The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Council inaugurates committees

    The Agege Local Government in Lagos State has inaugurated five committees to assist in making recommendations that would enhance the successful administration of the council.

    The committees with various terms of reference are to submit their recommendations this week. They are mandated to evaluate and audit non-pensionable staff and look into areas of revenue leakages and make recommendations on how to block them and improve the council’s revenue.

    A committee is to look into the different stages of ongoing projects and make recommendations for payment. It will also recommend priority projects.

    The fourth committee will look into the state of degradation of local government infrastructure and make recommendations on how to uplift them.

    The last committee is to draft a Mission and Vision Statement for the local government.

    Inaugurating the committees at the council secretariat, the Executive Secretary, Omofunmilewa Adejombo, a lawyer, said the primary purpose of setting up the committees is to advance the course of governance and move the council forward.

    He said it was a joint decision by all stakeholders in the council area and therefore, should not be seen as a means to witch-hunt anybody.

    Hon. Richard Osayinpeju, who chairs one of the committees, said the responsibility is a call to serve, particularly now when the allocation from the federal coffers is fast dwindling.

    He added that all local governments should start to look inwards on how generate funds to provide their people with amenities that will make life more meaningful.

    He enjoined members of the committees to work assiduously in their different capacities to ensure the success of the exercise.

  • Council chairs lament

    The Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Colleges of Education (FCE) has raised the alarm over what it described as poor capital project development in colleges of education.  The body decried the lack of investment as a problem militating against the vision of the founding fathers of the colleges.

    In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Emma Anosike, after an emergency  meeting, the group said: “frowned at the non-release or poor capital projects in the colleges which negates the vision of the founding fathers of these institutions.”

    The group also recommended that some of the colleges with the adequate staff strength and infrastructure be seriously considered for upgrade to universities of education, while urging the Federal Government to lift the embargo on recruitment of workers, especially in core areas of physics, chemistry, science and special education.

    Congratulating the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on his election, they prayed God to see him through a successful administration.

    The communiqué reads: “The Committee seized the opportunity to congratulate the President elect Gen.Mohammadu Buhari and pray that the almighty Allah will guide him aright in administering the country.”

     

  • AU, council laud Nigeria’s polls

    AU, council laud Nigeria’s polls

    THE African Union (AU) and its affiliate, Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), have hailed the Federal Government and the citizenry on the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during and after the general elections.

    Chairperson and Nigerian representative at AU ECOSOCC Dr. Tunji Asaolu said this in Abuja at the weekend.

    He said the success recorded was made purpose as a result of efforts and roles played by the citizens and the CSO.

    Asaolu said he was ready to work with the nation’s CSO to achieve and come up with laudable ideas that would reshape the country and the continent.

    But, the Presiding Officer of AU ECOSOCC Joseph Chelingi condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the killing of four Nigerians in Indonesia.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • New deal for council residents in Plateau

    New deal for council residents in Plateau

    Bassa local Government Area of Plateau State has had an unflattering profile, often seen as one of the least developed in the state.

    Well, that profile is changing, thanks to its chairman Hon. David Rancha. Communities in the council are picking up: water is running, roads are paved and there is electricity.

    Village heads and community leaders in the council have described the recent social infrastructural development in their locality as a “breath of fresh air”.

    The paramount ruler of the local government and President, Bassa  Traditional Rulers Council, the Utu Ugo Kiche of Rukuba Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Ati Adamu Adiuwu said he was pleased that such developments were happening under his reign.

    Indeed, the people of Bassa local government have begun to witness a new lease of life.

    All the three districts of the local government are witnessing infrastructural development in various communities.

    Bassa local government is as old as 38 years, created the same time as the state. But in spite of its age, Bassa remained poorly developed, being one of the least growing in the state. This is in spite of the fact that it is one of the closest local governments to Jos, the state headquarters, as well as being the gateway to neighbouring Kaduna State. It was believed by the residents  that the backwardness of the local government had to do with poor leadership by past administrators, particularly council chairmen.

    The leader of the Legislative Council, Hon Mrs. Rahila Yahaya Hamza, said, “A number of chairmen have come and gone, yet the local government remained under-developed.”

    This explains why, when the present administration led by Hon Rancha took over the mantle of leadership, many in the local government never gave him a chance. It was believed Hon Racha would only come to warm the office and leave like his predecessors without changing their situation. That was why he was given a cold reception when he assumed office. The cold reception notwithstanding, Hon. Rancha, himself an indigene and fully acquainted with the deplorable condition of things, set to work.

