Review Oronsaye, other reports before implementation, Reps urge Tinubu.

Review Oronsaye, other reports before implementation, Reps urge Tinubu.

The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to thoroughly review the Stephen Oronsaye Report as well as other reports aimed at revamping the Nigerian civil service before implementation.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had, in 2012, set up a Presidential Committee on the rationalisation and restructuring of the Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.

The committee, headed by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, recommended the scrapping and merging of 220 out of the then-existing 541 government agencies.

Moving a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House on Thursday, the trio of Kama Nkemkanma, Olumide Osoba and Gaza Gbefi noted that the Oronsonye Report “recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 161, the abolition of 38 agencies, and the reversion of 14 to departments in ministries and the management audit of 89 agencies capturing biometric features of staff, as well as the discontinuation of government funding of professional bodies/councils.”

The lawmakers further added that if implemented, the government would be saving over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015 with a breakdown which showed that “about N124.8bn would be reduced from agencies proposed for abolition; about N100.6bn from agencies proposed for mergers; about N6.6bn from professional bodies; N489.9bn from universities; N50.9bn from polytechnics; N32.3bn from colleges of education and N616 million from boards of Federal Medical Centres.”

They argued however that the White Paper committee set up by Jonathan’s administration rejected most of the recommendations, while those accepted were not implemented.

“The House notes that in November 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration inaugurated two committees. One of the committees chaired by Goni Aji, a retired Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was to review the Orosanye report and the second committee, chaired by Ama Pepple, also a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was constituted to review agencies created between 2014 and 2021;

“The House also notes that upon submission of their reports, the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in July 2022 set up another committee chaired by Ebele Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to produce a white paper on the reports.”

That said, the lawmaker also noted that implementing the Oronsaye Report 12 years after it was first made, “which ordinarily may be described as outdated, especially because of how dynamic the society, economy, polity, technology and all facets of our national life has been,” may not be in the best interest of the nation.

They stated, “Contrary to the assumption that the full implementation of the report would reduce the cost of governance; with the current realities, the full implementation of the report will not substantially reduce the cost of governance as it does not reflect the current situation in the Public Service of the Federation,” stressing that a full implementation “will certainly throw up unintended consequences, implications and outcomes.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged Tinubu to “comprehensively review the 2012 Orosanye Report, the Goni Aji Report which reviewed Orosanye Report, the White Paper released by the President Jonathan administration, the Ama Pepple White Paper and the Ebele Okeke White Paper in line with current realities, while considering implementable alternatives that are in tune with current realities, and which at the same time would have minimum unintended consequences, impacts, implications and outcomes.”

It also urged the FG to develop and implement policies “that will reposition the agricultural sector, the solid mineral sector and the informal sectors which will serve as alternatives to those that may be laid off consequentially while at the same time spurring economic growth.”

Kwara clears teachers, LG workers’ salary arrears with N3bn.

Kwara clears teachers, LG workers’ salary arrears with N3bn.

The Kwara State Government has cleared all the salary arrears for SUBEB teachers and local government workers inherited from the administration of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

This was contained in a statement released on Thursday by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed.

According to the statement, figures from the last allocation meeting of the local government showed that the government committed N1,297,389,165.83 to clear the balance of the arrears owed to the SUBEB teachers.

It added that another N1,622,673,992.12 was apportioned to clear the balance of the arrears for the local government workers in the past administration, according to the data from the allocation meeting.

“Between January 2020 and January 2024, the administration has spent at least N5.5bn to offset the arrears of salary for SUBEB teachers, local government workers and local government pensioners alone – apart from meeting its multibillion naira monthly obligations to these categories of workers and many others since it was elected in 2019.

“The government meanwhile has approved cash-backing for the implementation of 2022 promotion for teaching and non-teaching staff of the SUBEB, a decision that is part of the government’s efforts to boost the purchasing powers of workers at this time.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has constantly said he would clear all the salary and promotion arrears he inherited from his predecessor, a campaign promise he has fulfilled in phases since he assumed office in 2019.

“The final settlement of the SUBEB and Local Government salary arrears brings to a close the consistent agitation for the payment of the money, which dated back to 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019,” the statement added.

Heads of justice ministry’s agencies sign performance bond.

Heads of justice ministry’s agencies sign performance bond.

Heads of different agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice have signed a performance bond with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

The agencies under the ministry are the National Human Rights Commission; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Study; the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and the Nigeria Copyright Commission.

Others are the Council for Legal Education; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and the Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration among others.

Ministers, presidential aides, and permanent secretaries had in November 2023 signed a performance bond with the president which is expected to serve as a scorecard for implementing the Ministerial Deliverables and other Government Programmes and Policies.

They were, however, asked to cascade the gestures down to Agencies/Parastatals under their supervision.

Speaking at the event, on Wednesday, Fagbemi said the bond would serve as a metric for evaluating their performance.

The AGF noted that he expects a high level of performance among all agency heads, in line with their stated commitments.

