Minister inaugurates technical working group not-for-profit governance code
February 9, 2023 by ikenna.uwadileke

By Ikenna Uwadileke and Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the development of the Not-For-Profit Governance Code.

The minister said that the code would enshrine good governance and ethical practices in all sectors and operating environments of Nigeria’s economic space.

According to him, the code when ready shall be adopted and complied with by not-for-profit organisations in Nigeria.

“This is coming against the general notion of insufficient regulation on the organisational/operating structure and sustainability of various not-for-profit organisations in Nigeria.

“Therefore, having successfully issued the Private Sector Governance Code called Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018, and now set to issue a Public Sector Governance Code, council deemed it necessary to concurrently develop that for not-for-profit organisations,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism about the success of the group in carrying out the assigned task.

He said that there was the need to enshrine good governance and ethical practices in all organisations whether profit oriented or not could not be overemphasised.

Adebayo said that it would enhance the fulfilment of the overall mandate of not-for-profit entities so they could achieve their intended outcomes for citizens and render better service to users.

“It will also aid not-for-profit entities to operate in an effective, efficient, transparent and ethical manner while engendering public accountability of resources received from donor agencies.

“More so, it will ensure sustainability of these not-for-profit entities among others,” he said.

The minister encouraged members of the TWG to employ their wealth of knowledge, expertise and professionalism in developing an acceptable code that would rebuild and reshape perspectives about Nigeria’s economic operating environment.

The Chairman of the Group, Dr Joe Abah, described it an honour and privilege to find the members worthy to serve.

“On behalf of my colleagues, the members of the technical working group will like to appreciate the ministry and the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for deeming us worthy to work on this very important assignment.

Abah, who was a former Director-General, Bureau for Public Sector Reforms, described the code for the not-for-profit organisations as the most contentious among others.

“I need not to say that of all the codes that are being developed, the one for the not for profit organisations is probably the most contentious.

“We are aware of the previous attempt that was made in 2016 and the fact that some of the issues raised then was an issue of inadequate consultation of the key stakeholders

“I am, therefore, particularly pleased at the broad range of interest that has been nominated to be part of this technical working group.

“And the fact that the expectation is that we are working together from the beginning to develop the code jointly rather than one person developing it and then consulting others about it.

“I sense that perhaps it is one of the most contentious in quote because the public sector is used to taking directions from government, so is the private sector,” he said.

Abah said that there were debates as to how much oversight and regulation non-profit organisations should get from government.

“But at the same time there is the responsibility of government to ensure that people that occupy positions of trust and positions of interest behave in an ethical and appropriate way.

“So, the task for us as technical working group is to find the right kind of balance where government and the people are able to have comfort that this no profit organisations are operating the way that they are.

“And the non-profit organisations at the same time do not feel that government has come to take over their space.

“That is what we have to work toward and I am very pleased with the level of experience around the table.

“And I have no doubt that we will produce good work for the ministry and the council to consider presenting more widely to Nigerians,” Abah said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

L-R: An Engineer from the Lagos State Office of Infrastructure, Mr Tokunbo Oyenuga; Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye and a Town Planner, Oladimeji Animashaun, representing the Commisioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins during stakeholders with Eti-Osa Local Government Area residents towards dualisation of Alpha Beach Road at Alausa.

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it had given the deserved attention to infrastructure development and delivery for the wellbeing of the residents.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, said this at a stakeholders meeting held in Alausa for the dualisation of Alpha Beach Road, located in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The meeting, held with the Eti-Osa stakeholders, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in collaboration with its Works and Infrastructure counterpart.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Alpha Beach road, which is off Lekki-Epe Expressway, is also called Omo Oba Murphy Adetoro Road.

The project has a length of about 1.9km and width of 14.6m, and will link the proposed Coastal Road.

Bamgbose-Martins, represented by Oladimeji Animashaun, a town planner, said the project was in line with the THEMES Agenda, to improve traffic flow and assist the socio-economic development of the entire Eti-Osa axis.

He said the Sanwo-Olu administration began year 2023 on good note with inauguration of iconic projects such as the Blue Rail Line, Imota Rice Mill, Dangote Fertilizer Plant and the Eleko-Epe Road.

