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Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu in another salary scandal, sacks aide over 28 months’ arrears
The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu is no doubt in another salary scandal over the non-payment of 28-months salary arrears allegedly owed his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.
DAILY POST gathered on Thursday that Oluwadamilare, a former Chairman of Oyo state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who has worked along with other assistants with the Saki born legal luminary for 28 months, has, however been disengaged by Shittu after the former (Oluwadamilare) demanded for the 28-months arrears from Shittu through a letter personally written by Shittu dated Wednesday, 14th March, 2018.
Shittu in the letter of disengagement sent to Oluwadamilare, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST, said that Oluwadamilare from April 1st, 2018, had ceased to be his Special Assistant on Media.
The Minister in the ‘notice of disengagement,’ personally signed by him, however, informed Oluwadamilare that he had issued a draft of N1,300,000 in respect of his outstanding emoluments as at 31st March, 2018.
DAILY POST recalls that as at October 2017, no fewer than six aides to the minister had resigned. Shittu was inaugurated as Minister in 2015. Those who had left him since 2015 parted ways with him due to issues ranging from non-payment of salaries, non-payment of entitlements and other welfare related issues.
Among those who had resigned or left the Minister are Alhaji Rasak Olubodun who until his resignation in October 2017 was a Personal Assistant to the Minister. Olubodun who once served as Special Adviser on Parastatal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, resigned his appointment after spending 23 months with the Minister without salary.
Olubodun who also hails from Saki, the hometown of the ex-Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Oyo State was said to have written the minister through his lawyer, demanding the payment of the 23-month salary arrears and other entitlements running to over N10m. Rasaq Olubodun.
DAILY POST also gathered that apart from Olubodun whose resignation generated a lot of controversy last year, five other aides of the Minister had also resigned.
They include Hon. Ipoola Binuyo, Mr. Abiodun Oyaremi and lately, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.
The duo of Binuyo and Oyaremi who until their resignations were Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Special Duties respectively resigned over a year ago due to the same fate they suffered while working with the Minister.
Though, only the trio of Binuyo, Oyaremi and Olubodun’s resignation was made public, sources, however, informed that no fewer than seven aides of the minister have so far resigned their appointments in the last two years.
Investigations by DAILY POST also revealed that almost all those who were initially appointed and those reappointed by Shittu in the last two years had either left or asked for redeployment.
It was learnt that the latest salary scandal involving Shittu and his aides started when Oluwadamilare met Shittu and demanded his salary in his office in Abuja last week.
A source close to the Minister revealed that the argument degenerated to a level that staff of the ministry had to wade in on the corridor of the ministry, when he wouldn’t allow the minister leave without his salary.
He said that this made the Minister to quickly disengage the former Oyo NUJ Chairman.
He added that the timely intervention of a former commissioner in the state who is also eyeing the governorship seat saved the day for both of them.
But, Shittu while responding to the allegations said he disengaged Oluwadamilare because he was working with his political enemies to defame him.
The Minister in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST Thursday afternoon described Oluwadamilare as someone who is not fit to be appointed as an aide, adding that since he was appointed, he has never contributed anything tangible to his progress politically.
Shittu said, “I disengaged him because he was conniving with my political enemies to defame me. He has been saying a lot of things. I have been tolerating him but when I discovered that he is not fit, I had to disengage him.
“I have paid him his money. I have paid him over 2 million Naira.
“He is a useless man, how can I pay an aide Five Hundred Thousand Naira when I don’t collect such? I told him his salary is One Hundred Thousand Naira. He is not productive, no human relations. He has not contributed anything for my campaign. He has gone abroad twice and collected estacode. Could he have gone without working with me?
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Children’s Day: Oseni Reaffirms Dedication to Building Future Legacy
In celebration of Children’s Day, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo state has reiterated his commitment to crafting a lasting legacy for future generations.
Embracing the spirit of the occasion, the lawmaker emphasised the importance of investing in the youth as the cornerstone of a prosperous tomorrow.
In a statement on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) articulated his vision for fostering an environment where children can thrive and excel. He underscores the significance of education, healthcare, and socio-economic opportunities in shaping the trajectory of young lives.
With unwavering determination, the lawmaker pledged to champion policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring every child has access to quality education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment conducive to their growth and development.
Reflecting on his childhood, Oseni stressed the obligation felt towards future generations, emphasising the need to pay it forward by creating pathways for others to follow.
In addition to legislative efforts, the lawmaker actively engages with communities, collaborating with stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting children and families. Through grassroots initiatives and advocacy campaigns, he seeks to amplify the voices of youth and empower them to become agents of positive change in their communities.
As Children’s Day festivities unfold across the nation, he called upon fellow policymakers, community leaders, and citizens to join hands in safeguarding the well-being and prospects of the next generation.
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Emir Sanusi: Reinstatement Deemed Preordained by Divine Will
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has been reinstated, attributing his return to the throne as nothing short of divine will.
Expressing gratitude towards the state government for what he termed a “rescue mission,” Emir Sanusi embraced his reinstatement as a testament to the workings of fate.
The reinstatement came swiftly after Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law, paving the way for Emir Sanusi’s return, four years after his deposition by the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
In a reflective moment at the Government House in Kano, Emir Sanusi remarked, “The Arabians used to say that in everything we witness, there is a lesson that shows us that God is there. Whatever happens to an individual is preordained by Allah, and for those who are sensible enough, it’s a lesson.” His words echoed the conviction that his restoration was part of a larger divine plan.
Recalling the cyclical nature of his journey, Emir Sanusi reminisced about the past, stating, “About 10 years ago, in this same place, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave me my appointment letter as the Emir of Kano. Today, after 10 years, I am here again receiving a reappointment letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
He continued with a philosophical tone, emphasising the inevitability of divine intervention in matters of leadership:
“Time will not permit long talks. Whatever we needed to say, we said when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whom He wants and at the time He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back.”
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Nigeria Achieved 5,000MW Electricity Generation In May – Adelabu
Nigeria’s electricity generation has surged to 5,000 Mega Watts in May 2024, marking a significant stride from previous levels, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
Speaking during the second day of the ministerial sectoral update for the present administration in Abuja, Adelabu underscored this achievement as a testament to the government’s dedication to bolstering the nation’s power infrastructure.
He emphasised that this milestone aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, aimed at furnishing reliable and sustainable energy to the populace.
The upsurge in power generation is anticipated to tackle prevalent issues such as frequent outages and inadequate capacity, thereby fostering grid stability and diminishing reliance on generators.
Adelabu had previously outlined the Federal Government’s plans to elevate power generation to a target of 6,000 Mega Watts from the existing 4,000 MW by the close of 2024.
Expressing concern over the over-dependence on the national grid, the minister articulated a different target of 10-12,000 transmission capacity within the next three years.
He affirmed the determination of the Tinubu-led administration to shatter the long-standing 4,000 MW barrier that had persisted for decades before he assumed office as the 47th Minister of Power.
The recurrent national grid collapses have been a pressing concern for Nigerians in recent years. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed earlier that the country had encountered six power grid collapses in 2024 alone.
Gas shortages for power generation and vandalism of power infrastructure have been identified as the primary culprits behind these recurring incidents of grid collapse in the nation.
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