Fagbemi said, “I must state that I will hold every Head of Agency to the highest standard of performance in line with the declarations you have made today. It is therefore imperative that you cascade the contents of your presentation to all levels of leadership in your agencies to ensure performance on the job and a clear understanding of your mandates under the performance bond.”

Fagbemi noted that the Justice Sector Plan contains 15 Ministerial Deliverables; 49 Key Performance Indicators; BBaselinesand Targets.

He noted that he had assigned roles to heads of agencies in that regard.

“You may therefore recall that at the retreat in January 2024, I had directed that Heads of Agencies set up internal Committees to carry out the following responsibilities: Peruse the Ministerial deliverables to discover your role in ensuring optimal performance of the Presidential priorities (Sector Plan 2023-2027). Draw up the 2024 work plan from the initiatives captured in your Strategic Plan, ” he added.

He, however, urged the heads of the agencies to embark on initiatives that would improve public service delivery strategies in the justice sector.

Fagbemi said, “It is undoubted that the justice sector is key towards ensuring socio-economic development of the nation, through improved access to justice. Access to justice in this regard calls for synergy between MDAs in ensuring legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement, and supporting sustainable peace and security through effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.”

The Permanent Secretary and the Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba assured the agencies that the ministry would provide the needed support to surmount their threats and weaknesses.

Jedy-Agba said, ” I would like to assure you that the Honourable Minister and I will critically study your presentations to address your Weaknesses and Threats and provide the necessary support for harnessing your Strengths and Opportunities to enhance your abilities to deliver on your various mandates "

Omoluabi Group Hail Tinubu for Embarking on a Think- Thank Visit to Afenifere Leader, Says PBAT is Truly An Omoluabi.

Omoluabi Group Hail Tinubu for Embarking on a Think- Thank Visit to Afenifere Leader, Says PBAT is Truly An Omoluabi.

Omoluabi Group on Thursday, 28th of February, joined the Afenifere leaders under the leadership of Pa Reuben Famuyiibo Fasoranti to welcome His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he paid a scheduled visit to the nonagerian and other eminent leaders of the Pan Yoruba Socio- cultural Group in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State. 

The visit was the first of its' kind made by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since his assumption of office as President and Commander - In- Chief of the Federal Republic. Omoluabi Group however showed unreserved joy at the visitation of the president being an home coming and a think- thank visit to the highly revered and respected National Leader of Afenifere. To us as a group, it is a simple show of respect, honesty and a dependable character portrayed by the President. 

Omoluabi extols Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being a worthy omoluabi indeed who deen it fit to pay tribute to the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Late Governor Akeredolu Odunayo and the people of Owo kingdom. 

We therefore pray the President wisdom, understanding and long life as you continue to provide worthy leadership to Nigeria and Nigerians. Omoluabi Group further admonish Nigerians to exercise patience as the President is truly on the path to rebuild a new and better Nigeria.

Oodua a gbe President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akanbi Omo olodo ide.

E- Signed 

Alex Akinfolarin

National.Secretary

Ex-rep member, Shina Peller, others defect to PDP.

Ex-rep member, Shina Peller, others defect to PDP.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, along with thousands of Accord Party members in Oyo North Senatorial District, Oyo State, defected to the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state on Thursday.

He was formerly received by the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, at Ode-Oba, Iseyin, in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.

The governor was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal.

Peller, who was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 to represent Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, left the party in 2023 to secure the Oyo North Senatorial ticket of the Accord Party, but he lost the election to the candidate of the PDP, Fatai Buhari.

Peller, however, attributed Makinde’s exemplary leadership qualities to his decision.

He said, “When I wanted to contest Senatorial in APC, they said we are too small but I thank God, today we are in the right party, a big party. If you look at Nigeria today, we are so endowed, but lack of leadership is our problem.

“Nigeria is endowed with both human and natural resources but these resources have failed to translate to reality. So, there is no leadership when there is no leader.

“Seyi is a visionary leader, that’s why I joined the party.

“I have seen the reason to align with the vision of Makinde. There is no leadership when there is no vision. And we have seen the good work Makinde has done in this zone, Oke-Ogun. It has never happened in the history of Oyo North Senatorial district.

“From Moniya to Iseyin; Oyo to Iseyin; Ogbomoso to Iseyin and so on. It has never happened before. So, if you have a visionary leader like him, you have to support him. That’s why we have decided to join Governor Makinde and the PDP to move the state forward.

“It is good to go to where you are valued. PDP has shown that they value us. Our father has been clamouring for a tertiary institution for the past 70 years, Makinde gave us an institution. What of infrastructural facilities? He gave us. So, I want to announce that thousands of Accord Party members in the 13 Local Governments made up of Oyo North Senatorial district are here. They are here to join PDP. Wards Chairmen; Local Government Chairmen; women leaders; and also Senatorial district chairman are all here to defect to the ruling PDP because of the visionary leader of Makinde. I want to appeal to other political parties to join us to move the state forward, and I pray that we will not regret it.

“Some people came and asked: Why do I want to join PDP? And I said, I need power to move forward, I need power to progress, that’s why I joined PDP,” he stressed.

