September 15, 2024

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Breaking News

1 Tinubu lauds military’s North-West successes

2 Tinubu returns to Abuja from China after London stop over

3 Kulikuli entertainment boss calls for promotion of Afrobeat music

4 Wike promises support to private investors in FCT

5 FCT: Wike blames rising cost of housing accommodation on market forces

General News

Tinubu appoints new Head of Civil Service of Federation

 

 

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from Aug. 14.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday, said Walson-Jack was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and had served in several ministries.

“The new appointee will take over from the incumbent, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, who is due to retire on Aug. 13.

President Tinubu thanked the outgoing Head of Service for her stewardship.

He tasked the incoming Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the extant rules and regulations of the Civil Service of the Federation. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Dr Raymond Edoh, the Council’s Executive Director, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN)
General News

Appoint southeast personnel to head FRSC, NCSCN urges Tinubu

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint qualified officials from Southeast to head the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Dr Raymond Edoh, the Council’s Executive Director, said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a news conference on the state of the nation and the federal character principle.

According to him, appointing an official from the southeast to head FRSC will be in compliance with the Federal Character principle.

“Recall that the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria was borne out of the need to ensure evenness in spreading government appointments to promote inclusion, representation, a sense of belonging and balance in the polity.

“The underlying philosophy is providing equality of access in public service representation to curb dominance by one or a few sections.

“The Principle was first introduced into the Constitution in 1979 for public offices and federal institutions to reflect Nigeria’s diversities.

“The Federal Character Commission (FCC) was subsequently established by Act No 34 of 1996 as a Federal Executive body to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle of fairness and equity’’, he said.

He said the Commission had achieved remarkable feats in the nation’s civil service in terms of employment.

However, he said, the same could not be said of appointments of heads of security agencies and para-military establishments over the decades,” Edoh said.

According to him, verifiable records show that the configuration of the nation’s security and para-military architectures do not properly reflect and represent the Federal Character Principle.

He listed the heads of para-military agencies; Nigerian Police Force – IGP Kayode Egbetokun , Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps – Dr Ahmed Audi, Department of State Service -Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Others are Nigeria Customs Service,Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency,Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Also, Economic & Financial Crime Commission ,Mr Ola Olukayode, Independent & Corrupt Practices Commission ,Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu and National Food & Drugs Administration & Control , Prof Moji Adeyeye.

He said the list showed that that no personnel or official from the southeast was heading any of the agencies listed.

“With the retirement of Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps last week, general expectations and healthy assumptions were that the next Corps Marshal FRSC would be considered from the Southeast Zone.

“Furthermore, our diligent findings shows that within the nine dispensation and 36 years of the enactment into law and formal appointments of the successive Corp Marshals, below is the official records;

“Dr Olu Agunloye. 1988 -1994. Maj. Gen Haldu Anthony Hananiya (rtd) 1994 – 1999, Danyaro Ali Yakasai. 1999 – 2000, Mr Abba Wakilbe, 2000 – 2003, Maj. Gen Haldu Anthony Hananiya (rtd) 2003 – 2007.

“Others include Osita Chidoka, 2007 – 2014, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi 2014 – 2022, Ali Biu 2022 – 2024, and Mr Shehu Mohammed (now reported to be confirmed and decorated),” the executive director said.

Edoh therefore appealed to President Tinubu to encourage national unity and integration by taking advantage of the retirement of Mr Dauda Biu as Corps Marshal of the FRSC to remedy the situation.

Earlier, the Director, South West, NCSCN, Mr Yemi Success, said every zone was equal in the country.

“Facts speak for itself, but there is a possibility that the leadership has not taken cognisance of the details and as the watchdog of society we have placed it before them.

“We will follow it up with advocacy; we note that President Tinubu has been one of the advocates of good governance and equitable distribution of power in Nigeria before his ascension to power.

“We believe this may be oversight that might happen as a mistake, now that we have placed the facts and figures before him we are sure that he will do the needful.’’ Success said.

Similarly, Mr Haruna Gambo, the Director Media, NCSCN, said the only way the country could promote unity was by being just in the distribution of federal appointments and political offices.

Gambo therefore, called on the government to unite the country by making sure that any region in Nigeria that was deprived of appointments was compensated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Uche Anunne

Samuel ONOJI, PhD. Acting Principal/CEO, PTI
Education , General News , Oil & Gas

Students, youths’ bodies beg Tinubu to appoint competent CEO for PTI

By Emmanuel Afonne

The leadership of students and youths unions have called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint the acting Principal of Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Dr Samuel Onoji, as the substantive Principal of the institute.

