[PRESS RELEASE] Lagos Appoints Eight Perm Secs, As Sanwo-Olu Tasks Appointees To Raise The Bar Of Service
Admin- ‘We’ll continue to reward loyal, dedicated workers’ - Governor
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, appointed eight Permanent Secretaries across ministries and departments, bringing the number to 59. The Governor swore in the new Permanent Secretaries at a ceremony held at the State House, Alausa.
Sanwo-Olu told the appointees that their selection for the positions, after undergoing rigorous screening procedures, was approved based on the knowledge, commitment, dedication and professionalism they brought to bear in the service of the State.
Mr Adewuyi Moshood Adewale was appointed as Permanent Secretary and Auditor General of the State. His appointment is, however, subject to the clearance and confirmation by the House of Assembly.
The Governor, who described the screening process as merit-driven, said the established standards instituted by his administration for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries had continued to bring out the best among the personnel within the State’s workforce.
Sanwo-Olu charged the Permanent Secretaries, who he said will be driving the machinery of government, to bring additional levels of commitment, loyalty and service to the State in their respective capacities, stressing that the new responsibilities placed higher expectations on them to justify their appointments to the positions.
He said: “With your appointment to the position of Permanent Secretary, what is expected of you is an additional level of loyalty, commitment and service to the citizens of Lagos. Given your pedigree and professional experience, I expect nothing less than excellent and result-oriented leadership in your respective posts. Your work must speak excellently for itself. I urge the new appointees to discharge their duties with minimal supervision.
“As a Government, we will continue to identify and reward public servants who give in their best in service of our State. We are in service to ensure Lagos continues to thrive for businesses and habitable for people. Our citizens must get these dividends in whatever areas we are discharging our responsibilities. You must know too well that our service must be for the benefit of tax payers, who will be measuring the government’s overall performance.”
Sanwo-Olu pledged that his administration would continue to support the State's workforce in the areas of capacity building, motivation and reward system in order to enhance efficiency and sustain the civil service as one of the most effective in Africa.
The Governor said the rapid elevation of personnel in the top cadre had created a pathway for career advancement for young people in the civil service, noting that his Government would not relent in creating opportunities for the youth in service to attain their career aspirations.
“To citizens who see public service as a place to grow their career, Lagos remains the best choice to start a career in public service. We will continue to produce the best quality of civil servants that are service-oriented. We will not stop until our citizens feel the impact of purposeful governance across areas of service. The Greater Lagos we are about will happen and it is what we are committed to. We are on track and it will happen in our lifetime.”
The Governor, again, projected gender balance in the latest appointment. Of the eight Permanent Secretary appointees, four are women, while the rest are men.
The Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Olu, said the process for appointing Permanent Secretary, as instituted by the Sanwo-Olu administration, was not only fair and transparent, but also rigorous and at par with best practice across the world.
Represented by Mrs. Olasunkanmi Oyegbola, Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, the HOS said the Governor should take full credit for the merit-driven procedures instituted in Lagos public service.
The Governor, Muri-Okunola said, was impressed with the performance of medical doctors in the screening exercise for Permanent Secretary position and agreed in principle to the proposed reforms in the health sector, which will further pave the way for the appointment of more medical doctors into the body of Permanent Secretaries.
The modality for the process, HOS disclosed, is being fine-tuned by his office in conjunction with Permanent Secretaries in the health sector.
He said: “It is to be noted that the now instituted procedure of appointing Permanent Secretary is not only fair and transparent, but also rigorous and at par with the best of its kind anywhere in the world. I am proud to acknowledge that the Governor takes full credit for this initiative.
“The quality and standard selection process was in line with the Governor’s commitment to repositioning the State public service for improved service delivery. All the appointees have since resumed at their respective positions.”
Until his confirmation by the House of Assembly, Adewuyi will remain a Permanent Secretary, Muri-Okunola said.
Newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mrs Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi, who gave vote of assurance on behalf of the appointees, pledged not to take the Governor’s confidence in them for granted.
“We will work with you, Mr. Governor, to achieve your Greater Lagos vision for the State,” she said.
