The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SSG

  • Dickson swears in new SSG

    BAYELSA State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has sworn-in Mr. Kemela Okara as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and charged him to bring his wealth of experience to the development of the state. Dickson noted that Okara was not a stranger to the programmes and policies of the administration and should not find it difficult to execute his functions�.

    He urged him to rise above board saying that Okara did not lobby for the job� but was appointed because of his track record in private and public service which he also displayed while serving the state as the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment. The governor expressed confidence in the ability of Okara and reminded him that part of his responsibility would be to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the government for the overall good of people of the state. He noted that the office of the SSG was very sensitive and asked him to learn to keep private matters private while discharging his functions.

  • SSG inaugurates road in Ojodu

    SSG inaugurates road in Ojodu

    Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello yesterday opened Erinosho road in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Bello was assisted by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs Lola Akande, the council chairman, Julius Oloro, Oba Akeem Agbaosi of Ojodu and other council officials to open the road.

    The SSG, who had earlier inspected the road, implored the council chairman to work on the inner streets that link to the road.

    This, he said, will complement the good work the council has done.

    Bello appealed to the residents, community leaders in particular to take ownership of the project.

    According to him, the road can last 20 years if properly maintained.

    “I urged you all to preserve this road. Avoid digging it to lay water pipe. The resources at the council’s disposal cannot cater for all  projects. So, it is the people’s duty to protect government projects in their area,” he said.

    The SSG praised Oloro for carrying out the project and others within his first 100 days in office.

    “I’m not surprised that he has done this within 100 days in office. I knew him before returning for second term. He is a performer and I know he’s going to do more. People should cooperate with him and complement his efforts,” he said.

    Oloro thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his visionary agenda.

    He said the road would be of immense relief to the people in the area and environs.

    “The road will improve economic activities of the council. Let me reiterate that democracy brings growth and development. The people of Erinosho and environs should take good care of the road. Please guard the road jealously as if it is your property. The community leaders should ensure that the road is well protected. Avoid vandalising, pouring of oil or cooking on it,” he said.

  • Bayelsa SSG Dokubo-Spiff bows out to face law practice

    Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government (SSG) Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff has bowed out following his decision to return to law practice.

    The governor said it was difficult for him to let his SSG go because of their ties, adding that he “conscripted” Serena-Dokubo, a lawyer, into politics.

    Dickson said the former SSG rose from the Office of the Deputy Chairman of Peoples Democratic People (PDP) to become the substantive boss of the party and later led the PDP to a second term victory.

    He said Dokubo-Spiff, a traditional ruler, performed creditably as SSG, adding that he allowed him to go following his pleas he wanted more time to revive his law chamber.

    He said the decision was also to enable him discharge his traditional responsibilities to his community.

    Dickson insisted Dokubo-Spiff will still be a critical part of his restoration government, and made him chairman of the reconstituted board of  Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC).

    Also, Deputy Governor Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) commended the former SSG for his contributions to the restoration government.

    Dokubo-Spiff thanked Dickson for giving him the opportunity to serve the state and pledged his willingness to continue to pursue the ideals of his government.

    He praised the governor for his commitment to the development of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation, saying it was a privilege to have worked with him.

     

  • Our agreement with Ondo workers, by SSG

    The Ondo State government yesterday gave details of its agreement with workers on the Paris Club refund.

    The government, in a statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ifedayo Abegunde said there was a misrepresentation on proceedings of the meeting at Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, on August 21, between the government, led by Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, and labour leaders, on salary arrears.

    The statement reads: “The government registers its deep disappointment concerning this gross misrepresentation of facts and wishes to set the records straight.

    ”For the avoidance of doubt, government did not accede to any time limit within which salary arrears will be paid.  It, however, reiterated its stand to put the welfare of the people, including workers, as its priority.  Government, therefore, wishes to state as follows: Ondo State Government did not pay 80 per cent of the September, 2016 arrears in error  as due consideration was given to equity and fairness; the government will not shirk its responsibility to the people, both  in the public and private sectors, as this administration is committed to its mandate; the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, did not make the  statement  credited to him with regard to the senior special assistant (Special Duties & Strategy); the widely circulated bulletin in the social media that the deputy governor promised to make the governor’s aide  “pass through a series of lessons to remould (sic) him to become a cultured entity in the government of Arakunrin” is absurd.

    ”The government emphasised that it would continue to make salaries of  workers its priority.  In response to the request of labour that the outstanding 20 per cent  be paid before the end of August, 2017 it was made clear that the government would pay the 20 per cent when it had resources as it would not borrow  to pay salaries.

