The Nation Newspaper

Tag: appoint

  • When will Obaseki appoint commissioners?

    When will Obaseki appoint commissioners?

    The Prof. Agbonlahor-led committee has completed their work and the list ready for submission to the House of Assembly. Those who made the list are unknown, but the commissioners to be appointed will have to key into Obaseki’s style of adequate data gathering, careful planning, enforcement, implementation and execution.

    SIx months after Godwin Obaseki was elected as governor of Edo State, he is yet to appoint his commissioners. Also yet to be named are Special Advisers, although lawmakers in the House of Assembly has given Obaseki the nod to appoint 12 Special Advisers.

    On assumption of office in November last year, the governor had while reeling out his policies asked politicians in the state to give him six weeks to work with Permanent Secretaries in the various ministries to enable him understand the structure of governance and the system, to meet the high expectations of the people. Another reasons he adduced for the six weeks was the need to restructure, make government more efficient and reduce the cost of governance.

    Before the expiration of the six weeks, Obaseki set up a strategic dialogue team led by Professor Julius Ihonvbere, and 149 others to raise implementable plans for his administration. Ihonvbere outlined six thematic areas, namely: Economic Revolution, Culture and Tourism, Environmental Sustainabilty, Welfare Enhancement, Infrastructure Development and Institutional Reform, which Obaseki should focus on.

    However, Obaseki said he would need another six weeks  to drill down on the six areas before political appointments would be made. This, he said, was to enable political appointees have ideas on the specifics of what his administration set out to achieve.  He vowed to evaluate those he would pick as his cabinet members.

    The additional six weeks have since elapsed and several workshops on judiciary, housing, environment, sports, and other sectors have been held where experts brainstormed on which area Obaseki should focus on and what those expected to work with him are to achieve.

    However, in line with his resolve to take governance to the grassroots, Obaseki asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders across the 192 wards to recommend competent people for appointments. Some criteria were spelt out by the governor as he opted to pick one Special Assistant from each ward, a commissioner from each local government, three Senior Special Assistants from each local government and two Special Advisers from each senatorial district.

    What was supposed to be a simple process of nomination by party leaders have turned to muscle flexing in some local government areas over who should make the list. In many of the local government areas, it was gathered that party leaders decided to pick their preferred choice against the governor’s directives. A top government official said Obaseki was disappointed that some leaders nominated their children and loyalists that have no working experience or expertise.

    To further review the nomination process, Obaseki raised a committee headed by Professor Dennis Agbonlahor, a former Vice Chancellor of the Abmrose Alli University. The committee was to, among other things, look into areas where two different lists were submitted and to ensure that those picked meet the criteria.

    It was learnt that, unlike in the past when some political appointees lurked about government house without offices or specific duties, the Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants to be appointed by Obaseki, would not have any offices around the government house. Sources said they are to have offices in their various wards and local governments. The purpose, according to the source, is to take governance to the people and serve as a link between the government and the party at the ward levels.

    Government sources said the Prof. Agbonlahor-led committee has completed their work and the list ready for submission to the House of Assembly. Those who made the list are unknown, but the commissioners to be appointed will have to key into Obaseki’s style of adequate data gathering, careful planning, enforcement, implementation and execution.

  • Appoint competent ministers, ASCSN urges

    Appoint competent ministers, ASCSN urges

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint competent persons as ministers to enable him fulfil his campaign promises to the electorate.

    In a statement in Lagos, the ASCSN National President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama said the advice became necessary because some names being touted in mainstream and social media as possible candidates for ministerial portfolios in the Buhari administration are persons of questionable character that have been recycled over and over again by previous governments.

    “Nigeria has abundant pool of human resource in all fields of endeavours and as such there is no need to continue to appoint persons with antecedents that will offend the sensibility of Nigerians into strategic positions any longer.

    “If Mr. President proceeds to appoint certain individuals who spearheaded anti-people policies while serving the previous governments into his cabinet, his pledge to change the pattern of governance including the culture of impunity in the country will be dead on arrival,” he said.

    According to Kaigama, if for any reason Mr. President wishes to appoint persons that have served the governments in the past into his cabinet, they must be individuals with impeccable character, proven integrity, and track record of selfless service to the country.

    It added that if Buhari opts to appoint deadwoods, including those that tried to sell the 104 Federal Unity Colleges to their mentors and to themselves as ministers or into any important positions in his government, there would be instant public outcry and resistance that would not augur well for his administration.

    “At this critical stage of the country’s development, it will be a tragedy if Mr. President recycles failed experts and expired activists either as ministers, advisers or assistants to serve in his government,” Kaigama said.

    He equally urged the trade union movement, civil society groups, and other individuals in the country to prepare and resist such appointments if made in the interest of democracy and good governance.

  • Why govt is yet to appoint APCON chair, by Abaribe

    The Federal Government has not appointed Chairman for the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) because no applicant has meet the requirements.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the government was constrained to make the appointment where there is no eligible applicant.

