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The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan has congratulated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha on the occasion of his 66th birthday.
Lawan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ola Awoniyi in Abuja on Saturday, described Mustapha as an erudite lawyer, public administrator par excellence and amiable politician.
“I share the joy of his friends and family members in rejoicing with the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, on this occasion of his birthday.
“Mr Boss Mustapha since assuming office in 2017 as the SGF has made his mark and can be proud of his enviable track record in the office.
“He has helped a great deal to build synergy between the Federal and state bureaucracies and promoted harmony among all the tiers of government.
“Mr Boss Mustapha won the admiration of many Nigerians especially by the way he efficiently coordinated the battle against the dreaded coronavirus as the head of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
“The SGF has also demonstrated his committment to accountability and transparency in government procurement processes through the collaboration of his office with Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, an international outfit that promotes these values in governance.
“Mr Boss Mustapha is a loyal and committed member of our great party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and has never waivered in deploying his energy toward effective and efficient coordination of the policies and activities of the Federal government.
“I pray the Almighty God to grant him many more years with peace of mind and in good health,” Lawan said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja congratulated Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha as he clocks 66 years on Sunday, Sept. 4.
Buhari’s media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, stated that the president extolled the political leader and diligent public servant for his dedication to nation building since his youthful days in the 1980s.
The president noted the commitment of the SGF in ensuring fluidity of ideas, teamwork and harmony, and efficient transitions of policies into gains for Nigerians.
He also extolled him for being active in legal practice, politics and governance, with distinctions in every assignment.
He affirmed that Mustapha’s historic leadership roles like chairing the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, would continue to stand him for recognitions.
President Buhari prayed for the wellbeing of Mustapha and his family, Shehu stated.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
There is no doubt that this year's birthday anniversary is going to be the very last anniversary Boss Mustapha would be celebrating as the 19th Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under President Muhammadu Buhari administration which will be ending exactly on May 29, 2023. However, it is important that I highlight the intellectual idea that has become the guiding principles for the SGF upon his assumption of office as the 19th Chief Scribe of the nation on November 1st, 2017. Unarguably, Boss Mustapha is in the category of the very few Nigerians who has displayed uncommon loyalty, dedication to duty and selfless services to the nation and humanity at large. As the 19th Secretary to the Government of the Federation and one of the longest serving Chief Scribes of the nation, Boss Mustapha would go down in history as an untainted public servant who has never compromised his principles, beliefs and ethics of service for political correctness or parochial interest. Rather, he has served with due diligence and honesty; puting the interest of the nation first before any other consideration. At this point, let me share little ideas about the Office of the SGF. According to Mustapha, "The office provides the operational basis for the presidency. Technically, we provide the President with the secretariat to function efficiently and effectively." "We also provide advisory support to the presidency and government institutions. The office is structured in such a way that you have to coordinate the activities of government from a wide perspective, because you are dealing with agencies of government, ministries, or institutions, etc. So, it's really a mixture of a lot of things." Though a politician by calling, but high moral standards, probity and fairness to all people has been his guiding principles. These are the qualities that has endeared him to the heart of many Nigerians as one of the most stable and uncontroversial personality of the Buhari administration. Interestingly, since his appointment, he has never been found wanting in the discharge of his duties as there has been no covert or obvert case of corruption, abuse of office, dereliction of duties and misdirection of state's agenda or embezzlement of all sorts that have been found against him or his office before the prying eyes of the various anti-graft agencies. Instead, the office has served as the coordinating and monitoring room for the effective and smooth running of state's affairs and the delivering of services to the people. Undoubtedly, the Office of the SGF been a frontline advisor institution to the President and which has the mandate to coordinate government policies, monitor and ensure full implementation of those policies, programmes and projects has lived above boards in the last six years. We saw how a stable personality in the person of Boss Mustapha has stabilized the act and science of governance under the Buhari Presidency. The executive and the legislative arms of government now work together for the interest of Nigerians without undermining each other or shirking their responsibilities. Affirmatively, Boss Mustapha is one man who has defiled the trappings and egregiousities of office which had caused the downfall of many in their public outings. Probably, this is due to the fact that he sees public service as a call to serve humanity and not the direct opposite. Intrinsically, Boss Mustapha remains one of the very few chief scribes of the nation who has never travelled outside the country for any purpose even when there are compelling reasons to do so since his appointment; instead, he has remained dutifully committed to the task of bridging the gab between policy pronouncements and policy implementation by ensuring effective monitoring, coordination and implementation of government policies, programmes and projects to the admiration of many. Today, because of the effectiveness of the 19th SGF, the Buhari administration is never in lack of transformative policies that are capable of changing the lives and fortunes of Nigerians as there are many programmes and projects of the administration scattered all across the country. Nonetheless, one interesting hallmark of the Boss Mustapha's Secretaryship is the fact that files don't get trapped in his office as files are timely and frequently treated and acted upon in the best interest of the nation. Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that any government can make policy but the freedom to choose what to believe lies with the people; especially in the ongoing battle between the real news and the fake news. This is why the recent launch of the Presidential Delivery Tracks (PDT) and Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) website to track and monitor government projects across the country is quite commendable. The PDT/CDCU App is a co-creation platform that aims to connect the citizens to governance in Nigeria by increasing citizens' access to the Federal Government's Presidential priority policies, programmes, and projects. "The goal of the PDT/CDCU according to report is to promote transparency and expand access to reporting on presidential priority policies, programmes and projects. This is by incorporating citizens as the third layer of reporting to offer vital information that will facilitate effective service delivery. Over the last two years, the PDT/CDCU had successfully driven FG's delivery initiative to incorporate a systematic feedback mechanism from the citizens into the design and operationalisation of its Performance Management System. "This is in recognition of the critical roles of the citizens in promoting inclusive and citizen-centered governance." Accordingly, the nine thematic areas or priority areas of the administration includes; 1. To Stabilise the Macroeconomy. 2. To Achieve Agriculture and Food Security. 3. To Ensure Energy Sufficiency in Power and Petroleum Products. 4. To Improve Transportation and other Infrastructure. 5. To Drive Industrialisation focusing on SMEs. 6. To Improve Health, Education and Productivity of Nigerians. 7. To Enhance Social Inclusion and reduce poverty. 8. To Fight Corruption and improve Governance. 9. To Provide Security for all citizens. This is why the PDT/CDCU objectives of developing the 'Citizens App' and the website is most commendable because it would make it possible for citizens to report accurately and provide feedback on the implementation of government's programmes and projects within their localities. However, it is right to state that apart from his primary responsibility as the Chief Scribe of the nation, Boss Mustapha is also the Secretary to the highest policy-making body in Nigeria which is the Federal Executive Council as well as the highest advisory body in the country which is the National Council of State. Other responsibilities given to him by Mr. President includes; 1, Chairman, Ajaokuta Presidential Implementation Committee, 2, Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Digital Identity for Development Ecosystem Project, 3, Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, 4, Chairman, 15-man Inter-Ministerial Committee to organize the 62nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria 5, Among others. In all these, Boss Mustapha has performed creditably well as the key words that keep resonating in all his engagements are excellence services, hardworks and patriotism. For Example, look at the excellent management of the Covid-19 pandemic by the PSC under his watch. From just two molecular laboratories and 500 daily testing capacity with inadequate manpower and facilities, the PSC successfully waged the war on Covid-19 with minimal casualties, averted national calamity, upgraded and repositioned our healthcare system and infrastructures to an optimal level. In the words of the SGF, "When we started, there were only two laboratories that could do COVID-19 test. But, today to the glory of God, it's notching up to about 150 or more; it's rising on a daily basis, both from the private sector and the public sector. A lot of isolation centers have been built. Our knowledge and our ability of management have also improved, because we are getting to understand it better, and our clinicians getting to know the modelling and how to provide care for people has improved tremendously." This is even as the World Health Organisation has ranked the country's response to Covid-19 as the fourth most successful in the World. In the same vein, a normalcy index published by The Economist Magazine based in the United Kingdom also ranked Nigeria as fourth on the list of countries whose responses to the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted to normalcy. These are not just mere eulogies, but the outcome of a careful and calculated studies of the various responses by different nations of the globe. Therefore, there is no better way to celebrate the 66th birthday anniversary of the nation's Chief Scribe than to sincerely give him a pat on the back as well as encouraging him to sustain the momentum in the remaining lifespan of the Buhari administration because the best reward for good governance is more services. At this juncture, I say Happy Birthday to you Sir!
"Comrade Edwin Uhara is A UN-trained Negotiator and APC Chieftain based in Abuja"
The Federal Government has rewarded 15 states of the federation for their outstanding performance on routine immunisation and COVID-19 response.
The awards were given through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said the awards were meant to recognise those who made remarkable contributions to immunisation in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the award was organised to commemorate the 2022 African Vaccination Week (AVN).
AVN is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April in synchronisation with other World Health Organization (WHO) Regions and World Immunisation Week (WIW).
Mustapha said overcoming the misconceptions that followed vaccination was part of why the country had engagements with stakeholders and partners to promote vaccination uptake across the nation.
The SGF said this was further strengthened by conspiracy theories, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the peak, our traditional religious leaders who are community gatekeepers were not left out in the struggle.
“They invested their energy and time in mobilising the communities for the uptake of our health workers, some of whom we have lost along the way.
He said they moved around the communities from house to house to ensure that every eligible child received vaccines and was protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“We are here together today to reward excellence or excellent performance by individuals and states that have encouraged the vaccination in their states,” he said.
According to him, While it is safe to mention the impressive decline of death arising from COVID-19 due to the ongoing vaccination.
” We should not rest yet as the virus is still very much with us.
