NEPOTISM AND TRIBALISM (NICO IN SHAMBLES: PART II)

Recently, a report was released on the above subject matter regarding corruption and disorderliness in National Institute for Cultural Orientation, the management refused to address the issues raised but was busy sending a scanned paper to staff which indicates ministry of tourism, culture, and national orientation and some other ministries are going to be scrapped by federal govt. This was a failed attempt to divert the attention of staff from the alert on corruption and maladministration earlier raised. It is amazing where on earth NICO ES/CEO and Finance & Account Director got such information from. Obviously it did not come from any media house or President’s spoke men.
Management claimed in the second paragraph of MOU signed with the union (FCT council of AUPCTRE and NICO branch executive) on Monday 27th July, 2015 not to be aware of improper placement, but that if it is specifically brought to management’s attention that it will be accordingly addressed in line with Extant Rule. Therefore; additional info on nepotism and tribalism as perpetuated by Dr. Barclays F. Ayakoroma, (ES/CEO) and his administration reveals more beneficiaries of improper placements.

His younger brother of the same Surname studied law and graduated in 2008, he was employed as staff of the institute in 2010 on GL12, and surely this act contradicts Public Service Rules. Meanwhile, lawyers in the institute even before the young Ayakoroma’s appointment were placed on GL08 at entry point.

As if that was not enough, two of his kinsmen; Austine Eberedeni and Gillowei James (Snr) posted to ES office have no recognisable certificate, but diploma and were employed to the institute in 2010 with GL12.
90% of staff employed in 2013 was from his local government area. Definitely this is against federal character charter. This can be verified from federal character commission as he was questioned on this issue in 2013.
Four years ago, Hilux vehicle was approved for the department of Research & Development in the institute, but ES converted it to his official car.

In 2014, fund for seven project vehicles for departments were diverted to buy four cars and a jeep for board chairman.
Instead of addressing these issues, management is threatening victimisation in the name of mass transfer.
Therefore, it is expected that ES/CEO and Finance & account director will clear the air on their relationships with FCT AUPCTRE executives as regards the failed attempted strike, and as well their relationships with IPPIS which allowed some 63people not known to NICO staff that were in IPPIS office for capturing. Every other known staff of the institute was captured at NICO offices. This is another reason the staff of the institute have been denied migration to IPPIS, but the information obtained is that; Finance & Account Director plans paying August 2015 salary without deducting the cooperative dues and target, thereby making staff to believe that the salary is from IPPIS.
Finally, i want to assure the Executive Secretary that; documents are available for these allegations. Watch out for more revelations.

NICO IN SHAMBLES

National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) which has its head office situated at23 Kigoma street Abuja may be reeling under monumental fraud if indications coming out of the office are anything to go by. It was gathered that; the union over the past few months have been engaging the management in a fierce battle on a number of fraud and corrupt practices going on under the administration of Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma.

Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma who assumed leadership of the institute since November 2009 is being alleged of his refusal of paying promotion arrears from 2013 to date, which Budget office of the federation has since released.
Aside being accused of refusing staff of their due entitlements as regards promotion arrears; he is alleged to have refused the institute join IPPIS since two years ago which the staff have completed their online registration. It was only May this year after realizing the implication if President M. Buhari is sworn in that he only allowed the capturing to be done, but till date; the institute has still not been integrated into the payment scheme. The reasons for this refusal cannot be far-fetched according to inside source; as the management is using delay tactics to cover up ghost workers on Institutes pay roll among some other irregularities on staff’s salary.

Among many other allegations by the union include improper placement and promotions in which the current Director of finance and account of the institute and Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary are beneficiaries. Director of finance and account since 2010 was promoted from Chief Account officer to Director (GL14 to GL17), while SA to ES/CEO was employed as contract staff in 2010 as lecturer in the institute on GL12, but now a permanent staff as Assistant Director (GL15) within four years which is against the Public Service Rules. Also, Mr Godson Ordu triples as the director of finance and account, accountant, and chairman of the office cooperative, a position he has been with the support of ES/CEO without any annual general meeting or accountability. These can only be possible in NICO.
Another source also revealed that staff is being sent to one year training programme in institute training school with only seventy thousand naira (₦70,000.00).

These allegations among many others make one to wonder when the level of corruption and nepotism in this country will be reduced if not totally eradicated especially by public office holders. The union have threatened to embark on industrial action after duly negotiating and consulting with stake holders, and have even signed memorandum of understanding with the management. It was gathered that the management could not meet up with the agreement in the MOU.

It is about time the president of the federal republic of Nigeria use his good office to clean up the mess in the institute.

Barr. Austin Bruhaha