The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief of Staff

  • 1m Nigerian children die yearly of lack of water – USAID

    1m Nigerian children die yearly of lack of water – USAID

    • 57m Nigerians lack access to potable water

    United State Agency for International Development (USAID), has said that over 57 million Nigerians have no access to potable water in the country.

    This was also as it said that, one million Nigerian children die yearly for lack of potable drinking water.

    USAID Mission Director, Stephen M. Haykin stated these in Kaduna on Thursday at the occasion of official launch of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

    To this end, he said the USAID is supporting the WASH programme with 2.5 million Dollars to enable Nigerians have access to potable drinking water.

    According to him, “Having a clean water and sanitation is very essential for the development of a healthy society”.

    “Research has shown that, over 57 million of the Nigerian population don’t have access to potable water and sadly, about one million Nigerian children die yearly for lack of potable drinking water,” he said.

    Earlier, WASH project Coordinator, Timeyin Uwejamomere, said the project is expected to last for two years, ending in November 2018, adding that it will primarily target urban areas and focus the States of  Bauchi and Kaduna.

    He said this was because the respective State government have demonstrated firm commitment to the water sector.

    He said, “This is why we established a country office in the city of Kaduna, and last month a satellite office was opened in Bauchi.

    “The programme will strengthen institutions as well as research and knowledge management to support urban water, sanitation and hygiene”.

    In his speech to the occasion, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Malam Bashir Saidu said when Zaria water work is completed, it will provide 150 million litres of water for the populace.

    Also, the Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar regretted that the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State has increased the demand for water supply at the expense of original supply.

    He therefore pledged the commitment and political will of his government to ensure the success of the project.

  • Photos: Buhari attends Juma’at service

    Photos: Buhari attends Juma’at service

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday attended Juma’at prayer at the State House Mosque on Friday.

    The President attended the weekly prayer in the company of the Chief of Staff Abba Kyari and NSA Babagana Monguno.

     

     

     

  • Breaking: Court grants Ex-Governor Aliyu, Nasko bail

    Breaking: Court grants Ex-Governor Aliyu, Nasko bail

    Former Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and his Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko has been granted bail by a Minna High Court Judge, Justice Aliyu Mayaki.

    Aliyu and Nasko were arraigned last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five count charge bothering on the misappropriation of over N4.5 billion belonging to the Niger state government.

    The duo were remanded in the Minna Medium Security Prisons in Tunga last week Monday.

    The bail conditions for Aliyu include a N150 million and a surety with properties valued at N200 million while Nasko is bail of N100 million and a surety with landed properties worth N150 million.

    Commending the Judge for the judgement, the Counsel to Umar Nasko, Mamman Mike Usman said that the bail conditions for his client was too harsh but the bail conditions would be met.

    The duo have met with the bail conditions and have been allowed to go to their various homes amidst jubilation from supporters.

     

  • Alleged N3.36b fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-Niger Governor Aliyu, Chief of Staff today

    Alleged N3.36b fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-Niger Governor Aliyu, Chief of Staff today

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed six charges against a former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu for allegedly embezzling over N3.36 billion while in office.
    Aliyu, a two-term governor between 2007 and 2015, will be formally arraigned today at the High Court of Niger State in Minna.
    He is facing trial with his Chief of Staff, Umar Mohammed Nasko, also a former commissioner for Environment.
    The two suspects will be arraigned for criminal breach of trust; allegedly withdrawing N2.246billion from the Niger State Government House the Security Account and converting 16 per cent shares of Niger State in North South Power Company Limited into personal use among others.
    Some of the charges against the ex-governor and Nasko were obtained yesterday by The Nation.
    The charges read in part: “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015 and Umar Mohammed Nasko being the former Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Environment/Chief of Staff to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st May, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire between yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit; criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
    “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015, sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st of May, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N520,348,000.00,  which was withdrawn from Niger State Government House Security Account number 1012424374 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.
    “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015, sometime between 1st of January, 2011 and 31st of December, 2011 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,725,837,000.00,  which was withdrawn from Niger State Government House Security Account number 1012424374 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.
    “That you Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, being the former governor (also known as Chief Servant) of Niger State from 2007 to 2015 and Umar Mohammed Nasko being the former Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Environment/Chief of Staff to Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu sometime between 7th of April, 2015 and 7th of December, 2015 in Minna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Niger State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,090,000,000.00  (which formed part of the proceeds of the sale of 16% shares of Niger State in North South Power Company Limited) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code.”
    The ex-governor, who was arrested on April 6, had been in custody interacting with EFCC detectives.
    Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello and the State House of Assembly had demanded investigation of the ex-governor.
    It was learnt that several questionable transactions were discovered by the financial management committee set up by the administration of the incumbent governor.

  • Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Tempers flared on Tuesday at the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education meeting with the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita over the extension of the tenure of the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Jamilah Shu’ara.

    The committee had insisted on the need to be intimated with the extant laws on which her extension as permanent secretary was hinged, but the Head of Service could not provide any constitutional backing for her action, except a letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    It demanded to see the letter the HOS wrote which the Chief of Staff was responding to and also wondered why it took the Chief of Staff a year to respond, particularly only when the extension was under probe by the House committee.

    The Head of Service refused to produce the letter prompting lawmakers to insist that she must produce it by Thursday.

    The committee members were angry that the investigative sessions of the committee had been postponed twice at the instance of the HOS and a third one was given on Tuesday, effectively slowing the committee’s investigation.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Zakari Mohammed, faulted the letter by the Chief of Staff saying anyone in the Civil Service who has attained the age of 60 years or 35 years in Service ought to retire. The only other option is if the person is appointed by the President under section Kyari quoted ” but not an extension of tenure”.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dd9e40″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari dated 20th, March 2017 to the HOS purported to have approved the extension of Shu’ara tenure indicted the HOS by showing it was in response to a letter from her.

    The letter reads in part: “I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter ref. No. HCSF/1013/I dated March 17th, 2016.
    “In line with the provisions of 171 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Mr.President has approved the extension of the appointment of Dr Mrs Jamila Shu’ara by one year in a special dispensation which should not be cited as policy[/quote]

    The committee has vowed to get to the bottom of the matter by Thursday.

    According to the Chairman of the committee, “the HOS is frustrating this committee from doing its job.”

    The lawmakers have been trying to investigate the mystery behind the second time extension of the tenure of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education who was supposedly retired.

    Her tenure was extended from February 2016 to 2017 and again from 2017 to 2018.

    In the first instance, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu had appeared on behalf of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara when he was not invited prompting curiously from Rep members on his motive particularly when Shu’ara did not put up an appearance on that date.

    The ministry later wrote the committee that she has been removed as Permanent Secretary. Surprisingly, she was said to have been reinstated again and her tenure extended a second time.

     

     

  • Akeredolu swears-in new SSG, Chief of Staff

    Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN,  yesterday,  said his administration would  continue to parade people of value and intelligent capacity at the helm of affairs in the state . The governor spoke at the swearing -in of the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale.

    The ceremony which was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office, Akure, the state capital,  was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Ajayi Agboola, traditional rulers, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and top government functionaries among others. 12  appointees  including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Chief Protocols also shook hands with the governor. In his address, Akeredolu charged the new appointees to dedicate themselves to the words of the oath of allegiance which they took. Akeredolu said the personalities, the SSG and the Chief of Staff and the high ranking offices they occupy bear testimony to the significance that his administration attaches to excellence and best practices. The governor, particularly said the new SSG has a pedigree that speaks loud for experience, loyalty and vision.

    According to him, “Abegunde is urbane, exposed and loyal. As you know,  he is a consummate politician with and enduring and enviable grassroots appeal”. On his new Chief of Staff, Akeredolu said,  he is not only an accomplished bureaucrat, his vast experience in public service has trained him to be steady, focused and systematic in finding solutions to difficult challenges. He added that he has no doubt that his appointees so far, would add value to his efforts at delivering his promises to the people of the state. His words: “In setting out to achieve these lofty goals, our administration is conscious of the fact that change itself is a process. It is a process that must be clearly thought out, clearly articulated and clearly implemented to produce a definite and quantifiable result.

    “To drive this change process, we believe there is the need for an excellent human resources comprising experience, competence, vision and confidence. “

    The governor, however, promised that his administration would continue to reward loyalty, dedication, competence and diligence.

    He said more party loyalists would soon be appointed to serve in his administration.

    “We urge our people to understand that this state needs help and that as patriots, their sacrifice and service to common good remain the only purpose of their involvement in government.

    “While waiting for such opportunities to come, we wish to appeal for patience with government, renewal of faith in our party and a complete dedication to our promises to the people of our state, “ Akeredolu stressed.

