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Ekiti govt approves N60m housing loan for TESCOM staff
The Ekiti government, on Monday, says it has approved the disbursement of N60 million loan to the state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) staff members as housing loan for the last quarter of 2020.
A statement issued by Chairman of the commission, Mr Babatunde Abegunde, in Ado-Ekiti, said that the amount was approved for disbursement to 220 beneficiaries, comprising both teaching and non-teaching staffers.
Our correspondent reports that Abegunde did not, however, state how much would go to each of the workers.
He expressed appreciation to Gov. Kayode Fayemi for the gesture, saying that it would further boost the morale of the workers.
The chairman said that the continued release of funds for the housing and vehicle loan schemes since the inception of the present administration had been a source of encouragement and motivation to teachers and other staffers, as it had enabled them build houses and purchase their own vehicles with ease.
“Cumulatively, an amount of N340,754,231.74 had been released from October 2018 when this administration came on board till date, with a total of 2,459 staffers as beneficiaries so far,” he said.
According to him, this is a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to the welfare of workers, describing him as “a teacher-friendly and caring leader.”
The TESCOM boss particularly commended Fayemi for his commitment to staff welfare, in spite of the economic challenges, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abegunde, who stated that the loans would be revolving, appealed to those yet to benefit to exercise patience, assuring that it would soon reach their turn.
He enjoined the beneficiaries and others to reciprocate the present administration’s gestures by being more dedicated, loyal and committed to their duties.
As President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS elapses on July 9, 2024, presidents and representatives of 12 member states are currently meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.
The meeting, which began at 1pm, would likely see the West African leaders announce a new chair to steer the affairs of the bloc for the next one year.]
However, there are indications that leaders may extend Tinubu’s tenure to give him time to possibly win back Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into the bloc.
Details later…
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has directed local government Chairmen and Local Government Education Authority officials who tampered with the N30,000 sallah gifts to return the money.
This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Abubakar Bawa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Aliyu on Sunday.
‘The money was given to the workers in the state and some unsculous staff diverted the funds and they have been directed to return it immediately or face serious consequences.
“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.
“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.
” We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others, ” he warned.
Meanwhile, the state government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.
Bawa announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state to enable people of the state to celebrate the new Islamic year 1446AH.
He further stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to use the new Islamic calendar for a sober reflection and to carry out a self assessment to see where they have gone wrong with a view to making corrections in this new year.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it is addressing incidents of rail derailment in the country, through proactive measures.
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
`The recent incidents involving our trains are currently being addressed through proactive measures.
“ a significant number of such incidents were the direct result of incidents of vandalism and criminality along the rail tracks by deviants who do not wish our country well.
“ I wish to also direct that all stakeholders in safe and secure operations in the railway industry should immediately put their best foot forward for continuous service to our people and our dear motherland, “ Alkali said.
Speaking on the July 4 rail derailment between Itakpe in Kogi and Warri in Delta, the Minister said he has directed investigations into the incident, as well as safety and welfare of all passengers on board.
“My attention has been drawn to the reports of derailment of some coaches of a scheduled train service operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) between Itakpe, Kogi State and Warri in Delta State, which happened on July 4.
“Upon receipt news of this unfortunate incident and enquiries made, my observation is that the unfortunate incident did not result in any fatalities.
“The incident occurred at Ujewhu near Abraka in Delta State at about 7.15pm on Thursday night.
“ I have directed the NRC, as the operator, to immediately ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers on board the train, “ he said.
Alkali assured that NRC would evacuate the distressed coaches from the tracks in order to guarantee resumption of services as soon as possible and produce a comprehensive report of the incident for his consideration.
According to him, NRC had commenced steps in the above direction and all indications point to the fact that normalcy was gradually being restored on the service.
The minister sympathised with all persons who were on board the train at the time of the incident and further assured the general public, particularly those patronising the train services of their safety and welfare
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