The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CABINET

  • NCWS to Buhari: fill three women seats in the cabinet

    The National Council for the Women Societies (NCWS) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the three women who left the cabinet before the end of the year.

    The NCWS members from the 36 states and FCT visited  the President at the State House Villa, Abuja.

    President of the NCWS, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda told the President that the three women should be replaced in line with the 35 per cent affirmative action.

    She said: “As you also know, Nigeria is yet to fulfill the target of 35 percent of women in decision- making posts in the executive. We want to use this opportunity to raise this matter as well. If we do not, our women will ask us, why ?

    “They are watching as we speak. The three women who vacated their ministerial posts for various reasons have not been replaced.

    “This means that there is a deficit in the number of women in your cabinet. Sir, as we appeal to you to please champion the inclusion and participation of more women in your cabinet, public and board appointments, can we also leave here with the hope that these three women ministerial vacancies will be filled before the end of the year?

    “For us, this is the  only way that women can participate in governance and have have a seat at the table of executive decision – making in public  policy.

    The female Ministers at the beginning of this administration were Amina Mohammed (Gombe), Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto), Aisha Alhassan (Taraba) and  Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe).

    Mohammed, Adeosun and Alhassan have left the cabinet.

    While Mohammed resigned to take a UN job, Adeosun resigned over NYSC scandal and Alhassan left over her disqualification from the governorship race by the APC.

    The President promised to look into the issue as he claimed that he replaced the women that left with other female members of the cabinet.

    He said Adeosun was replaced by Zainab Ahmed and that Aisha Alhassan was replaced by Aisha Abubakar.

    The President said: “I have appreciated the settle and timely threat you have made. I said timely because you waited until campaigns are about to start. You mobilise yourselves to come and threaten me. I hope you are being very fair to me. You said I haven’t replace the casualties from my council about the ladies.

    “I’m sure you are following up. One, applied to leave because she wanted to be the governor of her state. One failed to meet the government requirement of declaring NYSC certificate. I replaced them with other ladies, Finance and Women Affairs. So, I don’t know where I went wrong there.”

  • Ortom dissolves cabinet

    Governor Samuel Ortom has announced the dissolution of Benue State Executive Council ( SEC).

    A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government ( SSG) Tony Ijoho SAN, directed  commissioners  and Special Adviser affected by the dissolution to hand over to the next senior person in their offices .

    No reason is given for the dissolution, but there had been rumours for about two weeks that Governor Ortom and the leader of All Progressive Congress ( APC) in the state are at logger heads .

    The Nation gathered that there is an attempt to deny Governor Ortom second term governorship ticket in APC.

    The Governor however retained four (4) commissioners and six (6) Special Advisers .

    Commissioners retained are Mike  Gusah( AG) ,Dennis Ityavyar( Education), Bernard Unenge ( Lands ) and David Olufo( Finance ).

    There is disquiet in the state following the announcement of the dissolution.

  • Buhari confirms pending shake up in federal cabinet soon

    Buhari confirms pending shake up in federal cabinet soon

    Apparently bowing to pressure from party supporters , President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed a possible shake up in the Federal Executive Council with a view to injecting more party supporters in the running of his government.

    The President stated this  in his speech to the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he read after journalists were asked to leave the hall by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

    Chief Oyegun on his part did not make any remark before before asking journalists to leave the meeting hall.

    The President lamented the delay in reconstituting boards of federal parastatals despite his promise to do so, pointing out that the delay was as a result of attempt to get the balance right and make sure all parts of the country are represented.

    He said he  was aware supporters of the party are very eager for these appointments to be announced, and promised that by “the Grace of God these appointments will be announced soon.”

    “Let me on a personal note thank you all for your prayers and good wishes, which the Almighty Allah answered in the restoration of my health. I wish to thank you all Party leaders for helping to keep the government running smoothly during my prolonged absence.

    “I would like to start by commending our Party Leadership chaired by His Excellency, Chief John Oyegun.  The Chairman and I worked harmoniously during 1984-85 in a previous government.  Happily, circumstances have brought us again to positions of leadership in the country.

