National News
FG vows to delist 1,500 workers with fake employment letters
FG vows to delist 1,500 workers with fake employment letters
The Federal Government says it has uncovered 1,500 workers who joined the Federal Civil Service with fake appointment letters.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, who said this in Abuja on Tuesday, vowed to delist them from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Yemi-Esan was speaking at the ‘National Policy Dialogue on Entrenching Transparency in Public Office Recruitment in Nigeria.
The event was organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), a research and training arm of the
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
She added that over 1, 000 persons were said to have been discovered in one ministry while 500 others were found in other ministries, departments and agencies during a service-wide verification exercise.
The head of the service said the Federal Government would spare no effort to remove their names from the IPPIS to serve as a deterrent to others.
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Yemi-Esan stated that with the institutionalisation of the IPPIS the Federal Government had been able to track fake employment.
She said this has reduced the risk of employing less efficient, unqualified and undependable personnel to handle the affairs of government.
“For instance, in the past year, in one ministry alone, over 1,000 individuals bearing fake letters of appointment were detected.
“It is disheartening to point out that the office recently received a report from the Federal Civil Service Commission forwarding the names of over 500 persons in various MDAs in possession of fake letters of appointment.
“Similarly, following the outcome of the Service-Wide Verification Exercise for officers recruited from 2013 – 2020, the Federal Civil Service Commission has also requested the suspension of the salaries of over 3,000 officers across the MDAs.
“These officers failed to appear for the exercise pending further clearance, ” she said.
According to her, the government’s effort to stop financial leakages in the civil service has created a gap leading to a series of implementation issues.
She added that as of March, over 380,000 officers had been captured on the IPPIS payroll comprising 66,000 and 320,000 for core and non-core MDAs, respectively.
“A report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime averred that 32 per cent of Nigerians gave bribes to enable them to secure employment in the public service in 2019.
“What is also important to note from the report, which perhaps is fundamental to understanding how corruption thrives in recruitment processes is that an increasing number of the job seekers were in contact with public officials or possibly other entities.
“Hence, the trend underscores the importance of putting in place systems to reduce, to the possible minimum, any form of human contact, ” she said.
She, however, explained that the Federal Government through various means would continue to explore possible ways to bridge the unemployment gap in the country
She said this would be done through: “a multipronged and crosscutting approach, especially through the various social safety net programmes.
“The programmes will drive the government’s ambition to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to lift more than 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.”
Speaking on global best practices in terms of recruitment, she noted that the Indian public service has one of the best compared to the Nigerian system.
“I visited India recently and had an interaction with the Chairman, United Public Service Commission of the country.
“The discussions were centred on the system put in place for the recruitment of officers into the civil service which is one of the best in the world and involves a decentralised examination aimed at selecting the best candidates.
“I was further informed that the process is void of any form of external interference.
“In addition, India conducts its recruitment once a year through a well-recognised merit-based system, ” she added.
National News
Nigeria and Egypt elevate relationship to Comprehensive partnership…Waives Visa for Diplomats
Nigeria and Egypt elevate relationship to Comprehensive partnership
…Waives Visa for Diplomats
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Egypt have agreed to elevate their relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” and placing emphasis on mutual respect for each nation’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
This was the agreement reached between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, during the visit of the former to Cairo, Egypt, to participate in the third round of political consultations with the Egyptian government.
In the Nigeria’s delegation are also the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
Both countries have also committed to intensify coordination on regional and international issues, aiming to strengthen the African Union’s role in addressing continental challenges and promoting integration. They also pledged to work together to advance democracy, good governance, and the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Egypt and Nigeria, while recognizing the shared threat of terrorism and extremism, agreed to enhance security cooperation by sharing experiences in implementing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies.
They also expressed a commitment to supporting conflict resolution in Africa through peacebuilding and sustainable development initiatives.
The ministers acknowledged the potential for increased bilateral economic engagement and agreed to encourage both governmental and private sector participation in areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
They also discussed plans to establish a Nigeria-Egypt Chamber of Commerce by the end of 2025, with a formal launch anticipated during the fourth round of ministerial-level consultations in Abuja in 2026.
The two foreign affairs ministers also
commended recent agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the adjustment of visa fees for citizens of both countries, reflecting a mutual commitment to facilitating easier movement and stronger people-to-people connections.
The next session of the Joint Committee at the ministerial level is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, underscoring the ongoing commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
Nigeria and Egypt elevate relationship to Comprehensive partnership
…Waives Visa for Diplomats
Nigeria Officially Joins BRICS
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has officially accepted to join BRICS as a partner country.
The Nigeria’s acceptance to join the group was communicated in a statement on Saturday by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. The formal acceptance to participate as a partner country underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that align with Nigeria’s development objectives.
“BRICS, as a collective of major emerging economies, presents a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries.”
The statement added that: “Nigeria is poised to leverage this platform to advance shared goals in trade and investment, energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change. This partnership also aligns with our national aspirations for inclusive growth, regional integration, and active participation in shaping a fair and equitable global economic order in line with our ethos of strategic autonomy.
“Nigeria looks forward to engaging constructively with BRICS members to drive innovation, foster people-to-people exchanges in line with our national interests and strategic priorities.”
Nigeria Officially Joins BRICS
National News
FFS Calls on Fuel Station Owners, Tankers Operators to Take Action at Addressing Recklessness of their Drivers , Employees
FFS Calls on Fuel Station Owners, Tankers Operators to Take Action at Addressing Recklessness of their Drivers , Employees
By: Michael Mike
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji has called on fuel station owners and tanker operators to take immediate action in addressing reckless driving by their drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends.
The call followed the tragic fuel tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed over 60 lives and left many others severely injured.
Speaking to journalists, Jaji reiterated the need for an urgent review of safety protocols governing fuel transportation across the nation.
The Controller-General while expressing concern over the frequent tanker explosions and fuel station incidents in the country, warned that even a small static spark or gas leak can result in rapid, deadly explosions.
Jaji who highlighted the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, noted that it has a highly fatal risk. “Fuel vapors and leaks can ignite at any moment,” he cautioned.
He said: “Your life is worth more than a few litres of fuel,” warning that approaching a fuel spill is not only dangerous but could be fatal.
He urged the public to avoid accident sites and instead contact the Federal Fire Service for prompt intervention.
The Fire Service boss also called on Nigerians, particularly operators of fuel stations, gas refilling plants, and users of gas cylinders, to strictly follow safety measures to prevent further catastrophe.
Jaji however extended his condolences to the families affected by the recent tragedy and commended the first responders for their dedication, which he described as a testament to the nation’s resilience.
He expressed his heartfelt prayers for those grieving, asking for divine strength to help them cope with their loss.
He took the time to express the importance of prioritizing safety and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Every life is precious, and we must do everything in our power to protect our citizens,” he urged.
He reiterated the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to enhancing safety awareness and called for the swift passage of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which is currently under review at the National Assembly. He argued that the outdated law is inadequate to address current fire safety challenges and needs to be modernized to better regulate fire safety measures and reduce incidents like this in the future.
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