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Tag: commissioner

  • Lawmakers summon AG, commissioner over Imo debt profile

    The Imo State House of Assembly has summoned the Accountant-General, Casmir Ozuzu, and Commissioner for Finance Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro, to appear before it today to explain the state’s debt profile.

    A motion by Chika Madumere (Nkwere council) urged the House to invite the Accountant General and Finance Commissioner to give account of the state’s actual debt profile “since the governor had consistently said the state was not indebted”.

    When the motion was put into vote, the House unanimously agreed that the duo be invited to appear during plenary on Wednesday.

    A motion to ascertain the position of the 2019 budget appropriation bill was also moved by Kennedy Ibe.

    Ibe said since the governor presented the appropriation budget in December, it had not been passed into law.

    The House Committee Chairman on Budget Appropriation, Marcel Odunze, said “to the best of my knowledge as the House Committee Chairman on budget appropriation, the 2019 budget appropriation has not been passed into law but to my surprise I am hearing that the budget has been passed”.

    A motion for the 27 Local Government Area Chairmen to appear before the house on Wednesday was equally considered. The motion, which was moved by Arthur Egwuim (Ideato North), said the chairmen slighted an invitation by the House Committee on local government matters to give account of the financial status of the councils.

    Ibe, who supported the motion, said it was an insult for the council chairmen to send two persons on the auspicious of ALGON, Imo State.

    According to him, ALGON was not known to law.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Commissioner urges Muslims on politics

    Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr. AbulHakeem AbdulLateef, has enjoined Muslims to be active in politics.

    He urged those in politics to exemplify exemplary conduct as enjoined in the Holy Quran and by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

    He spoke at the 25th Open Air Lecture of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Akoka Branch (Division II), Akoka, Lagos, on Sunday.

    Dr. AbdulLateef, in his lecture tagged “Leadership by Example,” said leadership “is not to be seen as a position of superiority, but as a trial: a burden to serve humanity with the fear of God and in total humility in service of humanity.”

    According to him, everyone is a leader, but anyone who “aspires to lead others, must be able to lead oneself by being in total control of, and use all what Allah has bestowed on him in ways directed by the Quran.

    Such person, he said, must be able to lead his mouth, his knowledge, wisdom, wealth and other worldly possessions to secure the pleasure of God for himself, and bring better lives to each and every one “he leads.”

    He enjoined Muslims to uphold and transmit good moral and values to their children, spouses and other members of the family at the home front, and to lead the society with good conscience and noble intentions.

    Muslims, he said, should not see positions as do-or-die affairs, as only Almighty God, puts man in position.

  • Demystify Maths, Commissioner tells teachers

    Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, has blamed pupils’ poor performance in mathematics on wrong presentation of the subject by teachers.

    Omenugha said demystifying mathematics remained a sure way to improving performance in the subject.

    She spoke in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, at the opening of a four-day training on difficult subject areas for mathematics teachers conducted by Pan African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH).

    According to her, mathematics is one of the easiest subjects to understand and pass if taught properly.

    “Mathematics has not been properly demystified. If you have a teacher, who understands the concepts and is able to teach it in a very natural and simple way, the students would be able to do better.

    “I came back from a conference on education in London and I just wished I was still a child because of the way maths was taught there, it was so simple with computers.

    “They said the worst way to teach mathematics is just to say 2+2=4.  That’s a horrible way. You could get oranges and other aids so as to make it as practical as possible. I think that is what our children need,” she said.

    Mathematics and other core subjects, Omenugha said, had always been given priority attention by the state government in view of their importance.

    “Governor Willie Obiano is very passionate about demystifying mathematics among the children because he himself is a very good mathematician.

    “That is also why we’re committing much to building the capacity of our teachers, for them to appreciate that teaching and learning mathematics can be fun,” she said.

    Expressing confidence in the performance of teachers after the training, Omenugha urged them to view their profession as a blessing and opportunity to impact lives.

    She said: “The teachers are brilliant. For them to have done Maths at the university level, some with Masters, it shows the level of their intelligence.

    “The only thing they need is to believe in themselves; have a vision and mission to drive the vision. They also need to continue to improve their capabilities and capacities.”

    The commissioner further revealed that the training, which was a pilot edition, would be extended to other local council areas of the state.

    PACIEH Chief Executive Officer, Prof Uche Amazigo, said the training would focus on selected subject items identified to be difficult among teachers.

    She revealed that 28 teachers selected for the training would be drilled by eight outstanding teachers.  She expressed optimism that they would do justice to the subject.

    On his part, Project Coordinator, State Education Programme Investment Project (ANSEPIP), Kene Enukora, said his organisation would be supporting the programme technically and financially.

  • ‘No commissioner arrested in Kano’

    Kano State Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba has debunked rumours being circulated in the social media that the police have arrested a serving commissioner in the state during Saturday’s re-run elections.

    Garba, who spoke to reporters, also described the reported loss of life due to violence in some polling units as false.

