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Tag: Boss Mustapha

  • Nwosu hails Buhari for recognizing June 12 Democracy Day

    The Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and for honouring the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 election.

    This was contained in a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Professor Nwosu, who presided over the polls later annulled by the military junta, said the conferment of national honours on Chief Abiola and his running mate, Amb. Babagana Kingibe “will rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better nation.”

    Read Also:June 12: Delta APC salutes Buhari for honouring Abiola, others

    The letter reads: “I thank His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria for recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day and also honouring the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

    “Indeed, June 12, 1993 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity. It is an honour to the very hard-working men and women of the defunct National Electoral Commission under my leadership at this long awaited recognition. I humbly commend this action by the President.

    “Undoubtedly, the democratic system of governance is the best especially for the multi ethnic nation like ours. I thank you for building on the foundation which my team and I labored strenuously to establish and actualize on June 12, 1993. It is our hope that expanding the frontiers of democracy of which all the people of Nigeria, regardless of ethnic group, will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world.

    “Certainly, the scheduled event on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 will rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better Nation. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control I will not be present at the investiture ceremony as I am outside the country,” he wrote.

  • FG unveils N64m website

    The Federal Government on Monday disclosed that it’s upgraded website www.osgf.gov.ng, costing N64 million is now live.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, did the launching in his conference room in Abuja.

    According to him, members of the public who wish to use the e-participation channel will get responses to their enquiries within 72 hours.

    With the launch, he said that the old website, which he noted was based on an old technology that had limited features, lacked security features and was not compliant to the Executive Order 001, among other restrictions, will now be rested.

    Read Also:Fund launches upgraded website

    He said that the website is about bringing governance to the people and getting them involved in the process.

    The upgraded website, he said, has a number of components that will add value to information disseminated to public.

    The SGF explained that the major component of the website is the revamped e-participation platform that allows members of the public to give feedback on policies as well as submit ideas.

    Through this platform, Mustapha said members of the public would be free to request for information from government, submit ideas, and lodge complaints.

    He said that such requests, ideas or complaints, would elicit timely response from government.

    Mustapha said if the nation  is to attract investment, information which is important should be available with ease at a touch of a button.

    According to him, the amount expended involves training of 50 officers that will facilitate timely updates and ensure very robust content management system, procurement of laptops as well as consultancy services.

    The Federal Government had allocated N65m for the project in the 2017 Budget.

    “There was a contract in 2017. The figure in public domain. It is about N64m including procurement of laptops, training, consultancy services.

    “The contract was awarded by the Bureau of Public Procurement in accordance with the Procurement Act,” Mustapha said when he was asked the cost of the upgrade.” he said

    The SGF explained that the desire of his office to operate a functional website that will deliver information and policy thrust of the present administration formed the decision to upgrade the old website.

    He said arrangements were being concluded to train officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies who will be handling the different segments of the website.

    Mustapha said those who criticise government do not necessarily hate the government.

    “When people criticise government , it is not that they hate government. They want government to do better and for them to see improvement,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the SGF, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, said the decision to upgrade the website was taken so that it can serve better.

    He said the upgrade would add value to dissemination of information of government activities.

    He added that each of the six offices in the SGF’s office will have content managers before they can upload content.

    He said there was plan to train initial 50 officers for the six offices.

     

  • FG receives final report on Boko Haram detainees

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha on Wednesday received the final report of the Presidential Committee on Special Detainees linked to Boko Haram Insurgency.

    A statement by Lawrence Ojabo, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), said that the 5 chapters, 47-page report contained detailed information on detainees’ profiles and categorization.

    Receiving the report from the chairman of the committee, General Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman, the SGF represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle Esq. commended the committee for their painstaking efforts, and for doing a good job.

    He lauded the Minister of Interior, Lt General (rtd) Abdulrahaman Danbazzau for initiating the committee and the idea of looking into the welfare of  the unfortunate citizens.

    He noted the urgency expressed by the chairman of the committee on the aspects of international relations, inadequate infrastructures, and human rights of the detainees, and promised that the report would be forwarded swiftly to Mr. President for his action.

    The SGF further reiterated the commitment of the present administration to rein in all security challenges ravaging the different parts of the country and assured that the report would be given quick attention with the view to implementing all the recommendations.

    Read Also: Troops kill Boko Haram fighters, rescue five hostages

    In his earlier remarks, the chairman of the committee, Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd) said the committee was inaugurated in December 2016 with the mandate of profiling and categorizing the Boko Haram detainees in the various detention prisons across the country.