“The dualisation of Alpha Beach Road is yet another that is capable of further articulating the economic potential of the Lekki axis as the development zone of the state.

“Therefore, I make bold to say that this administration has earned a reputation as a progressive one that is paying the deserved attention to infrastructure development for a 21st-century Lagos, which is evident on many fronts, including education, public health, and transportation, where the state is growing rapidly as a result of the addition of the facilities required for the wellbeing of the people.

“Therefore, I am elated that the proposed dualisation of Alpha Beach Road in Eti-osa Local Government Area is coming at this point in time when the populace are able to assess the government, based on the delivery of electoral promises of which transportation and traffic management are important components,’’ he said.

The commissioner said the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to have inputs of residents, discuss issues Right of Way (RoW) recovery and other activities for the successful take off of the project.

Bamgbose-Martins said the meeting was well publicised to ensure adequate information on the modalities for the establishment of the RoW and other requirements for payment of compensation to affected property owners.

He appealed for support of the residents towards successful execution of the project while urging citizens to always comply with physical planning laws, build right and avoid illegal constructions.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, said the project was being executed in partnership with Zenith Bank under the government’s Public Infrastructure Improvement Partnership Project.

She listed other projects being built in partnership with other private sector partners and commended Zenith Bank for the project and others it had undertaken in the past.

Adeyoye urged other private sector partners to join in such collaboration, while giving a brief of the project being upgraded to be built with rigid pavement to carry heavy axle load for longevity.

She assured that CCTV cameras would be included in facilities on the road project as requested by a stakeholder, for effective monitoring after completion by community development associations.

Adeyoye, however, expressed disappointment over absence of the members of the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) who were important stakeholders on the project alignment.

She said there was opportunity for further future engagement with stakeholders on the project while listing ongoing collaboration with the private sector in the area of road constructions.

“I am a little disappointed that LERSA is not here,’’ she said.

Adeyoye called for continued support of stakeholders to government while appealing to residents to take ownership of the project and prevent it from all forms of abuse prevalent on the Eti-Osa axis.

Earlier, while giving a brief, the Project Director, Mr Tokunbo Ajanaku, said the Alpha Beach Road constructed between 1990 and 1994 would be upgraded to a dual carriageway to connect 20 estates.

Ajanaku, a certified Engineer from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said the project would also link the proposed Coastal Road project with proper drainage channel and service ducts for future passage of cables and utility lines.

He said that site clearance would warrant demolition of some properties on the Right of Way, adding that, efforts were made through design adjustments to reduce the number of houses to go down.

Stakeholders at the event including Mr Uneku Okpanachi, a lawyer, took turns to raise concerns which were addressed.

However, Mr Dayo Joshua, who earlier appealed for inclusion of CCTVs in the project, also called for rehabilitation of inner estate roads that were destroyed as a result of traffic diverted on them for take-off of the main project.

Alhaji Razak Olokooba, a civil society representative from Eti-Osa, applauded the government, saying it was not right to give commendation for good deeds and not to always give negative commentaries.

“We are interested in the good things you are doing for the people so that we can balance it,” he said.

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Segun Giwa

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has urged the electorate to vote leaders with good character to move the country forward.

Akeredolu stated this in Akure on Thursday at a programme organised by a socio- cultural and political group, The Atulunse Initiative, with the theme: “Let Our Votes Count.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the topic for the event was “Ethical governance: Awo’s legacy as a case study.”

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urged the people to shun vote buying at the forthcoming elections.

“It is the quality of followers that is affecting the quality of leaders,” he said.

Akeredolu urged Nigerians to vote for leaders with qualities and attributes of the late, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He also enjoined Nigerians to stop celebrating those who value money over good behaviour and character.

“We need to look for visionary leaders like Chief Awolowo. So, let us look at the characters of those that are contesting, whether they have the character of Chief Awolowo or not.

“You can see that our governor is doing well in the state. You can see that Akeredolu has the same character with Awolowo and the development of this state is very paramount to him.

“Let communal life be our priority; let us look at the characters of the candidates before we vote.

“Let us vote for the candidate that is ready to provide adequate security and move this country forward,” he said.