    Equipped with good knowledge of the locality as well as their yearnings and aspirations, the new chairman had no problem in outlining the areas of priority. He made a commitment to change the feelings of the people towards governance at the third tier. He spring into action almost immediately, and today, one year after, the story of Bassa local government has changed for good.

    When the council chairman Hon David Rancha marked his one year in office at Crest Hotel Jos, he merely rolled out series of unexpected achievements to the surprise of stakeholders of the local government.

    In the area of rural road construction, the council boss said, “As part of efforts to link rural communities and also enhance commercial activities, the administration has embarked on the construction and rehabilitation of several roads across the local government area. They include a ten kilometer twin Hills, Renwienku – Katumai road linking Irigwe and Rukuba Chiefdoms. 15.3Km Gurum – Assak – Bomo road linking Pengana and Rukuba Chiefdoms, 11.6Km Assak – Jebbu Bassa road linking Buhit and Assak Wards, 9km Rimi – Bakin Kogi road linking the two wards in Pengana Chiefdom.

    Apart from the rural roads which are capable of turning around the economy of the people, the chairman made efforts to provide electricity to villages that had been in darkness. Hon Racha said, “It is obvious that the resources of the local government is very low and we will not be able to provide electricity to all the communities in need, hence we decided to carry out such social services one in each of the three chiefdoms in the local government. In Irigwe Chiefdom we installed a transformer at Te’egbe to serve the electricity needs people of the areas, in Pengana Chiefdom a transformer was installed at Angwan Gabar in Jengre. And in Rukuba Chiefdom, we installed a transformer at Dutsen Kurra.

    The administration has also, within the one year in office made concerted efforts to solve the problem of scarcity of water to the people. According to Hon Racha, “A total of nine borehole projects were executed across the local government, each of the three chiefdoms having three. That of Pengana Chiefdom is located at LEA Primary school Lungu-Katako in Kadamo ward, Jengre market in Jengre ward and the third one is in Mista Ali market.

    In Rukuba Chiefdom, the three boreholes can be found in Abanizara, Nyakala and Uranden villages. While those of Irigwe Chiefdom are located at GSS Kwall, PHC Te’egbe and Chinye villages respectively.

    Besides, the administration secured two additional boreholes from the federal ministry of water resources, Abuja. The two boreholes are located at Baginji vegetable market and Miango market in Zobwo ward. In addition, the administration also secured two other water project from the federal government water project, the included the abandoned Minago – Kwall Water Dam Project. The water dam project has dual advantage to the people; for irrigation and hydro-electric power generation. The second one is the Ariri earth dam project located at Ariri in Irigwe Chiefdom.

    The executive chairman has also showed serious concern in the well being of citizens of the local government with series of health program. For instance, the chairman re-introduced the monthly sanitation exercise in the local government as the chairman took over the supervision of the monthly exercise from house to house. The comatose drug revolving loan has been fully revived and made functional to service the drug needs of the people. In addition, the local government had collaborated with the state ministry of health for massive distribution of treated mosquito nets to all primary school pupil and pregnant women to reduce the scourge of malaria in the rural communities.

    Leader of the local government legislative council, Hon. Rahila Yahaya Hamza while responding to the scorecard presented by Hon Racha at the one anniversary dinner said, “The record of achievement presented by the executive chairman was made possible through a combine efforts of the executive and legislative council. She added that the working relationship between the two arm of government have been smooth due to the leadership quality and understanding of the executive chairman.

    She appeal to citizens of the local government to support the administration and remain peaceful, law abiding so as the guarantee more benefiting projects.

     

  • Ogoni inaugurates oil bearing communities’ traditional rulers’ council

    Traditional rulers in Oil Producing Communities of Ogoni land in Rivers State have inaugurated a body to take charge of all oil-related issues.

    The event was held in Ogbon-Chia in Eleme Local Government Area.

    The Paramount ruler of K.Dere community of Gokana LGA, HRH Donald Geresuu and his counterpart from Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Godwin Bebe Ukpabi, were sworn-in as the President and Vice President.

    Chief Samuel Nne, paramount ruler of Tai, is the Secretary-General and the Chairman Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Godwin Gininwa is the Grand Patron.

    In their separate speeches, Chiefs Gberesuu and Ukpabi said membership into the body is the exclusive reserve of traditional rulers from oil producing communities, but agreed that the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen, women leaders and some prominent members of their communities would be allowed to join to give chance to all communities and clans concerned.

    They also used the event to reaffirm their supports for the take-over of oil exploration in their communities by Belemaoil and Gas Nigeria limited, an indigenous oil firm owned by a Rivers indigene.

    They appealed to the Federal Government and agencies responsible for approval of oil exploration in the country to listen to the voice of Ogoni Oil bearing communities in the decision on who takes over from SHELL, noting that “Belema we know but other contenders are faceless.”

