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Tag: SGF

  • SGF, others receive bodies at National Hospital

    SGF, others receive bodies at National Hospital

    The Federal Government confirmed the death of the Minister when Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal received the body of the late Minister, that of his wife and son at the National Hospital in Abuja.

    The SGF told reporters that the accident which claimed the life of the minister and his family occurred at about 3.00pm.

    The Minister was said to have travelled to Kaduna to attend a church programme and was returning to Abuja when the accident occurred.

    The SGF said: “I will like to confirm that at about 3 pm today, the Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi was involved in a motor vehicle accident along Kaduna-Abuja road. In this accident, the minister lost his life, his son also lost his life and the wife also lost her life. It is a very sad day indeed for Nigerians.

    “This thing has never happened and the President is in shock. All members of the Federal Executive Council are in shock and indeed, all Nigerians are in shock. We commiserate with Nigerians. The President wants us to extend his condolences to Nigerians, the people of Kogi and the immediate family of James Ocholi.

    “Personally, I have known James Ocholi for more than 20 years. We have been friends both in politics and in Christian circle and I am indeed personally saddened that I cannot begin to express the grief that we all face.

    “Now, the bodies have been recovered and deposited in the mortuary and we are waiting for the immediate family and the Kogi State Government for the next line of action. May God comfort all of us”.

    Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige described the death as shocking, adding that he was overwhelmed with shock

    The Minister in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Nwachukwu Ngige, described Ocholi as an “industrious servant of our dear.” In him, the Ministry of labour and Employment, lost such an invaluable intellectual.

    “Personally, I lost a competent colleague and a friend. What a vanity this life is!  What an emptiness; what a nothingness we are! I pray that God Almighty, Himself, the author of all creations would give eternal rest to Ocholi, his wife and son. What a sad day”

    Senator Dino Melaye said: “I am shocked, I am still in shock and in pains. I spoke with him this morning and we agreed that we were going to have a chat when he comes back from Kaduna. We have lost somebody, we have lost a great Nigerian; we have lost an intellectual and lawyer. We have lost a great Kogite. I am shocked.”

    The bodies of the late minister and his son whose name and age could not be confirmed arrived the National Hospital in a Federal Road Safety Corps ambulance with registration number AO1-637RS  at about6.48pm and were deposited at the mortuary.

    The ambulance was accompanied by another FRSC escort pick-up van with registration number A01 736RS.

    The body of the. Minister’s wife who died later at the Doka Rural hospital along the Kaduna Abuja road also arrived the hospital at about 7.47 pm in a Kaduna state government ambulance with registration number BK563DKA. It  was also received by the SGF

    Scores of sympathisers were at the hospital. Road safety officials told our reporter that five of them were traveling in the Lexus SUV to Abuja when it had a tyre bust causing the vehicle to summersault several times.

    Those at the National Hospital include Minister of Works, Housing and power, Babatunde Fashola, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello,Federal lawmakers as well as friends and relations of the minister.

    Others were Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, FCT Commissioner of Police, Minister of Environment Aisha Mohammed, among others.

     

  • SGF inaugurates projects in Ebonyi

    SGF inaugurates projects in Ebonyi

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has inaugurated some projects executed by Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi.

    Lawal, who was on a one-day visit to the state, was so impressed with the Umahi progress story that he joked saying he was surprised people like the governor were in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said Umahi’s achievement was a challenge to all governors, including those of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said he would recommend Umahi’s ‘pragmatic type of governance’ to President Muhammadu Buhari, since according to him, it should be  a model for other governors to emulate.

    The SGF said, “Governor David Umahi has performed more than what we see others do in the last six months.  I will tell Mr. President that this state is a model of development for our country.”

    Turning to the   governor, he jokingly added, ”Sometimes, we get surprised that people like you are found in the PDP but there is a cliche that says good men are found everywhere.

    “We like such people but we will not envy them if they remain in PDP because they also challenge APC governors to perform. That is the essence of opposition and competition in politics.”

    The SGF   applauded the prudence and integrity with which Umahi was managing the lean resources available to the state.‘

    Lawal,  who appealed to all Ebonyians, members of the State House of Assembly and the Executive  to continue to cooperate with the  governor to enable him do more, stated  that “with the governor’s performances so far, he will win his election for a second term if in the APC.”   The SGF had inspected some projects in Abakaliki, including flyovers under construction and inaugurated the CBN Road in the Centenary city.

