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Tag: Kwara State

  • AbdulRazaq decries mass failure of Kwara students in UTME

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has decried the mass failure of students of the state in the just-released 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    The governor attributed the development to poor knowledge of information communication technology (ICT).

    AbdulRazaq said this in Malete, Moro Local Government Area at the seventh convocation ceremony of the Kwara State University (KWASU).

    Read Also: AbdulRazaq gets Chief of Staff, SSG, CPS

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, said: “Today, Kwara has regressed in many areas. We recently read about how several students from the state struggled with computer-based UTME, apparently resulting in mass failure among our children.

    “This must be tackled immediately, if Kwara must compete in the 21st century economy dominated by ICT. How do we get our children to understand the ‘liberating and exploitative” powers of information in the digital age when they don’t even have the most basic knowledge of computer?

    “Our administration is disturbed by the systemic problem in our education system, which manifested in the 2019 UTME. It is immaterial if there are other parts of Nigeria with a similar crisis. We, in Kwara, have a duty to roll back this abnormality in the most practical way.

    ‘We have a duty to ensure that the overwhelming majority of our children are given the opportunity to excel by having access to IT-enabled education.”

    He hailed KWASU for “helping to redraw the map of Nigeria by gradually and in the most ambitious ways, bringing our state to national and global reckoning”.

    “It is heart-warming to note that the institution is indeed punching above its weight in the way it has quickly established itself as a centre of academic innovation and excellence within 10 years of its founding,” he said.

     

  • 14.2m Nigerians took drugs in 2018, says NDLEA

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said 14.2 million Nigerians consumed illicit drugs last year.

    The agency’s chairman, Col. Mohammad Abdallah (retd), addressed reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on the side-line of the sent-forth ceremony organised for the retiring commander of state command, Ona Ogilegwe.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Oloruntoba, the NDLEA chairman said: “Everybody is alarmed at the rate drugs are abused these days.”

    Making reference to United Nations (UN) statistics, Abdallah said: “The recent United Nations drugs survey put it that 14.2 million Nigerians consumed illicit drugs in 2018. This is higher than the global statistics. Globally, it is estimated that only five million people took drugs last year. Ironically and frighteningly, it means 14.2 per cent of Nigerians took drugs last year.

    “What it means is that every Okada rider that you see working from 6 a.m to 10 p.m is on something. The cultists, the kidnappers who pitch tent in the bush are on drugs. What it means also is that if government fights drugs, it has fought 50 per cent of criminality in Nigeria.”

    The NDLEA chairman urged the government to provide the tools, the fund and the personnel for the war against drug abuse to be successful across the country.

    Read Also: Group partner NDLEA in war against drug abuse

    “What we are asking government to do is to give us the materials, men and money – the three Ms – and, of course, equipment.

    “It is better to soak the presence of NDLEA men in all the corners of the country. What I am saying is that the presence of NDLEA cannot be felt in every nook and cranny of Nigeria because we are short of men.

    “Adequate equipment is where the world is gravitating to. Equipment can solve a lot of problems without physically being there. I was opportune to see it in China.

    “If you are at the police headquarters in China, you will see all that is happening in the cities of Bejin one after the other. Even if government cannot do that for us, it should give us the minimum to police the borders, airports and seaports.

  • AbdulRazaq condoles with ThisDay MD over wife’s death

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condoled with ThisDay Managing Director Eniola Bello over the death of his wife, Helen.

    “I pray the Almighty God to give the family the fortitude to bear this sad loss. We stand by your family in this trying hour and we pray the Almighty God to continue to comfort you,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

    Read Also: Kwara: Not yet time to celebrate

    The statement described Helen’s death as very painful, adding that the governor “joins the entire nation and the media community to mourn her”.

    The governor urged the top journalist and his family to take solace in the fact that Mrs Eniola-Bello left a legacy of being a supportive wife and mother who was committed to good family values.

     

  • Group urges AbdulRazaq to give women appointments

    Catholic Diocese of Ilorin, Kwara State has urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to fulfill his promises to the people.

    The church also urged the new administration to translate its Otoge (enough is enough) mantra to reality in the lives of Kwarans.

