Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately stop placing civil servants on the widely practised mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, declaring that the arrangement has no legal backing under the Public Service Rules (PSR). The directive was issued in a circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and sent to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies and other senior public sector officials. In the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack said several MDAs had wrongly treated the three-month retirement…

Residents of Borno State have criticised the Federal Government over what they describe as a lack of urgency in responding to the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren in the state. The residents expressed concern over the government’s silence since the kidnapping of 48 primary and junior secondary school pupils from Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area, arguing that the response has fallen short compared to actions taken following a similar incident in Oyo State. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Chairman of the Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, Abubakar Suleiman, said the Federal Government appeared to be treating…

Residents of Ogbomoso in Oyo State staged a protest on Monday, calling for the swift rescue of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped on May 15. The demonstration came after an earlier mass protest in Ibadan, the state capital, over the continued captivity of the victims. An elderly woman, who said her children were among those kidnapped, led a group of youths in a protest in Ogbomoso. The visibly distraught woman, wearing a pink hijab, broke down in tears as she pleaded for the release of the victims. “Please, have mercy on me. The children have a bright future. Government, please help…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspects linked to the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State. Last November, gunmen abducted 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, from the school. Fifty pupils escaped within 24 hours, while the remaining abductees were released over the following weeks. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency reporting platform, the persons arrested include a wanted Boko Haram member and two Nigerien nationals suspected of supplying arms to the gunmen responsible for the attack. “Recovered from the men were a large cache of arms, including 15 AK…

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s unshakeable commitment to security of lives and properties of citizens through stronger internal security plan and building of security alliances with developed nations. The First Lady said President Tinubu has entered into partnership with developed countries, like the United States of America and others, and taking internal security measures to smash those terrorising the country and stoking the fire of killings and kidnappings across the geopolitical zones. Oluremi gave the assurance in a recent engagement with Ekiti State Traditional Rulers at a meeting held at Jibowu Hall, Government House,…

Governor Seyi Makinde has declared his determination to remain committed to public service for as long as he lives, reaffirming his focus on governance and service delivery in Oyo State. He made the remark on Sunday during a thanksgiving service held to mark the 60th birthday and retirement of the immediate past Head of Service, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Onii, at the Christ Apostolic Church Headquarters Secretariat in Basorun, Ibadan. The service, held at the headquarters of Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan, centred on reflections about service, with sermons drawing from biblical examples of lifelong dedication. Makinde, referencing the message delivered…

Protesters have taken to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, demanding the rescue of the abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren and teachers. The demonstration disrupted traffic along key routes in the city. The protesters began their march at the Mokola Roundabout before moving towards the main gate of the University College Hospital (UCH). Made up of members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, and schoolchildren, the demonstrators carried banners and placards with inscriptions such as ‘#BringBackOurChildren’, ‘#47Abducted’, and ‘#SpeakUp’. A teenager was seen holding aloft a banner with the message: “Their lives matter, bring back our children.” Femi Adeyeye, one of…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned that anyone involved in retaliatory attacks against South African nationals, businesses, or interests in Nigeria will face prosecution, following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa. In a statement issued on Sunday, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the force had received reports of growing concerns over possible reprisals in Nigeria after fresh violence against Nigerians in South Africa. According to Placid, while public anger over the attacks is understandable, taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable. “While concerns about attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are understandable, the public is…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspects linked to the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State. Last November, gunmen abducted 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, from the school. Fifty pupils escaped within 24 hours, while the remaining abductees were released over the following weeks. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency reporting platform, the persons arrested include a wanted Boko Haram member and two Nigerien nationals suspected of supplying arms to the gunmen responsible for the attack. “Recovered from the men were a large cache of arms, including 15 AK…

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has described President Bola Tinubu as a leader whose mentorship has produced a new generation of political leaders, declaring that he hopes to emulate the President’s leadership style and his capacity for nurturing others. Bello made the remark on Sunday during a visit to the Lagos residence of the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke. The former governor, who was accompanied by members of his entourage, was received by Faleke and his family in what both leaders described as a demonstration of political unity, friendship,…