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  • Abiodun to reposition public service for effectiveness

    Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has indicated that he is working towards reposition the civil and public service for efficient service delivery to the people.

    Abiodun stated this while  inaugurating the Committee on the Review of Appointments and Promotions in the State Civil Service and Enterprises between February 1 and May 29, 2019, in his Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    The governor noted the State Public Service, renowned  for its professionalism, commitment and dedication, be provided with the right type of leadership to enable it perform optimally.

    “This is the state of Simeon Adebo and A. K. Degun. The state has produced giants who laid the foundation of  public service in Nigeria,” he said.

    He said the feedback received by his administration on the appointment of some people into positions of responsibility was unsatisfactory, hence the setting up of the committee.

    The governor, who said his administration was determined to build a solid manpower base made up of qualified people, added that the committee is to examine and review all appointment s and employment into the public service, MDAs and other related matters connected  between February 1 and May 29.

    Read Also: Leave Buhari, Tinubu, Osoba out of my cabinet list delay — Dapo Abiodun

    He also noted that the committee is to ascertain whether there are establishment vacancies for all posts and grade levels, to review and establish the procedures for appointment in line with Public Service Regulations and Extant Rules.

    Chairman of the committee and former Head of Service, Mr. Dipo Odulate, lauded the governor for being meticulous and not rushing to take action on any issue.

    He said the committee would leave no stop unturned in discharging its assignment.

    Other members of the committee are Elder Sola Adeyemi, Alhaji Kehinde Ogunfowodu, Chief Jide Oyeti, Alhaji Ambali Isola, Mrs. Moyosore Olowonmi, and Mrs. Stanley Olufunmilayo. Mr. Nurudeen Oyedele, would serve as the secretary.

  • I’m still communicating with Ajimobi on policies, says Makinde

    OYO State Governor Seyi Makinde said on Monday that he has always been in constant communication with his predecessor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the past administration’s policies in the overall interest of the people.

    Makinde spoke yesterday while playing host to a delegation from Foursquare Gospel Church, which visited him in his office in Ibadan.

    He said it was the responsibility of any administration to provide good governance, adding that his government would not hesitate to sustain any good policy of his predecessor in a bid to enhance the living standard of the people.

    The governor said he won the election without godfathers, adding that this had helped his administration to stabilise.

    Congratulating the church on the successful election that brought about the new leadership of the church, Makinde said politicians and election management bodies have something to learn from Foursquare Church on the peaceful conduct of elections and smooth transition.

    “I am also glad to note that the General Overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye and the General Overseer-elect, Rev Sam Aboyeji, are together and that you actually held an election.

    “You didn’t impose your successor and you allowed a free and fair process, probably we have one or two things to learn.

    “Also when I was elected and became governor-elect of the state, I actually reached out to the governor on the seat at the time and I told him that if it was all about the development of Oyo State;  we must share the vision.

    “Even now, we still try to reach out to them (past administration) to say that some of the policies that they put in place were really good, some we need to tinker with, and some were outrightly anti-people.

    Read Also: We will make it difficult for godfathers, Makinde vows

    “But, if we don’t talk, we may not know some of the thought processes that went behind some of those policies.”

    Meduoye, who had earlier recalled the visit of Makinde to the church camp site for its convention prior to the election, noted that the prayer for the governor at the convention was fruitful.

    He said the church considered it necessary to introduce the new General Overseer to important people in different locations as a way of getting him ready for the task ahead.

    Aboyeji, the fifth indigenous General Overseer, who was elected on July 20 and to be inaugurated on November 17, expressed happiness at the reception by the governor.

    He said the church was setting the pace for others, especially in the area of a smooth transition.

    Also yesterday, Makinde said his administration is not only for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) alone but for the development of the entire state.

    He made the remarks yesterday while swearing in three additional commissioners for the state, saying he has assembled the best he could lay his hands on in the state.

    The event is coming less than two weeks after swearing-in of 14 commissioners to complete his 17-man cabinet.

    The three additional commissioners who took their oath of office and oath of allegiance at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Agodi secretariat include Professor Raphael Afonja (Works and Transport), Mrs Faosat Sanni (Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and social development) and 27-year-old Oluwaseun Fakorede (Youths and Sports).

  • Balogun: my son is not eyeing Awujale’s throne

    THE Head of Funsengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, has denied that his son, Ladi, is making moves to occupy the throne of Awujale of Ijebuland.

    He said his son is much busier at the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) than making moves to become the next Awujale.

    Otunba Balogun is also the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland and the head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, one of the largest ruling houses in Ijebuland.

    The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru  Adetona, had warned the kingmakers at the 2019 Ojude- Oba Festival not to politicise the selection of his successor by allowing the moneybags to scatter the selection process after he might have quit the stage.

