INEC promotes 471 junior staff, reaffirms commitment to merit, welfare - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the promotion of 471 junior staff across the country, reaffirming its commitment to merit-based career progression and staff welfare, reports ITREALMS.

The decision was taken at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, chaired by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. 

Tribute to ex-president, late Muhammadu Buhari by Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo - ITREALMS

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With a deeply saddened heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), I pay tribute to a towering figure in our national history, our beloved father, leader and elder statesman, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. His passing is not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, but to the entire Nigerian nation, which he served with unmatched devotion and dignity.

As a soldier, General Buhari stood tall with courage, unwavering discipline and an incorruptible spirit. As a statesman and former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he embodied the highest ideals of public service, personal sacrifice and national commitment. His journey through Nigeria’s turbulent political and security landscape remains a testament to his resilience, fortitude and selfless patriotism.

ECOWAS chiefs of defence staff meet to tackle regional security challenges - ITREALMS

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The 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria, with a call to action from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, reports ITREALMS.

In his welcome address, General Musa emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing the complex security threats facing the West African region. "We must support our political leadership by entrenching a conducive and secure environment for economic development to thrive," he said.

Building collapse: HEDA urges Sanwo-Olu to probe reinstatement of dismissed LASBCA staff - ITREALMS

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has kicked against the purported reinstatement of staff from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) who were previously dismissed following the tragic incident of a collapsed 6-storey building within Lekki Gardens Estate at Ikate Elegushi, Lekki in March 2016, reports ITREALMS. 

The accountability group in a press statement available to ITREALMS, therefore urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promptly investigate this reinstatement for necessary action.

Anambra: Soludo condoles US Embassy over killing of staff, says 'unaware of humanitarian mission' - ITREALMS

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The Anambra State, the Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and organisations, particularly the US Embassy, over the death of their staff and policemen who were attacked by gunmen along Atani-Osamala Road, Ogbaru Local Government Area on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement by the Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Christian Aburime, informed ITREALMS that the government and people of Anambra State were saddened by the killings of US Embassy staff, lamenting bypassing of existing security architecture, insisting that the state government was unaware of the 'humanitarian mission' of the visiting team.

Ifeanyi Adeleke: Police studying CCTV, confirms domestic staff under investigation - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Police Force has stepped in on the unnatural death of little Ifeanyi, son of Davido and Chioma, and is currently studying the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) retrieved from their residence, reports ITREALMS.

CCTV, ITREALMS is also known as video surveillance, and is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors.

Rivers Chief of Staff, extols Wike, describes him as 'The King of Infrastructure' - ITREALMS

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The Chief of Staff to the Rivers Governor, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke alongside The New Rivers Vision Team has joined other well-meaning Nigerians, and in particular, Rivers people to extol the leadership acumen, feats, and sagacity of the Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike as well as congratulate him on the Award for Infrastructure Delivery.

Woke, in a congratulatory statement, circulated to media houses, and stated that the award could not have come at a better time, if not now, describing it as a well-deserved one, given the laudable infrastructural projects that dot the nooks and crannies of the State.

NIMC DG enjoins staff on professionalism, service delivery - ITREALMS

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Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz has charged staff of the Corporate Communications Unit of the Commission to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

Engr. Aziz made the call while addressing participants at a 3-day retreat organised for staff of the Corporate Communications Unit of the commission, held at Global Village Hotel, Nasarawa State, from 20th -22nd September 2022. The Retreat was supported by the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.

Danbatta applauds four retiring NCC staff - ITREALMS

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Four retiring staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have received encomiums from the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, for their dedication to duties and rising to be counted as committed members of the team that is making the nation proud with their individual contributions to the development of telecommunications in Nigeria.

The four staff, Mallam Aliyu Ibrahim, Deputy Director/Head, Administration Department; Okechukwu Christian Aninweke, an Assistant Director/Head, Risk Management; Patience Ante, Principal Manager, Lagos Zonal Office (LZO); and Daniel Agbi, Deputy Manager, also of the LZO, reached their mandatory retirement ages of 60 years and have embarked on their pre-retirement leaves, after their respective valedictory sessions that took place at the Commission.

Makinde appoints new Deputy Chief of Staff, OYSROMA chair, DG Liaison Office, others - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has appointed a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, Chief Ademola Ojo and an aspirant for the Oyo Central Senatorial seat, Mr. Wale Ajani as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director-General, Oyo State Liaison Office, Abuja, respectively.

