cc lalasticlala, mynd44, OAM4J

The police command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Hussaini Akwanga.

Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on Dec. 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.

The spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP. Kennedy Idirisu, who confirmed the abduction in Lafia on Wednesday, said that Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga on Aug. 22.

Akwanga town is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

Idirisu said that on receiving the information on the abduction, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to search for the abducted former minister.

“As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation to ensure that the victim is released unhurt.”

Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Meanwhile, a family source told NAN that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.

On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kassim Mohammed were abducted in Akwanga.



https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/crime/breaking-gunmen-kidnap-ex-minister-in-nasarawa/211295.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C8669848407

Senegal again

As condemnation continued to trail the public holiday declared by the Kogi state government over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, the government said the holiday was to celebrate the coming back of Mr President alive.

The director general, media and publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said the holiday also afforded the people of the state the opportunity to pray and fast for the progress of Nigeria and for Buhari to keep waxing stronger for the task ahead.

This is just as the Igala Consultative Forum on Monday condemned the decision of the Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to declare a public holiday over the return of Buhari from medical vacation.

The national secretary of the forum, Sam Ugbede, said it was surprised at the action ofthe governor.

He said, “The ill health of our president was of great concern to all Nigerians, and across all religions, and we all remained eternally grateful to God for answering our collective prayer, by granting our leader with abundant health, the Buhari we saw, we are all happy but our surprise is the declaration of public holiday by the government of Kogi state suddenly, what is it for?”

“He came back during the weekend, which is traditional public rest period, why extending it to Monday again? When Monday’s are usually busy day, we did not see any reason or meaning for such restriction.”

“The lacuna this unthinkable decision is enough to cost Kogi economy colossal amount and lives of innocent patient who are scheduled for various medical services today.”

“There is no how this accidental holiday will not cost someone somewhere in Kogi his or herlife, don’t be surprise that more lives could go.”

“We view this decision of the Kogi governor as immaturity of the highest order and uncalled for!

”Buhari was on sick holiday for about 104 days, more than same period our Kogi was on holiday as the government under this man was brought to a halt, the activities of Kogi inparticular has been grounded for almost 18 months now, because since the beginning of this administration of Bello, nothing seems to be working.

“As we are talking, our citadel of learning are under lock and key, the civil service is in disarray, our economy is the state of decadence paralysis, our state of being is at the mercy of God, complete breakdown of law and order, lawlessness everywhere, the state is under siege by terrorists.

”But the government said it was unfortunate that “those condemning it choose to take Panadol for our headache”.

“They should join us to celebrate the Lion of Africa and stop politicizing an act of patriotism on the part of the Governor.

“The Governor had a health and celebratory walk today and visited the Specialist Hospital where he declared free medical care for all patients on admission. To the beneficial families, it was a great day.”

“God forbids, if Mr. President had died, many states would have declared many days of mourning. But Kogi only declared one day to thank God for saving our President’s life. Are some people angry that Mr President is back, hale and hearty to continue to fight corruption?”

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/declared-holiday-buhari-%e2%80%95kogi-govt/

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state has described as an aberration, the public holiday declared by the government in honour of the return of President Mohammadu Buhari.

The party in a statement by the Director Research and Documentation, Achadu Dicson, lamented that while it is an acknowledged fact that governance in the state had drifted in the last 17 months, declaring a public holiday in the state is the height of lack and loss of ideas.

Achadu said while governance in the state had been brought to its lowest ebb, with workers owed salaries and pensions for 17 months, the heavy indebtedness by the state to commercial banks to the tune of N35billion was worrisome.

The party said the state has nothing to show in terms of infrastructure for the high indebtedness.

While noting that as a party, the PDP shared in the health recovery of Mr President, and has always joined in the prayers for his quick recovery, loss of man hour with the declaration of a public holiday was an indication that the state had reached the lowest ebb in terms of governance.

The statement read, “The recent government action shows that we have entered a one chance administration in which the ship of state is heading to no direction.”