    Since Ojude Oba day, the statement made by Oba Adetona had been at the centre of discussion among the sons and daughters of Ijebuland on who becomes the next Awujale.

    This prompted various handlers of news platforms on social media to come up with different news items, claiming that the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has begun positioning his son, Ladi, who is Group Chief Executive Officer of FCMB to replace the Awujale.

    Read Also: …FCMB pledges more support for festival, hails Awujale

    Balogun expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as “mischief” being orchestrated by those he believes are enemies of Awujale.

    He said: “It is callous, inhuman and ungodly to wish your fellow human dead as being demonstrated by those behind the mischief.”

    He said it is a taboo in Yorubaland to be scheming for Oba’s successor when a reigning monarch is still hale and hearty.

    Otunba Balogun said:. “We all know that Awujale Oba Adetona and I are friends, both of us are still alive. If Awujale could make a pronouncement, does that mean that they should drag my name to sell their stories?

    “I happen to be the Olori Omoba, and providence has placed me in a situation in which everybody will expect me to be close to the Awujale and be supportive of whatever he is doing by way of our culture and tradition.

    “Secondly, people know me as a very senior member of royalty in Ijebuland, apart from being the Olori Omoba, I am the Olori Ebi of one of the largest ruling houses in Ijebuland.”

  • Buhari greets Oba Adetunji

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with His Imperial Majesty, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Olasupo Adetunji, on his 91stbirthday.

    He wished him more years of good health and strength.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, also joined Oyo State government, Olubadan Council of Chiefs, royal family and indigenes in saluting Oba Adetunji’s visionary and purposeful leadership, which consistently promotes peaceful and harmonious co-existence and respect for religions and diverse cultures.

    As the 41st Olubadan clocks 91, the President believed Oba Adetunji has successfully carried on with the legacies of his forefathers, dating back to the 16th century, with an intentional focus to uphold the beautiful traditions of hospitality, respect for authorities and communal development that has always defined the throne.

    He prayed that the Almighty God will continue to protect Oba Adetunji and his family, and grant him more strength to look after his people.

  • President to unveil Transportation varsity, rail factory in September, says Amaechi

    President Muhammadu Buhari may perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the take-off of the University of Transportation in September, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

    The President is also expected to unveil the ground-breaking of the factory for manufacturing locomotives, wagons and coaches, the minister said.

    Amaechi said while the university would be sited at Daura, in Katsina State, the factory will be at Kajola in Ogun State.

    He said the factory would use local materials to manufacture its product. The minister was accompanied by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Alhaji Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, NRC Managing Director Fidet Okhiria and top officials of the ministry as well as consultants and other stakeholders.

    Read Also: Amaechi fixes September for groundbreaking of Transport University, Daura

    Amaechi embarked on the tour barely 48 hours after he was sworn in to bring himself up to speed on the work pace on the Lagos-Ibadan speed train.

    The minister admitted that the project had suffered a little delay due to the inability of the contractor to get approvals for its Interim Payment Certificates (IPC). He promised to sign the certificates and get the approvals of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to ensure that the project goes on as planned.

    According to him, the contractor would have delivered the project by December, if they had received their money earlier.

    Amaechi said since the Federal cabinet is in place, all approvals would be processed. The minister said once money is paid, work on the project would be speeded up.

    He said the government was determined to ensure that the project gets to Apapa Ports before the end of this year.

    According to him, attention will not only be on passenger activity but also on cargo freight to decongest the ports and lift the 30 million tonnes of cargo out of the ports by rail.

    “Our target is that they would get to the sea port so that we can get the goods at the sea port. So, if we can eliminate congestion, we will be able to reduce what people regard as Apapa gridlock,” Amaechi said.

  • Ministry can handle internal security, says Aregbesola

    The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry to handle internal security of the country.

    He advised the service chiefs under the ministry not to rest on their oars. The minister noted that the ministry cannot afford to fail under him.

    Aregbesola spoke yesterday in Abuja when he officially took over the mantle of leadership of the ministry from the Permanent Secretary, Georgina Ehuriah.

    The minister advised the ministry’s workforce and its agencies to adopt President Muhammadu Buhari’s police and ensure the safety of life and property and shun corruption.

    He promised to make workers’ welfare a priority.

    Aregbesola said: “We have internal security challenges in Nigeria, but they are not peculiar to us. It is like that all over the world. What is important is how we respond to them. We are adopting President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to improve the safety of our citizens.

    Read Also: Be transparent in defence budget, ex-NDC chief tells minister

    “We shall overcome the internal security threats our nation is facing. We must all key into this agenda. We are capable of handling threats affecting the internal security our nation. Nobody should act with impunity. Offenders will never get away with crime. I will make staff welfare a priority. “

    “As a result of our commitment to a proactive security agenda for the country, we are going to set up an early warning alarm system in all the geopolitical zones to nip in the bud any security breach before it happens.”

