President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of Mr Olusegun Awolowo as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
According to a letter signed by Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the appointment lasts for four years.
Mr Awolowo, a lawyer and scion of the Obafemi Awolowo family, was first appointed to the NEPC position in 2013.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF ), Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday warned new board chairmen and members of government agencies against corrupt practices.
He gave the warning during the inauguration of chairmen and members of board of agencies in the office of the SGF.
The present administration, he said, has zero tolerance for corruption.
He recalled that on the last working day of 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of chairman and members of the boards.
According to him, the list had received several comments from the public.
The SGF also said further work was carried out to ensure that equity and justice guided the composition.
Mustapha said he issued a circular that all ministries must conclude their board inauguration on or before March 9.
He said: “As you are all aware, the present administration has zero tolerance for any form of corruption and this stance must not be compromised in anyway.
“Government will frown at and punish corrupt practices perpetrated by any board member as well as the management team of these agencies.”
The SGF also warned the chairmen against meddling in the day to day running of the agencies.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday described late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme as fearless and an epitome of integrity.
He said this in his remarks at the Service of Songs and Night of Tribute in Abuja for the late Second Republic Vice President who died in a London Hospital on November 19, 2017 at 85.
Osinbajo noted that Ekwueme was the most remarkable person to serve the nation and believed in its indivisibility.
He said that while alive, the late octogenarian possessed profound humility that came from the understanding of how much there was to learn and demonstrated it by his evident willingness to listen and learn always.
“As Vice President, he set an excellent example of loyalty, discipline, team spirit and fidelity to the nation.
“He was fearless and with the courage of his convictions, he led the G-34, the group of eminent Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship in its darkest and most fearsome days in Nigeria’s history.
“He contributed significantly to the return of democracy in 1999,’’ he recalled.
Osinbajo stated that in national and international discourse, as an elder in ECOWAS even on the most emotive subjects, the deceased spoke truthfully and ensured that his words built rather than destroyed.
He also said that late Ekwueme worked tirelessly to build and maintain the bridges established across ethnic and religious lines by many through the years.
“He never for once doubted the validity of one indivisible Nigeria,’’ the vice president said.
He recalled the late vice president’s incarceration for about 20 months after the Shagari administration was toppled but that he was cleared as having never abused his office.
Osinbajo said that Ekwueme’s principled and fearless leadership in confronting the military dictatorship of late Gen. Sani Abacha, especially when it chose to succeed itself, was unequalled.
According to him, the late Ekwueme had principled interventions in many national debates and in all, he epitomised impeccable integrity, courage and selflessness.
“His values, like himself, remain relevant in every age and time.’’
Osinbajo said that Ekwueme had remarked that he would like to be remembered as someone who came into public office to render service and rendered it selflessly.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other dignitaries, including the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, paid tribute to the late octogenarian.
Nwodo said he was not mourning Ekwueme, but was rejoicing because God gave Nigeria such a man.
For Ngige, Ekwueme was a political master who did not disappoint the nation during the 1994/1995 Constitutional conference.
Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, represented by his son, Aminu Shagari, in a tribute said he would continue to relish the memorable time he had with his late former Vice President.
“He lived a simple and uncomplicated life,’’ he said, adding that he nominated to run with him twice because of his high level of discipline and integrity.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Prof. Jerry Ghana, Prof Uzodimma Nwala, and the deceased’s younger brother, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, extolled his virtues.
A representative of the Ekwueme’s Community, Oko, Anambra, Mr Handel Okoli, thanked the Federal Government for putting all structures in place for the burial of their son.
He, however, requested that the late former vice president’s name should be immortalised for his vision of nationalism and patriotism to be exemplified.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has urged Nigerians from different strata of the society to eschew all divisive tendencies and embrace the spirit of oneness.
This, he said, would go a long way in bequeathing the Nigeria we want to our children and the generations yet unborn.
He made the remarks in response to a friendly gesture at weekend “quiet evening” organized by committee of friends in his honour.
He said: “The Nigeria we used to live in devoid of divisiveness, violence and crises, is now being bedeviled with ugly trends and events. If we do not rise with urgency, we will not bequeath that Nigeria to our children and posterity to come.