    Belemaoil is one of the several other companies jostling for acceptance into the land for resumption of oil production in SHELL OML 11 oil field.

    They maintained that apart from the Traditional Council, no other body has any right to speak anywhere on oil in Ogoniland without approval from the council.

    Ukpabi said: “A situation where everybody is speaking for us (oil bearing communities), is not good for us. We are the custodian of oil the communities that have oil and we want to begin to speak for oil in our land.

    “After this inauguration today, before anybody, social-cultural organization institution or individual can speak for us in respect of this, they must first consult us; every decision on oil in Ogoni land must be taken by this group.

    “Note that the PIB bill is coming and the Federal Government is interested that the money should go directly to oil bearing communities instead of the current practice of directing it through the state government; not even the Local government will have it, but the communities.

    “So if we are not organized, we will have problem when that time comes, you will see others whose communities have no oil, and don’t know our pains and suffering speaking and taking decisions on our behalf; this is a major reason for constituting this body.”

    Gberesuu appealed to the chiefs to eschew sentiment and acrimony and give the best of their co-operation to the body, expressing the hope that they would achieve good result.

    “I urge all of us to ignore sentiment and bitterness and throw your weights behind the executive to achieve the desired results.

    “There are four LGAs in Ogoniland, Gokana, Khana Eleme and Tai. Let all of us come together and work as one, if we do, we will have better result. We are aware that the reason for forming this group is to help us overcome the challenge of other people, in whose communities there is no oil, speaking and taking decisions on issues concerning us, and we don’t want that any longer.

    “This does not mean that other Ogoni people will not make their own inputs and contributions in issues of oil in the area but this council will be the final decision making body on issues relating to oil in Ogoni land.”

    Traditional rulers from all oil producing communities of the four LGAs of Ogoniland were present in the event, with two second class chiefs in attendance.

    The group agreed to restrict themselves to only issues concerning and relating to oil to avoid interfering into MOSOP’s mandate.

     

  • Fashola inaugurates governing council for PSSDC

    Fashola inaugurates governing council for PSSDC

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has inaugurated a nine-member Governing Council for the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC).

    At the inauguration ceremony in his office, Fashola said the ultimate dream was to see the institution become the Lagos School of Government in the mould of the Kennedy School of Government in the United States and other such schools across the world.

    The Council, headed by a former Head, Lagos State Civil Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, has other members drawn from both the public and private sectors, including Mr. Abiola Popoola, the immediate past president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mrs. Regina Olubunmi Fabamwo, Director-General of PSSDC, Mr. Adeshina Mohammed Odeyemi, Mrs. Kikelomo Morenike Sanyaolu, Mrs. Olubusola Ajibola Abidakun, Mrs. Adetokunbo Ogabi, Prof Hakeem Fashina-Bombata and Mr. Idowu Oladipupo John. The Council has three years tenure.

    Fashola said the inauguration was coming at a time when there was urgent need for outstanding leadership not only in Nigeria, but across the globe in order to make human civilisation live up to its expectation and achieve its full possibilities.

    Fashola, who also expressed delight that the inauguration was coming so close to the end of his tenure, added that his pleasure arose from the fact that he could look back and say his administration was leaving behind not just a strong public service but also a very strong and respected Public Service Training Institution.

    He thanked the initiators of the institution which he described as “a far-sighted vision” adding that although it is still work in progress, government had over the last few years committed a lot of resources and time “in first upgrading the infrastructure of the school so that it is an environment that is conducive to learning which has all the tools”.

    He noted that the institution was already playing the role of a Lagos School of Government “in a much understated way” pointing out that aside the institution being the place where the state’s teachers now receive their annual courses, it was the place where the government converted graduates into volunteer English, Mathematics and science teachers and sent them to the state’s secondary schools to help train students in those subjects.

    He said: “This is also where the reformed programmes for the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) into the Lagos Law Enforcement cadre of the public service took place.”

    Fashola added that a lot of the resources that have been generated by government has been deposited in the same institution where, according to him, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the state’s revenue generation formula were developed.

    According to him, the government is happy to invest resources into the institution through which he said government is now developing the leadership qualities of the Nigerian people within the Nigerian territory instead of sending them overseas.

    He added that he has been receiving letters from governments within and outside Nigeria asking for his government to send resource persons to share the knowledge with them.

    Fashola expressed confidence that the ultimate dream would be achieved, saying: “This is because in the men and women that we have chosen, we have a lot of confidence, there is a lot of experience on one hand, there is a lot of youthfulness on the other side and there is a rich mix also of private and public sector experience going into the governing school.”

