The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • President’s wife deserves support, The Natives tells Nigerians

    President’s wife deserves support, The Natives tells Nigerians

    A pro-democracy and anti-sabotage group, The Natives, yesterday urged Nigerians, especially the youth and women, to pray and support the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    The Natives said as the First Lady and Mother of the Nation, Senator Tinubu deserves prayers and maximum support from all, not criticism at this stage.

    The group, in a statement in Abuja by its Supreme Leader, Smart Edwards, stated this while reacting to what it called a malicious campaign against a picture of the President, his wife and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Villa at the weekend.

    The group advised fellow Nigerians to position themselves positively for the advancement of the nation.

    It said: “Governance has begun. People are realising that we have a country to build. There’s no room for distractions for now. Nigerians should allow the Tinubu family to deliver on the mandate given to them.

    “Critics should leave Senator Oluremi Tinubu alone. She has become the Mother of the Nation. She has the divine duty to protect her husband, support his vision and speak for expectant Nigerians.

    “Former First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, was almost shut out of the government she laboured for until she had to speak up for voters and citizens.

    “So, when they called Tinubu ‘Balla Blu’, Oluremi was there as his comforter; when they said he was shaking after his victory at the APC presidential primary election, Oluremi was his companion. When Tinubu was almost demonised on the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, we told the world that Oluremi is a pastor and also a reliable daughter of Niger Delta.

    Read Also: My husband is not over-ambitious, says Oluremi Tinubu

    “We, as The Natives, appreciate their harmony, friendship and her role as a pillar to her husband.”

    The Natives urged the First Lady not to be distracted by the ranting of those it called the sons and daughters of hate.

    “We call on our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to be focused, to be our Queen Esther everywhere and anywhere in the Presidential Villa and should not be weary because you are there for such a time as this to fulfill a divine mandate and purpose.

    “As your office requires, millions of Nigerians are waiting for your impact on their lives. The hope of the indigent, the hopeless, the orphans, the unskilled, and so on, must be renewed and fulfilled in your time as the mother of a new Nigeria,” the statement said.

    The group also advised fellow Nigerians to expect good governance devoid of nepotism, ethnic bias and exclusion from the current administration.

    It added: “What Nigerians are expecting are good and clear policies, bold and courageous with long-term benefits.

    “As The Natives, we are ready for the difficult decisions that will transform our country and turn the economy around, with quick interventions that can cushion the effects on citizens as well as protect the poor.”

  • Reps summons Emefiele over N32.5b payment without records

    Reps summons Emefiele over N32.5b payment without records

    • Lawmakers want $1.7b judgment debt recovered

    The House of Representatives has summoned Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emiefele to explain why about N32.5 billion was paid to two companies – Messrs GSCL Consulting and Bizplus – without formal records.

    The House also summoned the Auditor General of the Federation, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Managing Directors of Exxon Mobil, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, among others, to appear before its ad hoc committee investigating the missing 48 million barrels of crude oil.

    Announcing the summons during the resumed investigative hearing yesterday in Abuja, Committee Chairman Mark Gbillah expressed displeasure over the failure of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to provide answers to the questions the committee sent to it while claiming that the questions were unclear.

    Also, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, told the committee yesterday that about $1.7 billion judgment sum was still outstanding for the Federal Government to claim from a company that was found guilty of making false declaration about the crude oil it took from the country.

    Gbillah said available records showed that the CBN paid N16.5 billion each to two companies on the same day, adding that the said amount was withdrawn by the companies within two months.

    The lawmaker said it was important for Nigerians to hear from the apex bank why the amount was paid to the two companies, especially when the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, denied knowledge of the payment.

    He said all the companies and agencies summoned by the committee over the matter have a duty to respond to the summons.

    According to him, even though the Ninth House is winding down, it can still issue a bench warrant for the arrest of those who have refused to honour its invitation.

    Gbillah said: “Because of lack of response to the committee’s invitations, summons had to be issued by the House to the Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Oil Company, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, SNEPCO and SPDC, the Auditor General for the Federation, the Central Bank Governor, because of their lack of appearance to issues requested for by the House; GSCL Consulting Limited and Bizplus, with regard to payment of N16.5 billion on the same day.”

