The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Deputy Governor

  • Group wants President Buhari to nominate another Deputy Governor for CBN

    Group wants President Buhari to nominate another Deputy Governor for CBN

    The Bureau for Social Justice Equity and Transparency has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to nominate another person for the position of the Deputy Governor for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

    The group said Aisha Ahmad nominated last week is not qualified for the job.

    The Executive Director of the group, Mary Ogwiji who spoke with newsmen in Abuja said an injustice that is about to be institutionalized in the country through the appointment of an unqualified candidate as deputy governor of the central bank of Nigeria in the midst of qualified and competent alternatives.

    She said, “this situation is very worrisome especially coming at a time that the country is in dire need of credible technocrats in the most critical sectors of the economy such as the central bank of Nigeria.

    “We view the appointment of Ms Aisha Ahmad as a calculated attempt by a cabal to destroy the milestone progress so far made by president Buhari administration to reposition the country’s economy, to which Nigerians have expressed satisfaction.

    ” Therefore on the heels of this economic recovery, at this critical moment of our nation’s history, it will be counterproductive to allow the appointment of an inexperienced Aisha Ahmad to see the light of the day given the enormity of task and responsibility the office usually thrust upon its occupants and given the fact that there are eminently qualified people within CBN and outside to take up the place of the retiring Sarah Alade as deputy governor.

    “We are to state here that Aisha Ahmad does not meet the minimum requirement stipulated for such appointment hence her hurried promotion to the post of executive director at diamond bank in a space of days upon the anticipation that she would be considered for further appointment as deputy governor of the central bank of Nigeria.

    “This sort of conspiracy against the positive economic trajectoryof the nation smirks of mischief, callousness and is retrogressive. This country under President Muhammadu Buhari administration cannot be left in the hands of internal saboteurs parading and masquerading as supporters of the president.

    “Mr president is an international identity on integrity, rule of law and that image gives and sustains our credibility in the Face of international gatherings and consortium, therefore any attempt by any group of power merchants to puncture this hard earned image of the president and the country by giving ill advise to him will and must be rejected, condemned and reprimanded. We are aware that MrPresident was not properly briefed on the qualification or otherwise of Ms Aisha Ahmad. We are also aware that Mr President was not properly briefed on the availability of more qualified candidates. We are also aware that Mr President was wrongly and deliberately misled so as to achieve the first and most important point of internal sabotage which are all saboteurs in government seek to achieve.

    “We Nigerians are saying this country does not belong to any single person or group or region. This country; Nigeria, remains an entity
    built on the blood, love, strength and unity of purpose of our forefathers. With this in mind, Nigerians will not allow a group of individuals in power to sectionalize or promote regionalism in appointments in critical sectors of the nation’s economy.

    “Mr President is currently battling with sectional agitations in the country and any attempt to give a sense of exclusion to any part of the country would be seen by Nigerians as supporting sectionalism which in reality would be justified should the appointment of Aisha Ahmad not be reviewed. A situation were qualified people from other parts of the country loss out to an unqualified Aisha Ahmad signifies nothing but sectional and primordial sentiments which we believe are not the objectives of president Buhari administration.

    “Ladies and gentleman, we have resolved to expose corruption and injustice in solidarity with Nigerians and our president so that the cankerworm does not kill us in this country. This is the only country that we have and this is the only president that listens to the voice of reason when injustice is advanced and about to be institutionalized. We are hopeful that Mr President will address the situation in Central bank of Nigeria as it is brought to his attention.

    We are also calling on our over 12 million members to express hope in MrPresident that he would review his decision on the strength of the new information available to him on Ms Aisha Ahmads suitability and its appropriateness. We believe your Excellency was misled and so acted in error which can be quickly corrected. We also call on the Senate to consider the concerns of Nigerians and take a passionate and critical look into the allegations surrounding the appointment of Ms Aisha Ahmad as deputy governor of central bank before considering her confirmation.

    “We believe the calibre of people in the nation’s apex bank should be competent so as to maintain confidence we currently enjoy from international financial institutions and global partners. We are hopeful and optimistic that this country and her institutions would not be personified or reduced to a mere instrument of political, religious or sectional patronage. We will ensure on our part that no group disrupts the good intentions of the president as long as he continues to carry everyone along in the spirit of all-inclusiveness, nationalism, unity and love in the collective interest of our dear nation’s prosperity.

    “We so hope that Mr President would address this situation soonest to allay the fears of Nigerians”she said.

  • Buhari appoints CBN Deputy Governor, MPC members

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent the name of Mrs Aishah Ahmad to the Senate for confirmation as Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, explained that she is to replace a former Deputy Governor, who retired early this year.

