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Controversy over appointment of CNA: Coalition of NGOs move against those afraid of going through due process

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A coalition of four NGOs have countered  the conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated allegations and red herring that have been mounted against the National Assembly Service Comission over the appointment of a new Clerk for the National Assembly.

This is coming against the backdrop of sponsored reports that there are moves by some political heavyweights to influence the appointment of a new clerk by the commission.

The current clerk of the National Assembly, Amos Olatunde Ojo, is set to retire but the reports alleged that there are clandestine moves to influence members of the commission to appoint a non-legislative cadre as replacement.
Such appointment, the report said will likely distort the hierarchy within the wider civil service and bring the service to disrepute.

Countering the said report in Abuja on Sunday, the coalition which is made up of, Center for Public Accountability and Transparency, (CAP), Peoples Alliance for Indegenous Rights (PAIR) Society for Peace and Gender Equity (SoCEGE) and Partnership for Good Governance (PGG) issued a statement that was jointly signed by their leaders said the reports were fabricated with no element of truth

The statement was jointly signed by  Okonkwo Emman, Boniface Clement Jovita Jude and Kaujal Awan.
The group also indicated that there were attempts to subvert the process for the appointment of a Clerk of the National Assembly
“The process becomes a feast for conspiracy theories, unsubstantiated allegations, red herring.

“As stakeholders in ensuring good governance, accountability and transparency, we feel obliged to urge the media not to overheat the polity and cook up stories that have no empirical basis.

“The National Assembly Service Commission as we know will always carry out its functions in a credible manner by following due process stated by the Head of service of the Federation giving clearance on pre-retirement leave of a retiring civil servant.”
According to the statement pre-retirement leave as provided for in the Public Service rule 100, 238 stated that “Officers are required to give 3-month notice to retire from service before the effective date of retirement. At the commencement of the 3 months, officers should proceed immediately on the compulsory one-month pre-retirement workshop/ seminar.
“For the remaining 2 months, retiring officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their record straight so as to facilitate the speedy processing of their benefits.
“Going by the provision it is compulsory for the retiring officer to give a notice of 3 months prior to his/her retirement.
“Among other intents, this provision is to enable MDA to arrange a replacement in good time for the officer as provided in the rule and where organized, the retiring officer will attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar/ workshop.
“He/ She is expected in his/her own interest to gather his/her records from various MDAs he/she must have served. Thus, it is to facilitate the process of his retirement benefit.
“It is therefore not out of order if the officer chooses to work in office during the period.
The statement indicated that the CNA, Arc. Amos Olatunde Ojo has already given a notice of 3 months to embark on retirement leave on February14, 2023 in accordance with the rules of the civil service of the Federation.
“We strongly believe that the story flying of “plans to influence members of the commission to appoint” a certain individual is planted by those afraid of going through the process.
“The job of the Clerk to the National Assembly includes: a chief adviser to both the president of the senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives and also, to communicate to all state Houses of Assembly, matters relating to the concurrence of the parliament in the tiers of government in Nigeria.

“So, the idea that only certain categories of staff can perform this duty has no basis in law. It is expected that Anyone who has risen to the levels of director and permanent secretaries should be well abreast of parliamentary operations and should be able to effectively run the office of the CNA.

“If it were, these people building monuments of falsehood and disaffection would have shown where it is stated. The idea being planted that a certain region should be excluded in the appointment is dangerous and against the federal character principle.
“It should be based on seniority, competence and geo political zones and allowed in the interest of national cohesion, establishment effectiveness and inclusion. The National Assembly Service Commission should be well abreast of public service rules.

“The National Assembly Service should be seen to be fair, transparent in interpreting the rules of the commission in discharging its responsibilities

“The Current CNA has worked to ensure promotions are gotten as when due, entitlements paid as at when due, training and retraining of staff, ensuring improved working facilities, Conducive environment, Cordial working relationship with the legislators and plans underway to ensure improved salaries as approved by the salaries and wages commission
“We wish to categorically state that the CNA should be allowed to finish his tenure as stated in the service rules and interpreted by the Head of service whose role in interpreting the National Assembly service age in 2020 cannot be forgotten in a jiffy.

“February 14th, 2023 is by the corner; hence, we call on all hands to be on deck in contributing their quota to see that the Clerk to the National discharges its duty in the interest of the country.

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Appointment

Kogi gov appoints journalist as Executive Secretary, SEMA, makes other appointments

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By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has approved the appointment of Hon. Muktar Atimah as the new Executive Secretary of State Emergency and Management Agency (SEMA) among other appointments into various agencies of the state.

The appointments were announced by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State (SSG), Dr (Mrs) Folashade Arike Ayoade on Tuesday in Lokoja.

According to the SSG, the appointment of Hon. Atimah, a journalist and former Correspondent of the Leadership Newspapers as well former Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) followed the disengagement of the former occupant of the office, Mr Kolade Isaac.

The SSG also announced the disengagement of Hajia Rekiya Onaivo Sanni as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kogi Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA) and her replacement with with Hon. Kadiri Mohammed Okeji.

Other appointments approved and made by the governor include Christopher Ayo Olubunmi as Executive Chairman of Kogi State Christian Pilgrims Commission, with Steven Joseph, Barnabas Oyibo and Hinmikaye Joe-Dare Babajide as Permanent Members I, II and III respectively.

Additionally, Hon. Sariki Abdullahi Abdulkadir, Mohammed Yahaya Abubilat, and Haruna Dauda Okuku have been appointed as Permanent Members I, II, and III of the Kogi State Hajj Commission.

For the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhassan Adakeke, Dauda Aliyu, and Abdulrahaman Aziz Obini have been appointed as Permanent Members I, II, and III.

