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Tag: Committee

  • Dalung inaugurates Nigeria House Project Committee

    Dalung inaugurates Nigeria House Project Committee

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Thursday inaugurated an eight-man reconstituted Nigeria House Project Committee.
    Inaugurating the committee Dalung charged the members to ensure that Nigeria was well represented at major international games including the Olympics, Commonwealth, Africa Games and the FIFA World Cup.
    A statement signed by Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, minister’s Special Assistant on Media, stated that the minister thanked the committee members for their patriotism to serve Nigeria in this capacity.
    Dalung said that their commitment has demystified the notion that nothing could be achieved in sports without money.
    “The Nigeria House Project Committee is set up to establish a hospitality outfit for Nigeria and indeed other African nations to showcase our rich potentials in any country hosting a major sports fiesta.
    ” They will be responsible for making sure the image of the country is presented in the right perspective, using various resources of the state at their disposal including culture, economic opportunities and tourism.
    “During such games, these patriots will work to create a presence for their country to attract foreign investors by showcasing the possibilities and potentials in the country.”
    “I have no fear or doubt that you will accomplish this task and that Nigerians will be proud of the project.
    “The federal government is committed to ensuring that you succeed and will spare no expense to facilitate your success to deliver to Nigerians, a befitting outing at the Commonwealth Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”
    Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman of the Nigeria House Project Committee, Ifedayo Akindoju, thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed in the committee, promising to succeed.
    “We have started work and we are working. We will ensure that we deliver on this project and we promise you that we will not fail.”
    The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida is the Vice chairman of the committee while other members include Bolcit Patience Barshep as Secretary/member, Mallam Ibrahim A. Abdul as Assistant Secretary, President of the Nigeria Gymnastics Federation Kelvin Erhunwmuse, Hon Margaret Nzumbato, Tonobok Ojuru Okowa while Mohammed Baba Abdullahi is the Consultant/Coordinator.
    The Nigeria House Project is a Public Private Partnership concept between the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and MOBAB Consult Limited, a management and marketing firm.

  • Corruption allegations: Senate sets up committee to probe IGP, Ibrahim Idris

    The Senate has set up an eight-man ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of corruption brought against the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Ibrahim Idris, by a senator, Isah Misau (APC-Bauchi).

    The Senate also mandated its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate Police allegations against Mr. Misau, and present its findings to the House.

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had alleged that Mr. Misau did not follow due process when he retired from the force.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senate’s resolution followed a Point of Order by Mr. Misau, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy.

    Mr. Misau had told his colleagues that he had been having a running battle with the IGP over the level of corruption in the NPF.

    The senator said he deemed it necessary to bring the matter before the Senate because it had been in public domain for “some weeks now”.

    He accused the IGP of blackmailing him because he dared to talk about the level of corruption in the force.

    “I am a retired Police officer and served for 10 years; my father served the force for 34 years. In fact, he joined the Police before I was born.

    “So, when I speak about the Police, I know what I am saying. When I speak about the Police, I speak with authority.

    “I am concerned about what is happening in the Police in terms of bribery; there is a need for something urgent to be done to salvage the image of the institution.

    “Before raising alarm on the irregularities in the institution, I called three serving officers and they confirmed to me that people pay more than N500,000 to get promoted.

    “I also have other evidences that I am ready to release for investigation,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker further alleged that the police was generating money from companies where officers were deployed to serve.

    He lamented that while most Nigerians were without security protection, the force had deployed a large number of officers to guard companies and a few individuals.

    “This is an open secret; it is obvious that even people with questionable character have Police protection and have been blaring sirens all over the place.

    “One Police officer is supposed to serve 400 people, but in Nigeria, it is one Police officer to 800 people, while one private marketer has more than 30 policemen.

    “A situation like that only depletes the number of Police personnel available to protect the ordinary citizens.

    “We have excellent Police officers who are now demoralised because promotion is no longer based on merit and years of service.

    “Another thing I found out is that there is illegal diversion of funds. Under the 2016 Budget, there was a line item for purchase of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), but instead of the APCs, luxury cars were purchased without virement,’’ Mr. Misau said.

    On allegations that he left the NPF without due process, Mr. Misau said he followed due process before retiring.

    The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that in view of the weighty nature of the allegations brought against the Police, the Senate would not hesitate to investigate the matter.

    Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

    “We have listened to him and he has raised a number of issues which we can’t sweep under the carpet.

    “We have to reform our institutions and deal with allegations of corruption so as to cleanse them.

