Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released
The Police Service Commission has announced the approval and release of a list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable and specialist cadres of the Nigeria Police Force. The commission noted that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, it worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission. It added that it ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country. The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, made the development known in a statement on Tuesday. Ani said, “The Police Service Commission has approved and released the list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force. “The commission today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, received the report of the Police Recruitment Board. 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for General Duty, while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre. “To ensure fairness and justice in the Recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission. It ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.” The commission had earlier inaugurated a Recruitment Board – a broad-based stakeholders’ body populated by representatives from the PSC, the NPF, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges, and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the PSC. Interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media. Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications (October 15, 2023 to November 26, 2023) in line with the Federal Character requirements. The PSC revealed that a total of 609,886 applications were received, while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise, which was physical and document screening. This stage was held in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory between Monday 8, January, 2024 to Monday 29, January 2024. The commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowed for its expertise in computer based tests. Ani on Tuesday noted that, “15,447 General duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for medical screening to determine their health status. The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening. Each stage of the Recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care. “A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection. “The selection of specialists was done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation. “The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police declared that the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.” Arase noted, “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.” The PSC Chairman disclosed.
Full text media briefing on Joint HYBRID NEC Meeting of NLC/TUC
Good afternoon distinguished Comrades. Arising from the join NEC Meeting of NLC /TUC a few minutes ago ,it was resolved as follows 1. Agreement was reached to allow for engagement with Government for negotiation beyond 60k as against Government initial frozen position of 60k 2. That the time-line of 2months initially tendered by Government has been shortened to one week by Organized Labour to allow for speedy conclusion on the new minimum wage. 3. That both NECs in session unanimously agreed to *Relax* the strike action to pave way for continuous negotiation which is a new lexicon in the Labour Movement . 3. Failure on the part of Government to conclude with Labour within one week shall prompt the Organised Labour to resume the strike without further notice . 4. The strike is relaxed till you hear from the Organised Labour. *Work resumes tomorrow.* Comrade Ken Bassey State Secretary, TUC CRS
BREAKING NEWS: The Strike is Over!
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called off the nationwide strike. Mr. Festus Osifo, President of Trade Union Congress, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja following a joint extraordinary national executive council meeting of the unions. He mentioned that a communiqué would be issued shortly. Recall that both unions (TUC and NLC) on Monday commenced an indefinite nationwide strike to express their grievances over the hike in electricity tariffs and the lack of consensus on a new minimum wage. This action halted activities in critical sectors of the economy, leading to the closure of schools, businesses, hospitals, and airports. The national grid was shut down, plunging the nation into darkness.
IGP Speaks On Creation Of State Police
The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to adhering to the federal government’s stance on state police. This statement was made during the visit of the Coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police, South-West, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, who represented the IGP in Lagos on Monday. This is a modal window.The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Egbetokun’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about the suitability of state police in Nigeria. Previously, on April 22, 2024, he had expressed reservations about the country’s readiness for state-controlled police forces, citing maturity concerns. During the press briefing, DIG Alabi, on behalf of IGP Egbetokun, emphasized the importance of discipline and professionalism within the force. He urged police officers to adhere strictly to the constitutional guidelines that dictate their operations, focusing on human rights and the responsible use of firearms. “The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to performing its duties responsibly. We must ensure our actions are always within the bounds of the law and respect for human rights,” Alabi stated. In addition to operational directives, IGP Egbetokun highlighted the welfare of the police officers, announcing initiatives aimed at improving their living conditions. This includes partnerships with consultants to facilitate housing for police personnel, enabling them to access their own homes shortly. The IGP also addressed the mental and physical health of the officers, instructing the officer in charge of Police Medical to conduct comprehensive mental and psychological evaluations for the personnel of the Lagos State command. On the topic of inter-agency cooperation, Egbetokun warned against any rivalries with other security bodies, emphasizing that a collaborative approach is essential for national security. He also called on officers to proactively engage with the youth to educate them on the dangers of cultism, as part of broader efforts to combat this pervasive issue. The meeting concluded with remarks from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, who noted the success of recent collaborative crime prevention strategies that have led to a significant reduction in crime rates across Lagos.
Labour Minister reveals what’ll happen if NLC strike continues
Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated the obvious while disclosing that Nigerians will suffer if the Organised Labour continues its nationwide strike. Nkeiruka stated this during an interview on Monday. On Monday, the organized labour embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike after the union failed to reach an agreement with the federal government over minimum wage. The action crippled activities in various sectors, as schools, hospitals and offices were closed. Reacting to the development, the Minister said, “We know what the issues are and we hope they will be resolved, but going to strike will take the matter to the extreme with a lot of negative implications to both our economy and the welfare of the citizens. “If the strike continues, the citizens will suffer and they have started suffering. “Our students who were supposed to be taking exams have been affected because they can’t find means of transportation to exams centres. “There are people who can’t eat until they go to their places of work. Some people who work at the Secretariat live daily on what they get from the officers there.” She lamented the effect of the strike on hospitals, stating that the National grid shutdown will continue to affect a lot of medical procedures. She stressed that hospitals being inaccessible, and doctors not being able to perform their duties might lead to death of patients. “On production side, we know that when activities are shut down, it will affect our economy. Businesses will definitely be affected. Social life has also been affected too”, she said. It was reported that the NLC, despite reaching an agreement with the Federal Government after a meeting on Monday night, has insisted on continuing the nationwide strike.