    The Co-adjutor of the Ilorin Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Olawoore spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the World Communication Day.

    The clergyman said: “The new administration should address frontally all those things Kwarans are lacking which they had promised to provide. They should be true to their electoral promises. Thank God we have a means of comparison now, those who were there before what people expected to do and they did not do led to the slogan of Otoge (enough is enough). Now that a new government has come in we want to see the difference not just hear it, because if they say that there is no good road for people to pass we want to see that good road during their own tenure.

    “We don’t want excuses. They should not head blames on the former government for none performance. We want them in action providing those things that people are complaining of. And that even starts from the security of life. People are being killed on daily basis.

    “The governor being the chief security officer of the state should map out strategies of how he will secure his people. Even if the Federal Government fails to act, he should ensure security of lives and property in the state. He should make Kwara state no go area for kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clashes and other violent attacks. It is then we will know that indeed, it is Otoge.”

    Also, group known as ‘The Original Women’ also stressed the need for the new administration to empower women economically.

    The Convener of the group and an entrepreneur Hajia Aisha Ahman-Pategi, called for capacity building for women in the state.

    This, according to her would enable the women tackle multifaceted challenges facing them and reduce poverty in the society.

    Ahman-Pategi, who is also an All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, urged  AbdulRazaq to give more women appointment to engage them effectively in policy making.

    She spoke with reporters in Ilorin on the challenges before the administration.

    She advocated appointment of more women into political positions to enable them contribute their quota to the growth and development of the society.

    Ahman-Pategi said women are  marginalised, adding that the society will be better, if they are properly engaged.

    She said: “Kwara women are suffering, women are bedrock of the society, if they get it right, society will get it right because they are the one that raise the future leaders. I am not against women being in position of power, a woman can aspire to be governor or president but they must accept their roles by nature by standing by men, it shouldn’t be about struggling with men”.

    Hajia Ahman-Pategi stressed the need to have a paradigm shift in the state by changing women’s perspective, ensuring accurate thinking and information for women for them to look into the same direction of changing the society for better and raising the future leaders of the country in the best way.

  • LYTA: I’m sad and depressed

    Few weeks ago, the media was flooded with various stories of some Nigerian youths who took their own lives to escape life’s struggles. Depressed, some of them announced their suicide attempt on social media before actually committing the act.

    This time round, former YBNL signee, Opeyemi Babatunde Rahim, popularly known as Lyta, has opened up that he is sad and depressed.

    On Tuesday, Lyta, 21, during his interview with an online TV platform, NaijaLoaded TV, announced that he is in pains due to his misunderstanding with his record label (YBNL) honcho, Olamide Adedeji aka Olamide Baddo.

    “I am depressed and tired,” said the singer who hails from Kwara State but grew up in Ajegunle area of Lagos State.

    “I think Olamide misunderstands me. I see him like my father because if not because of him and God I won’t be famous like this.”

    This follows reports that Lyta has been axed from YBNL. And as if to confirm the authenticity of the news, Olamide unfollowed him on Instagram.

    Not to leave fans on a dark-side, Olamide had earlier addressed the issues he had with Lyta, whom he signed from the street. Olamide said that Lyta purposely requested that he wanted to leave and even though he knows the young act was lying, he still wished him well and received his blessings.

    The ‘oil and gas’ crooner, noted that Lyta was not pleased with the record label’s decision of promoting two or more artistes to maintain equality.

    According to Olamide, every label with many artistes has a calendar that they follow in order to maintain equality and it seems Lyta was not cool with that.

    “If one keeps pushing just one artist only, how would the label and every artiste sign under it grow?” Olamide questioned.

    On why he unfollowed him on Instagram, Olamide said he did not want negative vibes around him.

    “If you know me too well, you will know I don’t want negative energy or bad vibes around me,” he said.

    “Bad energy or pity face affects me badly and I can’t help but scrutinise my page to avoid any issue.”

    Contrary to this comments, Lyta in the trending video said: “Yes, so many people are always showing interest in signing me.

    “But, I don’t really give green, until my dad called me that there is a guy that always want to sponsor my music.”

