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  • Ex-Lagos Perm Sec dies in London

    Ex-Lagos Perm Sec dies in London

    A retired Permanent Secretary/Tutor-General in the Lagos State Ministry of Education Alhaja Teslimat Mosunmola Akinwade is dead.

    Alhaja Akinwande who passed on in London penultimate Monday was 55.

    At a prayer held for her in her Agege residence same Monday evening, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) and LAHA Chief Imam, Hon. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef said the nation has lost a great woman.

    He described her as a committed and devouted Muslim.

    “Alhaja Akinwade,” he said, “had a keen taste for decency, honesty and integrity in following the injunctions of Allah and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. She was a community developer who brought about peaceful co-existence among members of her community and she always interacted well with the needy. She was also committed to learning more about her religion. She was a role model to a lot of people”

    He prayed Allah to forgive her sins and grant her Jannah (paradise).

    Abdullateef urged Muslims to always do good deeds bearing in mind that death is certain.

    The former lawmaker told the congregation that the purpose of creation is to worship Allah.

    “We are all going to become history one day and after a while, people would stop talking about us. Always seek repentance no matter how much your sins are. Allah always forgives for His mercy prevails over His wrath,” he said.

    The deceased former Personal Assistant, Mr Sulaiman Ogunmuyiwa described her as an extraordinarily good person.

    “I worked with her from 2005 to 2009 and I cannot think of any fault in her actions. She was always ready to assist people and touched lives of many. Her humility in discharging her duties was unequalled,” Ogunmuyiwa said.

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit in a condolence message also prayed Allah forgive her, shower His mercy on her and place her among the righteous.

    A statement by the Amir (President) Kaamil Kalejaiye said:“Alhaja Akinwande is no more but her righteousness and doggedness for Islam and Muslim remain and will be remembered; what do you want to be your remain after your demise? My brethren, let fear Allah and be righteous both in the open and secret.”

    Kalejaiye called on people in governance to emulate the deceased’s simple lifestyle and accountability.

  • Woman perm sec wins varsity award

    Woman perm sec wins varsity award

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has presented an award of excellence, regarded as the Union’s highest, to Dame Ifeyinwa Nwoko, Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Finance, for her contributions in advancing the course of women.

    Presenting the award, SSANU chairman, Comrade Loveth Chisaa Ekwemalor, said it was in recognition of the recipient’s unique administrative acumen and for distinguishing herself in her career.

    She said that her remarkable achievement in the service of Abia State, especially under the administration of Governor Theodore Orji, is a pride to women.

    According to her, the FUTO branch of SSANU, diligently searched and identified Dame Nwoko, who she referred to as “Jewel of inestimable value” and “deemed it wise to bestow on her SSANU highest award”.

    She added further that the award was to propel the recipient to greater heights and to encourage other women who may come in contact with her, adding that people should use their positions to affect lives in all circumstances of life.

    Responding, the highly elated recipient, dedicated the award to the Abia State government and Governor Orji, who she said has continued to inspire her through his commitment to the development of the state.

     

  • Students explain award on Perm Sec’

    Students explain award on Perm Sec’

    When you give honour to the deserving, it is a vital incentive for others to work honestly for it and our society is better for it. And by so doing, we are part of the overall efforts to rebuild the society.”

    With these words, the President, Students’ Union Government (SUG), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Comrade Ganiyu Salvador, explained why the union conferred “Ambassador” of the institution on the Permanent Secretary/Auditor-General for Local Governments in the state, Alhaji Mubashiru M. Hassan.

    Salvador and other executive members of the union presented the plaque to Hassan, who is a former student and lecturer at the institution, at his Ikeja office last week.

    The students’ leader, who said some of them were not born in 1986 when Hassan left the school, explained that the Auditor-General made his mark in the institution.

    “M.M Hassan has remained a household name in the institution till date. When we did our home work as to why it is so, we came to an inspiring conclusion that the man is an epitome of service and a dependable ex-student of the prestigious institution.

    “It, therefore, dawned on us that it would be an unforgivable disservice to the spirit of our dear school and the future of our fatherland should we fail to recognise the exemplary contributions of the few like our own M.M Hassan. If such people are honestly honoured, others like them will naturally be propelled to do more in the interest of the school and the society at large,” he said.

  • Alleged N46b fraud: EFCC arraigns perm sec, others

    Alleged N46b fraud: EFCC arraigns perm sec, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a suspended Permanent Secretary, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, and six others, for allegedly stealing N46 billion from police pension funds.

    The seven suspects appeared before Justice Hussain Baba of an Abuja High Court on an amended 18 counts charge of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy involving N46 billion.

    One of the suspects, who was absent during the previous arraignment, Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang, had her plea taken yesterday.

    Supporters of one of the suspects manhandled some photographers who attempted to take her photograph after the proceedings.

    According to the EFCC, “Attang, who was absent in court when the others were first arraigned, was in charge of the police pension fund when N7.8 billion was stolen through 10,863 cheques.”

    “She was also discovered to have personally signed 1,042 cheques to the tune of N1, 141,309,080.25.

    “Investigation revealed that Mrs. Attang used several companies to defraud the Police Pension Office,” the commission said.

    Some of the companies, which she allegedly used, are: Royal Diadem Business Logistic Limited, Amazing Grace Property Development Company, Enyiuzo Ventures Limited, Status Symbols Rentals Limited, Status Travels and Tours Limited, Quillponte and Anifon Nigeria Limited.

    Other accused persons, besides Kigo and Attang, are Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.

    The 18-count (amended) charge is punishable under sections 97 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The suspects had earlier been arraigned alongside convicted pension thief John Yusuf before Justice Mohammed Talba.

    However, as a result of that uproar that greeted the sentence meted out to Yusuf, the EFCC withdrew the trial of the remaining suspects from Justice Talba.

    Justice Talba sentenced Yusuf to two years imprisonment, but gave him the option of a N750,000 fine.

    The sentence infuriated many and drew uncomplimentary remarks both from within and outside the country against the judiciary.

    The development caused the trial of the alleged pension thieves to be re-assigned to Justice Hussain Baba.

    Count one of the amended charge alleged that the suspects conspired between January 2008 and June 2011, to do an illegal act, to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of N20.155 billion, an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    The court fixed their trial for June 3 and 4, 2013.

    Justice Talba said the bail granted the accused persons by the former judge should continue to run since they had complied with the conditions.

    “In the same vein, the sixth accused (Attang) is granted bail on the same terms and conditions with other accused persons,” the judge said.

    The indication given by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), not to oppose bail application, bearing in mind the fact that the case was transferred cleared the way for the accused person temporary freedom.

    Justice Baba adjourned to June 3 and 4 for trial.

    Outside the courtroom, a big drama was on. Relations of one of the suspects — Mrs Onyegbula—beat up some journalists trying to take her photograph after the proceedings.

    Those manhandled include Femi Ipaye (TheNews), Jide Oyekunle (Daily Independent) and Rotimi Ósasona of National Mirror.

    Osasona’s camera was damaged.