First Lady gives rescued Katsina varsity students scholarship, laptops.

First Lady gives rescued Katsina varsity students scholarship, laptops.

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday, received four of the five students of Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, rescued from kidnappers at the State House.

This was as she described learning and education as veritable weapons in the fight against terrorism and criminality by individuals and communities.

Each girl also received a scholarship grant of N1m and a brand-new laptop from the Renewed Hope Initiative as Tinubu announced that the Federal Government would give a sum of N2m to the parents of each of the rescued girls and N1m to the Vice Chancellor of the university.

The Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a statement she signed on Sunday, titled ‘First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, says education is the great weapon in the fight against terrorism.’

The statement quoted Tinubu as saying,, “I join a cheerful nation to welcome our beloved daughters home as you reunite with your families. We grieved over the sad fate that had befallen you and we join your family to celebrate your safe return.

“Since your dreadful abduction on October 5, 2023, it has been a period of pain for you, your parents, your teachers and indeed all Nigerians. Throughout this period, we have kept faith and trust in God and in our law enforcement agencies that you will return safely.

“Since the incident, law enforcement officers from various agencies worked tirelessly to ensure your return home. Today, we thank the Almighty God for protecting you and reuniting you with your loved ones.”

The First Lady assured the rescued girls of the Federal Government’s commitment and that of the Renewed Hope Initiative, to support them psychologically and with their education as they begin their healing after more than 70 days in captivity.

She added that their experience must not hinder their educational pursuits and career interests.

“Beyond your safe return, we would follow up on your journey not only to recover from this sad episode in your lives but to see that you accomplish your mission in your educational pursuit and career interests.

“Already, I have been briefed on the courage you have shown so far and I encourage you to turn this episode in your lives, into a story of triumph.

“You must continue to pursue your educational interests. By ensuring that you continue to learn, as we provide you with the necessary medical and psychological support, we at the Renewed Hope Initiative, are also committed to providing you with guidance and support to reach your full potential,” she explained.

The former lawmaker noted that their experience and that of other Nigerians who have been kidnapped is “difficult” encouraging them that this phase will pass with the determination and tenacity of the security and intelligence forces and the support of all Nigerians.

She expressed gratitude for their safe return and commended the leadership role of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

She also praised the effective coordination of law enforcement agencies “who worked diligently over the past few months to ensure their safe return and the return of every Nigerian held against their will,” the statement read.

The representative of the National Security Adviser, Brigadier General Olutayo Adesuyi, while handing over the girls, said the First Lady meeting with the rescued girls is significant as it shows the solidarity of the Federal Governments’ support.

Present at the meeting were the parents of the rescued girls, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsin Ma Katsina, a Representative of the Inspector General of Police and the National Counter Terrorism Legal Officer.

Embrace ethical leadership, Adeleke urges African leaders.

Embrace ethical leadership, Adeleke urges African leaders.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged those in positions of authority in Africa to embrace the ethical leadership model in a bid to ensure excellence in public service and good governance.

The governor made this known while delivering a convocation lecture on the theme: Imparting Excellence, Integrity and Service: Nurturing Ethical Leaders in Changing World’ at Valley View University, Accra, Ghana, after the university had conferred on him an honorary doctorate degree.

Adeleke, who identified attributes of ethical leaders, said they were always rule-driven, honest, consistent, goal-driven and oriented towards the aspirations of the people, added that such leaders would avoid corruption and ensure public resources serve the public interest.

He, however, noted that such leaders existed within the African political space but were few, lamenting that leaders in Africa were often faced with multiple issues that would undermine the drive for excellence.

Proffering solutions to this challenge, Osun State Governor, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, further said, “It is my considered opinion that embracing an ethical leadership model will speed up the achievement of public service excellence and good governance in Africa.

“Doing the right thing as a leader in policy delivery is the expected output of every public leader. Ensuring the best service delivery with the right moral compass is the best expectation in public life. Achieving both excellence and integrity is the calling of ethical leaders.

“Many leaders lack credibility and legitimacy as the process of their ascendance to power is suspect. Afterward, governance becomes a difficult task as many leaders are engaged in the continuous suppression of the rule-driven system.

“To achieve excellence in public leadership, Africa is in dire need of ethical leadership. We need leaders who will avoid corruption and a despotic mindset and support deep adherence to the rule of law. We must ensure the survival of democracy by sticking to the rule and eschewing disobedience of the electoral will of the citizens. Leaders must see their offices as a call to duty to serve and not to be served, to consult and not to dictate, and to observe and not violate the rule of law.

