minister of Health tomorrow. I will also advise them very strongly not to go on a five-day warning strike. There is nothing like a warning strike. A strike is a strike.
“If they want to take that risk, the options are there. It is their decision. They have the right to strike. You cannot deny them that right. But their employer has another right under Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act, to withhold their pay for those five days.
“So, if the NARD has strike funds to pay their members for those five days, no problem. The Health Minister will instruct the teaching hospitals to employ ad-hoc people for those five days, and they will use the money of the people who went on strike to pay the ad-hoc doctors. That is the ILO principles at decent work, especially for those rendering essential services. Lives should be protected. One of my sons is a resident doctor. I will advise him to go to work and sign the attendance register. The people seen at work are the ones to receive their pay. If you don’t work, there will be no pay.”
Five Demands
On the doctors’ demands, the Minister said the Federal Government lacks the powers to compel the states to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Fund since health is on the residual list, where the federal and state governments have the powers to legislate.
He said the job of the Federal Government is to make policy, and where the states disagree, they are at liberty to make their own policy.
He added that the federal government cannot bully the states into domesticating the MRTF if they do not want to.
On the immediate payment of the MRTF to their members, Ngige said it was appropriated in the 2023 budget but has not been released, as the 2022 budget was still running, adding that those in 2022 have all been paid.
He denied the claim by NARD that the Federal Government did not pay minimum wage consequential adjustment arrears to their members, saying that all workers in the Education and Health Sectors and even the defence agencies benefited from the adjustment.
He noted that the doctors cannot declare a nationwide strike because some states were owing their members, pointing out that the federal government cannot also dabble into the issue, being a state matter.
Similarly, he said the Federal Government, as the Executive arm of government, cannot intervene in the bill at the National Assembly to bond doctors for five years, as it is a private member’s bill.
Ngige said any intervention by the executive on the matter impinges on the autonomy and independence of the legislative arm of government.
He advised the doctors not to talk about a 200 percent pay rise, as it was not feasible.
There are claims that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on Tuesday during his meeting with the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, offered him options for ministerial positions.
Recall that Tinubu met with Kwankwaso and former Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II in Paris, France on Tuesday to strengthen ties and seek their support.
These meetings, held alongside discussions with other political figures, were seen as crucial to Tinubu’s ambitions.
Sources that spoke with Daily Trust on the outcome of the meeting noted that the meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration and urged Kwankwaso to rally his political associates for a united front.
It was noted that Tinubu offered Kwankwaso options for the Ministry of Agriculture or Education.
Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, the outcome of Kwankwaso’s decision is yet to be known.
The source said, “He told the NNPP leader to choose between the Ministry of Agriculture and that of Education.
“It is not clear whether Kwankwaso will accept to serve as a minister in the event they sealed the partnership or he will give the slot to one of his loyalists.
“The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. Kwankwaso was accompanied to the meeting by member-elect from Kano, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin.”
In attendance at the meeting were the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Sen Oluremi Tinubu.
Other discussions focused on their long-standing friendship, national unity, development priorities, National Assembly contests, and Tinubu’s plan for a government of national unity, which Kwankwaso has expressed interest in joining.
Furthermore, Tinubu hinted at the possibility of reconciling the outgoing Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Kwankwaso, as their relationship had deteriorated following Ganduje’s succession.
Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election, despite Kwankwaso winning Kano State, highlights the strategic importance of maintaining positive relations in the North West region, where Tinubu garnered over 30% of his total votes.
Meanwhile, the details of the meeting between Kwankwaso and former Emir Sanusi have not been disclosed, but it is believed to be related to recent political developments in Kano.
Speculations suggest that Governor-elect Abba Yusuf may revisit Sanusi’s dethronement as Emir of Kano.
Kwankwaso and Sanusi have a long-standing relationship, as Kwankwaso played a key role in Sanusi’s appointment as Emir of Kano.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria ahead of his inauguration on May 29, having engaged in productive discussions and seeking support from influential figures in Kano.