    The committee chairman said he was unhappy with SPDC’s representative, who identified himself as Igo Weli, for lack of due diligence by the company and for what the lawmakers called an attempt to frustrate the work of the committee.

    Read Also: Buhari should not approve leave for Emefiele – Matawalle

    He said the committee was disappointed that being a leader in the industry, Shell could not claim ignorance of the issue when others had responded to the same enquiries.

    But when the Shell team failed to inform the committee when it will answers the lawmakers’ questions, Gbillah ruled that the committee would make its recommendation to guide the 10th National Assembly in dealing with the issues.

    Comenting on the $1.7 billion judgment sum yet to be recovered by the government, Gbillah said: “There exist about nine other cases with regard to alleged theft of Nigerian crude. This issue is not in our imagination.

    “There is a formal legal judgment on this issue and there are cases still pending with regard to Nigerian crude.

    “I call on the Bola Tinubu administration, relevant stakeholders and the anti-graft agencies to realise that Nigerians are waiting for an explanation regarding why the $1.7 billion has not been recovered from Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept with regard to the judgment against them since 2020.

    “This is money that belongs to all Nigerians, and we expect that it should be appropriately accounted for.”

    But NIMASA’s DG, who had appeared before the committee, told reporters that the agency was monitoring all the cases in court.

    He said: “In 2013, when the revenue profile was low, NIMASA was directed from the Attorney General’s Office to coordinate two technical teams to source data on the actual lifting of crude oil and the last destination point to see if there were discrepancies.

    “We discovered some discrepancies and worked with the legal team to look into the findings. From the findings, the legal team again discovered 10 companies liable of under-declaration. We instituted cases against those companies.

    “Most of the cases are still in court. We won one of those cases and a directive was given by the court that $1.7billion dollars be paid to the government.

    “NIMASA and the Attorney General’s Office continued to monitor the team of lawyers. In January this year, I wrote to them, requesting for an update on the cases in court. What we discovered is that some cases were on appeal. For such cases, the legal team is working on that while still following up on the ones still at the lower court.

    “These cases are not instituted in Nigeria, but the destination where the criminal acts were committed.

    “The straight answer is that these cases are still in court and we have those that have not reached the stage of appeal yet. It is not only NIMASA and the Attorney General’s Office that are interested in this matter.

    “The EFCC is also interested because I know that they have been going about to investigate and make sure that the companies involved are brought to book.”

  • ‘Stop sending me private messages’

    ‘Stop sending me private messages’

    • Judge warns parties in alleged N5b fraud case against Oduah, others

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday warned parties in the alleged N5 billion fraud case against a former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, and others, to desist from sending him private messages which he said amounted to intruding in his privacy.

    Justice Ekwo gave the warning at the resumed hearing in the criminal case.

    The judge spoke after the lawyer to Oduah (first defendant), Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and his colleague for Crystal Television Limited (seventh defendant), Ogbu Onoja (SAN), told the court that efforts were ongoing to resolve the matter without going through trial.

    Justice Ekwo said: “Somebody has been breaching my privacy on this matter by sending me messages concerning this matter, saying he is part of a concerned group.

    “I will send security agencies to fish him out. You cannot be intruding into my privacy.”

    Responding, lawyer to the prosecution, Hassan Liman (SAN), also condemned the act.

    The lawyer said even if the person was a party in the suit, he had no right to communicate with the judge.

    Earlier when the case was called, Liman told the court that the matter was slated for formal arraignment of the defendants pursuant to the order made in the last adjourned date.

    The lawyer said he was ready for the business of the day.

    Ikpeazu said there were applications they planned to file and that they felt discussion should be hold on this with the prosecution.

    Read Also: Oduah, Ubah, shun Senate committee’s workshop in Anambra

    Onoja also informed the court that his client had approached the anti-graft commission and paid almost 95 per cent of the money alleged in the case.

    Justice Ekwo said it would be better to dialogue with the defendants, adding that the trial could begin if this fails.

    He adjourned the matter till June 15 for report or commencement of trial.

    Liman confirmed that Onoja had written to the EFCC, seeking the discontinuation of the case.

    “I confirm also that Mr. Ikpeazu spoke to me this morning,” he said.

    Liman, while noting that the case was filed since 2020, said though he agreed that there were reconciliation moves,  the defendants must be made to take their plea.