“In my state back in Nigeria, I have four rules of engagement as a Governor, namely adherence to the rule of law, zero tolerance for corruption, commitment to good governance and fear of God in public leadership.”

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof William Koomsion, said the institution reviewed Adeleke’s antecedent as a businessman and ex-federal lawmaker, alongside his ethical leadership since assuming the governorship of Osun, to arrive at its decision.

He lauded the governor’s multi-million naira education scholarship as a Senator, his sterling records on workers’ welfare as a governor, his performance on infrastructure upgrades and his commitment to due process, the rule of law and fear of God.

Sanwo-Olu launches N750m palliative scheme for Lagos traders.

Sanwo-Olu launches N750m palliative scheme for Lagos traders.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, launched a palliative scheme, Lagos Market Trader Money, to support low-income traders.

The governor disclosed this during the unveiling of a middle-level Fresh Food Agro Hub in the Mushin area of the state.

According to a post on his X handle on Sunday, the first phase of the Lagos Market Trader Money will provide N50,000 business grants to 15,000 traders across the state’s 57 local councils.

His wrote, “Today, I launched a fresh palliative scheme in Lagos to support low-income traders. The Lagos Market Trader Money in its first phase will provide N50,000 business grants to 15,000 traders across our 57 local councils.

“This initiative aims to cushion the impact of economic challenges and empower small businesses.”

 

Addressing the food agro hub, the governor wrote, “The inauguration of the Fresh Food Agro Market in Mushin aligns with our vision for a coordinated food security network. Our roadmap prioritizes boosting food production, processing, and marketing. This facility maximises storage and offers consumers affordable fresh farm produce.

“This milestone facility signifies a turning point in Lagos’ food distribution system, paving the way for improved logistics and modernization of our markets.

“I am grateful for the support and appreciation from traders and community leaders in Mushin. The completion of this market project and the launch of Lagos Market Trader Money is a step towards bettering the lives of our market communities.”

Tinubu’ll sign anti-sexual harassment bill, aide assures students.

Tinubu’ll sign anti-sexual harassment bill, aide assures students.

SSA to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon, said that the President would act on the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill awaiting signatory on his table.

He made this known in Abuja during a meeting with some students representatives who presented pens to the President through him on Friday.

The students stated that the pens would be used in assenting to the bill in commemoration of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The meeting was facilitated by the Gender Mobile Initiative, an organisation working to address gender and sexual violence in the education sector.

The presidential aide noted that a collective effort was needed to curb sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, adding that the message of the students would be delivered to President Tinubu.

“I receive these pens in good faith and will deliver the message accordingly. I assure you that the President who is our father, will do the needful on this bill,” Asefon said.

Speaking further, he noted, “We’ve heard a lot of cases of sexual harassment by lecturers on female students and the female students with boldness report these cases but because of the lecturers’ influence, the cases are swept under the carpet.

“This bill will give judgment to criminalise sexual harassment offenders. I want to assure you that my office will collaborate to renew the fight against sexual harassment and sex-for-marks in our institutions.”

On her part, a former Students Union President at the University of Abuja, Benita Olaniyan, called on the President to prioritise the signing of the bill to stop all forms of abuse and violence in schools.

“The education system is supposed to be a safe place for learning, but students have been harassed and sexually molested.

“The students across higher institutions of learning in this country, in their goodwill, have donated these pens to the President and we believe there will be stricter punishment for offenders,” Olaniyan said.

New minimum wage will be fair, implementable – President Tinubu.

New minimum wage will be fair, implementable – President Tinubu.

The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has provided indications about the potential scope of the planned minimum wage for Nigerian workers, taking into account the increased cost of living.

The President stated that the forthcoming wage structure will be practical, sustainable, and implementable by all levels of government.

The president said: “I understand the concerns regarding the unveiling of the new minimum wage and how states will manage these changes, especially those with fewer resources.

“To address this, my administration has approved a provisional increase in the federal minimum wage to N35,000 per month for a six-month period, two months of which have already been paid. This decision follows extensive consultations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“In managing the situation with the states, we are working closely with them to ensure the new wage structure is practical and sustainable. It’s important that each state’s unique financial situation is considered.

“We are focused on strategies to help states strengthen their economies, considering factors like tax efficiency and economic diversification.

“We are committed to ongoing dialogues with labour unions and state governments. This collaborative approach is crucial to ensure that the new minimum wage is fair, reasonable, and implementable across all states. Our goal is to balance the economic well-being of our workers with the overall financial health of the nation.