A civil society organization, Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative (ASRADI), has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja with a motion seeking to halt the scheduled swearing-in of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May 29.
ASRADI alleged that Tinubu lied under oath about his possession of a Guinean passport.
The group filed a motion ex-parte alongside the suit, citing urgency and requesting the court’s prompt intervention due to the upcoming swearing-in ceremony.
Additionally, ASRADI sought permission from the court to apply for an order of mandamus, compelling the Inspector General of Police to investigate Tinubu for perjury and recommend him for prosecution if found guilty.
ASRADI claimed that Tinubu committed perjury by failing to disclose his dual citizenship in Form EC9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of his qualification to contest the presidential election held on February 25.
The organization became aware of the alleged perjury through an online publication on April 16, 2023.
ASRADI had previously requested police intervention, but no action was taken, leading them to seek court intervention.
In support of the suit, ASRADI attached evidence, including a letter dated May 8 addressed to the Inspector General of Police.
The organization, represented by its lawyer Mr Chukwunweike Okafor, is seeking a declaration that the police are obligated to investigate Tinubu for perjury and an order of mandamus to compel such an investigation.
They further request that if Tinubu is found guilty, he should be referred to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution.
The plaintiff also seeks an order to investigate and prosecute Tinubu for perjury before his swearing-in on May 29, 2023.
The affidavit of urgency, deposed by ASRADI’s Executive Director Mr Adeolu Oyinlola, emphasizes the need for the ex-parte motion to be heard and determined before Tinubu’s swearing-in as President.
However, no date has been set for the court to hear the matter.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi to answer questions regarding allegations of money laundering.
In a letter dated May 12, the commission requested Fayemi’s presence at its zonal command office in Kwara, Nigeria’s North-Central region.
The EFCC’s zonal commander, Micheal Nzekwe, issued the letter, stating that Fayemi should appear before the commission on May 18.
However, in response to the invitation, Fayemi stated that he would not be able to attend on that day as he is preparing for a public presentation and launch of two new books in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Fayemi’s lawyer, in a written response, explained the conflict in his client’s schedule.
The letter stated, “Our client is engaged on the 18th day of May 2023 as he is preparing for a public presentation and launching of two new books in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Our client has also committed himself to other programs between the 19th of May, 2023 and the 24th of May, 2023 before he received your invitation.”
Fayemi’s lawyer further requested that the EFCC adjourn the invitation to Tuesday, May 30, 2023, after the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu, who will be sworn in as president on May 29.
“We humbly request that you adjourn the invitation of our client to Tuesday 30th of May, 2023,” appealed Fayemi’s lawyer.
“We look forward to a positive response from you. Kindly accept our warm assurances in professional regard. Thanks.”
Popular Yoruba Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, has sought God’s intervention over a series of death occurrences plaguing the Nigerian movie industry.
Naija News reports that this comes after the death of two other Nollywood stars, Wunmi Olowokandi, and Chikezie Uwazie.
Wunmi and Chikezie’s demise is the fifth and sixth death to be recorded in the movie industry in less than a week.
Reacting to this, Odunlade in a post via his Instagram page prayed for God to shut the door of untimely death in the movie industry.
He wrote: “Unquestionable you are the LORD. I pray God will close the door of untimely death in our industry and in the house of every one of us in Jesus name.”
Other Nollywood stars who have died include;
1. Adedigba Mukail: Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor, Adedigba Mukail, popularly known as Alafin Oro, died on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Until his demise, Alafin Oro was featured in many movies and was regarded as a great philosopher and an icon with vast knowledge of Yoruba culture.
2. Saint Obi: The actor cum movie producer, Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, reportedly died on Sunday, May 7, 2023, but the news broke over the weekend.
The 57-year-old thespian was said to have died in the home of one of his siblings at 13 Metropolitan Street in Tudun Wada, Jos and his corpse was taken to the morgue at the Jos Uniniverty Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
3. Murphy Afolabi: Actor cum movie producer, Murphy Afolabi, died at the age of 49 after a tragic fall in his bathroom in his Ikorodu residence in Lagos State.