The PDP in the statement said rather than devote energy to pray for Mr President, citizens should pray for God to heal Kogi state, noting that the state has lost focus, and is losing the decency of comity of serious States in the country.


http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/buhari-pdp-blasts-bello-public-holiday/

pure rubbish from Bello

cc mynd44, OAM4J and lalasticlala

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has declared Monday, August 21 as public holiday and Thanksgiving day to commemorate the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation in London.

A statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja by his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, said the gesture was in line with the support of the Kogi people for "the renaissance of our nation by Mr. President".

"We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the Public Holiday to pray for Mr. President as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria,"the statement said.

The Governor thanked people of the state for standing by the President and for trooping to Abuja in thousands to welcome the 'Lion of Africa'.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/kogi-govt-declares-public-holiday-over-buhari-s-return/210840.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C9983131343

Cc fynestboi, lalasticlala

A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, on Sunday said that the demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were unrealistic in light of the current economic situation in Nigeria.

Ezekwesili said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan while reacting to the ongoing strike embarked upon by the union.

The former minister said that lasting solution to the crisis bedevilling the education sector could only be found from strong analysis of the issues raised by ASUU and evidenced based policies.

“Money is not limitless and yet everyone must acknowledge that investment in education is crucial and it is key.

"There are, however, some fundamental reforms that the sector needs in order to ensure that it is not about the size of the funding but about the productivity of the funding.

“You cannot simply express a desire, it must be founded on reality and that means you must know what can be achieved within a given period,” she said.

According to her, a structural and policy change which allows public and private investments should be integrated into the university system.

“If you remember, the ASUU negotiation started in 2007 when I was the Minister of Education and we constituted a government negotiation team, led by the late Gamaliel Onosode,

“Even though that period was short, one of the major issues for me was for us to make sure that we were being evidenced based in the way we were solving the problem,“We considered issues like the existing model in countries similar to us in emerging economies,’’ she said.

The former minister said the team also considered what could be done by the public and private sectors about university funding among others.

“Those are the kinds of evidence that we had and on the basis of which we hinged our negotiation at that time, “It was a very short period and then we had to leave and the next government that took over had to continue.

“I do not know the basis of the final agreement they reached with ASUU, but if it was not anchored on analytical evidence, I am not surprised that there has been inability to implement it.”Ezekwesili urged both the Federal Government and ASUU to return to the negotiating table and work on the basis of analysis and evidence to find lasting solution to the dispute.

NAN reports that ASUU on Aug. 14, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home its demands for the implementation of an agreement signed between it and the Federal Government on condition of service.ASUU is also asking for increased funding of university, autonomy of the institution and academic freedom.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/strike-ASUU-s-demands-unrealistic-ezekwesili/210838.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C3841513567

cc lalasticlala, OAM4J, mynd44

After about 105 days in the United Kingdomon medical vacation, President Muhammadu Buhari landed at about 4.35pm at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Saturday.

He was met on arrival by a welcome party led by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo accompanied by state governors including Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Umar Ganduje (Kano); Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); ministers, service chiefs and other top government officials. Though frail, Buhari received a welcome salute from a detachment of the Brigade of Guards before shaking the hands of officials who had gathered in front of his aircraft.

Presidency officials ensured that all those that were to shake the president had sanitizer administered to the hands to maintain utmost hygiene.

Rather than inspect a guard of honor arranged by Brigade of Guards, he simply walked to the reception of the Presidential Wing to greet tens of officials that had waited for for hours for him in the hall.

He thereafter boarded his official car and was driven off to end the short airport ceremony.

The traditional dance troupe that had come from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not have the time to perform for him.

Speaking shortly the president touched down, state governors were optimistic that the return of the president would make things to move quicker in the country.

They agreed that even though Acting President Osinbajo has been very up to task in discharging his presidential duties, it could not be compared to when the President himself is in charge.

According to Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari, Buhari’s absence for Nigeria was like a body without a head.

He said the president’s return would make immediate impact on the country. Abdulaziz stated: “This is the moment that Nigerians have been waiting for over 90 days. We, as governors that paid him a visit, what we saw the first time, we reported to Nigerians, Nigerians will see for themselves.