The governor equally appointed the duo of Mr. Ogunlade Busoye Soladoye and Akanmu Kolawole Elijah as Chairman, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning.

INEC suspends CVR exercise in Ihitte-Uboma over killing of staff+video, viewer discretion - ITREALMS

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For the killing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff in its location, the Commission has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, reports ITREALMS.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, Festus Okoye Esq, in a press statement available to ITREALMS on Thursday evening said that sequel to a report by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Emeka Ezeonu, to the effect that “today, 14th of April 2022, Mr. Nwokorie Anthony, a staff of the Imo State office of the Commission involved in the ongoing CVR exercise, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area.”

Covid-19 lockdown: ATCON seeks free movement for telco's technical staff

ITREALMS: 

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has requested that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to initiate the process of National Right of passage for all technical staff of telecommunications companies in the event of foreseeable lockdown, reports ITREALMS.

ATCON through its Executive Secretary, Mr. Ajibola Olude noted this has become imperative because either the Federal Government or the State Government in an attempt to curb the spread of Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

"This request is made because of the essential nature of telecommunications infrastructures in managing the entire situation and the need for maintenance and repairs that may arise during the possible lockdown," he said.

ATCON, he said, counts on NCC to expedite action in this regard while they appreciated the Commission for being proactive and attentive.

"We also urge all our teeming members and their staff to comply with all the guidelines stipulated by the Federal Ministry of Health and all relevant authorities at State levels," ATCON Executive Secretary said.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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NUJ leads Champion staff to protest over unpaid 54 months salaries - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

For unpaid 54 months salary arrears, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council on Friday, led former staff of Champion Newspapers to protest at Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of 2020 Champion Newspapers Excellence Awards, reports ITREALMS.

The protest against the management of the Newspapers was led by the Council Chairman, Dr. Quasim Akinreti as well as the National Trustee of the Union, Mr. Sylva Okereke.

It was gathered that as the protest was going on, the management of Champion Newspapers threatened to arrest the Council chairman and his team of protesters, who were unperturbed over the threats by the police and management of the hotel. 

The protesters claimed that the Publisher of the Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and the Managing Director of the Company, Mrs. Nwadiuto Ihekanwa have been considered very insensitive to the plights of the past and present staff of the company, as over 25 staff have so far died due to non-payment of over four years salaries. 

It was gathered that despite selling the property of Champion Newspapers to Promasidor company for N2.5 billion, the heartless management refused to pay the over N100m owed to the staff. Protesters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions, "No Pay, no award! Madam, You're Wicked!! You have enslaved our members!!!

Others read in part, “Champion management you're heartless! Pay us our money" and “Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu enslaved our members.”

ITREALMS recalls that the 2020 Champion Newspapers Excellence Award was expected to attract at least two governors, including Governors Ayade and Ugwuanyi. Other recipients include, the CEO Airpeace, the GMD of Zenith Bank, Seplat and Globacom among others.

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N3m extortion: How Shell staff, police connived by Travel Agent - ITREALMS

WeekendZone@ITREALMS: 

Dateline September 30, 2019:

September 30, 2019 seemed like a normal business day for Dayo Ayoade, Managing Director of Travel Deals Limited, Lagos, until he discovered that Guaranty Trust Bank Plc had placed a lien on his bank account. On approaching the bank, he was arrested and detained at the Area F Police Station, Lagos State without any charge for a period of five days, placed in the cell amongst hardened criminals and handcuffed to the hospital bed like a common criminal and later transferred to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Shell connection:

Enquiries from his family about his whereabouts revealed that a certain Joseph Ezekwugo, Technology Manager at Shell Petroleum, Port Harcourt, ordered his arrest, alleging that he was duped by Ayoade and should be remanded in police custody until he pays the sum of N3.4 million.

Ayoade said: “The whole drama started on July 22, 2019 when one Ayanniyi Babatunde Daniel of Range Travels came to my office to make enquiries about my discount tables for sub agents and expressed his willingness to do business with me. 