Other Permanent Secretaries appointed are Adebowale Adeoye Bashir (Tutor-General, Education District 1), Dr Yusuf Shareefah Adejoke (Tutor-General, Education District VI), Amuni Abayomi Mustapha (Tutor-General, Education District V), Mrs Olushekun Bibilomo Olayide (Office of Local Government Establishments and Training), Mr Obadina Akinbode (Local Government Service Commission) and Mrs Akanbi Adenike Ganiat (Office of the Chief of Staff).
Signed
Gboyega Akosile
Chief Press Secretary
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents Oath of Office to Mr Obadina Akinbode as Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission at the Lagos House, Aluasa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 18 May 2023.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents Oath of Office to Mrs Olushakin Bibilomo Olajide as Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishments and Training at the Lagos House, Aluasa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 18 May 2023.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu flanked by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat (left), Mrs Sukanmi Oyegbola (right) and the newly appointed as Permanent Secretaries during the swearing ceremony at the Lagos House, Aluasa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 18 May 2023.
The N50,000 acceptance fee demanded by the University of Ibadan is a fraud! Students must organize and resist this broad-day corruption now!
- We reject the re-introduction of acceptance fees in public universities
- We condemn the plan of the UI management to deny children of the poor people access to education
- For a one-day lecture boycott and mass protest now!
The Workers and Youths Solidarity Network condemns in totality the N50,000 acceptance fee demanded by the management of the University of Ibadan from the newly admitted students. We hold that no university should charge any fee from students to accept the admission offered to them. In line with the directive of the federal House of Representatives on the eve of 2020 that any form of acceptance fee should be scrapped, we demand that the UI management immediately halt the collection of this fraudulent fee and adequately refund the ones collected. We consider this singular act of UI management as an attempt to deter students of the common and ordinary working people from access to the quality education they deserve! Hence, we call on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the University of Ibadan Students’ Union to immediately declare a one-day lecture boycott and mass protest to press home this demand.
We refer to the statement published on the website of the University of Ibadan, calling on the newly-admitted students to pay a non-refundable sum of N50,000 to accept the admission offered to them. We can also recall that in 2020 and as reported by ThisDay Newspaper, the Federal House of Representatives ordered the cancellation of all forms of acceptance fees in federal universities and ordered the refund of such fees to students that year. We also recorded that some schools are obliged to that policy. However, we are shocked as this fee miraculously found its way back into the University of Ibadan system where students are mandated to pay a whopping N50,000 as an acceptance fee. We condemn in totality this dubious and fraudulent attempt to milk-dry the new intakes in the quest to get higher education.
Likewise, we see this as an attempt to deny the children of working people who live on a merger N30,000 minimum wage access to quality education. This also shows the current level of the Nigerian education sector which prioritizes profits instead of developing the innate potential of youths and young people. In the past, this fee and other arbitrary levies have denied creative, intellectual, intelligent and innovative individuals access to education that can further polish their skills for national development because they couldn’t afford to pay the fees demanded of them. If the management of UI isn’t curtailed, thousands of useful youths will be denied access to quality education and will be left to roam about the street. Of course, this will contribute to the already-high crime and corruption rate in society because an idle hand is the devil's workshop.
The reintroduction of acceptance fees and hikes and tuition fees across federal and state universities in Nigeria calls for immediate action and intervention. This is why we are calling on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Students’ Unions, Academic Unions and other well-meaning Nigerians to demand a free, quality, functional, public-funded and democratically managed education sector. Therefore, the NANS should immediately call for a nationwide lecture boycott and mass protest now, involving essential unions and stakeholders, to demand an end to fee hikes, illegal fees and gross underfunding of public education. This demand should also be linked to the payment of backlogs of salaries of the members of ASUU being owed by the federal government.
Damilola Owot
Secretary
Workers and Youths Solidarity Network (WYSN)
...Describes Outcome as Frank, Insightful
...Maintains Talk is a Brotherly Affair
...Plans to Prune Bulging Aspirants
The pan socio-cultural non partisan organisation, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), says that its ongoing consultative engagement with prominent political and influential leaders in Edo State, which kicked off in Benin City at the weekend, has been largely fruitful and insightful on the political dynamics in the State.
A release issued after the series of consultations which was signed by EOI President, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon and the Public Relations Officer, Mr Tony Iyare is upbeat about the outcome, describing it as “heart warming” and positive.
“We’ve had meaningful heart to heart talks and exchange of ideas with our leaders on how to move Edo State forward and getting them to appreciate the need for the next Governor of the state to be of Esan extraction. The discussions have been quite enriching, frank, heart warming and largely fruitful,” the release maintained.
