Tag: minister

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained on Wednesday, August 7, why President Bola Tinubu approved the promotion of 34,000 officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) within a year.

He stated that it was the first time such massive promotions would be carried out under the Ministry of Interior for all four Services, as many of the personnel had stagnated for over 10 years.

The minister emphasised that the promotions not only reinforced the commitment of the administration to its Renewed Hope Agenda but were also conducted based on merit to ensure that anyone could rise through the ranks to attain leadership positions at any level in the country.

He praised personnel of the Services for their commitment and dedication to internal security in the country, saying that they gave up their sleep for Nigerians to sleep in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

The Minister made the remarks at the Headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Abuja, shortly after the decoration of Deputy Comptroller Generals of Immigration, Deputy Commandant Generals of NSCDC, and Deputy Controller Generals of NCoS and Deputy Commandant General of Federal Fire Service.

A total of 79 Senior Officers in the four Services under the Ministry were elevated to DCGs, ACGs, Controllers, Comptrollers and Commandants.

Speaking further, Tunji-Ojo said efficiency and innovation remained the driving force of the Services as the government is prepared to promote personnel as at when due and ensure the payments of all their entitlements.

He said by the end of September all Officers and men of the Services due for promotion would be promoted, emphasising that there is no nepotism, favouritism and godfatherism again in the system.

He, however, said there is a need for discipline and dedication of personnel to their duties for them to earn promotions and be seen as loyal to the country, the President, and their respective bosses/heads of Services.

Tunji-Ojo said President Tinubu has turned around the fortunes of all the Services, not only in terms of the welfare of personnel but construction of critical infrastructures.

“Go to the Headquarters of Immigration and check out the Command and Control Centre, go and verify at the NSCDC Headquarters, the establishment of Mining Marshals, go to Kuje Correctional Centre and see the infrastructures, you will understand that within one year, the President has done so much”, the Minister said.

Speaking earlier, the Secretary of the Board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, Fire and Correctional Service, Alhaji Ahmed Ja’afaru said so much has been achieved within the past one year under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the President and the Minister have taken steps that have changed the narratives of the Services within one year including granting the Board independence from the bureaucracy.

Ahmed said it was heartwarming that the four Services under the Ministry no longer carry over the promotion of Officers and men years upon years unlike in the past.

Read Also: Defence minister urges ECOWAS defence chiefs to ensure stability in West Africa

“To the credit of the present Minister, those who are to be promoted in 2023 have all been promoted, and in 2024 all Officers and men deserving of promotion will be promoted before the end of the year”, Ahmed said.

Ahmed who was the immediate past Controller General of Corrections, said 22 senior officers were promoted each in Immigration and Correctional Services, 23 in Civil Defence Corps and 12 in Federal Fire Service.

They were promoted to the ranks of Deputy Comptroller General (Immigration) Deputy Commandant General (NSCDC) Deputy Controller General (NCoS) and Deputy Commandant General (Fire).

Others are Assistant Controller Generals, Assistant Comptroller Generals, Assistant Commandant Generals, Controllers, Comptrollers and Commandants.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has expressed displeasure over the merging of technical and science colleges, saying it eroded the gains for establishing technical colleges across the country.

Mamman disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Meeting, on the Challenges and Issues Affecting Technical Colleges in the country.

He said that students in technical colleges must go purely for technically specialised skills and trainings.

According to him, from this academic session, we have resolved in the ministry to take special focus on the technical colleges.

”At what stage do we have the technical colleges become science and technical colleges. They were supposed to be Federal Government Technical Schools.

“So at what stage did we smuggle in science because I don’t understand. We know that science is very key to everything we are doing but that is not the agenda for this institution.

”Those, who want to do science programmes should go to regular colleges and continue their programmes there.

”So it was clearly a mistake at whatever stage this decision was taken and with the rest of my colleagues minister of states, permanent secretary, and the directors.

”We are going to take a hard look at this decision,” he said.

He bemoaned the low enrolment of students into the technical colleges.

Mamman explained that nothing could degrade the service to the essence of establishing the technical colleges’ institution and finding ourselves in this situation.

