Category: News

In a significant development, the Federal Government has granted approval to exempt universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Remunerations for staff members of these institutions will no longer be processed through the IPPIS platform.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this decision after the Federal Executive Council meeting, emphasizing that the move allows tertiary institutions the freedom to independently manage their affairs.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, clarified that the decision aims to enhance the efficient administration of public educational institutions nationwide. He highlighted that the concern is not related to the integrity of IPPIS or alternative systems like the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) advocated by various bodies.

This development follows a prolonged disagreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government regarding IPPIS implementation within universities. ASUU has consistently argued that IPPIS undermines university autonomy and does not accommodate the unique nature of academic work. ASUU has proposed UTAS as an alternative, emphasizing its alignment with the specific needs of the Nigerian tertiary education sector.

The government’s decision to exempt tertiary institutions from IPPIS is expected to address concerns related to autonomy, strategic planning, and effective personnel management within universities.

By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

Inaugurating the Committee, governor Ahmad Aliyu said it is instructive on the Sokoto state Ease Of Doing Business which was dormant and neglected by the immediate past administration which led to none involvement of Sokoto state in activities of EODB committee at the national level to find means and ways actualise vibrant business activities in the state.

“Nevertheless,this administration is fully committed to ensuring not only the full participation of our state in the activity of the national committee for the reposition of the state committee to address challenges affecting growth and development of business in the state”.

However,the governor stated that his administration would strive hard to achieve the primary objectives of EODB policy of Federal government which is to remove critical bottlnecks and barriers at national and sub-national levels.

He further said great emphasis would be placed on medium scale enterprises EMSMES through enhanced capacity building to enable to access various formal interventions from Federal to state and donor agencies such as CBN, BOA, BOI, NIRSAL and SOSMEDA among others.

Relatively, the governor added that his administration substantial arrangements to sublime and similarly made it a duty to boost industrial policies in the state.

” In our effort to boost agriculture, industrial revelations for the development of Sokoto state,we are making necessary arrangements to organise a trade mission to some cele

Ondo Crisis Update: Ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to return to Germany for further treatment, with Deputy Lucy Aiyedatiwa set to take over. Amidst ongoing political turmoil, Akeredolu plans to transmit a letter to the State House of Assembly, while a closed-door session discusses the situation. Tensions persist as unresolved issues continue, including alleged forgery of Akeredolu’s signature. Calls for an investigation by the Ondo State Conscience Movement, while legal expert Dr. Tunji Abayomi emphasizes that local resolution is key to the state’s political crisis.

In a touching moment, Yinka Ayefele engages in a heart-to-heart conversation with his sons about the life-changing accident that led to his wheelchair-bound state. In a video shared on Instagram, his son, Richard, curiously questions why his father can’t stand, prompting Ayefele to reveal details of the 1997 auto crash that left him paralyzed. Despite the somber recounting, Ayefele assures his son of his resilience and hope for walking again. The conversation sheds light on the artist’s journey from a fateful accident to moments of encouragement from his family, including his triplets born in 2019.

A 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom bungalow were handed over to Ayo Momodu and Jonathan Orukpe respectively on Tuesday, 12th December 2023, at Ute, Umagbae South, Uhunmwonde LGA.

Jonathan Orukpe, an indigene of Ewohimi, Esan, Edo Central has been an integral part of the Edo State Deputy Governor’s journey since 2007, fostering a professional relationship that spans over a decade. This enduring connection culminated in a remarkable display of appreciation, as the Deputy Governor today commissioned a distinguishingly furnished 4-bedroom bungalow with courtyards for Jonathan.

This generous act is not an isolated incident but rather part of a pattern showcasing the Deputy Governor’s commitment to nurturing bonds. A poignant example is the previous construction and inauguration of an equivalent bungalow for the late Monday Osaigbovho, the Deputy Governor’s erstwhile driver while he was the majority leader in Edo State House of Assembly. Monday was from Uromi, Edo Central but retired in 2015 and died some years later. Monday’s service is being remembered and honored posthumously yearly by the Deputy Governor.

The spirit of recognizing and valuing the contributions of long-serving staff members extends further. Ayo Momodu, a driver who has been part of the Deputy Governor’s team since 2007, received a parallel gesture with the construction, furnished, and commissioning of a comparable bungalow in Axis in Benin. Ayo is a native of South Ibie in Etsako West LGA of Edo North.

These actions underscore not only the Deputy Governor’s appreciation for enduring relationships but also emphasize the significance he places on the contributions of individuals at all levels of his team. It is a testament to the understanding of the importance of workers across various roles and cadres in the administration. This commitment to loyalty, even beyond active service, reflects the Deputy Governor’s ethos of keeping and valuing relationships, making it a noteworthy and commendable aspect of his leadership.

In a commendable act of community service, Rahila Garba, a dedicated corps member, has successfully constructed a block of two classrooms for Gudum Hausawa Primary School in the Gudum community, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis. Garba, inspired by the deplorable condition of the school, took it upon herself to make a positive change for the benefit of the pupils and their teachers.