The Chairman, The Atulunse Initiative, Mr Akin Akinbobola, thanked the participants for making it to the occasion in spite of the unpleasant situations in the country.

Akinbobola said that the organisation had spread to the 36 states of the federation sensitising people on how to make their votes count.

The chairman said that a lot needed to be done to get the country on the right path, noting that there was a wide gap between the rich and the poor.

“Give us education that is affordable. When those living in luxury are sick, they travel abroad, while the poor go for herbal treatment because orthodox medicine is not affordable.

“Life has become unbearable for most Nigerians, why? It is because their votes don’t count. All these must stop. They buy votes and people go for such.

“Power is in our hands. That vote is in your hand. That is why they beg you for it. But when you sell it, they will come back and make life unrealistic.

“But when you vote based on your conscience not by ethnicity or any affiliation, you will enjoy the country,” he said.

The Chairman of the occasion and Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede, said that the purpose of the gathering was to ensure that votes count in the forthcoming elections.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Akin Alao of Obafemi Awolowo University, said many political parties had failed to develop programmes that would create wealth and positively impact the economy.

He said, this was, unlike Awo’s Action Group, which attained its popularity through hard work, honesty and forthrightness.

Shalom Olaseni, Coordinator, Atunluse Initiatives, said “good governance should be undebatable when the hearts of the leaders are in the right place of delivering dividends of democracy to the citizens.

“It is also very important for the voters to vote in leaders that can represent their dreams, help achieve their aspirations and also enact laws that bring comfort and make life more bearable for the citizens.

“Both the Leaders and the citizens have roles to play in ensuring good governance as the quality and the values of the society is reflected in the kind of leaders we elect and vice versa.

“Atunluse Initiatives believes that leaders should strive to provide better life and social amenities for the citizens rather than serving their own pockets.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered a closure of universities across the country to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections.

This is contained in a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and Directors of Inter-University Centres, and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The letter was signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Christopher Maiyaki.

The NUC said that the directive was based on the directive of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

Maiyaki said: “As Vice-Chancellors of all universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware the 2023 general elections have been scheduled to hold on Sat. Feb. 25, 2023, for the presidential and National Assembly, and Sat. March 11, 2023 for gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staffers, students and properties of the our respective institutions, the Minister of Education, has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down.

” And also academic activities will be suspended between Feb. 22 and March 14, 2023.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reposition the public service operations by improving the civil servants’ digital skills to meet global standards.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known at a one-day free Leadership Development Workshop on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Integrated Institute of Professional Management (IIPM) in collaboration with the office of the HOCSF.

Represented by Dr John Mogbadelo, Director Civil Service Transformation in the office, Yemi-Esan said that Nigeria needed reforms to enable it to fix the entire civil service, economy, society and its political sector.

“Reform is all about transformation; it is an institutional process of transforming an organisation for improved service delivery,” she said.

According to Esan, the workshop was organised for 40 directorate and the middle management level officers in her office.

She said that the workshop focused on ”Attitudinal and Cultural Change Dimension of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 to 2025 (FCSSIP25)”.

She said the FCSSIP25 was created to address the challenges faced in the civil service so as to improve the state of the entire service.

“The FCSSIP25 is built on levers of capacity building and talent management, performance, IPPIS-HR, innovation, digitisation, and staff welfare which are classified as pillars of FCSSIP25.

“Consequently, this leadership workshop is tailored towards providing the participants with attitudinal and cultural change dimension of FCSSIP25 to produce measurable impacts on the civil service community.

“Effecting this change requires that officers driving the FCSSIP25 must be equipped with the requisite skills in delivering the expected results,” Yemi-Esan said.

She also charged the government and private organisations to adequately train their officers to develop employee skills and capacity for better service delivery.

In his contribution, Mogbadelo, said the whole essence of the training was to ensure that the selected officers acquire new skills as the global workforce was going digital.

“So many things are changing around us today. In fact, the global workforce now is digital, the work space is a digital space. So, you can be in Nigeria and be working in the UK to earn your salaries.

“The world is changing. So, if we remain static as a service, we will not be able to meet the challenges of the future. We will be totally disconnected.

