The Nation Newspaper

Tag: WINIFRED OYO-ITA

  • Era of ‘godfatherism’ over – Lai Mohammed

    Era of ‘godfatherism’ over – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that as far as Federal Government appointments to public offices and key positions are concerned, the era of “godfatherism’’ is over.

    The minister stated this in Abuja on Sunday at a thanksgiving reception by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Ms Grace Gekpe.

    Mohammed, who was represented by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stated that appointment to positions in the Federal Government “is strictly by merit’’.

    “Gone are those days when people were appointed into positions by other factors apart from merit.

    “Most of us must have heard that the new permanent secretaries were asked to write examination; Gekpe was one of the very few that scaled through the examination.

    Gekpe is a shining and beautiful woman. That could have earned her the appointment, but not under this regime of Change.

    “She is a permanent secretary by virtue of hard work, merit and because she has a lot of things to offer,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the ministry was proud of Gekpe, satisfied with her appointment and wished her all the best.

    Mohammed underscored the need for improved funding for the Ministry of Information and Culture and its parastatal agencies.

    “The Ministry of Information and Culture has a very big responsibility and there is the need for sufficient funding for it and its agencies.

    “The government is doing a lot of things, but it is being misrepresented by naysayers.

    “This is the time that the government needed to raise an army of competent information managers to counter the false and negative narratives about the administration,’’ he said.

    He also underscored the need for upward review of the retirement age of journalists working in the Ministry of Information.

    “They are like judges and university professors; like old wine, they get better with age,’’ he added.

    The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, said the position of permanent secretary “is the highest level any civil servant can dream to reach in the public service’’.

    She enjoined Gekpe to present her life and tenure to God for wisdom and guidance and as well show understanding and loyalty to her minister and the administration.

    Oyo-Ita said: “She is called to serve the nation and in doing this, she should face her duties with dignity, integrity and understanding that this is a government of change, it cannot be business as usual.

    “She has to be an epitome of incorruptibility, she should be efficient, productive, and be a citizen centred- permanent secretary’’.

    In a brief remark, Gekpe said her appointment was a call to serve the country.

    She pledged to discharge her responsibilities with the fear of God and in support of the government’s programmes.

    “I will put in my best to assist my immediate boss, the minister, and the government at large to achieve the agenda set for the country,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that a thanksgiving service was held at the Living Faith Church, Jahi District, before the reception.

    The event was attended by heads of parastatals and agencies in the Ministry of Information and Culture and representatives of the Government of Cross River.

  • Buhari vows to continue to fight corruption till death

    Buhari vows to continue to fight corruption till death

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to continue to fight corruption in Nigeria until it is completely eradicated from Nigeria’s polity.

    Buhari stated this at the 2017 Annual National Management Conference organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in Abuja.

    The President, who was by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, said his administration will fulfill its vow of eliminating all forms of corrupt practices in Nigeria so as to put the country on the path of greatness and prosperity.

    Buhari said: “To set this country on the path of greatness and prosperity, complete elimination of all forms of corrupt practices must be in the front burner and our collective consciousness always.

    “You will agree with me that a great nation is the reward of great leadership built on good governance with strict adherence to the ideals and principles of corporate governance. This is our motivation and value proposition. My administration will, therefore, continue to fight corruption and associated social vices at all levels until they are exterminated from our body polity.”

    He said the theme of the conference – Corporate Governance and Institutional Performance, was apt and relevant towards charting a new course and national reorientation.

    “By choosing this theme as the focus of this year’s conference, the institute has further demonstrated that it is committed to supporting the Federal Government in achieving its drive to reposition and turn around the nation’s economy,” he added.

    Buhari said the institution of corporate governance had aided his administration in delivering the dividends of democracy to the nation’s teeming populace especially in the areas of providing security, fighting corruption, employment generation and diversification of the economy.

    “I further challenge the institute to improve its visibility at public sessions of the National Assembly when bills are being considered so as to make more robust professional management input that will be most relevant in the public domain,” he said.

    The President, NIM, Prof. Munzali Jibril, in his remarks, said the institute would continue to support the Federal Government as it strives to eliminate corruption across the country.

    “As we journey into the future, we will neither relent in our quest to bequeath a well-trained and productive workforce to the nation, nor will we be tired until mismanagement, maladministration, corruption and other social vices which have hampered Nigeria’s development are minimised in our polity,” he said.