“We pray to God to give the President good health and for him to continue to manage theeconomy.

“It will impact seriously because it is just like a body. When the head is cut off, so the body will not make any meaningful achievement.

“The fact that he has a vibrant Vice President who can work effectively when he is not around does not mean.

“You can compare the difference between when he is around and when the two of them are around.

“It will impact on the economy and it will impact on the security. It means so many things will change.”

Also speaking, his Kano State counterpart, Umar Gnaduje, maintained that the president’s return would impact on security and socio-economic situation of the country.

He said, working together with the Vice President, things would move faster in the country as Osinbajo would no longer need to wait to communicate certain decisions.

Ganduje added: “Nigerians are happy and weare happy. We did say when we visited that he was doing better and will soon return.

“It will impact on the socio-economic activities in the country because now that the number one decision maker is now around.“He and his deputy will take decision together and things will be done in a quicker way. We will see improvement.”

On the effect on the security, the governor argued: “It will impact on security there is no doubt about that because there are certain decisions you know the Acting President will have to communicate him.

“But now that he is coming back that would no longer be necessary.”

People lined some areas along the airport road hoping to catch a glimpse of the retuning president.

Bus loads of people also gathered around the entrance to the Presidential Wing of the airport to welcome him back.

The president was taken in a motorcade to the presidential villa, Abuja. He left Abuja for the United Kingdom on May7, 2017 for what the Presidency announced then was a medical vacation for an undisclosed ailment.

Before that he had on 19 January 19, 2017 left for UK for a similar medical vacation. On February 5, 2015, he requested that National Assembly to extend the medical leave and later returned to Nigeria on March 10, 2017 but was unable to resume work immediately.On April 26, 2017, he missed meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the second time as Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, explained that he was working from home. But on April 28, 2017, Buhari missed his usual Friday prayers at the presidential villa mosque and thereafter on May 3, 2017, failed to show up at FEC for the third time. On May 5, 2017, he attended Friday prayers but traveled on May 7, 2017 after playing host to newly released Chibok School girls.

Buhari’s wife, Aisha, who had gone to London to be with the husband was conspicuously absent at the airport as she did not travel on the presidential aircraft 001 with the president.


http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/buharis-return-heightens-optimism/

The guy is using style to eat hot spicey humble pie

Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose on Thursday set aside political differences and declared the state's support for the federal government's home grown school feeding programme.

Fayose, who made the declaration in Ado Ekiti while declaring open a two-day stakeholders' workshop for the take-off of the programme, said he decidedto support the programme because it was in tandem with the state's stomach infrastructure policy.

It would be recalled that at the outset of the programme, Fayose had vowed that the state would not participate in the programme saying it was being politicised and that it was a campaign promise made by the APC during the presidential campaign which must be fulfilled by the party.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, however, said the state decided to key into the programme following a feedback from government's agencies that studied the programme that the programme would be of immense benefit to the people of the state.

He said, "The study revealed the potentials of the programme to improve the nutrition status of the pupils, increase schools' enrollment and attendance, energise the local economy and empower certain segments of the population.

Above all, we also noted that it is in tandem with our stomach infrastructure policy.

"We have decided to set political differences aside and partner with the federal government for the benefits of our pupils. Our participation will be a boost to our efforts to restore the glory of education in our dear state.

"The governor, while calling on all stakeholders to ensure diligent implementation of the programme, also promised that the state would give all the needed support to actualise "our collective goal of feeding the pupils.

"The Team leader of the programme from the Office of the President on National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi, said the programme had been introduced in 21 states adding that the programme would improve the health and nutrition of children as well as improve the local production of agricultural products in the state.

"It is the plan of the federal government that all states key into the programme for the benefit of allour children in public primary schools.

"Attendees of the workshop include officials from NGOs, Community Based Organisarions, Farmers' Congress and representarives of Ministry of Agriculture among others.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/fayose-bows-embraces-buhari-s-school-feeding-programme/210493.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C9701544639

...but ASUU,when will you address something like this.

