The Nation Newspaper

Tag: minister

  • Minister seals off block of classrooms in Nyanya

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has sealed off a one-storey block of classrooms at the Government Secondary School, Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja.

    The school building collapsed injuring six students.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed gave the directive in Nyanya, while inspecting the site.

    The Principal of the School, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeh during the inspection, remarked that students were leaning on the hand railing of the cantilevered canopy above the main entrance measuring 1.2×1.5m when it gave way.

    The minister who was represented by the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Arch Reuben Okoya, further directed the Department of Development Control to investigate further to identify the cause.

    According to the statement issued by Asst. Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the minister immediately visited Maitama District Hospital where the six students that sustained minor injuries were taken to for immediate medical attention.

    At the hospital, the minister instructed the Education Secretariat to foot all the medical bills of the injured students and that the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital should give the students special attention.

     

  • Ekiti PDP nominates Akerele for minister

    Ekiti PDP nominates Akerele for minister

    Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forwarded the name of Otunba Yinka Akerele to the Presidency as the ministerial nominee. It’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Femi Bamisile, who confirmed the nomination, described Akerele as a loyal party man and rallying point, who has made huge sacrifice for the unity of PDP in the state. However, some party chieftains have opposed the nomination, saying that Akere is not their collective choice for the ministerial job.

    “Ekiti PDP is proud to nominate one of its savvy sons to President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration as a member of the executive cabinet. The choice of Otunba Yinka Akerele is informed by his proven track record of performance in the private sector and as a successful entrepreneur. We are certain that he will leverage his talents to add significant momentum to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

    Commenting on the nomination, Bolanle Bruce, former Special Adviser on Diaspora, hailed the decision and commended the insight of the party leadership, saying that Akerele had paid his due.

    “This didn’t come to some of us as surprise, knowing the contribution the former governorship aspirant has made to our dear party. I’m sure there wouldn’t be any dissecting voice because Akerele has done a lot to build the party with little or no recognition. His emergence as minister will sure contribute in no small measure to the growth of PDP in the state,” she said.

  • Minister reaffirms commitment to infrastructural development

    Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to the development of the federal capital city, area councils and satellite towns.

    The minister gave this assurance at the 2013 Town Planners’ Day of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

    She said: “The vision of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is to nurture Abuja into one of the best 20 capital cities in the world by the year 2020, while its mission is to provide good infrastructure, services and administration that will stimulate the city’s growth.

    “We are committed to bringing infrastructural development in the satellite towns and area councils at par with what we have in the city. It is only when we have standard amenities and infrastructure in the satellite towns that residents will be motivated to live in these towns, do business there and raise their children.”

    She lauded President Goodluck Jonathan over the re-establishment of the Satellite Towns Development Agency, which she noted was an eloquent testimony of the commitment of the President towards the provision of infrastructure in the Satellite Towns and the area councils.

    The minister advised the NITP members to continue to offer input into the overall urban development initiatives of the FCT Administration.

    “The FCT Administration believes that our vision to be among the best 20 cities in the world, by the year 2020, cannot be realised without our embracing innovative town planning and urban development schemes.

    “No doubt this beautiful city is an evidence of the contributions of the National Institute of Town Planners and its professionals. The successes recorded over the years with the Abuja Master Plan were achieved through the inventive and conscious efforts of town planners and other allied professionals of the built environment,” she added.

    The Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr. Barnabas Atiyaye, stated that the institute offered the government the correct environment to administer and govern the people with ease.

    “Failure to allow the professionals in the built environment, particularly the town planners, to perform professionally will always lead to chaotic situations and sometimes very difficult to manage politically,” he noted.

  • Minister donates land to Pilgrims’ Board

    Minister donates land to Pilgrims’ Board

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has allocated a plot of land to be used as Permanent Christian Pilgrims Camp at the Aviation Village, Abuja.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who disclosed this during the bi-weekly FCT operations briefing session in Abuja, said that it is the desire of his administration to build and strengthen institutions in line with the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

    According to him, Tender Processes have already begun for the award of contract for the construction of the Permanent Pilgrims Camp to ensure that work commences in earnest.

    Senator Mohammed noted that the officials of the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board recently participated in pre-visit to Israel, Rome and Greece where hotels, restaurants, buses and other facilities were inspected to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage exercise.

    He revealed that 1,500 intending pilgrims have so far purchased application forms; stressing that the number is very encouraging.