    READ ALSO: PDP to INEC: declare our candidate winner of Kano guber election

    He said these negative, false and disturbing reports are nothing but propaganda of the Kwankwasiyya movement of PDP designed and perpetrated to discredit the conduct of the re-run elections in the affected areas as they sense clear defeat.

    He said the elections were conducted peacefully and smoothly adding that there was and will not be any infringement of law or wrong doing from the government as alleged by the PDP.

    Garba therefore called on Kano citizens to disregard these fake news and propaganda and remain calm as collation of results continue.

  • Commissioner hails governor for Effurun-Otor/Ovwor bridge in Delta

    DELTA State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Peter Mrakpor yesterday hailed Governor  Ifeanyi Okowa for the Effurun-Otor/Ovwor bridge project, saying his eight years was a sure bet.

    Mrakpor, who spoke to reporters during the inspection of the project by the governor, said Ughelli South had gained much in Okowa’s government and would give him huge votes to reciprocate the kind gesture.

    Stating that the project was a dream come through, Mrakpor said if completed, the bridge would cut the distance from Ovwor to Effurun-Otor by five/10 minutes, instead of spending over 45 minutes.

    The commissioner noted that Okowa had done a lot in Ughelli South, and deserved appreciation through their votes.

    Read also: Ibori to Anioma: Okowa’s re-election is your battle

    “In Ughelli South, the governor has done a lot for our people in terms of projects, and the only way we can say thank you is to to re-elect him for a second term in 2019.

    “Okowa’s victory is a sure bet because l believe in equity, fairness and justice, and the God l worship is God of equity and justice, and it is on this note I am urging Delta Central people to queue behind Okowa to complete his second tenure, it is not negotiable.”

  • Commissioner: Lagos preparing workers for retirement

    To prepare workers for life out of service, the Lagos State Government is remitting money into their Retirement Savings Account (RSA), Establishments, Training and Pensions Commissioner Dr. Benson Oke said yesterday.

    Opening a retreat for trade union leaders from Lagos State, at the Michael Imoudu Institute in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, he said many state governments did not see the need to prepare their employees for retirement.

    Lagos, he said, knew the importance of preparing workers for retirement by remitting money into their RSA.

    Oke said the union members enjoyed the privilege of having served establishments that made arrangements for their future in retirement, adding that the government had paid accrued pension rights running into billions of naira into its workers’ RSA.

    He said when employees and employers planned for retirement, the transformation would be less stressful.

    “While many employers of labour and indeed, many state governments do not see the need to prepare their employees for a new life, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration is a people-oriented one and we have resolved that everyone who has worked diligently for the state has to be recognised, paid his/her entitlements and assisted to prepare for future challenges,” the commissioner said.

    He said there were challenges inherent in facing  retirement and advised trade union leaders and members not to be apprehensive about the challenges.

    Oke urged workers to envision a productive future in retirement.

    He advised union members to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the retreat to relax, meditate and plan for the challenges ahead.

  • Commissioner: every resident must report sexual, domestic violence

    it is every resident’s duty to report sexual or domestic violence, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) has said.

    He said tackling domestic violence could only succeed when cases were quickly reported by witnesses or victims.

    Kazeem urged every Lagos residents to join hands with the government in saving lives.

    He spoke at a ‘Commendation evening’ and premiere of a movie, Surviving, to commemorate the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

    He was represented by the Solicitor-General, Mrs Funlola Odunlami.

    He said: “It is apparent that to make great progress in this journey, we must all join hands to fight this menace.

    “With the involvement of every member of the home and in turn every member of the society, we will attain new heights in the war of sexual and gender based violence.

    “This has inspired the theme for the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month 2018, which is: Securing the home against violence – everyone’s responsibility.

    Kazeem stressed the need for enlighten of every individual on their role in curbing this menace.

    He said the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT)  would not relent in its bid to tackle the problem.

    “Through walks, seminars, projects and initiatives, DSVRT aims to equip every member of the society with the requisite knowledge and tact to adequately respond to incidents of domestic and sexual violence, as everyone is a mandated reporter,”he stressed.

    Kazeem said Surviving was produced to help drive the message home.

    “It is my earnest desire that through this, survivors will become aware that help is near; witnesses will be encouraged to speak out and save a life and perpetrators will be deterred,” he said.

    He said the movie examines domestic violence, and addresses the misconceptions that lead to silence by victims.

    Kazeem said the commendation evening was to provide opportunity to honour and celebrate individuals, professionals, agencies and organisations that have exhibited stellar commitment in the fight against sexual and gender based violence in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Edgal Imoihimi said his men would would continue to support the state in the fight sexual and domestic violence.

    Represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mrs Yetunde Longe, the CP said reporting domestic violence was part of community policing.

    He described DSVRT as one of those organisations that is passionate about fighting and ending the menace.

    Imohimi said the command has set up 10 offices for reporting incidents of domestic and sexual violence.

    He said the command would respond promptly to all incidents reported.

    “Community Policing is more of partnership with the community. If you see something, say something,” he said.