He told me to do travel reservations for Mr. Joseph Ezekwugo from Lagos to Winnipeg on Lufthansa, Ottawa to Winnipeg for his son on West Jet, Lagos to London return for Jenmi Nikky Omolola on British Airways and Oke Oluwale Abayomi on Ethiopian Airline. The reservations were made and immediately forwarded to Mr. Ayanniyi Babatunde via WhatsApp. I gave him my GTBank account number before he left the office to enable him make payment once his client gives his approval.

The GTBank link:

“Later that evening, an unregistered number called me and introduced himself as Joseph Ezekwugo from Port Harcourt and wanted to know if he’s speaking with the MD of Travel Deals Limited, I answered in affirmation and he told me his agent (Ayaniyi Babatunde) gave him my number and account. I called Ayaniyi Babatunde and notified him of the call from Mr. Ezekwugo Joseph and he confirmed to me that he gave him my details.

Shortly after that I got an alert of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (700,000.00) from Mr. Ezekwugo Joseph. I immediately called the two of them to notify them of the payment and Mr. Ayanniyi told me that more payment will still be made as he (Mr. Ezekwugo) will be traveling with members of his family.

“The following day, on July 23rd, 2019 I received another payment of Five Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N557,200.00). I again notified Mr. Ezekwugo via text message and called Mr. Ayanniyi to let me know the tickets to be issued as I will not be responsible for any increase in fares and he told me he will liaise with his client get back to me and even confirmed that more payment will still be made.

Now, the deal:

“About a week after, Mr. Ayanniyi came to my office and asked me to issue ticket as follows:

“(1) British Airways ticket to London for Jenmi Nikky Omolola at a cost of Seven Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Eight Naira (N755,598.00).

“(2) On August 19th, 2019, he was in my office to issue another Ethiopian Airline ticket for Vitalla Golla at a cost Three Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Six Hundred and Two Naira (N353,602.00).

“Same day, he asked me to issue another ticket for a local flight to Mr. Ezekwugo from Port Harcourt to Lagos but I told him we don’t do local tickets because of the stress involved. 

He then requested that I send him the balance of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (120,000.00) after deducting the Twenty Thousand Naira (20,000.00) I borrowed him to enable him source for Mr. Ezekwugo's local flight ticket.

Hello from Inspector Dominic:

“On September 26th, 2019 an unregistered number called me and introduced himself as Inspector Dominic from Port Harcourt. He asked if I know Mr. Joseph Ezekwugo and why I issued him a fake ticket. I told Inspector Dominic that though I don’t know Mr. Joseph Ezekwugo in person but we spoke with twice on phone and I didn’t issue any ticket to him. 

I further told the Inspector that the two tickets I issued from the payment Mr. Ezekwugo gave me were in favor of Jenmi Nikky Omolola and Vitalla Golla which were on instruction Mr. Ayanniyi Babatunde, his agent and that the balance of his money has since been transferred Mr. Ayanniyi Babatunde. 

Inspector Dominic later made a snapshot of the purported fake tickets to me and I told him that what he sent to me did not originate from me as they did not even resemble my company’s ticket format.

“Shortly after, I called Mr. Joseph Ezekwugo to intimate him of what Inspector Dominic told me but was surprised when he affirmed it. I questioned why he didn’t notify me when he realized the ticket given to him by his agent were fake, he gave no answer to that and further said my company has been used to defraud him by his agent.

Ayanniyi Babatude eloped:

“All attempts to get in touch with Mr. Ayanniyi Babatunde who was the one that came to my office to do all the negotiations proved abortive as he initially refused to pick calls and when he eventually picked, he was so evasive as he kept giving excuses of not been around.

“On September 30th, 2019, I realized my GTBank account was frozen and I had to go to GTbank to enquire why there is a restriction on my account, to my surprise, the bank’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) showed me some documents from the Inspector General’s office effecting my arrest on sight. I followed him to the Police Station hoping that the issue will soon be resolved since I knew I had not committed any fraud.

Handcuffed to the bed:

“We met the DPO who took us to the Area Commander and after so much going back and forth, I was detained and locked up in the cell. Due to my ill health, I was moved from the cell to stay behind the counter overnight. My health got worse the following day and was taken to the hospital (Cottage) on the orders of the DPO and was handcuffed to the bed. I was treated for my Asthma ailment and in the cause of the treatment, it was discovered I had developed high blood pressure.

