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  • SERAP advises President on Judiciary’s financial autonomy

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “urgently publish and fully implement the recommendations of the report on financial autonomy of state legislature and judiciary submitted to you in June 2019”.

    In a letter, dated September 27, and signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said: “Equal treatment before the law is a pillar of democratic societies. But when judicial financial autonomy and, by extension, independence and sanctity are undermined, the scales of justice are tipped, and ordinary Nigerians suffer.

    “In fact, when judicial autonomy and independence is under siege, everyone loses, as the voice of the innocent goes unheard, while the guilty continue to act with impunity.”

    The letter added: “The failure to publish the full recommendations of the report and to begin to implement them has continued to undermine the country’s judicial systems, and deny citizens’ access to justice and basic human right to a fair and impartial justice system.

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    “Ensuring the financial autonomy and independence of the courts would improve the ability of our judicial systems to deliver justice effectively and efficiently. It would also allow the court to jealously guard the rights of innocent men and women and ensure that the guilty receive a fair and impartial hearing as well as remove the dangerous possibility of summary justice…”

    “We urge you to ensure full respect for the rule of law and due process in words and actions.

    “A financially autonomous judiciary is crucial for the effectiveness and success of your anti-corruption agenda, and important for the realisation of citizens’ human rights.

    “Unless the report is fully implemented, trust in the court’s impartiality and independence will continue to be eroded, and the core judicial functions, access to justice and the broader accountability function of the judiciary will continue to be undermined.

    “A weak judiciary would mean that impunity for corrupt officials will remain, as the ability of your government and anti-corruption agencies to prosecute grand corruption as well as public trust and confidence in institutions of government and public officials will continue to be undermined…”

  • ‘It’s unfair to assess Makinde now’

    The immediate past governor of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Sunday said that it is unfair and dangerous to assess incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde barely three months after he came into office.

    The former governor, who maintained that Makinde was elected for a period of four years, insisted that it would be too early for him to access his successor, who was sworn in on May 29 this year.

    Ajimobi, who represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, was the governor of the state between 2011 and 2019.

    He said that he had done his best for the state, stating that it’s now time for Makinde to prove his worth.

    Ajimobi, who addressed journalists shortly after he was honoured with a meritorious award by the Catholic Archdioceses of Ibadan as part of the 70th birthday celebrations of the Bishop of the archdioceses, Reverend Leke Gabriel Abegunrin, urged citizens and leaders to continue to sacrifice for the development of the country.

    Read Also: Makinde’ll surpass Ajimobi, others in achievements

    The event was held on Sunday at Mary’s Cathedral, Oke Padre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Ninety-five eminent personalities received the award. Aside from Ajimobi, other recipients of the award include the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Chief Akanni Aluko, Ayo Fasoro , Chief Aloy Obi, Prof. Mercy Veronica,  Brig Gen.& Mrs. Eze , Chief (Mrs.) Francisica Otunla, Mrs. Grace Oby, Mr. Stephen Olasupo , and  Justice O. Ige.

    In his remarks, former governor Ajimobi said that he would henceforth maintain silence on issues concerning the state and allow the incumbent governor to do his job.

    The former governor said: “I feel really elated, I feel happy, very honoured, especially when you are being honoured by the people that we serve and the people that serve God. When you are recognised by clerics, men of God, it is the best honour you can get.

    “Yes, I have done eight years of talking; now it is time for me to keep silent and allow the other man to do his job.”

    Ajimobi further said that the media makes news when prominent people speak and when they decide to be silent.

    He said, “This is the problem with you people. When I talk, you will say that I am talking, now that I am not talking, you will say I am not talking. You are complaining that I am not talking now. So, what do you want me to do?

    “It is too early for me; I have been there for eight years. It is too early to assess him. Give the man the chance to do his job. I know that he has at least four years. He has just spent three months. It is too early.

    “I think it is good for us to work for the development of this country. We must all sacrifice for us to move this country forward, to grow. It is easier for people to talk, sometimes I read in the news particularly, on the social media.