During the inauguration of the project, Garba expressed her compassion for the children and the school’s need for more classrooms. Despite financial challenges, she was determined to bring the project to life and sought support from various sources. Only an engineering firm, Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited, extended assistance, enabling the completion of the classrooms.

In her address, Garba challenged others to contribute to society, emphasizing the pivotal role of education in development. She expressed gratitude to the NYSC for approving her project and Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited for sponsoring it.

Rifkatu Yakubu, the Bauchi State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), lauded Garba’s resilience in undertaking the school-building project and called for support from governments, well-meaning Nigerians, and corporate organizations for corps members engaged in community development projects.

Yakubu highlighted the uniqueness of Garba’s project, which will be submitted to the national headquarters for recognition. The initiative aims to improve the learning environment for pupils who previously faced challenges studying under trees, exposed to snakes and other dangers.

The Sarkin Gudum Hausawa community, Umar Tukur, expressed appreciation for Garba’s gesture, emphasizing the long-term benefits for the entire community. He also appealed to the Local Government Council to address infrastructural challenges, such as constructing roads and bridges.

Zinab Babantakko, the Chairperson of Bauchi Local Government, commended Garba’s efforts and assured the community that the government would renovate other abandoned school buildings across the state. Babantakko announced plans to renovate the second block of classrooms at Gudum Hausawa Primary School and equip it with necessary facilities.

As way of honouring and commending the Senate President for his unwavering commitment to the progress of Nigeria through quality legislation, Nigerian Youth and Middle -Aged Citizens under the aegis of Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) have concluded plans to honour Senator Godswill Akpabio in Abuja.

The Godswill Akpabio Entrepreneurship and Leadership Initiative which is a modest way of appreciating his people and youth centred leadership style will be unveiled at the 3rd Godswill Akpabio Leadership and Youth Mentorship Lecture.

In a communique signed by leaders of youth organisations after its meeting and made available to journalists by the National Convener of RUN, Amb. Solomon Adodo in Abuja, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, the group expressed confidence in the leadership style of the Senate President and recounted several dividends of democracy that his stewardship has brought to Nigerians especially the youth.

According to the communique, “the Senator Godswill Akpabio is not new to the corridors of power. His political career has been marked by a consistent inclination to positive dividends both in human capital and infrastructural development. In unveiling the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Initiative, we are setting a legacy in his name which is in tandem with his political and leadership philosophy for the Nigerian youth. This is just the little we can do to spur him to greater service and stewardship”.

While regretting the inability to host the third Godswill Akpabio Leadership and Youth Mentorship Lecture as planned for the ninth of December, the group revealed that, the lecture will take place unfailingly in February, 2024 at the Thisday Dome and “enjoined Nigerian youths and lovers of democracy to make out time to attend as speakers across the world be making insightful presentations on political leadership and youth mentorship”. Other youth leaders who signed the communique include Comr. Olamide Odumosu, National Coordinator, Patriotic Nigeria Youth Forum; Ms Eucharia Orji, Young Female Professionals and Entrepreneurs; Hon. Joseph Addi, Civil Society and Youth Groups Initiative; Comr. Emmanuel Adenigbagbe of Youth and Middle-aged Citizens Forum; Comr. Joseph Ovie of Southsouth Youth Democratic Front; Alh. Auwalu Majiri, President, Almajiri Youth Support Initiative and Mallam Suleiman Musa of the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Mineral, has attributed illegal mining activities and acts of terrorism in various parts of Nigeria to unnamed “Powerful Nigerians.” Speaking before the House Committee on Solid Minerals to defend the 2024 budget estimates, Alake expressed concerns about influential individuals supporting illegal mining, leading to insecurity in mining areas. He emphasized the need to identify and address these sponsors, revealing that the insecurity has both kinetic and non-kinetic connections.

Alake stressed the importance of establishing a formal structure for mining, similar to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, to attract multinational investments. He estimated the conservative worth of Nigeria’s minerals at over $700 billion but highlighted institutional bottlenecks hindering their commercial exploitation. Alake urged the committee’s support for the Nigeria Mining Cooperation, proposing a private sector-driven structure with government equity to prevent future destabilization.

The minister emphasized the significance of host community engagement to maintain law and order around mining activities. He appealed to the committee to reconsider the budget allocation for the ministry, stating that the proposed N24 billion is insufficient. Alake asserted that a budget of N250 billion would enable the ministry to contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP, emphasizing the role of exploration and the need to avoid leaving it solely in private sector hands.

Chairman of the committee, Gaza Gbefwi, acknowledged the solid minerals sector as vital for economic diversification. He criticized the budget estimates as grossly inadequate and pledged the committee’s commitment to collaborate on securing more funding to achieve Alake’s 7-point agenda.

Lagos State has appointed Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha as the new Commissioner of Police, succeeding Idowu Owohunwa, who recently attained the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police. The official announcement came through a police wireless message marked TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.5/103, dated December 11, 2023, and signed by the Nigeria Police Force Secretary on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The wireless message emphasized the immediate effect of Fayoade’s posting. Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police, confirmed Fayoade’s deployment, noting that he is expected to assume duty from Wednesday onward.