“I was moved to police station again on Thursday morning where I spent the day and night behind the counter before Inspector Dominic finalized his paper work and we proceeded on the trip to Port Harcourt. We were to move by road but had to buy flight tickets for the two police officers that came from Port Harcourt namely Inspector Igwe Dominic and Sargent Oludare Olamide.

How I landed in PH:

“We got to Port Harcourt same Friday, I wrote my statement with the police and later met one Mr. Chukwukaelo Ogadinma who said he is Mr. Joseph’s Personal Assistant. Mr. Ogadinma insisted that I must pay Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,500,000.00) before I can be granted bail. It was later discovered that Mr. Chukwukaelo Ogadinma is a staff of Shell and was employed by Mr. Joseph Ezekwugo to further confuse and make believe the allegation against me. 

To further put fear and intimidation in me as well as extort money, Mr. Ogadinma boasted of how much money he had paid the police to effect my arrest and that the said amount must be paid before my release. All pleas to release me fell on deaf ears.

“Not even my proposal to be responsible for the only Two Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (2,200,000.00) which was the cost of the fresh ticket Mr. Joseph claimed he bought since he already had the plan to travel and to spend One Million Two hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Two Hundred (N1,257,200.00) yielded any positive result as his “PA” insisted I have to pay Three Million Naira N(3,000,000.00) final payment or else I should remain in police custody. 

Already I was locked up in the cell with criminals and couldn’t imagine spending another night there.

N3m or you remain detained:

“When all pleas fell on his deaf ears, a friend of mine, Jide Akinuli transferred Three Million Naira (3,000,000.00) to Mr. Chukwukaele Ogadinma and upon receipt of the payment, which he confirmed via online banking, he asked the Police to release me.

“After all the necessary paper work, I was released on bail later that Friday night.”

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Alleged NLC members vandalize MTN property, injure staff - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

Vandals suspected to be members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had attacked various MTN offices around the country in the name of picketing and injured staff, reports ITRealms.

.

MTN Nigeria, ITRealms recalled had been involved in protracted talks with the trade union to reach an amicable decision, all to no avail.

Confirming the attack and vandalisation of some properties fo the company, Corporate Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo, noted that on Monday July 9, 2018, officials of the labour congress were at the MTN offices to picket, but MTN in its civil manner, invited the officials into the Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, in order to reach unified decisions and prevent any form of violence or incivility.

“However, the protest became violent and disorganized in different locations as property within MTN premises were vandalized. Doors and gates were destroyed and alleged officials of NLC breached the fences to gain forced entry into the premises. In Ikoyi, MTN flag was lowered and the NLC flag was hoisted in its place,” he lamented.

In addition, he told ITRealms, that “numerous staff of the company were injured in the process of the protests and many assumed the roles of human shields over their colleagues, protecting them from the angry protesters.”

Okigbo further described the violence and the needless destruction of property as deeply saddening.

“As always, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees, some of whom were attacked by supposed NLC operatives and have sustained injuries,” he said.

Equally, he refuted the allegations by NLC stating that MTN Nigeria has refused to allow its employees participate in Union activities have been refuted.

“We do not prevent our employees from associating amongst themselves as they deem fit and owe our employees the obligation to ensure they are not compelled to join associations. MTN supports the freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution,” he declared, stressing that all workers have rights that should be protected.

According to him, MTN works hard to not only ensure that workers rights are protected and also to ensure that the company is a great place to work.

“We will continue to champion our peoples’ rights, whether they are part of a union or not and work hard to minimise disruptions in service to our customers,” he said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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NCC mourns staff, Shallah, friend killed in Jos crisis - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lost one of its staff in the latest Jos crisis on Sunday evening, June 24, 2018, ITRealms confirmed.

The Commission, which was thrown into mourning as the news broke Monday, confirmed that Zayyanu Shallah, a Manager in the Department of Universal Service and Provision Fund of the Commission, met his untimely death when they ran into a mob alongside a friend, Zayyanu AA Gwandu, who is an aide to Senator Adamu Aliero.

Zayyanu Shalla was killed along with his friend and were reportedly set ablaze.

The two friends were said to be travelling from Bauchi State and, unexpectedly drove into a carnage of murderers in Jos enroute to Abuja.

Their remains have since been buried in Jos according to Islamic injunctions.

A press statement from NCC, also prayed God to give their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

“May their souls rest in peace, Ameen,” part of the statement read.