“Over the years, we have allowed the culture of divisiveness to grow in our midst so much that friendship, interacting and relating with others, is now informed and conditioned by what tribe or religion one belongs to.”
He, however, assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is doing everything possible to deliver a safer and saner Nigeria to its citizenry.
The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Thursday alerted Nigerians that Federal Government may not fully implement the 2018 budget if the National Assembly fails to pass the fiscal estimate on time.
Mustapha also said the preparation for the 2019 general elections, expected to commence at the end of February, would also pose a challenge to the budget implementation.
He noted that serious government business would likely end by November when political parties would commence campaigns and conduct primaries.
The SGF appealed to the National Assembly to pass the budget as soon as possible to avoid possible poor implementation.
Mustapha spoke when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Federal Character to defend the 2018 budget of his office.
He said: “I will make an appeal that the 2018 budget must be passed on time. We do not have time. If you consider the time left for us as politicians and in line with the timetable released by INEC, you will realise that we have till November 2018 to do what we have to do.
“By then, politicians will be engaged in political activities. There will be no time. I am appealing that we pass this budget on time. This is the last budget we will have to deliver on the dividends of democracy. For those of you coming back, promises will not work. What will work will be the scorecard.
“I am begging that it should be passed as quickly as possible. I am also appealing to the executive arm to appear for budget defence. Intense political activities will begin this February and as public officials, we have to quickly deliver.”
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and cabinet ministers in attendance.
The meeting is the first this year and has in attendance the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and Head of Service, Mrs Winifrey Oyo-Ita.
Others attending the meeting included the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.
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The heads of agencies of the Federal Ministry of Transportation are expected to brief the council.
The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, was also at the venue of the meeting.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha on Saturday solicited the support of old Students Associations’ in improving and sustaining infrastructure development in schools across the country.
Mustapha made the call at the second Annual General Meeting of Hong Old Students Association (HOSA) held at Government Secondary School, Hong in Adamawa.
The SGF, a member of the association, said that the schools had inspired as well as molded the characters of boys who passed through the school to great men.
He urged old students who had succeeded in their social endeavors to contribute to the growth and sustainability of both academic and infrastructure development of schools across the country.
According to him, government cannot do it alone.
He called on the HOSA to support in renovating the school in order to restore its past glory for posterity.
Earlier, Dr Louis Mandama, the Head of Service of Adamawa State, commended Gov. Mohammed Bindow for choosing the school as one of the first schools to benefit from the ‘state of emergency’ declared in the education sector.
Mandama, also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the HOSA said the governor had renovated hostels, classrooms, parameter fencing, supplied books, provided mattresses and seats for the school.
He announced that some members of the association had contributed more than four million naira for the renovation of the school’s hall.
According to him, the renovation is valued at N7 million, and only few members have paid the dues levied on them.
He called on members to pay up their dues to enable the association carry out the renovation project.
While congratulating Mustapha, Mandama called on members to pray for him to succeed.
In his remarks, Mr Andrew Yamtashara, the Principal of the school commended the state government for the renovation of some facilities within the school.
Yamtashara, however, called on the state government to employ more security guards to protect the school from being vandalised.
Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday in Abuja said the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that local government administration in the country got autonomy.
He made this known at the Retreat of the Secretary to Government of the Federation ( SGF ) and Secretaries to State Governments ( SSGs ).
Represented Chief Whip of the House, Mr Ado Doguwa, he spoke on “Local Government Autonomy: Imperative for Sustainable Grassroots Development’’, said autonomy was the right for local governments to operate independently.
He said that autonomy for the councils was essential for development to get to the grassroots.
“As long as we want development to get to the door-step of our people, the autonomy is necessary.
“This is the institutional position of the national assembly in line with the provisions of the law.
“The national assembly will continue to remain resolute to ensure that local government autonomy is achieved in Nigeria.
“We will continue to take advantage of the legislative right given to us to ensure that local government autonomy is realised.