    He spoke during the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria’s (OAAN) posters Awards in Lagos.

    The tenure of the Chairman of  the APCON, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, expired nine months ago.

    However, operators, who are expecting a successor, said the government may be too busy with other issues or that the APCON chair is not a ‘lucrative’ to attract pressure from politicians who would be interested on the replacement.

    The three-year tenure of the chairman of APCON expired on September 27, last year, and it is expected that the chairman would continue in office until the government appoints a new person.

    It was gathered that six names were forwarded to the minister of Information, the supervising minister of APCON, Mr. Labaran Maku,  from which, the government is expected to pick one, who must be a fellow of APCON.

    Abaribe revealed, however, that the most senior of the qualified candidates does not meet the criteria.

    It was gathered that the delay in the appointment of a cahir would affect the activities at the APCON.

  • Crown FC appoint new GM

    Crown FC appoint new GM

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Farouk Arisekola Alaoo has appointed Fatai Olayinka as the new General Manager of Crown FC less than a week after the club named Tony Rafua as General Manager.

    According to a release from the club’s media officer, Kunle Oyeleye, Olayinka’s appointment supersedes Tony Rafua, who had been earlier mentioned for the office.

    Rafua has been asked to take charge as Chief Operating Officer.

    Meanwhile, Crown FC and the Oyo State Football Association have entered into agreement of delivering continental results to the club this season.

    The relationship before now, Oyeleye revealed, had been a dull one but the solid relationship came on the order of the new leadership in both football arms.

    “At the meeting, both parties resolved to work together this term as the association could not be bypassed now that the club plays her home matches in Ibadan. The leadership of the FA promised to support and deploy all mechanism for the club’s success. It equally guided the team on the new rules of the association,” Oyeleye said in the release.

    In his reaction, Olayinka praised the initiative of the FA for their coordinating role, stressing that they have shown their readiness to move the state’s football to a new level.

    The GM, therefore, assured the association of total cooperation from the club as the team begins life in Ibadan.

    Also giving kudos to the Oyo FA was Rafua, who promised them of the club’s support.

    Crown FC will travel on Friday to Katsina-Ala ahead of 2013/2014 season league opener against Lobi Stars of Markudi on Sunday.

  • Pillars appoint Baleria as acting chief coach

    Pillars appoint Baleria as acting chief coach

    SportingLife can exclusively report that the management of Kano Pillars has appointed Kabiru Baleria as the new acting chief coach.

    Baleria, who was the club’s Team manager before his new appointment, replaced the former chief coach Abdul Maikaba who resigned from his post last month.

    SportingLife understands that the appointment is with immediate effect.

    The ex-youth international was made the club’s Team Manager early this year following the death of the former TM Aminu Audu who died last year.

    Confirming the reports, the club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa added that the management believes Baleria is ripe for the position and expressed confidence over his ability to deliver.

    “Kabiru Baleria is the club’s new chief coach. He (Baleria) was informed about it today (Wednesday) at the training session in Kaduna. He has been in the team for a very long time and he knows the terrain very well. He has been in the technical crew and worked with several coaches in the club. We have no doubt in his ability that he will deliver,” Malikawa told SportingLife.

    The club’s technical adviser, Okey Emordi told players to cooperate with Baleria and members of the technical crew as a team in order to move the club forward.

    Meanwhile, the club has accepted the resignation of the former chief coach Abdul Maikaba. This was contained in a statement signed by the club’s general manager, Babangida Umar and a copy of it was made available to SportingLife.

    The club thanked Maikaba for his contributions to the team’s success last season and wishes him success in his endeavours.

    The players are expected to have their final training session today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna and travel to Jos on Friday for this weekend’s league opener against newly promoted side, Giwa FC.

  • 3SC appoint Dimeji Lawal

    3SC appoint Dimeji Lawal

    Nigeria National League (NNL) side Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has appointed former Nigeria international winger, Dimeji Lawal as its team manager.

    Lawal replaced another ex-international, Ajibade Babalade. He is to resume on March 1. The former Shooting Stars winger has promised to use his wealth of experience to bear on the team.

    “I feel great to come back to where I have worked before. This team belongs to all of us and I am happy to be here again and I am so glad to be part of the team. I will discharge my duty accordingly,” vowed Lawal.

    “This is not the league this great club should be, but with everybody involved in the team doing their part well, the team will return to the Globacom Premier Division.”

    Lawal said the Ibadan club will return to the top flight soon.

    This season, Shooting Stars are campaigning in the lower Nigeria National League (NNL) after they were relegated in October.

    “I feel great to come back to where I have worked before. This team belongs to all of us and I am happy to be here again and I am so glad to be part of the team. I will discharge my duty accordingly.”

    Shooting Stars remain unbeaten in the two-week-old NNL and face Stationery Stores in Lagos today in continuation of the NNL.