BeautifulSE:
Grandson is a very smart guy. His problem is that he's very radical

1 grandson = 37 Nnamdi Kanu

This boy wise ooo

Nnamdi Kanu, come and learn ooo

AN Osun based lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Kanmi Ajibola on Monday urged a State High Court, sitting in Osogbo to declare all businesses and transactions done in the name of “State of Osun” illegal, contending that there is only “Osun State” in the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

Ajibola who challenged the new tax law enacted by the state house of assembly tagged “State of Osun Tax Law” wanted the court to declare the law null and void.

Besides, he wanted all laws, pronouncements and businesses done under the “State of Osun” to be declared as illegal.

The final judgment on the matter had earlier been fixed for July 13, 2017 by the presiding judge, Justice Yinka Afolabi adjourned the case as he directed counsels on both sides to address him on the effect of the seventh schedule of the 1999 constitution.

At the resume hearing of the matter yesterday, Ajibola in his written address on the matter stated that what is contained the constitution is “Osun State” not “State of Osun”, saying this was established in the oath columns of the Governor and the Deputy Governor in the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 constitution.

He said, “In the column of Oath of Office of Governor of a state, Parts of Lines 2 – 4 are herein reproduced: ‘that as the Governor of …. state, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability’.

“Parts of Lines 18 – 22 are herein reproduced: “that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as Governor of …. state, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Governor.”

“We submit that the ellipses in the above referred oath of office are expected to be filled with the name of a state in an adjectival classification. In the like manner as given above an ellipsis is given to be filled in with the name of a state, e.g. Osun State House of Assembly,” he said.

While citing different authority to support his argument, Ajibola who was represented by Barrister Musa Abdulahhi explained that “the members of the House of Assembly of Osun State took their Oath of office as “members of the Osun State House of Assembly” while the Governor took his own as “the Governor of Osun State” respectively.

According to him, the defendants changing the name of Osun State to State of Osun and making and signing a law in that capacity, they have mutilated the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

But the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Ajibola Bashiru, who represented both the governor and the state asked the court to grant him the opportunity to file additional points of argument on the matter saying he was new in the office and was ready to bring some important matters to the knowledge of the court.

Justice Afolabi who adjourned the case till September 11, 2017 ruled that the streamlined issue be served on the plaintiff within 14 days while calling on both the applicant and the defendants to still address the court on section 2(3) of the state tax law.

“I am formulating this question which I want both of you to address me on the next adjourned date. Can a delegate sub-delegate its functions in regard to collection of charges, rates and so on?” the judge stated.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/lawyer-wants-businesses-done-state-osun-declared-illegal/

Coke and Fanta

The Jukun Development Association (JDA) has risen in defence of General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd) over threat by the House of Representatives to arrest him.

The National President of the association, Chief Bako Benjamin told reporters in Lagos that the threat was a joke taken too far, and demanded not only the withdrawal of the threat but a public apology to the general within 48 hours, or risk the anger of the Jukun people.

A House of Representatives Committee at its sitting last Tuesday threatened to order the arrest of the retired general who is the chairman of the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI), if he did not appear before them to answer queries on how PCNI funds were spent.

Benjamin carpeted the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda, for threatening to arrest Danjuma. He said, “The entire Jukun people seriously frown at the bizarre and disrespectful statements coming from the chambers. Let it be known to all that General T.Y. Danjuma belongs to us and we will never sit by and watch anyone, not even Hon. Kinsley Chinda and his cohorts to embarrass, humiliate or disgrace our hero in private or public. “We call on Hon. Kinsley Chinda and members of his committee on public accounts to immediately withdraw the threat of arrest on the great war general which was made in bad faith and scornful glee, and tender a public apology to General T.Y Danjuma, the entire Jukun people and Nigerians in general within 48 hours or risk the anger of the people.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/jukun-body-demands-withdrawal-of-threat-to-arrest-ty-danjuma/209892.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C8543022392

Is EFCC Ondo state property?