    At one of the sites, Lawal, who was in company with the Ministers of State for Niger Delta and Labour and Productivity, Bar. James Ochili and Dr. Cladius Daramola,observed that the cost of the three flyovers  was an  indication  that “the governor belongs to a cream of leaders in the country who are not greedy and corrupt.”

    Lawal, who was honoured with a Chieftaincy of ENYIOMA of Ebonyi State by the state Traditional Rulers Council, noted that his visit to the state was not for politics, but as a functionary of the Federal Government.

    He assured that he would assist in facilitating the Federal Government’s refund to the state of the over N10bn spent on the construction of federal roads in the state.

    Speaking at a state Banquet, Umahi said   the appointment of   Lawal as SGF was an act of God.

  • SGF: corruption is Buhari’s govt greatest problem

    SGF: corruption is Buhari’s govt greatest problem

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal has said “corruption” is the main opposition that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration faces today and not any political party.

    He made the remark while receiving a delegation of a Coalition of Progressive Parties, led by Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf Bashir of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

    According to him, the unusual opposition has enormous resources to launch a propaganda war.

    But he assured the delegation that the government would prevail.

    Lawal said the war would be won also “because the people and God are behind the Buhari administration”.

    Lawal, in a statement by his Director of Press, Bolaji Adebiyi, said the Federal Government was focused on good governance.

    He reiterated his support for Ebonyi State for its impressive development, despite being in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Bashir said Buhari “is a honest and just leader who will ensure Nigerians enjoy the change he promised”.

    He congratulated the administration for the efforts  in fighting corruption.

    Bashir pledged the support of parties in the coalition, stressing that their position was driven by patriotism.

    He said emphasis must be placed on the administration’s ethical revolution so that Nigerians could own the change agenda.

     

  • Buhari, Tinubu have same character, says SGF Lawal

    Buhari, Tinubu have same character, says SGF Lawal

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, an Engineer, yesterday described  President Muhammadu Buhari and a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as selfless and generous leaders whose commitment to the  good of all is legendary.

    The duo, Lawal said at a thanksgiving service at ECWA Church, Wuse, Abuja on his recent appointment, share a passion for serving humanity.

    The SGF who is a long standing friend of the President said he has learned the value of loyalty and the virtues of integrity and love from Buhari.

    He also said that the president could be extremely emotional, especially if he finds people suffering.

    He said the country is in safe hands under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, adding: “The country is in safe hands and we will try our best to deliver the change the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised Nigerians, we have no time to waste in ensuring this.” he said.

    He also said that the ministerial nominees would do well to advance the course of the nation and the people once they assume office.

    He said Tinubu is selfless and generous to a fault.

    “Tinubu made an impression on me, he is generous, he will give you what you require and even more.”

    Tinubu speaking through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the occasion threw his weight behind President Buhari on his appointment of Engineer Lawal as SGF.

    He hailed Lawal’s choice as a step in the right direction and was optimistic that the SGF  would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the office.

    Tinubu extolled Lawal’s qualities, saying that while some of his contemporaries have succumbed to the temptation of illicit wealth and the abuse of power and privilege, he (Lawal) has remained faithful to the course of the nation.

    “If you are looking for a man who is diligent in his work with a keen eye for details and correct process, there is none better than Babachir Lawal,” Tinubu said.

    He added: “He knows this nation and understands its complexities, from the intricacies of our federal bureaucracy to the diversity of our social fabric to the, multiple dimensions of our political dynamics.

    “He is a man well-tailored to fit his position in today’s Nigeria where we find ourselves in a situation not meant for the faint hearted. A situation that requires grit, guts and wisdom.  These attributes, Lawal has in abundance”.

    Tinubu said that despite the qualities the SGF possesses, he has remained humble, a trait he said is rare in the nation’s political climate.

    “He is humble and does not need to see his name in the spotlight. As long as the job is done correctly, he is happy. He does not seek credit even when duly deserved. This humility and self-contentment is not a common thing, especially in the arena of politics and government”.