“We ask Nigerians to rest assured that my administration will not rest until we have delivered a sustainable solution in the best interest of Nigerians.”

Coronation: Soun inaugurates operation zero potholes on Ogbomoso roads.

Coronation: Soun inaugurates operation zero potholes on Ogbomoso roads.

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye

The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, has inaugurated Operation Zero Potholes on Ogbomoso township roads as part of activities for his coronation scheduled for December 19.

Spokesman for the paramount ruler, Rev. Peter Olaleye, said this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Ogbomoso.

Olaleye said that the ongoing repair of the road network within the city was at the instance of the paramount ruler.

He said that Oba Olaoye had approached relevant authorities to get the road fixed to make driving through the metropolis less burdensome, especially during the coronation activities.

“Oba Olaoye is committed to improving the outlook of Ogbomoso in all facets. He is willing to meet with relevant stakeholders to effect the desired changes. It is part of the reasons he decided to launch Operation Zero Tolerance against potholes.

“The royal father is not happy with the condition of Ogbomoso roads and that is why he decided to partner with Reynolds Construction Company to rehabilitate some major roads in the city,” he said.

According to him, this is even more germane because of the coronation ceremony and solicited the support and cooperation of residents for the Royal father.

The Chairman of the coronation Central Planning Committee, Prof. Adesola Adepoju, had on Tuesday, last week at a news conference rolled out the programme of events at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club in Ogbomoso.

Adepoju disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would present the staff of office to Oba Olaoye on Tuesday, at the Ogbomoso Township stadium to climax the one-week activities.

He said the town would play host to dignitaries from all walks of life, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, and representatives of governments at all levels, serving and former governors, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic corps.

Adepoju said that his committee was already working with the different arms of security agencies to provide adequate security for lives and properties during the events as well as travel routes.

The chairman told NAN to observe the level of preparedness, adding that the traditional ruler had given directives that bad portions on township roads be fixed immediately.

Civil service must change reputation of redundancy, inefficiency — Shettima.

Civil service must change reputation of redundancy, inefficiency — Shettima.

The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has said the civil service must walk away from its reputation of redundancy and inefficiency.

Shettima, who also stressed the need to reposition the civil service, decried the changes in leadership dynamics across the board.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Shettima who spoke at the second graduation and award presentation ceremony of some civil servants who underwent training organised by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation said that the Leadership Enhancement and Development Program initiative would help address longstanding challenges facing the Nigerian civil service.

He said, “This marks a further turning point in the fortunes of the public service and the civil service in Nigeria and the astute work that has been done that continues to be done in requisitioning the service. I assure you that it’s a new dawn.

“A leader is that visionary and calculated risk taker who takes his people to where they need to be, even if they don’t know that they need to be there.

“So, the challenges of leadership are changing, becoming more complex and systems of complexity. So, with the rigorous training on leadership that our graduates have gone through over months or perhaps years of preparation, it is my belief that we are unleashing on our public service and our civil service a ready cohort of game changers and change ambassadors.

“The idea behind training a select few is for them to infect the vast majority in a good way with what they have learned and to replicate themselves everywhere. The task will not be easy. The world is watching, and your job is cut out for you.

“There is a critical need to reposition public service or civil service and to get us to begin to attain the levels which we have seen in many countries around the world. We have to walk away from a reputation of redundancy and inefficiency.”

On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume represented by the permanent secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, while emphasizing the critical role played by Civil Servants in nation-building, said: “The LEAD-P program, a vital pillar of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025, is a testament to unwavering commitment towards excellence in governance.

“To the 107 graduates, your journey through this program has been one of intellectual rigor and personal transformation. You have been challenged, stretched, and molded into the leaders our nation needs. Therefore, I charge you to deploy your intellect with conviction, your skills with purpose, and your leadership with integrity.”

Also speaking, the head of service of the federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, while stressing the need for human capital for nation-building, noted that: “Investing in human knowledge and skills is an urgent necessity for development. This is because people are the main engine for growth and without skills or knowledge and personnel, it’s not possible to achieve the growth, development, and advance rates that nations aspire to.”

She said that the choice of focusing on officers on salary grade level 10 to 14, was informed by the need to lay a very strong foundation for the future of the civil service.

She also noted that “one of the cardinal objectives of the leadership enhancement development program is also to change the mindset of officers and increase the self-awareness and patterns of behavior so that they can also, in turn, influence the mindset of other officers, making them more capable of leading.”