    Awards were given to those who have contibuted to efforts to deal with domestic violence in the state.

    Pastor Jegede Busola was honoured as the Most Effective Mandated Reporter.

    Project Alert won the Most Efficient Non-Govermental Organisation (NGO) award.

    MTN and Airtel got the Most Supportive Corporate Organisation awards.

    Ogudu Primary Healthcare Centre was the Most Effective Healthcare Facility.

    Chief K. N. Ndukwu & Co. was the Most Effective Pro-Bono counsel.

    Alimosho Family Social  Service was the Most Committed Family Social Service.

    Ketu Family Support Unit was the Most Effective and Responsive Family Support Unit of the Lagos State Police Command .

    Dr Babajide Martins bagged DSVRT’s Special Recognition Award.

  • Commissioner to parents, guardians: develop good parenting skills

    Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Agboola Dabiri has urged parents and guardians to develop good parenting skills.

    This, he said at a town hall meeting on “Better parenting plus with parents, guardians, school administrators and caregivers”, in Alausa, Ikeja, would save the world from ills.

    Dabiri, represented by the Special Adviser on Social Development, Mrs. Joyce Onafowokan, said parenting was an important aspect of societal growth and development, which had been taken for granted over the years.

    “It takes more than just money and love in raising a child properly,” he said.

    Most parents and guardians, the commissioner said, saw parenting as a natural occurrence and just lived by the day, bringing the children up to the best of their knowledge and ability.

    “It is important to note that most forms of societal decadence begin from the values instilled in the children from home, which is a primary function of parenting. There is no perfect parent and each child is unique in his or her own way, but understanding who your child is will help in building them into an independent and emotionally-stable adult equipped with the skills to face real life challenges,”  he said.

    According to him, the ministry just concluded a three-day training on “Better parenting plus”, using the newly revised curriculum comprising 20 modules and additional session on “Early childhood development and parenting adolescent” for 25 participants, who will take the message to their local governments and communities.

    The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said “Better parenting plus” was aimed at positive behavioural change towards parenting styles.

    He said parenting was not all about biological relationship, adding that anyone coming in contact with a child can parent, as parenting is everybody’s responsibility.

    “It takes the whole community to raise a child. We should try as much as possible to be our brother’s keeper, notice and do something when any child needs to be given extra care or protection,” Muri-Okunola noted.

  • Commissioner wins Lagos Man Of The Year Award

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem Mobolaji AbdulLateef is the 2018 Lagos State Man of the Year (LASMAYA).

    He polled 41, 415 of the 53, 893 votes, representing 76.85 per cent of the total valid votes cast.

    The contest was organised by the Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies (CPDPS).

    The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, scored 4,138 votes.

    State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Executive Chairman Dr Ganiyu Oluremi Shopeyin got 2,405 votes. House of Representatives member Babajimi Adegoke Benson, 1,443, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) General Manager, Adesina Muyiwa Tiamiyu, 1,397, Anchor Insurance Company Limited Group Managing Director, Ebose Augustine  Osegha, 1,199, Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (Aredols) Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya, 763, Grand Oak Limited Managing Director, Aare Fatai Odesile, 569, CA Consultants Ltd Managing Director, Charles Akinyele Akindayomi, 362 and Alphabeta Consulting Ltd Managing Director Otunba Akin Doherty, 202.

    CPDPS said AbdulLateef’s feat was unprecedented in the award’s history.

    Reacting, Abdulateef dedicated the award to God, Lagosians and his supporters.

    The 2018 Award is the 10th edition of LASMAYA, which started in 2008. There was no award in 2010.

  • Commissioner seeks review of Universal Health Coverage

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris, yesterday called for a review and re-organisation of the health sector in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    Idris made the call at a Lagos State Media and Communication Healthcare Financing Training organised for journalists by the by the State Ministry of Health in Lagos.

    The training was in collaboration with the United States Agency International Development (USAID) funded project, Health Finance and Governance (HFG), a non-governmental organization (NGO).

    Idris said: “Universal health coverage involves reviewing and restructuring the systems to address specific things; if we get this right, it is a total paradigm shift and the state will be better for it.

    “We need more money to address so many things that we need to do in the health sector, not only building hospitals. There are so many things we need to do in the health sector that people do not see, which are very crucial to the success and health of our people, all these need funding. We need human resource; we need to educate and enlighten the people.

    “We need to control diseases, we need to trace data and trace diseases occurrences.”

    He said there was need for people to know what the state government was doing to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient.

    The commissioner advised residents to contribute to the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) so that they could be covered, adding that funding the health sector was huge task.

    According to him, the scheme, which will commence in two months’ time, will involve both public and private providers in the provision of services.

    “We are starting with the basic care so that over 70 per cent of our people will have access to see the doctor and be treated at the primary care level. We are trying to introduce a referral system whereby you refer people from the primary to the secondary and tertiary institutions. We are trying to put order into the system and we are trying to introduce quality,” he said.