Ekiti Council Boss Hails Emergence Of Ekiti As Overall Best in Accountability, Transparency Index.

Ekiti Council Boss Hails Emergence Of Ekiti As Overall Best in Accountability, Transparency Index.

By: Sunday Olatunji. 

The Executive chairman of Ado -Central Local Council Development Area, Ado Ekiti, Engr.Toyin Ojo, has hailed the emergence of Ekiti State as first in terms of compliance with  transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and implementation of public policies in the 36 states of the federation.

The Chairman described the ranking as a reflection of a  commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to good governance since he assumed office .

This is contained in a  statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Information and Civil Orientations of the LCDA, Mr Sunday Olatunji, saying the ranking of Ekiti as  first among the states of the federation spoke volumes of administration that places high premium on giving its citizens unrestricted  access to vital information regarding governance, public finance, budget and government audited accounts.

The council boss lauded the Governor for doing the State proud among the comity of states by passing the integrity test of governance .

The Center for Fiscal Transparent and Integrity Watch Index yesterday released its 2023 index annual assessment of 36 states of the federation, taking into account the six key areas in assigning the scores which included open budget, accessibility, public procurement, human resources, anti- corruption and citizens engagement.

According to the report, it was revealed that Ekiti, Kaduna and Ondo states occupy the foremost positions as the three most compliant states with Ekiti State securing the highest score at 61.32% earning it the top rank. At the lower end of the complaint spectrum are Ogun, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states respectively .

Engineer Ojo, said  it was not surprising that Ekiti State emerged first among states of the federation considering  all the parameters deployed by the Center (TII) to arrive at the ranking.

"any Ekiti people, especially the keen watchers of various developmental strides  and programmes being witnessed in the state would concur that the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi has been steadily keeping faith with his campaign promises of running open, transparent and all inclusive government".

The statement reads in part "I want to rejoice with Mr. Governor for attaining this lofty feat .The ranking of Ekiti State as overall best in Nigeria after critical and thorough assessment of all the states of the federation in terms of compliance with the Transparency and Integrity Index variables, further lends credence to the reason Governor Biodun Abayomi's  administration has decided not to tamper with funds meant for the local governments in the state .And that's why critical projects of development are seen every where in Ekiti today .

The council chairman therefore called on the people of the State to continue to render necessary supports to the Governor for him to be able to continue  projecting the image of the state positively through implementation of  the people- oriented programmes and policies .

Retaining Top Position On Fiscal Transparency And Integrity Watch List Index Well Deserved – Ekiti Information Commissioner.

Retaining Top Position On Fiscal Transparency And Integrity Watch List Index Well Deserved – Ekiti Information Commissioner.

Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has described a new report by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) that placed Ekiti State top of its Index Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch list as well deserved and a prove of continuity of vision and performance.  

The new index which was released this month by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation had placed Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos and Gombe states top of its Index Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch list and Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states are bottom.

According to the report, public institutions are assessed on variables including Website integrity; Fiscal Transparency; Open procurement; Anti-corruption; Citizens Engagement/Responsiveness and Human Resources and Inclusion in all 36 states of the federation.

The Index, the first of its kind in Africa, is research on public institutions’ compliance with principles of transparency, integrity, and open governance, drawn from national and international principles. The Index seeks to promote citizens’ access to information and participation in governance by encouraging government institutions to proactively disclose information on governance.

The international principles were drawn from United Nations Convention against Corruption, Financial Action Task Force, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, UK Anti-corruption Summit 2016 and Open Government Partnership. The local principles are drawn from the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, Federal Character Principles, The Freedom of Information Act, 2011; The Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007; Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and Executive Order No. 001, 2017.

Recalling that Ekiti was 2nd (2021), 1st (2022) and has now retained its 1st position in 2023, Olatunbosun noted that “it is very rare to retain such a position, especially in a transition period, unless there’s strong commitment from the new Government to entrench existing reforms”. 

Describing the State workforce as dependable and efficient, the Commissioner commended the consistent level of performance which led to the feat.

“We acknowledge the staff of various MDAs who have worked over time to make this happen: Ministry of Budget, Planning & Performance Management; Ministry of Finance; Bureau of Public Procurement; Bureau of ICT; Offices of the Accountant and Auditors General. Without the civil servants in these MDAs, such a consistent level of performance won’t have been possible”, he said.

Assuring that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration will not relent efforts at ensuring good governance while rapidly developing the State and improving the lot of the people, Olatunbosun urged all stakeholders, particularly public servants, to continually support efforts of Government at “keeping the State working towards shared prosperity”.

” The challenge of being at the top is staying there and that’s what we must continue to achieve over the life of this administration”, he stressed.

Ekiti, Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe Rank Top Of Transparency, Integrity Index, Adamawa, Bauchi Bottom.

Ekiti, Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe Rank Top Of Transparency, Integrity Index, Adamawa, Bauchi Bottom.

