News
FG sets up mechanism to verify locations of absent workers
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan says that the Federal Government has not set a mechanism to verify the locations of federal civil servants who say they are on study leave.
Esan made this known in a memo addressed to permanent secretaries. The memo said workers on study leave must show evidence of approval obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The memo said, “As part of the efforts to sustain the gains of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System , it has become imperative to emplace a mechanism for regular physical verification of officers in the service.
“To this end, you are directed to carry out physical verification exercise of all staff in your ministry to ascertain the location of each officer.
“Officers who may be on study leave must show evidence of the approval of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to embark on such leave. This should be indicated in the remark column.
“The report of the exercise, to be signed by the permanent secretary, should be submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service on or before 2nd April 2024.”
International
Queen Camilla cancels public engagements due to Chest Infection
Britain’s Queen Camilla has canceled several planned engagements this week due to a chest infection, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday, November 5.
The 77-year-old Queen has been advised by doctors to rest at home but remains hopeful that she will be able to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events, the Palace said.
“Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest,” read the official Palace statement.
“With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal.”
As a result of her illness, Queen Camilla will miss the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, where she has regularly represented the royal family in recent years.
In her absence, the Duchess of Gloucester would represent the Queen. This event, held outside Westminster Abbey, invites people to place memorials in honor of service members who have lost their lives.
Queen Camilla will also not attend a reception at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening, which King Charles will host for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The Queen and the King recently returned to the United Kingdom after an overseas tour to Australia and Samoa, which included a stopover in India.
Their travels may have contributed to the minor illness, described as “a relatively minor bug,” according to Palace insiders, and there is “no cause for alarm.”
The Queen is expected to recover in time for the weekend’s Remembrance commemorations, which include the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday and the national service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday morning.
In addition to her royal duties, Queen Camilla recently contributed to a documentary raising awareness about domestic violence, which is scheduled to be broadcast next week.
Meanwhile, King Charles, who received a cancer diagnosis in February, had his treatment temporarily paused during their overseas tour but is expected to resume treatment now that they have returned to the UK.
Education
New Minister for Education reverses 18 years University entry policy
The 18 years entry age for university admission has been reversed by the newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa.
The 18 years entry policy initiated by Professor Tahir Mamman, former Minister of Education, had generated controversy.
Addressing journalists upon assumption of office on Tuesday, Alausa said the policy was detrimental to the Federal Government.
Alausa said the reversal of the policy was aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He said the policy is also not sustainable for the education sector, explaining that the 16-year-age limit would be maintained and exceptions would be granted for “gifted children”.
The new minister added that going forward, Nigeria’s education system will be 80 percent practical and 20 percent classroom/theoretical.
Alausa said practical education will help to curb the unemployment situation in Nigeria as tertiary institutions will not continue churning out graduates on a yearly basis without jobs for Nigerians.
He said the Federal Government will work with private sector operators for the training of students to unleash their potentials.
Alausa was among the 10 ministers who got new portfolios after last month’s cabinet reshuffle which led to the exit of his predecessor.
He was formerly Minister of State for Health.
News
Tinubu promotes Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede to Lt Gen
The acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Olufemi Oluyede, has been decorated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a higher rank of Lieutenant General.
Oluyede’s promotion from Major General to Lieutenant General came days after he was named acting COAS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had, on October 30, 2024, announced Oluyede’s appointment a week after the rumoured death of Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, a claim the Defence Headquarters vigorously debunked, saying the COAS was on medical leave but in critical but stable condition.
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” Onanuga had announced in a statement.
Before his appointment as acting COAS, Oluyede, 56, had served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. He was Lagbaja’s course mate at the Nigerian Defence Academy, both of them being members of the 39th Regular Course.
Oluyede was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and rose to Major General in September 2020.
Since his commissioning as an officer, he has held many command positions, among them serving as Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion; Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion; Staff Officer Guards Brigade; Commandant Amphibious Training School, among others.
General Oluyede has also participated in several operations including: the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
He has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations, including: the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
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