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Pix: Late Shallah of USPF-NCC and Gwandu

Glo gets thumbdown for sacking 90 married female staff

ITREALMS:

Glo Mobile has been receiving thumbdown for allegedly sacking over 90 female married staff on the occasion of 2018 International Women Day, reports ITRealms.

Latest in giving Glo knocks and thumbdown is the Public Interest Litigation Initiative (PILI), a non-governmental organization, which said they were hugely pained by Glo sack of these female employees.

A press statement made available to ITRealms in Abuja by the Executive Director, PILI, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, the NGO totally condemned Glo action in its entirety and manifestation, insisting Glo has adversely violated the rights of women as encapsulated in the United Nations (UN) Charter against discrimination on any basis, which Nigeria is also a signatory.

Also, the group said it was annoying to note that a global brand like Globacom “which ought to have stood firmly against such illicit acts by inculcating global best practices in her modus operandi has gotten itself contaminated in an avoidable error of this proportion.”

While recalling that preliminary investigation on the subject matter has thrown up several issues, Prof. Adesugba wondered why Glo could choose to deliberately undermine the letters of Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which explicitly defined what amounts to discrimination against women.

The statement reads in part: “It is disheartening to hear that these particular set of female staff who have worked very hard to take the company to the height it has attained today could be treated in a needlessly reckless manner. We at PILI find this unacceptable and have taken a legal action to challenge this glitch.

“It is going to be a legal fight to the finish until and unless very urgent and responsible steps are taken by Globacom to restate them back to their various positions with full benefits in addition to paying damages to them for distorting their career path or progress.

“Annoyingly, this unwarranted decision was taken when the International Women’s Day celebration for 2018 was around the corner. This is not only a violation of extant laws governing labour in Nigeria but also a complete deviation from global best practices where women who aspire to reach the zenith of their chosen careers are not only given a chance to excel but also supported to do so.

“The reasons adduced as accounting for their sack in the company is grossly insufficient. Globacom is tactically saying expertise and competence can be easily slaughtered. Let me remind Globacom that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Number 5 is also aimed at comprehensively achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls all over the world.”

As said by him, the time has come for all men of goodwill to rally round women in order to ensure that they successfully overcome any impediments on their way to becoming fully empowered economically, politically and socially.

“We have to start the process of ensuring that, no worker in Nigeria, particularly those affected by this action are not used and dumped after contributing immensely in training, mentoring and track record of service to their employers,” Adesugba submitted.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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FG gags media, NTA threatens staff over social media

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government (FG) may have concluded plans to gag the Nigerian media especially starting with those under its direct watch, reports ITREALMS.

Indication to this effect follows an internal memo by the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) which vowed to deal with any of staff who makes comments “online” from now on.

The circular issued by the Director- General of NTA, Yakubu Mohammed, dated January 15, 2018 was signed on his behalf by the Executive Director, Administration and Training, Mr. Steve Egbo.

The circular with reference number: NTA/HQ/EDAT/CIR/Vol.1/03/4, sighted by ITREALMS, the DG was quoted as saying that the “online publications” referred to in the circular were comments by staff of the NTA on social media platforms, especially Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

ITREALMS also gathered that NTA management was concerned because the report of such comments have “been getting to higher authorities.”

Hence NTA management threatened action against those who make such comments, which it described as “reckless and unethical.”

Further, Mohammed warned that any member of staff caught "in this fast spreading serious act of misconduct will be made to face the consequences of his/her action in line with civil service rules.”

Nonye Dom/GEE

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FMBN Whistle-blower: AFRICMIL charges Fashola to reinstate sacked staff

ITRealms:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has called on Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, to order the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Murtala Ibrahim, a whistleblower who was recently sacked by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), reports ITRealms.

Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Chido Onumah, told ITRealms that Murtala Ibrahim, a Unit Head in the ICT Process Audit and Special Investigation Unit of the bank was unjustly disengaged on May 8, 2017, for blowing the whistle on contract scam and the bank’s manufactured 2016 Half-Year Validation Report.

According to AFRICMIL, “The Finance and Accounts Group of the bank reported a surplus of income over expenditure to the tune of N423, 653, 187, but on investigation by the Internal Audit Group where Mr. Ibrahim served as the deputy head, it was discovered that the report was doctored, and that the so-called profit was fraudulent. They found out that what ought to have been declared was a loss, and not a profit.”

