The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) has clarified reports claiming the approval of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants. In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, the office said it neither approved nor conveyed any approval of the allowance to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) or any labour union. Olotu stated that the statutory responsibility for issuing and communicating such circulars rests with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). She noted that the circular circulating in…
Author: Newsdesk
The Kaduna State Head of Service, Mrs. Jummai Bako, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence in Leadership and Transformative Reforms in Workers’ Welfare. The award was presented by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya Chapter, during its get-together and awards ceremony held in Gidan Waya on Wednesday. While receiving the award, Bako thanked the union for the recognition and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving staff welfare and institutional performance. She commended the academic staff for their dedication to delivering quality teacher education and producing graduates who are…
The Nigeria Police Force has foiled separate banditry and cattle rustling attacks in Katsina State, recovering two AK-47 rifles, ammunition and 70 rustled animals. Police spokesman DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Katsina. He said the operations were conducted under the command of Commissioner of Police Ali Umar-Fage, with support from other security agencies and local vigilantes. Sadiq-Aliyu said the first incident occurred on Monday at about 5 p.m. in Danya Bakwai, Jibia Local Government Area, where about 10 armed bandits on motorcycles invaded a Fulani settlement and rustled 20 cows and 40 sheep.…
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for Africa’s fair representation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Guterres made the remark on Wednesday during the 10th African Union-United Nations High-Level Dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “This is not about privilege or symbolism. It is about ensuring that the Council is fit for purpose and acts with legitimacy and effectiveness in today’s world,” he said. Guterres described the AU-UN partnership as one of the most strategic multilateral alliances supporting peace and development across Africa. He noted that the partnership has strengthened coordination, governance, humanitarian responses, and human…
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged Nigeria to take full advantage of China’s tariff-free policy for African goods by focusing on local processing and value addition to boost global competitiveness. Emeka Obegolu, President of the ACCI, made this known while reacting to China’s decision to remove tariffs on goods from 53 African countries. According to him, Nigeria must move beyond being a mere exporter of raw materials and instead prioritise value addition and local processing to make its products more competitive in global markets. “Nigeria should use this opportunity to shift from overdependence on crude oil…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. An EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the DG was arrested on Wednesday in Abuja over allegations of money laundering. The source said the suspect is being investigated for alleged fraud involving about N500 billion. READ ALSO: Nigerian army apprehends 5 railway vandals in Kaduna “We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences. He was arrested in Abuja and is currently in our custody. He…
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government, on Wednesday inaugurated the 2026 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) team on flood disasters and related hazards. It was reported that the theme of the campaign is “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria.” Speaking at the inauguration in Yola, NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, said the campaign aims to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season. According to her, the theme underscores the need for stronger institutions, clear responsibilities, and proactive collaboration across all levels…
The Lagos State Government says plans are advancing to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to better protect residents’ data and digital transactions. Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. Alake said the initiative became necessary due to the increasing adoption of digital payment platforms, online services, and technology-driven systems in daily commercial activities. “We are building a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to protect residents’ data as digital transactions and online services continue to expand across Lagos State,” he said. According to him, the state currently has 109…
Li Hengtian, Deputy Director at the China International Communications Group (CICG), disclosed this on Wednesday in Beijing at the opening of a Seminar for Renowned Nigerian Commentators. He also described Nigeria as China’s second-largest export market, third-largest trading partner, and a major investment destination in Africa. Li, who is also Deputy Director of CICG’s Education and Training Centre (organisers of the seminar), expressed hope that joint efforts by both countries would yield steady progress. “More and more Nigerian youths are travelling east to pursue the starlight of knowledge in Chinese institutions. More and more Chinese builders are heading west to…
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has advised intending pilgrims in the state to avoid carrying kolanut to Saudi Arabia. The Director-General of the Board, Abubakar Ibrahim-Matawalle, made this known in a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Dederi, on Wednesday in Kano. According to the statement, the directive is part of the rules and regulations guiding the 2026 Hajj exercise, which prohibit the transportation of certain contraband items to Saudi Arabia. READ ALSO: Tinubu says Nigeria to spend $11.6bn on debt servicing in 2026 “The restriction on kolanut is a directive from the Saudi Arabian authorities…