  • Osinbajo approves appointment of 21 new federal permanent secretaries

    Osinbajo approves appointment of 21 new federal permanent secretaries

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the appointment of 21 new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

    Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, announced this in a statement by Mr Haruna Imrana, Director, Communications in the office on Thursday in Abuja.

    The permanent secretaries are Ehuria Ekeoma (Abia State); Akpan Sunday (Akwa Ibom); Anagbogu Nkiruka (Anambra); Walson-Jack Esther (Bayelsa); Gekpe Isu(Cross River); Aliboh Lawrence (Delta) and Uwaifo Clement ( Edo).

    Others are Folayan Olaniyi (Ekiti state); Osuji Marcellinus (Imo); Mu’azu Abdulkadir (Kaduna); Sulaiman Lawal (Kano); Abdullahi Mashi (Katsina State); Adebiyi Adekunle, (Lagos); Ibrahim Wen, (NasarawaS tate); Odewale Olajide (Ogun) and Adesola Olusade (Ondo State).

    The rest  are Adekunle Adeyemi,( Oyo state); Nabasu Bako, (Plateau); Ekaro Chukwumuebobo,( Rivers); Umar Bello, (Sokoto State) and Aduda Tanimu from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The statement added that their portfolios would be announced in due course.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that 300 candidates from ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government, sat for the examinations  meant to fill  20 vacant positions of federal permanent secretaries.

    The candidates went through three levels of examination, including  relevant public service and policy issues, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) assessment test and  oral interview, within one week.

  • FG to relocating firms: Return to Nigeria

    FG to relocating firms: Return to Nigeria

    The Federal Government on Tuesday urged foreign companies relocating from Nigeria to have a rethink and return to do their businesses in the country.

    In August last year, over 20 shipping firms left Nigeria over “poor government policies and global economic crises,” leading to about 3,000 people losing their jobs.

    In October same year, some companies including ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean, Sapiem Ground Petroleum, and Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited, also left the country and the consequence was about 3,000 job cuts in the country.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had two weeks ago signed three Executive Orders –  Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment, Submission of Annual Budgetary Estimates by all Statutory and Non-Statutory Agencies including Incorporated Companies wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Support for Local Content in Public Procurements by MDAs of the FGN respectively.

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, while speaking at a Workshop for federal government agencies, parastatals, corporations and companies on the operationalisation of the executive order on promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment, at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, on Tuesday said the government was doing everything possible to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    She said, “It is worthy of note that, government is committed to creating transparency in the business environment and enunciation of policies that would motivate investors to invest their funds in profitable business activities in the country.

    “It is therefore hoped that all companies that had hitherto relocated from the country some years back, will see reasons to be convinced by the sincerity of purpose being displayed by the present administration in creating conducive business environment for genuine investors for them to be motivated to return.”

     

  • Presidential panel ratifies two days for new business registration

    The Presidential Ease of Doing Business panel has reduced the number of days required for registration of new businesses in Nigeria from 10 to two days.

    The panel also approved 24-hour timeline for company registration from when application form was completed and all required documents made available.

    Those were among highlights of a report presented at a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), on Monday at the Presidential Villa.

    The report was presented by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Trade and Investment and came as reforms targeting the end of the 60-day Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

    According to the recommendations prospective business owners can now search on Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) portal   (www.cac.gov.ng) to avoid duplication of names and prevent selection of prohibited names.

    Also it is now optional for SMEs to hire lawyers to prepare registration documents for companies.

    The Council, established by President Muhammadu Buhari, is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    However, Monday’s meeting was chaired by Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, as the Vice President was busy with the work of the Presidential Investigative Panel set up for two top government officials.

    According to the report, CAC has introduced single incorporation form (CAC1.1) to save time and reduce costs while the agency has introduced document upload interface on its website to enable e-submission of registration documents.

    Other aspects of the reforms actualized in the last 60 days include the Integrated FIRS e-payment solution into CAC portal to enable e-stamping while the reform empowers CAC internal lawyers to certify company incorporation forms and conduct statutory declaration of compliance for just N500.

    According to the report, the PEBEC listed “dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes,” as some of the areas where the council recorded progress in the past 60 days.

    The report also highlighted the completed reforms on the “Entry and Exit of People,” indicator which includes Simplified Visa-on-Arrival process, Infrastructural improvements at the Abuja airport, and the new Immigration Regulation 2017.