    The minister used the occasion to announce that the FCT Administration has approved a 7-member delegation for the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

    “The delegation, which is to be chaired by Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda has Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji; Rev. Fr. Innocent Jooji; Mazi Emmanuel Olugbuo; Rev. Bob Alonge and Mrs. Aigbomian Olufunmilayo as members; while Dr. Lazarus Gaza is the member/Secretary,” Senator Mohammed emphasised.

    The meeting was attended by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu; FCDA Executive Secretary, Mr. Adamu Ismaila as well as the Directors of all the operational departments in the FCT Administration.

  • IG marries daughter of former FCT minister

    THE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday married Zarha, the daughter of a one-time FCT Minister, Mr. Ibrahim Bunu.

    The wedding “fatiha’’, which took place at the National Mosque, Abuja, was conducted by the Chief Imam of the mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed, who prayed for the success of the marriage.

    Dignitaries at the wedding include Vice-President Namadi Sambo, two former Heads of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the FCT Minister, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and members of the National Assembly.

    The reception, which was held at the ThisDay Dome in the city-centre, was attended by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; the Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, Senators Andy Uba and Paulinus Igwe.

    Others dignitaries at the reception include the former Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola as well as Chief Akin Oshuntokun, a former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Alhaji Adamu Bello, who spoke on behalf of the bride’s family, described the turnout for the marriage as “fantastic’’ and expressed gratitude to Allah for the event.

    Bello urged the couple to live according to Islamic tenets for the success of the marriage.

     

  • Minister sheds tears as Maku takes charge at Defence

    Minister sheds tears as Maku takes charge at Defence

    MONTHS of speculations about a cabinet shake-up ended yesterday, with the sacking of nine ministers.

    Minister of Information and Supervising Minister of Defence – he was so named yesterday after the shake-up – Labaran Maku, broke the news to State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Among those who got the boot are Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, Ruqqayatu Rufai (Education) and Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning).

    Others include Land and Urban Development Minister Amal Pepple, Environment’s Hadiza Mailafia Science and Technology’s Ita Ewa.

    Three Ministers of State were also sacked. They are Defence, Olusola Obada, Power, Zainab Kuchi and Agriculture, Tijani Bukar.

    Some ministers are to supervise the ministries in order not to create a vacuum.

    The ministries will be supervised by Minister of State 1 Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri for Foreign Affairs ministry, Minister of State for Education Mr. Nyesom Wike (Education) and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Ishaku (Environment).

    Lands, Housing and Urban Development Ministry will be supervised by the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Mr. Musa Sada.

    Minister of Communication Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson will supervise the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Ministry of National Planning will be overseen by the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda.

    Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo is to take charge of the Power Ministry.

    Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Dr. Akinwumi Adesina will take charge of the Ministry.

    Maku maintained that the action was taken to inject fresh blood in to the system to deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians. No political undertone, he said.

    He said: “These ministers have been affected in the cabinet reshuffle and the President in Council expressed his satisfaction and happiness over their commitment to government since they were appointed. He also thanked them for their service to their fatherland and said he will continue to engage them in one way or the other in the implementation of the transformation agenda and, of course, in the various challenges that government faces around the country and in terms of efforts to transform our country.

    “He was indeed pleased to say because of what they have done in serving this country, he reassured them that this government will continue to use their services in the development of the country and thanked them for their services to this administration and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Also following this, a list will be sent to the Senate for the confirmation of new ministers and once that is ready and sent, I am sure the Presidency will announce the list of the new ministers that will replace the ministers that were affected in the reshuffle.

    Ruling out political undertone in the termination of the appointments, Maku said: “You know, even the press has been speculating cabinet reshuffle for a long time. I can’t remember how many times in the last one year that the press has been speculating that there would be cabinet reshuffle. In fact, some have been writing almost openly saying they want cabinet reshuffle.

    “There is no government in the world where the leaders do not reshuffle their cabinets; there is none. And cabinet reshuffle is part of a systematic public administration and I believe what the President has done is simply to address the issues of re-tooling his government to achieve service delivery.”

    Maku said the President set targets for the next two years and he is adjusting his cabinet to realise the objectives of his transformation agenda.

    Speaking with State House correspondents, Mailafia said the reshuffle did not shock her as it was expected to come at anytime.

    In tears, she said: “If you are wise enough, life is a cycle where from the day you come in you should know there is an exit. Isn’t it?