The unions’ appeal was conveyed in a letter addressed to the president and co-signed by the leadership of the different student/youth bodies, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

The unions are the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), National Association of University Students (NAUS) and the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NACES).

Others are the Nigerian Youth Union (NYU) and the African Students Education Support Initiative (ASESI).

The signatories are Comrades Chinonso Obasi, National President, NYU; Lucky Emonefe, National President, NANS; Marshal Obaji, National President, NAUS; Bassey Eka, Nigerian Country-Rep, ASESI; Egunjobi Samuel, National President, NACES and Ridwan Opeyemi National President, NAPS.

According to the groups, the unprecedented peace and joy in the institute since the announcement of Onoji as the acting principal is one borne out of acceptance by all and sundry.

“It also shows Onoji’s capacity to deliver on goals, integrity, ingenuity, unquestionable leadership and charisma.

“Our interest is primarily in Nigerian students’ welfare and a peaceful academic environment.

“The testimonials from PTI students about Onoji affirm that he is the square peg in the square hole.

“As former Director of PTI services, an officer in charge of the day-to-day maintenance and repair of the infrastructure of the institute, he is described and addressed by students as a cat with nine lives.

“This is because of his availability to call to duty even at odd hours.”

The groups further highlighted student’s appraisals of Onoji’s competence.

“Under Onoji as chairman board of examiners, we have experienced seamless examinations; under his admission committee, PTI’s admissions have always been on merit.

“As chairman institute curriculum development committee, we have enjoyed rich curricula that place us ahead of other scholars in sister institutions.

“As a sound academia, he has published several papers in international reputable high-impact Elsevier journals, among others, which can be verified online.”

The groups said that the standard of PTI was falling drastically because of the rising competing training institutes created by multinational companies.

According to them, the situation creates the urgent need for a seasoned and experienced Onoji who is the chairman of the PTI strategic team.

They said confirming Onoji as the Chief Executive Officer of the PTI would make significant impact on visibility of the Institute in the oil and gas industry.

“His appointment, we believe, will rekindle the lost glory of the Nigerian-only petroleum training institute and the institute, will in turn, contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s GDP by upscaling its established mandate.

“It is always said that ‘when preparation meets opportunity, success is abound; Onoji’s preparedness for the task ahead is unquestionable.

“In April, he completed a 2-week mandatory training for heads of Federal Government Agencies/Parastatals at Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badagry to further equip him with administrative skills to manage the institute.

“For the mandate of PTI which is to train competent technical manpower required for the sustainability of the Nigeria oil and gas industry to be achieved awesomely, we passionately recommend the appointment of Onoji as the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI.

“This is because in acting capacity, much cannot be achieved considering the government bureaucracy associated with it,’’ the groups said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Defence/Security

Navy gets new spokesman

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has approved the appointment of Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu as the new Director of Naval Information and official Spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy.

This contained in a statement by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, on Friday in Abuja .

Adams-Aliu took over from Rear Adm. Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan who was deployed to Headquarters Naval Training Command as  Chief Staff Officer.

The new naval spokesperson, born on Dec. 15, 1977, graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1999, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 as a member of 47 Regular Course.

Adams-Aliu has attended several professional courses including the Captain Career Course at United States Army Infantry School, Atlanta, from 2007 to 2008.

He also attended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, for the Junior and Senior Staff Courses in 2004 and 2010 respectively.

He later graduated from the Naval War College Nigeria in 2018 and the United States Naval War College in 2019.

The new naval spokesman commenced his naval career serving as Watch Keeping Officer onboard various Nigerian Navy Ships from  2000 to 2004, and was a military observer in the United Nations Mission in Liberia from 2011 – 2012.

Adams-Aliu was in charge of Nigerian Navy Ship BENIN and Squadron Commander of SHALDAG Boat squadron from 2013 to 2014.

He served as the pioneer Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship KARADUWA, the second navy indigenous ship, between 2016 and 2018.

From 2019 – 2020, he served as the Principal Staff Officer (Navy) to the then Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin (rtd).

Thereafter, from July 2020 to
June 2021, he obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defence University, Washington DC, where he won the 2021 Most Outstanding International Fellow award of the College of International Security Affairs.

On his return to Nigeria, Adams-Aliu was deployed as Directing Staff and Member of Faculty at the Naval War College Nigeria.

In March 2023, he assumed office as the Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base Badagry, and was later appointed Deputy Director Plans at Naval Headquarters in January 2024.

He was subsequently elevated to the post of Director Naval Information.

His awards and decorations include Passed Staff Course, Meritorious Service Star, United Nations Medal, Nigerian Navy Command at Sea Badge, and Distinguished Fellow of the Naval War College.

