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Tag: SGF

  • SGF, Boss Mustapha unveils N64m website to ensure smooth governance

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, on Monday inaugurated what he described as the upgraded website of his office, www.osgf.gov.ng.

    Speaking at an event in his office in Abuja, Mustapha put the cost of the upgraded website at N64m.

    The Federal Government had allocated N65m for the project in the 2017 Budget.

    “There was a contract in 2017. The figure is in the public domain. It is about N64m, including procurement of laptops, training, consultancy services.

    “The contract was awarded by the Bureau of Public Procurement in accordance with the Procurement Act,” Mustapha said when he was asked to state the cost of the upgrade.

    He added, “The functions and responsibilities of this office makes it highly imperative for it to have a functional website that will deliver information about the structure, policy thrust and activities of this administration on a daily basis.

    “The need to lead MDAs compliance with the dictates of Executive Order 001 on the Ease of Doing Business, particularly relating to the directive to the MDAs to host a functional website formed part of the reasons for this upgrade.

    “The old OSGF’s website did not reflect the status of the OSGF and was characterised by the following limitations: the technology upon which the website was developed is old, hence limited features; limited security features which made the website prone to hackers; media files such as video clips are hosted on external server which is contrary to government policies; and the website did not comply with the standards of operationalisation of Executive Order 001.”

    Through the platform, Mustapha said members of the public would request for information from government, submit ideas and lodge complaints.

  • SGF lauds car dealers for contributing N400bn to nation’s GDP

    The secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Mustapha has commended car dealers in Nigeria, for contributing N400 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Boss gave the commendation on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Mr Lawrence Ojabo, Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The SGF spoke when he received a delegation of the Association of Motor Dealers’ of Nigeria (AMDON), led by the National President, Mr Ajibola Adedoyin, in his office.

    He thanked the association for also reducing the rate of unemployment and encouraging economic diversification.

    “Your annual turnover of N400 billion is a welcome development in this administration’s drive for economic diversification away from oil.

    “I commend you for the many multiplier effects of your business, which provided the citizens with access to the needed vehicles,” the SGF said.

    The national president of the association solicited for waiver on customs duties on imported vehicles by the members.

    Adedoyin said that the association would reorganise its structure and business outlets as well as review its membership, to help reduce crimes and contribute to economic development.

    NAN

  • SGF inaugurates FRSC, NACA, NCPC, 5 other boards

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has inaugurated eight governing boards of federal agencies.

    The inauguration came a few weeks after the controversies that marred the exercise, after it emerged that some people on the expanded list were actually deceased individuals.

    The governing boards inaugurated yesterday included the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), Galaxy Backbone, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ( NCFRIMI) and Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

    The inauguration was the third in the serie, on the heels of the composition of the agencies under the Ministries of Water Resources and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Mustapha reminded the boards that their appointments were on part time basis, adding their allowances and entitlements as board members were guided by extant circulars.

    He also enjoined them of the administration’s zero tolerance for any form of corruption, saying the government will punish corrupt practices perpetrated by any board member as well as management team of these agencies.

    Speaking on behalf of the inaugurated board chairmen, Mrs. Pauline Tallen of NACA, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for finding them worthy to serve on the boards, adding that they pledged their loyalty to the government in its efforts to move the country forward.

  • [Photos] Osinbajo, Boss Mustapha, Ngige, others attend late Ekwueme’s parade of honour in Abuja

    The remains of former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, arrived at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, for the ‘Parade of Honour’ on Monday in Abuja.

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Sen. Chris Ngige and other top government officials witnessed the parade.

    Dr. Ekweme who was born on October 21, 1932 in Oko, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State, died in a London hospital at 10pm on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

  • [UPDATED] Former SGF, Babachir Lawal still in EFCC’s custody as grilling continues today

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal is still in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after an eight-hour interrogative session that started on Wednesday night that he (Lawal) was arrested.

    Lawal’s interrogation by a team of detectives is expected to continue on Thursday (today).

    He is being investigated over a N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, which is linked to him.

    The contract was awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State

    A presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo found Lawal guilty of infractions in the award of the contract.

    The panel recommended further probe of some of the activities of PINE.

    The ex-SGF was removed from office in connection with the matter..

    Lawal arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 11am following an invitation. He wore a Safari suit with a pair of black sandals.

