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Tag: Anyim

  • Senator: Anyim’s office got nod for N1.4b computer software

    Senator: Anyim’s office got nod for N1.4b computer software

    A senator yesterday spoke of how poor budgeting over the years hampered Nigeria’s growth.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South), in his review of budgets, especially in the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, highlighted huge inconsistencies in budgetary processes and duplication of subheads which accounted for poor implementation.

    He cited the approval of N1.4billion by Jonathan’s administration for the acquisition of computer software for the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government between 2012 and 2015.

    One-time Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim is the immediate past occupant of the office.

    Abaribe, who spoke in Benin City, the Edo State capital, was delivering the 2015 Faculty of Social Sciences Annual Lecture of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The topic was “Our Country, our budget: A critical analysis of Nigerians budgeting system”. He said the office of the SGF had N1.223 billion as welfare package, with N580 million voted for subscription to bodies in the 2015 budget.

    He said: “A breakdown of the money appropriated in the last four years indicates that in 2012, N250 million was appropriated for software acquisition, yet the sub head appeared again, gulping N100 million while the sum of N580 million was budgeted for the same expenditure.

    “I begin with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. What could justify the allocation of N1.223 billion to that office for welfare packages? The same office also has N367.715 million for subscription to professional bodies and N580 million for computer software acquisition.

    “Computer software in this case constitutes a veritable sink holes for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) seeking to pillage the treasury.

    “Still on this office, let’s take time to examine this computer software acquisition. In 2012, N250 million was appropriated for software acquisition. In 2013, the subhead appeared again, gulping N100 million. Now in 2014, N580 million was appropriated for it.

    “What is this computer software that a particular office acquire every year? Which privately-owned company acquires computer software to the tune of N100 million – and more – every year?

    “If you check the budget for every MDA of the Federal Government, you will see identical provisions for computers, software and consumables year in year out.”

    According to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Sam Edo, the lectures are to foster interactions between the government and the governed through the requisite exposition thereby making learning pleasurable.

    Senator Abaribe graduated from the faculty 30 years ago.

  • Protesting workers lock out Anyim over N1.2b allowances

    Protesting workers lock out Anyim over N1.2b allowances

    THERE was a protest yesterday at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The workers are demanding the payment of N1.2 billion allowances.

    The staff who had earlier planned the protest for Tuesday postponed it till yesterday as SGF Anyim Pius Anyim was away from the office.

    The angry staff blocked all the entrances around 2pm when Anyim arrived the office.

    The staff said they had petitioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Ibrahim Lamorde over the matter.

    The EFCC Chairman, it was said, visited the SGF after receiving the petition. This could, however, not be confirmed last night.

    The angry civil servants gave Anyim a 24-hour ultimatum to pay the allowances.

    When contacted on telephone last night, the Special Adviser on Media to the SGF, Sam Nwabasi, told The Nation that the office was surprised with the figure being thrown up as no money has been mentioned in the earlier discussions between the unions and the management.

    According to him, the union had earlier demanded for 18 items, including erecting an ATM machine and a canteen in the office.

    He said that management had looked into their demands and communicated back its responses to the union. They have been waiting for them to make their views known to management on the proposals.

    But rather than come back to the management, he said that they took the action and made the spurious monetary allegations.

  • Anyim, Sylva head 27-member presidential inauguration panel

    Anyim, Sylva head 27-member presidential inauguration panel

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim have been named as the co-chairmen of the 2015 Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC) for the smooth transition of government on May 29.

    At a joint news conference by the co-chairmen in the Banquet Hall of the State House Abuja yesterday, Anyim said the event was organised to present the programme of the presidential inauguration to the public.

    He added that it was the second time the committee was meeting to deliberate on inauguration programme.

    He said: “There are two parallel transition committee and inauguration committee. Two parallel transition committees work independent of each other, but to interface at a point.

    “Inauguration committee is structured to be joint committee of the present administration and incoming administration and is chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation for the present administration and former governor of Bayelsa State for the incoming administration.”

    He said the PIPC has 14 members from the present government and 13 members from the incoming government.

    Members of the present government list include FCT Minister Bala Muhammed, Minister of Land and Housing Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, Minister of Interior Abba Moro, Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka and Minister of State for Defence Austin Akobundu.