    The former Osun State governor designed a new acronym for the ministry to work with in actualising President Buhari’s target.

    Aregbesola said: “We must adopt his (President Buhari’s) slogan in the way that it’s best suited for us. So, we will adopt ‘SET’ in this ministry, which means Security, Economic improvement and Transparency.”

    The minister assured that with the new method of work, there would be significant improvement in the country within the shortest time.

    He added: “We are more than capable to keep Nigeria safe.”

    Ehuriah assured the minister of total support from the workforce, including the service chiefs to enable him achieve his set goals.

  • Arms proliferation fuels insecurity, says IGP

    THE Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has attributed the insecurity in the country to the proliferation of small arms caused by poor border management.

    The IGP said the arms enter the country through the borders. He urged the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to identify the actors and stop their activities.

    Adamu also expressed worry that the signing of the African Free Trade Agreement within the ECOWAS framework could present new sets of security threats in the sub-region.

    The IGP spoke on Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of Interpol Week.

    He said: “Much as the Interpol framework has been helpful in strengthening partnerships among national law enforcement agencies towards addressing the global security question, the issue of border security and management remains a constant threat.

    “On proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the security situation in the country is being fuelled by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which are mostly brought into the country through our borders.

    Read Also: Five facts you may not know about IGP Mohammed Adamu

    “I urge Interpol to come up with a threat assessment of proliferation of light weapons as it affects Nigeria: to identify the root where these arms are coming into Nigeria, the actors involved, and proffer solutions to help us in fighting this scourge in this country.”

    On how Interpol had assisted law enforcement agencies to combat crimes, the police chief said: “In Nigeria, Interpol has been supporting the law enforcement community in diverse ways, particularly in relation to criminal information processing and sharing, and global monitoring and apprehension of criminal elements.

    “The Nigeria Interpol NCB maintains criminal databases in this regard. These include the I24/7 database which is currently being expanded under the Project Gemni with support of the American Government and West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Criminal Data Base, which is being supported by the European Union.

    “These projects are supporting our efforts towards combating cybercrimes, drugs and human trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, armed robbery, car-jacking, fraud, environmental crimes, kidnapping for ransom, violent extremism, and terrorism.”

    Police Affairs Minister Mohammed Dingyadi described the current security situation in the country as complex and dynamic.

    The minister said countries must collaborate to defeat those bent on destabilising the national and global security order.

    He said: “Crime is a dynamic and increasingly complex phenomenon which transcends national boundaries. It is imperative that countries build and continually strengthen partnerships towards presenting a united front to defeat common enemies that are bent on destabilising the national and global security order.”

     

     

  • Duty or extortion?

    HOW do you interpret this: a local government council office charging law-abiding citizens, driving there for legitimate business, for parking space?

    Shouldn’t a council have a parking lot?  Is not having one a legit way to raise revenue?  Or a brazen effort to extort the very citizens that voted the council chair and his councillors to office?

    Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu must hear this!

    It was about 9 am on Friday, August 9.  Some workers at the FRSC office, at the Itire Area Office, Mushin Local Government, off the Cele Bus stop, on the Mile 2-Oshodi Expressway, had alerted Hardball that his renewed driver’s licence might be ready for pick-up.

    So, to that office Hardball drove, only to be stopped at the gate, by some council(?) officials.  What for?  You could not enter the yard, they claimed, until you pay a parking fee of N200!

    They pointed at a small banner hung on the gate: “Car Park: for a Trip — Pay & Park”, the banner announced, with the full complement of the council’s logo.

    In the ensuing exchange, one of the officials, a female, politely explained that the council had firmed the park-and-pay business to a private operator.

    After much resistance, some gruff, thuggish and loutish-looking fellows boasted to puncture the tyre of anyone that entered the council yard without paying the new levy.  Eventually, they prevailed, thereafter issuing an analogue receipt for N200.

    Now, is this legit revenue raising?  Or unconscionable extortion of citizens, suggesting deep contempt for the same people that voted the council officials into office?

    That is the question begging for the governor’s attention.

  • Economic activities stalled at Seme border

    ECONOMIC activities were at the lowest ebb on Monday at the Seme-Krake border.

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) scanner section at the border post remained closed, while petrol attendants at the ConOil filling station had little to do.

    For over eight hours our correspondent spent at the border, men of the NCS, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the police and Army thoroughly searched the few vehicles and passengers that plied the route.

    At the Gbaji checkpoint, long queues of vehicles, arising from the intensive checks, were sighted.

    A visit to the ECOWAS building in Seme revealed the extremely low level of economic activities. At the Immigration section of the building, less than 15 travellers were seen processing their travel documents, either into or out of the country.

