The Nation Newspaper

Tag: officers

  • Union of officers’ kids

    Union of officers’ kids

    The cream of the society turned out last Saturday for the wedding of Idris Olabode, son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and Aminat Aderonke, daughter of former State Security Service (SSS) Director Col. Kayode Are in Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE and OMOLARA OGUNWALE were there.

    It was a wedding of children of military chiefs. The groom, Idris Olabode, is son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye and the bride, Aminat Aderonke, is daughter of former Director of State Security Service (SSS) Col. Kayode Are. Their fathers’ friends, colleagues and associates came to share in their joy.

    The Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos was packed full of dignitaries from far and near.

    Aminat, in her white flowing gown and silver earrings, was a beauty to behold. Idris looked radiant in his black suit, white shirt, pink tie and a pair of black shoes to match.

    The reception hall was decorated in various colours of satin material. Big flower vases were placed at strategic positions. Ushers in black and pink gowns led guests into the hall.

    Guests took their seats hours before the couple’s arrival.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola arrived early and went round interacting with guests before the couple’s arrival.

    There was no dull moment; guests were entertained by the Shuga Band. Guests nodded their heads in rhythm to the music.

    The couple arrived in a white Infinity Limousine with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They moved straight to sign the dotted lines at a makeshift registry inside the hotel.

    The bridal train made a grand entry into the reception hall, coming in in a lift.

    The bridesmaids wore pink gowns; the groom’s men were in grey suit, white shirt and pink tie. They danced into the hall.

    The guests, who were eager to catch a glimpse of the couple were surprised not to see them in the train. As they were stil wondering what is happening, the lovebirds entered through the back door to take their seats. They danced to the amusement of the gathering before sitting down.

    The couple’s parents were dressed in wine Aso Oke and cream lace with matching caps and head gears. They danced into the hall to be introduced to the guests.

    The duo of Okundalaiye Ayodele and TEE-A, a comedian anchored the ceremony.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun chaired the occasion. It began with prayers by Dr Segun Akintoye and Alhaji Ahmed Agbaje.

    Amosun enjoined the couple to love each other and be wary of external interference in their affairs.

    “To Aderonke, as from today, your husband is now your dad, respect him; Bode, your wife is now your sister, mum and everything to you; you will both give birth to male and female children,” he said.

    After his speech, Amosun called Fashola, who he referred to as “Class Captain” to supervise the cutting of the cake.

    Fashola joked with guests as he moved to the cake stand. Before performing the function, he urged the couple to love each other and to hold on firmly to Allah.

    He led the gathering to spell LOVE before the couple cut the cake.

    The couple took to the stage to feed each other in their first assignment. Then came dancing time. The bride and her father took the centre stage for the first dance. They were sprayed crisp new naira notes.

    The couple danced their hearts out amid spraying of naira notes by guests.

    The toast was made by Seyi Liz Kanu. He described the groom as friendly.

    Aminat described the day as her happiest, referring to her husband as “a wonderful man”.

    “It is a wonderful day, I am happy and I thank God for this, am very lucky to meet him; he is wonderful,” she said.

    Idris thanked Allah for the day’s success.

    In attendance were former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Jonah; President Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Forte Oil, Mr Femi Otedola; Chief Obafemi Olopade; Olorogun-Ide of Lagos, Chief Ismail Oladehinde Folaji; Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Adesoji Ajayi Bembe and Oluwo Jakande of Lagos, Chief Ibikunle Bailey led the white cap chiefs; Yeye Oge of Badagry Kingdom, Mrs Lara Senami Adeniji Adele-Awhligan; Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Kwara State, Oba Abdulrasaq Adedayo Abioye; Chief Executive of Obasky Estate in Lekki, Chief Gbenga Obasa; Prof Dapo Afolabi; Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade; Dr Segun Awolowo among others.

     

  • Trustfund educates desk officers on best pension practices

    Trustfund educates desk officers on best pension practices

    Trustfund Pensions Plc has organised an interactive session for private and public organisations’ Pension Desk Officers on the implementation of best practices in deduction and remittances of workers’ pension contributions.

    The session, a collaborative one with Trustfund and Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited, held in Abuja. It was attended by desk officers drawn from all states of the northcentral geopolitical zone.

    Trustfund Pensions Chief Compliance Officer, Rachael Obi, who anchored the event, said it became necessary because of the prevailing “knowledge gap” between operators and employers remitting contributions on a monthly basis.