    Others are Minister of Water Resources Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Tourism and Culture Edem Duke, Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali, Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh, Acting Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, representative of National Security Adviser, Bello Fadile, Commander, Brigade of Guards Brig.-Gen. A.B. Omozoje and Permanent Secretary of SGF Office Ibikunle Odusote.

    Members of the incoming government include Chief Pius Akinyelure, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Sharon Ikeazor, Tony Anwuka, Kawu Baraje, John Shagaya and Babagana Kingibe.

    Others are Ismaila Isa Funtua, Hadiza Usman, Babachir Lawal, Binta Garba and Samson Osagie.

    On the terms of reference, Anyim said: “The mandate of the committee is to draw up programmes of activities for the inauguration ceremony, arrange invitations and accommodation for foreign and local dignitaries, organise approved programme of activities, draw up budget for the programme of activities and co-opt into subcommittees persons that may be necessary to assist in the discharge of activities.

    “The purpose of this press briefing is to present the programme to the public, seek their understanding, support and participation in the 2015 presidential inauguration.”

    According to him, the committee has organised one week programme of activity, including press briefing, Jumat prayers, inter-denominational church service, inauguration dinner, swearing-in ceremony, launch immediately after the swearing-in ceremony and a gala night.

    “We have accordingly created sub-committees to focus on each activity. The co-chairmen and members of the sub-committees may now or later take their turns in briefing the public on their activities.” he added

    Chairman and co-chairman of the sub-committees are Mrs. Eyakenyi and Lawal for Accommodation, Duke and Akinyelure for Media and Publicity, Moro and Lawal for Church Service, Muhammed and Dabiri-Erewa for Venues and Entertainment, Wali and Kingibe for Protocol and Invitation.

    Other sub-committee chairman and co-chairman are Muhammed and Funtua for Jummat Service, Anyim Pius and Sylva for Swearing-in-Ceremony, Ochepke and Anwuka for Inauguration Dinner, Arase and Shagaya for security, Alhassan and Usman for Medical, Chidoka and Baraje for Transportation and Logistics, Ikeazor and Bello for Inauguration Reception and Luncheon, Garba and Odusote for Gala Night.

  • Abia polls: Anyim, Otti, call for cancellation

    Abia polls: Anyim, Otti, call for cancellation

    •It’s free and fair- Ikpeazu

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress [APC] in Abia State, Dr. Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart, Dr. Alex Otti, have called for total cancellation of  April 11 polls in Abia State.

    Anyim and Otti who spoke to journalists at their Agburuike and Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa residents respectively, described the election across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state as a sham, citing cases of electoral irregularities: snatching of ballot boxes, using fake uniformed men among other electoral offences.

    But in his speech, the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who voted in his Umuobiakwa Ward 7, told our correspondent that the exercise was very smooth as there were no incidents.

    In his contribution, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout of voters for the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

    Speaking after casting his vote at his Ugba ward 1, he noted that there was a remarkable improvement from what obtained during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.

    But according to Otti, “There was no election in Abia State. The governor (T.A Orji) and PDP in collaboration with INEC officials went to various polling units and withdrew the original result sheets, which they replaced with a fake one.

    “We have information as I speak with you (journalists) that PDP are thumb printing ballot papers in the official residence of a top PDP member in the state.

    “They are going around using thugs who wield machetes and fire arms, shooting sporadically in the air to harass and scare people away before snatching the ballot papers and result sheets. They are also doing this, using fake uniformed men, to cart away the election materials.

    “It is the same situation in Umuahia, Aba North and South, Umuahia North and South, Ohafia, Umunneochi. In fact, there is no election in Abia State and I am calling on the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, to cancel the election in the entire 17 Local Government Areas of the state because what we witnessed is a total sham and cannot in any way be described as an election. We have evidences and genuine reason to call for the cancelation of the poll”.

    Anyim also regretted reported cases of ballot snatching, intimidation of the opposition by the ruling party, stressing that the act of thuggry and ballot box stealing as was reported by their agents in the field shows the desperateness of the ruling party.

    According to him, “It was primitive. Nigeria is too big for such a thing to happen; where election materials were being stolen. It shows that they (PDP) have failed the state because if they did well, they wouldn’t have resorted to stealing of ballot boxes and other sensitive materials. It is a total shame and shows how they have failed in giving the people of the state, good governance.”