The SSG further conveyed the approval of the Governor for the appointment of Zonal Security Advisers across the nine Federal Constituencies in the State.

She named Hon. Pius Kolawole, Hon. Abuh Odoma and Hon. Salami Omuya Joseph as Zonal Security Advisers for the various constituencies adding that all appointments and disengagements take immediate effect as directed by the Governor.

The SSG said that the changes were aimed at strengthening and improving the effectiveness of various government agencies in fulfilling their mandates. (Ends)

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Appointment

Ajakaiye is NITR’s Acting Director-General

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Dr Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye
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A renowned veterinary doctor and researcher, Dr Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye has been named the Overseeing Director of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research (NITR), Kaduna.

By the appointment, which was approved by the Minister of Innovation,  Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, Dr Ajakaiye will, with immediate effect, oversee the office of the institute’s Director-General.

According to a letter dated  March 5, 2024 and signed for the Minister  by the Ministry’s Director of Human Resources Management, Alhaji Baba Ibrahim Hassan, the appointment followed the mandatory retirement of the previous holder of the post, Dr (Mrs.) Felicia Enwenzor.

Dr Ajakaiye, who holds the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Master of Science (Veterinary Physiology) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees began his career  at NITR as a Veterinary Research Officer in 2006. He was promoted to the position of Director of Research in 2018.

A Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, Dr Ajakaiye is also a recipient of the Fellowship of the Cuban Academy of Science.
 

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Appointment

Congratulations, Barrister Mutfwang for the big victory

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Barr. Caleb Mutfwang
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The Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary of Current English by A S Hornby defined Democracy as, “a system of Government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representative”.
Going by the above definition therefore, all the people of Plateau State had on the 18th of March, 2023, trooped out to the polling booths and voted/elected Barr. Caleb Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), as their Governor
From the outset let me begin by congratulating the People’s Governor, Barr. Caleb for his second big victory having been affirmed as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State by the Supreme Court after the long legal battle.
Within the last seven months of his being in the saddle as Plateau State Governor, Barr. Mutfwang has been distracted by two powerful (parties) even though he remained focused: (1) The Bandits with their devilish utterances stormed some parts of Plateau State where they brutally massacred hundreds of innocent citizens with the motive of may be to get the Strongman of Plateau politics, Barr. Caleb distracted, but he remained undaunted. (2) The All Progressives Congress, APC and it’s Candidate for the entire period under review could not allow the Governor and his Government to settle down properly as a result of legal battle, even though Barr. Caleb equally remained focused throughout the period.
Now that it is all over, can one call on the democratically elected and the legally affirmed Plateau State Gov. Barr. Caleb to put all that has happened behind him and get re-focused on his determination to develop plateau State?
Let me remind the Governor that, he is a product of the Political Party called PDP, which was founded by some (9) Nationalists with the sole aim of unchaining Nigerians from the misrule of retrogressive politicians .
Be reminded also that, your Party, PDP, is the only Political Party in the history of independent Nigeria that has lived for over 25 years working assiduously to ensure good governance and dividends of democracy to Nigerians and therefore all eyes are Oon you Mr. Gov.
I was touched to my morrows by the words contained in the congratulatory letter by the Chairman, Plateau State PDP Elders Forum, Chief Raymond Dabo, “The judgement has put to rest the legal battle, distraction and needless accusation adding that, it is time to settle down and consolidate on the gains of democracy in the state”. Chief Raymond believed in “Your ability to lead Plateau State with all sense of sincerity, honesty and fear of God”.
To the litigants, APC and it’s Candidate, should one remind them that, it is all over now and all that is expected of every patriotic indigene of Plateau is to rally round and support His Excellency, Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang so that together you can get the state out of the negative actions of its enemies?
Be reminded also that, all eyes will be on you and the positive role(s) you play for the development of Plateau state, an action that will make your name to be written in GOLD when history is been written down for the yet unborn generation.
Shortly after the judgement, back home in Jos, the State Capital, it was celebrations, dancing and jubilations by party faithfuls at the party’s secretariat . Okadiyode and Barr. D Shekarau who spoke to Radio Nigeria Correspondent and monitored in Dutse, Jigawa State Capital, expressed their happiness over the outcome of the court case describing it as victory for the entire plateau citizens.
Also the Director General of the Mutfwang Campaign Organization and former Gov. Jonah Jang added their voices to the restoration of the People’s mandate by the Apex Court, saying, it is a victory for democracy.
On a final note, the Supreme Court has once again renewed and restored the confidence of the citizenry on the judiciary as the last hope for the common man: (1) With the declaration by Justice Agim, “The judgement of the tribunal is restored. The election of the Governor is further restored”. (2) In his consenting opinion, Justice Okoro says, “My only worry is that alot of people have suffered as a result of the court of appeal decision. It was absolutely wrong. The appeal allowed”. (3) Justice Uwani Abba Aji and Justice Helen Ogunwumiju also concur with the lead judgement, “It was very wrong for the court of appeal to go into the issue of party congresses. “To make matters worse, the party challenging the issue is another political party, adding that, the court of appeal made a fundamental error by shifting the burden of proof on Gov Mutfwang”. (4) Justice Adamu Jauro agrees with the judgement.

((((A UNANIMOUS DECISION ONE WILL SAY))))

Congratulations to the judiciary.
Congratulations to Democracy.
Congratulations Plateau State
Congratulations PDP family.
Congratulations Gov Barr. Mutfwang.

Umar Kyari Jitau Madamuwa,
Former Sole Administrator, Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation, JBC and Dir. Press to former Gov, Dr Lamido writes from Dutse.

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