    After the interrogation, the EFCC opted to detain him so as to continue with the interrogation today.

    A source, who spoke in confidence said: “Following the receipt of the report of the committee headed by the Vice President, it was important to interact with the ex-SGF.

    “Upon arrival, he met with a panel of investigators who had done preliminary work on the report. Lawal was asked to make a statement and explain his role in the activities of PINE.

    “In view of the volume of issues he needs to clarify, it was more expedient to detain him till he is able to complete the first phase of the ongoing interrogation.”

    The source added: “We are looking into the accounts of the company implicated in the contract and Lawal’s.

    “Some other officers of PINE are already under probe and some assets have been seized from them.

    The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Sammin Ammadin confirmed the detention of the ex-SGF at about 7.45pm yesterday.

    “He is with us to respond to a few issues,” he said.

  • BREAKING: EFCC arrests, detains ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday evening arrested former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal who was suspended last year along with the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Details of the arrest by the anti-graft agency is sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

     

    More details shortly…

  • Ex-presidents are entitled by law to get N40m worth vehicle – SGF

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has clarified why the government budgeted N40 million for former presidents, instead of buying vehicles as prescribed by law.

    Mr. Mustapha said the decision was adopted so the former leaders could purchase vehicles they prefer.

    He said this on Thursday at the 2018 budget defence session before members of the Senate committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    Mr. Mustapha said that the former leaders are entitled to the vehicles according to law.

    “They are entitled to that by law. We took a decision that instead of buying these vehicles, we should give them the money and let them buy vehicles of their choices. One of them qualified for it this year and that was why the N40 million was paid. The remaining, hopefully will qualify for it next year or thereabout.”

    A member of the committee, Duro Faseyi, Ekiti-PDP, was however not satisfied with the explanation. He asked the SGF to explain if the move was consistent with the 2017 Appropriation Act.

    “You said you monetised and you said there is a law; does that law supersede the appropriation law?” he asked. “Because what we passed in the appropriation law is seven numbers of vehicles. There is no clause that said you should give them money. By giving them money, to me, is against the appropriation act. Was there any recurrent to the National Assembly that you are giving money contrary to what we passed?”

    Mr. Mustapha did not quote a law to back his earlier claim, rather, he explained that the move was in tandem with ‘government policies.’

    “I quite understand that there is an appropriation but there are other government policies especially when it comes to the issue of monetisation of vehicles particularly. I believe that it also applies to the National Assembly.

    “They are elder statesmen. Probably, the kind of vehicles that we want to buy for them may not be their preference. We are even talking about Prado jeeps here, a lot of them might not be disposed to riding Prado jeeps because of age. They might want a salon because that is the one that will provide them with maximum comfort. Because they are elder statesmen, we defer to that and there were circulars to that effect that it can be monetised and their money given to them so that they can buy vehicles of their choices. It’s across board; all of them that have served as presidents, vice presidents and heads of states.”

    Mr. Mustapha informed the Senators that his office has introduced a tracking mechanism to track spending of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

    “We have put in place an area of counselling yesterday for ministers to give an in depth report on the appropriation of 2016 and 2017. We have institutionalised a tracking method where every minster will come from now till next month to track the memos. All the contracts of the memo. I sought for the approval of Mr. President on this. We have circularised amongst all ministers,” he said.

    For 2018, the Office of the Secretary of the Government of Federation proposed N9.81 billion budget with a personnel cost of N3.4 billion overhead cost, N3.9 billion, and capital, N2.5 billion.

    Mr. Mustapha pleaded with the lawmakers to pass the budget expeditiously in order to beat the challenges of election year and to enable the executive switch to the new fiscal calendar.

  • Why we monetized N40m car allowances to ex-Nigerian leaders – FG

    Why we monetized N40m car allowances to ex-Nigerian leaders – FG

    The Federal Government has explained why it decided to monetize the N40m car allowances to former Nigerian leaders instead of buying vehicles as prescribed by law.

    The explanation was given by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Mr. Mustapha said the decision was adopted so the former leaders could purchase vehicles they prefer.

    He said this on Thursday at the 2018 budget defence session before members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    Mr. Mustapha said that the former leaders are entitled to the vehicles according to law.