Mr. whitebeard, face what you're elected to govern

Cc OAM4J, mynd44 & lalasticlala... Buhari is working

The Presidency said it paid N6,204,912,888 to 14 states during the school year ending this month for the feeding of 2,827,691 students out of the three million targeted for this year.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, listed the benefitting states as Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba and Kaduna.

He said a total of 33,895 cooks had been engaged in the communities where the schools were located across the 14 states.

Akande gave a breakdown of the payment thus:

"Anambra state received a total of N693,013,300, while a total of 103,742 children have been fed thus far, with 1,009 cooks paid.

"Enugu state got a total of N 571,877,400 and 108,898 children have been fed so far, with 1,276 cooks paid.

"In Oyo state, a total of N490,296,800 was released by the FG for the feeding of 107,983 children, with 1.372 cooks engaged.

"Osun state received a total of N1,000,394,888 for the feeding of 151,438 children. A total of 2,863 cooks were engaged in the state.

"Similarly, Ogun state received a total of and N1,042,217,400 for the feeding of 231,660 school children, while a total of 2,205 cooks were paid.

"For Ebonyi state, a total of N344,633,100 has been released for the feeding of 163,137 pupils so far, with a total of 1,453 cooks paid.

"In the same vein, Zamfara state received a total ofN402,295,600 for the feeding of 107,347 school children, while 1,127 cooks were engaged.

"Delta state received a total of N225,896,300 for the feeding of 141,663 pupils. A total of 1,364 cooks wereengaged in the state.

"Abia and Benue states received a total of N128,763,600 and N337,157,800 respectively to feed a total of 61,316 and 240,827 pupils respectively. In Abia state, a total of 750 cooks were engaged, while 3,344 cooks were paid in Benue state.

"Similarly, Plateau and Bauchi states received a total of N133,187,600 and N214,909,101 for the feeding of a total of 95,134 and 307,013 pupils respectively in the states. Also, 1,418 cooks have so far been engaged in Plateau state, with 3,261 in Bauchi state.
"For Taraba state, a total of N120,284,500 was paid and 171,835 pupils have thus far been fed, with a total of 2,596 cooks paid.

Kaduna state received a total of N499,985,500 while 835,508 pupils have been fed so far. Also, a total of 9,857 cooks were paid under the programme in the state.

"He said more states and primary school pupils acrossthe country were expected to benefit from the feeding programme when schools reopen next month for a new session.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/presidency-we-fed-2-8m-pupils-with-over-n6bn/209802.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C8897952749

must it be every Sunday?

Chukwu Okike Abiama forgives us ooo in our region

Cc Seun, lalasticlala,OAM4J, mukina2, mynd44 we're ready to change the change

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday inAbuja announced that the Peoples Democratic Party had returned from limbo and would reclaim power in 2019.

Jonathan asserted this in his address at the party’s a special national convention. He said that the party’s achievements while in power would rekindle the confidence of the electorate to vote it back in power in the 2019 general elections.

"The party is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness. "As a human institution, we cannot claim to be perfect and as a political party, our accomplishments up to 2015 are clear for every Nigerian to see,’’ he said.

According to Jonathan, the achievements of the party while in power are ample evidence to demonstrate that PDP is a party of vision and accomplishments.

Highlighting achievements of the party, he said that elections conducted from 2011 by the government controlled by PDP met globally-accepted standard. "We succeeded in doing that because of the leverage and the autonomy we gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

"PDP is a party that wants to place Nigeria in a position to compete favourably with other countries,’’he said.

On the economy, the former president said that PDP provided focused leadership through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the country, especially in the last four years of our tenure.

"We tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, and drove the economy to become thelargest in Africa.

“We also made Nigeria to be the number one foreign direct investment destination in the continent,’’ he said.

According to him, in 2012, PDP ensured that prices of food remained stable in spite of flood which affected 50 per cent of farmlands along the flood plains of river Niger and Benue.

Jonathan said that the country was able to regain its goodwill internationally because the PDP pursued programmes and policies that were not only rewarding but were copied by other countries across the globe.