    Obi said mistakes made at the point of depositing contributors’ funds in the banks, meant that such contributors may face challenges upon retirement when they want to access their savings.

    “We want a situation where  we can reconcile our accounts everyday. We want to be able to operate like the banks in this regard. That is what prompted us to bring our desk officers,” she said.

    She added that the interaction was to create an avenue for the sensitisation of employers on modalities for remittance of contributions and other pension issues affecting individual contributions.

    “It will also educate employers on their regulatory responsibilities in accordance with the Pension Reforms Act of 2014 and to minimise the growth of un-reconciled contributions and transitional contributory funds,” she said.

  • NBA section elects new officers

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) has elected new officers and members pof governing council to run its affairs for the next two years.

    The election took place in Owerri, Imo State capital during the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    The new officers are Mr. Asue Ighodalo (Chairman), Mr. Olumide  Akpata (Vice chairman), Mr. Seni Adio (Secretary) and Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh (Treasurer).

    Mrs. Funmi Roberts, Mr. Chuka Agbu (SAN),  Mr. Moyosore  Onigbanjo (SAN), Mr. Ayuli Jemide, Mr. Mena Ajakpovi, Mrs. Funke Agbor, Mr. Soji Awogbade, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu were elected as council members.

    Immediate past chairman, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, thanked the members for the massive support given to him during his tenure.

    He urged them to support the new  executive, and expressed confidence that the with the smooth transition, the new officers and council members would fly the section’s flag and achieve its aims and objectives.

    Oyebode said he has no doubt that if given the desired support, the Ighdalo led exco will surpass  the achievements of the past administration.

    He said Ighodalo was part and parcel of the past executive,  and was in fact one of the engines that powered his administration.

  • Soldiers relish new Officers’ Mess

    Soldiers relish new Officers’ Mess

    Professionally, they are saddled with defending the country against external aggression. They are also called to assist should there be any internal insurrection that may lead to the breakdown of law and order. Though they are soldiers, they are also social beings.

    In peace time, they socialise with family members, friends and associates. After the day’s work, they relax and, most times, make merry at their recreation centre known as Officers’ Mess.

    However, the facility became decrepit and there was the need for a new and befitting one. Happily, a modern facility has been built for the comfort of the soldiers. It was inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Kenneth Minimah.

    Its inauguration at the headquarters of the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Imo State, was a proof that, for the Army, it is not just fighting and warfare as portrayed by their mien. The Officers’ Mess, built at the centre of the headquarters’ premises, has all the trappings of a first-class relaxation centre.

    Speaking during the inauguration, the President of the Mess Committee, Col. A.T Adedoja, said the construction of the Officers’ Mess began few years ago but was delayed as a result of the death of the contractor. The situation, he said, stalled the work.

    He noted that the Mess was built with the best quality finishing which will provide maximum comfort and serving as a perfect relaxation centre for officers.

    He said: “It took the dexterity and commitment of the Commander, Brigadier General Lanre Bello to complete and equip the Officers’ Mess. It was also made possible through the assistance of friends of the Command who had donated generously towards the building of the edifice.

    “We are appealing to the authority and other public-spirited Nigerians to assist the Command in offsetting the remaining cost incurred in furnishing the Mess with first-class furniture and electronic gadgets.”

    Declaring the Officers’ Mess open, Lt.-Gen. Minimah, who was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Enugu and other top military officers, praised the Command for achieving the feat, noting that it would go a long way in assisting the officers in relaxing after their daily routine.

    He further said soldiers should make out time to relax and socialise with one other in order to promote cohesion and unity.

    In a chat with reporters shortly after the inauguration of the facility, the Army boss, who was on a familiarisation tour of the 82 Division, said the Army is winning the war against terrorism.

    He also allayed the fears of Nigerians in the Southeast over possible infiltration by members of Boko Haram sect, adding that the few security threat recorded in the zone may not be connected with the insurgents.

    The Army boss noted that the two incidents in Imo and Abia states allegedly linked to the Islamic Sect may have been the handiwork of some elements within the zone which wanted to take advantage of the insurgency in the country to cause mischief.

    “What happened at the Winners Chapel Church in Imo and the arrest made in Abia State cannot be totally blamed on the insurgents because some mischievous elements can be making bombs to cause trouble and make it seem as if Boko Haram had carried out the action.