    “The ad hoc committee will deal with the area of allegation of corruption, while the Committee on Ethics and Privileges will deal with the allegation of the Police against Misau,’’ he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Deputy Chief Whip, Francis Alimikhena, is the chairman of the committee whose other members include Joshua Lidani (PDP-Gombe), Binta Masi (APC-Adamawa) and Duro Faseyi (PDP-Ekiti).

    Others include Nelson Effiong (APC-Akwa Ibom), Obinna Ogba (PDP-Ebonyi), Abdul-Aziz Nyako (APC-Adamawa) and Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC-Kaduna).

  • Photos: Meeting of Northern Governors committee on restructuring

    The Northern Governors committee on restructuring held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday in Kaduna.

    See photos below:

    L-R: Governors Umar Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto and Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Professor Sonni Tyoden at the inaugural meeting of Northern Governors Forum/Norther Traditional Leaders Council’s committee on restructuring of Nigerian federation in Kaduna.

     

     

    L-R: Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Umar Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto and Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Sonni Tyoden, at the inaugural meeting of Northern Governors Forum/Norther Traditional Leaders Council’s committee on restructuring of Nigerian federation in Kaduna.

     

    L-R: Governors Umar Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto and Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Professor Sonni Tyoden at the inaugural meeting of Northern Governors Forum/Norther Traditional Leaders Council’s committee on restructuring of Nigerian federation in Kaduna.

    L-R: Governors Umar Tanko Almakura of Nassarawa State and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto with the Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II discussing during the inaugural meeting of Northern Governors Forum/Norther Traditional Leaders Council’s committee on restructuring of Nigerian federation in Kaduna.

     

     

  • Committee recommends sale of 1500 Govt Houses in Sokoto

    The committee set up by Sokoto State Government on sales of government quarters to deserving public workers has recommended the sale of about 1500 houses located at various locations in the state.

    Chairman of the committee and state commissioner of lands and housing, Bello Abubakar Guiwa, stated this when he presented their report to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at Government House, Sokoto.

    “According to our verification, a total number of 1,497 houses have been identified as belonging to the state government located within and around the metropolitan city. The houses are mostly located around Guiwa, Bado, Arkilla, Nasarawa, Runjin Sambo, Eastern and Western GRA areas,” the chairman said.

    He said in order to ease the burden faced by many of occupants some of who are retired civil servants, the committee advised the government to sell 90 percent of the houses at a minimum of N1 million to N6.2 million.

    Guiwa said in deciding who should benefit from the sales of the houses, government should give priority to Sokoto indigenes working in the state civil service or unified local government service of the state.

    In addition, it said special consideration should also be given to Sokoto indigenes working in the federal government or non-Sokoto indigenes who are working for the state government.

    Speaking after he received the report, Governor Tambuwal said government plans to reinvest proceeds of the sales in completion of the new estates under construction in the state capital.

    “I thank you for a job well-done. We are forwarding this report to the state executive council for deliberation and necessary approval,” Tambuwal added.

  • APC inaugurate committee to reconcile Yahaya Bello, Melaye

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Monday in Abuja, inaugurated a seven-member reconciliation committee for the party’s Kogi State chapter at the APC National Secretariat.

    The seven-member committee, which is chaired by Gen. Idris Garba(retd.), also has as members, Chief Don Etiebet, Patricia Etteh; Group Capt. Rufai Garba(retd.), Alhaji Umar Lawan Kareto, Group Capt. Joe Orji (retd.) and the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Mr. Victor Giadom (secretary).

    The state Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, and Senator Dino Melaye, have been fighting for the control of the soul of the party.

    At the inauguration, the APC national chairman thanked members of the reconciliation committee for agreeing to serve the party.

    He said the party’s leadership wanted peace and settlement in the Kogi State chapter of the party.

    Odigie-Oyegun said, “The situation in Kogi is unique. And we want to give every possible opportunity for a settlement. What triggered the events in Kogi was very tragic in their nature.

    “So for us as a party, we are bending over backwards to say, yes we understand your feelings; we understand what you have been through; we understand the work that you have put in to get the APC elected; we understand also that God who disposes of power, brought somebody at the last minute to be the beneficiary of all the work and labour that everybody obviously has put in.”

    Garba thanked the party for selecting the committee members for the assignment and expressed the resolve of the committee to bring peace to the party in the state.

  • Governors forum sets up committee for state police

    Governors forum sets up committee for state police

    Apparently throwing its support for the restructuring of the country, the Nigeria Governors Forum [NGF], yesterday set up a six man committee to explore the option of actualising state police in the country.