    The singer, who got instant fame after he was signed into the YBNL record on February 15, 2018, said problem began when he informed his boss about the deal and expected a fatherly advice from him.

    He said: “When I message Olamide to inform him about the deal, he just said ‘if that is the best, I wish you goodluck.”

    Lyta said that since the incident, his musical dreams began to fade as sadness took the place of joy in his heart.

    “For the past few months now, I’ve not been doing anything, no music for my fans.

    “Everybody has been commenting ‘you’re not doing nothing. You’re only changing hairstyle. The thing is, I am depressed and sad,” he said.

    For eight years, Olamide’s YBNL imprint has become a hub for young musical talents. They have produced superstars like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Davolee and Temmie Uvwasa.

    The record label owner, Olamide, once said he is just helping youngsters so they can have a smooth ride in the highly competitive music industry.Lyta also expressed gratitude to Olamide for taking him off the streets.

    “If not because of him, I would’ve ended up being Islamic cleric (alfa) or repair generator. My greatest achievement is getting signed to YBNL.”

    He continued: “I don’t have any deal with YBNL but I used to get paid for shows, sometimes 80k, 60k, to 50k. But when I dropped my songs, ‘Time’ and ‘Selfmade,’ I didn’t get anything.” His videos included the cover of ‘Ire’ by Adekunle Gold.

    According to Lyta, the only reason why he is doing music is to take care of his mother’s blindness.

    “My mom is blind and I need to take care of her,” said Lyta who started his music career at the age of 12.

    “And I am the only one who can take care of her for now. My dad didn’t have much and my brothers are also trying their best too but people are seeing me as superstar but I don’t have anything because only me can’t take care of my parents.

    “I didn’t know to exit YBNL will be a big deal like this. I thought, if I informed Olamide about the deal he would just pray for me and support me.”

    Lyta’s pathetic story has generated a lot of buzz on social media as fans advise him to snub suicide while some said he should beg his boss to resign him.

    A fan, Blessing Ogbe, posted: “The boy said he is depressed and he really needs to be looked after. Continue your truth and be real, don’t allow paper money change anything away from you. Stay blessed.”

    Ramon Dada’ post reads: “Olamide should just reconsider the boy, sign a proper deal with his artists, good paper work and stop the helping street without paperwork contracts. God will open way for all of us, including you Lyta.”

    Also, Caroline Precious said: “I feel like crying about this guy, story, is not easy to be responsible for ur family, God will help you, keep praying and be God gat you bruhv.”

  • Kwara’s transition to people’s government

    The mood is joyous. It is expected, after the general elections and the prospects of a new government. Everyone is yearning for a change as the new beacon of hope for millions of Kwarans at home and abroad, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq begins the monumental task of re-engineering the 52-year old state.

    The governor-elect is set to receive the report of the 81-member transition committee assembled last month. The choice of intellectuals, professionals, politicians and former civil servants had been widely applauded as a delicate mix of the ‘best and brightest’.

    Abdulrasaq, at the inauguration of the committee on Thursday, April 4, had said, inter alia: “The huge margin of our victory at the polls suggests that our people are fed up with the status quo and want a new approach to governance.

    “We cannot work blindly into government and believe to succeed. We must understand the current governance structure in the state; as we all know a single group of people have been controlling the affairs of our state in their own style without proper account to Kwara people in the last 16 years.

    ‘’We have to know how much is the actual debt of the state, the present condition of the education, health and agricultural sectors.  It will also guide us on how the current system works so as to know where to begin, what current policy would be retained and what policy must go.”

    The governor-elect had charged the committee to discharge its duties in a way that would help the new government to serve the people.

    The committee went to work immediately and broke into 10 sub-committees. Each committee had a chairman and a deputy; they were all guided by officials of Philips Consulting Limited.

    During the first week, each committee analysed the state of affairs in the state, weighing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of its assigned portfolio. The outcomes were revealing, intriguing and surprising! While the incompetence of the out-going administration was writ large, many were horrified on the monumental rot and brazen actions of both key and inconsequential elements of the dying dynasty.

