Kakaki

Senate announces screening date for ministerial nominees

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday said that the screening of 43 ministerial nominees forwarded to the upper legislative chamber for confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari would begin tomorrow Wednesday.

Lawan made the announcement on Tuesday after reading a letter from President Buhari containing the names of the nominees.

He said: “In view of the urgency of the assignment at hand, distinguished colleagues please be prepared with your questions for screening of the ministerial nominees from Wednesday this week.

“As a result of the assignment , all other legislative activities should be suspended from today (Wednesday), to face the screening exercise squarely”.

The 43 nominees as forwarded by President Buhari include Ikechukwu Ogar – Abia , Mohammed Musa Bello – Adamawa, Godswill Akpabio – Akwa Ibom, Dr. Chris Ngige – Anambra and Sharon Ikeazor – Anambra.

Others are Adamu Adamu – Bauchi State, Maryam Katagum – Bauchi , Timipre Sylva – Bayelsa, George Akume – Benue, Mustapha Baba Shehuri – Borno, Godie Jerry Agba – Cross River, Festus Keyamo – Delta , Ogbonnaya Onu – Ebonyi and Dr. Osagie Ehanire – Edo State.

Also on the list are Clement Agba – Edo State, Adeniyi Adebayo – Ekiti, Geoffrey Onyeama – Enugu, Ali Pantami – Gombe, Emeka Nwajuba – Imo, Sulaiman Adamu – Jigawa, Zainab Ahmed – Kaduna, Mohammed Mahmud – Kaduna, Hadi Sirika – Katsina and Abubakar Malami – Kebbi State.

Gov. AbdulRazaq congratulates ministerial nominees from Kwara

abdulrahman-abdulrazaq-2 — Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Tuesday on congratulated Alhaji Lai Mohamed and Senator Gbemisola Saraki over their ministerial nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, said the governor congratulated the nominees for the honour their nomination has done to the state.

Abdulrazaq said that he considered the two ministerial slots ceded to Kwara State as a great honour and privilege.

“It is an affirmation of the special place this state holds in the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari”, the statement said.

The statement, however, urged the National Assembly, especially senators from Kwara State, to offer their full backing for smooth screening of the nominees of the President in the overall interest of the country.

Full list of Buhari’s ministerial nominees and their state of origin

1. Ikechukwu Ogar – Abia
2. Mohammed Musa Bello – Adamawa
3. Godswill Akpabio – Akwa Ibom
4. Dr Chris Ngige – Anambra
5. Sharon Ikeazor – Anambra .
6. Adamu Adamu – Bauchi
7. Maryam Katagum – Bauchi
8. Timipre Sylva – Bayelsa
9. George Akume – Benue
10. Mustapha Baba Shehuri – Borno
11. Godie Jerry Agba – Cross River
12. Festus Keyamo – Delta
13. Ogbonnaya Onu – Ebonyi
14. Osagie Ehinare – Edo
15. Clement Agba – Edo
16. Adeniyi Adebayo – Ekiti
17. Geoffrey Onyeama – Enugu
18. Ali Pantami – Gombe .
19. Emeka Nwajuba – Imo
20. Sulaiman Adamu – Jigawa
21. Zainab Ahmed – Kaduna
22. Hadi Sirika – Katsina
23. Abubakar Malami – Kebbi
24. Sabo Nanono – Kano
25. Maj Gen Bashir Saleh (rtd) – Kano
26. Ramatu Tijani – Kogi
27. Lai Mohammed – Kwara
28. Gbemisola Saraki – Kwara
29. Adeleke Mamora – Lagos
30. Babatunde Fashola – Lagos
31. Zubairu Dada – Niger
32. Olamilekan Adegbite – Ogun
33. Tayo Alasoadura – Ondo
34. Rauf Aregbesola – Osun
35. Sunday Dare – Oyo
36. Paulen Tallen – Plateau
37. Rotimi Amaechi – Rivers
38. Mohammed Maigeri Dengaji – Sokoto
39. Saleh Momoh – Taraba
40. Abubakar D. Aliyu – Yobe
41. Sadia Umar Farouq – Zamfara

