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Tag: Minister

  • Oronsaye’s report: No plans to retrench, FG assures civil servants

    Oronsaye’s report: No plans to retrench, FG assures civil servants

    … insists merger will save cost

    Following anxiety over the implementation of Steve Oronsaye’s report, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the federal government won’t retrench workers.

    He said the mergers of some parastatals was meant to ensure efficiency in the civil service and save cost.

    Idris, who spoke at the ministerial press briefing series in Abuja, said some of the merged or scrapped agencies have redundant or have outlived their usefulness.

    He said: “The consideration of Steve Oronsaye’s report is to improve efficiency in the Civil service. This does not mean that the government intends to retrench workers.”

    He highlighted the rationale behind the rejig of some of the departments and agencies.

    He said: “Only two days ago, the President approved a revolutionary approach towards reducing the cost of governance through the implementation of the much-talked-about Oronsaye Report – 12 years after the report was submitted to the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    “This is a clear demonstration of Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to fiscal prudence and responsible governance by championing a comprehensive review of the government‘s commissions, agencies, and parastatals.

    “In recognition of the need to rationalise the size and scope of government, the President has taken decisive action to merge certain agencies and scrap others that are redundant or have outlived their usefulness.”

    Idris insisted that the government did its homework before coming up with its decisions on Oronsaye’s report.

    He added: “The merger of some agencies and parastatals and the scrapping of others are not decisions taken lightly.

    “It followed careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure that essential services are not compromised and that the needs of our citizens are adequately addressed while putting the interests of the nation first and foremost.

    “Through the implementation of Oronsaye’s Report, President Tinubu aims to achieve significant cost savings by eliminating duplication of functions, streamlining administrative processes, and optimizing resource allocation.

    “This proactive approach will enable the government to operate more efficiently while maintaining the quality and delivery of services to the Nigerian people.

    “It is worth noting that these measures are not undertaken in isolation but are part of a broader strategy to reform and modernize government institutions by leveraging technology, promoting innovation, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability across all sectors.”

  • Reason for meeting with World Bank – Edun

    Reason for meeting with World Bank – Edun

    The West and Central Africa Ministers of Finance met with the World Bank Group in Abuja on Thursday.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said that the objective of the meeting was geared towards attaining sustainable growth and development.

    Edun said that the meeting also discussed major projects financing through concessional funding for the West and Central African countries and the poor countries in general.

    “This is focusing on the International Development Association (IDA). We are here to discuss the funding of electricity access, social safety needs, digitisation, and the general issues that affect poor countries,” he said.

    The World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Ms Anna Bjerde, said that central to the engagement was the challenge of energy access.

    “Energy access is an excellent example of what can be accomplished. It is also an issue that African leaders have prioritised since 2000, and access to energy has more than doubled across Africa.

    “Despite significant investment and progress at the current pace, close to 600 million Africans are likely to remain without electricity by 2030, with two thirds of those living in countries currently classified as protected.

    “Together, we can do better to reach universal electricity access.

    “By the end of the decade, the rate of electricity access growth will be to triple, this is doable and the World Bank Group is ready to accompany you in the journey from ambition to reality,” she said.

    Bjerde said that one of the many lessons from COVID-19 was how important it was to have a strong tightening delivery system to help the most vulnerable countries build resilience to shocks.

    “Whether they be from pandemics combat or climate, we accelerated the use of established cash transfer systems to reach more than 50 million people, or 10 per cent of the total original population.

    “We also supported about 20 million farmers and pastoralists with urgent agricultural inputs.

    “The investments that you have all carried out to build robust delivery and targeting systems means that more can now be done to help the most vulnerable.

    “These examples show that transformation and impact are possible if countries decide to create the conditions to convert opportunities into transformation on the continent,” she said.

    Bjerde said that the role of World Bank was more important than ever.

    ”We exist in order to work with you hand-in-hand toward the best achievable results for the prosperity of your countries.

    “World Bank Group is a consistent and steadfast partner for countries in Africa,” she said.

  • Reps summon Minister, DG over delay in releasing National Identity Card since 2012

    Reps summon Minister, DG over delay in releasing National Identity Card since 2012

    The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani over delay in the release of National Identity Cards from 2012 to date.

    Also summoned is the Director-General, National Identity Card Management Commission, Mr Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Muhammed Shehu (PDP-Bauchi) at the plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The motion is titled:  “Need to Investigate the National Identity Cards released from 2012 to date.”