    “The problem of the social media today is that beer parlour talk is now being elevated in the media.”

  • Buhari, Akeredolu, Fasanmi greet Oyetola at 65

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday felicitated with Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

    Also, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu and the Leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, have congratulated Oyetola on his birthday.

    President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, joined the Oyetola family, friends and people of goodwill in wishing the governor good health, sound mind and more years of purposeful and visionary leadership for the good people of Osun State.

    He commended Governor Oyetola for his determination to improve infrastructure, social services, human and capital development in the state.

    The President also urged Governor Oyetola to execute all the programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and fulfill his campaign promises to the electorate.

    Read Also: Facts you should know about Gov Oyetola at 65

    President Buhari charged the governor to use the special occasion of his 65th anniversary as another privileged opportunity to rededicate himself to do more service to God and humanity.

    Governor Akeredolu on his part described the Osun governor as “humility personified” and “amazing neighbor.”

    The Ondo governor in a statement by the Commissioner for Informtaion and Orientation, Daniel ojogo, further described Oyetola as “a calm and unassuming personality whose selfless commitment to the good people of Osun State has markedly imbued and engendered confidence in governance in his state. To say the least, such selflessness and candour have been greatly deployed to the advantage of the good people of the Southwest.”

    According to the Akeredolu, the Osun governor is an enigma who represents an amazing friend, brother and neighbour with immeasurable qualities required for a fruitful relationship as exemplified in the cordiality between Ondo and Osun states.

    “It is no gainsaying, therefore, that as Governor Oyetola clocks 65, his wealth of knowledge and experience that have always been at the disposal of the good people of both states will continue to ignite stronger ties,” the statement added.

    Governor Akeredolu, on behalf of his wife, Betty, government and people of Ondo State, wished his Oyetola sound health and God’s continued favour, grace and wisdom, the statement further said.

    While also congratulating Oyetola, the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Fasanmi, said that it was “boon and grace” to have him at the helm of affairs in the state “in a situation like this.”

    In a statement by Fasanmi’s Media Assistant, Mr. Temitope Adebayo, the Afenifere leader explained that the proficient way Oyetola had been managing the resources of the state showed that “he is a God-sent.”

    “Within just 365 days in office, Oyetola has proved himself as a dexterous, humble Chief servant of the state,” he said.

    Fasanmi urged the governor not to deviate from the progressive agenda that he had been following, praising him for the “wholesome, inclusive composition of your commissioner nominees.”

    He further urged the nominees to assist Oyetola to achieve his laudable vision for the people in the state of Osun.

    Pa Fasanmi also expressed his warm appreciation for the governor’s support during his own 94th birthday celebrations held recently and prayed that Governor Oyetola “will go on to celebrate 94 years on earth. The target is for him to become a centenarian.”

    Also, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Obokun State Constituency in the 2019 general elections, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, congratulated Oyetola on his 65th birthday anniversary.

    In his congratulatory message, Oyintiloye described the governor as a visionary and a respected leader, who is living a simple life and rendering service to people.

  • ‘Don’t turn disabled youths to beggars’

    Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, has said parents who have children with certain disabilities should not turn them to an avenue for begging.

    She urged such parents to rather make use of government institutions where these special children would be made useful to themselves and society.

    Read Also: All I did as governor was in the interest of Oyo State – Ajimobi

    The State government recently declared that street begging and other form of abuse to the vulnerable such as rape of minors and human trafficking, would soon be history as perpetrators of such evil acts would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Saani made this declaration during a visit to the Nigeria Training Centre for the Blind, Ogbomoso, home for visually impaired at the weekend.

    The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christiana Abioye, said disability should not be reasons for street begging, adding that rape cases of minors and human trafficking had been on the increase due to negligence by parents, guardians and caregivers.

  • Odu’a launches N4b luxury residential estate in Ibadan

    A new luxury residential estate valued at over N4billion has been launched in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital by Odu’a Investments Limited.