BREAKING: Saraki, Akpabio, Keyamo, Akume, Aregbesola and 37 others make Buhari’s ministerial list

Buhari-in-a-pensive-mood-reflects-on-the-tasks-ahead — President Muhammadu Buhari

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Festus Keyamo, Sen Godswill Akpabio and the immediate past minister of information, Lai Mohammed have made it to the 42 ministerial list sent to the Senate for confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In adherence to section167 (2), President Buhari while he attached CV to the 42 ministerial nominees, as the Senate to confirm them.
Others who make the list are: Dr Ikechukwu Oga, Muhammadu Musa Bello, Godswill Akpabio, Dr Chris Ngige, Sharon Okezu, Adamu Adamu, Mariam Katagum, Timipre Sylva, Sen George Akume, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Goddy JD Agba and Festus Keyamo.
Others are Ogbonaya Onu, Osagie Osane, Clement Abba, Otunba Richard Adebayo, Geoffrey Onyema, Ali Isa Pantami, Emaka Uhumba, Suleiman Adamu, Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna, Dr Muhammad Mahmud, Sabi Nanono, Bashir Seleh, Hadi Serika, Abubakar Malami, Ramatu Tijjani and Lai Mohammed.

Others who made it to the list are: Gbemisola Saraki, Raji Fashola, Adeleke Mamora, Mohammed Abdullahi, Zubauru Dada, Olamikekan Adedeji, Tayo Alasadura, Rauf Aregbesola, Sunday Dare, Paulen Tallen, Rotimi Amaechi, Muhammadu Dingyadi, Sale Maman, Abubakar Aliyu and Sadiya Umar Faruk.

BREAKING: Deputy Commissioner of Police killed in Shiite, police clash

Protesting members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have reportedly shot dead a senior police officer, DCP Umar, who was in charge of Operations at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

Umar was said to have been gunned down as he tried to pacify the rampaging Shi’ite members who disrupted commercial activities and vehicular movement during their protest at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, today.

He was immediately taken to an undisclosed hospital where he gave up the ghost.

The protesters also destroyed vehicles while a Channels television reporter was also hit by bullets; His identity and condition could not be immediately ascertained.

The Punch Correspondent, who was at the Force headquarters said he saw policemen mourning the deceased who they described as a very kind man.

A police Inspector said, “The DCP was a very good man. We were at the mosque last Friday when he saw one man looking so haggard. The man told him how he had not been paid for over 14 months because he was unable to complete his IPPIS (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information.)

“On hearing that the man was an Inspector, DCP Umar hugged him and immediately made calls to the officers in charge of the platform and the budget office. Today, the Inspector has been directed to come to the IPPIS office for enrollment on the platform. His death is so shocking.”

FG sites College of Science and Technology in Kwara

The Federal Ministry of Education Technical team has visited the proposed site for the establishment of Federal College of Science and Technology which will be situated in Gwanara in Baruten Local Area of Kwara.

The team thereafter met with Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for debriefing.

The team comprised of the Procurement Officer in the Ministry, Mr Amele; two Deputy Director, Mr Aguiyi J.C and Mrs Ogah M.M; Assistant Director Legal Services, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim.

Others are another Asst. Director in the Ministry, Mr. Osundeyi K. E and an Executive Project Coach, Mr Omata David.

The team leader, Amele expressed gratitude to Gov. AbdulRazaq and the Speaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly Hon. Danladi Yakub for the hospitality and sincerity of purpose shown to them throughout the period of their stay in the state.

In his response, the governor expressed the state’s pleasure of having the team and the readiness of his administration to assist in this regard.