He further said that establishing technical colleges were for particular qualifications, noting that the skills acquired would help transform the country.

“This is really important because the technical colleges are at the heart of what this ministry and government want to achieve for this country.

Read Also: Minister charges ECOWAS defence chiefs to stop arms proliferation

“It is about our educational system and as it has been said, when you’re able to achieve it in education, the nation succeeds.

”This is because we provide the primary manpower for the country which has impact in all sector of the country,” he said.

The Minister, however, pledged to explore the institutions in such a way that the technical teachers would be sent for up skilling to be abreast with what was obtainable.

He commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) smart school initiatives in every school, saying that the initiative would provide a robust digitisation needed for the growth of the country.

(NAN)

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, has appealed to Nigerians to suspend the nationwide protest tagged ’Endbadgovernace’ against the current government.

Shuaibu made the call in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Lizzy Okoji, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest, which commenced on Aug. 1, and is expected to end by  Aug.10, was organised in response to the challenges being faced in the country.

The minister urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue in addressing  all their concerns regarding the difficulties being faced in the country.

He also urged them to trust President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is working assiduously to address the challenges in the country.

According to the minister, the policies and strategic plans of the current administration  were aimed at driving Nigeria to economic prosperity, improved welfare, quality education and strengthen health systems.

He added that other policies were  focused  on improved social amenities, food security, and infrastructural development, among others.

He assured Nigerians that their desire for good governance would be achieved before the end of the current administration’s first tenure.

“Mr President has shown countless times, his concern for the plight of Nigerians, with the recent implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers.

“Driving the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative with CNG vehicles to cushion the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, which will reduce the cost of transportation by at least 70 per cent.

“In response  to the challenges of the masses in the face of the ongoing reforms, President Tinubu directed the disbursement of N50,000 uplift grants each to over 100,000 families per state for three months.

“This will  impact close to 5,000,000 families nationwide. My colleague, the  Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, with the directive  of Mr President, has assured Nigerians that food prices will crash in 180 days.

“These are  strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting the nation  being implemented,” he said .

Audu said that 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize were being imported, which would be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.

Read Also: Protests: No life lost in Katsina — Police

He further explained that, in strengthening the health sector, the president had directed the redesign of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, aimed at facilitating access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

“In the steel sector, the ongoing reforms to revive our steel plants will create over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, while we attract Foreign Direct Investments as a means of growing and diversifying the economy,” he said.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to end  the protest, citing its hijack by miscreants, who were  already  causing mayhem and a breakdown of law and order across the country.

He commended the people of Kogi  for not participating in the protest, saying they instead, resorted to dialogue and collaborative efforts with the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government of the state.

(NAN)

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology,  has said developing raw materials into high-quality products is a necessity and a strategic imperative for national growth and global competitiveness.

He spoke at the National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness (NCCC) Technical Workshop/Conference for Implementation of National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development.

The event was held at Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) headquarters in Abuja.

The minister said: “The National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria, with its Implementation Plan, was developed by RMRDC under my ministry.

“It aims to champion our country’s global competitiveness diversification through investments in innovation and technology, infrastructure, data development and management, industrialisation, competitiveness advocacy, legal and policy frameworks, institutional/organisational development and human capital development.

“The target is to facilitate reductions in imports of raw materials and products that can easily be available here. The benefits also include creating 4.4 million jobs; boosting local content in manufacturing; increasing global acceptance of Nigerian raw materials, products and services; boosting foreign exchange earnings and reserve; steady development of demand-driven scientific industrial culture; industry-research strategic alliances with production of high-quality and competitive raw materials and products; graduation of market-ready students from knowledge centres, and diversification of the economy.”

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RMRDC Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, said: “National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria was approved by Federal Executive Council (FEC) on May 17, 2017. The post-approval step was also the constitution of  National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness (NCCC) and its inauguration by the then minister to ensure implementation of the strategy.