    He expressed confidence that Lawal will ensure that operations of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will be conducted smoothly and professionally.

    “He will do his utmost to do the best for all of Nigeria. He plays no favorites and is not one to operate under the veil of bias or discrimination. This big often gruff man also has a big heart and that heart is dedicated to good of our beloved land.”

    In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun, called the SGF a man of impeccable character, humble to a fault and “brutally frank and ferocious in defending whatever he believes in.”

     

     

     

  • I was an IDP, says SGF

    I was an IDP, says SGF

    THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal said yesterday that he was an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) for six months in 2014, due to the activity of Boko Haram.

    He spoke at the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja.

    According to him, he lost his home, farmland and cattle when his home town in Adamawa State was attacked by the sect.

    His words:  ”Five local governments in the northern senatorial district (of Adamawa) were completely taken over by insurgents.

    “Two local governments in the central senatorial district – mine and the next one on its way to Yola – were completely taken over by insurgents.

    “My house was the headquarters of one of the Amir or whatever they call themselves. So, for six months, I was an internally displaced person.”

    He added: “Within that period, four people, my younger ones and others were on admission at the hospital in Mubi, the next big town to my own, where there’s some presence of general hospital.

    “When Boko Haram entered Mubi, all the people had to evacuate the hospital and run into the mountains, no matter the degree of your sickness.

     ”My younger brother whose children were in that hospital, was visiting; he had to evacuate. For two weeks, we didn’t know where they were, because they ran into the mountains.

    “The telephones, the base stations had been blown by Boko Haram. In any case, the battery had run out of the telephones. We didn’t know whether they were eating or whether they were dead. We didn’t know where they were.

    “The total number of cattle in my village (where) everybody was a livestock keeper was 385. When people had to run for their lives, the last thing they would think about is cows, goats and chickens.

  • Stop scoring cheap political points with my name – Onu

    Stop scoring cheap political points with my name – Onu

    Former governor of Abia state and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu asked those using his name to score cheap political points to desist from doing so, saying Nigerians must continue to stand firm, resolute and work together in the overall interest of the country.

    Onu who was reacting to reports in the social media quoting him as saying that Buhari had informed him of his intended actions and why he will not be chosen as the SGF prior to the announcement of the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chief of Staff.

    He was also quoted as saying that his house became a Mecca as people seeking favours besieged his house in anticipation of being appointed as the SGF, with the same people deserting his house when he was not given the appointment.

    A statement signed by his former Chief of Staff, Sunny Onyeukwu and made available to The Nation in Abuja reads; “The attention of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has been drawn to a seeming orchestrated campaign apparently originating from the social media to smear his hard earned reputation.

    “On Saturday, August 28, this year, a Facebook broadcast titled “SGF; OGBONNAYA ONU AND VAINGLORIOUS NIGERIANS” allegedly at the instance of one Ajayi Temitope was circulated in the social media without his knowledge and consent.

    “In it, Dr. Onu was falsely and perhaps maliciously credited as having told an unnamed friend of Mr. Ajayi Temitope in a 35minute telephone conversation that prior to the announcement of appointments into the offices of Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among other positions, he (Dr.) Onu was informed by Mr. President of his intended action and why he would not be chosen for appointment as SGF.

    “The Facebook broadcast further falsely credited Dr. Onu with expressing regrets about how his Abuja residence had become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGF and lamented that soon after the announcement was made without his being appointed to serve in the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strong terms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in the Facebook broadcast as no such conversation ever took place between him and our respected Mr. President.

    “He could not have, therefore, communicated a non-existent conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individual on telephone. Accordingly, it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith. Already, Dr. Onu has personally issued a rebuttal on the matter which has been circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30, 2015.

    “However, it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing efforts in some sections of the print and electronic media to further allude to the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifying the proof of its authenticity.

    “Needless to say that such is capable of misleading the general public and by implication, injure the well-known integrity and honour which Dr. Onu holds sacred and guards jealously.  At this juncture, it is important to recall that soon after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015; the social media was awash with the purported “news” of his “appointment” as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “Specifically on May 31, this year, a spurious Twitter account surfaced in his name where he was quoted as having “thanked God and the good people of Nigeria for this opportunity to serve”. This was despite the fact that Dr. Onu does not own or operate a personal Twitter account, thus prompting him to disclaim the broadcast in a Statement dated June 1, 2015, which was circulated in the social media.