    He disclosed that 6512 detainees were identified including todlers who followed their mothers into detention.

    According to him, some detainees had spent up to nine years awaiting trial.

    He called for justice for suspects who might be innocent.

    General Mamman commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the plight of Nigerians seriously.

    He thanked government for given them the task and also ready to make themselves available for future assignment.

    The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda commended the Committee for its patriotism, passion and doggedness in carrying out the assignment.

  • SGF commends motor dealers N400bn to nation’s GDP

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has commended motor dealers in the country, for contributing N400 billion to her Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Boss gave the commendation on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Mr Lawrence Ojabo, Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The SGF spoke when he received a delegation of the Association of Motor Dealers’ of Nigeria (AMDON), led by the National President, Mr Ajibola Adedoyin, in his office.

    He thanked the association for also reducing the rate of unemployment and encouraging economic diversification.

    “Your annual turnover of N400 billion is a welcome development in this administration’s drive for economic diversification away from oil.

    “I commend you for the many multiplier effects of your business, which provided the citizens with access to the needed vehicles,” the SGF said.

    The national president of the association solicited for waiver on customs duties on imported vehicles by the members.

    Adedoyin said that the association would reorganise its structure and business outlets as well as review its membership, to help reduce crimes and contribute to economic development.

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  • SGF urges agencies to comply with procurement plans

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, on Saturday directed parastatals and agencies to comply with the Federal Government circulars on procurement plans and records.

    Mustapha gave the directive in Abuja at the 2018 Procurement Retreat for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Federal Government parastatals and agencies.

    The retreat, with the theme: “Public Procurement for Sustainable National Development,” was organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), in partnership with the office of the SGF.

    Mustapha, who was represented by a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Mr. Olusegun Adekinle, cautioned government agencies against doing business with contractors without proper registration on the national database.

    He called on participants at the retreat to constantly liaise with their supervisory ministries to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

    The SGF said government would not hesitate to deal with erring agencies that were yet to submit their procurement plans and records for 2017 and 2018.

    “It is mandatory for every government agency to use the public procurement documents as authorised by the BPP, such as, the Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) and other BPP documents.

    “All agencies must de-emphasise the use of selective tendering methods as the norm rather than the Open Competitive methods as prescribed by the Public Procurement Act.

    “Agencies must ensure that they have the final engineering design for any project to reduce the high rate of fluctuations and variations,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • FG laments low volume of trade with Ukraine

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Thursday decried the low volume of trade between Nigeria and Ukraine.

    He therefore called for increased volume of trade and relations between both countries.

    The SGF made the call during the Nigeria – Ukraine Trade and Investment round table meeting in Abuja.

    According to him, the trade volume between Nigeria and Ukraine was $93.3m as at November 2017.

    He said this was 4 per cent decrease in the 2016 figures.

    Mustapha expressed hope that with the visit of the Ukrainaian delegation, the trade volume between the two countries will improve.

    He said: “The visit came at a time Nigeria is pursuing economic growth that will aid its vision of being among top 20 economies in the world.

    “As at November last year, trade volume between Nigeria and Ukraine was 93.3million which was a decrease from the 2016 figure by 4 percent. With your visit we hope the volume of trade would increase in 2018.”

    He also called for partnership with Ukraine on how to develop Nigeria’s water ways.

    Read Also: Nuclear weapons threat to mankind – Nigeria

     

  • 2018 Budget: FG directs MDAs to follow procurement plans

    Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to carry out budget implementation by following procurement plans inline with the administration’s drive to deliver dividends of democracy.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, issued the directive in a new circular titled “Need for proper compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act ,2007 by Ministries, Departments and Agencies for all Procurements”

    The circular continued; “Procurement processes are to be carried out in a manner that promotes competition, economy and efficiency and in accordance with laid down procedures and time-lines and as may be specified by the Bureau of Public Procurement from time to time, as stipulated in section 16 (1)(b) of the Public Procurement Act 2017.”

    He added that accounting Officers are not only responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Act by their respective MDAs but also liable in person for the breach or contravention of the provisions of the Act and all extant regulations on Procurement.

    The circular signed on March 19,2018 stated that henceforth, requests from MDAs not accompanied with procurement plans shall not be accorded necessary approvals to proceed, in adherence to the communique issued at the end of the Permanent Secretaries retreat.

     

  • Osinbajo warns board members against corruption 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday warned new board members against corrupt practices in their assignments.

    He spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, while inaugurating boards of agencies under his office supervision.