“This home-grown strategy anchored on applying innovation, science and technology to raw materials and product development is a change agent in  national development initiatives. Implementation will reduce imports. Other benefits include facilitating alliances between research-focused organisations and industry, enhancing industry-demand-driven research and development, developing quality infrastructure, promoting adherence to standards and quality assurance, as well as producing high-quality raw materials and products to increase Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.”

The minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has canvassed for third-line security to join the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies to completely get the country out of the mounting insecurity challenges.

He said that the imperatives for a Third Line Security for Public Safety could not be timelier and more relevant than now in an era where security threats are increasingly multifaceted and pervasive.

Speaking at the 26th Founders Day of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister said: “We cannot claim to be unaware of the security challenges in our country within the last ten years which has led to loss of lives, closure of schools, kidnapping and abduction of students and teachers, maiming of citizens, killing of security personnel etc.

“This challenge, despite the huge amount of money budgeted to combat and reduce it, has remained unabated.

“It is therefore imperative that we explore innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure the safety and security of our nation.

“Therefore, the role of private security outfits such as the Peace Corps in complementing the efforts of public security agencies cannot be overemphasized.

“As we confront the complexities of contemporary security challenges, the concept of a “third line” security becomes crucial.

“This third line should not be seen as merely an auxiliary force but a strategic partner in our collective endeavour to safeguard public safety.

He, however, said that the Federal Ministry of Education in the past few years has maintained relatively low challenges of security breaches in schools since the commencement of the Safe School Initiative which was initiated in 2016.

According to him, the feat was achieved with the cooperation of foreign partners, school owners, and administrators.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Education is looking forward to having the Peace Corps of Nigeria as part of the success story.

“As we celebrate your accomplishments over the past 26 years, we also look forward to the future with optimism and resolve.

“Your commitment to excellence, innovation, and partnership sets a standard for others in the industry to follow.

“Together, we can build a safer and more secure Nigeria where every child can go to school, learn, play and achieve without fear of molestation and every citizen can live, work, and thrive without fear”, he further said.

The Minister praised the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr Dickson Akoh, for the journey of the Corps so far especially for his resilience in the face of daunting challenges.

“I equally celebrate your unwavering desire to ensure the security of lives and property of citizens of this nation through your selfless service to our dear fatherland, especially the vulnerable among us. We look forward to more collaboration with the Ministry in the near future.”

The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh expressed optimism that the bill for an act to establish the Peace Corps of Nigeria will soon be assented to by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Read Also: Ex-Power Minister Mamman faces N33b fraud charge

Akoh who expressed the confidence said the presidential assent will eventually bring to an end the Corp’s year of struggles for recognition.

He disclosed that the bill which has already been passed by the House of Representatives is before the Senate for concurrence before it is transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for his assent.

While expressing his appreciation to the National Assembly for the support the Bill has enjoyed from the institution over the years, he appealed to President Tinubu to give the Bill the necessary attention it deserves to enable the Peace Corps to contribute to national building through job creation.

The National Commandant said the 26th anniversary of the corps is a testimony to its commitment to contribute to youth empowerment, security, a peaceful nation, and job creation.

There was uproar in the House of Assembly yesterday following a heated argument between the House Committee on Women Affairs and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye over alleged diversion of N1.5 billion meant for contractors’ payment and other issues in the ministry.

The committee, chaired by Kafilat Ogbara, had summoned the minister to explain why the contractors had not been paid though N1.5 billion had been released from Office of the Accountant-General through the 2023 budget.

The contractors had earlier petitioned the ministry claiming non-payment for jobs done. According to them, the ministry had gotten the money but it was diverted.

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Ogbara said the committee wants a breakdown of how the money was used, and why the Ministry of Finance staff posted to Women Affairs ministry to oversee finances are made redundant.

But the minister denied involvement in spending any money from the ministry’s purse, saying questions on funds should be directed to the accountant and procurement officer.

She also explained that the ministry is underfunded and, to the best off her knowledge, ‘only 25 per cent of the N1.5 billion was made available to the ministry’. She also assured the committee that no money was misappropriated.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu on Tuesday, July 9, called on the governors, especially those in the north to rise up to the challenge of electricity assets vandalization.

