The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Government of the Federation (SGF)

  • Buhari suspends SGF, DG NIA

    Buhari suspends SGF, DG NIA

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    According to the statement, the President has also ordered a full scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has made a claim.

    It reads “The investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA, and to establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.”

    The President has also directed the suspension of the Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke, pending the outcome of the investigation.

    A three-man Committee comprising the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser, headed by the Vice President, is to conduct both investigations.

    The Committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.

    “The most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF’s office, and the most senior officer in the NIA, are to act, respectively, during the period of investigation,” it stated

     

  • Buhari laying foundation for secured nation- SGF

    Buhari laying foundation for secured nation- SGF

    The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is laying a solid foundation for the future generation through his leadership style.

    Lawal spoke at a roundtable with top government officials in Owerri on Saturday.

    The SGF was in Owerri on Friday where he was conferred with a Fellowship at the 5th Convocation of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo.

    He said Buhari’s administration was not witch hunting anybody, but wanted to ensure that impunity and corruption was eradicated in the country.

    Lawal said the Federal Government had already engaged over 30,000 youths through its numerous programmes and job creation, adding that one million youths would be gainfully employed before the end of 2017.

    He said the president  inherited a lot of challenges ranging from insecurity to corruption, adding that the situation needed support and patience to fix the economy.

    He said that everybody must join hand to rediscover the nation and to put it back to where it rightfully belong.

    “We have commenced a new journey of rapid and sustainable economic growth that will usher us prosperity despite all the challenges.

    “Our economy should have been among the strongest in the world if not for the high level of corruption which is more evident in key sectors like education and health care delivery,” he said.

    The SGF said the  administration had recorded huge success since it started the fight against corruption and had prosecuted many public office holders.

    He added that the Whistle blowing policy had helped the administration recovered millions of naira from corrupt Nigerians, adding that the huge sum would be reinvested to boost the econmy.

    Lawal said that government was aware of the pains Nigerians were passing through, but assured that government was doing everything possible to address it.

    “This government has introduced diversification policy and very soon we will begin to witness changes as we have witnessed in rice and wheat production,” he said.

    Gov. Rochas Okorocha said that this was not the time for Nigerians to weep or complain in the struggle of nationhood, but a time to comply.

    According to him, Nigeria must write the history of this recession, just like other advanced nation did in their own struggle to greatness.

    Okorocha further said Buhari’s main job was not to build sky scrapers, but to lay solid foundation for other successors to build.

    He said Nigerians should continue to pray for the president as his emergence was divine and the purpose must be fulfilled.

    Okrocha also admonished youths to de-emphasise the search for civil service jobs, but to see agriculture as the fastest means to create wealth.

  • FRSC seeks nationwide ban of commercial motorcycle

    FRSC seeks nationwide ban of commercial motorcycle

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has recommended a nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles popularly known as `Okada’ to reduce accidents on our roads.

    The recommendation forms part of the October Road Traffic Crash (RTC) Report 2016, submitted by the Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).  

    The report made available to the News of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Oyeyemi as saying that commercial motorcyclist, remained a major cause of fatal road traffic accidents across the country, hence the need for state governments to consider banning them from operating.

    The RTC statistics for October 2016, shows that 230 cases or 18 per cent of a total of 1,259 vehicles were involved in accidents within the month, majority were commercial motorcycles.

    According to the report, motorcycle accidents ranked third after cars which accounted for 457 cases or 36 per cent, followed by minibuses with 243 or 19 per cent of the total.

    Oyeyemi said, “Following the outcome of the analysis, it could be concluded that motorcycle still constitutes serious menace on the nation’s highways.

    “Accordingly, improved results could be achieved in the future, if more state governments could consider placing a ban on the use of motorcycle for commercial purposes.

    “In view of the above, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation should facilitate and encourage state governments to ban the use of motorcycle for commercial purposes.’’  

    NAN reports that commercial motorcycle is currently banned from major routes in some cities and towns including Abuja and state capitals across the country.

    Besides their contributions to road accidents, they have also been linked to the operations of armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals in several parts of the country.

    In 2014, the National Council on Transport recommended their ban nationwide “to ensure adequate provision of safe and secure means of transportation in the country’’.

    Reports say Anambra and Lagos states had for over two years now, banned the use of commercial motorcycle on highways in their territories.

  • SGF chides Kachiku in FEC over fuel scacity

    SGF chides Kachiku in FEC over fuel scacity

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was on Wednesday rebuffed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal over the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

    It happened just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Before Kachikwu came into the Council Chamber around 9:57 a.m, Lawal had been urging the ministers to settle down for the business of the day.

    But when Kachikwu came some ministers were still on their feet exchanging pleasantries with their colleagues.

    So Kachikwu also decided to greet the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who was standing close to his seat.

    While Kachikwu was doing that, Lawal said through the microphone: “Petroleum, you are shaking hands when there is no fuel.”

    Fashola came to his defence by replying SGF: “Petrol now sells for N107.”

    Fashola was referring to the report that one of the oil marketers, AA Rano sold fuel at N107 per litre in Kano State.

    While the drama lasted, Kachikwu kept his cool as he quietly sat down on his seat.

    President Muhammadu Buhari came in just before 10 a.m to start the meeting.