    A political advocacy group within the APC, Movement for Good Governance (MGG) formerly known as Movement Against Imposition (MAI), has commended the Akeredolu administration the appointments and payment of staff’s salaries. According to a release signed by the coordinator of the group, Engineer Austin Pelemo, the payment of staff salary and pensions and the appointment of tested hands into his government are great signs that his government is for the people. Then group described Akeredolu as a “committed democrat, an astute politician, a focused and concerned leader, whose crave for governance is to improve the well being of the people and jumpstart an industrial revolution to eradicate unemployment and poverty in the state.”

  • Baba-Ahmed is Saraki’s Chief of Staff

    A former federal Permanent Secretary, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, was last night appointed the Chief of Staff to Senate President Bukola Saraki.
    Baba-Ahmed takes over from Senator Isa Galadu, who resigned last month.
    A statement by Special Adviser (Media) Yusuph Olaniyonu said the appointment takes immediate effect.
    Baba-Ahmed, 61, attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, London School of Economics and University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

  • Saraki’s chief of staff resigns

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday accepted the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu.

    A statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senate president, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Galaudu first mentioned his decision to step down for personal reasons last November.

    It said that Saraki and Galaudu agreed on his final exit at the end of January.

    It said that Saraki thanked the outgoing Chief of Staff for his commitment and dedication to duty while also directing the Deputy, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola to act in that position pending the appointment of a substantive Chief of Staff.

    Sources said that Galaudu resigned to go and face his business.

     

  • Tambuwal appoints new chief of staff

    Tambuwal appoints new chief of staff

    …Restructures state Media Corporation

     

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved the appointment of Alhaji Mukhtar Umar Magori as the new Chief of Staff, Government House.

    Until his appointment, Magori was into private business.

    He attended Nagarta College, Sokoto for his secondary education and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his first degree.

    The new Chief of Staff whose appointment was contained in a statement issued Monday by Tambuwal’s Media Aide; Malam Imam Imam has an MSc in Maritime Studies from the University of Wales in Cardiff, United Kingdom.

    Similarly, the statement said the governor has also approved the restructuring of Sokoto State Media Corporation (SSMC).

    Under the new and enhanced arrangement, ‎are: Malam Abubakar Shekara (Managing Director) and Alhaji Labaran Lumo Dundaye (Deputy Managing Director) respectively.

    Others are: Usman Buhari Sani (Director, Rima Radio),‎ Alhaji Lawal Sadiq (Director, Rima Television), Aliyu Aliyu Dogon Daji (Director, State FM).

    Also, Abubakar Junaidu (Director Administration) While Hajiya Halima S. Tudu has been appointed as a Director-General in the State Civil Service.

    The statement further said that all other directors in the media corporation retain their current positions and schedule.

    However, Governor Tambuwal tasked the new team to introduce innovative strategies that will reposition the state media outfits for optimum results.

    He also urged the new team to key into government’s overall objective of providing quality service that will lead to the upliftment of the standard of living of the people of Sokoto State.

     

     

     

  • Obaseki appoints SSG, Spokesman

    Obaseki appoints SSG, Spokesman

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state on Monday in Benin announced the appointment of Mr Osarodion Ogie as the Secretary to the State Government.

    Also appointed were Mr Taiwo Akerele as Chief of Staff and Mr John Mayaki as interim Chief Press Secretary.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obaseki had before making the announcement, met with the state Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries.

    He directed the permanent secretaries to take full charge of the affairs of their ministries, pending appointment of commissioners.

    The governor solicited for maximum cooperation from the civil service to enable him discharge his mandate effectively.

    He expressed confidence in the civil service, and pledged that his administration would build a stronger, vibrant, trusted, competent and reliable workforce to meet the challenges ahead.

    “I have no doubt about the capacity of the civil service, but we will also need to clear the clog on the wheel of progress,” he added.

    The governor said the administration would re-evaluate the recruitment process into the service to ensure that merit and objectivity were not compromised.

    He promised to study the report of his transition committee alongside that submitted by the permanent secretaries, before setting up a policy group to outline specific programmes for the administration.

    Obaseki noted that the state would not afford a government unable to create value across board.

    He assured the people of Edo, that he would be a listening governor, who discharges his responsibilities firmly and professionally.

    The governor assured that the administration would be fair to all, and would sanction any civil servant found wanting.

    Responding, Mrs Gladys Idahor, the Head of Service assured the governor that civil servants in the state were ready for the task ahead and pledged their support and loyalty.