The group seeks to interface with prominent leaders of the north and south senatorial zones of Edo State on the need for the next Governor that will succeed Mr Godwin Obaseki, whose term expires on November 11th, 2024 to be of Esan extraction. This, it contends, is to ensure justice, equity and fairness among the near homogeneous people in the State.
Egbadon, who led the EOI Cosultative Committee, says that since the creation of the state which is founded on a tripod, (Edo South, Edo North and Edo Central districts, respectively) in 1991, the Central zone has not produced the Governor, except for the short period that Prof. Osunbor was governor for about 18 months.
“Chief Odigie Oyegun from Edo South was the first Governor after the State was created in 1991. Governor Lucky Igbinedion from Edo South did 8 years. After him, Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North was also on the saddle for 8 years. Governor Godwin Obaseki also from Edo South will be rounding off his 8 year tenure by November, 2024. To ensure political inclusion, it’s only fair that Edo Central be allowed to take a shot at the governorship seat in 2024.” Hon. Egbadon, who was the pioneer Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly at its creation in 1992, contends.
The group which began the series of consultative meeting on Friday with an engagement with prominent chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Osi Orbih , was later received by the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CFR. as well as by Hon Charles Idahosa, a former Political Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole. The delegation also met with other leaders including the former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Mathew Iduoriyekenmwen as well as the All People’s Congress (APC) Candidate in the 2020 Governorship Election, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu. The team also had talks with some of the leaders of the Labour Party (LP) and APC.
The EOI leadership will continue the consultative engagement with prominent political and influential leaders in Edo South and Edo North with a view to encouraging them to support Esan candidates in their respective parties.
While noting that there are many aspirants from Edo Central angling to contest the 2024 governorship election on the platform of the various parties, EOI President reveals that a criteria committee headed by Constitutional Law Scholar, Prof Mike Ikhariale, has been put in place to help prune down the aspirants to a manageable numbers.
“While we seek to present the best candidates, only aspirants with gravitas and have support base in the northern and southern senatorial zones, will be supported. They must also be persons who demonstrate very high commitment to the overall development of the nooks and crannies of Edo State,” the group insists.
Other members of the EOI delegation include the Vice President, Eng George Okoyo, Secretary, Dr Celey Okogun, Treasurer, Eng Henry Ikheloa, PRO, Mr Tony Iyare and the Vice President, Association of Esan Professionals (AEP), Eng Obehi Okosun.
The Consultative team under the aegis of the EOI, also consists of former Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Post Primary Education, Dr Rosaline Etiti Okosun, renowned academics, Prof Friday Okonofua, Prof Oyaziwo Aluede and Prof Austine Aghemelo.
Others are Mr John Okoh, Hon Eugene Iyoha, Mr Christopher Atako, Hon Mike Enaboifo, Barr Tony Enaboifo, Sir Martin Ibhazekhioria and Mr Alex Orukpe. The team also had Mr Prosper Iyere, Mr Peter Tahir Akhimien, Ms Lawrenta Okojie, Mr Batholomew Okoudu and Hon Joshua Akhabue.
Chief Dan Orbih (left) with Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon
Hon Charles Idahosa (left) with Rt Hon Mike Egbadon
Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (Centre) with Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon (left) and General Manager, ITV/Radio, Mr Ogbeide Osaruwhense
EOI President, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon (left) with Hon Mathew Iduoriyekenmwen and Dr Roseline Etiti Okosun
Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu (left) with Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon
President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans to confer the country’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
He will also honour Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The duo will be conferred with the national honours on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the nation’s capital Abuja.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council made this known during a World Press Conference to unveil the programme of events for the 2023 presidential inauguration.
Boss Mustapha also said that there will be an official handover of Transition Documents to the Tinubu’s incoming administration on the same day.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had conferred GCON on only Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in 2015.
At the ceremony, Jonathan had explained that Buhari did not need the conferment as an ex military Head of State.
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has said that the party refused to challenge the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election in court due to the lack of funds.
He stated this while speaking to ARISE TV on the recent meeting between Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the NNPP and the President-elect, Tinubu.
Daily Trust reports a meeting between Tinubu and Kwankwaso in Paris, France, brokered by Kwankwaso’s ally and former Tinubu’s campaign coordinator, Abdulmumini Jibrin, the House of Representatives member-elect who defected to the NNPP from the APC before the general elections.
