Our Reporter 

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called for thorough scrutiny of concession plans involving Federal Unity Colleges.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Captain Tar, Head, Research and Development Unit, Strategic Media Group, ASCSN, on Sunday in Abuja.

The association said every proposed concession involving public educational institutions should be subjected to legal, financial, procurement, labour and public-interest requirements.

Tar said Federal Unity Colleges are part of Nigeria’s public education infrastructure and have historically contributed to national integration and access to secondary education.

“Any major restructuring, management arrangement or concession involving the institutions will have implications for students, parents, teachers, workers and public assets,” he said.

According to him, concession arrangements should neither be dismissed automatically nor accepted without verification, urging stakeholders to demand transparency throughout the process.

He listed questions requiring clear answers, including what is being concessioned, the proposed parties, legal basis, duration, financial obligations and implications for existing employees.

Tar also urged stakeholders to establish safeguards for public ownership, performance monitoring mechanisms and arrangements applicable at the expiration or termination of concession agreements.

“Transparency should be the common ground, asking questions about a concession does not necessarily amount to opposition to reform,” he said.

He said supporting reforms should similarly not mean abandoning scrutiny, stressing that public assets must be protected through accountable governance.

Tar said responsible unionism must protect workers while considering institutional sustainability and the wider public interest.

“Workers’ rights, institutional sustainability, public interest and lawful governance should form the framework for addressing disputes,” Tar said.

He urged workers to obtain complete information before participating in industrial action, including the demands, legal basis, negotiation history, documentary evidence and possible consequences.

“Every comrade has a right to understand the facts before participating in any industrial action,” he said.

Tar also called for clarity regarding the roles of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), registered unions, associations and other stakeholders, saying ASCSN members should critically examine available evidence. (NAN).

The Kogi Government has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Gov. Ibrahim Idris.

Gov. Ahmed Ododo announced the death in a statement through the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, on Sunday in Lokoja.

Ododo described the passing of the former governor as a profound loss to Kogi and Nigeria at large, and has declared a three-day period of mourning in his honour.

Ododo directed that the national flag and the Kogi State flag be flown at half-mast in all government offices and other designated public institutions throughout the mourning period.

The governor had earlier visited the residence of the late Idris in Abuja where he commiserated with members of the bereaved family.

In a condolence letter addressed to the family, Ododo said Kogi had been robbed of an eminent son who devoted a significant part of his life to the service of the people.

As part of measures to honour the late statesman, Ododo announced that the former governor would be given a State Burial, with the Kogi Government taking full responsibility for all burial expenses and arrangements.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, popularly known as Ibro, served as Kogi Governor from 2003 to 2011.

Ododo noted that Idris’s administration contributed significantly to the development and institutional growth of the state.

The governor noted that the late Idris administration witnessed important interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors.

He added that the impact of his years in office will remain an enduring part of Kogi’s developmental history.

“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” Ododo said.

Beyond projects and policies, the governor said the late former governor would be remembered as a committed public servant who gave his best to the responsibilities entrusted to him by the people.

Ododo urged the Idris family to draw strength from the enduring legacies of his service and the positive impact he made on countless lives across the State.

He said that while the state mourns, the death of the former Governor also provides an opportunity to reflect on a life dedicated to public service and the growth of Kogi.

Ododo extended his deepest condolences to the Idris family, friends, associates and all those mourning the former Governor.

He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives the family and the people of Kogi the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN).

Tella Onah 

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has expressed condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the deaths of detained persons in Minna.

Alake, in a statement issued at the weekend, described the incident as a tragic loss of lives and said his thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved families and communities affected by the incident.

He commended the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The minister stressed the need for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in detention and correctional facilities.

Alake said his ministry was particularly concerned because the deceased persons were reportedly arrested on suspicion of engaging in illegal mining activities.

He disclosed that he had deployed a high-powered team of officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the facts.

According to him, the ministerial team will work with other investigators and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and provide a report on its findings.

“Given the allegation that the detained persons were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal mining, I have deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances and ascertain the facts of the matter,” he said.

He added that the team would collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.

Alake prayed for comfort for the families of the deceased and eternal rest for the departed souls.