    The committee which has representatives from the six geo-Political zones of the country was mandated to come up with the best way of policing the country in view of the myriads of security challenges and its attendant lost of lives.

    This decision was reached after a closed-door meeting the governors had with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

    Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Chairman of Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari flanked by the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said that its meeting was dominated by the presentation made by the Inspector General of Police.

    He also said that the IGP had sought the permission for the establishment of media outfits like radio and television for the Police Force.

    Governor Yari said, “We discussed and we received presentation from the Inspector General of Police. He made a presentation to us canvassing for the support to introduce media outfits, radio and television for the force and as well the Police to go technologically from the manual of doing things.

    “The Inspector General of Police dominated the whole day of our discussion today understanding what the issue of Police is into the system whereby in some other nations it is ten to one person but in Nigeria we have four hundred to one.

    “So, they are having so many difficulties in funding which we are agreed that with the way things are going through the budgeting process, we cannot be able to fund police.

    So, the Inspector General of Police made us to know that there is a kind of trust fund bill which is before the National Assembly, asked for our support and the members of the national assembly especially the House of Representatives.

    “In our own part, we have put a committee in place. It is headed by the governors of Kwara, Imo, Delta, Ekiti, Bauchi and Sokoto to lead the committee so that they can be able to interface with the committee of Police and take the matter before the Acting President for further action. It is important for our nation.

    “And as well there is the issue of kind of state police which is being discussed and we are coming with so many options which we are expecting the committee will do the needful and find safe way of policing in Nigeria .”

    Also speaking to journalists, the IGP said that security challenges in virtually all parts of the country was the dominant issue in the meeting, stressing that matters that border on security required a collective effort to confront. He said the essence of the meeting with the governors centered on

    “Our efforts to address some of the challenges in the Police unit. We had a fruitful discussion with them and obviously all of them are concerned about security in some parts of the country, virtually in all parts of the country. They are ready to support the Police Force to see how we can address some of the challenges.”

    On the Acting President’s charge for reinforcements in the security apparatus of the country he said “Obviously it is a normal procedure, when we have challenges we normally reinforce. “Having insecurity all over the country requires the participation of every citizen of this country. We have to put our heads together to address all the security challenges.

    “The governments are doing well, they are trying to bring communities closer and I think it takes a long time but by and large, with the cooperation of community members and all the security agencies we have met to synergies.”

  • Navy/Police clash: DHQ raises committee to probe fracas

    The Defence Headquarters has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the recent clash between personnel of the Nigerian Navy and Police in Calabar.

    The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche on Tuesday, noted in a statement that the committee was mandated to recommend appropriate sanction or sanctions to anyone or group found culpable.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that personnel of the navy and police clashed in Calabar in May during which two policemen and a naval rating were said to have died.

    It was reported that trouble started when police traffic controllers attempted to stop some officers, who allegedly flouted the red light at a point near the Calabar Township.

    “This is aimed at checkmating and subsequently eliminating such incidents in the future, to enhance relationship between the military and other security and response agencies in Nigeria.

    “The Defence Headquarters hereby appeal to members of security and response agencies to embrace espirit de corps in the course of carrying out their duties and have mutual respect and understanding for each other,’’ Enecnhe said.

     

     

    NAN

  • Dogara receives 72 Bills from law reform committee, promises speedy passage

    Dogara receives 72 Bills from law reform committee, promises speedy passage

    The Committee on Review of Existing Laws and Law Reform set up by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, to review obsolete laws and review the nation’s statutes has presented another Set of 72 bills to the Speaker for passage into law.

    The team was led by the director general of National Institute of Legislative Studies, Dr Ladi Hamalai, to submit the report, which is of the final phase of the committee’s work, at the National Assembly.

    Submitting the report, Dr Hamalai said, “the committee considered over 100 legislation, out of which seventy-two bills were drafted. The drafted bills consist of repeals, amendments, consolidations and new bills. Key legislation reviewed and bills drafted include but not limited to:

    (a)The Electoral Act

    (b) Federal Universities establishment laws

    (c) The Electric Power Sector Reform Act

    (d) The Legal Education (Consolidation,etc) Act

    (e) The Companies and Allied Matters Act

    (f) The Evidence Act and

    (g) The Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Receiving the report, the Speaker assured the committee that the House of Representatives will give the bills expeditious passage, while commending them for their selfless contribution to the strengthening of the laws of Nigeria.

    The committee had in the last 18 months submitted about 300 bills some of which have since been passed into law and assented to by the President.

