The Osun State Government has announced that the newly approved minimum wage of N75,554.20 for civil servants will take effect from December 1, 2024.

This decision follows the successful conclusion of negotiations between the state government and organized labour unions.

Additionally, an across-the-board pension increase of N25,000 for all pensioners has been approved, with the arrears for the new minimum wage to be paid alongside November salaries for workers.

Osun’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, emphasised that this move underscores Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to ensuring a motivated and satisfied workforce.

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“This development demonstrates the Adeleke administration’s determination to maintain a happy labour force and prioritise the welfare of workers and retirees alike,” Alimi stated.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, praised Adeleke’s leadership, urging workers to reciprocate by improving service delivery and productivity.

A circular from the state’s Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, confirmed that the new wage structure will take effect on December 1, 2024, and included one month’s arrears for workers.

The government also emphasized the need for public servants to enhance service delivery and contribute to the state’s growth.

In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the Makurdi High Court, led by Justice T.A. Kume, nullified the seven-man caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.

The decision followed a legal challenge filed by the state chairman of the APC, Comrade Austin Agada, who had contested the dissolution of the State Working Committee (SWC) by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

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Justice Kume’s judgment declared that the dissolution of the State Executive Committee (EXCO) violated the APC’s constitution and breached the right to fair hearing of the applicants.

The court highlighted the importance of fairness in legal proceedings, referencing the biblical example of God’s actions in the Garden of Eden.

Kume said, “As even in the Garden of Eden, God exemplified the importance of fair hearing by asking questions before taking action against Adam, the National Working Committee denied Agada a fair hearing.

“It begs the question: Shouldn’t the Committee, as mortal beings, strive to uphold the same standards of justice and fairness demonstrated by God?”

As a result, the court declared all actions taken by the caretaker committee, which was appointed by the APC national secretariat to replace Agada’s leadership, as null and void.

This decision effectively reinstates Agada’s leadership of the APC State Working Committee in Benue, marking a significant victory for the embattled chairman.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has directed stringent disciplinary measures against top political appointees and high ranking civil servants in the state.

Biztellers reports that those affected include, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, who bagged an indefinite suspension, while three-month suspensions were handed to his counterpart in charge of health.

They were found guilty of misconduct and dereliction of duties.

Others now tasting the bitter taste of a three-month suspension are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretaries of the State Primarily Healthcare Development Agency and that of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency.

This disclosure was made by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the New Government House Abakaliki.

Engr Okpor said, “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three (3) months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.

“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended Commissioner.”

Gov Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the Government on or before the close of work on Monday, November 25, 2024.

Engr. Okpor said that the SEX has also commenced ministerial debates and defence for the MDAs, marking the commencement of the processes preceding the official presentation of the 2025 budget proposal to the House of Assembly for statutory legislative consideration and approval.

He stated that the Council further approved the Citizens budget participatory engagement which will take place on Wednesday, 27, 2024 at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, by 10:00am.

He further stated that the State Government has concluded plans for the State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC to become a Public Liability Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adding that with the development, staff of the establishments who no longer fit into the new administrative/independent configuration of the outfits are to be posted to other MDAs where their services are needed to further their careers.

“After an exhaustive deliberation on the administrative status of the State-owned Radio and Television Stations, the EBBC, the Council approved the ceding-off of the Corporation to become an independent outfit.

“The implication of this that, this is aimed at raising the productivity level of the corporation as well boosting accruable economic returns to the State Government. The same applies to the Ebonyi State Newspapers and Publishing Corporation, Nigerian Patriot,” he added.

The SEC noted that this reform is not in any way tilting towards sacking any member of staff of the establishments but sees this as a move to re-jig the outfits towards making them fully independent, business-oriented and self-reliant.

He further disclosed that the State Executive Council also directed the Head of Service to advertise for the positions of the Auditor General of the state and that of Local Government following existing vacancies.