    “I want to thank Chief Oyegun and his staff for steering the party in the last two and a half years.  Sometimes it is easier to manage failure than to manage success – and a big success such as that we have achieved.

    “I must also commend the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Speaker Mr. Yakubu Dogara.  I must place on record the cooperation and understanding of the National Assembly including some non-APC members who rose above petty party interests and acted in the national interest.

    “My deep thanks also go to our State Governors who faced stiff challenges, especially their determination to maintain unity and tolerance among our communities.  This is in the face of unnecessary politically motivated strife and violence.  Credit should go to APC Governors for extending their hand of fellowship to their colleagues from other parties.

    “In my remarks to the Caucus meeting yesterday, I enumerated the progress that our government has made in the implementation of the programs of government and the Party Manifesto.

    “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.

    “Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now credit –worthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by 4 times. Nevertheless, we are not resting on our achievements.  I am quite aware of the challenges before us.

    “Last year, I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons.

    “Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start. But there have been inordinate delays through several Committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.

    “On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God these appointments will be announced soon. Especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.

    “By the same token, the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at Federal Level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government.

    “Let me thank you all again for the commitment and dedicated service to our Party and to remind you that much more will be required of you in the coming months. I hope we can continue to depend on you. If we keep united and rise above petty or personal quarrels, we will surely achieve the desired CHANGE in the country.”

    About 21 governors, members of National Assembly led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, state chairmen and members of the National Working Committee are attending the meeting which is the third since the party came in power in 2015.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was expected at the meeting was absent, but sources close to him said he was out of the country.
    Those in attendance include Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Tankk Almakura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Nasir elRufai (Kaduna).
    Others are Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu  Bello Masari (Katsina),  and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).
    The senators present at the meeting include Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senate Minority Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Binta Garba, Andy Ubah, Magnus Abbe, Dino Melaye, Ahmed Sani Yerima, Gbenga Ashafa and Barnabas Gemade.
    From the House of Representatives came Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Whip, Ado Dogowa among others.
    Pioneer National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audi Ogbe, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Matter, Babafemi Ojodu were also in attendance.

     

    Before the meeting, a mild drama played out at the entrance to the APC secretariat as the presidential guard on duty insisted that the governors will be dropped at the gate, while they walk into the secretariat.

    Security aides attached to Governor Yahaya Bello who was the first to arrive the secretariat for the meeting engaged in a shouting match which almost resulted in a fisticuffs.
    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari was furious that his colleagues were asked to walk into the secretariat, insisting that they be allowed to be driven in, while the cars are taken out later, but the head of the security team told him that “it will not work that way”.
  • NLC urges Buhari to reshuffle cabinet

    NLC urges Buhari to reshuffle cabinet

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reshuffle his cabinet and relieve some ministers who under-performed of their duties.

    Speaking with The Nation on the expectation of Labour from the President Buhari, NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said  Buhari should reshuffle his cabinet because many ministers had not performed to expectation.

    Wabba said there were high expectations from Nigerians, when the President returned from his medical vacation.

    The expectations, according to him, range from the need to rejuvenate the economy, address the issues of security and insurgency, kidnapping, corruption, hunger, minimum wage and the constitution of the boards of many agencies.

    Specifically, he pointed out that it was high time for Buhari to assess the performance of his ministers and other political appointees, adding that there is the need to inject new and fresh ideas.

    “There is high expectation in how to rejuvenate the machinery of government, especially looking at the performance of the ministers and some political appointees. I think, usually in the life of any administration, halfway down the line will be a enough time to assess their performance and then assess the impact that they put into the system.

    “Most Nigerians expect that there is the need to add impetus to governance and looking at key sectors and ministries, there are few that have done well, but many have not done well. So, there is expectation that the cabinet be reshuffle and be able to inject new ideas.”

    “Two years down the line of any administration is enough to do a kind of assessment, and looking at a very genuine assessment, there is still much to do, to get to the promise land.

    “Even in the fight against corruption, you can see that a lot of cases have been thrown up, but I think none of them has been concluded. There is the need for those cases to be completed, get conviction and declare how much was recovered and then, those recoveries can be put into the system to make tangible impacts.

    “So, those are clearly some of the high expectations of Nigerians as well as organised labour and the workers. In this circumstance, President Buhari will have more than enough at his hands to be able to drive the process of governance.”

    On security, he said “There are needs for some steps to be taken. This is because progress was made, but it can be reverted if they are not sustained. So, there is the need to sustain some of those interventions, especially around the Northeast.

    “The insurgency has actually come up with new strategies and tactics which has made the Acting President to direct the Service Chiefs to move their offices to the Northeast. So, I think this also is an area that we do not expect the reversal of the gains that has been made, everything need to be done to sustain the momentum, to ensure that we are able to clear all the remnants of the insurgency because without peace, there cannot be development anywhere around the world.’’

    He added: “We also heard of new elements like kidnapping in some states, this is very strange to us, this is new, but also this clearly are signals that there are challenges in accommodating our youths and the issue of employment is  very important.”

  • NANS to Buhari: reshuffle your cabinet

    NANS to Buhari: reshuffle your cabinet

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed delight over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after a medical vacation in London.

    It, however, urged the President to use the opportunity of his return to reshuffle his cabinet for effectiveness and efficiency.

    A statement by NANS’ President, Chinonso Obasi, yesterday in Abuja, said there is need to bring on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to stimulate the administration.

    It said students stood with the President through the difficult times and would continue to stand with him in prayers.

    He prayed God to grant Buhari more wisdom; understanding and energy to enable him provide the necessary leadership needed to move the nation forward.

    “As Mr. President settles down, I will, in the spirit of comradeship and solidarity, mobilise the leadership of Nigerian students to pay a special welcome back solidarity visit to him.

    “We will intimate him of certain developments in the nation’s educational sector and other issues of critical national importance.

    “We urge the President to use the opportunity of his return to quickly introduce a new sense of vigour into his administration by re-positioning his cabinet for effectiveness and efficiency.

    “There is need to bring on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to stimulate the administration and revive the ailing economy,’’ he said.

    Obasi condemned the recent murder of lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and others, who embarked on oil exploration in the Lake Chad region.

    He appealed to Buhari to use his broadcast, scheduled for today, to address the indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities so that students could return to school soon.

    Obasi, however, noted the critical challenges of the universities and stressed the need to include Nigerian students in the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    He called for the inclusion of students and youths in decision-making process.

  • NANS happy over Buhari’s return, calls for cabinet reshuffle

    NANS happy over Buhari’s return, calls for cabinet reshuffle

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed delight over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after a medical vacation in London.

    A statement by NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, on Sunday in Abuja, said students stood with the President through the difficult times and would continue to stand with him in prayers.

    He prayed God to grant Buhari more wisdom; understanding and energy to enable him provide the necessary leadership needed to move the nation forward.

    “As Mr President settles down, I will, in the spirit of comradeship and solidarity, mobilise the leadership of Nigerian students to pay a special welcome back solidarity visit to him.

    “We will intimate him of certain developments in the nation’s educational sector and other issues of critical national importance.

    “We urge the President to use the opportunity of his return to quickly introduce a new sense of vigour into his administration by re-positioning his cabinet for effectiveness and efficiency.

    “There is need to bring on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to stimulate the administration and revive the ailing economy,’’ he said.

    Obasi also condemned the recent murder of lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and others who embarked on oil exploration in the Lake Chad region.

    He appealed to Buhari to use his broadcast, scheduled for Aug. 21, to address the indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities so that students could return to school soon.

    Obasi, however, noted the critical challenges of the Nigerian universities and stressed the need to include Nigerian students in the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    He also called for the inclusion of students and youths in decision-making process on issues that concerned them, to enable them actively participate in such process and contribute to national development.(NAN)

  • Ikpeazu dissolves cabinet

    Ikpeazu dissolves cabinet

    … As lobbying for new appointments intensifies

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has sacked members of the State Executive Council (SEC), including the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners and his personal aides. The sack is with immediate effect as the former officials were directed to hand over to their permanent secretaries.

    The dissolution of the cabinet was contained in a release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Sir Onyii Wamah.

    The statement reads in part: “The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the dissolution of the State Executive Council with immediate effect and the body of special advisers and assistants are also included”.

    “Consequently, Secretary to the State Government is to hand over to the Head of Service while commissioners are to hand over to the permanent secretaries of the various ministries”.

    “The Deputy Chief of Staff, special advisers and assistants are to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Government House and all handing over must be completed on or before Wednesday June 21, 2017”.

    In a related development, another statement also signed by Sir Wamah said the governor has approved the appointment of Eziuche Ubani who was the immediate past commissioner for works as the Special Adviser, Works and Project Monitoring.

    The other appointments include Engr. Emma Nwabuko as Special Adviser/Personal Secretary to the Governor while Solomon Ogunji is Adviser on Urban Renewal.

    Though there were no reasons given for the dissolution, the new appointments were also said to be with immediate effect.

    The Nation also learnt that commissioners for finance and justice, Hon. Obinna Oriaku and Justice Umeh Kalu retained their respective port-folios.

    We gathered that the dissolution of the cabinet members and the governor’s aides did not come to them as a surprise as rumours over the weeks had it that the governor was going to carry out such exercise.

    Sources who pleaded not to be mentioned disclosed that there was high level lobbying and phone calls in the past weeks by serving commissioners and governor’s aides when the information of an imminent shake up of the state cabinet filtered into their ears.

    “We learnt that the governor has been receiving a lot of calls from the powers that be in the state by serving commissioners and aides who wants to be returned or appointed into another post. We equally learnt that from now (Friday night) to next week that the governor is going to make public the names of new officers that he will work with.

    “It is not yet clear, but I think that the score card presentation of each ministry during the democracy day played a huge role as the event exposed some of the dormant commissioners. You know that some of the people appointed as commissioners were based on recommendation and a few of the people that the governor chose by himself. A few of those chosen by the state governor are the people that got the first nod to retain their seats or moved to another position.

    “From what is happening, the governor wants people that he can hold accountable and people that will work for the state and don’t forget that the election year is just by the corner. The governor must show his full commitment. He must deliver his campaign promises if he must win the heart of the people to vote him back to office come 2019.

    “I agree with you that cabinet reshuffle is a normal thing in government circles, but we must not rule out that the governor may equally want to compensate those that worked for him during the 2015 governorship election. What I can tell you is that, there is serious lobbying going on amongst the people seeking appointment and those at the corridors of power in the state and representatives of the state at the National Assembly,” a source who pleaded anonymity stated.

  • From the Villa: Probing the kitchen cabinet

    Last Wednesday was definitely not a day the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, will forget in a hurry.

    Like a bombshell, the news of their suspension spread like wildfire. That afternoon it went viral on social media in response to the press statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, which announced the suspension.

    While Lawal was suspended over alleged fraudulent practices in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE), Oke was suspended over the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, to which the NIA had made a claim.

    The allegations leveled against Lawal included the Senate’s Ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East, headed by Senator Shehu Sani. alleging breach of Nigeria’s law in handling contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).

    It claimed that one of Lawal’s firms was awarded over N200 million contract to clear an ‘invasive plant specie’ in Yobe State.

    Lawal was accused by the committee of putting himself in a position of conflict of interests.

    Besides Lawal denying the allegations, a press statement by Hamidu David Lawal, who is the Managing Director of one of the firms under probe, Rholavision Engineering Ltd., which the SGF was connected to, had claimed that Lawal resigned as director of the firm and relinquished his shareholding in the firm as soon as he was appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation in August 2015.

    Apart from the statement also noting that the PINE contract came in 2016, a year after Lawal resigned from the company, it disagreed with the claim that over N200 million was paid to the firm.

    It explained that the firm only got N7.01 million contract for Consultancy Services from PINE.

    Lawal, who had severally claimed that he was not given fair hearing by the committee, was directed to appear before the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, for investigation by the Executive arm of government.

    That panel later wrote a letter to the Senate, clearing the duo of all allegations.

    But still worried that the Presidency had kept mute as Lawal refused to appear before the Senate Committee to clear his name, its Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani, had accused the Presidency of fighting corruption with double standard.

    According to him, while the Presidency was fighting corruption with insecticide in other arms of government, it was fighting corruption with deodorant in the executive arm of government.

    This matter was part of the issues that recently caused rift between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government, with the legislature threatening to stop screening of National Electoral Commissioners as its resolutions were not been respected by the Executive.

    But in a twist of events and to prove that it is not fighting corruption with deodorant in the Executive arm,  President Buhari last Wednesday named Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to chair another committee to investigate allegations against Lawal and the money linked to Oke.

    Even though some Nigerians have reservations about the ability of the executive to probe itself without any bais, others still think that the new probe is only intended to give Lawal and Oke soft landing.

    Responding to the suspension, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Muhammedu Nalado described  it as demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to anti-corruption fight.

    On the other hand, Senator Ahmed Makarfi -led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while calling for setting up of independent commission of inquiry to probe the matter, described the suspension as a ruse to deceive Nigerians.

    But the drama that played out in the Presidential Villa last Wednesday did not show that the government was handling the probe with kid gloves.

    Lawal, who normally crack jokes whenever he comes into contact with journalists in the Villa, was visibly shaken by the development.

    Apart from parrying all the questions from journalists who laid ambush for him before coming out from the Vice President’s office shortly after the suspension was announced, Lawal did not find the journalists’ presence exciting that afternoon.

    He did everything possible to quickly get away from the journalists’ ambush even though he managed to crack some jokes with them as he walked out from the Vice President’s office.

    But the newly launched Sagem MorphoAccess security gateway did not help matter.

    He was momentarily stucked with the scanner that refused to open for him to go out.

    The security personnel on duty had to ask him to step back a bit from the glass door for the machine to properly assess information in his identity card in order for the door to open.

    While the delay lasted with the machine, journalists did not stop bombarding him with questions one after the other, which Lawal also did not fail to parry.

    After the glass door opened and he got through it, he was further delayed at the entrance, as he had to wait outside for some time for his driver to drive his SUV forward.

    While waiting outside, journalists still did not spare him of questions concerning his suspension. He only got away when his driver brought his car to the entrance.

    But before he entered the vehicle, he had to muscle his way through journalists standing in his front. The black SUV hurriedly drove out of the Villa as soon as he entered.

    While Lawal was able to withstand and interact with State House correspondents, the case of the gentle and easy going Oke was different when he arrived the Presidential Villa few minutes after Lawal left.

    He could not withstand any contact with the journalists. The lobby and Vice President’s office area had to be cleared of journalists for him to gain access to the Vice President’s office. No journalist was allowed to hang around for the duration of the meeting.

    Only time will tell whether any of them will be left off the hook as the Osinbajo led committee is expected to submit report next week.

  • Thoughts on a new cabinet

    Thoughts on a new cabinet

    Is a cabinet shake-up imminent?

    The media have so reported  a couple of times, with some quoting “authoritative sources” as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari has made up his mind to either reshape his team or disband it.

    It took the President months to set up the cabinet. He took his time. Critics and advocates of today’s popular fast food-style of doing things, no matter how serious or sacred, scorned him for being “Baba Go-Slow”. He would not be stampeded. He stood firm.

    Less than two years into his four-year tenure, the speculators, manipulators and self-appointed regulators are on song again. Will Buhari succumb to pressure and disband this team in whom he seems to be so pleased? If  he does, will the new team include familiar names or relatively unknown men and women? Will he just move people around? Will he have a complete overhaul?

    Here are a few suggestions as to who should make the cabinet, were the President inclined to take another look at his team. It is all in the spirit of the patriotism for which “Editorial Notebook” is well known.

    Zamfara State Governor Abdualaziz Yari remains unrepentant over his comment on the lethal meningitis outbreak that has hit his state and some others in the North. That is the way it should be. The chairman of all governors should never be seen as a weakling who will suddenly disavow his pronouncements on any issue, no matter how sensitive, just to dodge a fight.

    What did His Excellency say to provoke the huge outrage that greeted his simple and logical comment, which, according to a reliable State House source, was made after a thorough research involving an army of religious giants and top-flight scientists, who remain anonymous because of the ethics of their trade?

    “What we used to know as far as meningitis is concerned is the type A virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has carried out  vaccinations against  this type A virus not just in Zamfara, but many other states.

    “However, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send type C virus, for which there is no vaccine. People have turned away from God and He has promised that ‘if you do anyhow, you see anyhow’. That is just the case of this outbreak, as far as I am concerned.

    “There is no way fornication will be rampant and God will not send a disease that will not be cured.”

    They, those fellows who usually hide under some dubious nomenclatures, such as analysts, stakeholders and critics, descended on Yari. They said his theory had no scientific backing? How about its logic? They tore at the messenger and dumped the message. When did God start discussing with our governors?  Is Yari a philosopher or an exponent of theocentric edification? They asked scornfully.

    Minister of State for Health Osagie Ehanire, apparently without any proof, dismissed Yari’s theory. He said the outbreak had nothing to do with Nigerians’ moral and spiritual lifestyles. Not to be left out, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, hit Yari for his “not Islamically correct statement”.

    The fact remains that Yari has brought a new perspective to our health issues. The nation can gain a lot from His Excellency’s newly acquired expertise, no doubt.  I nominate him enthusiastically for the health portfolio?

    Asked how the anti-corruption war can get more muscle, former President Olusegun Obasanjo suggested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should hire ogbologbo lawyers to prosecute its cases.

    What a timely piece of advice, coming when High Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), once popular for his rights advocacy, is celebrating a rare feat of defeating the EFCC thrice in one month.

    A brief background. One of  Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose’s bank accounts was frozen by the EFCC. Ozekhome went to court and got the account unfrozen. Then the EFCC checked Ozekhome’s bank account Nestling in there was a hefty sum of money, about N75m. The EFCC impounded it. The lawyer cried out. He said it was a deposit from his client, the governor, for services rendered.  Outrage. But when has a lawyer’s professional fee become the subject of a public debate in beer parlours and soccer viewing centres? Do doctors disclose their fees?

    There is no doubt that Ozekhome is the kind of  ogbologbo Obasanjo had in mind.

    Interestingly, he is also defending Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Raymond Dokpesi, who is charged with alleged corruption for collecting about N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser. How about the  garrulous SAN for Attorney-General  for the anti-corruption war to hit a new phase?

    Until his academic records became the subject of public scrutiny, nobody knew that Dino Melaye, the distinguished senator representing the good people of Kogi West, had a third class degree.

    The other day when the Senate was discussing how to encourage patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods, Melaye stood up, gathered his agbada, cleared his throat and urged Nigerians to shun foreign spouses. Only a genius could have found the link between these seemingly dissimilar subjects.

    In the heat of the probe of his academic records, Melaye stormed the Senate in a doctoral degree holder’s gown. How he pulled this off remains a mystery till date. The busybodies, who always think everybody’s business is theirs, went to town. They excoriated the distinguished senator for no just cause: “Does he have no shame? Where did he get the gown from? Isn’t this wilful denigration of scholarship? Did he hire it? Why is he celebrating a third class?” They went on and on, lampooning the ingenuity of this inventive fellow.

    For Dino, I think Minister of Education will not be a bad idea. His talents will find full expression and blossom like  daffodils in spring. Our youths, many of who are said to be enjoying his scholarship, will know that with a third class, you could be on your way to fame – and fortune – faster than ever thought.

    Solomon Dalung should retain his job as minister of Youths and Sport. Instead of his great achievements, many talk only about his dressing,  his military police beret and khaki shirt and trousers. Some describe him as an ex-soldier-turned- Lagos Island hotel doorman. To others, he is a Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) recruit awaiting his first set of uniforms.

    The other day when the honourable minister told a House of Representatives panel that the money allocated to the Olympic Games was “well spended”, his critics protested. It was as if he had committed a murder. Trust Dalung; he took it all on the chin.

    For weeks, some youths were in Lagos preparing for the ITTF African Junior Championship in Tunis. They were sent home last weekend when the ministry could not fund the trip. Again, the minister is the whipping boy.

    There is no doubt that contrary to the popular opinion that sport is dying, and  our youths are more interested in reality shows, such as the just concluded Big Brother Naija,  all is well. Dalung should retain his job – for his calmness in the face of a clear storm.

    Many are impressed by the tactical way Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal fended off questions over the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) contracts, among them the controversial N1.3billion grass-cutting job he was said to have awarded to a company in which he had an interest. A well organised man, Lawal has since dissociated himself from the scandal. An attempt by the House to summon him over that matter was rejected because it was the subject of a legal dispute. Besides, he was expressly cleared by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

    It has been suggested in some circles that Lawal should be minister of Works and Due Process. I concur.

    Ben Murray Bruce (where in the world is he?) periodically issues videos in which he comments on matters of national interest. He once said civil servants and politicians were stealing because they had no hope of ever owning a home.  The distinguished senator recently advocated that government officials should be jailed for bad behaviour. And many were asking: “Are senators included?” “Is taking money from banks and not paying  good behaviour?” They taunted the urbane senator – all because the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) sealed off his movie houses, an action that lasted just a few days.

    I have heard some perceptive observers say Murray-Bruce will do well as minister of Tourism, when his skill as a beauty pageant organiser is pressed to service. They have a point, considering the government’s desperation to diversify the economy.

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, was once quoted that all he wanted in life was to sit on the revered throne. He has achieved that.  An Islamic scholar of no mean stature and a finance expert of immense energy, Sanusi does not suffer fools gladly.

    In doubt? Ask the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the Seventh Senate and, most recently, Yari and other leaders of the North.

    There is the rumour that the Emir would not mind being president. That seat being not vacant, would he like to be Finance minister, even if it is just a rehearsal for the real show?

    The nominations continue.

  • FG didn’t tamper with ministers’ salaries, perks – Presidency

    FG didn’t tamper with ministers’ salaries, perks – Presidency

    • FG didn’t tamper with salary package, says Presidency

    The Presidency denied yesterday that it had tampered with the remuneration of the newly appointed ministers. According to additional information received last night, the ministers’ package is same with what obtained in the Jonathan Administration.

    Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the President “has not tampered with the salaries and allowances of Federal Ministers.

    “They remain as they have been prescribed by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission under a law passed in 2008.

    “The President and the Vice President have voluntarily offered a 50 percent salary cut. This is voluntary and does not apply to Ministers and other political appointees.

    “Reports to the effect that the President has imposed an austere package on the ministers are unknown to us. The administration has not tampered with the salaries of ministers and that remain as prescribed under the law.”

    Documents obtained last night showed that the Buhari ministers are earning same as ministers in the Yar’Adua and Jonathan governments.

    A former minister said: “The package for the new ministers is not different from what we got while in office based on the 2009 Amendment by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). You can see from my own copy too.

    “The difference however with Buhari ‘s administration is that while it is strictly adhering to the package, there were variations while we were in power.

    “For example, some former ministers flew First Class; recruited many Special Assistants, sought medical service abroad; and earned estacode more than officially approved.”

    Another ex-Minister said: “It was good that Nigerians have the opportunity to know what the ministers would earn. The reality is that the salaries and allowances of ministers are nothing to write home about at all. Our package is between 16th and 17th in the world.

    “Yet, people assume that once you are in government, you are in luxury. The package is insignificant.”

    Ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua had in 2007 mandated RMAFC to review the Remuneration Package for political, Public and Judicial Office Holders to save cost.

    RMAFC came up with a review in 2009.