The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hakeem Muri-Okunola

  • Striking NASU workers shut LASPOTECH gate

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) branch, locked the gates of the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu yesterday over non-payment of their March salary.

    The union has been on strike since January over their demand for the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration, which would see workers moving from one salary grade level to the other.

    There has been disagreement between the union and the institution’s Governing Council over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 since 2016.

    However, things took an alarming turn yesterday when members of the union locked the entrance gate to the school and sent those found on campus away.  The union members also went to the LASPOTECH staff school and sent the pupils and teachers home.

    The Nation gathered that the workers, who had been receiving salary since the strike began in January, were shocked when they were not paid for March.

    A member of staff, who refused the give her name after finding her way to get into the premises, told The Nation that representatives of the union held a meeting with the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola, on Tuesday, but “I don’t know the outcome of the meeting.”

    Read also: LASPOTECH: Understanding the CONTISS imbroglio

    It was learnt that the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, left the campus for Alausa to discuss the crisis with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Contacted, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said the salaries had not been paid because those responsible for its preparation were not allowed to work.

    “We are on strike. We cannot go to our offices so how can we work? How can salaries be paid?  We only go round our offices but cannot enter. This is why the salaries have not been paid,” he said.

    Around 4pm, policemen arrived and ordered the workers to re-open the gate. They remained on campus patrolling the area as at press time.

     

  • Striking NASUP workers shut LASPOTECH gate

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), locked the gates of the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu on Wednesday over non-payment of their March salary.

    The union has been on strike since January over their demand for the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration which would see workers moving from one salary grade level to the other.

    There has been disagreement between the union and the institution’s Governing Council over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 since 2016.

    However, things took an alarming turn on Wednesday when members of the union locked the entrance gate to the school and sent those found on campus away.  The Union members also went to the LASPOTECH staff school and sent the pupils and teachers home.

    The Nation gathered that the workers who had been receiving salary since the strike began in January, were shocked when they were not paid for March.

    A member of staff who refused the give her name after finding her way to get into the premises, told The Nation that representatives of the Union held a meeting with the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola on Tuesday but “I don’t know the outcome of the meeting,” she said.

    Read also: LASPOTECH showcases invented devices

    It was learnt the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, left the campus for Alausa to discuss the crisis with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    When contacted, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said the salaries had not been paid because those responsible for its preparation were not allowed to work.

    “We are on strike.  We cannot go to our offices so how can we work? How can salaries be paid?  We only go round our offices but cannot enter.  That is why the salaries have not been paid,” he said.

    Around 4pm, Policemen arrived and ordered the workers to re-open the gate.  They remained on campus patrolling the area as at press time.

  • Hakeem Muri-Okunola and the making of history

    At a little over 40 years of age, Hakeem Muri-Okunola has just been sworn in as the 21st head of service of Lagos State – by that occurrence, the youngest ever to assume that exalted position.

    Being the most senior permanent secretary in the state, the coveted crown fitted him, and Governor Akin Ambode did just right in picking him as the head of service.

    This young man is bright and brilliant and he has more years of service ahead of him, before he moves to other things. Many I had spoken to in the last few days of his appointment are not unhappy with the development but most of them are agreed that the new H.O.S needs to reappraise some of his personal methods for him to elevate his new office.

    He cannot afford to fail!

  • Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

    Ambode in his remarks at the ceremony held at the Lagos House, Alausa, described the appointment as a new chapter with a high expectation to inject youthful vibrancy in the state’s civil service.

    He tasked the new HOS to adopt creative thinking and growth mindset in the discharge of his new role.

    Ambode expressed strong optimism in the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy.

    He, however, urged him to lead by example and encourage accountability and professionalism in the service.

    “Following the swearing in of the new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the Lagos State Public Service.

    “It is a new chapter with high expectations for the injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new heights.

    “As the number one Civil Servant in Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others, including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow.

    “You have a responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency, professionalism and high sense of discipline.

    ”Your actions must be based on sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of competence and loyalty,” Ambode said.

    The governor, who underscored the strategic role of the civil service, said the success of government policies and programmes largely depended on the quality and orientation of the civil service.

    Read Also: Ambode’s aide: Sanwo-Olu will deliver

    “Hence the need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to foster growth and development,” he said.

    Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him.

    He assured that the public service would improve on all well-known traditions for speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and initiatives.

    46 years old Muri-Okunola is the youngest Lagos HOS ever.

    He was appointed as the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, a position he held between 2005 and 2011.

    Until his appointment, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    Meanwhile, Ambode also swore in six new permanent secretaries into the Lagos Body of Permanent Secretaries.

    NAN

  • Oshodi task force: Lagos rescues teenagers, provide shelter

    Oshodi task force: Lagos rescues teenagers, provide shelter

    Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced that it took custody of two minors rescued by the State Task Force during one of its routine surveillance exercises at Oshodi area of the State.

    The two teenagers Taoreed Olagoke, 13, and Muri Amidu 15 both from Oyo State were handed over to the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development in Alausa on Monday, by the Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce, Mr. Yinka Egbeyemi.

    Receiving the children, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf promised that the State Government will ensure that a befitting shelter is provided for the children in one of the rehabilitation and correctional centres owned by the Government.

    The Commissioner said that the children after being placed in one of the correctional centres purposely built for rehabilitation would undergo mentoring and monitoring by professional Social Workers.

    She revealed that investigations are also ongoing on the possibility of reuniting the children with their respective families, saying that their families would be called upon for more fact findings on what led to the disappearance of the children since four years ago.

    The Commissioner described the incident as unfortunate and also called on married individuals to continue to live harmoniously with their partners for the sake of their children and their future, adding that, “This is a charge to parents to continue to live up to their responsibilities in the proper upbringing of their children so that situation similar to this where child abscond from homes can be reduced to the barest minimum”.

    “I want to restate that on our part as government, we will continue to live up to our responsibility of ensuring social protection of all residents of the State and also ensure that abused minors are given the needed assistance to reinstate them into the society as reputable individuals through rehabilitation efforts.” the Commissioner reiterated.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola stated that the Ministry will also enrol the children in school since the duo have indicated interest in formal education and aspire to become police officers in the future.

    Earlier, the Chairman of Taskforce, Yinka Egbeyemi said that the operation that led to the rescue of the boys was in line with the directive of the State Commissioner of Police who constituted a joint patrol team to ensure Lagos is free of hoodlums and all forms of security threat to residents of the State.

    According to the Chairman, preliminary interrogation about the background of the children revealed that the boys were victims of parental abuse who managed to find their ways to Lagos without a specific place to reside and had since the past 4 years been wandering about the Oshodi Mushin area of the State.

    The Taskforce boss explained that the children had been previously persuaded by some hoodlums to join several cult groups before they finally agreed to be associated with ‘Omije Oju’ cult group.