General
Ekiti Assures Workers Payment of N57bn Salary Arrears
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ekiti State Government has disclosed that salaries and pension amounting to a total sum of N57 billion, being owed to civil servants in the state by past governments, would be paid.
Governor of the state, Mr Kayode Fayemi, who spoke during an interactive session with civil servants from ministries, parastatals and agencies on Tuesday, said the arrears cover outstanding salaries, pension, promotion allowances, leave bonuses and other payments from 2014 to when he assumed office in October 2018.
At the meeting held at the state secretariat in Ado Ekiti, the Governor said, “It is sad to reel out such a humongous figure because it can create panic for you and I. But, let me say that we can’t pay in one swell swoop, but promotion for 2019 will be given immediate attention while others will be defrayed in instalments.”
He further said he would honour his pledge to pay all outstanding workers’ benefits, but clarified that some will be given immediate attention while some will be defrayed in instalments.
“It becomes difficult to pay once because Ekiti state gets a little above N5 billion monthly with the state getting like N3 billion while the local governments receive little above N2 billion monthly,” he added.
The governor also said he was not opposed to local government autonomy, saying the local governments in the state are given access to administer their funds without inference since he assumed office.
“I am not opposed to it. Since I came back, not even one naira of the local government money is being administered by me.
“Though, we did some partnerships in 2014, but since I came back, I have allowed the councils to manage whatever comes to them,” the governor declared.
Speaking on power, Mr Fayemi said the state was considering an alternative power supply option to shore up the power being supplied to the state from the national grid, which he said was inadequate and crippling economic activities in the state.
He also said he has earmarked funds for the ministry of environment to undertake erosion and flood control projects in selected towns, in view of the recent flooding that ravaged Ado Ekiti and other towns.
Responding to complaints of manpower shortage in the state health facilities, the governor promised to liaise with the state health management board to strategize on how to fill the manpower gap.
Adding their input on behalf of the workers, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolapo Olatunde and Sola Adigun both pleaded with the governor to prioritise the issues that have to do with workers benefits in the state.
They then urged the governor to use his connection as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to fast track the implementation of the minimum wage.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu, expressed his displeasure over the way he was addressed by one of the company’s graduate trainees at an interactive session in a viral video.
The financial institution organised a Graduate Management Accelerated Programme graduation ceremony on Thursday, and the former banker was in attendance.
During a question-and-answer session, one of the graduating trainees stood and called Mr Elumelu by his first name, Tony.
“Good morning, Tony,” she said.
Mr Elumelu initially thought the lady meant to say Toyin, but she repeated “Good morning, Tony,” a development the UBA chairman was not happy about.
He quickly responded by saying, “No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?”
Though without offering any apology for the error, the female graduate trainee subsequently corrected herself, saying, “Good morning, Mr Elumelu,” before proceeding with her question.
The video clip from the event has already generated mixed reactions, with many happy that the business mogul quickly rebuffed the lady.
They described her as rude, fearing she could lose her job for being disrespectful to the chairman of the organisation.
However, some others said calling colleagues by their first names in a corporate ecosystem is not new, as such happens in the banking sector.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to return the payment of subsidies for premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, if he is elected President in 2027.
Mr Atiku is seeking to become Nigeria’s President next year. He is contesting for the position under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The presidential election is slated for January 16, 2027.
Answering questions in a trending interview on social media, the former second citizen of the country said the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has not done Nigerians any good.
According to him, the economy has been in shambles, noting that the subsidy removal is responsible for high living costs in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the nation saved about N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025 from the policy, noting that over N10 trillion was made available to the 36 state governments and the 774 local government areas from the savings.
But the ADC presidential candidate was not impressed with this explanation, stressing that there is nothing to show for the purported gains of the policy.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he queried.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he declared.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Army has arrested 18 suspected illegal miners at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, recovering equipment and N2.47 million in cash from the operation.
The suspects were arrested by troops of the 102 Guard Battalion during a routine operation in the area, where the soldiers reportedly discovered unauthorised mining activities.
Following the arrests, the army handed over the suspects and recovered items to the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Sauka, Abuja, in line with established inter-agency procedures.
The operation is part of intensified efforts by security and regulatory agencies to curb illegal mining, which has been linked to revenue losses, environmental degradation and the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as a strong demonstration of professionalism and commitment to protecting the country’s mineral wealth.
“The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources,” he said.
Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated that the suspects allegedly operated without licences, permits or any affiliation with a registered mining company. Investigators also said they could not produce evidence of valid mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Items recovered from the mining site included motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash totalling N2,468,750.
Mr Attah said the Mining Marshals would continue to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and strengthen intelligence-led operations against activities that undermine the formal mining industry and deprive government of legitimate revenue.
He added that the Corps, under its Commandant-General, Mr Ahmed Audi, remained committed to enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.
The Mining Marshals said the investigation had been concluded and that the 18 suspects were being processed for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
