TheNewsGuru

Tag: SGF

  • Former SGF, Gidado Idris dies at 82

    A former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Gidado Idris, is dead.

    Mr. Idris died at the age of 82, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    He died in Abuja on Friday, and will be buried Saturday.

    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.

    “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,” Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said in a statement.

    “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.”

  • Nigerians gave us their mandate for free; we can’t afford to disappoint them – SGF, Boss Mustapha

    The newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, has said the mandates Nigerians freely gave to the incumbent administration must not be taken for granted.

    The SGF noted that Nigerians expected change which the incumbent administration vigorously campaigned for and it would be disappointing to give them (Nigerians) anything less.

    Mustapha, who was appointed on Monday as a replacement for Mr. Babachir Lawal, said these in an interview with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    In his words, “We went round and campaigned and sought for their (Nigerians’) mandate; freely they gave us and it behoves on us charged with responsibilities to ensure that we do not disappoint them.

    “The expectations are great out there. You live with families and you know the expectations of families. You live in communities, you know the expectations of those communities. You live in geographical jurisdictions and you know the expectations of those people.

    “But we have come at a time when the resources are very very lean, in some cases not available but I believe with prudent management as being put in place by Mr. President, we will be able to navigate this very difficult terrain and at the end of the day, every Nigerian will have a smile on his face.”

    Mustapha said although the present administration was not promising Nigerians heaven on earth, it could move them from “the current state of squalour in which they were, to a state where there would be hope and expectations.”

    He said if there was hope that things would be better, Nigerians as understanding people would continue to give the government the kind of support that was required to push the nation ahead.

    The new SGF said he would wait to take his oath of office before disclosing what Nigerians should expect from him.

  • [Photos] Buhari hosts new SGF, Boss Mustapha in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Gida Mustapha.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports Mustapha’s appointment is coming after the President approved the sack of the suspended former SGF Babachir Lawal; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke.

     

    Prior to his new appointment, Mustapha was Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He was appointed by President Buhari on July 24, 2016.

     

  • 5 Reasons Nigerians doubt Buhari’s SGF choice

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha as the new secretary to the government of the federation (SGF). Mustapha replaces Babachir Lawal who has been under suspension over corruption-related allegations.

    Upon Mustapaha’s appointment as new SGF, series of conversations have gone viral on social media indicating that the new SGF was appointed by his ousted counterpart, Babachir Lawal. So, is the replacement of Lawal with Mustapha truly a like for like swap by Buhari?

    Here are other reasons some Nigerians doubt Buhari’s SGF choice

    1. Both men hail from Hong local government area in Adamawa state and are Christians. The two men also attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and both graduated in 1979. However, Lawal studied engineering, while Mustapha studied law.

    Boss Mustapha, profile:

    He was born in Adamawa and attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980.

    2. New SGF, Boss Mustapha is Babachir Lawal’s cousin

    A member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, Dr Junaid Muhammed, has said that the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Boss Mustapha, is a first cousin to Babachir Lawal.

    3. Like Babachir Lawal, Boss Mustapha is a Christian and he is the National Vice President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International Nigeria.

    4. Delayed action

    Opposition party, the PDP, says the manner in which the cases involving the two officials were handled is a slap on the faces of Nigerians.

    It took President Buhari long before he took the action which PDP said shows PMB has defaulted in defending the poor masses as he swore to do when he was elected into office.

    5. 2019 Campaign strategy

    Ahead of 2019 Presidential election, the presidency recently commissioned the secretariat of President Muhammadu Buhari Support Organisation, BSO, which marks the beginning of another campaign that will see Buhari seize office for the second time as President.

    Recall Buhari ascended to office on the strength of his integrity as an anti-corrupt leader [as perceived by most Nigerians], as such the delayed sack of Babachir and reinstatement with Mustapha might also be calculated as strategy to re-position buhari as an anti-corruption ‘warlord’.

     

     

     

     

     

  • New SGF, Boss Mustapha is Babachir Lawal’s cousin, says Junaid Mohammed

    A member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, Dr Junaid Muhammed, has said that the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Boss Mustapha, is a first cousin to Babachir Lawal.