Minimum wage: ‘We are still on strike’ – NLC insists
Contrary to the nebulous claim about an “agreement to pay a new minimum wage above N60,000,” that is making the rounds on the social network and sections of the traditional media, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has insisted that it is still on strike. NLC said its organs will meet to decide on the outcome of the meeting with the federal government. Posting on X on Tuesday, NLC wrote: “Until we hear from Our Organs at our meeting scheduled for today, 4th June, we are still on strike.” On Monday, the federal government and the organised labour reached an agreement that might end the ongoing strike. The organized labour embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday to push for an improved pay package for workers. The strike led to a meeting between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, and labour leaders in Abuja. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed that “Further to the negotiation by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (NMW) and subsequent withdrawal of Labour from negotiation, the Leadership of the National Assembly intervened on 2nd June, 2024. The Organised Labour declared a nationwide strike on Monday, 3rd June, 2024, to drive home its demands. “The Federal Government, in the National interest, convened a meeting with Labour held in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday 3rd June, with a view to ending the strike action. “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000.”
FG invites labour to meeting Tuesday
The Federal Government has through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, invited the organised labour to a meeting on Tuesday over the ongoing nationwide strike. The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had on Sunday said the strike would go ahead on Monday as scheduled despite an appeal by the leadership of the National Assembly which held a mediation meeting between the unions and representatives of the Federal Government. The two unions and their organs commenced the strike on Monday which paralysed economic and government activities in different states of the federation. Ministries, departments, agencies and offices in critical sectors like the courts, government secretariats, airports, and schools were grounded. Many bank branches did not open although some in Lagos did not shut down. Labour went on strike because it could not accept the N60,000 minimum wage offered by the Federal Government.
CBN Revokes Heritage Bank License
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the revocation of Heritage Bank’s operating licence. This decision was revealed in a statement by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali. Ali stated: “The Central Bank of Nigeria, in accordance with its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and exercising its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, hereby revokes the licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect.” She explained that the revocation was necessary due to the bank’s violation of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA, 2020. The bank’s management had failed to improve its financial performance, posing a threat to financial stability. “This follows a period during which the CBN engaged with the bank and prescribed various supervisory steps intended to stem the decline. Regrettably, the bank has continued to suffer and has no reasonable prospects of recovery, thereby making the revocation of the licence the next necessary step.” Ali assured the public that this action is aimed at maintaining confidence in the banking system and ensuring the overall soundness of Nigeria’s financial sector. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has been appointed as the liquidator of the bank in line with Section 12 (2) of BOFIA, 2020. “We wish to assure the public that the Nigerian financial system remains on a solid footing. The action we are taking today reflects our continued commitment to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and soundness of our financial system,” Ali concluded.
BREAKING: ASUU Joins Nationwide Strike Over Minimum Wage Dispute
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has joined the ongoing strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). This action comes in response to the Federal Government’s failure to meet the unions’ demands for a minimum wage increase. In a statement issued on Monday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke directed branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators to ensure that university lecturers nationwide participate in the strike as members of the congress. The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June, 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff. “Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. “Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle.” Details later…
Nationwide Strike: kneejerk Reaction to a Serious Governance Challenge
As you read this Nigeria is now under total lockdown, whereby major economic activities in the organized public and private sectors have been completely crippled. Labour has made good its threat to commence an indefinite nationwide strike to protest government insensitivity to its plight and clamour for wage review. This moment has been long coming, taking into account recent federal government economic policies which impacts have been skewed againts the suffering mass of Nigerians. From the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, liberalization of the foreign exchange to the recent hike in electricity tariff and and aborted cybersecurity levy. Most of these reforms are mass focused and have had acute impact on the social and economic wellbeing of poor Nigerians. This has pitched labour unions against the government as organized labour agitate for wage increases and better welfare for their members. But I am one of a few who do not think that the labour is going about its agitations correctly. The protests and strikes so far have been kneejerk reactions that have been largely ineffectual. Put simply, I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS CALL FOR NATIONWIDE INDEFINITE STRIKE. My reasons are simple. 1. As already stated, this strike and others before it are largely kneejerk reactions to a fundamental error of policy choice, planning and implementation by government. 2. The strikes are one too many and have a tendency of seeming like one repeating a process and expecting a different outcome. 3. Some are of the opinion that most of the recent strike actions have been about bread and butter issues and nothing about the very important subject of better governance of the society. Here are a few alternatives that labour may want to contemplate if they are desirous of thinking outside the box. 1. Formulate proper critical engagement with the government on sincere cost cutting measures that affect the highest echelons of the public service and governmental agencies. 2. Collaborate with the executive to instigate a downward review of the cost of governance. 3. Encourage the president to prune the size of the cabinet or you partner with the mass public to achieve the same purpose. 4. Let you labour strike not be always about your interests but the wellbeing of the Nigerian masses. These strategies shall assist to endear the labour movement to the Nigerian public and win their confidence and trust. Labour can leverage on such goodwill to escalate activities to achieve desired changes in the political arena.