A New report by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) has placed Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos and Gombe states top of its Index Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch list and Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states are bottom.

The index was released this month by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation.

According to the report, the index looked at six key areas in assigning the scores: Accessibility, Open Budget, Public Procurement, Human Resources, Anti-Corruption, and Citizens Engagement.

The index is also an annual assessment that examined the level of transparency and accountability operational in the management of public funds and implementation of public policies in all 36 states of the federation.

This year, Gombe State ranks 5th among the 36 states of the federation and 2nd among the 19 states of northern Nigeria with respect to transparency variables.

Commenting on the development, the Director-General of Research & Documentation, Associate Professor Muazu Shehu emphasized the transformation in Gombe’s accessibility to crucial information.

He said prior to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s assumption of office in 2019, Gombe lacked a functioning website, which led to a deficit in accountability with citizens having no means to access vital data regarding governance, public finance, budgets, government audited accounts, and public procurement. This lack of online engagement channels hindered citizens from effectively holding the government accountable.

However, in a resolute commitment to establishing transparency and accountability, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya took the initiative to create a new official website for Gombe State. This website was meticulously designed with a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. It incorporates features such as public procurement, budgeting, and government audited accounts, enabling citizens to access critical information about the state government.

Moreover, the platform provides avenues for citizens to interact with the government online, thereby empowering them to hold the government accountable. The website has evolved into a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in Gombe State.

See full list below:

No Nigerian deserves to live in poverty — Senate spokesman.

No Nigerian deserves to live in poverty — Senate spokesman.

The senate spokesperson for the ninth National Assembly, Yemi Adaramodu, has said that no Nigerian deserves to live in poverty, adding that the senate is desirous of stamping it out in the country.

Adaramodu said this while speaking on the Arise TV show about the senate retreat billed to be held in Akwa-Ibom State tagged “Fiscal Policy” on Friday.

He maintained that the figure of Nigerians living below the poverty level should not matter, but the way of taking them out of the realities should.

“It is not the figure or data from anybody, including the World Bank and Statistics agencies, that matters but the willingness to take Nigerians out of poverty. The figure disparity does not matter.

“I don’t believe that any Nigerian deserves to be poverty-stricken. No Nigerian is expected to go to bed without about two decent meals daily. No Nigerian youth is supposed to have a job, just as no Nigerian parent is expected not to sponsor their children to school.

“We all know that there is poverty in the land, and the Senate is ready to enunciate policies that will ensure that Nigerians are brought out of economic,” he added.

Speaking on the Sport Utility Vehicle worth N160 million approved for the 109 senators when the country is battling economic crisis, Adaramodu said it is just synonymous with when the people said senators had bought Funiture, which is untrue.

He corroborated that every four years, which is a term of a legislature, every senator is entitled to a working tool, which the vehicles (SUVs) are part of.

The senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District also stressed that the budget earmarked for this purpose is primarily for oversight functions.

“The vehicle is always boarded after. If you don’t want it, you could leave it,” he added.

The Punch Newspaper 

PDP youths threaten to sue Akeredolu for not resuming office.

PDP youths threaten to sue Akeredolu for not resuming office.

The PDP youth leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State have condemned the continued stay of the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, outside the state.

Governor Akeredolu last month returned to the country after a medical vacation in Germany, and has since been staying at his personal residence in Ibadan Oyo State capital.  A situation that has been generating reactions from different quarters in the state.

The PDP youths had earlier issued a 3-day  ultimatum to the governor to return to the state. The ultimatum expired on Thursday.

Speaking at the state secretariat of the party in Akure on Friday, the convener of the PDP youth wing, Mr. Oluyi Tayo said the group would take legal action against the governor if the latter refused to return to the state.

He said, “It is crucial that the House of Assembly, in the interest of our state and its citizens, upholds these constitutional provisions to ensure the continued and effective functioning of our government, and if the House of Assembly failed in this regard, we won’t hesitate to explore other legitimate Constitutional means to press our demands

“We have written a letter to the state House of Assembly and as we speak, our people are there to deliver the letter and we expect them, (lawmakers) to receive the letter. The copy of the received copy will be avail to journalists soonest.

“We are ready as a main opposition party to take the governor to court, or even the Speaker if they failed to invoke Section 189(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on him (governor).

“It is also in our legal rights to take to the streets if they fail to address this because our demands are very simple. We can’t have a governor who is yet to address the citizens since he returned from his medical vacation.

If truly the governor is fit, he should come out to address the good people of Ondo state, that should not be something that is much for him to do.”

However, the youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the South-West zone condemned the call made by the Peoples Democratic Party.

The South-West Youth Leader of the APC, Mr Lawal Kolade, who spoke on behalf of other youth leaders in the zone in Akure, described the PDP as a confused and dying party in the state.