    “The money we are talking about is over N7 billion,” he added, saying it was not such amount Onoja was making allusion to.

    Liman said though a letter had been written, he said the commission had not even considered it, despite making the payment.

    Justice Ekwo, who said he was ready for the arraignment, said it would be better to dialogue with the defendants, adding that the trial could begin if this fails.

    He adjourned the matter till June 15 for report or commencement of trial.

  • Nigeria, others target $220b from taxes

    Nigeria, others target $220b from taxes

    Nigeria and other members of African Union are taking steps  to enact legislation to attract  additional revenue of $220 billion from taxes.

    Also, there are moves to boost generation  by approximately $40 billion from cross border transactions.

     Members of the union concluded a three-day meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration-Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    It had as the theme “Tax in Africa: contemporary issues affecting the continent”.

    The members adopted recommendations that ensure African interests are protected in the design and implementation of the global tax rules, and ways to improve domestic resource mobilisation for Africa’s development.

    The meeting convened by the African Union Commission Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETTIM); was supported by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).

    Those who attended by included experts and senior officials from the Ministries of Finance, tax administrations, and academia, among others.

    They interrogated key issues on the tax regimes in Africa and made recommendations to guide reviews and reforms of national tax policies to protect member- states’ tax bases.

    Read Also: Operators seek NCC’s clarification on 5% telecom tax

    The meeting discussed parameters of the African position on the promotion of inclusive and effective tax cooperation at the United Nations and on the consideration of the enactment of a Domestic Minimum Top-up tax for tax base protection ahead of the incoming global tax rules; adopted recommendations to use the VAT toolkit by ATAF for improved revenue collection  on cross-border supplies; and identified areas where future legislative action or coordination would benefit member-states, and the African Union and relevant partners.

    They also addressed wasteful tax incentives, stemming of illicit financial flows, and improving continental domestic resource mobilisation. necessary for the development of the continent.

    The Union noted that the new global tax rules were have  impact on national tax incentive policies across the continent.

    According to the Union, the development has  presented an opportunity for African countries to protect themselves from ceding their taxing rights to countries where multinationals are resident on existing tax incentives lower than the 15 percent global minimum tax, according to the new rules.

    Read Also: Lagos gives actress Iyabo Ojo seven days to settle tax arrears

    The Union said: ”  This requires African countries to enact domestic minimum top-up tax legislation to tap into this revenue. Similarly, revenue collection from e-commerce goods and services requires the implementation of simplified VAT regimes.”

     African Union Commissioner for Economic development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Amb. Albert Muchanga,noted that to effectively operationalize the UN Convention on International Tax Cooperation, the process must be inclusive in incorporating the views of existing African structures and leverage the work of the UN Committee of Experts on International Tax Cooperation. Further, the Member State-led intergovernmental body ought to have a well-resourced technical structure to focus on specific pain points in developing countries not addressed by previous initiatives to address gaps in tax cooperation. “At the continent level, the core issue is how Africa can develop tax administrations to increase investments from the current level of 20 percent of GDP to 40 percent. By incorporating the views of existing African structures, the operationalization process of the Convention will ensure accountability and full ownership by the Member States.”

    Head of Policy Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Ghana and the Chair of Experts of Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows, Raymond Nazar, called for improved tax collection systems supported by trade and investment to shield the continent from the vulnerabilities to external shocks and dependency. “Estimates show that enacting legislation to protect tax bases from losses due to tax incentives could result in an additional revenue of around $220 billion while cross-border transactions and e-commerce have the potential to generate approximately $40 billion in revenue for the African industry by 2023”. The domestic resource mobilization, he noted, is critical as the continent builds back economies from the Impact of; the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia- Ukraine crisis, climate change, drought and food insecurity.

     Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Antonio Pedro, underscored the need for a complete overhaul of the global financial system, the creation of an operational debt relief and restructuring framework, strengthened domestic resource mobilization as well as an inclusive international tax system. “Global financial architecture reforms need to be coupled with an international tax framework that can ensure the taxing rights of African countries in an inclusive and equitable manner. As such, it is critical to formulate an African Position on the UN Tax Convention.”