    “They are entitled to that by law. We took a decision that instead of buying these vehicles, we should give them the money and let them buy vehicles of their choices. One of them qualified for it this year and that was why the N40 million was paid. The remaining, hopefully, will qualify for it next year or thereabout.”

    A member of the committee, Duro Faseyi, Ekiti-PDP, was however not satisfied with the explanation. He asked the SGF to explain if the move was consistent with the 2017 Appropriation Act.

    “You said you monetised and you said there is a law; does that law supersede the appropriation law?” he asked. “Because what we passed in the appropriation law is seven numbers of vehicles. There is no clause that said you should give them money. By giving them money, to me, is against the appropriation act. Was there any recurrent to the National Assembly that you are giving money contrary to what we passed?”

    Mr. Mustapha did not quote a law to back his earlier claim, rather, he explained that the move was in tandem with ‘government policies.’

    “I quite understand that there is an appropriation but there are other government policies especially when it comes to the issue of monetisation of vehicles particularly. I believe that it also applies to the National Assembly.

    “They are elder statesmen. Probably, the kind of vehicles that we want to buy for them may not be their preference. We are even talking about Prado jeeps here, a lot of them might not be disposed to riding Prado jeeps because of age. They might want a salon because that is the one that will provide them with maximum comfort. Because they are elder statesmen, we defer to that and there were circulars to that effect that it can be monetised and their money given to them so that they can buy vehicles of their choices. It’s across board; all of them that have served as presidents, vice presidents and heads of states.”

    Mr. Mustapha informed the Senators that his office has introduced a tracking mechanism to track spending of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

    “We have put in place an area of counselling yesterday for ministers to give an in depth report on the appropriation of 2016 and 2017. We have institutionalised a tracking method where every minster will come from now till next month to track the memos. All the contracts of the memo. I sought for the approval of Mr. President on this. We have circularised amongst all ministers,” he said.

    For 2018, the Office of the Secretary of the Government of Federation proposed N9.81 billion budget with a personnel cost of N3.4 billion overhead cost, N3.9 billion, and capital, N2.5 billion.

    Mr. Mustapha pleaded with the lawmakers to pass the budget expeditiously in order to beat the challenges of election year and to enable the executive switch to the new fiscal calendar.

  • Buhari mourns former SGF, Gidado Idris

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Gidado Idris, as a big loss to the nation.

    The former SGF died on Friday night in Abuja at the age of 82 after a brief illness.

    Mr. Idris, who hailed from Zaria in Kaduna State, was appointed SGF in 1993 and retired in 1999 after a civil service career that started before Nigeria’s independence.

    The president, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Saturday, expressed sadness at the passing on of Mr. Idris.

    He said “being a highly experienced and quintessential technocrat who traversed the different stages of the political evolution of the country, Gidado’s wise counsel will surely be missed.”

    The president added that the deceased, in addition to rising to the pinnacle of his public career as SGF, served several civilian and military administrations meritoriously as federal permanent secretary.

    He said Mr. Gidado left inspiring imprints.

    He, therefore, enjoined current and upcoming civil and public servants to emulate the cherished values of hard work, discipline, professionalism and integrity which the late distinguished nationalist embodied.

    He commiserated with the family and associates of the deceased and prayed that God would comfort them.

    Mr. Idris was buried Saturday at Gudu Cemetery in FCT amid tears and prayers from families and the Muslim community.

    The burial, which was concluded at around 3 p.m., was attended by the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, among others.

    NAN

     

  • El-Rufai mourns ex-SGF Idris, says deceased served Nigeria well

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Saturday described late Alhaji Gidado Idris as a distinguished elder statesman.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris, 82 and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), died in Abuja on Friday.

    In a message of condolence to the family of the former SGF, the governor said that Idris served Nigeria well.

    Idris, who hailed from Zaria in Kaduna state, was appointed SGF in 1993 and he retired in 1999 after a civil service career that started before Nigeria’s independence.

    “Alhaji Idris was a dedicated public servant who provided decades of distinguished service to this country. He was a father to us, widely admired for his humility and discipline.

    “I personally benefitted from his humility, wisdom and foresight, when I served as a presidential advisor in the Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee from 1998 to 1999.

    “May Almighty Allah grant his soul Aljannah Firdausi, and his family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

    El-Rufai’s condolence message was signed by Samuel Aruwan, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity.

     

    NAN