  • Council distributes gas cylinders to residents

    Council distributes gas cylinders to residents

    Mindful of the negative impacts which unchecked environmental degradation have had on our environment, governments and groups the world over have come to terms with the need to prevent or mitigate their effects for a safer world. One of the means through which man harms the environment is through felling of trees for charcoal for cooking.

    A United Nations’ Conference on the Human Environment notes that “a time has come in history when we must shape our actions throughout the world with a more prudent care for their environmental consequences. Through ignorance or indifference, we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly environment on which our life and well-being depend.

    “Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser action, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in keeping with human needs and hopes…”

    Efforts are therefore being made by government to find ways of mitigating or preventing actions that would have uncomplimentary impacts on the environment and the well-being of mankind.

    This may have informed the Lagos State Government’s efforts towards ensuring cleaner and safer environment through the Eko Gas initiative through which it makes available portable gas cylinders to residents of the state.

    Determined to ensure that residents embrace the use of cooking gas as against charcoal, the state government makes the facility available to all the local government areas for distribution.

    •Samples of the Eko Gas cylinders
    •Samples of the Eko Gas cylinders

    Recently, it was the turn of Oriade Local Council Development Area where the Eko Gas cylinders were distributed to residents of the council.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the council, Hon. Bola Badmus-Olujobi noted that the programme was initiated and launched by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to promote a cleaner and healthier environment for residents of the state.

    On the benefits derivable from the cooking gas cylinder, she said: “The liquefied cooking gas cylinder has lots of advantages over the traditional systems of cooking such as firewood, coal and electricity. It is cheaper, cooks faster, safer, portable, healthier and cleaner.

    “In view of its effectiveness and efficiency, it has been adopted by developed and developing countries the world over. There is no gainsaying that Lagos State Government, being a pace-setter in matters concerning the welfare of its citizens, has equally adopted and is promoting the use of the liquefied cooking gas cylinder by the residents at the grassroots.”

    She urged beneficiaries to use the cooking gas cylinders as instructed by the manufacturers, saying “you have no need to ignorantly abandon, sell or rent them out to your disadvantage”.

    Also speaking, the representative of the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Adeniyi Steven said there was the need to create awareness on the benefits of the use of cooking gas.

    He also said the use of cooking gas will reduce the heat that emit from kerosene stoves, even as he added that it will also ensure healthy living condition as our kitchens where meals are prepared will be clean enough; it will reduce soot and carbon emissions and general air pollution.

    He further said: “Scientists have also indicated that cooking gas has no adverse impact on the environment compared with the traditional energy sources such as fuel wood and coal. With the use of kerosene, women and children are directly exposed to pollution.”

    Noting that it requires rigorous sensitisation for people to key into the campaign on clean environment, Mr Steven said “educating Nigerians on the need to switch to this clean and abundant energy service is very necessary for Nigerians, especially women to adopt the cooking gas as their energy service for all their domestic energy needs.

    He further said with the use of cooking gas, there would be less attack on the environment. He, however, expressed his confidence that with “government’s efforts towards cleaner environment, we are sure that adequate sensitisation on the need for people to adopt cooking gas as suitable alternative source of energy for domestic use will be sustained. Fears on the part of some landlords concerning the use of cooking gas are unfounded as most often, fire outbreaks are as a result of improper installation.”

    High points of the event were demonstration by Mr Steven on how to assemble the cylinder for use and for safety and distribution of the cooking gas cylinders to beneficiaries.

  • Council rehabilitates 10 roads

    Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has rehabilitated no fewer than 10 roads within 10 weeks.

    The roads include 4th avenue, Rufus Banjo, Modupe, Abiara, Ajijola Annobi, Abosede Aro, Foursquare, Opeki Streets. Others are Awori by Balogun Ladega and Macus link to Ojurogbe.

    The council’s Executive Secretary, Princess Opeyemi Akindele, said the gesture was in line with the mandate given to them by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, during the swear-in of the 57 Executive Secretaries to the Local Governments and LCDAs.

    Akindele promised not to rest on her oars to ensure more deliverables to the community.

    She appealed to residents of the areas the council has not grade their roads to bear with her administration, promising to look into their plight soon.

    The council boss enjoined the community leaders to ensure proper maintenance of the projects.

    According to her, if the roads are not well maintained, it could amount to wasting of tax payers’ fund used for their rehabilitation.

  • NAICOM gets Takaful Advisory Council

    NAICOM gets Takaful Advisory Council

    The Federal Ministry of Finance has inaugurated the National Insurance Commission’s (NAICOM) Takaful Advisory Council (TAC) in Abuja.