    The statement reads “In accordance with the provisions of Section 8(1) (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2007, President Buhari urged the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to consider the expeditious confirmation of Mrs Ahmad, who would then resume work immediately.”

    He also said Buhari has written the Senate, seeking the confirmation of the appointment of members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN.

    The new appointment, he said, are to replace four members, whose tenure expires at the end of this year.

    The nominees are: Prof Adeola Festus Adenikinju; Dr Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi; Dr Robert Chikwendu Asogwa and Dr Asheikh A. Maidugu.

    After Senate clearance, the new members of the MPC will resume duties next January.

  • Bayelsa, German team develop plan to curb European migration

    The African Tide Union (ATU) is worried about high level of unemployment in Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta region. ATU, a German-based organisation blames desperation among the youths of the Niger Delta to travel abroad on lack of employment opportunities in their states.

    But the union has taken time to develop an actionable plan to create jobs and discourage migration to Europe through illegal routes. The Bayelsa State Government is interested in the plan. The government of Mr. Seriake Dickson, wants the union to use Bayelsa as a launching pad for the project.

    A 10-member team of ATU, led by the union’s President, Roselyn Dressman, recently presented the Niger Delta Master Plan for the job-creation project to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) in Government House, Yenagoa.

    Already, ATU in partnership with the state government has organised an event to profile youths in the state and educate them on the need for them to embrace the programmes contained in the master plan.

    At the heart of the plan is the establishment of a craft centre with the capacity of training 800 youths on various skills every year. The centre is to be constructed with libraries, workshop centres, laboratories and production centres for various occupational skills.

    Dressman said African Tide is a certified educational content provider in Europe. She said the union’s educational centre is at the heart of Dortmund in Germany adding that the centre turns out 200 trained persons every year in Germany. She said the union was qualified to replicate and drive the project in Nigeria.

    She said the Niger Delta master plan entitled, Reduce Migration, Activate Returnees (Red-Mas) was developed to stop desperate migration of youths from the Niger Delta to European countries.

    She said having watched the Niger Delta crisis from a distance, the union worked for five years to package the plan to reduce frustration among youths and create comfort for them at their domains.

    She said the union was worried about the rising number of desperate migrants adding that last year 600,000 persons abandoned Nigeria for Europe out of which 70 per cent came from the Niger Delta.

    Dressman said the master plan when implemented would create series of activities and projects including a Handcraft Centre where youths would be taught vocational skills to enable them become employers of labour.

    She  said: “This migration is not good for us, it is draining our resources. You are a marginalised group and if you don’t wake up from your marginalisation by yourselves, you will never come out if it.

    “I employ everybody to join in this vision to find jobs for our youths, we have to make them comfortable in their own soil. In Germany or anywhere in the shores of Europe, there is nothing to take there. Things are not like the old times.

    “Finding feet in Germany is very difficult especially when the youths are not educated. I can show you disheartening pictures of youths trying to cross the Sahara Desert. People die while crossing the desert and the sea.

    “Apart from that, they ensalve themselves. Just imagine the old story of slavery coming back. We even give ourselves to them as slaves. Many of our children are out there in Mali, Libya wishing to come back home but they can’t come back because there is no means for them to come back.

    “Some of them are used even for sex slavery. That is why we should together look into how we can stop our children from embarking in this dangerous journey. As part of that we develop the Niger Delta Master plan. The problem is not only in Bayelsa, it befalls the whole of Niger Delta.

    “Today we present Red-Mas with different types of activities. African Tide is very successful. We are in different countries. We want to be here too. I am from Bayelsa State. It is my personal interest to see that it works. We have come here to curb the problems of migration from where it originated”.

    Also speaking, the union’s Youth Ambassador, Tarilaya Weber, said most Nigerian youths in Europe were heartbroken adding that African Tide maintains an asylum-seeking home to accommodate the frustrated youths.

    In his remarks, Jonah said the state government was excited at the partnership since its motive was to engage youths in meaningful ventures. He lamented dangers faced by youths, who tried to cross to Europe through illegal routes such as the deserts and the Mediterranean, saying it was time to build confidence among youths in the region.

    He said: “Some of these migrants end in Libya; they couldn’t cross, others venture into the Mediterranean and in most cases they don’t get across. The statistics is very frightening. They are so desperate at times that they don’t know about the risk, they just want to go.

    “There are also agencies that exploit their vulnerability, expose them to these dangers. I am happy with the Red-Mas. This is one of the opportunities you are creating for people to return back”.

    The deputy governor appealed to the youths to embrace the opportunity offered by the partnership adding that people must embrace the attitude of hard work.

    He said part of the problems was the neglect of the vocational skill components of the 6-3-3-4 educational system by the government.

