FCTA Workers Begin Three-Day Protest Monday

  The Joint Union Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has declared a three-day protest beginning Monday, June 30 to Wednesday, July 2, 2025, over what it describes as the “blatant refusal” of the FCT Minister to address longstanding issues affecting staff welfare and rights. President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, in a statement titled “PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!!” on Thursday, directed all members and affiliate unions across the FCTA to mobilise and gather at the Minister’s Main Gate in Area 11, Garki, by 7:00 am each day of the protest. According to her, “The protest is against the blatant refusal of the FCT Minister to address… salient issues affecting staff.” She listed grievances to include the non-promotion of staff since 2023, unresolved salary administration problems, and unpaid entitlements. The union is also demanding structural changes within the administration, improved staff welfare, and an end to deductions they consider illegal. “The Chairman FCT Civil Service Commission must go. We say no to overseeing directors’ position,” Iortyer declared, Other demands include, “Domestication of IPPIS, inaccessibility of the salary portal to salary desk officers, no overhead since December 2024, stop our NHF deduction, non-payment of five months wage awards/health workers hazard allowance arrears, no training and retraining of FCTA staff, out-of-school FCTA primary school pupils, and non-payment of AEPB enforcement squad. All members of staff are advised to gather at the Minister’s main gate Area 11 to drive home their demands,” the statement added.  

BREAKING: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays For Easter Celebration

  The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, 2025, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday. This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday. He emphasised the importance of embodying the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, who had to die for the redemption of man, while greeting Christians on the joyous occasion. In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation. Details later…  

(Pictures)EFCC Auctions Forfeited Vehicles Online Monday

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced the e-auction of some forfeited vehicles to the public. The commission noted that the exercise is slated to take place on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, as it’ll be conducted online. Also, the exercise is spread across 16 lots with auctioneers in Abuja, Edo, Kwara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Lagos and Kano states. Interested persons can go through the official web addresses provided for each lot. A check by PUNCH Online revealed that some vehicles are still open to bids while some others have closed, as the vehicles have varying bidding amounts. According to a tweet via its X handle on Monday, the commission said the e-auction will be done according to the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act. “The General Public is hereby notified that the @officialEFCC through its appointed Auctioneers will conduct e-Auction of the under-listed vehicles that are subject to final Forfeiture orders in accordance with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022,” the tweet partly read. Punch  

NiMet Forecasts Thunderstorms For Three Days Starting Monday

  The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the nation. NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday forecast morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Sokoto state, Kebbi and Borno. According to it, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States later in the day. “Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara States during the morning hours. “ In the afternoon and evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Kogi states. “Rains are envisaged over the southwest inland, especially parts of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun extending to the coastal states of Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States during the morning hours, “ it said. The agency envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Abia, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day. NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states during the morning hours on Tuesday. According to it, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states later in the day. “Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa States within the morning hours. “Later in the day thunderstorms are expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states. “Morning rains are envisaged over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States while the remaining parts of the South should be cloudy,” it said. It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States later in the day. The agency predicted morning thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states on Wednesday. According to it, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states. NiMet forecasts thunderstorms over parts of Niger and Kwara States while the remaining States in the North Central should be cloudy during the morning hours. “ Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States. Rains are expected over parts of Cross River. Rivers and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours with cloudy skies to the rest of the states in the South. “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over most parts of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States,,“ it said. NiMet urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours. According to it, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, so the public should take adequate precaution. “Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. “Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website, www.nimet.gov.ng.”   NAN