He urged the Federal Government to expediently give final approval to establish the school as there was no federal or state presence in terms of infrastructure and basic amenities needed for economic growth in Kwara North.

He acknowledged the benefits attached to the establishment of the college which include but not limited to rapid development and job creation for people in Baruten community and the state.

Abdulrazaq bemoaned what he described as lapses and misdirection of resources by the previous administrations which he explained led to deficits in infrastructure and retarded development in not just Kwara North but also the state generally.

He, however, promised to tackle the deficits with urgent government interventions which he promised to carry out as soon as possible.

How 4 expatriates were abducted in Kwara

A suspected gang of kidnappers on Saturday night abducted four foreign nationals along Gbugbu-Lafiagi road in the Edu local government area of Kwara.

Kakaki gathered that the abducted expatriates were working at a quarry site in the area.

A source said that they were on the way back from Gbugbu market where they had gone to buy energy drinks to Gbale, a village where the quarry is located.

According to the source, the kidnappers waylaid them and took them to an unknown destination.

A source identified them as Palestinians while another said there were Turkish citizens.

Confirming the incident, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Police Command gave their names as Seyit Keklik (25), Yasin Colak (33), Ergun Yurdakul (35), and Senerapal (40).

Okasanmi said that effort had begun to rescue the abductees and it was already yielding positive results.

Photo: EFCC reveals identities of ex-Governor’s officials whose passport were seized in Kwara

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has released the list of former Kwara State Government officials whose passport have been seized and under its watch list.

The officials were all said to have served under the immediate past Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed, between 2011 and 2019.

In a document dated July 17, 2019 with reference number 3000/EFCC/IL/Vol.3 and addressed to the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service and signed by the Zonal Head of the EFCC, Isyaku Isharu, the Commission urged the NIS not to issue new passports to them.

Some of those on the list include: Commissioner for Finance, Nurudeen Banu; Special Adviser, Commissioner for Energy, Eleja Taiwo Banu; Chief of Staff, and Abdulwahab Yusuf.

Others are: Saidu Habibat Salman, Ahmadu Abdul Yekini, Abi-Clyde Victor Olusegun, Adeyemi Ademola Olanrewaju, Gold Sola Isiaka, Mustapha Amirat Bolanle Queen, Fatigun Benjamin Sehinde and Saka Aminat Atinuke.

Omosehinde Oladayo Sunday, Gidado Abdulwahab Adekunle, Adebayo Babatunde Mohammed, Salami Rukaya Taiye, Abdulkareem Mariam Toyin, Sulyman Ladi Gaga and Agbooola Olatunde Segun were also among those whoe were mentioned.

The EFCC had, in March, arrested six commissioners and government officials in Kwara State for allegedly withdrawing N1bn a week before the National Assembly and presidential elections held on February 23.

The investigation also hinges on an alleged Paris Club refund diversion amounting to about N20bn.

The list is below

Minimum wage: Negotiation on consequential adjustment deadlocked

Minimum-Wage-750x375 The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council said on Tuesday that it has commenced a nationwide mobilisation of civil servants in the country for a possible showdown with the government over the deadlock in discussion over the consequential adjustment in salary scale of workers.

the Council said on Tuesday that negotiation on the consequential adjustment for officers on grade level 7 and above has deadlocked following the adjournment of seating of the Technical Committee set up by the President indefinitely by the government side.

The council expressed displeasure over government delay in concluding the template for the implementation of the new minimum wage adding the percentage being proposed by the government team even after they have reduced their initial demand was ridiculous and unrealistic.

In a communique at the end of a meeting between the national body and Chairmen and Secretaries of state councils of the body, they claimed that while they have reduced their initial demand of 66.6 per cent increase on grade level and above to 30 per cent, the government was insisting on 9.5 per cent.

