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The Ondo state government has denied freezing the accounts of all the local government and the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, and sacking of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s Chief of Protocol, describing the reports as not only false but also misleading.

 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who said there was never a time the Acting governor, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa or any government functionary issue such a directive, saying the news of the sack the governor’s CoP is designed to embarrass the state government.

According to Ademola-Olateju, the information is fake and baseless and called on the people of the state, especially the local government officials to disregard it

 

The Information Commissioner also clarified the misrepresentation of facts on the preparation of the Acting Governor’s engagement, saying the Chief of Protocol (CoP) to the Governor, Mr. Bola Alabi, has not been sacked or placed on suspension.

 

Ademola-Olateju maintained that the Chief of Protocol was not placed on suspension saying that the report was mischievously reported, urging the public to ignore the said report.

Ademola-Olateju’s statement read: “The news going round some old and new media platforms that the Acting Governor, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa has put a freeze on local government accounts in the state is false and misleading.

“At no time has the Acting Governor or any functionary of the state put a freeze on local government accounts or order any closure.

 

“This information is fake and baseless. We ask that the good people of Ondo State, particularly officials of local governments to disregard the rumour.

 

“Necessary complimentary personnel/civil servants have been deployed to the LCDA(s) and they have been advised to exercise due diligence and processes in their operations by the Government”

 

She said “The State Government is committed to the proper functioning of the new thirty-three LCDA(s) and the existing 18 Local Government Area in the state as a way of enhancing development at the grassroots.

Government is aware of a suit filed by the opposition party before the State High Court, and we are hopeful that contending issues before the Court will be decided shortly.

 

‘While a date has been fixed for the conduct of Local Government election in the State, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has started working on the delineation of a minimum of five Councillorship Electoral Wards in each of the LCDA(s).

 

“Delineation of these electoral Wards by ODIEC is part of the transition guidelines provided for in the Government White Paper for transiting from 18 LGA(s) to 51 LGA(s)/LCDA(s) in the state. Government is committed to a smooth transition that will usher a democratic Elected Local Government Area in Ondo State”

 

She stated further “Also, our attention has been drawn to the social media misrepresentation of our Circular Letter No. FAD/DG.156/98 of 14th December 2023 in respect of the Preparation of the Acting Governor’s Engagement, which has been mischievously reported to the effect that the Chief of Protocol (CoP) to the Governor, Mr. Bola Alabi, has been placed on suspension.

 

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Chief of Protocol to Mr Governor has not been placed on suspension by the Ag. Governor nor by any person.

 

“It should be noted that the schedule for the preparation of Mr. Governor’s Engagements is less than two per cent of the CoP’s responsibilities.

 

“Usually, suspension from duty would have warranted removal of salary and privileges, which does not happen in this case. As we speak, Mr. Bola Alabi is busy with Mr. Governor”

 

“Nevertheless, His Excellency, the Ag. Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is prepared, where necessary, to make changes that would guarantee the effective running of the administration.

 

“Again, the public is implored to always confirm the veracity of every piece of information/news in respect of the Ondo State Government from appropriate quarters before dissemination” She said.

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The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has debunked reports making the rounds indicating a purported nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Monday, December 18.

A statement issued and made available to DAILY POST on Sunday by the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Beson Upah said the notice circulating on social media was fake.

 

He called on Nigerians to disregard the notice, stressing that there was no intention to embark on any strike action.

The statement reads, “It has been brought to our attention a notice of a strike action (purportedly signed by the General Secretary of NLC and Secretary General of TUC, Comrades Emmanuel Ugboaja and Nuhu Toro, respectively) to commence tomorrow, Monday, December 18 across the country.

 

“We want to re-assure Nigerians that this notice did not emanate from us, and neither do we have any intention of initiating any strike action this period.

 

“Accordingly, concerned Nigerians are advised to ignore this notice. It is fake”.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved N35,000 wage award for the state public servants.

 

This was just as he also approved the payment of 50% of basic salary as an end-of-year bonus for all political appointees and public servants, employees of local governments and local council development areas, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps.

 

The approval was contained in a circular obtained by PUNCH Online, signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, with reference number CIR/HOS/’23/Vol. 1/ 109.

 

The circular titled ‘2023 End Of Year Bonus And Implementation Of Wage Awards’, stated that the governor approved the payments as part of his administration’s appreciation of public servants’ contribution towards the progress of the state, as well as his commitment to their welfare.

 

The statement further noted that the end-of-year bonus and the wage award which would be paid alongside December 2023 salary, would be non-taxable.

The statement reads, “As part of the present administration’s continuous appreciation of the contributions of all public servants towards the advancement of the state and its unrelenting commitment to the welfare of its workforce, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr. Governor has graciously approved the payment of 50% of basic salary as end-of-year bonus for all political appointees and public servants, including employees of local governments and local council development areas, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps.

 

“In the same vein, Mr. Governor has further approved the implementation of the wage award (palliative) pending the review of the national minimum wage.

 

Therefore, the 50% of basic salary as an end-of-year Bonus, as well as the wage award palliative), will be paid alongside the December 2023 salary as a “non-taxable element”.

 

“Sequel to the foregoing, public servants are implored to continually strive for excellence in providing qualitative service delivery to the people of the State in line with Mr Governor’s THEMES+ Agenda.

 

“Accordingly, all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby enjoined to note the content of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it deserves.”

 

 

The ruling emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah is dead.

 

Sheikh died on Saturday aged 86, the royal court said.

His death comes after three years in power marked by repeated political disputes.

great sadness and sorrow, we mourn… the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait,” said a statement aired on state television.

 

The channel had cut its regular programming and switched to a broadcast of a Koranic recital before the announcement.

 

In November, Sheikh Nawaf was hospitalised “due to an emergency health problem”, according to the official KUNA news agency. It did not provide details about his illness, but he was later declared to be in stable condition.

 

Given his age, concerns about his health were commonplace during his rule.

 

Sheikh Nawaf ascended to the role of crown prince in 2006, appointed by his half-brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He assumed the position of emir upon Sheikh Sabah’s death in September 2020 at the age of 91.

 

In 2020, Sheikh Nawaf faced the challenge of navigating the economy through a crisis triggered by a fall in oil prices.

 

The current crown prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, another half-brother, is 83years old.

Attention is now focused on whether the family will appoint a younger generation ruler.

Around 14 months after he was appointed emir, Sheikh Nawaf transferred key constitutional duties to Sheikh Mishal.

 

Sheikh Nawaf’s reign, though not the shortest in Kuwait’s history, was notable for issuing numerous amnesties, earning him the title “emir of pardons”, according to Bader al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University.

 

Last month, Kuwait’s Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree calling for pardons for political prisoners convicted during the past decade. Similar pardons were also issued in 2021.

 

Sheikh Nawaf would also “be remembered for his unique personal attributes: soft spoken, devout, modest, low profile”, Saif said.

Kuwait, a conservative country where sovereign powers are concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, is home to the most active and powerful parliament in the Gulf.

 

But repeated standoffs between elected lawmakers and cabinet ministers installed by the ruling family have hindered development efforts and discouraged investors.

 

Following a succession of resigning governments and dissolved parliaments, Kuwait’s current cabinet is its fifth in a year.

 

Sheikh Nawaf’s rule also saw the Gulf country hold three parliamentary elections in as many years.

 

The political deadlock has delayed necessary reforms and blocked development projects, leaving infrastructure and education in disrepair and much of the population disgruntled.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait’s late ruler from 1921 to 1950 Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

 

He started his political career at the age of 25 as governor of Hawalli province, remaining in the position until 1978 when he began a decade-long tenure as interior minister.