Details of the meeting are still sketchy but both men are said to have discussed a government of unity between the two parties that may lead to a possible political alliance between the two politicians.
While responding to it, Galadima said such a meeting between politicians is no news because it had happened a lot of times in Nigeria’s political history.
He said, “Everything in Nigeria is news. Ordinarily, a meeting between two political leaders should not attract that kind of ecstasy by the citizenry.
“But you know Senator Kwankwaso contested against the president-elect in the 2023 election in which the NNPP came fourth. However, after the contest, we’re one party that didn’t go to court even though we’re the only people who have credible reasons to go to court. That in itself speaks volumes and can be interpreted in several ways.
“The actual situation is that meetings of such nature and even the idea of unity government are not something new in Nigerian politics. It happened in the First Republic between the NCNC and the NPC – that’s Azikiwe’s and Ahmadu Bello’s parties.
“Later, there was also a unity government that was formed between the NPC and the NNDP led by Chief Samuel Akintola of the Western Region. Of course it’s also on record that during the government of Shagari, the NPP led by Nnamdi Azikiwe had an agreement with the government of the NPN.
“So, it’s history that’s repeating itself. This is why there is the need to educate the young people about the history of their country.”
Responding to why the NNPP did not go to court to challenge Tinubu’s victory like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), among others, he said the party lacked enough resources to do that.
“First, we have to place on record that it’s the PDP that has expelled both Kwankwaso and myself. So we wouldn’t have been in a race just to stop them from winning an election.
“But we also know that even going to court entails a lot of resources which we didn’t have. Our performance was measured solely on our credibility and not on the deep pocket.
“For anybody to go to court to challenge an election, that person must have not less than N5 billion naira. We don’t have that money to do that,” he said.
Following the completion of the tenure of former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing, UK government Thursday, appointed Dr. Richard Montgomery as the new High Commissioner. He has already presented his credentials to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House.
According to the statement issued by the High Commission, Richard is an experienced diplomat who has previously worked in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Prior to his new appointment, he the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Board from 2018 to 2022 in Washington DC, USA. “He has held various senior positions in the Department of International Development (DFID). These included Director for Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division, Country Director for Pakistan, and prior to that Country Director in Nigeria from 2009 to 2013.
But prior to these operational roles, Montgomery was the Deputy Director for Corporate Human Resources and Deputy Head in DFID’s Top Management Group. Earlier in his career, he did postings in British High Commissions in Zambia, Bangladesh and India.
“He is married to Naheed and they have two children. He and his wife are looking forward to their second stay in Nigeria.”
To mark his arrival Richard Montgomery said: “It is great to be back in Nigeria and I am very excited about this new role. I look forward to working with people in government, in the private sector and in civil society to advance the UK’s work in supporting a more prosperous Nigeria.”
[Guardian]
Ebonyi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Thursday accused the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi, of sinister plots to influence the relocation of the Ebonyi State election petitions tribunal currently sitting in Abuja back to Abakaliki.
Disclosing this in a statement, the PDP alleged that Governor Umahi had been boasting that he had lobbied powerful judicial officers in Abuja to ensure that the Ebonyi State Elections Petitions Tribunal is relocated back to Abakaliki.
The party added that Gov. Umahi publicly boasted about this on 13th May 2023, at a burial ceremony in Amangwu Edda in Edda Local Government Area of the State, where he was quoted to have allegedly said that nothing on earth can stop the Election Petition Tribunal from being relocated back to Ebonyi state.
But the party has, however, urged the election petition authorities, especially the President of the Court of Appeal, Honourable Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen to ignore Governor Umahi’s antics in the interest of peace, justice, fairness and equity.
“Based on this development, the PDP in Ebonyi State hereby wishes to alert the Election Petition Authorities, especially the President of the Court of Appeal on the need to ignore Gov. Umahi’s antics. We urge the Judicial Authorities to remain steadfast and sustain the Relocation of the Tribunal from Abakaliki to Abuja.
“We are convinced as an interested party that the sustenance of the Tribunal at Abuja would guarantee justice, Peace, equity and fairness. We are equally convinced that the decision to relocate the Tribunal to Abuja was a welcome decision as it provides a level-playing ground for all the parties involved in the cases before the Tribunal. The decision was hailed and celebrated by all the parties and the politically conscious citizens of Ebonyi State and beyond,” the party noted.