    It also indicated that the completed reforms were being closely monitored to ensure diligent implementation with minimal disruption while pending reforms were being escalated to ensure completion in the coming weeks.

    On Trading across Borders, some of the completed reforms include palletisation of imports, advanced cargo manifests, reduction in documentation requirements and scheduling of Joint Physical Examination by the Customs Service.

    The National Action Plan contained initiatives and actions implemented by responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the National Assembly, a number of State Governments, as well as some private sector stakeholders.

    The Council emphasised that with the conclusion of implementation of the Action Plan, it would move into the next phase.

    That phase would involve “deepening existing reforms; completing and implementing pending initiatives; engaging with the public; validating completed reforms and kicking-off medium-term reforms.”

    The Council would also begin “sub-national reforms across Nigeria’s 36 states; trading within Nigeria; initiatives and reforms improving business processes and regulations within Nigeria; and ease of movement of goods within and across regions in Nigeria.”

    Ministers at the meeting included Foreign Affairs Ministers Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for Industry Trade and Investment Aisha Abubakar, and her counterpart in Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed.

    Other government functionaries at the meeting included the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, and several heads of MDAs.

  • Presidency explains cancellation of FEC meeting

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, says the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) could not hold due to logistic issues.

    Shehu, who made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the meeting was cancelled as the FEC secretariat workers were unable to distribute necessary documents for the meeting because of the Easter holiday.

    According to him, by practice, the ministers must receive memos two or three days ahead of meetings to enable them undertake research, if necessary.

    “I think it is because of the Easter holiday. The secretariat had no time to circulate the necessary documents.

    “The staff on the Council secretariat resumed on Tuesday after the Easter. There was no time to prepare and circulate memos to ministers.

    He described as “very unfair’’ those attributing the cancellation of the FEC meeting to the President’s health conditions

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Buhari had met behind closed doors with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Minister of Interior, retired Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau.

    Both Oyo-Ita and Dambazau updated the president on the activities of their various establishments.

     

  • HoS briefs Buhari on FISH, strategic plan

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, on Tuesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on some activities of the service.

    Among the issues she updated the President included the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme and the 2017- 2019 Head of Service Strategic Plan.

    Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, she said the FISH programme, which is an initiative of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and launched in 2016, is aimed at addressing the bottlenecks encountered in securing land for good projects.

    According to her, the project is also to eliminate middlemen and land speculations from the housing value-chain.

    Stressing that the FISH programme was very dear to President Buhari, Oyo-Ita said it would be efficiently implemented to achieve the desired goals.

    She said, “Mr. President wanted an update on the (Civil) Service so far and especially the 2017 – 2019 Head of Service Strategic Plan and also briefed him on our FISH programme (Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme), which as you is sub-set of Mr. President’s National Housing Policy, which is so dear to his heart.

    “Well the FISH programme as you note, what we are now relating with the developers and then we are also working very closely with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria especially in the area of mortgage facilities for civil servants.

    “The Minister of Power, Works and Housing has given us a lot of cooperation in this regard.’’

    The Head of Service Strategic Plan from 2017-2019, she said, was aimed at repositioning the Federal Civil Service for efficient service delivery to Nigerians and progressive development of the nation.

     

  • Reps to Buhari: You can’t extend civil servant’s year of service 

    Reps to Buhari: You can’t extend civil servant’s year of service 

    …ask Permanent Secretary to return illegally acquired emoluments

    The House of Representatives has upturned President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the extension of a Permanent Secretary whose year of service was extended by the President.

    The lawmakers directed that Jamila Shu’ara, until now a  Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education cease to be a civil servant with immedite effect.

    The Head of Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Winifred Oyo-Ita was directed to carry out the order and ensure that all emoluments enjoyed till date by Shu’ara since February 2016 when she was formally disengaged were returned.

    The directive was handed down yesterday at the ongoing investigative hearing on the issue between the Zakari Mohammed-led Committee on Basic Education and Services and the HoCSF.

    The lawmakers said  the President has no power under section 171(2)(d) of the 1999 Constitution or any other existing law to extend or elongate the tenure of Permanent Secretary whose tenure has expired be refluxion of time or age, whichever comes first

    Following its investigation, the Committee, without recourse to the defense of Shu’ara by the HoCSF resolved  that “The Head of Service should invoke relevant rules to recover all the emoluments paid to Mrs Jamila Shuara for the period of the extension.