    The boards inaugurated on Tuesday included the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

    Harping on government’s determination to win the battle against corruption, Osinbajo urged the new chairmen and members to totally eschew corruption.

    He said “Let me at this point reiterate the determination of this administration to succeed in the fight against corruption. In carrying out your responsibility as Board Members, you must therefore eschew corruption totally as Government will not hesitate to sanction all infractions.”

    He also urged the new board members to focus on economic development and revive the country from recession.

    Osinbajo also charged them to key into the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government.

    He said “Nigeria has over the last 24 to 36 months, passed through a period of economic recession which necessitated the development of a home grown Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    “Which you are expected to key into, in view of the importance of your institutions to national economic stability.

    “I therefore expect robust policies initiatives from you as members of the board being inaugurated today,” the Vice President said.

    The management of the various organisations under the boards, he said, should be allowed to perform their duties without any interference from the board.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila observed that the board was critical to national development.

    “There is a lot of work to be done and I believe you will do a wonderful job.” he said

    The Chairman of NIPSS Board, Ignatius Longjan, who spoke on behalf of the members promised to be diligent in their studies.

    He said “In this national assignment given to yes, we will do it diligently and appropriately, we will not let you down.

    “We will carry out these assignments to the best of our ability, whatever will make Nigeria better, we will do it,” he added

    While Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the Chairman of National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Border Community Development Agency (BCDA) Boards, Ignatius Longjan is the Chairman for NIPSS.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Buhari administration is building a bright future for the youths

  • Pension scam: Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala, Maina,  Malami, others

    Pension scam: Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala, Maina,  Malami, others

    The House of Representatives has given former Minister of Finance,  Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala four working days to appear before its Committee investigating pension reform.

    The governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele was also expected to appear before the lawmakers for explanations on the alleged stealing of pension funds in Nigeria.

    The Anayo Nnebe-led ad hoc Committee investigating the activities of the Presidential Task Force on Pensions Reforms from 2010 to the time of its dissolution and any other successor agency said no representation would be allowed.

    Nnebe said all those invited must appear in person.

    Also to appear alongside the former Minister are former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulraheed Maina, former members of the Task Force, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Eyo-Ita, former Head of Service, Stephen Orosanye, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

    Others are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and all relevant stakeholders in the pension sector.

    Speaking at the opening of the public hearing Tuesday, Nnebe said the physical appearance of those summoned was purely on an account of accountability and thoroughness, adding that the Committee would not entertain any representation.

    He said: “The issue is very simple. We have heard from PTAD and the Legislative Watch. Former minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, all the member of the defunct Presidential committee, EFCC, ICPC, Attorney-General, Governor of Central Bank, the IGP, and all the relevant stakeholders are invited by this Committee.

    “On Monday, March 12, 2018, we expect that in the next adjournment, all stakeholders would be here.

    “We have to get to the root of this matter. We cannot conclude this investigation without hearing from the persons involved. We must bring all the culprits to book.”

    While declaring open the hearing, Speaker Yakubu Dogara said the House was forced to embark on the investigation the numerous complaints that trialed the reforming agency considering the significance of pension in the lives of the citizens especially the retirees.

    Represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Pally Iriase, the Speaker recalled that the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms was inaugurated on 10th June, 2010, with the mandate to restructure the Head of Service Pension Office, Police Pension office and among others.

    He said: “The Task Force was dissolved in February 2013 after series of allegations of looting of pension fund amounting to N200b which was neither accounted for by neither the Task Force nor the successor agency.

    “Following the great significance of this sector in the lives of our citizens especially the retirees and the receipt of numerous complaints and petitions from relevant stakeholders, it became inevitable for the House of Representatives to set up this Ad-hoc Committee to examine all the facts surrounding the activities of the Presidential Task on Pension Reforms during its existence.

    “The subject of this investigation has had a checkered history and has become very controversial. I understand that the Senate is also conducting investigations on the subject.

    “As a bicameral Legislature our constituents have inundated us with complaints that gave rise to the Resolution of the House. Where possible you should compare notes with the Senate while maintaining the Independence of your investigations.

    “As Members of the Parliament, it is our mandate to represent our people very well, demonstrate transparency and justice to issues that affect the well-being of our people in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other related policies”.

    In her presentations, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor said that the Abdulrasheed Maina panel left no significant details for her upon assumption of office.

    She said: “PTAD only inherited liabilities from the task force. We didn’t get anything sufficient from the defunct task force, only liabilities were handed over to the directorate.

