Strike Action: Governor Adeleke Commends Judicial Workers, Says His Arbitration Yielded Results

Governor Ademola Adeleke has commended the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for calling off its three months old strike action, describing the resolution as “a direct outcome of his arbitration”

Speaking on the reopening of the court system in Osun state, the Governor noted series of positive interventions by the executive arm of government and affirmed that he almost breached the concept of separation of powers to get the dispute resolved.

“ We all know the executive should not intervene in judicial matters. We are all aware the issues are centred on human resource management and sundry operational matters. I believe all along that the judicial management in the state should take up the matter.

“This expectation was not fulfilled. So, I was compelled to act because the matter was degenerating and negatively affecting administration of justice in the state.

“ At first, I ordered fresh re-payment of the withheld salaries of some judicial staff, hoping this would put an end to the strike. But, the dispute persisted over other issues such as wardrobe allowance and other operational questions.

“ I was unjustly accused by many including of my brother comrade in Lagos until Chief Ozhekome voluntarily interevene to set the records straight. The fact was that the issue is basically an employer - employee dispute. 

“In response to public outcry and appeal from well-meaning Nigerians, I acted again by setting up a high powered Resolution Panel chaired by the Secretary to the State Government. I gave them a seven day ultimatum.

“On the seventh day, the panel got the stakeholders to sign a resolution agreement. To fast-track implementation, I immediately ordered payment of ward robe allowance, which is one of the key demands. I am happy the union called off the strike despite the fact that some of the items on the agreement are yet to be implemented by the management of the judiciary in the state”, the Governor narrated.

Governor Adeleke therefore appealed to signatories to the agreement to abide by its terms to ensure lasting peace in the judicial sector.

According to the Governor, all signatories must demonstrate good faith and ensure a new lease of life for judicial workers in Osun state.

Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,

Spokesperson to the State Governor

Osun State : Governor Adeleke Pays Another Half Salary Debt, Says Osun Fund is under Judicious Management

The Governor of Osun State Ademola Adeleke has approved the payment of another batch of  half salary debt with workers currently receiving alerts statewide.  A statement signed by the spokesperson to the Governor Mallam Olawale Rasheed confirmed this.

It reads in part;

The salary debt of almost N30 billion was owed by the previous government of the All Progressive Congress(APC). The liability also includes about N56 billion pension debt also owed workers by the previous APC government.

Governor Adeleke on assumption of office however announced a comprehensive template to pay up both the pension and half salary debts to alleviate the pains and sufferings of workers and their dependents.

The salary and pension debts have since been paid on a quarterly basis in line with a template accepted by both workers and government.

The current alerts for this quarter’s half salary debt  follow payment last week of wage awards to workers and pensioners in the state.

Speaking on the new development, Governor Adeleke said he is committed to settling the pension and salary debts, noting that his administration will not trade workers’ welfare for any other thing.

“I am clearing the mess I met on ground. I am paying off the half salary and pension debts. Yes, we cannot watch our people suffering and unattended to. Ours is a compassionate government. We are focussed on making positive impacts on our people.

“The state fund and accruals are being judiciously managed. We are not a thieving government. Ours is about accountability, transparency and due process. Our funds are going into tangible programmes and policies to alleviate the suffering of our people”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

Osun Judiciary Strike: Adeleke Hosts Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Seeks Resolution of Strike Action

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has again called for amicable resolution of the ongoing strike action by the Osun State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, expressing unhappiness about the hold up in the justice administration due to the industrial action.

Mallam Olawale Rasheed who is the spokesperson to the Governor confirmed this in a statement. 

The statement reads in part;

Speaking while hosting a delegation of the national leadership of the judicial union led by its President, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, Governor Adeleke narrated his interventions to resolve the strike to include the payments of the withheld salaries of some judicial workers and negotiations with the union on their wardrobe allowances.

Describing the dispute as purely a judicial matter, Governor Adeleke said the subject matter of the industrial action has nothing to do with the executive arm of government, stressing that his intervention was to avoid further delay in the state’s justice administration system.

“I thank you for visiting Osun state. We value your interventions. I have tried to address some of the issues but most of them are not within my purview. Your presence in Osun will speed up the resolution efforts.

“As the national body, help us interface with all the parties to find amicable resolutions. You have my full support for this assignment “, the Governor told the team.

Responding, the JUSUN national president described the industrial action and the protracted paralysis of the Osun judiciary as ‘unfortunate’, citing his previous sickness as responsible for his late intervention.

“We are in Osun state to find a lasting solution. I will meet all stakeholders and I assure Mr Governor that industrial peace would soon be restored to the state judiciary”, the National President who was accompanied by his national.officers noted.

EFCC Plans Workshop to Eradicate Pension Fraud in Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in collaboration with stakeholders in the Pension Industry, is organizing a two day Sensitization Workshop with the theme: Eradication of Pension Fraud in Nigeria.

According to the Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the workshop scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2021, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, is expected to serve as a platform for sensitization and practical exchange of information on how best to eradicate Pension Fraud in Nigeria.

Bawa further said the workshop would help highlight the areas of corrupt practices in Pension Administration and collectively develop strategies to curb the menace threatening the country’s pension schemes.

The workshop is expected to be graced by Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Anti-corruption agencies; Members of the Legislature and National Pension Commission (PenCom). Other participants expected at the workshop include officials from the Military Pension Board; Police Pension Board; Pension and Records, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; Federal Ministry of Finance; Budget Office; National Union of Pensioners (NUP); Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, (PTAD); Retirement Benefit Advisors; Pension Fund Administrators and Civil Society Organisations.

By EFCC