December 2 Ekiti LG Election: EKSIEC Announces Vacancy For Ad-hoc Staff.

December 2 Ekiti LG Election: EKSIEC Announces Vacancy For Ad-hoc Staff.

In preparation for the Local government election coming up in December ,the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC has announced vacancy for the positions of Ad-hoc staff for successful conduct of the poll.

The EKSIEC in a Press release on Monday signed by the Permanent Secretary,Barrister Modupe Taiwo Akinbolawa and made available to Newshereandthere directed interested candidates to apply for positions of choice through the Electoral Officers in their Local Government Council/Local Council Development Areas.

The statement reads:

“This is to notify the General Public that election of candidates into the posts of Chairmen and Councilors in the 16 Local Government Councils and 22 Local Council Development Areas in Ekiti State has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, 2nd day of December, 2023.

“Consequently, the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission will require the Services of the following Ad-hoc Staff for the successful conduct of the election:

(i) Local Government Returning Officers

(ii) Ward Returning Officers

(iii) Supervisory Presiding Officers.

(iv) Presiding Officers

(v) Poll Clerks

3. Qualifications:

(a) Local Government Returning Officers:

“Interested candidates must be serving Academic Lecturers, Retired Principals or equivalent in Ekiti State.

(b) Ward Returning Officers: Interested candidates must be Senior Public Servants on Grade Level 14 and above (Serving or Retired).

(c) Supervisory Presiding Officers: Interested candidates must be Public Servants on Grade Level 10 and above (Serving or Retired).

(d) Presiding Officers: Interested candidates must be BSC, BA. B(ED) or HND Holders

(e) Poll Clerks: Interested candidates must possess SSCE, NECO, or NABTEB or its equivalents.

“Interested candidates are advised to apply in writing to the Electoral Officers in their Local Government Council/Local Council Development Areas”

The statement added that “The training of the ad-hoc staff comes up on Saturday 18th day of November, 2023.”

Group Sends SOS To Umahi Over Deplorable State Of Federal Roads In Ekiti.

Group Sends SOS To Umahi Over Deplorable State Of Federal Roads In Ekiti. 

Mr. David Umahi, the Minis­ter of Works, has been urged to ensure the repair of feder­al roads in Ekiti State.

A group, Ayebode Pro­gressive Association (APA), a development organ of Ayebode-Ekiti, in the state, regretted the deplorable state of federal roads in the state, saying that some of the communities have been cut off.

A statement by Mr. Femi Owoeye, the Spokesman, APA, lamented that one of the badly affected commu­nities located was within the Ekiti North Senatorial District of the state.

Owoeye appealed to Uma­hi to provide succour for the, saying that the dilapidated roads had led to avoidable gridlock within the area.

According to him, for over seven weeks, incessant trail­er traffic standstill had con­stituted health and security hazards for the communities located within Ikole and Ek­iti East Local governments

In particular, APA urged the minister to incorporate Ekiti State federal roads in his ongoing inspection tour and mapping of critical fed­eral road infrastructure beg­ging for urgent intervention.

He said: “The minister needs to tour Ekiti State, be­cause he needs to personally see things for himself.”

The group lamented that the network of federal roads, which naturally should have been a blessing to the state and its people, had been a curse, suggesting that suc­cessive federal ministers of works possibly missed the state on their radar.

‘Revisit appointment of Auditor-General’ ~ Says WNC.

‘Revisit appointment of Auditor-General’ ~ Says WNC.

The appointment of Mr. Shaaka Chira, by President Bola Tinubu, as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation (AGoF) has continued to generate controversy, it was learnt.

 A group, Worried Nigerian Citizens (WNC), has joined in the fray.

 Chira’s confirmation was put on hold by the Senate following petitions alleging as the most junior director of the office, he lacked the basic experience to head such a sensitive position.

WNC, in a petition by its Convener, Moses Idika, urged the President to revisit the appointment in the interest of Civil Service.

 The petition was copied to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and head of Civil Service Commission.

 WNC wondered why Chira, who ranked 17th among the 17 directors in the AGoF Office, should be made to superintend a sensitive post that has 16 persons who are his superiors.

 The group urged President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment because it does not align with Civil Service rule.

It argued Chira’s appointment could dampen “morale of civil servants who work hard and at the same time make lazy ones feel they can get ahead once they have the influence”.

The petition reads: “The Senate last week put on hold confirmation of Mr. Shaaka Chira as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation.

 “We are aware several directors in the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation were behind the petition that the Senate relied upon to put on hold the confirmation.

 “We are concerned over the disquiet that greeted the appointment. 

“The disquiet stems from the fact that Mr. Chira, the 18th on the line of seniority in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, was appointed to leap and head the 17 other directors who are his seniors.

“It is instructive for the Federal Government to take into cognisance the debilitating effect this appointment may have on the civil service and the morale of officers of the service.

 “The Civil Service thrives on hard work and elevation rooted in promotions and unbroken chain of command.

 “The latest appointment of President Bola Tinubu strikes at the core of the Civil Service in that it has the potential to dampen morale of civil servants who may feel hard work no longer matters if one has “long legs” in the government.

 “We  call on Mr. President to reverse the appointment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President which we believe is rooted in re-directing the minds of Nigerians to have hope in our institutions, our government and in our laws.   

“The National Assembly must stand on the side of the people by ensuring the President does right in the interest of our national cohesion.’’

“Every Nigerian and every Nigerian civil servant must be made to rely on the ethics of their profession as a precursor for promotions and elevations.

 “The Civil Service Rule must also be abided with as a sustainable growth path for all civil servants, ethnicity, godfatherism and favouritism have no place in civil service and therefore, must never, become part of our civil service. 