The party further alleged that Ebonyi State Government is notorious for masterminding violence and terror-related acts, insisting that allowing the elections petitions tribunal to be relocated back to Abakaliki as allegedly boasted by Governor Umahi would open a new window of opportunity for the reign of impunity and terror, adding that such an ugly scenario should not be allowed to play up in the State.
“The Ebonyi State Government is notorious for being a mastermind of violence and terror-related acts. For instance, the State Chairman of APC, Mr Stanley Okoro Emegha is also the Security Consultant of Ebubeagu Militia and at the same time doubles as the Chief Security Consultant to the State Government.
“All efforts made by forward-looking citizens of the State to get Gov. Umahi to see reason as to why he should separate the office of the State Chairman of APC from the Ebubeagu Consultant/Security Consultant conundrum fell on deaf ears because of the role which the APC boss plays in the state as the mobilizer and deployer of militant youths and other harbingers of terrorism in the state.
“For instance, on 14th of February, 2023, when the Federal High Court in Abakaliki delivered a very popular judgement disbanding the notorious Ebubeagu Militia for extrajudicial killings and harassment of political opponents in the State, APC Chairman was quick to mobilise hired thugs and miscreants to barricade the Federal High Courts and the State High Courts in Abakaliki.
“Artificial demonstrations were organized, made up of miscreants and bandits who carried placards and dangerous weapons to intimidate and threaten Judicial Officers about what awaits them if they ever give any judgement considered to be against the state government and at the same period, the Governor directed that his thugs should always move round the Court should any is giving judgement against his Government.
“Even as the situation is now, litigants, Petitioners, experts and Witnesses to appear in respect of the cases involving opposition parties at the Tribunal can not feel safe to appear if the Tribunal were to sit in Abakaliki, as everyone in the state knows that these hardened elements cannot fail to mobilize the hoodlums to scare away the Witnesses and other interested parties.
“As we speak, the security agencies like Nigerian Police, Department of Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) etc can attest to the rate of insecurity in Ebonyi State as there has been a continuous crisis in the State and any Judicial Officer who fail to adhere to their bid, will always have himself to blame.
“Ebonyi State is not the only state affected by the decision of the President of the Court of Appeal to relocate the Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja, other states like Rivers State and Zamfara State are not complaining, even other petitioners in Ebonyi State are happy over the decision though we are aware of the plot by APC led Government to get some people who claim to be opposition party to connive with them in their antics,” the PDP stated.
Reacting, Governor David Umahi through his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Oko, described the allegation as unfortunate, noting that the Governor could not have said that, either privately or publicly, to anyone as such an action was not in his character
“It is unfortunate that this dying party would clutch at anything to make noise. Governor Umahi could not have said that either privately or publicly to anyone as such an action is not in his character.
“As a firm believer in democracy and fair play and a committed child of God, he will never be involved in any sinister dealing moreso where the temple of justice is involved. This is surely the cry of a drowning man looking for excuses,” Mr Oko said.
Recall that on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the Secretary of Ebonyi State election petitions tribunal, Mr Nyior Henry Sekulla, announced the directive of the Appeal Court President for the relocation of the Tribunal to Abuja, a development that has generated mixed reactions from the political actor.
[Vanguard]
Lamidi Apapa, a factional chairman of the opposition Labour Party (LP), says he’s open to meeting with the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, if the latter should request a meeting with him.
Apapa, however, stated that such a meeting can only take place if endorsed by executives of the Labour Party.
“Before I honour him (Tinubu), I will consult the executives of the party. If they ask me to go ahead, I will do,” he said, adding “If they ask me to go ahead, it becomes our position and not my position.”
The factional LP chairman spoke on Thursday — a day after a mob suspected to be supporters of the Labour Party attacked him at the FCT Court of Appeal on suspicion that he attended a sitting of the presidential tribunal to frustrate the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s petition against Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Apapa and his faction have been at loggerheads with the LP faction of Julius Abure, the suspended National Chairman of the party.
Speaking on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’, he claimed that his rift with Abure’s faction is strictly about fighting for his right as LP’s acting chairman and not to scuttle Obi’s chances at the tribunal.