    The new estate, which consists of 104 mixed luxury residential buildings and 21 units of commercial outlets, is being delivered in partnership with an estate developing firm, Chapter 4 Nig. Ltd.

    The buildings will sit on 3.8 hectares of land bordering the sprawling production plant of the Nigerian Breweries PLC on the highbrow Ibadan-Ife Expressway.

    The land, according to the Chairman, Board of Directors of Odu’a, Mr. Olusola Akinwumi, was acquired from the Oyo State Government 40 years ago.

    Christened Westlink Iconic Villa, the estate will be delivered within 30 months.

    Read Also: How Ogun’ll remain top most investment destination, by Abiodun

    It offers eight five-bed fully detached duplexes, 10 five-bed semi-detached duplexes and six four-bed semi-detached duplexes. Others are 40 four-bed terraced duplexes, 60 three-bed apartments and 21 units of commercial outlets.

    There is also a multi-purpose community centre with indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose events hall, children playgrounds and sporting facilities, a creche and multi-faith prayer hall.

    It is provisioned with a utility centre that will offer centralised uninterrupted power and other utilities. The commercial centre will host a clinic, pharmacy, supermarket, bank, restaurant and beauty salon, among others.

    Welcoming guests and other stakeholders to the turning-of-sod ceremony at the weekend, Odu’a Group Managing Director, Mr. Adewale Raji, explained that the project was a continuation of the conglomerate’s re-entry into the real estate sub-sector of the economy with the goal of sustaining and expanding the heritage of Odu’a as bequeathed to the current generation.

    He said the company would continue to offer the brand that met customer demand of luxury residential buildings.

    “Today’s foundation-laying ceremony is a testimony to above vision, which has taken in a larger dimension to quicken the realisation of that noble objective of unlocking value from our inherited passive assets,” Raji said.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chapter 4 Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Shams Ogunmuyiwa, commended the management of Odu’a for showing the will to execute the project.

    He promised the delivery of the project by March 2022 in line with top quality industry standard.

    Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, commended the two partners for choosing to site the estate in the state.

    He emphasized that the state was open to business, stressing that the goal of his administration was to move it from poverty to prosperity.

    He was represented by the Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Urban Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja.

  • MTEF/FSP: Senate, House panel in marathon meeting to beat deadline

    Members of the Senate and House of Representatives joint Committee on Finance are locked in a marathon meeting.

    It is to meet the one-week deadline given to them to submit a report on the 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) for consideration and passage by the National Assembly.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan had, last week, given the Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola till Wednesday to submit its report.

    The House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila also referred the document to the James Faleke-led House Committee on Finance. He gave the panel a week to turn in its report for consideration and approval.

    The rush to get the MTEF/FSP report back to plenary and its possible passage is to pave the way for the presentation of the 2020 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in earnest.

    Read Also: Buhari decries continued loss of public funds through illicit financial flows

    Lawan had asked the Presidency to submit the 2020 Appropriation Bill by September ending, or the first week of October for its consideration and passage by the National Assembly before Christmas.

    The Nation learnt yesterday that following the directive from both chambers, the committees on Finance have resolved to hold joint sittings to consider the document to save time and meet the deadline.

    A source who spoke in confidence told our reporter that the committees have been meeting non-stop.

    The source said: “The Senate Committees on Finance and its House of Representatives counterpart have decided to hold joint sittings to consider the MTEF/FSP instead of the Senate committee doing its own and the House Committee doing its own.

    “They want to do a joint sitting so that they can meet that deadline of maybe Wednesday or Thursday.

    “You know, the deadline the Senate President gave was Wednesday but they are working to meet the deadline or if they miss it, it would just be by a day or so.

    “That is the much they can do because unfortunately or fortunately, Tuesday is a public holiday.

    “So, that was why they decided to work through Saturday, even today (Sunday) they are still meeting over the same matter.

    “It is like even today (Sunday), they are working on it. So, there is every possibility they will meet the deadline.