    For Africa to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063,  ATAF Executive Secretary , Logan Wort emphasised the urgency in addressing the tax regime gaps to boost domestic resources mobilization noting the importance of domestic taxes such as VAT to African economies. “As directed by the Ministers in the 5th Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, together with the African Union Commission, we have developed the Suggested approach to Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax. This is a design feature to offer protection to Member States who may be exposed to the effects of the Global Minimum Tax as agreed under Pillar Two of the Inclusive Framework”. Further, ATAF has published a VAT Digital Toolkit for Africa to help African jurisdictions secure VAT in the digital economy by providing support for the effective collection of VAT on e-commerce transactions.

  • Sit-at-home: Mbah hails residents’ compliance with cancellation

    Sit-at-home: Mbah hails residents’ compliance with cancellation

    Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has praised residents of the state for complying with his administration’s cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home and attending to their jobs and businesses.

    The governor, on June 2, declared an end to the order and urged schools, markets, and government offices to open on Mondays.

    Mbah, who was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, visited the Ministry of Lands, Office of the Accountant-General, the Ministry of Finance, Ogbete Market, among others.

    The governor put compliance with his directive at 60 per cent.

    He said: “We went round to check the level of compliance and to ensure that our people come out for their businesses. The compliance is about 60 per cent. The compliance started today because we issued the statement last Friday. Let’s assume that some people did not get it.

    “Our target is to see that the people are productive because they are known for hard work. We cannot have people who have no stake in the economy dictate to us when to go to work and when to sit at home.”

    The governor urged the people to go about their duties every Monday, assuring them of their safety.

    But a civil servant attributed the low compliance to lack of transportation and fear of attacks by hoodlums.

    Read Also: Sit-at-home: Enugu directs schools, markets to open on Monday

    Also, Leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has directed his followers to end the Monday sit-at-home in the Southeast to prevent criminals from capitalising on it to harm the people.

    A statement yesterday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, said the sit-at-home was scrapped when it was discovered that criminals were capitalising on it to harm innocent people.

    The statement also said it was wrong for Governor Mbah to associate the sit-at-home with IPOB when the group had suspended it.

    It added: “After our leadership initiated the Monday sit-at-home to demand the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, he directed IPOB leadership to stop the sit-at-home to avoid criminals capitalising on that to harm our people. 

    “Though some Biafrans continued with the order, voluntarily, as our leader predicted, some criminals and infiltrators hijacked it to commit crimes and enforce non-existent Monday sit-at-home.

    “It is obvious that Governor Mbah does not know that IPOB had already suspended the sit-at-home, for him to publicly associate IPOB with the order.

    “If indeed the governor wants to return normalcy on Mondays, he will have the support of IPOB because those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home are criminals.”

  • Don’t hoard intelligence, Tinubu warns security agencies

    Don’t hoard intelligence, Tinubu warns security agencies

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday identified security as the pill for economic revival, prosperity and development of Nigeria. He told security and intelligence agencies to ensure the security of the land.

    He spoke after a tour of the new Office of the National Security Adviser and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja.

    The President stressed the importance of information and intelligence sharing among the security agencies, warning that hoarding such resources could be counterproductive in the fight against terrorism.

    Noting the efforts demonstrated in countering terrorism and the state-of-the-art facilities at the two facilities, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of backing such efforts with knowledge.

    According to a statement issued by the Director of Information in the State House, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, Tinubu said his administration had recognised that in order to achieve economic revival, prosperity, and development, security should be of optimum priority.

    The statement reads: “It is a great joy to see that we are getting proactive resources to prepare ourselves. Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone. It is across the world and we have to fight it. We have to eliminate it completely.

    “If we as Nigerians are looking for economic revival, prosperity and development, then we have to give priority to security.

    “What I have seen here is a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism. This must be backed by knowledge. 

    Read Also: ‘Tinubu can fix Nigeria’

    “Counter terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.

    “The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the country.

    “You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

    “You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path to succeed. We will, I assure you. We will make it a priority and that is why I am here this morning.”

    President Tinubu, who described the tour of facilities at the new ONSA building as very important, expressed his willingness to support the nation’s security architecture.

    The NSA, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, thanked the President for making the visit his first engagement outside the Villa, saying that “it reinforces his commitment, dedication and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension the sub-region are overcome within the shortest possible time.”