    The guiding principle was: ‘let the work begin’. And members, from septuagenarian Chief Elisha Ojo, a teacher of teachers and a consummate educationist, to core politicians as the indomitable Musbau Esinrogunjo, who defeated Saraki and his followers at their home in Ilorin West Council, the mood was vivacious and industrious at the same time. Sessions often run from 10 a.m. to six p.m.

    Not carried away by the hype on the status of the committee, members were not oblivious of their roles; the fact that they were privileged to be chosen and that the committee had no powers to peddle influence or promise any form of appointments in the in-coming administration. The pronouncements of Aminu Logun, transition committee chairman was resonant all through. At the inaugural, the amiable but stern industrialist had spelt out the task:  the team is to discharge its duty diligently to enable the in-coming government run smoothly from inception. “The composition of the committee indicates that a new sheriff will come to town soon”, he said and urged members to be “truthful, loyal and honest” in their assignment.

    After combing through hand-over notes for two weeks, members interacted with the team from the government side, interviewing and seeking clarifications from top government officials. The reports are loaded and Kwarans should be ready for tales best described as the good, the bad and the horrible!

    Nevertheless, the governor-elect is chewing his onions deliberately, rolling his sleeves for the task ahead. He has vowed to run a people-driven government. The in-coming government has promised to be people-oriented, in policies, programmes and actions.

    Going forward, the governor-elect, after consultations with key stakeholders, gave nod to an expanded forum of ‘policy thinkers’. No fewer than five people drawn from each of the 16 local government areas in the state joined members of the transition committee in the last two days of its sitting which featured specialised workshops on key sectors of the economy, specifically agriculture, water resources and solid minerals. Further discourse centred on women and youth empowerment; power and energy; sustainable development and management of the environment.

    Yes, it was one ‘huge classroom’ of men and women of diverse interests, inclinations, beliefs and orientations; they were however united in one mission: to lift Kwara high through purposeful governance.

    The expanded platform provided a win-win situation for the All Progressives Congress in the state as all its executive members and elders, led by the chairman, Bolarinwa Omolaja were present at the workshop. Omolaja applauded the forum and the quality of contributions as the ‘palatable taste of the pudding’ for Kwarans from May 29.

    Former speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembky, Hon.Ezekiel Issa Benjamin has described the committee as unique for two reasons. “This is the first time that such a number of people with character, competence and intelligence are brought together in the history of Kwara State to work for the common good. The readiness of the transition committee members to interface with the government committee is commendable compared to what happened in 2003 where a similar committee was unwilling to interface with the then out- going government,” he reasoned.

    Chief Sunday Fagbemi said the composition of the committee provided a wide perspective in unearthing the rot that had characterised governance in the state in the past 16 years and expressed optimism that the governor-elect will find the findings and suggestions of the body very handy.

    Dr, Abdulganiy Baki said the committee paraded some of the best materials in all fields specially assembled to brainstorm on the past, present and future of Kwara. He was optimistic that the in-coming administration would find the committee’s report quite useful.

    Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim was enthused by the passion displayed by committee members. “I saw a group of passionate Kwarans, who worked selflessly to initiate a process that will help the in-coming administration to spring into action after its inauguration. The workshop was quite insightful and the recommendations if carefully considered, could point policy makers in the right direction,” she said.

    As the transition committee submits its report to the in-coming governor, the entreaty of Mr. Olalekan Olohungbebe resonates. At a dinner and award night hosted last month in Ilorin by the Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq Movement for Positive Change, he said, inter alia: “Politics is about sharing. The new government shouldn’t be deliberately oblivious of the principles of fairness; the need for inclusiveness and the cliché of ‘united we stand, divided we fall’.

    “The expectations are high, and they should be. You told us you would run an all-inclusive government. You told us you would listen to our plights and consider our aspirations. Your party said you will be approachable. You may not be largely axed if a larger percentage of your promises are kept. Kwarans are reasonable people. Be reasonable too.”

    The people have spoken; the in-coming administration is listening. Kwarans are set for a new deal. In the words of Abdulrasaq, let the work begin!