    Mr. Muhammed made this known while reacting to the pronouncement on Monday evening.

    He said, “Before you begin to celebrate the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new SGF, do you know that he is in fact, Babachir Lawal’s first cousin? This is a continuation of the cronyism and nepotism the Buhari-led administration has become infamous for.”

  • All you need to know about Buhari’s new SGF, Boss Mustapha

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, after sacking the suspended former SGF Babachir Lawal; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that prior to his new appointment, Mustapha was Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He was appointed by President Buhari on July 24, 2016.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Mustapha, a lawyer with extensive experience in both private and public sectors, had served in various management positions.

    Career Life

    Born in Adamawa State, Mr Mustapha attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa state and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980. From 1980 to 1981, Mr Mustapha did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Directorate of Legal of legal Services at the Army Headquarters and was in charge of review of Court Marshall Proceedings.

    After his National Service, he joined Sotesa Nigeria Limited, an Italian consultancy firm, as an Executive Director in charge of Administration, leaving in 1983 to join the prestigious law firm Messrs Onagoruwa & Co in Lagos.

    With his law practice fully taken off, Mustapha was appointed Principal Counsel in the firm Messrs Mustapha & Associates, His legal interests and expertise included privatization commercialization and Liberalization of Public Companies/Corporate and Government Parastatals. He was also involved in preparation of varied and miscellaneous banking documents such as Debentures, Guarantees, Mortgages, Bonds and Loan Syndications.

    One of Mr. Mustapha’s career highlights was his appointment as a member of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), serving meritoriously from 2000 to 2007. At the PTF, he was responsible for production of an up-t0-date comprehensive project and programme report, including location, coverage and whether performed, performing or abandoned production of final report of Assets and Liabilities, examination of the Administrative structure and cost-effectiveness of pf Projects and Services among other duties.

    Mustapha also played key leadership roles at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) serving as Social Secretary and Chairman at the Yola branch.

    After his stint at the PTF in 2007, Mr. Mustapha was appointed Principal Partner of the law firm, Adroit Lex. His law practice and the burning desire to serve the larger society conspired to attract him into politics, at various times, he was member Federal Republic of Nigeria Constituent Assembly (1988-1989), Chairman People’s Solidarity Party-Gongola State (1989-1990), state chairman, Social Democratic Party-Gongola State (1990-1991); he was even a gubernatorial candidate for SDP in Adamawa state in 1991.

    He was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria from 2010 to 2013. In 2007, he again played a prominent role, serving as the Deputy Director General of the party’s Presidential campaign Organization. His services remained in high demand after the fusing of CAN joined forces with other parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was a member of NCC and Secretary APC Presidential Campaign Organization Mobilization (2015) and member, APC Transition Committee (2015). He is also a member, APC Board of Trustees.

    In addition to the NBA, the new SGF is a member of various professional bodies including African Bar Association (ABA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association, International Bar Association (IBA) and Human Rights Institute (HRI). But Mustapha’s accomplishments go beyond politics and the Bar; he is a respected boardroom guru, having been appointed into the boards of several companies in the manufacturing financial services as well as oil and gas sectors. He is the National Vice President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship international Nigeria.

    While at NIWA, his address to management staff on assuming office set the tone, style and direction of his administration. He stressed teamwork and the need to focus on the Authority’s vision and mission. Married with children, Mustapha enjoys golf, lawn tennis, travelling, documentary films, charity work and meeting people.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Mustapha’s appointment and the subsequent sacking of the two government officials was based on the report of a three-man panel led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that investigated them.

  • BREAKING: Buhari sacks Babachir Lawal, Ayodele Oke; appoints Boss Mustapha as new SGF

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayodele Oke.

    The president accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr. Lawal, and has appointed Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The appointment takes immediate effect.

    President Buhari also approved the setting up of a three-member panel to look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of NIA and make appropriate recommendations.

  • Corruption: Declare position on suspended SGF, DG – Dogara tells Buhari

    A Former member of Niger House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Dogara, on Saturday urged the Federal Government to declare it’s position on the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Director General of NIA.