  • Anyim emerges APC guber flag bearer in Abia

    Anyim emerges APC guber flag bearer in Abia

    Former National Vice Chairman and one of the aspirants gunning for the Abia State governorship race  under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chinenye Nyere Anyim, yesterday emerged the party’s flag bearer in the governorship primaries of the party.

    Anyim, emerged the  party’s governorship candidate through a voice vote which was adopted by the primary electoral committee after it became clear that there was no other candidate in the race with him.

    The party primary held at the Ojukwu Bunker’s open field was witnessed by many APC ýsupporters from the 17 local government areas of the state and was also supervised by INEC officials.

    Joseph Umoru, chairman of the electoral committee, thanked the party members for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the exercise.

    Umoru in an interview with newsmen after the exercise said that the party at the national level, having been satisfied with the smooth and peaceful conduct of the primary election, had said that they would work together with Anyim to make sure that APC produces the next governor of the state.

    He used the opportunity to apologise for the delay of the election which was supposed to hold on Thursday but was suspended for logistic reasons.

    In his acceptance speech, Anyim said: “We don’t need to remind Abians about the sufferings and woes they have been subjected to in the last 16years. APC is going to redeem Abia from the hands of PDP government that has thrown the state into ruins. We are going to redeem the image of the state.

    “This is a time to join the train that will liberate Abians from the shackles of underdevelopment and decay the PDP-led administration has thrown the state into.”

    He called on other aspirants and members of the party to join hands with him to redeem the image of the state and to also make sure that the party wins the 2015 poll in the state.

  • 28 leaders to attend Nigeria’s centenary celebration

    28 leaders to attend Nigeria’s centenary celebration

    Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that at least 28 World leaders have indicated their interest to attend the country’s centenary celebrations.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, announced this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by Information Minister, Labaran Maku, FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu, Ministers of Mines and Steel, Musa Sada, Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, Interior, Abbah Moro and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Goni Aji.

    According to Anyim, President Jonathan is expected to host an international conference on peace and security in Africa to be attended by the world leaders.

    He also said the government has set up a Board of Trustees headed by former Head of state, Yakubu Gowon, that will manage funds realized from the Centenary Fund Raising Ball, to be held on February 25 in Lagos to kick start activities for the centenary celebration.

    The SGF also said the International Conference will hold on the 27th of this month with international leaders from 28 countries and Heads of states representing their countries.

    The conference, he said, will attempt to focus Africa’s attention on the need to tackle insecurity on the African continent.

     

  • Land racketeering: Anyim, Oduah to face Reps panel

    Land racketeering: Anyim, Oduah to face Reps panel

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Pius Anyim and the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah are to face House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee probing alleged land racketeering in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The two are expected to give reasons for the acquisition of the land to be used for the construction of the Centenary city as well as roles of a company specifically floated for that purpose.

    The invitation followed the submission of the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, during an investigative hearing held on Thursday. At the hearing the minister said his administration has not allocated any land for the Centenary City.

    The Chairman of the ad hoc Committee, Bimbo Daramola, warned that the interests of Nigerians should not be overlooked in the build up to the celebration.

    He said, “We should not inflict pains on Nigerians just because we are celebrating 100 years. The interests of Nigerians should be paramount regardless of whatever any investor is bringing into the project.

    “On the Centenary project, we will however advise the minister to proceed with caution, so that when Bala Mohammed leaves office, as a country, we don’t go back 100 years.”

     

     

  • SURE-P not a scam, says Anyim

    SURE-P not a scam, says Anyim

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Ayim, yesterday said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government was not a scam.

    He said the programme was a fulfilment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise to improve the people’s standard of living.

    Anyim spoke at Amaeze Primary Healthcare Centre, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, during the launch of the SURE-P Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) pilot programme.

    Over 500 women benefited from the pilot programme.

    Anyim said the programme was aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, especially in rural and under-served communities.

    He explained that the programme would accelerate the country’s progress to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    Represented by a Federal Commissioner to Ebonyi State of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chris Okereke, the SGF urged Nigerians, especially expectant mothers, to be part of the CCT pilot programme under the SURE-P to enable them access the cash from the Federal Government for their health and that of their children.

    Anyim said: “This is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. You all know that during the electioneering period, President Jonathan promised that he would transform Nigeria through the Transformation Agenda. But because we are used to politicians making promises and not fulfilling them, most Nigerians thought it would be the same thing. But here we are. The promise made is not a television or radio programme.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • SURE-P not a scam, says Anyim

    •500 women benefit from health scheme in Ebonyi

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Ayim, yesterday said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) was not a scam.