    “Some elements within the states may want to cause problem. Some mischief makers might want to take advantage of the insurgency in the country to foment trouble. But the Military is ready to check all forms of security threats,” Minimah said.

  • NFF to sweep away corrupt officers

    Acting president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mike Umeh has exclusively told supersport.com that he will lead the fight to rid Nigerian football of “all corrupt officers.”

    Erstwhile president of the NFF, Aminu Maigari was on Thursday impeached “on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.”

    Umeh, who took the reins following Maigari’s fall from grace says the move to rid the Glass House of “individuals of questionable character is ongoing as we look to repair the damage done to Nigerian football.”

    “We want to assure Nigerians that we will not relent in adopting due process in showing corrupt officers of the NFF the way out. I can state through this medium without fear or favour that the procedure of kicking out individuals of questionable character is ongoing as we look to repair the damage done to Nigerian football.

    “That is my immediate mandate. We are not small boys. We know what to do,” he told supersport.com on Thursday.

    Umeh will preside over the affairs of the NFF, pending the composition of the new NFF Executive Committee after the elections of Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

  • 33 Immigration officers promoted in Enugu

    The Nigerian Immigration Service, Enugu State command has decorated 33 newly promoted officers of the command.

    The comptroller, Enugu State Command, Ibrahim Bashiru Ismail while speaking at the event, said that the 33 officers were among the over 700 officers that were recently promoted nationwide by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    The comptroller stated that the promotion of these officers was based on merit, effectiveness, loyalty and hardwork.

    He praised the present administration for its spirited efforts to encourage officers who work hard by the promotion, even as he advised the promoted officers to justify the promotions by working harder.

    He told the decorated officers that: “to whom much is given, much is expected; now you need to do more as gallant officers”.

    He went further to advice other officers who were not among the promoted ones to keep working hard and waits for their time, which he said would come at the appointed time.

    The Enugu State Director of State Security Mr. Victor Duru who was in attendance congratulated the newly promoted and decorated officers and urged them to give their all to the command.

    He stated that both the promoted officers and those that were yet to be promoted should ensure they work selflessly to support the Nigerian Immigration and the country especially now that the country has numerous security challenges.

    The Enugu State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Adamu Abubakar who also spoke at the event, stated that “this occasion is very great, it is something to celebrate.  Officers are always encouraged to do more by promotion, and I advice them not to relax, now is when they are expected to even work harder”.

    The Commissioner of Police also said that promotion which is based on merit and performance is done cadre by cadre and no officer can be promoted above his seniors or when it’s not yet their turn and therefore urge the yet to be promoted officers to exercise patience keep working hard and wait for their time.

    One of the newly promoted officers Mrs. Chinenye Emelemmadu, who was promoted from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Immigration to the rank of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration while expressing her joy thanked the immigration service for what she called an honour, and promised to work as hard as her new rank requires.

     

  • Suspense as NBA elects officers today

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will today in Abuja elect new officers to run its affairs for the next two years. The new officers will be sworn in  on August 31 when the tenure of the incumbent administration will end.

    Apart from the normal anxiety that characterises such elections, today’s election  is expected to throw up a lot of surprises because of intrigues in the build up to the election.

    At the last NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja,  NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) announced the constitution of an electoral committee,  with Okey Amechi (SAN) as the chairman and Mrs. Sefiya  Balarebe as secretary. He also lifted ban on campaigns and rolled out the time table and guidelines  for the Bar elections.

    The guidelines state that nomination shall open from  May 1, and close on  May 31; and that nomination papers shall be enclosed in sealed envelopes and addressed to the secretary of the committee to reach her on or before May 31.

    Screening of nominated candidates by the Electoral Committee took place on July 7 at the National Secretariat of the Association.

    A full list of properly nominated candidates was to be exhibited at a conspicuous place or notice board in or around the Delegates’ Conference Hall not later than a day before the election.

    The guidelines also provided that there would be no pasting of posters, Billboard, Hand bills or any form of campaign materials whatsoever; no souvenirs or gift of any sort is allowed.

    The candidates for the presidency are Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), Mr Osas Erhabor, Mr Augustin Alegeh (SAN) and Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN).

    Following the lack of consensus candidate from the Southwest where the election is zoned to, voters will decide who among the candidates will lead the association.