“So, we don’t want to be disconnected from the world, that is why new training programmes are put together to improve in the entire public service,” he said.

Also, Mr Francis Binuyo, who delivered lecture on `Attitudinal and Cultural Change Dimension of FCSSIP25,” said FCSSIP25 was one of the key reforms by government, to make service/regulatory functions better since the advent of democratic dispensation.

According to Binuyo, the workshop will review highlights of FCSSIP25, determine performance characteristics and advise on the dimensions of change for FCSSIP25 effectiveness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Olawunmi Ashafa

MD, FMBN, Mr Nadu Hamman, Representative of the Chairman Board of Directors FMBN Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi and other directors at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 130 housing units

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government has inaugurated 25 housing units in Kuje and performed groundbreaking for developing an additional 130 units at the Aviation Village both in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The completed houses project,  a partnership between the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Abiskoly Housing Estate for the National Human Rights Commission Cooperative Society is located in Kuje.

While the groundbreaking ceremony for 130  three bedroom Terrace duplexes was done for FMBN Staff Cooperative Estate  located at Aviation village off Airport Road Abuja and being developed by Mshel Homes Limited.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, while inaugurating  the project said the houses would stimulate economic growth and contribution to nation building.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Federal Government, and President Muhammadu Buhari for financing and encouraging real estate developers to be able to develop estates like this.

” I must also thank the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, for what you are doing, when you do this you are contributing to nation building, this will stimulate economic growth now people will start coming here and when they move here other people who don’t live here will start coming.

“This will also make people home owners, people who cannot even afford to build a house but this will give them hope and I can assure you that the government will continue to encourage people like you who want to build homes for the people.”

In the same vein, the Managing Director, FMBN, Mr Madu Hamman, said the phase one which was completed for commissioning was 25 housing units while 35 units would be delivered in the next phase.

He said that In the past few weeks the bank had been commissioning several residential houses in eight states across the country under the bank’s housing delivery initiative, developed in collaboration with the labour unions.

“And, we have several others also completed under this scheme that will be commissioned in due course across the country’s geopolitical zones.

“In this giant strive we are making in an effort to reduce the national housing deficit and also employ Nigerians in all areas of home ownership.

“The commissioning of this estate today is another landmark event to showcase housing ownership initiative of the bank which is the FMBN cooperative society development housing scheme.

“Under this scheme, we fund housing construction for housing cooperative society members, and acquisition of these houses when developed by their members who are regular contributors to the housing funds loan.

“In our own way at the FMBN, we are committed to ensure that Nigerians have access to decent and secure accommodation through affordable mortgage financing especially Nigerians who have limited opportunities.”

Hamman said there was no state in Nigeria today that did not have at least one or two FMBN sponsored Estate.

He added that FMBN had also continued to develop affordable market products and housing development schemes in its effort to exploit all angles and to facilitate mortgage lending and home ownership to Nigerians.

The Chairman Board of Directors FMBN, Mr Ayodeji Ariyo, said the approval and disbursement of the loan for the project was an indication of the Bank’s desire to empower Nigerian’s homeownership via affordable home mortgage financing.

Ayodeji who was represented by Non-executive Director, Mrs Nkechi Ejezie, said the project was a confirmation of the Bank’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors.

“It is therefore a thing of joy for us at FMBN to be associated with today’s event and the Abiskoly Nigeria Limited, the developer of this estate.

“I have no doubt that this project will go a long way in ameliorating the housing needs of members of the subscribers to this estate who are the staff of Human Rights Commission and contributing to the NHF.”

Earlier, speaking at the groundbreaking of the 130 three bedroom terrace duplexes in the Aviation Village, President of Multi-purpose Cooperative Society FMBN, Mr Muhammad Lawal, said the idea to build a functional estate had been a priority of the cooperative.

“When we came on board, our desire was to develop an estate which will project a good image of the bank, provide a decent shelter for our members and set a good example for other developers to emulate.

“N1, 949,805,642.87 was approved as loan by the current Management in favour of FMBN Staff Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited under the Cooperative Housing Development Loan Window, for the of 130 units of 3bedroom terrace duplex with infrastructure.

“Our developer has fully mobilised; construction work is going on in strict compliance with engineering standard.