  • Okorocha to appoint Southeast indigenes as commissioners

    Indigenes of other Southeast states will be appointed as commissioners in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha said yesterday as he prepared to name the newly constituted executive council.

    He said the inclusion of people from other Southeast states would foster unity among Ndigbo.

    “This is the surest way to promote unity among the people of the Southeast,” he said.

    The governor spoke during a meeting with professionals at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre in Owerri, the state capital.

    He said everyone in the Southeast is from the same ethnic group and should work together to achieve a common purpose.

    Okorocha urged his colleagues to include persons from other Southeast states in their council.

    The governor said: “The former exco was made up of people from Abia, Enugu Anambra and Ebonyi states. They served well.

    “All governors in the Southeast should take a general approach to the issue of Igbo unity by practical demonstration in their appointments.

    “I wish to be an Igbo leader, not a sectional leader. States and geographical difference should not be an impediment to the national goals of Ndigbo.”

    He described the issue of Igbo unity as imperative, especially during this political dispensation.

    Okorocha attributed the political problem of Ndigbo to disunity among Igbo politicians.

    “We used to be third; we used to be one of the tripods, which held this nation together. But now, we are seventh.

    “No Igbo person occupies the office of the president, vice president, Senate president, Speaker of the House of Representatives, chief judge or the chairman of the ruling party.”

  • Wikki appoint Maidajin

    Wikki appoint Maidajin

    Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Wikki Tourists have named Yakubu Maidajin as their new technical adviser.

    Maidajin replaced Ladan Bosso who has joined former Nigerian champions, Bayelsa United. Wikki Tourists’ chairman, Sule Chindo confirmed the development to supersport.com adding that the management of the Bauchi based Club would support Yakubu in his quest for honours.

    “We wanted to replace Bosso with former Nasarawa United coach, Bala Nikyu but Yakubu has convinced us that he is capable of steering the club. His mandate is to get a continental ticket this coming season and we would give him all needed support,” Chindo said to supersport.com.

    Speaking to Supersport.com on his elevation, Maidajin said: “Special thanks to the management of Wikki Tourists who chose me and I promise to fly high next season.”

    Wikki Tourists finished the past season on 51 points from 36 matches.

  • Why CJN should appoint INEC chair, by Ajimobi

    Why CJN should appoint INEC chair, by Ajimobi

    OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the weekend said the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) should be given the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ajimobi called for a review of the nation’s federalism to allow states control resources in their domain.

    He said this would encourage creativity and hard work in revenue generation.

    The governor spoke at the Chatham House in London while delivering a lecture on “Review and reform: Key elements and implications of Nigeria’s constitution review process”.

    He suggested the inclusion of party representatives, who are in the National Assembly, as members of INEC’s board.

    Ajimobi said: “Extant constitutional provisions allow the president to appoint members of the INEC board, which will superintend the election in which he is likely to be a candidate. INEC reports to the president. Its funding relies on the disposition of the president as well.

    “All these have serious implications on INEC’s independence and the possibility of having free and fair elections in the country.”

    The governor described Nigeria’s present federal system as “feeding bottle federalism”.

    He said a situation where states assemble monthly in Abuja for federal allocation does not allow for hard work.

    Ajimobi said the milestones in many parts of the country were accomplished in the First Republic, when states had more control of their resources.

    He said: “This allowed for healthy rivalry among states and the outcome is the many landmarks that still mark out the leaders of that era as the heroes of Nigeria.”

    The governor, who listed projects he had executed in the last 16 months, said he would have done more if the state had control of its resources.

    On the tenure of elected officials, he suggested a five or six-year single tenure for the president, governors and deputy governors.

    He said: “Extant constitutional provisions limit elected presidents, governors and their deputies to a maximum of two terms of four years.

    “As a former senator and governor who had contested election three times in this dispensation, this provision allows elected executives only about two years of service. This means he has one year to settle down as a newly-elected officer and one year to prepare for election, if he wants a second term.

    “This is unhealthy for the system, because for the development that Nigerians seek, we need executives that can devote considerable time to the task of governance.”

    The governor said the removal of the incumbent from elections would reduce the use of the incumbency factor to undermine the rights of other contestants.

    Supporting the call for state police, he said it would guarantee a prompt response to security challenges and allow for indigenous police service, which he said would leverage on its knowledge of the local communities to detect and prevent crime.

    Ajimobi said: “The provision for state governors as chief security officers of their states is largely meaningless, because the police do not report to them.

    “Valuable time is wasted in cases of security challenges because police authorities need to seek approval for action from the Federal Government, rather than the governor, who are on ground and who feel the impact of such security challenges.

    “Previous administrations at the federal level used this control of the security apparatus to intimidate, arm-twist and undermine state governments, especially when they belonged to rival parties.

    “The implication is that security agencies in states are compromised and the safety of lives and property has not received the best attention because of this structural problem.”