Commodore Adams-Aliu is an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the International Institute of Professional Security, and United States Naval Institute. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

L-R: Mr Igwe Martins, PRO; Mr Innocent Ogu, the newly appointed Secretary; Usman Ali, Chairman BOT; Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwu, newly appointed National Task Force Coordinator 1; Mrs Yakubu Ladi, National Treasurer
Oil & Gas

Petroleum marketers’ association appoints task force coordinator, secretary

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Association of Nigerian Refineries Petroleum Marketers on Monday appointed Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwu as its National Task Force Coordinator 1 and Mr Innocent Ogu as secretary.

Mr Usman Ali, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, announced the appointments at a news conference in Abuja.

He said the appointments would boost efforts to eliminate irregularities in the petroleum industry, and reposition the association to offer stronger support to Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

“This is to foster stronger support for the present administration and to see more economic growth through elimination of bunkering, exploitation, hoarding, sharp practices, artificial scarcity and adulteration of products,” he said.

Ali urged the new appointees to swing into action immediately to ensure that the mandate of the association was achieved.

He said the association had the mandate to prosecute any defaulters, and that towards this end, it was collaborating with relevant security agencies in the country.

Ali said plans were underway to organise a stakeholders meeting scheduled for March 23 in Abuja.

He said the event would serve as a platform where State Task Force Coordinators and other important officers would be appointed.

He pledged the association’s commitment to promoting the welfare and interest of its members operating petrol stations.

He urged the newly appointed officials to promote peace, unity and good relations among members of the association.

Ali also reminded them of the need to assist one another, especially in the area of capacity building to ensure that members were gainfully employed.

He emphasised the need to mobilise members of the association to import petroleum products, to build modular refineries, filling stations, gas plants, renewable/alternative energy products and consumer shops.

This, he said, would meet the increasing demand of goods and services and price stability.

In his acceptance speech, Chukwu commended members of the association for the trust reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them.

Similarly, Ogu pledged to relate with other stakeholders to ensure the mandate of the association was achieved.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association’s objectives include ensuring availability, easy access and even supply of unadulterated kerosene, cooking gas and fuel to members and non-members at reasonable and affordable prices.

The association also aims at eliminating bunkering, exploitation, hoarding, dubious middlemen, sharp business practices, artificial scarcity and adulteration of fuel products in the chain of distribution, while offering effective services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

MLSCN logo
Health

Association rejects appointment of Medical Lab Council Chairman

By Franca Ofili

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists has rejected the appointment of Dr Babajide Salako, as Chairman of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, President of the association said at a press conference on Monday in Abuja that Salako’s appointment breached the Act setting up the council.

He therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw Salako’s appointment and nominate another qualified person to replace him.

Ifeanyi said Salako has not met the criteria for appointment to the position as spelt out in Section 3, subsection 1(a) of the Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004.

He said that the the Act provided that the chairman of the council must be a “qualified Fellow of the council with five years post qualification experience.

“The person shall be appointed by the president on the recommendation of the minister from a list of names of the fellows submitted by the council (in this Act referred to as “the Association”).”

According to him, Salako’s appointment has not fulfilled any of the credentials enunciated in Section 3 of the Act.

Ifeanyi said that the association was shocked “at the brazen violation of the above section of the Law, without recourse to the list of names submitted by the council in compliance with the law.

“We call on the NASS to investigate the appointment of Salako as chairman of the governing board of MLSCN.

“The message conveyed by the purported appointment is simply that laws made by the legislature and duly signed by the president, can be disobeyed by highly placed government officials only to achieve private goals.”

He also called on Tinubu to urgently correct the mistake by retracting Salako’s appointment and adhering to the law in announcing a replacement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Mr Stanley Ogadigo, Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
General News

NIPR appoints Stanley Ogadigo as PR Director

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has appointed Mr Stanley Ogadigo, a former employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), as its Director of Public Relations.

This is contained in a statement signed by the President of the Institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, on Friday in Abuja.

Neliaku said the appointment was part of his administration’s efforts to reposition the NIPR for greater professional value, national relevance and global competitiveness.

“The Governing Council looked at various options and settled for competence, experience and passion as key criteria for approving the appointment of Mr Stanley Ogadigo for the job,” he said.

Neliaku said the choice of Ogadigo was based on the critical nature and quality of projects and services being pursued by institute’s current governing council aimed at repositioning it.

He also said the appointment would be of a greater value to members and in reclaiming the country’s reputational capital and rebuilding citizens trust.

Neliaku described Ogadigo as a thorough-bred professional with passion for professionalism and excellence.

“We need a reputation building and management expert to drive the communication component.