    “As one of the founding National Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, it is his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights of citizens to free speech, especially in a democracy.

    “However, in the exercise of such rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure that it is done within the ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth, good conscience and sincerity of purpose.

    “It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights of individuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.

    “Finally, Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together.”

  • Buhari appoints SGF, Chief of Staff

    Buhari appoints SGF, Chief of Staff

    President  Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appointed Babachir David Lawal, an engineer, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, also announced the appointment of  Alhaji Abba Kyari as        Chief of Staff to the President, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi  as the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

    Other appointments include Senator Ita Enang as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), and Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu, SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

    The appointments, the statement said, are with effect from yesterday.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

    “He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja,  Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990.

    “He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the  Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

    “Alhaji Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President, holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology.

    “He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.

    “The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali, holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was  military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.

    “The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi, hails from Nasarawa State.

    “He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration.”

  • ‘Office of SGF was not only about Anyim’

    ‘Office of SGF was not only about Anyim’

    A publisher, Ethelbert Okere, has faulted Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s claim in a lecture that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), under Anyim Pius Anyim, allegedly spent N1.4 billion on computer software.

    Abaribe, who spoke when he delivered  a lecture at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), reportedly said the office got and spent more than was necessary for running it between 2013 and this year.

    In a statement, Okere, a journalist and author, said the SGF’s office was not only about Anyim because it had 13 permanent secretaries.

    He said not a few Nigerians would wonder why Abaribe illustrated his lecture with only what transpired in the SGF’s office.

    According to him, Abaribe was among those who approved the budgets for the SGF’s office, and it is not on record that the senator raised objections to the budgets.

    Okere said the lecture, entitled: Our country, our budgets: A critical analysis of Nigeria’s budgetary system, should not have made only ‘scanty references’ to just one office.

  • ‘Moghalu suitable for SGF’

    ‘Moghalu suitable for SGF’

    A Group known as NESTLE has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider Chief George Moghalu for the position of Secretary to Government Federation (SGF), adding that the office should be held by a core member of the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group said that by doing that the President would have given Ndigbo a sense of belonging and helped to strengthen the APC in the zone in addition to giving it a strong footing ahead of 2019.

    In a statement signed by the leader of the group, Ben Ezinma, it said that the zone parades a galaxy of decent, reputable citizens with strong character and integrity, adding, “No one fits this position better than Chief George Moghalu”.

    He said that Moghalu is one of the national leaders of the party and the best for the SGF position from the Southeast, as he is tested and trusted, ready to work at any given opportunity.

    Ezinma said, “Some of the rare qualities Moghalu which differentiates him from other leaders are his calm disposition, stable character, articulation, disciplined life style, integrity and high spirit of service which a good secretary to any organization must possess.

    His past experiences speak volume of his capacity and competence to function as SGF in this administration. He has served in out of governments in many capacities.

    NESTLE, hereby admonishes President Buhari to consider appointing Moghalu as his SG, a decision the president will never regret. Having served in similar capacity as the national secretary of APP, the office of SGF will be a familiar terrain and environment for him”.

    The group said that Moghalu is like President Buhari, as he maintains a tough stand against corruption, having urged the President to set up Anti Corruption Tribunal for faster, efficient hearing, trial and quick dispensation of justice on corruption related matters.

     

  • APC chieftain backs Ngige for SGF

    APC chieftain backs Ngige for SGF

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State and Businessman, Chief Nnamdi Ezeike,  has urged the party leadership to consider appointing Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, considering that the position has been zoned to the Southeast.

    In a statement in Lagos at the weekend, the APC chieftain said Ngige’s pedigree, loyalty and administrative acumen puts him above other contenders for the seat. He stressed that Ngige is a man of strong intellect, integrity and that he is a loyal party man.

    He said it is in the party’s best interest to appoint someone who is focused and committed to its rules and regulations like Ngige, who has been with the party from inception. He added that he was once a governor, senator, former President of Aka Ikenga among others.