    The house said the mission was to find out the reason behind the delay in issuing the national identity card.

    The house urged the committees on Population and Anti-Corruption to report their findings back to the house within four weeks,  for further legislative action.

    Shehu said that in spite of the availability of resources for rapid production and electoral transparency; Nigerians have continued to encounter obstacles to update their information with National Identity Card Management Commission’s database.

    He said this was due to lack of attention from the government and ineffective service delivery.

    He said in spite receiving annual budgetary allocations in 2017, 2018, and 2019 to fulfill its mandate, efforts to produce and release national identity cards had been unsuccessful.

    This, according to him,  required urgent intervention, and attention of the Federal Government.

    He said that government intervention in restructuring the commission was necessary for effective service delivery, and to revitalise the commission’s operations as well as re-affirm its goal.

    This,  he said, was to provide accurate data and identification documents to the citizens,  thus restoring the confidence of the Nigerian populace.

  • More than 600 million youths reside in conflict zones – Minister

    More than 600 million youths reside in conflict zones – Minister

    The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, says more than 600 million out of 1.8 billion youths globally, reside in conflict zones.

    Ibrahim said this at the Youth, Peace, and Security Summit, organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with Mercy Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The minister said Nigerian youths constituted 10 per cent of the global youth population.

    According to her, the sheer demographic weight emphasises the critical role youths play in building peace, adding that there was no international framework to address youth, peace, and security issues until 2015.

    Ibrahim said the absence or limited inclusion of youths in peace processes had often led to the failure of those processes.

    “According to the United Nations Population Fund, there are over 1.8 billion young people globally, with more than 600 million residing in conflict zones.

    “Nigeria, unfortunately, has grappled with youth restiveness, recurrent violent conflict, and insecurity, largely attributed to influential push-pull factors.

    “Yet, the youth have emerged as pivotal actors, both as masterminds and victims of these challenges.

    “Leveraging their vulnerabilities, resilience and energies, violent extremist groups exploit their involvement in promoting nefarious activities,” she said.

    The minister said the ministry had taken proactive measures to address the menace with the development and launch of the Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NNAP-YPS).

    She said the action plan was in alignment with the pillars of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250, adding that the pilot dissemination had occurred in six states with progress underway in others.

    According to her, the on-going NNAP-YPS project is youth-led, involving state governments, civil society organisations, security agencies and critical stakeholders.

    She urged the NCTC-ONSA and its partners to leverage the summit to engage meaningfully and provide lasting solutions to the nation’s challenges while emphasising the positive roles youth could play.

    “To fellow peace advocates, I implore all of us to unite in our efforts, recognising that peace is indispensable for any nation’s development, Nigeria being no exception.

    “The future of our youths cannot be left in the hands of disgruntled elements; we must act swiftly and decisively,” she said.

    In his remarks, the Chief of Party, Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), Sani Suleiman said meaningful youth participation was essential for achieving lasting peace.

    According to him, this summit provides a vital platform to showcase young people’s contributions to peace and security efforts and foster collaborative efforts for a brighter future.

    The Country Director of Mercy Corps Nigeria, Mr Ndubisi Anyanwu, said that youths were not only the inheritors of the future but also active architects of peace in the present.

    Anyanwu added that the summit was a testament to the dedication and capacity of young Nigerians to drive positive change and build a more peaceful and prosperous society for all.

    Participants at the event included State Governors, Ministers, representatives of MDAs, UN agencies, USAID, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    Others are: members of CIPP’s Youth Peace Networks, Youth Researchers and Youth Parliament, National Youth Council, and Children’s Parliament

  • Nigerian actor turned telly evangelist, Yul Edochie launches first service

    Nigerian actor turned telly evangelist, Yul Edochie launches first service

    Nigerian actor, turned telly evangelist Yul Edochie, held his maiden church service on Sunday after the launch of his YouTube channel, True Salvation Ministry.

    In the service held virtually, Yul narrated the story of his calling into ministry and how others had told him of his potential for God’s work.

    He narrated how he was saved from a devastating car accident along Ore road which was the moment he fully accepted his calling.

    Speaking further, he stated that the experience led to a point after a voice urged him to dedicate his life to serving God and humanity. He also said the revelation kicked off the start of a “second life” away from his past exploits.

    Yul revealed that he opted to start modestly with the resources he has through God’s intervention, although he had planned to kick off with a physical church.