    The TAC comprises four dons. They are Prof Dawud Olatokonbo Shittu Noibi, who will serve as its Chairman, Dr. Bashir Umar Aliyu, Dr Abdulrazak Abdulmajeed Alaro and Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Sani.

    The Minister of State for Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, said the event was coming at a time the industry is geared towards moving  the economy forward to beat other the developing nations.

    He said the development of the  guidelines for the regulation of Takaful insurance business in Nigeria by NAICOM heralded an important financial inclusion platform.

    He said: “Accordingly, the necessity for Shariah Governance in islamic financial supervision, regulation and operation is indispensable for the fulfillment of stakeholders’ expectations and the maintenance of confidence in the overall financial service system.

    “Shariah Governance is, therefore, an important and a unique feature that makes Islamic financial services easier for self-regulation. This is clearly manifested in the requirement that all Islamic financial service operators must have an in-house Shariah body referred to as the Advisory Council of Experts (ACE) which ensures the establishment of sound Shariah compliant transactions for each of the registered business entity.”

    He told the members that their role as advisory council for the regulator is to serve as an additional layer for addressing issues that may arise from Takaful operators’ ACE regarding Shariah compliance in Takaful undertakings.

    He also said that in the era of risk management and risk based approach to financial service regulation, they should appreciate that Shariah non-compliance is identified as the top most in the ranking of risks in Islamic Finance.

    “Additionally, it is important to highlight that the role of Shariah scholars who are in the field of Islamic financial services requires constant monitoring and review of Shariah rulings in the global Islamic financial industry. This is necessary to follow the trend towards harmonisation and convergence of Shariah principles and on-going developments on new products as encouraged by the international standard setting bodies like the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Bahrain, the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) Bahrain and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) Malaysia.

    “It is the expectation of the present administration, that this endeavour will further our resolve to deepen insurance penetration and acceptance in Nigeria. Therefore, your role as advisory council for the Takaful regulator is highly sensitive and requires critical decision making for safeguarding and advancing public good for all stakeholders.

    “As Shariah scholars, it is universally acknowledged that the status you are occupying in the society is an exalted one which is difficult to handle without vast knowledge and sincerity of purpose. I believe your choice as members of the council resulted from consideration of your rich profiles, knowledge and individual contributions towards the development of Islamic finance in your various capacities,” he said.  Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel said that in consonance with their objective, the Commission established the framework to exploit the viable Takaful insurance sector. This led to the rolling out of the Takaful Insurance Operational Guidelines in 2013.

    He, however, said that in order for the Commission to ensure an all-inclusive regulatory role, the guidelines provide for the establishment of the TAC by the Commission to serve as a second layer of governance for the Takaful operators Advisory Council of Experts (ACE).

    He explained that the TAC is also established to advise and guide the Commission on all Shariah matters on the Takaful undertakings, adding that it is his conviction that the inauguration of the TAC is another step towards the implementation of the Takaful guidelines.

  • Council collaborates to stop counterfeit drugs

    Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) is collaborating with key players in the medicine industry to regulate activities of patent medicine vendors.

    Besides, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Incorporated Trustees of National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) on patent medicine vendors regulation.

    The MoU, which was signed by representatives of both parties, stated that activities of the medicine vendor should be a collective one.

    “Pursuant to the mandate of PCN, NAPPMED and its associate, LSMDA shall partner with PCN to carry out the regulation of Patent Medicine Vendors in Nigeria,” it said.The agreement would also involve the Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA), which was identified as a key stakeholder in Lagos.PCN said it has agreed to liaise with other stakeholders and relevant government agencies to review from time to time, the approved drug list for PMVs in line with the national drug policy.“The prevention of drug hawking falls under the mandate of NAFDAC, however, the proliferation of drug hawkers in Nigeria is a major concern and will be presented by PCN representative at the meeting of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food,” it said.The PCN said on the ongoing sensitization on the modalities for implementing the Mega Drug Distribution Centers (MDDC) NAPPMED is urged to encourage its members that meet requirements to establish MDDCs before the deadline of July.It is understood by parties that the use of Policemen by PCN inspectors is desirable as it ensures safety of the inspectors and averts possible breakdown of law and order during inspection exercises and for no other purposes.To render the collaboration with the PCN effective, NAPPMED and LSMDA have undertaken to mend fences and operate with singularity of purpose and shall in future discourse present issues as a united body.Parties are of the understanding that the guidelines on Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors License (PPMVL) which provides that ownership of Patent Medicine Shops should be open to all Nigerians who have met the requirements should be respected in order not to infringe on the rights of citizens.