The organization noted that the FMBN, which has never declared profit since its establishment, manufactured the report to deceive the Minister of Power, Works and Housing whose Ministry supervises the bank, into believing that the bank was performing well. It urged Mr. Fashola not to be misled by a report whose sole aim was to cover up the massive fraud and bad management which the bank had experienced over the years.

The statement referred the minister to a Central Bank of Nigeria report which vindicated the audit group that there was indeed no profit contrary to the report of the stated period submitted by the bank’s management. The CBN report also discovered a loss. But where the audit group merely reported a loss without putting a figure to it, the CBN report actually put the loss at about N7billion.

“We request Mr. Fashola to look critically at that CBN report and he would discover that not only was he shamelessly taken for a ride, the management of FMBN also went on to unlawfully sack an officer who was only carrying out his duties in an honest and professional manner,” Onumah said.

According to AFRICMIL, the cruel treatment of Ibrahim by FMBN has again brought to the fore the recurring victimization of officers who report wrongdoings in government offices.

“The persistent victimization in any form of those who are courageous enough to blow the whistle must not be tolerated if the whistleblower policy of this administration must succeed," noting that whistleblowers deserve nothing more than full protection as this will further encourage accountability and enrich the right of the public to know.

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Whistle Blowing: AFRICMIL condemns dismissal of ministry, PSC officials who exposed fraud, demands re-instatement of staff

ITRealms:

A civil society organization, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), has condemned recent victimization of federal civil servants for blowing the whistle on internal fraud, reports ITRealms.

The centre, through its coordinator, Mr. Chido Onumah (AFRICMIL) expressed displeasure over reported dismissal from service of an Assistant Director in the Directorate for Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ntia Thompson, for blowing the whistle on the diversion of $229,000.00 and N800,000.00 by key officials in the Directorate.

Similarly, AFRICMIL called for an immediate end to the persecution of Mr. Aaron Kaase, a staff of the Police Service Commission (PSC) who blew the whistle that led to the recovery of N133 million at the Commission, alleging that Mr. Kaase has been on suspension without pay since May 2015, and was lately arraigned in court on some dubious charges manufactured by some top officials of PSC to cover up for the fraud.

He told ITRealms that Mr. Thompson on one hand was initially suspended on December 19, 2016, before the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who supervises the DTCA, approved his compulsory retirement on February 7, 2017, in a public notice addressed to all staff and signed by Sanda S. Isah, Head of Administration Department in DTCA.

“AFRICMIL views the action of the Ministry not only as most unconscionable but also as another devastating blow to the war against corruption under the current administration,” Onumah said.

He recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Finance recently launched a whistle-blower policy to encourage and mobilize active participation of Nigerians in its anti-corruption campaign. While there are signs of potential gains with the announcement of recovery of some looted funds through whistle-blowing, it can also not be denied that government officials have from the beginning constituted the greatest stumbling block to the effective implementation of the policy. 

He decried the sacking of Mr. Thompson for his attempt to contribute to accountability in the public sector by blowing the whistle on financial fraud in his workplace, stressing its the latest in the determined effort of some top government officials to ensure that the whistle-blower policy and, to a large extent the fight against corruption, does not gain any meaningful traction. Clearly, the Minister of State and other key officials of the Ministry were thoroughly embarrassed by the whistleblower’s revelation and the only way to respond was through his illegal dismissal from service.

AFRICMIL urged the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, not to approve the dismissal of Mr. Thompson, and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Police “to whom the malfeasance was initially reported” to properly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In addition, AFRICMIL noted the persecution of Mr. Aaron Kaase, a staff of the Police Service Commission (PSC) who blew the whistle that led to the recovery of N133 million at the Commission was uncalled for. 

"Not only has Mr. Kaase been on suspension without pay since May 2015, he is currently being arraigned in court on some dubious charges manufactured by some top officials of PSC," the group said.

AFRICMIL urged government to unequivocally discourage the shameless response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PSC as well as punish forthwith any official(s) who perpetrate(s) such similar brazen acts of impunity that undermine a progressive policy of government.

“A whistleblower deserves full protection and not victimization or persecution in any form. Otherwise, potential whistleblowers will feel disinclined to reporting fraud and that will sound a death knell to the whistle-blower policy in its infancy, and the anti-corruption war in the long run,” Onumah pointed out.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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