The actor who celebrated his 49th birthday on May 5, 2023, died in the early hours of Sunday, May 14.
4. Tech Sound: Nollywood actor cum sound technician popularly known as Tech Sound, also died on Sunday, May 14 as disclosed by his colleagues, Kunle Afod and Kolawole Ajeyemi.
The Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere has expressed concern over the huge debt profile the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu will inherit from the outgoing government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was just as it warned President Buhari against proceeding with his plan to take a fresh $800 million loan before he leaves office.
Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, on Tuesday, the socio-political group noted that when Buhari assumed office in 2015, the country’s debt was about N12.6 trillion but under his eight-year tenure, it has hit N80 trillion.
Afenifere urged President Buhari to have a rethink regarding the $800m he’s seeking from the World Bank as it would worsen the country’s debt service to revenue ratio which is estimated at 80.6 percent.
“The World Bank had said that Nigeria spent 96.3 percent of its revenue on debt servicing in 2022 although the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed claimed that ‘only’ 80.6 percent of Nigeria’s revenue was spent on debt servicing that year,” said Ajayi.
“We express hope and confidence that in spite of such debt profile, the in-coming administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be able to meet the high expectations of Nigerians and bring the country back from the precipice.”
The also commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the United States Government for cautioning against disruption to the planned inauguration of Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
He asserted that the journey to the present democratic dispensation has been hectic “thus, nothing should be done to truncate it”.
A meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, appeared to have reaffirmed the choice of Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives designates for the 10th Assembly, THE WHISTLER reports.
The party had two weeks ago announced the former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Akpabio and ranking House member from Kaduna State, Abbas as its choice for the upper and lower houses.
Despite ongoing agitations by other aspirants and political leaders from the North for new zoning arrangements, the party would retain the duo and their deputies.
It was gathered that there was a consideration of federal character when a review was made after the announcement.
This was to assuage the feelings in the North that four of the key positions in the country – President, Senate President and Chief Justice of Nigeria – are in the south.
While Bola Tinubu is the President-elect, Akpabio is Senate President designate and Olukayode Ariwoola, is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
One of the outspoken opponents of the zoning announced by the party and an aspirant for the position of the Senate president, Abdul-Azeez Yari, who was governor of Zamfara State echoed the anti-north sentiment on Tuesday when he said it’s unfair for the south to control the three of the four top positions.
Yari said, “APC has zoned and now we are asking them questions: On what basis? Have you taken into cognizance the federal character?
”The president, chief justice of the federation and national assembly chairman –all the three arms of government — are in one place?
“The chief justice is from Oyo state, Tinubu is from Lagos State, and Akpabio is from Akwa Ibom, all at the same time. And the next chief justice is also going to be from the south-west,” he said.
But finding by this paper showed that this is a repeat of what transpired in the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Despite southern and middle Belt protests, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe) emerged as the Senate President in 2019 just as Muhammad Tanko (Bauchi), emerged the chief justice of Nigeria.
The justification was that all three individuals were from different zones.
It was learnt when the attention of the president-elect was drawn to that as well as the leadership of the APC, it did little to dissuade them in order to engineer new zoning arrangements.
Instead the APC also believes there is a precedent and that this “is a child of necessity because the CJN was appointed by Buhari after Tanko left but Buhari saw the emergence of Lawan and appointment of Tanko knowing it was concentration of power in one area,” a member of the APC said.
Walter Onnoghen from Cross River State was the CJN when several allegations of corruption were levelled against him, forcing him to exit.
Although there were reports that he was forced to leave in order for him not to set up the committees to handle election petitions before the tribunal after the 2019 elections as he was deemed pro-PDP.
A source explained that Yari’s position was briefly considered but not formally when the APC leadership met with APC Senators-elect on Tuesday.
The meeting also had in attendance the party’s choices for the national assembly leadership.
The APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, appeared to have poured cold water on any change to the zoning arrangement, advising the senators-elect especially those pencilled down for the principal positions to arrive early to avoid a coup like the 2015 coup.