    ”We use this medium to appeal to all, especially union leaders to always avoid statements and actions that may overheat the system.”

  • SSG, bishop at Ozubulu church mass

    •Lady Knights seek justice for the slain

    St. Phillip’s Catholic Church at Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State came alive yesterday with the presence of the suspected drug baron, High Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu, at the morning mass.

    The church was sealed following the killing of 13 persons, while 27 others were injured last Sunday.

    There were few worshippers yesterday during the 6.30 a.m mass service.

    But the presence of government officials, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, raised the hope of the worshippers in the community.

    The Nation gathered that the residents were afraid of attend the mass because of the August 6 killings at Uzubulu in Anambra State.

    Though Ikegwuonu refused to talk, one of his aides said his principal would talk at appropriate time.

    The few people at the mass billed for 6.30 a.m became agitated until at the government officials arrived at 9 a.m.

    They included the parish priest who escaped the gunmen attack by whiskers, Rev. Jude Onwuaso.

    The cleric urged them not to be weak or fear because of what happened on August 6, adding that God is still on the throne.

    Ownuaso said God was aware of the blood the hoodlums spilled during the killings.

    According to him, the victims will be on God’s right hand.

    The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Hilary Odili Okeke said the blood of the departed was still crying in the wilderness.

    He added that God would never forsake His people.

    Also, the Ladies’ Auxiliary Knights of St. John International in Nigeria have condemned the shooting at St. Philip’s Catholic Church at Ozubulu in Anambra State.

    It resulted in the killing of women and children by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

    In a statement by their National/Supreme Subordinate President, Prof Viola Onwuliri, the Ladies’ Knight said: “The Catholic Church abhors violence in any form; worse still, in our place of worship that is sacred.”

    Prof Onwuliri commiserated with the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rev Hillary Okeke, on the death of some lay faithful in the shooting.

    She added: “As mothers, we are deeply saddened by this ugly development in our place of worship, a place of solemnity, where the lay faithful usually and especially women had gone to seek succour by presenting their families and worries before God, only to meet their untimely death!

    “Our hearts bleed and we are consumed in grief. It is more disheartening that till now, the perpetrators of this dastardly act have not been apprehended for possible prosecution.”

    She urged the police to bring the perpetrators to justice.

  • Akeredolu appoints SSG, others

    Akeredolu appoints SSG, others

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has approved the appointment of Ifedayo Abegunde as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Olugbenga Ale as Chief of Staff.
    Senior Special Assistant, Legislative Matters, Taofeek Olawale Abdusalam; Senior Special Assistant, Research and Documentation Kunle Adebayo; Senior Special Assistant, Infrastructure Raheem Olayiwola Aminu; Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties and Strategy Doyin Odebowale; Chief of Protocol Tosin Ogunbodede and Deputy Chief of Protocol Bola Alabi.
    All appointments take immediate effect.

  • Ortom appoints SSG

    Ortom appoints SSG

    •Drops five exco members 

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday appointed Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN) as Secretary to State Government (SSG).
    He dropped five members of the executive council (exco).
    The governor made the announcement at the exco meeting in Makurdi.
    He listed the dropped commissioners as Information and Orientation Commissioner Chief Odeh Ageh, his colleagues in the Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, Water Resources and Environment, as well as Arts, Culture and Tourism, Messrs. Mwuese Mnyim, Nick Wende and Sekav Iyortyom.
    Ortom said Special Adviser on Small, Medium Enterprises and Micro Financing, Dr. Augustine Idogah, had also been relieved of his appointment.
    He said Dr. Bem Melladu, who he praised for discharging the duties of the SSG well, would revert to his position as special adviser, adding that other replacements would be made soon.
    Prof. Ijohor replaces Targema Takema, a lawyer, who had been on sick leave.