Apapa added that he’s fully in support of Obi’s bid to challenge Tinubu’s election victory at the presidential tribunal.
“I am fully behind Obi’s mandate and I’ve said it several times. None of them can tell me they are more Obidient than myself because where I voted and the votes I got are confirmation of my wish for Obi to rule Nigeria.
“So, none of them can tell me they are more of it (Obidient) than myself. So, I am fully with him because if he wins the election and he becomes president, I think my life would be better than what it is now, there’s no doubt it.”
He added, “I prefer him (Obi) to be there and I keep on maintaining that on Obi’s mandate I stand.”
Apapa described as mischievous, reports alleging that he plans to withdraw Obi’s case against Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the presidential tribunal.
“I don’t succumb to the withdrawal of the case. I have said this several times. When you have a good case to handle, why should you withdraw?
“I am not in support of withdrawal because we have a case against the APC and that case must be treated accordingly to a logical conclusion. That’s my belief and I stand by it,” he added.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday revealed that it is investigating the outgoing Zamfara State governor, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, for allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
The commission declared that its investigation of the governor was a source of anxiety in Government House, Gusau, “with the governor in mortal dread of his fate once he steps down as governor on May 29”.
Matawalle had on Tuesday levelled allegations of corruption in assets disposal and plea bargain procedure against EFCC and its Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa and dared the anti-corruption commission to go after President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers.
Reacting to the Zamfara governor’s allegations while addressing journalists at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, said the anti-graft agency ought not to dignify the governor with a response but “for the sake of some gullible citizens who might be swayed by the governor’s sudden burst of crusading zest”.
According to him, “What is at play here is a pure case of corruption fighting back. Matawalle’s outburst is a product of paranoia- an uncomfortable exertion arising from the heat of EFCC’s lawful activities.”
Nwajah said it was not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate who EFCC should arrest, when and where, adding that the governor wanted to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate.
He said what Matawalle trying to do was a matter of corruption fighting back, saying that Nigerians should expect more wild allegations from more politically exposed persons.
“The Commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations, fight viciously back.
“But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion.
“The money which was sourced as a loan from an old generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.
“The Commission’s investigations so far reveal that more than 100 companies have received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.
“Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the Commission made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars,” Nwajah said.
He added that the contractors did not render any service to Zamafara State but were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollars and return to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably the Commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.
He informed that as part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, EFCC had recovered a sum of N300 million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited. The funds were traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.
The factional chairman of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, has given conditions under which he would honour an invitation from the country’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
Apapa, while answering questions on Arise TV on Thursday, said he would only meet with Tinubu if the party approved it.
“Before I honour him, I will consult the executive of the party, so if they ask me to go ahead, I will do so. If the executive says go ahead, it becomes our position.
“It’s not going to be my position. If they say go and see him or we are going to see him, it becomes the position of the party, not the position of Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa.
“All of us will collectively go and see him. That is, if we have the mandate of the house, that we are going to see him,” he said.
The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party took a fresh twist on Wednesday as the factions loyal to Apapa and Julius Abure engaged in a fight at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had suspended Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party.
[DailyPost]
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Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, said that his duplicate had assumed national and international dimensions in the impersonation bid.
Obi who has approached the Court to void the declaration of the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, in his verified tweet, said the impostor had gone on a rampage.
In a series of tweets, to absolve himself of any involvement with Prince Audi, the Son of the Late Prince Audu.
His words: “My duplicates are still on the rampage, they now mimic my voice and call people. There is no limit that people cannot go to cause mischief on their target. I have been a target both locally and internationally.
“The latest incident happened in Abuja yesterday, 17th May at the Court of Appeal premises of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal venue, where my attention was drawn to what was going on outside the courtroom.
“A report came to me while I was seated in court that one Prince Mustapha Audu, son of the late Governor of Kogi state, held the OBIdient’s Chief Spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko and some others spellbound – castigating and talking down on me,describing me as an ethnic and religious bigot.
“He claimed that I called him while I was in front of his office on Tuesday morning at about 11 am, but suddenly cut off the phone after I spoke Igbo and he, Audu was unable to respond.
“According to him, Obi may have only helped to empower some businessmen strictly because they were Igbos, and he wondered why Obi should aspire to lead the country if he cannot accommodate other ethnic groups.