The eventual winner of the race, Bukola Saraki, had teamed up with the PDP and won the election against the anointed candidate from the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC.
The arrangement also saw the emergence of a PDP senator, Ike Ekweremadu, as the deputy Senate president.
Adamu said those who have been chosen for the leadership positions must learn from that experience and turn up in time to avoid re-occurrence.
He said, “I’m happy that we are heeding the advice and directives we gave to make consultations and it is good that is going on and I’m happy that it has been very fruitful.
“We wait till the third of June on the floor of the house. I want us to have a rancour-free election on the floor. Because even if everybody says it is Akpabio or Y or X, the rules of the game say there must be an election,” he said.
He stressed that, “Those who are in the senate are aware of the rules. On the day of the proclamation, the president and the clerk make the proclamation. So I do hope and pray that we will carry the day and be victorious.”
He then warned, “But let me warn you, don’t be late. I hope I am communicating. Don’t be late. Once bitten twice shy.”
Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said, “I want to appeal through you that you talk to some members of APC who have still not supported the party’s decision,” he said.
“When I was young I was told about three Gs to fear. One is God, then the gun and the government. Both the Bible and the Quran asked us to respect leadership because that is the only way to progress. We urge you to talk to them because that’s the only way to progress.
“We have interacted with the governor of Lagos, Katsina and even Rivers state governor to tell them about our plans and policies.”
More...
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc said it has concluded a scheme that would allow it to transfer its shares to Titan Trust Bank who are the new owners.
The bank said it will subsequently delist from the Nigerian Exchange Limited, but the scheme is subject to a meeting of the holders of the fully paid-up ordinary shares of Union Bank.
The bank made the disclosure on Tuesday in a regulatory filing seen by THE WHISTLER.
The meeting would be held on the 13th of June 2023, the bank said.
The shareholders endorse, “That the Scheme of Arrangement dated the 10th day of May 2023 be and is hereby approved and that the Directors be and are hereby authorized to consent to any modification of the Scheme of Arrangement that the Federal High Court shall deem fit to impose or approve.
“For the purpose of giving effect to the Scheme subject to such modification, addition and condition agreed between the Bank and Holders of its Ordinary Shares and/or approved or imposed by the Court: (i) The Scheme Shares (as defined in this Scheme Document) be transferred to Titan Trust Bank Limited. (ii) The holders of the Scheme Shares be paid the Scheme Consideration (as defined in this Scheme Document) by Titan Trust Bank Limited for the transfer of the said Scheme Shares.
“That as consideration for the transfer of the Scheme Shares, each holder of the Scheme Shares shall receive N7.00 per share transferred.
“That Nigerian Exchange Limited and Central Securities Clearing System Plc shall be notified and requested to terminate trading in the shares with effect from the Eligibility Date and no trading or transfer of the Bank’s shares shall be registered after that date.
“That conditional upon the Scheme becoming effective, the Bank’s shares shall be de-listed from NGX on the Eligibility Date and following that date, all the share certificates representing the interests of the Scheme Shareholders (as defined in the Scheme Document) shall be deemed to be dematerialized and in the case of dematerialised shares, all the shares of the Bank that were lodged with the CSCS shall be transferred to Titan Trust.”
The change of ownership began in 2021 when Union Global Partners Limited, Atlas Mara Limited and other shareholders indicated interest to divest their shares and Titan Trust indicated interest to buy 93.4 per cent of the shares.
Titan Trust Bank commenced operation in Nigeria in October 2019, chaired by a former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor, Tunde Lemo.
The deal broke a record in Nigerian banking acquisition history.
Phillips Consulting Limited has urged both public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy to rethink employee experience and retention in a bid to tackle the mass exodus of skilled professionals out of the country, in a phenomenon popularly called japa.
The firm issued this advice in its new report titled ‘Talent Management, A New World Order: Shifting Paradigms,’ which was released at the Human Resources Directors Network quarterly Meetup of the firm.
