IBADAN – Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has named the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, as his presidential campaign coordinator in the state.
CALABAR – The Cross River Government and the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have disagreed over the alleged existence of 4,000 ghost workers in the local government system.
The disagreement emerged during a meeting convened by Mr Victor-Felix Idem, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs with labour leaders and education stakeholders in Calabar on Monday.
The meeting was called after the chairman of NUT in an earlier protest, alleged that the state government still owed many of its members salaries in previous months and the lack of implementation of promotion of some of members.
Idem said the government uncovered widespread payroll irregularities through a verification exercise involving Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) submitted by workers.
According to him, more than 2,000 teachers and several other local government workers were flagged for submitting invalid or suspicious BVNs during the exercise.
“We discovered 1,200 fake BVNs in the LG councils, 526 in the primary health centres, 643 political appointees and 2,000 in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).”
He alleged that some BVNs were fake, while others were linked to multiple names, raising concerns about payroll fraud and ghost workers.
The commissioner maintained that the verification was aimed at sanitising the payroll and ensuring only genuine workers received salaries.
He dismissed claims that the ministry paid workers half salaries, insisting that salary payments were handled directly by local government councils.
He challenged the NUT to produce evidence of workers allegedly paid half salaries, including payslips and affected staff records.
Responding, Cross River NUT Chairman, Mr Gregory Olayi, defended the union’s position and expressed concern over unpaid salaries and promotion irregularities.
Olayi said several teachers had remained unpaid since September in spite of complying with directives to submit payroll and BVN documents.
He also alleged that some teachers experienced salary reductions after promotion adjustments were initially implemented.
The union leader, however, endorsed the government’s payroll verification exercise, stressing the need to eliminate ghost workers and protect public funds.
Olayi urged the ministry to improve communication with labour unions to prevent misunderstandings and avoid unnecessary public disputes, adding that he would come with records to clear genuine but affected members of the union.
On his part, Mr Bassey Eko, Auditor-General for Local Governments, said a review of salary implementations revealed the need to verify approved promotions and assess their financial implications.
He explained that SUBEB was directed to provide a comprehensive record of promotions and implementations, warning that failure to do so necessitated the suspension of payment of some of its staff.
According to him, the exercise aims to prevent payroll fraud and ensure accountability.(NAN)
GOMBE – The Gombe state government says it will prosecute parents and guardians for not sending their children to schools.
Babaji Babadidi, Chairman, Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said this on Monday at the inauguration of the 2025/2026 School Enrolment Campaign at Amada in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
He said that defaulting parents could face a two-month jail term under Section 19(2) of the SUBEB Amendment Law 2021.
Babadidi said the measure was necessary to ensure that every child has access to quality basic education.
“Every parent should ensure that his child or ward attends and completes primary, junior and senior secondary education.
“Any parent, who contravene Section 19(2) of the law commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to pay a fine or serve a one-month prison sentence.
“Subsequent convictions also attract a substantial fine or imprisonment for a term of two months,” he said.
Babadidi said prior to this enrolment campaign, the state government adopted carrot approach by providing free education.
“However, if we fail to meet our target of enrolling 400,000 students into primary schools this session, we will revert to the stick approach by enforcing the law.”
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, said the state has over 700,000 out-of-school children.
According to Maigari, the North-East region accounts for 15 per cent of the Nigeria’s 18.2 million out-of-school children.
“We cannot sit and fold our arms while our children remain out-of-school. We will ensure every child is enrolled. Every child will receive quality education, and also learn a trade, which does not necessarily mean working for government.
“An educated person can become an employer of labour through skills and entrepreneurship acquired in school,”she said.
Maigari said the state government made massive investments to enhance access to quality education, and urged parents to reciprocate the gesture by sending their wards to school.
“We have supported the children with exercise books, school bags, and other school materials,” she said.
The commissioner commended community leaders for mobilising parents to enrol their children in schools.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF, Field Office Bauchi, described the number of the out-of-school children in Gombe state as “alarming”.
According to Rafique, UNICEF works to uphold children’s rights, especially access to education.
“Every child has the right to be in school, to receive quality education, and grow into a productive citizen of society.”
She described the enrolment campaign as a critical moment, and urged parents, children and stakeholders to support the programme.
The Emir of Gona, Alhaji Umar Abdulsalam, pleged his council readiness to mobilise participation in the campaign.
Represented by Gadi Galadima, the emir lauded Gov. Inuwa Yahaya over improved investment in the education sector.