    He said the programme was a fulfilment of the promises made by President Goodluck Jonathan towards uplifting the living standard of the people.

    Anyim spoke at the Amaeze Primary Healthcare Centre, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. during the launch of SURE-P Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Pilot Programme Launch.

    Over 500 women benefited from the CCT Pilot programme.

    Anyim said the programme was aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, especially in rural and under-served communities.

    He said the programme would accelerate the country’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.

    The SGF, who was represented by a Federal Commissioner to Ebonyi State, National Population Commission (NPC), Chris Okereke, urged Nigerians, especially pregnant women to be part of the CCT Pilot programme.

    He said: “This is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. You all know that during the electioneering period that President Goodluck Jonathan made a promise that he is coming to transform Nigeria through the transformation agenda and because we are already use to politicians making promises and not fulfilling them, most Nigerians thought that it will be the same thing but here we are because the promise made is not a television or radio programme.

    “It has been designed to enable women access to good quality healthcare, funds, immunisation among others; this is one of the agenda to make sure that all our women are healthy and for them not to be afraid of pregnancy and delivery. Government is doing its own and everybody should participate. All of us should join hands and not stand on side line. Let us participate actively towards the transformation of this country. The government has started, join your hands, play our role and by God’s grace we will all be happy.”

    The Executive Director/ CEO of National Primary HealthCare and Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Abuja, Dr. Ado Muhammad, commended the Federal Government for the SURE-P initiative, saying it would serve as an incentive to women that they should visit health centres during their pregnancy period.

    He said: “The main reason we are here today is to showcase the functionality and benefits of the Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT initiative under the SURE-P MCH programme; the CCT programme provides cash incentives to pregnant women in communities as a means of encouraging them to go through the full continuum of care. Today, we are launching our Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, programme in Ebonyi state and giving out the first hand-outs to qualified programme beneficiaries.”

    Governor Martin Elechi, who was represented by his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sunday Nwangele, said the SURE-P (MCH) began operation in the state in October 2012, adding that the State Steering Committee was inaugurated on July 11 .

    He said: “In 2008, the Mother and Child care Initiative of the first lady, Mrs. Josephine Elechi also established a VVF centre, today known as National Obstetric Fistula Centre, NOFC, where over 1, 725 women with obstetric fistula and many others with uterine prolapse have been cured free of charge. Notably, these women came from over 20 other states across the nation.”

     

  • Fashola apologises to Igbos over deportation saga

    Fashola apologises to Igbos over deportation saga

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday offered an unreserved apology for the misunderstanding generated by the alleged deportation of some destitutes to Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The state government was accused of dumping 70 beggars at Onitsha Bridge on July 24, a situation that generated public outcry and bad blood.

    The government had said it relocated the 14 people to Onitsha after rehabilitating them, but the explanations did not appease the aggrieved Igbos, who felt they were being badly treated and hated

    Fashola, who spoke at the silver jubilee of the Igbo socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, insisted he has no problems with the Igbos.

    He noted that the largest herds of cattle he received when his father died was from the Igbos.

    At the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Ayim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Catholic Bishop, Mathew Kuka; former Minister, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; President Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; former ambassador George Obiozor and President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo-Igariwey.

    Others included the former President Aka Ikenga, Chief Chris Asodoka; Director, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; Captain Emma Iheanacho; Nollywood artistes, Onyeka Onwenu and Kanayo O. Kanayo.

    Fashola said: “I came here to say to say thank you for the honour done to my family and the memory of my late father.

    “People who clearly do not understand the actions taken and words spoken are those I owe an explanation. I cannot take the Igbos for granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our ancestors and I put a lot of value in that relationship.

    “I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.

    “But I think the basic issue Aka Ikenga must address is why people feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other? Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed?

    “How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?

    “As political storm gathers, there are contact spots but like in football, contact spots have rules. Those who are victims of our shortcomings as professionals in and out of government should not be pounced.

    “A day like these calls for deep reflection about issues of our loyalties. Are we more Igbo than Nigeria or we are more Nigeria than Igbo?”

    Fashola called on residents in the state to embrace Residence Registration Scheme (RRS) to enable the government meets its obligation to them.