    He said partly, “As far back as 2012, 2013, I’ll meet a couple of men of God, pastors and they will always tell me that you are destined to be a minister of God, you can’t run away from it, you are going to be a minister.

    “As time went by I started to hear the voice myself like anywhere I am, most of the time when I’m in an enclosed place, just me, I’ll be hearing that voice telling me you are going to work for God.”

    Recall that Yul Edochie announced last week on Instagram the launch of his Christian ministry, True Salvation Ministry, where he will deliver sermons on YouTube.

  • Ex-minister closes case in alleged libel suit against former Nigerian envoy, Onoh

    Ex-minister closes case in alleged libel suit against former Nigerian envoy, Onoh

    A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has closed his case against Ms Lilian Onoh, a former Nigerian ambassador to Jamaica and Namibia, over allegations bordering on defamation.

    Onyeama closed his case after a cross-examination on Friday before Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya of a Federal Capital Territory High Court at Zuba in Abuja on allegations of financial misappropriation at Nigerian embassies in Jamaica and Namibia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ex-minister, who served during the Muhammadu Buhari-led government, had sued Onoh after the latter accused him of condoning grand corruption at Nigerian foreign missions.

    Onyeama alleged that Onoh, who was his sister-in-law, “sponsored” newspaper articles that were critical of him on issues of sleaze while he was the foreign minister.

    Onoh had raised an alarm that the sum of $2.8 million was being frittered away out of the $5 million donations by the Red Cross in Nigeria to victims of the deadly 2010 Haiti earthquake by Nigerian diplomats in Jamaica.

    The Nigerian mission in Jamaica was saddled with the responsibility of applying the $5 million donations to the humanitarian disaster occasioned by the earthquake in the Caribbean country.

    In Namibia prior to her arrival as Nigeria’s High Commissioner, she had said about $600,000 was embezzled by officials including shortchanging the Namibian government in VAT remittances.

    While being cross examined by Onoh’s lawyer, Monday Ejeh, on whether he probed allegations of fraudulent financial transactions raised against Nigerian diplomats by his client, Onyeama said he took action on every complaint received.

    “I took action on them by referring such issues to the permanent secretary ( Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and directing that investigation be conducted,” Onyeama.

    In his response to the issues in Jamaica and Namibia, he said, “With regards to two major complaints in respect of Jamaica and Namibia, I was informed that the cases had been passed on to the EFCC.”

    He explained further that the permanent secretary was “charged with dealing with financial transactions and irregularities.”

    He said the two matters Onoh brought to his attention were about her predecessor and some people in Namibia defrauding the Namibian government.

    “In Jamaica, it was about misappropriation of funds meant to assist Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake,” said.

    He told the court that he took interest in those two incidents because of their impacts on Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with Jamaica and Namibia.

    “I went to the office of the Auditor-General (of the Federation), and requested for a comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

    When Ejeh asked about the outcome of investigations into the malfeasance, Onyeama’s lawyer, Agada Elachi, SAN, raised an objection.

    Determined to get a response, Ejeh pressed further asking if the allegations were true or false, Elachi objected to the question.

    “These questions are immaterial as they have nothing to do with the issues at hand,” the lawyer said while objecting to several other questions bordering on his client’s roles as foreign minister.

    The objections were sustained by the judge.

    Onyeama informed the court that Onoh “forwarded several media articles to his phone number.”

    The minister disclosed that many people advised her to “desist from those libellous emanating from the social media,” but that she would not listen.

    “She wrote to me, indicating that I was trying to prevent certain media houses from publishing her defamatory articles,” Onyeama said in his reply to Ejeh’s enquiry as to how Onoh sponsored media houses to defame him.

    After the cross-examination exercise, the ex-minister informed the court that he had concluded his suit against the defendant.

    Subsequently, the judge adjourned the case until 12 February for Onoh to commence her defence in the suit.

  • Ex-minister in EFCC net over alleged N3.6bn fraud

    Ex-minister in EFCC net over alleged N3.6bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwuh, over an alleged conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N3.6 billion.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told NAN in Abuja on Monday that Ugwuh was arrested alongside Chief Geoffrey Ekenma on Jan. 11, in New Owerri, Imo.

    Ugwuh, an engineer, industrialist and a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from July 2007 to October 2008.

    Oyewale said that the arrest followed a petition to the commission from a new generation bank on the alleged fraud perpetrated through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., linked to the ex-minister.

    “Investigations revealed that Ugwuh, a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)  and Ekenma, Managing Director, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., allegedly obtained a loan facility from the bank for the purchase and production of polished rice.