  • Law School ‘89 set elects officers

    Law School ‘89 set elects officers

    The 1989 set of the Nigerian Law School has elected officers to run its affairs. The election took place during their maiden reunion dinner, which was held 24 years after leaving the institution.

    A member and one of the organisers, Mr. Emeka Albert, was elected chairman.

    He said it was a thing of joy that what they dreamt of – forming an association that would take care of their interests – is beginning to take shape.

    He said: “Last year at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA ) Annual General Conference in Calabar, I saw a younger set of about 10 years at the bar doing something great and it struck my mind that we have not been able to conclude arrangements to organise our set. Consequently, the sense of urgency was came in though there were initial hiccups and challenges along the way but thank God we were able to overcome them and here we are today, we have come to be.”

    Albert reminded the class that with over 2000 of them at the Nigerian Law School then, they should now be able to do something meaningful in the country.

    On the election, Albert said it was urgent because the interim executive which organised the dinner had been acting without authority.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who is a member of the class, commended the effort made to bring members of the class together, 24 years after graduation.

    “Now among us you have big time lawyers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, captains of the industry, directors, general managers , company secretaries, Attorneys-General, Judges and so on. In fact, members of the 89 set are playing great roles in the development of our country and going further, we will play greater roles.

    “What is important is to make things to work,” while commending Albert for his efforts in putting the class together for the dinner.

    “What is important is that he had an idea, he set out to deliver it and here we are,” Ipaye added

    Apart from Albert, other members of the interim co-ordinating committee include Mr. Osuala Emma Nwagbara and Mrs. Anaesthesia Gbem.

    They are to co-ordinate the affairs of the class, mid wife national chapters in the six geo-political zones of the country, plan and organise the 25-year anniversary.

  • Rumbling in Bayelsa LGs over redeployment of senior officers

    Crisis is brewing in the eight local government areas in Bayelsa State following a decision by the state government to tinker with the composition of the senior cadre of the system , investigation by The Nation has revealed.

    Senior officials of the local councils are at loggerheads with the government over the decision which they described as a contravention of the existing rules in the civil service.

    Investigations revealed that the government adopted a policy of removing senior officials of the local councils and replacing them with junior workers.

    The senior officials from grade 14 and above were withdrawn from their offices and directed to report at the headquarters of the Local Government Civil Service Commission in Yenagoa.

    Directors, heads of personnel management and treasurers were said to have been mostly affected by the development.

    It was learnt that their offices were immediately occupied by junior workers from grade level nine.

    One of the aggrieved officials who was removed as a Director of Finance accused the government of high-handedness.

    The official, who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation, said it was an insult to allow a grade level nine worker take over his office.

    “This is an insult. This kind of thing has never happened anywhere. Right now, l don’t have any work to do despite my wealth of experience, “he said.

    But a beneficiary of the new policy who was elevated as a Head of Personnel Management defended the civil service commission, saying it acted within their mandates.

    But the policy, it was observed, had unsettled the system with the aggrieved officials calling for the intervention of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees.

    Acting on numerous calls and Save our Soul (SoS) messages by the workers, the national secretariat of NULGE sent a team to investigate the matter.

    Members of the team, led by the union’s Vice-President, South-south, Dr. Jones Offunne, were said to have stormed Yenagoa to probe the alleged irregularities.

    Ofunne, told The Nation that the team had concluded its investigation.

    He condemned the action of the commission and said it acted without respect to the laws governing the civil service.

    When contacted, the permanent secretary in the commission, Chief Suru Oyarede, described the deployment as mere posting, which he said was in line with the mandate of the commission.

     

  • Yobe JTF decorates promoted officers

    FOURTEEN officers of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Security Task Force in Yobe State were yesterday decorated with their new ranks in Damaturu, the state capital.

    The event, which took place at the headquarters of the JTF, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. AbubakarAliyu, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Isa Bello Damchua and other security chiefs in the State.

    Aliyu, who represented Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, described the promotion as “hard-earned through hard work and discipline.”

    He called on the officers to be patient with the people in their operation.

    Commander of the JTF in the state and the Commanding Officer 241 RECCE Batallion, Nguru, Col. Ibrahim Ali, charged the newly promoted officers to consider their promotion as a challenge for higher responsibilities in the operations.

    He noted that the promotion will boost their morale in the operation of the fight against terrorism in the state, expressing delight for having such a huge number of officers promoted under him.