    Gen. Monguno pledged ONSA’s total commitment and dedication to ensuring the realisation of the President’s promises on security.

  • Police arrest 3,619 terrorism, other suspects, rescue 316 victims

    Police arrest 3,619 terrorism, other suspects, rescue 316 victims

    The Inspector General of Police (IG), Alkali Usman, yesterday said a total of 3, 619 suspected terrorists, secessionists, kidnappers, armed robbers and other vicious criminals have been arrested across the country this year.

    He said operatives also rescued 316 victims of kidnapping, and recovered 486 assorted firearms with 4,072 different calibers of live ammunition within the period under review.

    The IG gave the statistics during a strategic meeting with police managers, composed of officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP) held in Abuja.

    With the exception of offences recorded during the electioneering process, the police chief said a total of 1,630 cases of major offences were recorded within the period under review, adding that the statistics indicated a decline in incidences of major crimes across the country.

    Usman further said the internal security situation had improved within the past five months, but urged the strategic managers to be on the alert as there were projected security threats. He noted the fuel subsidy removal and threat of industrial action as examples.

    The police boss said efforts must be redoubled to maintain needed peace and stability of the country’s democracy, particularly, with preparations for June 12, Democracy Day.

    “I charge you all to remain focused while monitoring the election tribunals and the proposed industrial actions across the country. You must develop proactive crime management mechanisms to forestall any untoward acts from political and non-political actors,” he said.

    He said the Police were duty bound to align with the security policy and initiatives of the new administration at the centre, which places emphasis on contemporary security measures and effective collaborations of all security and intelligence agencies.

    The IG said the Federal Government had directed that there must be no form of discordance or cross-purpose activities that would engender inter-agency rivalry in the fight against crimes and criminality.

    “I, therefore, implore you all to sustain your official engagements with other sister security agencies and stakeholders within your Areas of Responsibilities (AORs). The idea is to achieve a whole-of-society approach towards mitigating crimes in our beloved country,” he said.

    Read Also: Police arraign two for alleged breach of peace

  • ‘Tinubu can fix Nigeria’

    ‘Tinubu can fix Nigeria’

    The Friends of Seyi Tinubu of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus Class of 2012, have backed President Bola Tinubu to significantly improve the country’s fortunes.

    The lawyers felicitated with Tinubu on his election as Nigeria’s 16th President, and rejoiced with Seyi on his father’s political attainment. They sent their well wishes in a statement, titled “Congratulations, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, signed by three members of the group – Hakeem Babalola Garba, Uche Udiele and Olayinka Dauda Jimoh.

    The statement reads “We, Friends of Seyi Tinubu Esq., felicitate with the President and Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his election and swearing-in as the 16th president.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu meets Wike, Umahi, Akpabio

    “Your ascension to the Presidency is timely, considering that the country is currently passing through one of the most challenging times in recent history. We are confident you possess the experience, capacity, intelligence, doggedness, courage and the political will to turn around the fortunes of this country, considering your track record of excellence in the stewardship of Lagos State, arguably the most complex state in Nigeria.

    “We pray to God to bless you and your team with the best of health and sound wisdom to sail the ship of Nigeria on the path of peace and progressive development.”

  • Ex-militant to Tinubu: end insurgency in North, others

    Ex-militant to Tinubu: end insurgency in North, others

    MAYOR of Urhoboland and ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to end insurgency in Northeast and other parts of the country, including unknown gunmen in Southeast.

    He spoke yesterday in Abuja in reaction to the President’s order to security agencies to smoke out oil thieves in Niger Delta.

    Akpodoro noted in as much as the order to flush out illicit oil bunkerers was good, the President should direct security agencies to end insurgency in the North also.

    The Ughelli South Local Government-born said the engagement by the Federal Government of Tantita Security Services had reduced illegal bunkering in the region.

    The former warlord noted as soon as Government Ekpemukpolo a.k.a Tomopolo’s company assumed duty of securing the pipelines, oil theft was halted because Tantita Security and other major stakeholders locked down the river against economic saboteurs.

    Read Also: Dreaded ex-militant leader mobilises youths for Tinubu’s inauguration

    Akpodoro said Tantita should be left to surge on, in its operations to get rid of oil theft and sundry crimes in the upstream sector while the military tackles criminals up North and elsewhere.