Highlight of the event featured symbolic enrolment of school-age children into Primary I, and out-of-school children into post basic school. (NAN)
MAKURDI – Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has suspended the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba, for one month following a resolution of the House of Assembly.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.
Reports that the House of Assembly has passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.
Others suspended included the Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the Lottery Commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.
Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.
The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.
The governor called on the people of the state to continue to support the government’s efforts towards building a state that works for all.(NAN)
MAKURDI – The Benue House Assembly, presided over by its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, has resolved not to honour any correspondence from the executive arm and declined to screen the commissioner nominees by Gov. Hyacinth Alia.
The lawmakers during the assembly plenary on Friday in Makurdi said that action would continue until the governor comply with their demands and honour the house resolutions.
Reports that the governor had sent a list of eight commissioner nominees to be screened in line with the constitution.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Shimapever Jiji (PDP/Logo).
Jiji said that the house would not honour or entertain any other correspondence from the executive arm of government unless it issued cars to seven members that had not been given cars since the inception of the assembly over two years ago.
The deputy majority stated that house members were by law entitled to cars as contained and stipulated in Order V1, rule 20, sub 2.
He pointed out that seven of their dear colleagues had been denied official vehicles for over two years since the inauguration of the house.
Jiji emphasised that the situation had caused untold hardship and operational inconveniences to his colleagues.
According to him, the 10th assembly remained indivisible and united, stressing that an injury to one was an injury to all.
He further said that the house was imbued with constitutional oversight powers over the executive arm and its operations in order to ensure checks and balances.
The deputy majority said that the right oversight was unambiguously stated under Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), demonstrated blatant and total disregard for the house’s authority, prompting a resolution for her immediate suspension for six months.
“Also, the house resolved and recommended the suspension of certain office holders, including the Executive Secretary, Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, for alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds to enable the House to carry out its investigation.
“Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, for alleged misappropriation, diversion of funds, and unlawful lock-up of the local government legislative chambers.
“We are worried that despite these resolutions duly passed and transmitted, the governor has wilfully ignored, neglected, failed and/or refused to act on the same, signalling and amounting to contempt and ridicule to the house,” Jiji said.
The motion was seconded by Mr Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), stating that the three arms of government, the executive, judiciary and legislature, were independent but must maintain a symbiotic relationship.
Dugeri said that since the inception of the assembly, they had not turned down any correspondence from the executive.
He, however, said that the executive had turned down resolutions made by the house that were germane and for the good of the state.
“We have not noticed this abnormality anywhere in the country except Benue. We need to interface with the executive to address the ugly trend,” Dugeri said.
Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, said that the governor should immediately issue official vehicles to the affected members.
Dajoh further said that the governor should give effect to the suspension notices issued to the
aforementioned appointees and Chairman, Otukpo local government council. (NAN)
By Our Reporter
Abuja – The Oyo State government, through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, has announced a slight adjustment to its interview timetable for teachers’ recruitment.
The interview session initially scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, was rescheduled for August 26, 2024, to avoid a clash with Isese Day, a public holiday in Oyo State.
Isese Day, celebrated annually on August 20, honours the indigenous Yoruba culture and traditions, emphasising the preservation of Yoruba heritage.
The day is of significant cultural importance, particularly for adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion
The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran, in a swift response to the cultural date rescheduled the interview date to Monday, August 26, 2024.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Adeniran emphasised the importance of respecting cultural practices and ensuring that all candidates have equal opportunities to participate in the final stage of the recruitment process.
“In light of this observation, the affected LGAs whose interviews were originally slated for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, have been rescheduled to Monday, August 26, 2024,” Adeniran stated.
The affected local government areas, according to the statement include Saki West, Saki East, Irepo, Oriire, Olorunsogo, Orelope, Ogbomoso North, and Ogbomoso South.
Adeniran also called for strict compliance with the rescheduled timetable and noted that the Board’s decision has been met with widespread approval from stakeholders, who appreciate the sensitivity and responsiveness demonstrated by the educational authorities.
Below is the reviewed timetable:
Wednesday, August 14, 2024: Egbeda and Atisbo
Thursday, August 15, 2024: Akinyele, Afijio, and Ibarapa central Local government areas.
Friday, August 16, 2024: Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Lagelu, and Iwajowa.
Monday, August 19, 2024: Ido and Ibadan South West Local Government Areas.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024: Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West, Surulere, and Ogo-Oluwa.
Thursday, August 22, 2024: Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West.
Friday, August 23, 2024: Oluyole and Ona Ara local government areas.
Monday, August 26, 2024: Saki West, Saki East, Irepo, Oriire, Olorunsogo, Orelope, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South.