    “The 6-3-3-4 system clearly on paper specified what should be done to overcome the deficiency in the educational system. But for one reason or the other we haven’t been able to follow it through.

    “This could be a very good example for others to follow so that vocational training is given to our youths so that when they finish they will become employers of labour. They have to restore their dignity back”.

  • ‘Operation Python Dance to be annual event’

    ‘Operation Python Dance to be annual event’

    Abia state deputy Governor Ude Okochukwu has said that the “Operation Python Dance” being carried out in the state and other parts of the Southeast by soldiers would be an annual event in the region.

    Okochukwu was speaking at the end of a tour of facilities and monitoring of the progress of the Python Dance II exercise at the Nigerian Army Language Institute (NALI) at Ovim, Isiukwuato Local Government Area of the state.

    The deputy governor was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai and other senior military officers.

    He said  the exercise in the state was meant to tackle the farmers and herdsmen crisis, armed robbery and other related crimes.

    According to the deputy governor, Abia would benefit from the exercise in the long run, stressing that the benefits of the Operation Python Dance II cannot be overemphasised.

    “I want to thank the Nigerian Army for this wonderful exercise. I want to tell all Abians and Nigerians, especially those of us from Abia that this exercise is not new to us. Last year we had it and in the last year’s own, we were able to tackle some security lapses in the state. At the end of it all, Abia State was better for it security-wise. So I want all Abians to know that this exercise is not targeted at civilians; it’s just a routine exercise soldiers do to tackle security issues that are prevalent in this area; like the issue of herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, robbery, etc. Like a state like Abia that has boundary with about seven states we have boundary issues and some of this boundary issues they’ll handle it. I want everyone to know that the soldiers mean well.”

    Several efforts by journalists to have the reaction of Lt.-Gen. Buratai on the visit and inspection of NALI and ongoing Egwueke exercise in the state failed as the Director of Army Public Public Relations, Brigadier General Usman Sani and his deputy, Col. Musa Sagir (82 Division’s spokesman) barred them (journalists) from speaking with their boss (Buratai).

    Former chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) in his speech said “I am glad that Chief of Army Staff has find time to inspect these facilities and make sure we achieve the reason for establishing it. I am sure that it is not everybody that knows and appreciate that Nigeria is a country bordered by many French speaking countries. It’s on record that even though these facilities were ready as at January 2014 when I left office, it didn’t kick off until General Burutai became the Chief of Army Staff. So, I want to thank the chief of army staff for making it possible for us to have strong armed forces that’s capable of protecting all it borders during peace program.”

    Recall that the phase II of the Egwueke exercise took off in the state officially at the 14Brigade Tactical Headquarters in Umuahia, the State capital with some representatives of Abia State government and heads of sister security agencies in attendance.

     

  • Oredo traders’ protest: Obaseki slashes store levies 

    Oredo traders’ protest: Obaseki slashes store levies 

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered a reduction in the cost of shops in Oredo Local Government Area of the state following appeals by traders in the council.

    Speaking after a meeting with the traders at the Government House in Benin City, Obaseki, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, directed that owners of shops earlier charged N50,000, to pay a new rate of N40,000, while the partitioned shop owners are to pay N25,000.

    The governor said his administration was committed to sustaining the business-friendly climate in the state to grow existing businesses and attract more investors.

    Recall that traders in Oredo council under the aegis of Coalition of Traders and Artisans, took to the streets in the metropolis last week, to protest against the new shop rates in the council.

    The governor’s action is in line with a proviso in the new law that prescribes the new shop rates, which empowers him to entertain appeals from the traders and review the rates.

    The traders are to pay the new rates within a period of 25 days as contained in the new law.

    The governor advised the traders that an amendment of the new law was in the works and urged them to take advantage of the amendment process to make their case at the State House of Assembly when the matter comes up for hearing.

     

  • Ekiti Assembly hails deputy governor on elevation to Prof. at OAU

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly yestrday congratulated Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola on his elevation to a professor.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olusola was last week appointed a professor in Building Technology by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at Ile-Ife in Osun State.

    The appointment was backdated to 2012.

    He had been a lecturer for 20 years before venturing into partisan politics and was, subsequently, made deputy governor of Ekiti State.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, Speaker Kola Oluwawole Oluwawole described the honour as well-deserved.

    He thanked God for making Olusaola reach the zenith of his academic career.

  • Obaseki, APC leaders meet warring Edo lawmakers

    Obaseki, APC leaders meet warring Edo lawmakers

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is currently at a meeting with lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly at the state secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Also at the meeting are the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu and some leaders of the APC in the state.

    The meeting is not unconnected with the removal of Hon Justin Okonoboh as Speaker of the Assembly.