    And every Wednesday I come in here hoping one day there will be a cabinet reshuffle. I’m grateful to all of you; I have enjoyed working with all of you. And please support government programmes, the Great Green Wall in particular, new map and so on.”

    She went on: “I have been part of the government; I owe a lot to it.

    We have been honoured to serve and we are moving out honourably and I think that is important. Many have come and gone without honour.”

    On whether she will miss her colleagues, she said: “Oh yes and no. No because of technology, we will still be in touch; there will be phone calls and contacts and emails and so on.”

  • How to fight poverty, by minister

    SUSTAINABLE developments in all tiers government will end poverty in the country, Minister of Environment, Hajiya Ibrahim Mailafia, has stated.

    The minister said it is imperative to align the vision 20:2020 and transformation agenda of the present administration with the outcome of Rio+20 Action Plan.

    She spoke at a workshop on the Adoption of the Framework of Action Plan for the Implementation of the RIO+20 Summit Outcomes held at the weekend in Abuja.

    The proposed framework supports key issues like poverty eradication, productive employment, food security and nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable tourism, sustainable transport, sustainable cities and human settlement.

    Others are energy, health population, disaster risk reduction, climate change, forest, biodiversity, desertification, land degradation and drought among others.

    The minister, who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Alhaji GamboJakada, identified the need to develop appropriate technology and technology.

    She said: “We need to further mainstream sustainable development at all levels, integrating economic, social and environmental aspects and recognizing their linkages, so as to achieve sustainable development in all dimensions.”

    Participants were drawn from Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), including representatives from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) among other Para-military bodies.

     

  • NLC urges Jonathan to call Health Minister to order

    NLC urges Jonathan to call Health Minister to order

    Following the industrial crisis rocking the health sector, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to order.

    In a statement: “Call the minister to order,” the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, said: “The congress is saddened by the fact that for most of his tenure, Prof. Chukwu has been embroiled in intra-sector disputes, instead of growing the sector. I urge President Jonathan to call the Minister of Health to order before he does incalculable harm in the health sector.”

    Omar said the congress has watched with concern, the spate of violations of collective agreements by the Federal Government leading to avoidable industrial crisis.

    He said the latest being that of the health sector by the Minister of Health, who has flagrantly observed in the breach not only an agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), but the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC), leading to the ongoing strike in the health sector.

    According to him, the NLC was dismayed that the minister did not only violate, dishonour and abandon a ruling by a competent court as the NIC, but also repudiated an earlier agreement with the unions that both parties would be bound by the outcome of the court ruling, and was in the forefront of taking the case to court through the Minister of Labour.

    Describing the minister’s action as an invitation to chaos, NLC said: “One of the hallmarks of any democracy is respect for the rule of law. Violation of this time-honoured value constitutes not only a breach of trust, but also an invitation to anarchy.”

    It added: “It is all the more worrying when this violation is done by a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who ought not only to hold out himself as the Chief Physician of the country, but also a key ambassador of the Jonathan administration.

    “The breaches of agreement are the genesis of the dispute.”

    NLC advised the minister to stop playing politics with the health of Nigerians, especially the poor, who do not have the wherewithal or access to slush funds to patronise private hospitals and go for routine foreign check-ups.

    The statement also noted that : “Rather than embark on a campaign of calumny against the unions and a laborious appeal process with dire health and industrial consequences to the country, Congress advises the Minister to immediately toe the path of honour by recognising the court judgment and implementing the demands of the unions, which include the following:

    “Those earlier appointed as health consultants would continue to enjoy the status with all benefits and the withdrawal of their letters of appointment is irregular, null and void. They should immediately be returned to their hitherto status with full pay arrears.

    “That skipping of CONHESS 10 is legal and the purported circular by the Ministry of Health and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation stopping it is illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever. Members of the unions, who were adversely affected by the minister’s decision, should be appropriately placed with accrued arrears from the date they were reverted paid to them.

    “That negotiations should commence towards the review of shift duty, call duty allowances and other allowances.

    “We commend the prompt intervention of the Minister of Labour, which would have brought about the desired industrial harmony, but for the arrogant and uncompromising attitude of the Minister of Health. He did not only abort a meeting called last week by the Minister of Labour for both parties to hold discussions, but also offered no regrets for his conspicuous absence.”

     

  • Is it true?

    Is it true?