    “That the Government should ensure that Civil service rules and procedures be strictly followed in future

    “That the retirement date of Dr Mrs Jamila Shuara remains 20th Feb.2016

    “That Dr Mrs jamila Shuara should vacate office immediately as her retirement date remains 20th Feb.2016 and

    “That the Head of Service should ensure compliance to this subject matter,and report back to the House in four weeks’ time”.

    The HoCSF in her written defense insisted that the President had the power to appoint or disengage any civil servant citing Section 171 (2) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Oyo-Ita said though she called for the record of service of Dr Shuara from the Civil service Commission but yet to get a reply, she however insisted that the President derived such powers for such an extension.

    In her letter of defense to the Committee dated 29th March, 2017 the HoCSF stated that, “I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref: No NASS/HR/CT./.017/1013/230 dated 28th March, 2017 received today 29th March, 2019, and to respectively furnish the Chairman with the following:

    “I did not write any letter dated 17th March, 2016 with Ref. No. HCSF/1013/1 on the tenure of Dr (Mrs) Jamila Shuara as Permanent Secretary, rather the last letter wrote on this matter dated March 17th, 2017 with Reference No. HCSF/1013/1 was to Chief of Staff to the President.

    “I have sought Mr President’s permission to release a copy to the Committee and I am awaiting His Excellency’s response”.

    On the extant laws and rules guiding appointment, extension or appointment, Section 171 (2) (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) vests the President with the power to appoint and remove Federal Permanent Secretaries, and by virtue of Section 11(1) (a)(c) of the implementation Act Cap 123 laws of the Federation 2004, whoever has the power to appoint can re-appoint or reinstate.

    “It is instructive to note that personal files of all of all civil servants employed into the Federal Civil Service through the Federal Civil Service Commission are with the Commission, I have requested for the personal file of Dr (Mrs.) Jamila Shuara from the Commission and I’m expecting the response”.

    Notwithstanding, the Committee went ahead with its resolution that Mr President lacked the powere to ask Shu’ara to stay on.

     

  • I thank God my husband is back – Mrs Buhari

    I thank God my husband is back – Mrs Buhari

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, received her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, amid cheers from families and well wishers, who joined her to welcome the President from medical vacation.

    Mrs Buhari, who received the President at about 9a.m. at the official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, thanked Nigerians for their support and prayer for the President.

    The wife of the President was joined by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the Vice-President, wives of State Governors, Ministers, family members and her close associates.

    Mrs Buhari, who was happy at the return of her husband, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the successful return of the President.

    In the same vein, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has expressed her happiness for the successful return of the President.

    Oyo-Ita urged Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders to enable them deliver good governance to the people.

    Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the wife of the President Dr Hajo Sani, expressed her joy for the return of the President to the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Friday from London, after 51 days of medical vacation.

    Buhari touched down at the new Kaduna International Airport at about 7.40 a.m on Friday, amid tight security.

  • We need quick solutions to our economic challenges – Buhari

    We need quick solutions to our economic challenges – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the solutions to the various challenges facing Nigeria must be fast tracked by his administration in order to get the economy up and running again.

    He spoke at the 2016 Annual National Management Conference organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in Abuja with the theme: “Building a new Nigeria: Strategic Options and Policy Imperative.”

    The President, who was represented at the event by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated that his administration would continue to offer great leadership built on good governance.

    He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had not relented in its resolve to ensure it provides dividends of democracy to them by providing security, fighting corruption, employment generation and diversification of the economy.

    He said: “The Nigerian project is faced with several challenges on every facet of the society and the solutions to these challenges must be fast tracked if we must get the economy up and running again. I urge the Institute to sustain its current efforts in ensuring professionalism and good ethical conduct among its members and Nigerians in general.

    “Since the inception of this administration, the federal government has not relented in its resolve to ensure that it delivers the dividends of democracy to the teeming populace through good governance especially in the areas of providing security, fighting corruption, employment generation and diversification of the economy.

    He urged Nigerians to eradicate all forms of corrupt practices from their minds in order to reposition the country on the path of greatness.

    Buhari said his administration would continue to fight corruption and associated social vices at all levels until they are eliminated from our body polity.