    The presidency on April 19, suspended from office the SGF, Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the NIA, Ayo Oke, pending the conclusion of investigations by a panel set up by the president.

    The panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was to investigate allegations of contract fraud and bribery against Lawal by the Senate and the N13 billion found in an Ikoyi apartment by EFCC, claimed by the NIA.

    Dogara told newsmen in Minna that making public pronouncements about the two suspended public officers would send signal to public officers to desist from taking pleasure in looting public treasury.

    He said that many Nigerians had expressed worries about the case of SGF, NIA boss and the lists of corrupt officers that nearly ruined this country had remained a nightmare to the public.

    He said it was high time for the Federal Government to act fast to enable Nigerians to strengthen their political will in exposing public officers lootinh the national treasury.

    He commended the president for the immediate disengagement of the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, from federal service.

    ”Mr. President showed, as he had done now, that he can hire and fire to salvage the bad situation in the polity.”

    ” President Buhari’s commitment to fight corruption these years that made the majority of the masses to support his candidature, is the same step that can earn this government votes in the next election in 2019″ he said.

     

  • Sagay lambasts FG over delayed action on suspended SGF, DG NIA

    The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay has faulted the delay of the Presidency in deciding the fate of the suspended Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke.

    In an interview on Channels Television, Sagay said that action had been “much too slow” and called for definitive steps.

    Despite faulting the slow pace of action in prosecuting alleged corrupt members of the Buhari administration, Sagay said he had no doubt about the commitment of the government to fighting corruption.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that the present government is actually fighting corruption in accordance with its mandate and promises. There is no question about that,” he said during an appearance on Sunday Politics with Seun Okinbaloye.

    “But on the specific issue of the suspended Secretary to the Federal Government and the Director of the NIA, I would agree that action has been much too slow and there should be an immediate decision on this matter so that we can put it to rest and move on. I agree with that,” he added.

    Beyond the criticism that has trailed the delay in deciding the fate of both the SGF and NIA DG, the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption war has been labelled selective with many people arguing that it is targeted at members of the opposition.

    For Sagay, who believes the government is fighting corruption with “all its might and resources”, there is no justification for such a view.

    “I think there is an even-handed approach to the issue of fighting corruption. Everybody who is suspected of corruption or the commission of economic and financial crimes will be investigated and the EFCC and the ICPC who are the bodies who are invested with the authority to act in such matters will act in accordance with their own priority.

    “I think we should make it clear. We cannot handle all cases of corruption at the same time. As you know, in this country, cases of corruption go right from the top and permeate to the lowest level.

    “So, there are hundreds of thousands of corruption cases. It makes sense for the agencies to choose what to pick and what to drop,” he said.
  • Babachir, Oke remain suspended – Presidency

    Babachir, Oke remain suspended – Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke, remained suspended from their offices.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had, on April 19, suspended the two government officials and constituted a three-man committee led by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, to investigate them.

    The panel investigated allegations of violations of law and due process made against Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East while it probed Oke on the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, for which NIA is laying claim.

    The committee which has the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, as members was billed to submit its report to Buhari on May 8 but could not do so because the President left the country on March 7 for medical follow-up in London.

    The situation led to anxiety among Nigerians who have been wondering if Osinbajo will implement the report of the panel which he chaired.

    But Akande urged Nigerians to be patient, saying the outcome of the panel would be made public at the appropriate time.

    He also assured them that the outcome will satisfy Nigerians.

    “Regarding media inquiries on the progress of the report of the presidential investigative panel, Akande urged for patience, explaining that when the time comes, the outcome of the panel would be made manifestly public and Nigerians would be satisfied. He said the two suspended officials remain suspended,” the statement read.

    Akande also disclosed that as part of activities to commemorate the second anniversary of the of present administration, a report card on the Social Investment Programmes would be held on May 29 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “Here at this national event, we shall be updating Nigerians on the progress so far attained, how we are addressing some challenges and how President Buhari’s Social Investment Programmes would be significantly expanded going forward,” Akande noted.