“In three months after the commencement of this project, we have received over 600 names of interested beneficiaries, mainly FMBN Staff and many others from government agencies such as the CBN,” he said.

Lawal, however, appealed to the management of FMBN to consider and approve the phase 2 of the project to construct another 200 housing units to accommodate more citizens.

Both developers were commended FMBN for the opportunity and privilege to be partners in building affordable houses for citizens and reducing the housing deficit in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 Nigerians were beneficiaries of the just commissioned houses which are in 2bedroom and 3bedroom detached bungalows.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Participants at the workshop for relevant stakeholders in selected states and education sector to review of the ASC instrument and implementation manuals

By Justina Auta

The Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural (UNESCO) are to review the Annual School Census (ASC) tools and implementation manuals in line with global trends and the SDGs.
This was made known at a three-day workshop for relevant stakeholders in selected states and education sector to review of the ASC instrument and implementation manuals on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew David-Adejo, said “ASC helps the education sector by generating data on the number of schools by level, learners, staff, classrooms, books and facilities.”
David-Adejo, represented by Mr Zubairu Abdullahi, therefore, urged the participants to contributes towards producing a reviewed instruments and manual in line with global best practices.

” I look forward to the report of this workshop, especially as Nigeria really needs to improve on the credibility of data on Out-Of-School-Children,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to UNESCO for their support in the education sector, especially in the conduct of ASC to ensure Nigeria has the appropriate tools to use.
Also, Mr Mamadou Lamine-Sow, Head of Education Sector, UNESCO Abuja Regional Office, said the exercise aim at collecting accurate, reliable and timely data from schools.
“It is the primary source of education data in any country. Data provides the statistical evidence for a majority if not all the education sector’s policies, plans, strategies, decisions and distribution of resources.

“One of the objectives of this workshop is to review our annual school census tools to be that 21st-century tool we all want it to be and to capture most of the SDG4 indicators.
“With this alone, there will not be anything like no data or blank spaces when it comes to reporting globally such as with UNESCO Institute for Statistics,” he said.
Lamine-Sow, represented by Mrs Ngozi Amanze, UNESCO’s National Programme Officer, said they would also be reviewing the indicators for school health and child well-being to promote positive development and healthy behaviours in children.
“It is important that we strengthen the capacity of the school health system to provide conducive environment for physical, mental and social wellbeing of young people and to achieve SDG 4 and the health-related SDGs.

“Also, to prepare learners to thrive, learn and build healthy and peaceful sustainable futures for all,” he said.
He said the workshop would educate school heads and teachers on the new integrations to the ASC tools, reduce the complexity of completing the questionnaires and improve the understanding of the school administrators to efficiently complete the assignment.
He reiterated the commitment of UNESCO towards supporting the education system, adding that the workshop was part of UNESCO’s Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme.
Also, Mr Adeleye Adeoye, Director, Educational Planning Research and Development (EPR &D), said the workshop will lead to the production of reviewed ASC Instruments and Manual for proper planning, decision making and policy implementation
Adeoye, represented by Mrs Olayiwola Jawon, added that it would also guide school Heads and EMIS Desk Officers in the school, to accurately complete the ASC questionnaires.

A participant, Prof. Toun Akinsolu, Federal Adviser, USAID Learn to Read, said the exercise would aide in having a credible and reliable data for educational planning, through the use of ASC, a reliable instrument.
” The review is apt because the society itself is dynamic and because of the dynamism of the society, we need to move with recent trends and emerging issues that is what necessitated this review.
” This is the second phase, the first phase was held in December 2022, we made a lot of inputs into all the various characteristics of the instrument so that we can make it more robust and holistic.
” So, that all data necessary for planning purposes and for educational reportage at the national level will be adequately captured,” she said.
She added that new policies like the National Reading Policy, National Language Policy, the revised National Policy on Education, teaching in mother tongue, early grade reading would be integrated into the ASC.
” At the end of this workshop, I believe we should have a clean copy of annual school census instrument, which the Federal Ministry of Education will now print and disseminate to other stakeholders for usage.
” Other development partners will leverage on the output of this meeting as far as educational data management system is concerned in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola