The Nation Newspaper

Tag: caretaker

  • ‘No to caretaker panels in Cross River’

    The Cross River State  All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will reject any plan by the state to set up caretaker committees for local governmes.

    The party said it can defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in any local government election, which would be held before the end of the year.

    In a joint statement by the state’s Acting Chairman, Sir John Ochala and National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, APC insisted on the conduct of elections.

    The statement reads: “Our intelligence reports have it that the governor (Prof Ben Ayade) does not want to conduct local government polls as at when due; of course we have put in motion strategies  to checkmate such move.

    “If our suspicion is confirmed, then Ayade will meet us at the appropriate point. In Cross River State, we will not accept caretaker appointments in the councils. We will go for elections.”

    The APC acting chairman said the PDP was scared of the rising profile of the state’s main opposition party, hence the plan to resort to caretaker committees instead of elections.

    He said: “We suspect that because of the rising profile of the APC in Cross River State, the governor is scared stiff about how to conduct an election. As I speak to you, if an election is conducted, APC will defeat Ayade, even in his Obudu Local Government Area.

    “We are prepared for the election. So, let the PDP put its popularity to the test by conducting a local government election.”

    Eta said: “I personally will like the Supreme Court to make a pronouncement on the local government caretaker committees because the constitution talks about elections, clearly. It talks about elected local government areas.

    “I think the Supreme Court should make a law or make a pronouncement that the resources of Nigeria should not go to any local government with unelected administration.

    “The Supreme Court should assert itself by making a pronouncement in matters of that nature. We have copied a presidential system of government from the United States (U.S) but refused to copy parts that could help us more. In America, the Supreme Court has amended the constitution so many times without going through the legislature.”

  • Florence Omagbemi named Falcons caretaker coach

    Florence Omagbemi named Falcons caretaker coach

    Former Nigeria skipper Florence Omagbemi has been appointed caretaker coach of the country’s women’s team, the Super Falcons.

    According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a foreign coach will be appointed “within the shortest possible time” to stop the country’s slide in women’s football lately.

    She will be assisted by former internationals Perpetua Nkwocha, Ann Chiejine and Bala Mohammed, who will be goalkeeper trainer.

    African champions Falcons will soon begin their qualification campaign for the 2016 African Women’s Championship in Cameroon in November.

  • Rivers APC slams Wike over comments on caretaker chairmen

    Rivers APC slams Wike over comments on caretaker chairmen

    Following a remark by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike , that the newly-inaugurated local government chairmen fight over funds, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the statement as unbelievable, saying it is a confirmation that the state has ended up in a ‘one chance bus’.

    Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, the APC said the statement by Wike was a sign that the state was in deep trouble.

    The governor had been quoted as saying, ‘Don’t behave like the kind of CTC (caretaker) chairmen we are appointing, who always fight over funds. The chairman would go to bank with the council treasurer for funds, while the members (caretaker) would ambush them.’

    Reacting to the statement, APC said: “Few weeks after Barr. Nyesom Wike was inaugurated as governor of Rivers State and he earnestly embarked on a borrowing spree, the Rivers State chapter of the APC came out to warn that Rivers people had ended up in a ‘One Chance Bus’ with Governor Wike as the driver.

    “Typical of the infamous ‘one chance’ phenomenon that leaves tears and blood in its wake, the passengers (this time the people and residents of Rivers State) are destined for either loss of personal effects and belongings or outright crash, in which only the driver and his cohorts manoeuvre themselves to safety, with the loot from the people, dead or alive.

    “On Thursday, Governor Nyesom Wike, while inaugurating the re-constituted Rivers State Pilgrims Welfare Board, told the world that he appointed thieves as caretaker chairmen and members.

    “Most worrisome to the APC is the fact that Governor Wike only mentioned something as grave as that, just in passing. The continuous nature of his statement clearly shows that Governor Wike has no remorse for his indiscretion in appointment.”

    The APC also recalled that about two weeks ago, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, after observing the persons appointed as caretaker council chairmen and members by Wike, raised the alarm about the kind of persons being appointed.

  • NASU disowns caretaker

    The national leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union of educational and associated institutions (NASU) has backed Adebayo Femi-led executives of the union at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Oto/Ijanikin, as against the caretaker committee that claims to be in charge of the union.

    This was contained in a letter with reference No: NASU/COE/406/VOL. IV/83 and addressed to college management, and the union.

    The letter signed by NASU deputy general secretary, reads in part: “I am directed to inform you that the so-called ‘caretaker committee’ is not known to NASU headquarters. The legitimate branch executive of NASU at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos is headed by Mr Adebayo Femi.”

    Following the development, the AOCOED management stated that it would deal only with the Comrade Adebayo-led executives.

    The caretaker committee emerged at the peak of the workers’ unions’ strike of last year during which some members claimed to have removed Adebayo on allegation of flirting with the management.

  • Council gets caretaker members

    Council gets caretaker members

    Leadership should be about service to the people and society, the Executive Secretary of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dawood Olajobi, has said. He spoke during the inauguration of the council’s caretaker committee, urging the members to improve service delivery to the people.

    The ceremony, held in the council premises, was attended by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshodi, including the immediate past chairman of the council, Idris Aroyoh, Pa J.O. Olabintan and Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, among others. The Elewu of Ewuland, Oba Shakirudeen Kuti was also there.

    Welfare of the people, Olajobi said, must be the committee’s aim, adding: “What we are witnessing today is a product of painstaking selection by Governor Babatunde Fashola after dissolution of local governments. I urge the members of the caretaker committee to take up the responsibility and improve the welfare of our people.”

    The council’s Legal Adviser, Kunle Akin-Ajayi, said the ceremony should not be seen as a political jamboree but a sacred business of governance. He said the committee members were privileged to be selected by the governor, urging them not to betray the trust reposed in them.

    Akin-Ajayi swore in Mr. Adedayo Aduke Thomas, Alhaji Olanrewaju Malik,  Adesanya Yusuf and Ms Atinuke Ajayi as the committee members.

    After the ceremony, Olajobi presented them to the workers.

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Thomas described the ceremony as historic, noting that the committee’s task  would be achieved with the stakeholders and council workers, support.

    He said: “We are only here on your behalf. This is why you must not leave the task to our door step alone. We need your support and constructive contribution towards the objective of taking Oshodi-Isolo to greater height.”

  • Ondo Assembly sacks nine council caretaker chairmen

    Ondo Assembly sacks nine council caretaker chairmen

    The Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday sacked nine of the 18 Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

    They were sacked for failing to audit their staff as directed by the Assembly.

    Those affected are Femi Opakunrin, Akure North; Afolabi Mabogunje, Ose; Adetunji Ojomo, Owo; Rufus Agboola, Ifedore; Taye Sunday, Idanre; Mrs. Yetunde Dada, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo; Banji Okunomo, Ilaje; Akin Sowore, Ese-Odo and Olu Arowolo, Akoko North East.

    At the plenary session presided over by Speaker Samuel Adesina, the lawmakers said the Assembly’s decision was to promote accountability and good governance in councils.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Affairs Afolabi Akinsiku (Ondo Constituency 1) said on January 5, the Assembly directed caretaker committees to audit workers on their payroll to get rid of ghost workers.

    He said several reminders were sent to THE sacked chairmen but they failed to respond.

    Akinsiku said: “We heard that all of them did the audit, but those sacked refused to submit their reports to us after four reminders were sent to them.

    “Section 3 of the Ondo State Local Government Law says we can sanction them to ensure good governance, probity and accountability at the third tier of government.”

    The Assembly appointed new caretaker chairmen in the affected councils.

    They are Ajayi Ogunsusi, Akure North; Olojualaule Sunday, Ifedore; Akinrinmade Benson, Idanre; Ebegbe Matthew, Ose and Osuporu Olawale, Owo.

    Others are Sikiru Adenolaweye, Akoko North East; Leke Ewarawon, Ilaje; Jaiyeola Omobobuwa, Ese-Odo and Prince A. Adegbohungbe, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo.

    The Speaker directed the sacked chairmen to hand over to the Directors of the Local Government Administration (DLG), who will hand over to the new caretaker chairmen.

    Adesina said though there were petitions against some local government chairmen, the sack of the nine was not based on the petitions, but on their failure to comply with the Assembly’s directives.

    He directed law enforcement agents to take charge of security in the affected local government councils to prevent a break down of law and order.

     

  • Oyo council gets ACN caretaker committee

    A seven-man Caretaker Committee has been inaugurated to manage the affairs of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    The Committee’s Chairman is Deacon Segun Oyediran and Alhaji Dauda Bashiru is the Secretary.

    Members of the committee include Maj. Opawale (rtd.), Alhaja Zainab Juwon, Mr. K. Obisesan, Mr. Mufutau Oyewo, Mr. Mathew Akinwalere, Mr. Nafiu Kamilu and Mr. Fatai Akinsanmi.

    The former executives were suspended by the ACN State Executives to allow for equal representation and better organisation of the party in the council.

    The inauguration was attended by the party’s leaders in the council, including Prince Fatunbi, Apostle Falade, Ahaji Babatunde Ismaila, Alhaji Ganiyu Alade, Mrs. Dele Akinwale and Mrs. Tijani Comfort.

    At the ceremony, the ACN State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, hailed members for handling the incident that led to the suspension of the former party executive with maturity.

    He said: “Our great party is very unique when it comes to party formation, organisation and administration. The party undertook a series of reforms to give members at the grassroots more roles in the selection of candidates and leadership to create a sense of belonging.”

    Oyediran urged members to support his committee and pledged to effectively implement the party’s programmes and policies.