    •Petroleum minister accused of spending N2bn on private jets in two years. This is weighty; EFCC should clear the air

     

    If the report that a Minister of the Federal Republic spent a staggering N2billion on private jet rentals in two years is true, then, it merely confirms the pervasive profligacy in government. According to the Crusader For Good Governance, a non-governmental organisation that blew the whistle, the petroleum minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent the amount on her numerous overseas trips in the last two years. The NGO, in a petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged, among others, that the minister rejected a commercial flight when President Goodluck Jonathan visited China a few months ago and instead paid $300,000 to go to the Asian country.

    According to the petitioners, “her frequent trips to meetings of the Organisation of Oil Producing and Exporting Countries, OPEC, in Vienna, Austria, have been through private jets.” “The same happened during Mr. President’s trip to South Africa; she also travelled in a private jet at the cost of $300,000.00.” She was accused of spending the same amount on her trip to South Africa when the president also went there. In the petition, the minister was said to have travelled in a private jet to Dubai during the last Easter Break with members of her family at the cost of $300,000.00, even as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was alleged to be maintaining a private jet, Challenger 850 Visa Jet at $500,000.00 monthly for the minister.

    Perhaps the most ridiculous of the allegations, according to the petitioner, is that “Worse of all, even when Mr. President is travelling and the use of Presidential jet is guaranteed, the Minister of Petroleum never makes use of such cost-saving measures”.

    We find all these incredible against the usual impression given by the government that the country cannot afford certain essentials due to paucity of funds. For instance, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for almost two months, thereby grounding academic and other activities on our university campuses.

    We are concerned like most other Nigerians, especially if this kind of frivolous spending could be going on in government. Before the ASUU strike, lecturers in the polytechnics were also on strike for months. There are so many other things begging for attention in the country that the government has not done, always pleading poverty. Schools are in a shambles; healthcare has deteriorated as many Nigerians, especially those with the means travel out for medical check-up, the transportation sector is in chaos for the same reason. The state of infrastructure generally is nothing to write home about. Yet, we see financial recklessness in governments while the vast majority of Nigerians live in abject poverty.

    From the petition signed by Okechukwu Obiora, the petitioners appeared to have done some spadework on the matter as they claimed that the relevant agencies in the aviation sector, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) all confirmed that the minister has never flown commercial aircraft in the last two years. All the agencies are government owned; it therefore should not be difficult for the commission to get the necessary information from them.

    Without doubt, these are weighty allegations; nonetheless, we want to see them merely as that – allegations – until proven otherwise. But then, this is a matter that Nigerians are interested in, and justifiably so. The EFCC therefore owes Nigerians an obligation to say whether it had received the petition or not. If it had, it should so tell the people and as well let them into what it is doing about it. This is not the kind of issue that should be allowed to gather dust in shelves or be swept under the carpet.

     

  • Minister denies hoarding funds

    The Environment Minister, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, has denied the allegations levelled against the ministry that it allegedly hoarded the funds meant to address environmental challenges.

    The funds, according to a report, were made available by international donor agencies to assist the Federal Government’s environment programme, especially within a specific time frame.

    But the minister described the claim as false.

    She explained that such funds are not domiciled within the ministry and it does not directly decide on its release.

    Speaking during a media briefing yesterday in Abuja, Mrs. Mailafia said each time the ministry initiates a project idea and it is accepted by donor agencies, a corporate organisation or individual executes the project and gets paid through partners or implementing agencies, such as the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), among others.

    She said: “This statement is not true, as international donor funds are not domiciled in the ministry and as such, it does not directly determine the release of such funds. The public may wish to know that international donor funds to address environmental matters are paid to service providers through donor partners and implementing agencies, such as UNDP, AfDB, World Bank, etc.

    “For clarity, when the ministry conceives an idea of a project and the donor organisation buys into it, the executor of the project, individual or corporate organisation, is introduced and the contract for such project awarded to the successful bidder after due process. Payment is made directly from the donor organisation to the project executors.”

    The Founder, Network of Environmental Vanguards, Nwosu Okorie, blamed the ministry for withholding funds, which, according to him, may prevent donors from supporting the nation’s environment programme.

    “We have never had it this bad. Many programmes are awaiting the release of funds by the ministry for take-off, but there is no urgency on the part of the ministry to release the funds when the international partners have already made such funds available,” Okorie said.

    The minister identified the need for more intervention to achieve a sustainable development.