The communique signed by the Chairman, Comrade Anchaver Simon and Secretary, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, reads in part: “After extensive deliberations on the state of affairs in respect of the issue of negotiation of relativity/consequential adjustment of salaries of Public Service employees arising from new National Minimum Wage of N30,000.00 per month, the meeting noted that on Thursday 18th April, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the N30,000 monthly new National Minimum Wage Bill earlier passed by the National Assembly into Law after a long negotiation that lasted for almost two years.

“Following the signing of the new National Minimum Wage into Law, the Federal Government on Tuesday 14th May 2019 inaugurated the relativity/Consequential Adjustment Committee which in turn set up a Technical Sub-Committee to work out the template for the adjustment of salaries of Public Service Employees in line with the new minimum wage in other to ensure that all workers benefit from the new salary regime.

“When the Technical Committee started to meet, the Trade Union Side (TUS) proposed upward salary adjustment of 66.6% across board in order to maintain existing relativity in the emoluments of Public Servants, bearing in mind that the actual increase in minimum wage is 66.6%.

“The Government side argued that if 66.66% was added across board to the salaries of Public Servants, the wage bill will be too high for Government to bear; consequently, the Trade Union Side of the JNPSNC reviewed its demand downward because the government promised to undertake a general salary review in no distant future. Labour then maintained that 30% increase should be effected in the salaries of officers on grade levels 07-14 and 25% to salary of officers on grade level 15-17.

“Labour feels strongly that its demand is very much reductive bearing in mind sew salary adjustment approved for some agencies of government whereby salary GL 01 step 1 officer will be going home with about N150,000.00/month.

“On its part, the Government Side insisted that 9.5% salary adjustment for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 5% for those on grade levels 15-17 was the ideal. Both parties agreed to capture the two positions in its. Report to the plenary session of the larger Consequential Adjustment Committee for further discussion.

“Surprisingly, when the Technical Sub-Committee reconvened the Government Side introduced a strange clause to the discussion insisting that the Term of Reference of the Committee was to work out the consequential adjustment of salaries of Public Servants based on the subhead provided for salaries in the 2019 Budget.

“All efforts by the Trade Union Side to persuade the Government Side to return to the right track of negotiation and agree on a realistic percentage increase proved abortive. Thus, the Government Side deliberately created a stalemate and thereafter adjoined the meeting of the Technical Committee sine die; The negotiation therefore deadlocked.

“The Trade Union Side of JNPSNC has now resolved that the Federal Government should reconvene the meeting of the Technical Committee on Consequential Adjustment immediately so that it can conclude its deliberations and ensure that all Public Service Employees benefit adequately from the N30,000 new monthly National Minimum Wage signed into Law by Mr. President since April, 2019.

“That it has commenced mobilisation and sensitization of Public Service employees in the entire 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to prepare them for total Trade Union actions in the event that negotiation on the consequential adjustment arising from the N30,000 Monthly new National Minimum Wage completely breaks down”.
They, however, said there was no definite timeline for their mobilisation as they were still consulting with the relevant labour centres on the way forward.

Kwara House probes transfer of chalet’s ownership to Saraki

fb_img_1560249937028 — Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Danladi Yakubu Saliu

The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday directed its Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development to investigate the alleged transfer of the ownership of a four-bedroom chalet to the immediate past Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The building named Alimi Lodge is located on Alimi road in GRA, llorin, the state capital.

The directive of the House followed the raising of the issue under matters of urgent public importance by Omotayo Awodiji (APC- lrepodun).

Awodiji, while raising the matter, said that the lodge was transferred to Saraki under the state’s Pension Law for Governors and Deputy Governors.

Saraki was a two-term governor of the state.

Awodiji, however, insisted that the ownership of the lodge was not transferable as it was meant for an incumbent Chief Executive of the state.

The Speaker, Danladi Yakubu- Salihu, while reading the resolutions of the House, said there was the need for the House to investigate the matter.

This, he said, was to put an end to all forms of abnormality in the state in order to enhance the well being of the people and fast track the socio-economic development of the state.

The committee was mandated to report back to the House on Thursday