  • SSG: Okorocha’s wife not in charge of any ministry

    SSG: Okorocha’s wife not in charge of any ministry

    Contrary to reports in some dailies that Imo State governor’s wife, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, oversees four ministries, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir George Eche, yesterday described the publication as malicious and unfounded.
    Eche, who spoke at the presentation of the Most Outstanding Governor’s Wife Award to the governor’s wife by the Correspondents’ Chapel, where he represented Okorocha, said the report was the handiwork of those he called mischief makers who were bent on creating chaos in the polity.
    He said: “My attention has been drawn to a statement on the front page of a national daily of December 19 in which I was quoted out of context as having said that the wife of the governor oversees four ministries and to urgently clarify the allegation for consumption of the reading public. This is one mischief designed to mislead.
    “It was a simple but colourful event in which the governor’s wife was being honoured deservedly by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Imo State. While speaking for the governor, who I was privileged to represent, I had the occasion to highlight some of the many achievements of the governor’s wife, including her SNARP Programme, which has provided shelter for nearly 200 indigent widows; her WODDI project, by which women have brought the presence of God to bear on the state and her continued projection of the hitherto marginalised womenfolk to the extent that women now control many key ministries, such as Health, Works, Transport and Education.
    “It was this last point that was given undue prominence while suppressing the truth and other points. The fact remains that Her Excellency, despite this cruel twist of facts, remains, in her humility, the number one woman and mother of the State. Her efforts at bringing up the profile and welfare of women remains unrivalled and the envy of detractors, some of whom have had and lost such chances.”

  • Ganduje fires SSG, appoints replacement, seven perm secs

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State yesterday dropped the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, ahead of his first year in office as the state’s chief executive.

    Bichi had served in the same capacity under the immediate past governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso but was retained by Ganduje on his assumption of office last year.

    Alhaji Usman Alhaji was immediately named to replace Bichi.

    The Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya, who broke the news, said the governor also approved the appointment of seven new permanent secretaries.

    They include Halilu Baba-Dantiye who was deployed to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

    Dantiye was, until yesterday, Director General, Media and Communication, Government House. He is also a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

    The other new permanent secretaries are: Alhaji Usman Bala, Hajiya Bilkisu Waziri, Dr Saadatu Bala, Danladi Garba, Aminu Mohammed and Aliyu Sani.

    Six other Permanent Secretaries were redeployed.

    Those affected are: Abdullahi Musa who moved from Council Affairs to Cabinet office; Aminu Shuaibu from Government House to Council Affairs; Mahmud Bare from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to Servicom Directorate; Baballe Ammani from Statistician General’s office to the Ministry of Planning and Budget; Abba Ladan, from the Ministry of Health to Government House; and Mohammed Yusuf from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.

  • Okorocha swears in new SSG

    Okorocha swears in new SSG

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha Thursday swore-in the new Secretary to the State Government, Sir George Eche, who replaced Sir Jude Ejiogu, who was sacked under controversial circumstances by the Governor.

    Eche a career Civil Servant and former Accountant General of the State until his appointment was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works.

    Speaking during the ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber, Governor Okorocha disclosed that Eche’s appointment as SSG was to bridge a gap in appointments in the State, noting that in the state, Ngor Okpala, where the new he comes from, is among the most marginalized Local Government Areas in the state.

    He urged Eche to unite his people and the entire state.

    The Governor expressed optimism that the new SSG will live up to expectation, stressing that his predecessor was not sacked as a result of dishonor, while reminding him also that “every political appointment must end one day”.

    In his response, Eche promised that he would bring the needed change to the office of the Secretary to the State Government for better and expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding him worthy for such position.

    At the event, the Governor also on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Imo State University Chapter to call off the strike embarked upon by the lecturers in the University.

    He expressed shock that the lecturers would go on strike in the second week of March over February salary.

    According to him, “it is shocking that the ASUU in IMSU told lecturers to go on strike in the second week of March because of February salary, and when they had been paid full salary for the month of January.  This is shocking.  It is not acceptable to the state government.  ASUU in IMSU should call off the strike without delay because it was by all standard not justifiable and not advisable.”

    He added further that “we shall continue to keep faith with the workers welfare.  If the workers in the state did not go on strike over two months’ salary owed to them, we would have continued to go out of our way to pay them full.  But they went on strike over two months’ salary and we then agreed with labour that they should take seventy per cent of the total income of the state to pay salaries and pensions, while the government takes only thirty per cent for capital expenditure.  And now they have seen the truth of what we have been telling them about the finances of the state.

    “As the allocation dropped further for the month of February, the labour Union in the state may only be able to pay the workers fifty per cent of their salary.  The whole thing has been able to let Imolites and the world to understand what the state has been able to do all these while.  It is on record that Imo government has kept faith in the past in payment of salaries and allowances until recently when the economic situation in the country has become challenging following the outrageous looting of the resources of the country in the past.

    “The workers of Imo state should imbibe the spirit of sacrifice because of the prevailing economic situation at the moment.  They should show concern.  Imo people should also show understanding.  The state has the highest number of ghost workers.  The government has set aside N3.5billion for the Job, Job and Factory, Factory campaign of the state government which must be agro based.”