"We can recall that our agricultural transformation agenda transformed key agricultural value chains, boosted local production and created a new generation of young commercial farmers.

"The introduction of electronic wallet checked corrupt practices in the distribution of fertilizer andenabled farmers to get fertilizer like all other agro inputs.

“In the same vein, the YouWin programme empowered a crop of young Nigerians to go into entrepreneurship and in turn employed others,’’ he said.

Jonathan said that though his administration did not block all the loopholes, it came up with strong innovations to fight corruption. According to him, we introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has helped to reduce corruption.

“Government is run by policies, the creative thinking, brains in the executive council and in the civil servants were harnessed to get to where we are. “If elected in 2019, PDP will fight poverty and ensure that food prices are reduced,’’ he added, andurged Nigerians to partner the party to restore good life in the country.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/pdp-will-reclaim-power-in-2019-says-jonathan/209710.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C6748677579

cc lalasticlala, OAM4J, mynd44

Political considerations played a role in emergence ofsome of the 21 newly appointed federal Permanent Secretaries, Daily Trust gathered.

Sources told our correspondent that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo resisted pressure from some top politicians to cancel the examination that produced the new top civil servants.

The acting President however succumbed in appointing some the new permsecs, it was learnt. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF) Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita in a statement yesterday said Osinbajo approved the appointment of the new permsecs after the examination conducted for 300 federal directors.

The appointees are, Ehuria Georgina Ekeoma (Abia) Akpan Edet Sunday (Akwa Ibom) Anagbogu Ifeoma Nkiruka (Anambra) Walson-Jack Diiarau Didi Esther(Bayelsa) Gekpe Grace Isu (Cross River) Aliboh Leon Lawrence (Delta) Uwaifo Osarenoma Clement (Edo) and Folayan Ayodele Olaniyi (Ekiti).Others are, Osuji Ndubisi Marcellinus (Imo) Mu’azu Abdulkadir (Kaduna) Sulaiman Mustapha Lawal (Kano) Abdullahi Abdulazeez Mashi (Katsina) Adebiyi Bolaji Adekunle (Lagos) Ibrahim Musa Wen (Nasarawa) Odewale Samson Olajide (Ogun) Adesola Olusade (Ondo) Adekunle Olusegun Adeyemi (Oyo) Nabasu Bitrus Bako (Plateau) Ekaro Comfort Chukumuebobo (Rivers) Umar Mohammed Bello (Sokoto) and Aduda Gabriel Tanimu (FCT).

Top officials told Daily Trust yesterday in Abuja that the case of FCT, Imo, Kaduna and Oyo states were among those that the Presidency was forced tomake political consideration.

Those appointed were said not have emerged tops during the final evaluation report of the 59 directors cleared by the technical committee for theappointment.

An official, who spoke off record, said Senate President Bukola Saraki and the traditional headship in the FCT led the campaign for the appointment of Gabriel Aduda from the FCT.

Gabriel is the immediate younger brother of Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda (PDP, FCT).

Aduda had raised a point of order in the Senate leading to probe of the exercise, on the alleged exclusion of three directors from the FCT, who sat for the examination and were initially dropped. Citing an exclusive report in Daily Trust on the examination, Aduda said the three directors sat for the examination alongside their colleagues but that their names were omitted. Until his new appointment, Aduda was the Director of Economic Research and Policy Management in the Federal Ministry of Finance, and had also worked in the EFCC and ICPC.

Meanwhile, Senator Aduda yesterday said his younger brother’s emergence was on merit and not as a result of his influence at the Senate.

“Look at his credentials or google Gabriel Aduda, youwill see what he has done in his life. Yes, I raised a point of order in the interest of my constituents. Three of them were among the directors qualified for the permanent secretary job. My brother is one of them. “I did not mark the exams, ask those who conducted it whether he is qualified or not. Is my brother not a Nigerian? Are you saying because he is my brother he should not attain the peak of his career? Thank God he was not brought from the bush, he was a director and he has served in strategic places,” he said last night.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/how-21-new-federal-permsecs-emerged/209492.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C2079357302