    As at press time, the meeting was still going on.

  • World Bank official in Lagos, renews partnership with state government

    World Bank official in Lagos, renews partnership with state government

    Impressed by the massive investment of the Lagos State Government in urban renewal and infrastructure, the World Bank said on Saturday that it would facilitate and mobilise the private sector to partner with the state government on the projects.

    Mr Joaquim Levy,  the Managing Director/Group Chief Financial Officer, gave the assurance in Lagos when he led the World Bank Group on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule.

    Levy said Lagos State had shown commitment in mobilising the private sector and civil society organisations to drive development and improve the standard of living of the people.

    According to him, developed countries have been able to grow and sustain their economies through the adoption of public-private partnership.

    “Though, we have been working with Lagos State for many years, but we came to Nigeria to see how the private sector is performing so we can fashion out new ways to accelerate development in the country.

    “In Nigeria, Lagos State has been leading in many aspects like transportation, agriculture, environmental management, education, infrastructure and other developmental  projects.

    “We are very happy that the government is striving to directly impact on the lives of its citizens and the World Bank has come to further assist the government in some other challenging sectors such as the energy sector.

    “We are willing to assist the government and mobilise the private sector to help the government accelerate its urban renewal and infrastructural development to improve the living condition of the people,” Levy said.

    Levy lauded  for providing and mobilising resources to drive government activities in terms of development, saying “the people are seeing the results”.

    In her remarks, he deputy governor, who received the group on behalf of the state governor, said positive partnership was key to the development of any nation.

    She said the state government was ready to partner with the World Bank and the private sector to further boost and develop all the sectors of the economy.

    Adebule urged the group to also consider healthcare, environmental management, tourism, education, agriculture, energy and transportation as possible areas of collaboration.

    She said:“Your partnership with us in the past years has been very tremendous and we look forward to more of such collaborations, especially in some challenging sectors.

     

    “The government is judiciously expending the internally generated revenue to drive development, but more still needs to be done like in the area of potable water.

    ‘“Only 30 per cent of the people in the state have access to potable water and we need to really increase access to water.

    “The energy sector, education and water transportation are our areas of challenge and we need your assistance to surmount them,.”

    Adebule also appealed to the World Bank to intervene in the country’s exchange rate crises as a world financial body to get the country out of its economic challenges and put it back on the path of growth.

  • Ortom declares emergency on salary payment

    Ortom declares emergency on salary payment

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom,on saturday declared a state of emergency on salary payment.

    Governor Ortom made the announcement at a meeting with Labour leaders at the New Banquet Hall of Government House in Makurdi.
    He also set up a committee to work out details of its implementation.
    The committee has the Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu as chairman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Matthew Uyina, as Secretary.

    Other members are Commissioners of Finance, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, their colleagues in the Ministries of Health and Information as well as Advisers on Labour, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Development Cooperation, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

    Labour leaders on the committee are Comrade Godwin Anya, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Philip Ter Nongu, State Chairman, Joint Councils one, two and three, and Comrade Ordue Tartenger, Trade Union Congress chairman.

    Governor Ortom stated that the implications of the declaration included prioritization of salary payment as well as the exploration of every means of obtaining funds to clear arrears including  borrowing.

    He said the committee’s terms of reference would include pruning of the State wage bill, fishing out ghost workers and perpetrators of fraud with regard to the issue.

  • 21 die in fire disasters in Katsina , says official

    The Katsina State Government said that its Department of Fire Service saved the lives of 45 persons from 431 fire outbreaks  last year.

    The state Commissioner of Information,o, Alhaji Hamza Burodo said this during the launch of three new fire- fighting vehicles on Tuesday in Katsina bought for N65million.

    Burodo , however, disclosed that 21 persons lost their lives then.

    “The Department of Fire Service also saved properties worth N1.3 billion during the period under review.

    “But properties estimated at N307 million were lost to fire outbreaks in the state during the period,’’ he said.

    Burodo said that the department through the Ministry of Information had established three sub-stations at Usman Nagogo, Sarki Kabir and Dutsen-Safe Housing Estates at the cost of N23.6 million.

    “The sub-stations are to cater for the growing Katsina metropolis with the aim of complementing the services of the fire service headquarters.

    “Two million naira was spent to provide supportive materials for the newly established substations,’’ he said.

    Also, the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said that the state government spent N65 million to purchase the three fire-fighting vehicles.

    Yakubu also said that the state expended N9.6 million on the purchase of equipment, chemicals and uniform materials for the staff of the service.

    He said that the state government was ready to reduce the menace of fire disaster in the state by providing fire-fighting equipment and vehicles.

    “The state government will also consider providing hazard and other allowances to fire fighters in the state,’’ he said.