“It was one of my aides who quickly alerted me on what was going on and I pleaded with him to go outside and tell the OBIdients who were with the man to kindly delay him until I come out of the courtroom. After the court proceedings,
“I met with Audu and he repeated the same story, adding that he was angry at me for cutting off the phone on him because he could not speak Igbo. He insisted that I was in front of his office in Abuja when I called.
“I then introduced myself again to him and told him, “My brother, I did not call you, and I couldn’t have been in front of your office on Tuesday because I was not in Abuja, and not even in the country. At about the time you alleged that I called you,
“I was arriving Nice in France for a meeting. By the evening of the same day, I flew to London for another meeting and in fact, had to breeze in to felicitate with my dear elder brother, Dele Momodu on his 63rd birthday.
“I only flew into the country this morning for this court session” The young man, looking embarrassed and surprised at the same time added that the voice of the caller and everything sounded like mine. We exchanged pleasantries and took pictures.
“This is just one of the many desperate efforts to run me down and tag me as what I am not, with the intention to gain some perceived political mileage against me.
“Ordinarily, I am not scared or worried about competitions provided they are within the legitimate rules of engagement, but going this far is worrisome.
“It is quite very worrisome because this is certainly not the right way to develop a nation that is in dire need of positive changes that will enable her to join the League of Nations that are moving forward.
“I appeal to the public to beware and not easily deceived with the cheap tricks of impersonating me for whatever ulterior intentions,” Obi stated in his tweets
It would be recalled that Obi was arrested and detained at Heathrow, in April for alleged impersonation, by the immigration officers.
The Lagos State government has concluded plans to promote a total of 5,709 teachers in its senior secondary schools across the six educational districts of the state for this year.
Those involved are from Level 08 to Level 16 with females forming the majority.
The Chairman of the state’s Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs Victoria Peregrino, made this disclosure at a sideline at Government College, Agege, while declaring open this year’s Revised Structured Training Programme, organised for them.
She told the teachers and other workers under TESCOM watch that though they are due for promotion, it is not automatic that they would all be promoted.
According to her, Lagos state will never deny any of its teachers and other school workers their promotion once they are due and meet the laid down criteria which hinge on academic and professional qualifications, diligence, and excellent performance.
“So, if you fall short of necessary conditions required for your next office, you will certainly not be promoted as promotion is to be earned,” she emphasised.
Peregrino, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Mrs Olubusola Abidakun, explained that all the officers must have to go through a revised structure training programme to prepare them well ahead of their next roles.
She said the one-week training has become a yearly practice by TESCOM for all officers who are due for promotion across cadres from level 08 to 16 as nobody can rise above level 17 in the civil service.
She told them that the state government is expecting so much from them by performing optimally in their next respective duties.
According to her, TESCOM is seeking your total cooperation and civility in all that you do.
“You must be totally committed to your work. And your ability to adapt to changing situations, particularly in the classrooms is very germane, especially with the “new normal” of digital learning and teaching.
“So, you must be technically savvy to fit into the 21st-century best practices.”
Peregrino added that the officers must also have to key into the THEMES Agenda of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu which makes education and technology one of the prominent focus areas of the state government.
“So, you must ensure you demonstrate your expertise to improve students’ performances in their examinations, good character and other values expected of them,” she stressed.
Some of them, who spoke to Tribune Online at a sideline said they are eager for the promotion.
They said they are happy to work in the state’s government-owned schools as they are being supported with necessary working tools and also enjoy good working conditions with their salaries and allowances pay as when due.
Rivers State Government, Nyesom Wike, said he doesn’t regret authorizing the demolition of a property belonging to the Bayelsa State Government in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital.
Wike said prior to the demolition of the property located along Akasa Street in the old government residential area of the state capital, he reached out to his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, urging him to renovate the dilapidated property because it defaced the area.
According to the Rivers governor, Diri promised to renovate the property within three months but reneged on the promise, prompting his administration to pull down the building.
“Go to Akasa Street, you can see what is going on there. If you are a serious government, you cannot allow that. We have no apology. As far as we are concerned the place has been brought down, we are building judges’ quarters there,” Wike told journalists on his arrival from Europe at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday.
“You cannot have a property in this prime area and you don’t develop it, and then criminals use it to torment, terrorise and harass innocent people. And tomorrow you will tell me Rivers State is not safe.”