He said, ” There is no doubt that Akeredolu is well-loved by the people of Ondo State considering their massive electoral support and prayers during his trying time. But it is very illogical for the state chapter of the PDP to be calling for his resignation or impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

” This shows that the PDP is confused and dying due to the defeats they have suffered in various elections in the state as a result of the popularity of Governor Akeredolu in the state.

“The decision of Governor Akeredolu to seek rest and adjust their normal work schedule to allow him to fully recover is a testament to his human nature, reminding us that even leaders are not exempted from the trials of flesh and blood. We are optimistic that he will soon make a complete recovery and physically join us.”

Tinubu confirms Adeniyi’s appointment as Customs’ CG.

Tinubu confirms Adeniyi’s appointment as Customs’ CG.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the confirmation of Adewale Adeniyi as substantive Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.

 A statement issued by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Willie Bassey, said Adeniyi’s appointment takes effect from October 19, 2023.

 President Tinubu appointed the new Comptroller-General of Customs on June 19, 2023, in acting capacity to replace his predecessor, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd).

 “His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the confirmation of the appointment of Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.

 “The appointment takes effect from 19th October, 2023 and his tenure is in accordance with the extant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR).

 “The President tasks him to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new assignment”, the statement said.

Discourage political persecution, Senate leader urges FG.

Discourage political persecution, Senate leader urges FG.

The Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Friday, urged the Federal Government to discourage selective treatment, executive lawlessness, high-handedness, and political persecution of perceived enemies in the fight against corruption.

He also tasked the National Assembly to work out preventive measures to address corrupt practices.

He said. “The federal government needs to discourage selective treatment, executive lawlessness, high-handedness, and political persecution of perceived enemies in the fight against corruption.

The Senate leader further urged the federal lawmakers to come up with creative legislative frameworks and provide robust oversight support that could guarantee the appreciation and stability of the naira.

Bamidele also recommended regular parleys between federal lawmakers and all members of the Federal Executive Council as one of the measures that should be adopted to integrate the eight-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the programmes of the 10th National Assembly.

He canvassed these positions at a two-day retreat for all senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State under the theme, fiscal policy and tax reforms in Nigeria.

Organised by the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies, the retreat was designed to build the capacity of the senators to enact pro-people legislation that could promote enduring peace; guarantee sustainable development, and deepen peaceful co-existence, among Nigerians.

At the retreat were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and other members of the Federal Executive Council.

Concerned about the weakening of the naira, the senate leader canvassed appropriate legislative frameworks and oversight support for the implementation of responsive fiscal and monetary policy to rescue the economy from regression.

He explained that both chambers of the National Assembly “are under obligations to stem the recurring decimal of naira devaluation and promote economic stability. This entails appropriate legislative framework and oversight support for the implementation of responsive fiscal and monetary policy measures.

“Henceforth, developing appropriate legislative frameworks is central to ensuring macroeconomic stability with a focus on managing inflation, addressing high-interest rates as well as foreign exchange deficit,” the senate Leader observed in his paper presentation.

Bamidele equally highlighted diverse antidotes to socio-economic challenges currently confronting the federation, recommending first the urgent review of the Land Use Act, 1979 to redress the current land tenure system and give Nigerians more access to arable farmland nationwide.

He observed that ensuring more access to arable farmland would boost agricultural production exponentially and guarantee food security nationwide because most Nigerians, especially those in the rural communities, were predominantly farmers.

He stressed the need to prioritise the Small Towns and Village Recovery and Development Bill to restore economic fairness to the rural communities in the scheme of national revenue allocations and the provision of rural infrastructure.

He added that the initiative would obviously stem the alarming rate of rural–urban drift and the attendant urban population explosion, urban criminality, environmental degradation and huge gap between available resources and demands in the cities.

He explained that effective implementation of the poverty alleviation programme “is fundamental to promoting peace, harmony and sustainable democracy in Nigeria where over 70 per cent of the nation’s population is reportedly living below the poverty line.

“To reduce the increasing inequality between the poor and rich, we urgently need to strengthen the National Directorate of Employment by amendment of relevant legislations that will create limitless opportunities for our teeming jobless populations.

“We are also under obligations not just to overhaul our National Poverty Eradication Programme and National Economic Reform Plan, but also back them up with adequate funding to provide social safety nets for the poor and the vulnerable across the federation.”

Pointing out the alarming rate of corruption in the public space, Bamidele warned that the federation should prepare for mass action from the downtrodden, which might manifest in the form of protests.

Also, at the retreat, Bamidele called for a joint retreat between the executive and legislature in order to work out modalities to integrate Tinubu’s eight-point agenda with the programmes of the National Assembly.

He explained that the proposed retreat would provide an opportunity for all chairmen of standing committees in the Senate and House Committees to sit with ministers and their permanent secretaries to synergise on the approaches to implementing the eight-point agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Punch Newspaper 

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