 “The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation is a sensitive position that the President must ensure that the morale of its staff is at pitch-high for efficiency.”

Nigeria Seeks Swift Delivery of Turkish Attack Helicopters and Navy Vessels.

Nigeria Seeks Swift Delivery of Turkish Attack Helicopters and Navy Vessels.

In a significant move to bolster Nigeria's defense capabilities, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, have embarked on a visit to Turkey with the primary objective of expediting the delivery of T-129 ATAK helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force.

The Nigerian Air Force has been anticipating the arrival of these helicopters, with the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, announcing that two of the six units of T-129 ATAK helicopters, procured by the Federal Government from the Turkish Aerospace Industry, are slated for delivery in the coming weeks. The remaining four helicopters are expected to be in Nigeria before the end of the second quarter of 2024.

During their visit, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, held discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Lt. Gen. Yasar Guler (retd.), focusing on critical bilateral relations and defense cooperation between the two countries.

The Turkish defence minister pledged full support to Nigeria, promising to provide the necessary backing from the Turkish military and defense companies to expedite the fight against terrorism and other criminal challenges in Nigeria.

Badaru and Abubakar also visited selected Turkish companies, including Turkish Aerospace Industries, MKE, Aselsan, and Roketsan, with an eye on collaboration. These firms are renowned globally for their production of quality defense and military equipment. The Minister of Defence advocated for increased synergy between these companies and Nigeria, emphasizing the transfer of defense technology to Nigeria.

In addition to enhancing air defense capabilities, Nigeria's naval power is set to receive a boost with the forthcoming arrival of naval vessels. The Nigerian Navy had previously contracted Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey, for the construction of two units of 76m HE OPV. The keel ceremony for these vessels took place on September 16, 2022, signifying the commencement of their construction. The recent launching ceremony was conducted on October 26, 2023, at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.

The installation of the vessel is expected to be completed between January and May 2024, with plans for harbor acceptance tests in July and August 2024. The delivery of the ship is anticipated in August or September 2024. Furthermore, the second 76m HE OPVP 204 is expected to have its launching ceremony in February 2024 at the Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey.

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, expressed the significance of these naval vessels, emphasizing that they would complement efforts to combat oil theft and other maritime challenges. 

Oyebanji approves N136m car loan for 358 workers.

Oyebanji approves N136m car loan for 358 workers.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the disbursement of N136.26m as a car loan to 368 civil servants in the state.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akin Oyebode, said amounts ranging from N80,000 to N1.5 million would be disbursed to the beneficiaries of the loan scheme depending on their grade levels.

Oyebode said that the governor also approved the injection of N200m to recapitalise the loan scheme.

The commissioner, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, reiterated the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to workers’ welfare.

 Ekiti govt approves car loans for 280 workers

He said, “The governor, in addition, approved payment of N174.39m outstanding deductions from salaries to cooperative societies, Federal Mortgage Bank and others.”

Highlighting details of the disbursement of the car loan, Oyebode said, “Twenty-two benefiting officers on grade levels 02-06 would get N80,000 each while 180 beneficiaries on Grade Levels 07-10 would receive N250,000 each.

 “One hundred and fifty workers on Grade Levels 12-14 would be given N500,000 each; 13 personnel on Grade Levels 15-17 would get N750,000 each and the three beneficiaries on consolidated salary would take home N1.5m each.”

While noting that the government in December 2022 disbursed N130.7m car loans, the commissioner said the Oyebanji administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare.

Stay out of politics, Diri tells Bayelsa monarchs.

Stay out of politics, Diri tells Bayelsa monarchs.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has advised traditional rulers in the state to stay out of partisan politics.

He said they were free to host and pray for any politician but they should not take sides.

Diri spoke at the palace of the Ibedaowei (traditional ruler) of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Agara, in Kaiama, headquarters of the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area as he rounded off his re-election campaign in constituency 1 of the area ahead of the November 11 governorship poll.

Recall that the state government had on October 18, 2023, announced the suspension of the traditional ruler of the Opokuma kingdom, King Boutua Aranka, “due to a reported case of falsehood and a misrepresentation of the chieftaincy laws of the state.”

The government also constituted a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations brought against the monarch.

At the weekend event, Diri was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Olotu Kpekpe 1” (the one and only champion) while his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was conferred with the title “Kuro Okpo 1” (Strong one) of Kolokuma/Opokuma.

Diri, a son of the local government area, thanked the royal fathers for the honour bestowed on him and his deputy and assured them that they would be worthy ambassadors of the kingdom.

He said, “We are not in Kolokuma/Opokuma to campaign. We came to greet our people and spend time with them.

“We thank you for your support over the years and we promise not to let you down. We are also confident that you will continue to support us.

“For our traditional rulers, I have been saying that the traditional institution must not be involved in politics. You can receive and pray for anybody but you should not go beyond that. Traditional rulers should not be partisan.”

The governor also spoke at rallies in Odi, Kaiama and his community, Sampou, where he inaugurated the Government Technical College and completed internal roads

Lagos begins demolition of Ikoyi structures near drainage.

Lagos begins demolition of Ikoyi structures near drainage.

The Lagos State Government will today (Monday) begin the removal of perimeter fences within two metres of drainage channels on the Norman Williams, Awolowo and Ribadu roads in the Ikoyi area of the state.

The state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, in a statement on Sunday, said the exercise comes after the expiration of the grace period given to the property owners in the affected areas.

According to the statement, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, was at Norman Williams Street on Sunday to see the level of compliance.

“It is discouraging to see that just a few homeowners have complied while a larger percentage have not made any move regarding the matter,” Wahab was quoted to have said during the visit.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, who was with the minister, condemned the recalcitrant attitude of the homeowners