Featured

Despite Inadequacies, INEC Conducted 2023 Election With Reduced Violence, Deaths -Wike …Swears-In Members Of RSIEC, Primary Healthcare Management Board

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2023

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigerians should commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting the 2023 general election with reduced violence and deaths experienced across the country.
Governor Wike recalled how previous elections under INEC had been characterised by violence, with avoidable deaths amidst desperation of politicians to have their way, made possible because of the mode of voting that was previously adopted.
Governor Wike made the observation at the swearing-in ceremony of chairmen and members of Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor noted that even if the Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation Machine System (BIVAS) used by INEC in the 2023 general election did not perform optimally, so much success was achieved, because its use alone frustrated antics of security agencies who induced violence.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, (rtd) as the chairman, with Prof Emenike Weli, Barr Adolphus. A. Brown, Dr Lasbury Nnah, Pastor Tamunotonye Tobins, Barr (Mrs) Chinwe Ihua-Maduenyi and Mrs Nuka Kponi as members.
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board has Prof. Blessing Jaja as the chairman, Dr Kinikanwo Green as the Executive Director and Dr Clarabell Abam, Dr (Mrs) Gladys Horsefall-Okafor, Madam Gladys Ihunda and Dr Famba O. Famba as members.
Governor Wike said no election is perfect, but it is always better that the subsequent ones are seen to be an improvement on the previous one, to make people believe in the process.
”That is why I tell people that if for nothing, Nigerians should commend INEC that they reduced the level of violence, the level of death because without this BIVAS, before we were fighting with security agencies, they were carrying electoral materials, hijack electoral officials, but now it is difficult.
”So, no matter the inadequacies, you’ll see that there was an improvement in terms of reduction of violence which is key, because in our electoral process it has always been killing, hijacking of materials, and using of security wrongly.”
Governor Wike stressed that Nigerians have accepted the outcome of the election and what INEC was able to deliver, and have moved on.
The governor said the disturbing trend with Nigerian system is that when people are apprehended and are guilty of the electoral offence, they appeared not to be sanctioned, or punished in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
He however, expressed the hope that the federal government will increase the capacity of INEC to do better in the next election.
To RSIEC, Governor Wike charged the chairman and his members to use their wealth of experience to ensure a successful transition when the local government election date is fixed next year.
He urged them to work as a team to achieve their given mandate, given the ample time that they have to prepare for the election.
To the members of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, governor Wike, who noted that the previous board did very well, charged them to build on that success record.
Governor Wike urged them to bring their professional expertise to bear by improving on the system, serve the best interest of the State with greater commitment.
The governor said having been appointed to serve a four year tenure, so much is expected of them and they can only achieve more if they do not focus on making money alone, but work as a team in improving the healthcare delivery mechanism in the State.
In his response, the Chairman of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd) said they are exceedingly grateful to be found fit and proper persons to serve in such capacity in the interest of the State.
Justice Enebeli gave the assurance that they will observe the fidelity to the sanctity of electoral processes and procedures in the conduct of local government elections within the extant laws to the end that there shall be credible, fair and free conduct of local government election in Rivers State.
On his part, the chairman of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Prof. Blessing Jaja thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve and assured that they will not disappoint the expectation on them as they work assiduously to move the board’s activities forward.

Featured

FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.

Featured

FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.

Featured

NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.