The event centred on the theme of Reimagining Talent Experience and Retention and it featured top executives engaging in discussions and presenting innovative solutions to navigate Nigeria’s fiercely competitive war for talent.
With a focus on the brain drain, PCL said that “The report is the outcome of extensive research and data analysis conducted by PCL, with data inputs from their partners, Cambridge University (UK) and YouGov. The report aims to equip organisations with the necessary tools to reimagine talent management and enhance employee and stakeholder outcomes.
“This comprehensive report delves into the root causes of the exodus of skilled professionals from Nigeria and its adverse impact on the public and private sectors. Moreover, the report proposes pragmatic suggestions and remedies to tackle this pressing concern.”
At the event, the speakers delivered valuable insights on how companies can enhance their talent experience, boost employee retention rates, and foster a culture of inclusivity.
The Managing Director of PCL, Rob Taiwo, said, “Talent goes where talent wants and employees have the freedom to choose where they work.
“In an employee market, companies must offer attractive value propositions that meet the needs of their employees, such as improved compensation, remote work options, and psychologically safe work environments. If companies fail to prioritise employee well-being and job satisfaction, they risk losing top talent to organisations that do.”
PCL’s Operations strategist, Olawanle Morenikeji, said that “New actions in managing talents must speak to dynamism, the promotion of belongingness, inclusion, empathy, guts, constant and consistent communication and motivations. Any conceptualisation that falls short of actions on the above is destined for failure in the new world of work.”
According to the firm’s Partner for People Transformation, Paul Ayim, employers need to create an environment where employees can learn, understand purpose, collaborate, and are empowered leads to a positive experience and high engagement.
“Digital Learning has over the years served as a platform for democratising the knowledge required to turbocharge performance and embed consistent culture, and organisations that reimagine and refocus their talent experience in this way will outcompete peers in their industry,” he added.
[Punch]
Members of the House of Representatives are poised for a showdown with Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila over allegations of unfair distribution of $15million largesse from the executive arm of government.
The aggrieved lawmakers specifically alleged that Gbajabiamila had an underhand deal with the executive on behalf of the House to pass the N22.7trn Ways and Means borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but ended up short-changing his colleagues in sharing the $15million made available to the House to sweeten the deal.
The brewing crisis, it was learned, had forced Gbajabiamila to postpone resumption of plenary which was already slated for Tuesday so as to buy more time and pacify the aggrieved members.
The speaker adjourned the plenary under the guise that the earlier date was announced in error.
The clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, in a terse statement on Monday said, “This is to inform all Hon Members and the general public that the House of Representatives will not resume plenary on Tuesday 16th May, 2023 as earlier announced. The next adjourned date will be Wednesday 17th May, 2023 at 11:00am. Please disregard earlier notice and date; it was made in error. All inconveniences are highly regretted.”
It is, however, unclear whether the strained nerves had not been calmed as at the time of filing this report.
One of the lawmakers who confided in our correspondent said the majority of the lawmakers had an axe to grind with the speaker and that the House may be engulfed in a free-for-all when plenary is reconvened.
The House had on Tuesday, 31st January, authorised the president to borrow a fresh N1 trillion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund the 2022 supplementary budget. While the House approved restructuring of the N1tn WMAs, the lawmakers dropped the request for N22,719,703,774,306.90 from the CBN.
After several negotiations with members of the concerned committees of the House and other critical stakeholders, Gbajabiamila secured commitment of the House to pass the request on Thursday, 4th May.
LEADERSHIP also gathered that the $15milion was allegedly negotiated for by Gbajabiamila but he kept it away from his colleagues until last week when lawmakers got wind of the funds and accused him directly.
It was further gathered that the speaker immediately ordered disbursement of $10, 000 to each lawmaker, amounting to $3.6 million, as their own share of the largesse, and adjourned plenary. A rough calculation of the amount suggested that the speaker might have kept over $11million to himself.