    “However, the suspects, according to the petitioner, failed to meet up his obligations to the bank and all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive,” he said.

    Oyewale said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

  • BREAKING: EFCC arraigns former minister, Olu Agunloye over allegations of fraud

    BREAKING: EFCC arraigns former minister, Olu Agunloye over allegations of fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the former Minister of Power and Steel,  Olu Agunloye, before Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High court, over allegations of fraud.

    Mr Agunloye was brought before the court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him.

    The Judge ordered that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional center, pending when the bail would be granted.

     

  • EFCC fixes date to grill suspended Minister, Betta Edu

    EFCC fixes date to grill suspended Minister, Betta Edu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters in Abuja, for questioning over alleged fraud.

    A source at the EFCC confirmed on Monday that the suspended minister had been summoned and was expected to be at the commission’s office on Tuesday.

    The source said that the invitation followed her suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu over a controversial N585.189 million payment to a private bank account.

    Tinubu had on Monday suspended Edu from office with immediate effect and ordered the EFCC to fully investigate the activities of the ministry.

    The invitation was sent to the suspended minister less than 30 minutes after President Tinubu announced her suspension from office.

    According to the source, the EFCC had earlier recommended the suspension of the minister to pave way for thorough investigation.

    The source said that the minister’s suspension would give the commission the liberty to do its job thoroughly as directed by the President.

    “An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her.

    “We expect her to honour the invitation and come to the commission on Tuesday to give proper insight into the issue at hand,” the source added.

  • Ex-Minister appeals judgment barring her from holding public office

    Ex-Minister appeals judgment barring her from holding public office

    A former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to set aside the judgment of an FCT high court that barred her from holding public office.

    Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court had on Dec. 18 barred Tallen in a case filed against her by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) over her alleged “disparaging” comment against an earlier court judgement.

    The Judge had, however, given Tallen an option of publishing a personally signed apology letter to the NBA, the judiciary, and Nigerians in one full page each of two national dailies, the Guardian and the Punch, within 30 days from the date of its judgement, failing which the order becomes perpetual.

    Tallen prayed the Court of Appeal to set aside the said judgment, arguing that the ruling was tantamount to a miscarriage of justice.

    In a Notice of Appeal filed on Jan. 2, 2024, and cited by NAN, Tallen, through her lawyer, JK Gadzama SAN, formulated 13 grounds of appeal against the trial court’s decision.

    The former Deputy Governor of Plateau and one-time Minister of State, Science, and Technology, also prayed the appellate court to, among other reliefs, dismiss the suit and set aside the decision of the court below.

    She stressed that the trial court erred in law, arguing that its decision against her preliminary objection on the competence of the respondent’s affidavit, locus standi, propriety of the suit, in spite of the credible evidence submitted, was a miscarriage of justice.

    It would be recalled that while delivering judgement on the case, the FCT High Court had described Tallen’s alleged comments against the judiciary concerning a decision of the Federal High Court in Adamawa State as “unconstitutional, careless, reckless, disparaging.”

    It further held that the former minister’s call to disobey the judgement of the court was “contemptuous of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.”

    Tallen’s battle with the NBA began after Sen Aisha Dahiru (Binani) the then Adamawa APC governorship flagbearer, had polled 430 votes to defeat her closest rival, Nuhu Ribadu, who polled 288, during the May, 2022 APC primary elections.

    Binani’s closest opponent, Nuhu Ribadu, now National Security Adviser (NSA), challenged the outcome of the contest but Justice Abdulaziz Anka, nullified Binani’s victory on account of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, Nigeria’s constitution, and the APC’s guidelines.

    Tallen, as the serving Minister of Women Affairs and stalwart of .the APC while reacting to the judgment at a public function allegedly described it as a Kangaroo judgment, which aim was the marginalisation of women in Nigerian politics.

    She alleged that many women, like Binani, who was the only female aspirant in the Adamawa APC governorship primary, were not fairly treated during the primaries for the 2023 general elections.

    The NBA, led by its then President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, did not take the former minister’s comments lightly and sought an apology from her but to no avail.

    The NBA then wrote her a letter, dated 14 November, 2022, demanding a withdrawal of the alleged disparaging comments and tendering of an unreserved and public apology to the Court, which Tallen did not oblige.

    According to the NBA, its letter was never responded to and its demands therein were not complied with by Tallen, hence the institution of the suit against her before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.