  • N56,000 Minimum Wage: Osinbajo inaugurates 29-member committee

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the setting up of a 29-member National Minimum Wage Committee to negotiate and arrive at a new minimum wage in the country.

    The meeting was presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige said this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Council held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

    He stated that the approval of the committee followed the council’s deliberation on the report of the joint committee of government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    Ngige said that membership of the committee would be drawn from Governors’ Forum, organised private sector and labour federation.

    According to him, the chairman and secretary of the committee will be appointed by the Federal Government.
    “Today, the Council deliberated on the report of the joint committee of government on one side and the labour federation of the NLC and TUC.

    “If you recall, on May 11, 2016, there was a deregulation of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and this resulted in the increase we had in the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    “As a result of that, the labour union kicked against the increase and said that even if the increase will be there, government should put in place mechanisms to make sure that we don’t have further increases.

    “That is why they said the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Board (PPRB) should be put in place.’’

    Osinbajo said that labour also asked for review of the National Minimum Wage for workers in the country in order to enable them have better purchasing power.

    “Prior to this increase, they had made a demand of N56,000 monthly as the lowest wage payable to any Nigerian worker and thirdly they need some palliatives to cushion the effect of the increase in the pump price of petrol.

    “So, government put in place a committee and that committee finished its work on April 24 and handed its report to Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “Today at the council, I presented the report with various recommendations therein and I’m happy to let you know that government approved the setting up of National Minimum Wage committee,’’ he said.

    According to the minister, the Federal Government will present six members of the committee from the public sector; Governors’ Forum will select six governors (one from each geo-political zone), and labour federation will present eight persons.

    He added that the organised employers association would jointly present eight persons as members of the committee.

    The minister, however, revealed that the chairman and secretary of the 29-member committee would be appointed by the Federal Government.

    Ngige reassured that the government would commence the payment of arrears of salaries and promotion, death benefits and other outstanding allowances of workers to boost their morale.

     

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Judiciary Reform: Onnoghen inaugurates 13-man committee

    Judiciary Reform: Onnoghen inaugurates 13-man committee

    In an attempt to achieve an independent and vibrant justice system in the country, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Friday inaugurated a 13-man steering committee.

    The CJN tasked the committee “to coordinate a comprehensive reform of the country’s judiciary”.

    The committee is chaired by the Secretary of the National Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Bilkisu Bashir while an Assistant Director of Administration in the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr. Royal Sunday Issah, will serve as the Secretary.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media to CJN, Awassam Bassey, said in a statement that the committee was given a month to submit its report.

    “Other members of the 13-member committee include Directors of Administration from the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, Sharia Court of Appeal, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory High Court, National Industrial Court and the President of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria,” the statement added.

    Justice Onnoghen mandated the committee to call for memoranda from former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Presidents of the Court of Appeal, Chief Registrars, “and other stakeholders on the way forward”.

    The CJN was quoted to have said while inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Friday that there was a need for a holistic review of the operations of the nation’s judiciary.

    The CJN observed that the judiciary had been stagnated for years while other arms of government continue to undergo reforms.

    The CJN was quoted as saying, “You will agree with me that over time, the Judiciary, due to its conservative nature, had stagnated in its operations while the other arms of government have continued to undergo reforms.

    “It is now more urgent than ever to undertake a holistic reform of the Judiciary”.

    By its terms of reference committee is expected, “To carry out a comprehensive analysis of the administrative structure and operations of the three arms of the Government with a view to exploring areas of comparative advantage and mutual cooperation.

    “To undertake a comprehensive review of the operations and condition of service of the Nigeria Judiciary with a view to enhancing general efficiency and effectiveness.

    “To recommend long and short-term measures that would help in the general improvement of the welfare/condition of service of both Judicial and non-Judicial Officers

    “To call for memoranda from former CJNs, PCAs, CRs, and other stakeholders on the way forward.

    “To create a professional/management structure for the administration of the Judiciary with – a “Head” well versed in Judicial Administration.

    “To create a professional Bailiffs and Sheriffs’/Judiciary Police Department.

    “To propose a pooling policy and recommend a rule to empower the Federal Judicial Service Commission to commence the operation of a pooling system of Senior Officers within the Judiciary.

    “To propose and recommend to the National Judicial Institute the review of its training syllabus to include short term courses for certification of Judiciary Personnel with a view of enhancing their career development.

    “To make any other recommendations that will help in repositioning the Judiciary for optimal performance.”

    The chairman of the committee, Mrs. Bilkisu Bashir, was said to have pledged that the committee would leave no stone unturned to ensure that its report “will make the country’s judiciary one of the best in the world”.