    “PTAD is an outfall of the maladministration of the pensions reforms “.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary, Legislative Watch, Ngozika Ihuoma who was also a former member of of the Presidential Task Force however said the task force was still active with its mandate.

    He said Maina was innocent of all the allegations levelled against him, wondering why other government officials were not fingered in the alleged diversion of pension funds, “What of all the other members of the task force and other government officials at the time?

    “Maina was able to help the Federal government   recover N1.3 trillion after a visit to him in Dubai by the Minister of Justice,” he added.

    Read Also: Reps to probe alleged loss of N2bn, $3.8m interests from sale of PHCN

  • New minimum wage will address wide gap of poverty – FG

    New minimum wage will address wide gap of poverty – FG

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has assured Nigerian workers that the government was working towards ensuring a new national minimum wage that will address the issue of social imbalance, inequality and the wide gap of poverty in the country. 

    The SGF was speaking at an award dinner to round up the 40th anniversary of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja where the likes of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, late Pa Micheal Imoudu, late Olaitan Oyelunde, late Chiba Ubani, late Prof, Festus Iyayi, as well as past Presidents and General Secretaries of the congress and a host of others were honoured for their contribution to the Labour movement in Nigeria and inducted into Labour Hall of Fame.

    He said that the welfare of Nigerian workers was top on the priority list of the Buhari administration while describing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the soul of the government, adding that because of the importance the government attached to the welfare of workers, it was making a lot of efforts to resuscitate the economy.

    He said: “The importance of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the affairs of any government cannot be overlooked. It is the soul of the government because without the workers, be they civil servants, private sector workers or even pensioners, there will be nobody to man the system.

    “That is why this administration takes the welfare of the Nigerian worker as priority by putting so much effort into the resuscitation of the economy. I must underscore the fact that the primary objective of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is to diversity the economy, grow skills, create wealth, gain infrastructures, ensure food security and provide jobs.

    “The federal government is conscious of the need to bring wages to meet economic realities. It is in this regard that the tripartite minimum wage committee was inaugurated to review the national minimum wage. The committee is determined to complete its assignment before the end of this year and I am confident that the outcome of their assignment would address the issue of social imbalance, inequality and the wide gap of poverty in the country.

    “With this year anniversary theme of Nigeria Labour Congress yesterday, today and tomorrow, it is indeed time to count our blessings and chat a new course for the future. I believe that together, we can build the Nigeria of our dream and improve on the generality of the life of Nigerians.

    “I congratulate the leadership of the congress for deeming it proper to reward past services through recognitions. I congratulate the awardees and say that your recognition tonight is a challenge to all of us to continue to contribute our best to the service of our nation.”

    NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the dinner was organised to honoured all those who have contributed to the growth of the Labour movement in the country, some of who paid the supreme price while other spent several months in detention during the military era to make the Labour movement what it is in the country today.

    He said with the high level of discussion during the anniversary, it was evident that the future will be bright for the Nigerian worker, while calling for free cooperation of all Nigerians in the struggle to make the country a better place.

    Wabba said “as enumerated during the three day brain storming event, and from the volume of discourse, it is very clear that the future will be bright because we have assembled the best from among our rank and file. We brought in our founding fathers that laid the solid foundation that allowed us to continue to exist despite the challenges.

    “I am certain and all of us are convinced that from the issues that were discoursed, we have reasons to look into the future and build NLC of our dreams. It is therefore our sincere hope that this evening’s event to look at our little beginning, a beginning that has many challenges.

    “But because of the determination of our founding fathers and the solid foundation they have laid, we are assured that the future is already secured. Therefore, part the event of this evening is to recognize the contribution of our patriots, our founding fathers, organizations and individuals that have worked assiduously to ensure that NLC continue to exist.

    “Some of their contribution are too numerous to mention. Some have paid the supreme price and laid down their lives. Some have suffered deformity and others are here with us and we are going to recognize their contribution.

    “Therefore, this occasion is to recognize key contribution of individuals and Organisation and also our veterans who have stood their ground even in the face of adversity. In the era of the military, some of them spent several months in jail. There is no other occasion to recognize these people than the 40th anniversary of congress.

    “As an Organisation, we have survived all the challenges, but what is the condition of the Nigerian worker today and what do we want the condition of the worker to be. What will be our contribution to national development. Should we continue to serve as second class citizens. All these questions have been answered in the last three days.”

    Read Also: New minimum wage to be ready before September ending – Ngige