     

    • Kareem is an expert in public communication.

  • N20m fraud: Kwara perm sec, others to remain in EFCC custody

    Four officials of the Kwara state government accused of N20.3 million money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were Wednesday returned to the custody of the anti-graft agency.

    EFCC had last week arraigned Abubakar Ishiak (Permanent Secretary Government House), Shina Akorede (Director of Finance and Administration), Rasaq Momonu (Controller Finance and Accounts) and Hafeez Yusuf (Cashier) all of government house before a Federal High

    Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Abubakar Ishiak, it was gathered is due for retirement from the Kwara state Civil Service next month.

    In the charge sheet, EFCC accuse the four of making “cash payment of N20.3 million to one Energy Multi-Trade Interbiz limited for services rendered to the Kwara state Government House which cash sum exceeded the limitation of N10 million payable to a body corporate committing

    an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 12(2) of the same Act.”

    The court asked them to be remanded at the EFCC custody last week. At the resumed hearing Wednesday on their bail application, counsel to the defendant applicants (accused) Abdulwahab Bamidele urged the court to grant them bail pending the determination of the allegations leveled against them.

    Read Also: Kwara Assembly passes 42 bills, 120 motions

    Mr. Bamidele said “our humble application was filed May 2nd, 2019 brought pursuant to the provisions of Sections 35 and 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The application prays for your lordship order admitting the defendant-applicants bail pending the determination of the allegations against them in this case.

    “We also ask for order that the court may deem fit in this circumstance. Our application is based on eight grounds; we also have a-six paragraph affidavit to support our motion. In with the rules of the court, we have also filed a written address as our argument in this application.

    “in response to the counter affidavit of the complainant (EFCC) as well as written address attached thereto, the defendant-applicants have also filed further affidavit reacting to the counter affidavit as well as written address on point of law.

    “I crave your indulgence to adopt our written address in support of the main application as well as the reply on point of law. I most graciously urge your lordship to grant this application.”

    Opposing the bail application counsel to EFCC Christopher Mshelia urged the court to discountenance the bail application of the defendant-applicants.

    Rather, Mr. Mshelia prayed the court to accord the case accelerated hearing.

    He said: “By way of adumbration, we concede that the issue of bail is the discretion of the court; however, there are guiding principles as to how such discretion should be exercised.

    Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 does not impose an obligation on the court; rather it situates the determination of bail to the discretionary powers of the court.

    “It is an obligation on the applicants to provide sufficient materials for the court to sway the discretionary powers in their favour. We submit that the court should consider the nature of the allegations against the applicants. The reasons adduced by the applicants are too watery to warrant the exercise of the discretionary powers of the court for bail.”

    After listening to the counsel’s arguments, presiding judge, Justice Baba Gana Ashigir reversed ruling on the bail application till a later date.

    Hearing on the substantive case has been fixed for June 23rd, 2019.

  • I resisted pressure to compromise Kwara elections – REC

    The Kwara state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Garba Attahiru Madami has disclosed that millions of naira were brought to him to compromise the Kwara state National Assembly elections which he resisted.

    According to him; “There was pressure to compromise, money, millions of naira was brought to me to manipulate results but I was determined not to compromise. There was pressure but I choose the part of honor instead of money.”

    Speaking with newsmen in an interactive session in Minna on Monday, Madami however refused to say who tried to induce him with money to compromise the elections.

    He said that he had to use the Department of State Security (DSS) and the swapping strategy to ensure that his staff did not compromise in the elections.

    Read Also: Kwara Assembly passes 42 bills, 120 motions

    The REC said that while taking up the job as the INEC Commissioner in Kwara state, he was aware that the General elections would be a dicey one, “I was determined that nothing will manipulate me in anyway. I knew Kwara state was in the eye of the world and I was determined to be the one who will make Nigeria proud in conducting free, fair and transparent elections the state had ever had.”

    He declared that INEC is truly independent adding that the last general elections have shown the independence of INEC.

    “INEC is truly independent, very independent. The INEC Chairman is one who leads by example.”

  • Trainee aircraft crash lands, delays Ahmed flight

    Trainee aircraft of the Kwara state-owned International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin has reportedly crash landed at the airport runway.