“The local government chairmen are in bondage inflicted on them by the governors and this bondage must be released to ensure development at the grassroots level,’’ he said.
According to the speaker, the state governments abuse the Constitution in relation to the Joint Account, which they are meant to be mere trustees and not beneficiaries.
He explained that state governments took over the joint account meant for the state and the local government.
“The state government which are believed to be mature must be seen to be doing exactly what the Constitution has stipulated in relation to the joint account.
“If this is not done, the right thing will not be achieved.’’
Dogara commended the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for resuscitating the retreat.
Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Khaleed, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ), had said that rural-urban migration would greatly be addressed through the actualisation of local government autonomy.
Khaleed added that local government was a critical tier in government, and that some constitutional reforms must be made to bridge the gap between the government and the people.
According to him, the local government system in Nigeria has been destroyed and the essence of local government establishment is not achieved.
“Local government was established to bring development to the citizens at the local area, but the system has completely been bastardised and the essence of its establishment has not been achieved.
“We are advocating for autonomy not because of increase in wages or welfare for staff but to make sure we contribute our quota in national development.
“The local government system in the United States of America is one of the best and it is independent,’’ Khaleed said.
The Federal government has opened nationwide consultations with opinion leaders towards ending incessant farmers – herdsmen conflict.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo opened the dialogue with the hosting of some traditional rulers from Adamawa at the State House in Abuja.
The meeting was sequel to his visit to Adamawa on December 5, in the wake of the communal clashes in the area.
The meeting had in attendance the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa; elder statesman, Malam Ahmed Joda and other leaders of the Fulani communities.
Subsequent meetings would focus on other interest groups.
At the meeting, previous reports on the conflict were presented by the delegation and causes of the conflicts were analysed.
The meeting condemned the acts of violence that had occurred, especially the killing of children and women.
It also highlighted the need for Law Enforcement and other Government Agencies to dutifully and objectively perform their constitutional roles.
Osinbajo assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s resolve and commitment to the entrenchment of lasting peace in all communities across the country and the resolution of all legitimate grievances.
He said, “There is nothing much more important now, in showing our leadership beyond preventing tragedy and destruction of everything we have built as a nation.
The entire Nigeria enterprise is bigger than other interests. The overall objective is ensuring that our nation is not enveloped by another crisis.”
According to the Vice President “We now have an opportunity to do something. We have the opportunity to resolve the issues and to build a nation where we and our children can live in peace.”
Following the vice president’s visit to Adamawa, several food items and relief materials had been distributed to all the affected communities in the state, including Shafaron, Kodomti, Tullum, Mzoruwe and Mararraban Bare in Numan Local Government Area.
Other communities that received relief materials were Dong, Lawaru and Kukumso in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
In the next series of meetings, the vice president will meet with the Batta, Bachama and other groups from Adamawa, while meetings with stakeholders from other conflict-affected states would follow.
Also at the meeting were Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello.
The Federal Government said on Monday it was aware of the hardship faced by pensioners in the country and was “unwaveringly poised” to reposition pension administration in the country.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, General Services in his office, Roy Ugo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the federal government was committed to the improvement of pensioners’ welfare.
He said: “Pensioners deserve better treatment and good life having served and retired meritoriously in the service of their fatherland. It is in this regard that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the improvement of the welfare of pensioners in this country.
“Despite the challenges being experienced in pension administration in this country, government is unwaveringly poised to reposition pension administration in other to give pensioners the good quality life they deserve after retirement.
“Government is aware that hardship being faced by Nigerian pensioners especially those that bothered on prompt payment of pension and is doing everything possible to correct the anomaly. It is never the intention of government to inflict hardship on its senior citizens.
“You will agree with me that Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has been working very hard to reposition pension administration. I therefore implore you to be patient with government. This administration is committed to moving the country forward and the faith and confidence that things will turn out good in the no distant time is not in doubt and so. We will continue to ask for your support, patience and encouragement.”
Speaking at the event, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abubakar Wabba, emphasised the need for government to abide by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution by ensuring a constant review of pensions in accordance with the provisions of the constitution that pensions be reviewed every five years.