This is coming on the heels of the reoccurring vandalization of transmission towers in the North East part of the country.

Adelabu was on a working visit to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company to meet with the executive management to view the performance of the company and also discuss pertinent issues that will believe will improve the activities of the electricity company. 

He was earlier on an inspection tour to the 215 Kaduna Power Plant project and the 2X 42MW (ISO) gas based power plant, Kaduna.

But addressing reporters at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Headquarters in Kaduna, he cried out that the menace has hindered the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) from optimal performance.

He also disclosed that the ministry is partnering the Office National Security Adviser (NSA), the Federal Ministry of Interior, and all other security agencies to put an end to the challenge of electricity asset vandalization.

He said: “One of the issues that we raised that has constituted the menace to the optimal performance of the sector today is power theft and vandalization. 

“Vandalization is the deliberate destruction of power assets, especially transmission power assets, high voltage cables and transformers which has affected the stability of electricity in the country,  especially up north. 

“And I made mention of the fact that we are collaborating with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Federal Ministry of Interior and all the other security agencies across the country to ensure that this is stopped.

“I also called on all the Governors across the entire nation, especially up north to rise up to this issue of threat to the security of our power assets for us to be able to deliver stable electricity to our people as part of the electoral promises.”

He urged the to remain vigilant in order to secure electricity infrastructure to guarantee supply to the country.

“The people have to be vigilant. We have the hunters. We have the local vigilantes. All of us must contribute to the security of transmission power assets and our distribution power infrastructure. 

“That is the only way we can guarantee stable electricity supply to our country.”

The minister said the 215MW Kaduna Power Plant project will be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

“I am very optimistic that by the end of first quarter of next year that project would have been completed,” he said.

Adelabu said there  were a number of litigations that made Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intervene over five years before the intervention of the ministry that returned the contractor, Rockson International Limited, to site.

Also addressing reporters at the project site in Kudenda, Kaduna earlier,  Adelabu

said Federal Government is considering the issuance of a letter of credit to the contractor of the 215MW Kaduna Power project.

Asked whether the ministry would grant the request, Adelabu said: “We are discussing on that and that is one of the roles that the ministry has to play. 

“We need to sit down with the contractors, have an agreement with them on the completion date and whatever we need to do to make them realize this completion date, we have to do it. So far it is within our legal limit.”

He said the ministry has to hold a meeting with the contractor to ascertain the actual solution for the completion of the project.

Rockson International Limited, Manager, Mr. David Trayte, requested the government to issue the firm a letter of credit to round off the project which is now a 87% completion.

He recalled that the project was awarded in 2009 and was later handed over to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) due to so unfounded corruption allegations.

He said Customs detention of its equipment at Onne was also part of the delay.

“We will run as fast as the ministry allows us,” he told the minister, who asked him for completion timeline.

The minister noted that he led a delegation to the site to have a first hand inspection of the power plant project.

He noted that the project has undergone some challenges that are being addressed alongside the contractor.

The minister, who said he was on a mission to confirm the state of the equipment, expressed satisfaction with the status of the infrastructure in the site.

He expressed optimism that upon the completion,  the project will add 215MW to the national grid. 

He said: “We are here to have a first hand view of the status of this very important project to Federal Ministry of Power and Nigeria in general.

“It is a 215MW LPFO, gas, power plant, which is presently at 87%  completion.

“The project has undergone some difficulties which we recently resolved and the project is back and the contractors are back on site. 

Read Also: Electricity: When will the states wake up?

“So, I am actually here to confirm the actual status, the state of the equipment and to also discuss with the contractors, the consultants and plans for completion of this project, which we have started discussing. 

“And the role that ministry also needs to play to ensure the completion pledge is realized. That is why we are here. And I am actually impressed with the infrastructure that we have here. It has eight turnines, about 27MW each.

“The generators are there with the turbines. The transformers are there. You can see that the switch yard is also completed. While 132; 133KV switch yard there. 

“So I am actually impressed and I am very optimistic that very soon this project will be completed and Nigerians will start enjoying the output of 215MW of power connected to the national grid.”