• Mgt Accuses Union Of Dishing Out False Staff Remuneration Scale

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The staff of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) have lamented poor welfare conditions, rising living costs and stagnant salaries they have been subjected to, despite their contributions to the state’s revenue generation.

In a statement issued by the KWIRS chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the workers lamented that their sacrifice and professionalism, which have helped to place Kwara State among the more self-reliant states in the country, have not been matched with corresponding improvement in their welfare.

The workers questioned the disparity between their contributions to the state’s revenue and their welfare, saying many of them are battling financial hardship.

“We block leakages. We are posted to hospitals and other MDAs to secure government revenue. We work under pressure day and night but we continue to struggle to meet basic needs due to poor salaries.”

The association further expressed concern that personnel costs had remained unchanged for years while other expenditure heads had continued to increase.

It also cited a salary negotiation agreement dated October 11, 2022, which reportedly stated that the adjustment would be implemented “as soon as it can be accommodated in the budget.”

According to the workers, nearly four years after the agreement, there had been no implementation or clear indication of when the adjustment would take effect, despite the rising cost of living.

The staff said expenses on school fees, house rent, transportation and food had increased significantly while their salaries remained unchanged. “We smile outside but the majority of us are bleeding inside. We cannot continue to generate wealth for the state while we wallow in abject poverty,” they declared.

Urging their colleagues to remain united and resolute in pursuing improved welfare, the association said the workers should not expect better conditions without collectively standing up for their interests.

It called on members to remain calm, vigilant and prayerful as a 14-day period beginning October 15, 2026, counts down, without specifying further details in the statement about the expected action at its conclusion.

Reacting to the KW-IRS staff allegations, the Management, while
reaffirm its commitment to professionalism, political neutrality and its statutory mandate, expressed dismay over public speculation on staff remuneration and attempts to politicise unverified internal administrative communications.

“Management is concerned by attempts to exploit unverified internal administrative communications for political purposes, create unnecessary tension and distract the Service from its responsibilities. KWIRS will not be distracted from its mandate by such narratives,” said the Management.

It added: “The isolated salary figures being circulated on social media do not represent the full remuneration structure or total emoluments of KWIRS staff. Staff compensation extends beyond regular monthly salaries and includes the following benefits, in accordance with applicable policies and approved arrangements:

“Annual and Performance-Related Bonuses: Annual, festive, and situational bonuses linked to revenue performance milestones and staff performance and situational economic palliatives are paid periodically to staff members

“Annual Leave Allowance: A separate annual payment in addition to regular monthly remuneration.
Staff Welfare and Operational Support: Structured measures designed to support staff welfare and professional development throughout their careers.

“Accordingly, assessing staff remuneration solely on selectively circulated salary figures presents an incomplete picture of the Service’s compensation and welfare structure.

“Management remains committed to staff welfare, motivation and professional development. The Service will continue to strengthen policies and operational processes that support staff well-being and performance, within government-approved resource allocations and applicable administrative frameworks. The Service remains one of the Government Institutions with the most recruitment requests and this is a testament of Management’s commitment to staff welfare.

“KWIRS urges members of the public, taxpayers and other stakeholders to disregard unverified and misleading narratives, verify information before sharing it, and rely on official Service communications for accurate information about its operations and staff policies.

“All stakeholders are encouraged to refrain from politicising internal administrative matters or spreading claims capable of undermining institutional harmony and public confidence.

“KWIRS remains focused on its statutory responsibilities and committed to mobilising revenue for the economic growth and sustainable development of Kwara State.”

Eight Zamfara State lawmakers who recently quit the All Progressives Congress (APC) are set to return to the ruling party following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The lawmakers were led to the meeting by Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, according to a statement issued Monday by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, media aide to the former Zamfara governor.

Dan-Wudil said the legislators reaffirmed their loyalty to Tinubu and commitment to the APC during the meeting.

Matawalle also pledged to integrate them into the Tinubu Again Movement to mobilise support for the President and APC candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections, the statement added.

The lawmakers had left the APC earlier this month, citing worsening insecurity, alleged injustice, and unpaid salaries and allowances.

They are Aliyu Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Bakura, Bakura; Faruk Dosara, Maradun I; Bashir Masama, Bukkuyum North; Muktaru Kaura, Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, Maru North; Bashar Bello, Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, Gummi I.

However, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, had said the lawmakers were suspended before their defection.