    “You know they gave them Wednesday, but I don’t think they took cognizance of Tuesday – a public holiday – and the weekend. But members of the joint committee have been working round the round the clock.”

  • I waited for 15 years after wedlock to give birth – Dickson’s wife

    Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Dr. Rachael Dickson, at the weekend said she waited for 15 years for a child after her wedlock with Dickson and God rewarded her patience with quadruplets.

    She described the moment she was delivered of her quadruplets in the United States of America three years ago as visitation by God.

    Rachael, who spoke during a thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, said God showed up after 15 years of waiting for fruits of the womb.

    The thanksgiving service was part of activities marking the third year anniversary of the quadruplets.

    Read Also: PDP will win Bayelsa by landslide, Dickson boasts

    She described her children as bundles of joy and prayed God to bless, prosper and equally use them to bring him glory.

    She said: “First I want to thank this great God of heaven because today we are marking the third anniversary of this special gifts from God.

    “After fifteen years, he turned away our captivity. When men thought it was over, he, God, said it was not over”.

    “I stand before this great God to say there is no other God like him. Today I stand before him to say our joy is full. Today I stand to say this great God of heaven can never fail”.

    The governor’s wife also expressed appreciation to family members, friends, associates and the clergy for attending the service as well as for making the day memorable for the children.

    A reception for guest was also held at the Governor’s Lodge with over 200 children in attendance amidst fanfare.

    Some dignitaries in attendance include the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri and his wife; his running mate Senator Lawrence Erhuwjakpo, top government functionaries and the clergy.

  • ‘Plateau no longer depends on external revenue’

    The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service has said the government no longer depends on Federal Government’s monthly subvention and periodic bailout facilities to run its administration and provide infrastructures.

    It said the state has expanded its internal revenue profile to a level that 80-90 per cent of the state’s annual budget is funded from internal revenue.

    Executive Chairman Mr. Arlat Dashe, who briefed reporters in his office in Jos on Sunday, said: “Of the 2019 budget estimate of N18billion, the revenue service was tasked by the governor to generate N12billion, and so far in the ninth month of the year, we have generated over N9billion.

    “We have put every machinery in place to meet the N12billion target before the end of the year with a potential to even exceed the target.

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    “With the number of reforms we recently introduced in the tax sector, Plateau State will as from next year, depend fully on its internal revenue sources rather than monthly subvention and bailout from the Federal Government.

    “Based on the recent economic recess witnessed in the country due to fall in oil revenue, state governments were advised to look inward for revenue source to fund their budget. We took the advice very seriously and came up with initiatives that give us positive leverage on our internal revenue sources.

    “Today, we can say the tax reforms we embarked on have paid off. The state is funded 80 per cent from internal sources, and very soon, it shall be 100 per cent internal revenue based. Anything that comes from external sources shall only be a plus.”

    He went on: “Some of the reforms we initiated were to create 12 revenue districts across the state and we deployed our men to take charge. We further engaged tax stakeholders to sensitise them on the need to pay tax. This has increased voluntary tax payment and remittances.

    “As tax payment improves gradually, we have physical infrastructural development projects to show the people how the tax is being utilised by the government. When people see some level of transparency in tax utilisation, they get more encouraged to keep paying.

    “There are other tax potentials we are yet to exploit fully, such as the ones from ministries, agencies and parastatals. By the time we fully develop that sector, we can increase the state’s budget to N50 billion and we will not have problem funding it internally.”

  • Sokoto shuts three private schools

    Sokoto State Government at the weekend shut three private schools for failing to provide a conducive learning environment as well as not complying with the guidelines for establishing private schools.

    Similarly, 10 non-existent private schools with full addresses were identified across locations.

    The schools, which closure by the Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education is with immediate effect, include: Coral Foundation Spring Montessori, Sokoto; Brighter Children School, Koko Road, Sokoto and Godiya Nursery and Primary School, Tambuwal.

    A statement made available to reporters in Sokoto by the spokesman for the ministry, Nura Bello Maikwanci, said the schools were found to be in poor learning environment and did not meet the requirement for establishing a private school.