“You can see that he didn’t allow the plenary to reconvene as planned. He knows that there is a crisis and he doesn’t want the deputy speaker to preside over a plenary with the situation on ground. How can only one person even take more money than the entire 360 members and call himself a leader. He is too greedy,” the member said.
Another member who spoke to our correspondent alleged that short-changing lawmakers had been Gbajabiamila’s stock in trade and that the speaker already bit more than he could chew.
“Let me tell you, this is not the first time. The executive released about N10bn for members of the House ahead of the elections; we only got $10, 000 each. Members are asking, what did Femi do with the balance? A similar amount was approved for the Senate and each Senator received about $40, 000,” he said.
The lawmaker said members who could not physically collect their own share were asked to send names and photos of their trusted aides to the staff in Gbajabiamila’s office as authorisation for pick-up.
A senior legislative aide (SLA) who collected on behalf of his principal confirmed the information.
“Your principal would have to send your name and photo to the speakers’ SA via WhatsApp and you will pick-up the money with your National Assembly ID card,” the female SLA said.
Gbajabiamila Keeps Mum, Plot To Adjourn House Indefinitely Thickens
All efforts to get reactions from Office of the Speaker were abortive.
The special adviser to the Speaker on media and publicity, Lanre Lasisi, refused to answer his calls or respond to text messages via his WhatsApp Portal on Monday and Tuesday.
Another aide of the Speaker who was central to the transaction picked his call but as soon as the question was put to him, he hung up the phone on our correspondent and never picked repeated calls made to his mobile phone.
A returning lawmaker from the North Central confirmed to our correspondent that the money was shared and he got his own $10, 000 share.
When pointedly asked if it was for passing the N22.7 trillion, the ranking lawmaker said, “That is what they said, it is true, I have collected my own.”
The member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency of Benue State, Benjamin Mzondu, however, denied knowledge of the transaction.
Mzomdu in a telephone conversation with our correspondent yesterday said, “I am not aware of this, I am hearing it from you for the first time. I am a lawmaker and I didn’t get any money.”
When our correspondent argued that the information was released on the lawmakers’ group chat, Mzondu said, “I didn’t see it on our platform, I am not aware of it.”
The Ways and Means provision allows the government to borrow from the apex bank when in need of short-term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.
The federal government had said it would repay the loan, which as at December 2022 stood at N22.7 trillion, with securities, such as treasury bills and bonds issuance.
President Buhari in December last year asked both chambers of the National Assembly to approve his proposal but the lawmakers, who had promised to consider it before proceeding for the election break, failed to do so.
While presenting reports on the Ways and Means to the plenary in January, the chairman, House Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debts Management, Hon James Faleke, said, “The committees looked into the request of Mr Buhari to restructure the N22.7 trillion ways and means advances.
“In the report, the committees recommended that the government take the N1 trillion CBN loan ‘based on the observations and the exigencies of the federal government’s current fiscal situation’ for the “implementation of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act as passed by the National Assembly.”
It further recommended “further engagements with the executive by the joint committee to allow for thorough and detailed work and submissions on the larger part of the advances, which amounts to N22.7 trillion.”
Buhari, in December 2022, asked the National Assembly to authorise the conversion of the N22.7 trillion and a fresh N1 trillion CBN loan into federal government securities.
[Leadership]
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that no serving member died during the 2023 general elections.
The Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, who made the disclosure during a parley with chief executives of media houses in Abuja, reassured that safety and security of corps members remained a priority.
The interaction was part of activities to mark the scheme’s 50th anniversary.
He explained that corps members were not posted as ad hoc staff to any state or area considered vulnerable during the polls.
Ahmed added that only 10 corps members have so far been lost to electoral violence since the NYSC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2011.
He said serving corps members now enjoy insurance cover.
The agency, recently, unveiled enrolment of members into the National Health Insurance Scheme under the NYSC Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance programme.
He submitted that the scheme recently paid insurance cover for corps members, who lost their lives.
“We are tightening collaboration with our security agencies to ensure safety of corps members,” the DG stated.
[Guardian]