Moriki said the suspension took effect on February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and holding an illegal sitting in violation of the Assembly’s standing orders.

I hardly know the author of the so-called rejoinder, but I know we are classes apart.
Looking into his peice, it seems he does not have a good tutelage in public communication. And I dare say he needs better tutorials in the art.
For a toddler to attrmempt drawing a qualified athlete into a race, is to me the height of self delussion.
In the first place, what I wrote was neither a letter nor a rejoinder, rather,
it was an opinated analysis, from a partisan viewpoint, because I am a stakeholder, as a member of the APC.
I cannot remember having mentioned the ADC anywhere, and for party’s spokesman to assume the position if the defender of all opposition parties, makes it look desperate in wanting to come out of obsecurity, as the spokesman of a party, in a state.
I did not have to write opinions before I was picked to serve in several capacities in government. I did not need to write one to remain on board. For the svoidance of doubt, I am an insider in government and do not need to court patronage or seek a return into government, because I am into it. Having served as two times commissioner, to two different governors, two times S A Media to two different governors, including one outside Borno:one time media adviser to the national chairman of a party that has history and class, and two times Local Government Chairman, makes me tower above the Ahmed of a man.
I do not need to air an opinion to be noticed, because I did not write an opinion to serve in all these capacities. I can see that, his emotions are not only short on facts, and logic, but for the sake of the public record, let me state clearly, that, I still hold the opinion I expressed and do not owe any political party, including the lameduck ADC, about it.
The so-called rejoinder is a classic case of playing victim while deliberately misrepresenting facts.
It is not my duty to explain the circumstances surrounding Hon. Atom Magira’s Plaza, as that has already been dine by the appripriate authoruties.
The ADC is being economical with the truth, to the effect that, the said property was demolished because he is in the opposition. The Borno State Urban Planning Board (BOSEPA) had issued multiple notices over clear violations of building approval and right-of-way encroachment in that corridor. The government has demolished properties belonging to even staunch APC members who violated the same rules. To reduce an urban renewal enforcement to “opposition witch-hunt” is mischief, no matter what coloration you try to give it.

If ADC has evidence that due process was not followed, let them publish the court judgment in their favour, not social media sentiments.
And on the alleged threat by the Commissioner for Youths, which has since been recanted, I believe no responsible government endorses threats. The video being circulated was an out-of-context political appeal at a youth rally, where the Commissioner warned youths against political violence and thuggery. He has since clarified his statement. The ADC is stretching a political statement into a threat to gain sympathy. If there was a genuine threat, the right place is to report to the Police, not to issue press statements.
The “Tinubu Must Go” protesters, which was the subject of my piece, is to me where the ADC is most mischievous. The arrest of persons carrying placards was done by security agencies in the course of maintaining public order during a period of heightened tension. Professor Zulum did not order any detention, and I chalkebge the ADC to orove otherwise. As you well know, the Governor as Chief Security Officer does not control Police remand processes. The State Government actually facilitated their release after preliminary investigations. Let the spokesman of the ADC, contradict these facts.
To blame Zulum for every Police action in Maiduguri is a sign of political defeatism.
Borno is perhaps the only state in the North-East where opposition parties held their major rallies in 2023 without any attack. ADC is barely four months and should asjed questions, or could have rallied for a joint press statement with other political parties. That may have been more credible, than taking the gaunlet on behalf of small, even as the youngest in the contraption called coalition in Borno.
If they were denied any venue, let them publish the application letter with an official stamp of rejection from the stadium manager or hotel, and the BOSEPA receipt for any billboard they claim was pulled down. Democracy does not mean impunity to deface Maiduguri with unapproved billboards.

Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has shown tolerance that is rare. He has openly told opposition members to criticize his government constructively. He has not sponsored any bill to suppress opposition like we see in other climes.
Governor Zulum’s passion for the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 is not about patronage. It is about conviction that at a time of national challenges, Borno stands with continuity, stability and a Vice President who is our son. That is not anti-democratic. That is political alignment, which the Constitution of Nigeria guarantees.

My advice to ADC Borno, especially this greenhorn spokesman is not built on press statements every week. Build structures in wards, sensitize your members, and stop looking for relevance by attacking Inuwa Bwala or Professor Zulum. Borno people know the difference between governance and propaganda.

Professor Zulum will not be distracted. He is focused on resettlement, security, and rebuilding Borno.

Hon. Inuwa Bwala