Makinde, while handing over the flag of the PDP to Peller, said, “You will not regret joining the PDP. Now that Peller has joined this party, we must not hear another party in Iseyin in particular, or in Oke Ogun in general.

“I want to advise our PDP executives in local governments to cooperate with them. The ward chairmen and local government chairmen of our PDP should give them a chance to operate.

“You should accommodate them because the local government election is fast approaching, so we should all join hands together to make sure that we clear all 33 local governments in the state,” he urged.

Dignitaries include the PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; the Lagos State PDP Governorship candidate in 2023, Olajide Adediran (Jandor); former Minister of Power and Steel, Wole Oyelese; former Oyo State PDP Chairman, Kunmi Mustafa; current member of the House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Abayomi Oyedeji; former Chief of Staff to late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Saka Balogun; Nureni Akanbi; Senator Gbenga Babalola; Ahmed Gbadamosi; Gbadebo Adetoro; Ali Oyedeji; the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Federal Constituency Matters, Dare Adeleke; and a host of others.

First Lady inaugurates women agricultural programme to boost food production.

First Lady inaugurates women agricultural programme to boost food production.

...Senator Tinubu lifts five Eastern states with N10m each

....100 persons with disabilities in Imo get empowerment.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the maiden Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Agricultural Support Group programme for the Southeast to boost food production.

Senator Tinubu, who performed the take-off of the programme in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the gesture was in fulfillment of the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to promote women farmers across the country.

The First Lady said the RHI was committed to supporting women farmers with the broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector.

She said: “President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognises the pivotal role that agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency. To this end, this is a two-in-one programme designed to support our women farmers nationwide.

“On one hand, the Renewed Hope Initiative is supporting 20 women farmers per state with N500,000 each.”

The First Lady announced that N10 million would be given to beneficiaries in each of the five states in the Southeast through the RHI state coordinators.

On the other hand, she said the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), in partnership with RHI, would support extra 80 women farmers together with 20 women farmers per state, making a total of 100 women per state, to get financial support.

Senator Tinubu said the beneficiaries in Imo State would start their training programme this week while other beneficiaries within the region would begin their capacity training as scheduled by NALDA.

The First Lady assured the women that they would get agricultural inputs, such as fisheries (50 fingerlings and feeds for each farmer) and poultry (25 three-week old birds) and feeds for every poultry farmer.

She said those engaged in arable farming would get improved cassava and a bag of fertiliser for every agrarian farmer.

“All farm produce will be bought over by NALDA after the harvest of produce.

“The financial support to the 20 women farmers in each state from the RHI is to enhance and encourage productivity while the training by NALDA for all the 100 women farmers per state is to reduce crop waste and promote more efficient production and farming techniques.

“This dual approach of the RHI and NALDA demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to address the various challenges faced by women farmers,” the First Lady said.

Senator Tinubu also announced that the RHI Social Investment programme would empower 100 persons with disabilities in Imo State to become small business owners.

She said they would get N100,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who noted that the struggle for food security must be a collective effort, expressed confidence that the empowerment of the rural farmers would contribute to food sufficiency in the state.

Also, NALDA’s Executive Secretary Paul Ikonne said the agency was “committed to partnering with the wife of the President to making sure that we lure our mothers and young women into farming”.

Fed Govt to establish 24 skills, innovative centres across country.

Fed Govt to establish 24 skills, innovative centres across country.

The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is set to establish over 24 skills and innovation centres across the country to enable the citizens gain their potential and boosting productivity.

Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced this when he visited the Innov8 Hub yesterday in Abuja accompanied by critical stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of TETfund, Sonny Echono.

Innovation a focal point for Innovation Start-up Incubation, Technology Transfer, Knowledge and Skills Impartation, Prototype Development and Fabrication.

TETFund is currently partnering Innov8 Hub for practical training and mentorship for Nigerian youths and academics to produce employable graduates and boost research.

Mamman said the plan to provide 24 skills centres across the country was aimed at giving equal opportunities to all Nigerian children wherever they are.

The minister hailed TETFund and the Innov8 Hub for supplying the learners and the researchers from colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities with the platform to undertake practical impactful research.

He said: “Now, what I see here is enough to provide the knowledge incubation to take Nigeria to the highest level.

“What I have seen here is a place that gives hope to the young ones who have the ideas, who have a disposition to acquire basic skills that they need to move on and have a decent livelihood.

“What I have seen here is a major source of inspiration, and we are going to work with the sector, as they are already doing with TETFund.

“We want to be grateful to TETFund for this relationship. This place is owned by a private person but working closely with one of the government agencies in the education sector that is supplying the learners and the researchers from colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities to come here and undertake very practical impactful research.”

Mamman said off-takers were missing because they were not doing their part.

The minister promised that the government would bridge the gap between researchers and the industries.

He said: “I’m going to be the chief advocate in this regard. I’m going to bring in some of the big entrepreneurs to come and see this place and also ensure that some of our people in relevant ministry positions come here and see what this place is doing and the potential it provides for this country.

“We will also train our students and give them skills. We are going to work together to generate a lot of young Nigerians who are out there from the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs’) camps and everywhere else to give them the necessary training.”