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Shortchanging the North: 1,500 CBN Staff to Resume Duty at Lagos Office on Friday

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CBN Governor Cardoso

At least 1,500 members of staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria will on Friday resume at its Lagos office following their redeployment from the headquarters, it was was learned.

A source at the apex bank told our correspondent exclusively that the plan, though heavily criticised, was still in motion, and affected staffers would be resuming on Friday.

Yes, the plan is still on and they will resume work by February 2, which is the first week of next month,” an official said.

The latest development comes on the backdrop of the decision of the new management to relocate some of CBN’s departments to the country’s economic hub for staff safety, increased productivity, and to decongest its head office.

CBN said the action was necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the bank’s structure with its functions and objectives and redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent.

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It added that it was also in compliance with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the facility manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office.

A memo issued to staff read, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the Bank.

Although the Northern Elders Forum and some other Northern groups had condemned the move, our correspondent gathered that the CBN governor was committed to implementing it, as it is expected to reduce the  HQ occupancy level to 2,733 personnel from 4,233.

Another source told the said that some of the affected staffers had started relocating to Lagos.

“Some have already gone ahead. Over 80 per cent of the Banking Supervision Department staff have been redeployed and the same for the Payment System Department,” the source hinted.

The NEF had, in a statement, expressed worry over the potential negative impact of relocating those essential departments on both the institution itself and the country as a whole.

The movement would involve increased costs, loss of talent, disruption in operations, reduced coordination, regional economic disparities, impaired economic development in Northern Nigeria, and decreased investor confidence in the nation’s economy.

Therefore, relocating them entirely to Lagos will only serve to further strengthen the already dominant position of Lagos, while potentially weakening the significance and role of Abuja,” it claimed.

More so, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, warned that there would be “political consequences” if the plan to relocate some departments of CBN as well as the corporate headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to Lagos were implemented.

He said, “Those misleading the President are not doing him any good because this is going to have some political consequences. If Tinubu were not elected president, the CBN governor would not be there. It was not Lagos votes that put Tinubu there.”

Northern senators and youths also expressed displeasure over the move, which they claimed was a calculated move to short-change the North.

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Kano Government Inducts 70 New State Counsel

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The Kano State Government has formally inducted 70 new state counsel into the Ministry of Justice, in a bid to enhance the state’s justice sector. The induction ceremony took place at the Institute of Anti-Corruption in Goron Dutse.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah, disclosed this while declaring the ceremony open. He emphasized that the 70 new state counsel will strengthen the state’s justice system, ensuring timely and effective justice services.

Barr. Dederi commended the incumbent administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for employing 70 state counsel, a historic first of its kind since the state’s creation in 1967.

The 3-day induction training program covered essential topics, including court procedures, legal drafting, and advocacy. The training equipped the new state counsel with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively discharge their duties.

In his remarks, Barr. Dederi praised the Kano Ministry of Justice, describing it as a place of pride that produces reputable individuals who excel at state and federal levels. He emphasized that the ministry is not a dumping ground for lazy lawyers, but rather a hub for dedicated professionals.

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Barr. Dederi also commended the expertise of the resource persons and urged the counsel to continue tapping knowledge from their seniors.

The induction of new state counsel is expected to have a positive impact on the administration of justice in the state, ensuring citizens have improved access to justice services and their rights are protected.

The Kano State Government’s efforts to reform the justice sector are yielding positive results, promoting justice, stability, and economic growth in the state.

Earlier, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Barr. Mustapha Nurraddeen Muhammad, delivered a comprehensive overview of the Ministry’s historical background and functions. He emphasized the importance of the new Counsel maintaining sound moral character throughout their service career, setting a high standard for their professional conduct.

Barr. Muhammad also commended Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his efforts in addressing the shortage of manpower within the Ministry. This acknowledgement highlights the Governor’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry’s capacity and ensuring its effective functioning.

 

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2027: Northern Voters Cannot Be Coerced to Vote for Tinubu – ACF

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and other prominent northern figures have rejected a call by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, for the North to wait until 2031 before contesting the presidency.

The northern leaders asserted that the region cannot be coerced into re-electing President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Ganduje had made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre and the Tinubu Northern Youth Forum at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

He argued that since a northern president—Muhammadu Buhari—had completed two terms, fairness dictated that Tinubu should also serve for eight years.

However, the ACF and other political figures from the North rejected this stance.

Speaking to journalists, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, dismissed Ganduje’s statement as a reflection of the presidency’s “cult-like” nature, where total allegiance is expected.

He stressed that voters cannot be influenced by force.

“He or she or party members cannot influence voters by force. So, what he said was an opinion, and it’s up to the voters to endorse, reject, or modify it. In 2015, we were sold a dummy of anti-corruption. We were sold a dummy of many things, and people have realized that it wasn’t true. Then, of course, the Renewed Hope came in 2023, and the hope is turning into a nightmare,” Muhammad-Baba stated.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, also cast doubt on Tinubu’s chances, sharing a post on his verified X handle titled “2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 1.”

 

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Nigerian Photographer From Yobe Receives Guinness World Record Certificate

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Yobe state photographer Saidu Abdulrahman presented his Guinness World Record Certificate to Governor Mai Mala Buni at Government House in Damaturu.

The remarkable achievement was recorded by the young man last year when his 897 head shots in just 60 minutes won him the Guinness World Record.

Governor Buni who said it was a proud to the state emphasized that Saidu Abdulrahman’s accomplishment would served as an inspiration to the youth in the state and beyond .

He encouraged him to continue striving for excellence and to use his platform to motivate others to pursue their dreams despite challenges.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting and nurturing talents across various fields, ensuring that as many young achievers would be given the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

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The event marked a significant moment of celebration not only for Saidu Abdulrahman but also the state, as it has showcased Yobe’s potential on the world stage.

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