By Alexis Uchendu

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have embarked on a fresh strike over unpaid wages, halting first-term examinations just three days before their conclusion.

The strike stems from the area councils’ failure to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, leaving pupils stranded as schools were shut on Monday.

This latest disruption follows a three-week strike earlier in the term, further destabilizing the academic calendar.

Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in the Kubwa chapter, stated that the action was necessitated by the councils’ non-compliance with the ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which took effect on December 1.

“The area council chairmen have refused to pay arrears and implement the new wage. We have no option but to comply with the NLC directive,” Baba said.

Although FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had approved the ₦70,000 wage, with November salaries expected to reflect the increase, teachers under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), are yet to benefit.

Baba also revealed that teachers are owed a ₦40,000 peculiar allowance and a ₦35,000 wage award for over a year.

He emphasized that the strike would persist until all outstanding payments were made and the councils complied fully with the minimum wage implementation.

This strike adds to a growing list of challenges facing education in the FCT, raising concerns over its long-term impact on pupils’ learning and academic progress.

By Alexis Uchendu 

The Humanity Development and Empowerment Organisation (HDEO), a coalition of money lenders, has urged the Federal Government to remit ₦12 billion in loans deducted from civil servants’ salaries but not credited to creditors.

Speaking at a leadership handover ceremony in Abuja, outgoing National President Osita Nebolisa decried the situation, noting that while the funds were deducted through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), they remain unremitted.

He called on the new executives, led by National President Dele Apanisile, to address the issue with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“The non-remittance of these deductions has caused severe economic hardship for both lenders and workers.

“It is crucial for the incoming leadership to recover these funds and rectify the flaws in the IPPIS deduction system,” Nebolisa said.

Highlighting his tenure’s achievements from 2022 to 2024, Nebolisa cited the issuance of over ₦6.2 billion in loans to more than 2,400 federal civil servants and the signing of a Service Level Agreement with the Accountant General’s Office to ensure equitable access to credit.

The newly inaugurated executives vowed to prioritize the ₦12 billion remittance challenge while building on HDEO’s efforts to promote fair lending practices and financial inclusion.

HDEO includes commercial banks, microfinance banks, and other financial institutions, working collaboratively to support Nigerian workers and enhance the country’s credit ecosystem.

By Our Correspondent 

The stage is set for one of Nigeria’s most anticipated intellectual events of the year; the ACJ National Essay Competition, happening in just seven days at the prestigious Musa Yar’Adua Event Centre, Abuja.

Organized by the renowned Abuja City Journal (ACJ), an Abuja-based online platform and monthly magazine publication owned by Mr Ojo Sylvanus Foluso, the competition is already sparking excitement among participants and observers.

Designed to promote education and intellectual growth among young Nigerians, the initiative promises an enriching experience for all involved.

In a commendable show of support, ACJ has extended an open call to corporate giants like Unilever, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nestlé, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia Foundation, and First Bank to sponsor this impactful event.

Such partnerships could amplify the competition’s reach and ensure its sustainability in fostering creativity and critical thinking in the nation’s youth.

The ACJ National Essay Competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of ideas, innovation, and the boundless potential of young Nigerians.

With the countdown now officially underway, all eyes turn to Abuja for a showcase of talent, intellect, and the spirit of excellence.