    Pedestrians attempting to go through the border without valid travel documents were turned back at both ends.

    Still, over 1,000 trucks conveying various goods were seen parked at the huge landmass around the ECOWAS building.

    The trucks were awaiting clearance but for the restriction of movement at the border.

    A truck driver Ibrahim Zana said he and his colleagues haD been stranded at the border since the restriction of movement started.

    He added that one of his colleagues needed medical attention but could not get it because they had run out of cash.

    At the scanning section of the NCS, not a single consignment was seen; just as trucks parked at the examination bay of the service were left unattended to. Banking activities at the border also suffered.

    With no duties to be paid and travel restricted, the First Bank at the border remained virtually on holiday.

    Checks across the border towards the Krake (Benin Republic) end, also showed inactivity on the side.

    A Nigerian traveller from Togo, after completing his documentation at the Immigration point, told The Nation that business activities from Togo were at a standstill.

    The traveller, who spoke in confidence, said several trucks were parked at the entry points of Togo and Benin Republic, waiting to enter Nigeria with their consignments.

    Read Also: Customs intercepts elephant tusks, buffalo horns, others

    Top security sources at the Seme-Krake border told our correspondent that the current situation further showed that Nigeria is the main economic backbone of its neighbours.

    For instance, the sources said the ripple effect of the border closure in Nigeria had taken a toll on the price of petrol in Benin Republic to about 150 per cent.

    Asked to assess the economic implications of the movement restriction, another security officer at Seme, who craved for anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media, said security matters supersede economic considerations.

    “We won’t trade our security for economic reasons. Look at what is happening all over the country in the area of security. We have been too lenient as a country because of our African brotherhood belief that we carry on our head. In fact, this ECOWAS protocol agreement the country signed years ago needs to be revisited because it is not skewed in our favour as a country,” the source said.

    At 6:15 p.m on Monday, our correspondent was denied entry into Nigeria by men of the NIS. This happened after he had identified himself and explained his mission at the border.

    It was with the intervention of a senior immigration officer he was allowed to leave the border post.

    This is because men of the NIS at the entry point into Nigeria refused to grant access to travellers with valid travel documents on the grounds that the borders were shut between 6 a.m and 6 p.m daily until further notice.

     

  • US Embassy increases visa issuance fees

    From Thursday, Nigerians applying for American visas will have to pay increased issuance fee, or reciprocity fee, for all approved applications for non immigrant visas in B, F, H1B, I, L, and R visa classifications.

    This was announced by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) U.S. Consulate General in a statement on Tuesday.

    It said: “The reciprocity fee will be charged in addition to the non-immigrant visa application fee of 160 dollars also known as the MRV fee, which all applicants pay at the time of application.

    “Nigerian citizens whose applications for a non-immigrant visa are denied will not be charged the new reciprocity fee.  Both reciprocity and MRV fees are non-refundable, and their amounts vary based on visa classification.

    “Nigerians, who are issued tourist visa will now pay 270 dollars.

    “U.S. law requires U.S. visa fees and validity periods to be based on the treatment afforded to U.S. citizens by foreign governments, insofar as possible.

    “Visa issuance fees are implemented under the principle of reciprocity: when a foreign government imposes additional visa fees on U.S. citizens, the United States will impose reciprocal fees on citizens of that country for similar types of visas.  Nationals of a number of countries worldwide are currently required to pay this type of fee after their non immigrant visa application is approved.

    “The total cost for a U.S. citizen to obtain a visa to Nigeria is currently higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the United States.  The new reciprocity fee for Nigerian citizens is meant to eliminate that cost difference.

    “Since early 2018, the U.S. government has engaged the Nigerian government to request that the Nigerian government change the fees charged to U.S. citizens for certain visa categories.

    “After eighteen months of review and consultations, the government of Nigeria has not changed its fee structure for U.S. citizen visa applicants, requiring the U.S. Department of State to enact new reciprocity fees in accordance with our visa laws.

    “The reciprocity fee will be required for all Nigerian citizens worldwide, regardless of where they are applying for a non-immigrant visa to the United States.

    “The reciprocity fee is required for each visa that is issued, which means both adults and minors whose visa applications are approved will be charged the reciprocity fee.

    “The fee can only be paid at the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General.  The reciprocity fee cannot be paid at banks or any other location.

    “The complete reciprocity fee schedule, organized by visa classification, can be found below.

     

     

    		 Class Reciprocity Fee
    B1 $110
    B2 $110
    B1/B2 $110
    F1

    F2

    		 $110

    $110
    H1B

    H4

    		 $180

    $180
    I $210
    L1

    L2

    		 $303

    $303
    R1

    R2

    		 $80

    $80

    The reciprocity tables displayed on travel.state.gov will be updated to reflect the changes above.