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Exit of 1,000 staff from CBN voluntary – Cardoso

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Olayemi Cardoso, says the 1,000 staff who left the bank were not forced to leave. Cardoso stated this on Friday at the resumed House of Representatives investigative hearing on the disengagement of the 1,000 workers by the CBN. The apex bank, on December 4, 2024, said its Early Exit
Exit of 1,000 staff from CBN voluntary – Cardoso

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Olayemi Cardoso, says the 1,000 staff who left the bank were not forced to leave.

Cardoso stated this on Friday at the resumed House of Representatives investigative hearing on the disengagement of the 1,000 workers by the CBN.

The apex bank, on December 4, 2024, said its Early Exit Package, EEP, was entirely voluntary and without any negative consequence for eligible staff.

This comes amid reports that 1,000 staff were sacked from the apex bank.

Reacting to the development, however, the House of Representatives ordered the CBN to suspend the planned retirement of 1,000 staff.

The green chamber had also established an ad hoc committee to probe the process and legality of the exercise.

At the resumption of the investigative hearing on Friday, the CBN governor, however, said the 1,000 members of staff were not forced to quit.

Represented by CBN’s deputy director of corporate service, Bala Bello, the apex bank boss also said the early exit programme, the restructuring and reorganisation was to optimise the bank for enhanced efficiency.

“They are basically ways and means through which the performance of an organisation is optimised by putting, ensuring that round pegs are put in right holes.

“The manpower requirement of the bank is actually met. I’m very happy to mention, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, that the early exit program of the central bank is 100 percent voluntary.

“It’s not mandatory. Nobody has been asked to leave, and nobody has been forced to leave. It’s a completely voluntary programme that has been put in place.

“I believe several organisations across the world, and even within this country, both in the private sector and the public sector, are undertaking similar exercises.

“So nobody has been asked to leave. With a lot of humility, I will tell you that this same program that is taking place is not at the instance of the bank,” Cardoso said.

Exit of 1,000 staff from CBN voluntary – Cardoso

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• January 4, 2025
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Criminal trial: Judge to sentence Trump before inauguration

New York Judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case. Fox News reports that Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision. Merchan said he will not sentence Trump to prison.
Criminal trial: Judge to sentence Trump before inauguration

New York Judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case.

Fox News reports that Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision.

Merchan said he will not sentence Trump to prison.

Sentencing is set for January 10, with Trump having the option to appear in person or virtually.

Merchan had also last month denied Trump attorneys’ request to dismiss charges on the basis of presidential immunity.

The trial stemmed from the investigation related to alleged hush money payments run by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Trump had pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

Merchan wrote in his decision that he is not likely to “impose any sentence of incarceration,” but rather a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed.

DAILY POST reports that Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.

Merchan noted that he is still reviewing the other motions filed by Trump to dismiss the case.

He also rejected the District Attorney, DA’s, suggestion that he preserve the verdict, but end proceedings as it would deny Trump’s right to a path to appeal.

However, Trump spokesman and incoming White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, stated that there should be no sentencing, and that Trump will continue fighting against hoaxes until they are all dead.

“Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence.

“This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts,” he said.

Criminal trial: Judge to sentence Trump before inauguration

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Borno: Zulum commences rebuilding of Bama after destruction by Boko Haram

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has commenced the immediate rebuilding of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State by embarking on the construction of a major water project to tackle challenges relating to access to potable drinking water. The announcement was made during the governor’s visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Umar Kyari,
Borno: Zulum commences rebuilding of Bama after destruction by Boko Haram

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has commenced the immediate rebuilding of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State by embarking on the construction of a major water project to tackle challenges relating to access to potable drinking water.

The announcement was made during the governor’s visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Umar Kyari, at his palace on Thursday and was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on new media, Abdulrahman Bundi, on Friday.

According to the statement, Zulum emphasized his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of communities recovering from the devastation caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Bama is one of the communities worst hit by Boko Haram insurgency; the destructions were unimaginable. However, we have made significant progress in our rebuilding efforts,” Zulum stated.

The statement further highlighted that Zulum’s administration has already completed nine mega water projects in various parts of the state, including Ngarannam, Pulka, Chibok, Azare, and Maiduguri metropolis.

The governor’s visit also included an announcement of additional plans to rehabilitate Bama township road networks to ease transportation and facilitate movement.

“Our aim is to restore normalcy and improve the living conditions of our people,” Zulum added.

Zulum also directed the establishment of a high Islamic college in Bama.

“This college will help streamline Almajiri education and provide certification, ensuring our youth benefit from structured learning opportunities,” he said.

Borno: Zulum commences rebuilding of Bama after destruction by Boko Haram

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Warri, Port Harcourt refineries: ‘Absolute insult, disrespect’ – Obasanjo slams NNPCL

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described an open invitation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to tour the newly revived Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries as disrespectful. The spokesperson to Obasanjo, Kehinde Akinyemi, made this known on Friday. DAILY POST reports that the NNPCL had invited the ex-president to the revamped facilities after
Warri, Port Harcourt refineries: ‘Absolute insult, disrespect’ – Obasanjo slams NNPCL

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described an open invitation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to tour the newly revived Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries as disrespectful.

The spokesperson to Obasanjo, Kehinde Akinyemi, made this known on Friday.

DAILY POST reports that the NNPCL had invited the ex-president to the revamped facilities after he accused the state-owned oil firm of rejecting Aliko Dangote’s $750 million to manage Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.

Obasanjo had faulted NNPCL for having rejected Dangote’s offer despite its inability to manage the plants.

However, reacting to NNPCL’s invite to tour the revived Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries, Obasanjo said the pattern of the invite was a clear disrespect to his office as a former president of Nigeria.

According to him, NNPCL had not deemed it fit to formally invite him for the said tour.

“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.

“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery?

“It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, has not reacted to the latest reply by the former president as of the time of filing this report.

Warri, Port Harcourt refineries: ‘Absolute insult, disrespect’ – Obasanjo slams NNPCL