    The statement said the essence was to ensure standard, quality and compliance with basic requirements for operating private schools with a view to developing the sector for academic excellence.

    Read Also: Assembly tasks Sokoto State Govt. on IPSAS for 2020 budget

    It added: “Ten other private schools were discovered not in existence by the committee set up by the ministry to assess and evaluate the operation of private schools.

    “They include Precious Nursery and Primary School, Shuni Road, Sokoto; Grace International School, Nakasari, Sokoto; Spring -Field International School, Unguwar Rogo, Sokoto and Alkhairi International School, Bodinga.

    “Others are: TAC Academy Kwannawa, Sokoto; Rhema International School, Kwannawa; Kids Ambassadors Nakasari Area, Sokoto; The Sokoto Academy, Mana, Sokoto; De-Trend Day Care School, Old Airport, Sokoto and

    International Academy for Excellence, Badon Barade, Sokoto.

    The statement urged schools with the approvals from Arabic and Islamic Education Board or Local Government Education Authority with full integration to speedily regularise their operations with the ministry.

    Commenting on the sidelines, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Bello Abubakar Guiwa, said the measures being taken by the ministry were not aimed at victimising or denying operations of private schools, adding that they were rather to reposition education such that standard, quality and compliance were encouraged in line with the mandate to resuscitate the sector following the declaration of emergency.

    He, however, said that only private schools that complied with the guidelines would be allowed to operate, adding that education was key in shaping the cause for societal development.

    “The world is now knowledge driven and we must key in by encouraging standards, quality and most importantly compliance with basic requirements for operations for the benefit of the people,” Guiwa said.

  • FCE clears promotion backlog

    The Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene in Kogi State has cleared backlog of workers’ promotion dating back to 2015/2016 academic session, Provost Dr. Umar Hassan has said.

    Hassan, who spoke at the weekend while conducting reporters round the projects inaugurated by his administration in the last two years, said they included Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) intervention projects that had addressed the needs of a vastly growing academic community.

    He said the institution boasts of low fees among its contemporaries.

    The provost appealed for additional federal funding to address the problem of inadequacies.

    “As it is often said, the government is a continuum. Therefore, we’ve set in motion necessary machinery to address the lingering challenges we met on ground, which are majorly financial and of course, academic related. We inherited huge liabilities of promotion arrears for 2015 and 2016, which were as a result of shortfalls in personnel cost.

    “Despite the lean resources at the disposal of the college, critical policy decisions have been taken to stabilise the system with quick interventions in academic programmes.

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    “We created additional academic directorates and restructured the existing ones for greater efficiency and service delivery.

    “Our efforts to move the college to the next level of growth and development in research and academic development have continued to yield fruits, with growing opportunities.

    “This administration met some ongoing TETFUND projects and knowing fully well that new projects cannot be accessed without the completion of the ongoing ones; it became expedient for us to mobilise the contractors to site to ensure immediate completion of the projects. They include the Information Communication Technology (ICT) complex at 60 per cent completion then, but now completed, School of Vocational Education lecturer’s building at 70 per cent completion then, also now completed and the gymnasium at 60 per cent completion then, now completed.

    “Others include the construction of one-storey building complex for Early Childhood Care, Primary, Adult and Non-Formal Education, with external work ongoing.

    “The construction of twin-200 seater auditorium with external work. These initiatives have made considerable impact on the well-being of our students on campus and of course our workers. Interestingly too, discussions are at an advanced stage to benefit from Dangote Foundation for hostel construction and rehabilitation.

    “We inherited huge promotion arrears for 2015/2016. I am delighted to inform you that so far we have cleared 19 months of 2015 and nine months from 2016 arrears. Remarkably too, 2018 promotion was effected and financially implemented. Similarly, as at December 2017, all salary arrears were cleared. It is also worthy of note that the contentious issues surrounding the payment of arrears of Peculiar Academic and Non-teaching allowances have been put to rest, as we have begun implementation.”