“Ogadigo has a deep knowledge of the workings of the PR industry and his appointment comes with tremendous sacrifice to both the profession and the institute,” he added.

Ogadigo holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Kogi State University, respectively.

He is a Fellow of the NIPR and a Fellow, African Public Relations Association. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

NIDO logo
Foreign , General News

NIDO Worldwide appoints Alagba as new coordinating Chairman

By Monday Ijeh

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Worldwide has appointed Mr Titus Alagba as its new Coordinating Chairman.

Mr Hamzaosa Odeidahosa, Secretary General, NIDO Africa, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Odeidahosa said Alagba, the current Chairman of NIDO Africa was appointed the coordinating chair worldwide following a meeting held on Dec. 9.

He said by the appointment, Alagba doubles as the coordinating chair Worldwide and continental chair, NIDO Africa.

The Secretary General said the appointment of Alagba followed the expiration of the tenure of Dr Bashire Obasekola, who was also the Continental Chairman of NIDO Europe.

He said Obasekola had officially handed over the leadership of NIDO Worldwide to Alagba.

Odeidahosa said Alagba had in his acceptance speech, assured Nigerians in Diaspora and stakeholders that Diaspora Voting and constitution of the Board of NIDCOM would be a top priority in his tenure.

Alagba said it was time for the voice of NIDO to be respected locally and globally.

“To this effect NIDO Africa has appointed a special Envoy for Diaspora Voting Rights and the constitution of the Diaspora commission advocacy.

“Securing the Nigerian Diaspora Voting Rights and the constitution of NIDCOM board is a complex task that must involve a robust lobby and collaborative approach,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

NNPC Limited logo
General News

Araraume urges adherence to judicial ruling on NNPCL appointment

Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume has urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the new appointments made in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

 

He said the new appointments violated the judgment and order of the Federal High Court, Abuja of April 18 in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1621/2022.

Araraume is reacting to the appointment of the new board and management of the NNPC Limited, which purported to upend his court-validated chairmanship of the board of the national oil company.

He described the fresh appointment made by the President as “illegal, wrongful, null and void and of no legal consequence.”

In a statement by his lawyer, Dr Ogwu J. Onoja (SAN), Araraume said: “Our attention has been drawn to the news of the appointment of new members of NNPC Limited Board including a new Non-Executive Chairman by the President on the 27th November, 2023.

“(This is) in violation of the judgment and order of the Federal High Court, Abuja dated 18th April, 2023 in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1621/2022 – Between Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume v. The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, NNPC Ltd and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“Wherein the court restrained the President from removing the name of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume from the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Non-Executive Director of NNPC Ltd and that he be allowed to continue to function as the Chairman of the Board of NNPC Ltd.”

“This judgment remains valid and subsisting until this moment without being set aside.

He, therefore, called on the President to expedite action on the implementation of the said judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo.

“We hereby call on Mr President, who is a huge beneficiary of judicial pronouncements and rule of law, to reverse his decision and allow the flow of the rule of law.”

Araraume added that the reversal of the appointments would amount to respect for rule of law and equally be a strong factor in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FOI) into the country.(NAN)

PR:

Dr Maryam Abdu, an academician and researcher
General News

CEPROD appoints Abdu, Emem-Newsong to its governing council

By Lucy Ogalue

The Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd), says Dr Maryam Abdu and Oluwapelumi Abiola Emem-Newsong has been appointed as members of its Governing Council.

The CeProd’s Director-General, Dr Chris Egbu, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to Egbu, their appointment marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s commitment to excellence and productivity enhancement.

“With their qualifications and track records, they are poised to make a lasting impact on our strategic initiatives.

“This will further solidify our position as a leading force in productivity, efficiency, and performance improvement,” Egbu said.

According to the statement, Abdu is an academician and researcher and holds the position of Associate Professor at the Kaduna State University’s Faculty of Management Sciences.

“With an impressive business administration, management, and economics background, she is renowned for her significant contributions to academia.”

She currently serves as the Vice-President of the Academy of Management Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Mrs Emem-Newsong is a highly accomplished corporate solicitor and legal consultant with more than 16 years of experience in the business and social enterprise sectors.

She is the principal partner of Rea Law Firm (Rea Corporate Consultants), a legal and business advisory firm in Lagos.

She had provided legal counsel to numerous start-ups, SMEs, NGOs, and corporate bodies.

“Her expertise in corporate governance and operations, coupled with her diverse legal background, has made her a sought-after professional.

“Her credentials include being a certified ADR registrar, a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, and a member of the Panel of Neutrals at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre.

“Her leadership skills, policy-making acumen, and resource development expertise will contribute to the success and growth of CeProd,” it said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

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