He berated the Diri-led Bayelsa government for claiming that the demolition was politically motivated because the state did not support his (Wike’s) presidential bid.
“I have never seen a government so hostile to Rivers State like Bayelsa State and let the truth be told. Every time politics will come in. Vendetta for what? Bayelsa has been the clog in the wheel of progress against Rivers State government.
“We had a joint property where Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over. NEW engineering works in Trans Amadi, AMCON took over the property and advertised for sale, Rivers State government, said look you can’t do it.
“We are ready to buy it. Bayelsa State knew about it. When the Rivers State government purchased it from AMCON, the Bayelsa State government went to court against the Rivers State government. So, it is unfortunate.”
Factional Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Lamidi Apapa, has said that he was not being recognized by Peter Obi and the Director General of the Obi/Datti Campaign Organisation as the National Chairman of the Party on a religious basis.
He said he remained the only elected National Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party while the other two were of their respective platforms from Labour Party (LP) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
According to Apapa, Obi’s weakness is manifest in his religious leaning because it is the way he operates. “I do not want to say this in public but I have to say it. Obi is a Christian, Abure is a Christian, Osuntokun is a Christian, I am the only one that is a Muslim. This is the way he operates.”
Apapa, who was a guest on Channels TV morning show pointed out that the non-recognition of his person by Obi at the court was preceded by a meeting where this group and the Abure group met to decide who would recognise the party at the court since Abure had no such powers being restrained by the Court to stop parading himself as chairman of the Party with four others.
Apapa said he was only acting as the chairman of the Labour Party pending when all allegations in Comrade Julius Abure are cleared, then he would return back as deputy national Chairman which he is.
He alleged that Obi’s harassment and assault at the court on Wednesday was premeditated. “They wanted to lynch me, that is the handiwork of Abure and Peter Obi, he organized it.
“My group said whenever we are holding the party event and am there, I should represent the party, Daramola was there, Engr. Mike was there.
“When they came back, Obi insisted that he will not recognize me as the Chairman of the Party. Am in Court he will not recognize me.
‘They now said who will now be there if Abure cannot be there because he has been asked to step aside because as far as the party is concerned, I am the next person to Abure.
“This Argument was so hot that they came back to my hotel room around 1 am before the court sitting and they said that if I were to be there today (Wednesday) they will deal with me. I thought it was a joke but they have done it. Arabambi confirmed it to me.
“It was confirmation of what they told me, I am quoting them.
“I have never said I am the National Chairman, I am the Acting National Chairman. If Abure steps aside, I am the next person to be in Acting Capacity.
“There is nothing like distrust, this is our mandate, it is a Labour Party project. Obi is our Project. No one should deviate from that project. Whether I am there or not, that project must be executed by all of us.
“If there is any deficit of trust, that cannot be referred to me. I want Obi to say to the whole world, why is he behaving, the way he is behaving to me, despite the fact that I have not done anything bad to him.
“Is it possible to withdraw a case with word of mouth? I have told the whole world, if you have any evidence to prove, I have done this or I have done that, bring it to the open to prove!
“He is bound to recognize me, he is not the owner of the party. I met me at the party. I have served for 21 years in the party, he is just a year in the party, he met me in the party and he is bound to recognize me in the party.
“I am not going to appeal to him to recognize me, the party belongs to Nigerians not to a particular tribe. He is bound to recognize me.
“On the issue of trust, I am bound to be trusted. I have not been found wanting for the last 21 years. If he should be fair now, he is the person that should be checked.
“He came to the party in just a year, and you are the one destroying someone who has been in the party for the past 21 years. So who is deceiving who, he is the one who should be checked.
Appearing on the TV platform was the Head of Media, Obi-Datti presidential Campaign Council Yunusa Tank said Apapa was head of the plot given to external forces to destabilize the party.
He pointed out that an originating summons from its group against Barr. Julius Abure in a plot to remove him from his ward 3 in Erue, Uromi, Esan North of Edo state had the lead counsel, Chief Ogwu James Onoja, the same Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the APC lawyer in the Presidential Campaign Tribunal, in Abuja.
According to Tanko, “So the same Person who is the lead counsel for that group is the same person is the representative and a lawyer to APC and the same lawyer is representing Apapa.
“This clearly shows you proof that they are being sponsored by the APC and I say it with clear intentions.