    “We all can see how oil thieves disappeared from our waters and lands because a purposeful and uncompromising outfit in conjunction with other stakeholders are in their pursuit.

    ‘’No more room for kill and divide as we used to know in those days. Tantita Security Services is on the loose like a cannon.

    ‘Timopolo has made posting of security to Niger Delta unattractive, unlike in the past when they bribed to be posted to oil-rich Niger Delta. The Federal Government should increase the contract sum for the company to perform at its best.

    ‘’The best of Tantita is yet to come, and this is why it is imperative to double the contract and let security agencies face other challenging situations. The government can no longer afford experiences of the past when service chiefs fed fat from imperfections in the body polity, including porous security of oil facilities,” the mayor who  founded Urhobo Youth Forum for Change (UYFC), said, hailing President Timubu for a “good beginning.”

  • How Northcentral was rewarded with Akume as SGF

    How Northcentral was rewarded with Akume as SGF

    With the appointment of the former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our tears in the Northcentral have been wiped away.

    To the glory of God, our zone now has two key figures in the government. Aside from the SGF, another prominent leader of our zone in the person of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State has been the National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last 15 months. 

    While Senator Adamu, controls the affairs of our party through the instrumentality of the National Working Committee (NWC), our brand-new SGF is the engine room of Tinubu’s administration. Thus, President Tinubu has wiped away the tears of the APC members who worked for his victory in the North Central geopolitical zone.

    Weeks ago, when the positions of the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were zoned by the president and the leadership of our great party to the North West geopolitical zone, we protested against the sidelining of the North Central and appealed for the review of the zoning arrangement given our contributions to the Tinubu’s presidency during the presidential election.

    The announcement of the appointment of the two kitchen cabinet positions on Friday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chief of Staff to the President has addressed our demand. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives was named as Chief of Staff while our own Akume was named the SGF. 

    The SGF’s office serves as the frontline advisory institution to the office of the president, monitors and coordinates the implementation of government policies and programmes in line with the programmes of the ruling government, ensures harmonization in the policies of the government and evaluates the performance of the ministers and Permanent Secretary on behalf of the president. The SGF represents the president when he’s delegated to do so.

    Under the office of the SGF, there are 21 federal agencies and six offices. Each of the six offices is run and managed like a ministry and they are headed by a permanent secretary. 

    Read Also: More plaudits for Akume, Gbajabiamila over appointments

    The agencies being supervised by the SGF are the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, National Energy Council, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, National Lottery Trust Fund, National Agency for the Control of Aids, Nigeria National Merit Award, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.

    Others are the National Agency for the Control of Aids, New Partnership for African Development, National Commission for Refugees, ServiCom, Federal Character Commission, Revenue, Mobilization, Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, National Pension Commission and Border Communities Development Agency.

    The six offices under Akume are Special Duties Office; Cabinet Affairs Office, Special Services Office, Ecological Fund Office, General Services Office, and Political and Economic Affairs Office. 

    Thanking the president for this recognition and reward for our contribution during the presidential election, I’m optimistic that the six states in our zone, Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Niger and Kogi will be better for it. As a former governor of Benue, a senator and a minister, Senator Akume will ensure all the six states and Nigerians benefit from this administration. 

    To whom much is given, much is expected, with this, we need to double our support to the president to enable him to deliver his pact with Nigerians as captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Read Also: Northcentral Senate Caucus, Wase, Abiru, others hail Tinubu for appointing Akume, Gbajabiamila, Hadejia 

    Since 1999 when the country returned to civil rule, six persons have been appointed as the SGF, none of them came from the North Central while the North East has produced four occupants of the office namely; Babagana Kingibe, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Babachir David Lawal, and the immediate past occupant of the office, Boss Mustapha. The Southeast and Southsouth had produced one occupant of the office in the persons of Anyim Pius Anyim and Ufot Ekaette, respectively. 

    For our three brothers, who are in the race for the National Assembly leadership; Senator Sani Musa (Senate President), the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase (Speaker) and Yusuf Gagdi (Speaker), it is time for them to withdraw from the race in line with the decision of the president and our party. Don’t rock the boat, we have been rewarded.

    Ibrahim Tajo is the chairman, Northcentral Progressives for Development