    The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, affected Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s flight.

    The governor, who was said to be returning from his Abuja trip, and his wife were said to have been delayed as a result of the incident for about three hours before arriving at the airport.

    His convoy stationed at the airport around 2:22pm waiting for his arrival from Abuja airport, had to wait until the airspace was reopened and the governor’s chartered aircraft landed at the airport at exactly 5:35pm.

    The Diamond plane No.5N BNH with two pilots onboard crashed landed at exactly 11:05am without any casualty.

    It was, however, gathered that the staff of the IAC, including the rector and some of the airport workers, had evacuated the aircraft from the runway in order to reopen the airspace for flight operations.

    Read Also: Anglican Communion loses Bishop

    It was gathered at the airport that the aircraft might have experienced gear problem, adding that the back tyres refused to pullout when the pilot was trying to land on the runway.

    When contacted, the Airspace Manager of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the airport, Engineer Balogun Abiodun, said that he was not authorised to talk on the incident as a civil servant.

    Also, the Rector of the Aviation college Benedict Adeyileke, an engineer, declined comment when contacted.

    It was also gathered that the aircraft was towed to the Aviation College before the airspace was reopened around 4:00pm for flight operations.

  • Nigeria does not have 20m housing deficit – Fashola

    Minister for Works, Housing and Power Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Tuesday dismissed insinuations that Nigeria has five million housing deficit.

    He conceded that Nigeria has housing challenges, but added that housing challenges are universal phenomenal.

    The minister told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at the end of a capacity building workshop for Federal Controllers of lands and housing in the country.

    The theme of the training is “learning and development for greater stature.”

    Mr. Fashola revealed that the ministry had removed the mandatory 10 percent equity contribution before accessing loan from the National Housing Funds (NHF).

    He said: “First of all I don’t believe that 20 million housing deficit number. Nobody has owned up to it. It is a number of no origin, I say so. So the person who did that data should come up and take ownership of it.

    “But that is not to say that there is no housing challenge. We have it, every country in the world has it. Its level and degree is a function of so many things. It is perhaps, more pronounced in the urban centres as it is in the rural areas. But even in the urban centres there are still empty houses even where there is a problem of shelter.

    “What we are doing is to try and complete ongoing projects that we met. We have started our own national housing programme. The idea is to design a product that Nigerians accept and can afford. One of the reasons why we have a number of empty buildings and houses is that some of these buildings are acceptable or are not affordable or both.

    Read Also: Fashola certifies third mainland bridge safe for use

    So we are trying to create a model that will be acceptable for the people. “Some of the other thing we are doing is to grant funding for people who contribute to the National Housing Fund (NHF) by way of mortgage. That is happening. We are improving access by reducing the amount you have to contribute. Those who wanted to borrow up to five million naira for example, their equity contribution was about 10 percent.

    “We know that some people will not have N500,000 to contribute and deposit, we have removed that. They can borrow and what they should have contributed is now capitalized into what they will pay.

    “That opens the door of access. You are not denied because you did not have the fund to self-contribute. We have also reduced the amount of which you are borrowing five million Naira and above from 15 percent down to about 10 percent.”

    On consents and title documentation, the minister said that “we are also dealing with backlogs of title documenting and transactions, such consent to transact land. This is also a barrier to access. If you cannot finish the documentation, you might probably not get the funding. If you don’t have the title you might also be denied access to funding.

    “So we have those backlogs of consent and certificate of occupancy (C of Os). As at April 19th this year, we signed 2,400 certificates of occupancy, we issued 1,214 consents to transact business on land.

    These are things, some of which have been pending since the 1990s. We are attacking housing challenge in many fronts.”

    On the power to revoke the licenses of DISCOs, he said: “The power to regulate DISCOs rests with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) not in the ministry. It is a power vested by law, so the ministry cannot interfere with that power. It is a statutory power. The ministry is only saddled with policy directive which I have given in documents, letters and all of that. Don’t forget that before the privatization, the ministry had well over 50,000 staff. The staff strength of the ministry is now 779.”