”
The SGF said that the COVID-19 virus mutated and that made it more dangerous, calling on Nigerians to take all precautions.
“I had the privilege some couple of weeks ago, along with the emir of Argungu, the health minister, and those that attended the launch of the SCALES 3.0 to take our second booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
“That guarantees that the vaccine is safe and efficacious.
“So I would ask every one of you here that have not availed themselves to take the booster doses and first be prepared to take that second because COVID-19 is not in a hurry to go.
“Most of this is to encourage all around us to get vaccinated as a matter of priority,” he said.
According to Mustapha, “as of Monday, from the records I have, we have about 43 million doses of different brands of vaccines in our cold storage facilities.
“So there is no vaccine shortage, what we have probably is vaccine hesitancy and as long as we do not get ourselves and our loved ones across the nation in our villages and our communities vaccinated, we have a long way to go.
“This is where I will continue to appeal to our traditional institutions because they are close to our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, said Vaccination had made an important contribution to the decreased incidence of numerous infectious diseases and associated mortality.
The Sultan was represented by the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery (NTLC), and Emir of Argungu Alhaji Samaila Mera.
He said that as traditional rulers, they would continue to collaborate with their communities to ensure that they take advantage of the health programmes to improve their health outcomes.
The states awarded were Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Ebonyi, Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Cross River, Ogun, Abia, Nasarawa, Kano and Yobe.
The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunisation programmes by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
It aims at keeping immunisation high on the national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships, and promotes the delivery of other high-impact life-saving interventions.
The AVW provides opportunities for countries to strengthen the delivery of immunisation services and draws attention to the progress made towards ensuring access to basic life-saving vaccination across the
continent.
The over-arching slogan of AVW is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”.
However, to commemorate this year’s AVW, Nigeria has adopted the theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”.
www.
ng
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Accelerating Nigeria’s economic diversification through CBN’s “100-for-100” initiative
Accelerating Nigeria’s economic diversification through CBN’s “100-for-100” initiative
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
By Kadiri Abdulrahman
In recent decades, Nigeria’s economy can best be described as mono-cultural as it is largely run from foreign exchange from the oil sector.
However, this source of income has become unpredictable due to a number of reason that disrupt the market.
Some of these factors include conflicts in oil producing countries, deliberate efforts by countries to preserve their oil reserves, foreign exchange, smuggling.
Due to climate change concerns, many countries have put in place, mechanisms to cut the use of fossil fuel and transit to cleaner energies.
As an oil producing country, these concerns have triggered efforts by the Federal Government to diversify the economy by boosting the productive and manufacturing sectors.
Unfortunately, in the past, Nigeria had a vibrant manufacturing sector, boasting of several textile companies in Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, among other cities, employing hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.
Nigeria also had a range of automobile assembly plants that reduced dependence on imported vehicles, in addition to the local production of shoes, in Aba, Lagos, Onitsha, Kano, among others.
For instance, global automobile brands such as Volkswagen, Mercedes and Peugeot also had strong presence in the country’s economy, maintaining functional assembly plants and employing thousands of Nigerians.
The agricultural sector was also vibrant, with Nigeria playing a major role in global cultivation and export of crops like groundnuts, cocoa, palm nuts among others.
The over dependence on foreign exchange earnings from crude oil which started from the early 1980s led to a gradual neglect of other aspects of the economy as `petrodollars’ reigned supreme.
This gradually led to Nigerians depending on importation for essential goods and services, including those in which the country easily had comparative advantage.
The consequence of this action is avoidable economic challenges, growing unemployment, heightening inflation and a weakened naira.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has, in recent times, initiated interventionist policies and programmes geared towards reversing the trend by reviving the productive sector and diversifying the economy.
As part of the push, in January, the apex bank floated the “100 for 100” Policy on Production and Productivity (PPP).
Under this policy, every 100 days, manufacturers in critical sectors that seek to engage in greenfield projects, or in expanding their existing facilities will have access to cheaper forms of credit at single digit rates as well as foreign exchange to procure plants and machinery.
The ultimate goal is to reverse the nation’s reliance on imports by creating an economic system that targets and supports the right companies and projects.
The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said that the policy was designed to support Federal Government‘s drive towards boosting productivity and economic diversification.
Emefiele said that a maximum loan of five billion naira per obligor would be approved under the initiative, adding that any amount above five billion naira would require special approval of its management.
“The initiative will create the flow of finance and investments to enterprises with potential to kick-start sustainable economic growth trajectory, accelerate structural transformation, promote diversification, and improve productivity.
“It is a support to private sector companies with the aim of reducing certain imports, increasing non-oil exports and to improve the FX-generating capacity of the economy,” he said.
Emefiele said that 100 eligible companies in priority sectors would be selected to receive funding from the apex bank every 100 days, adding that the initiative would stimulate productivity in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, services, trade-related infrastructure and renewable energy.
“The specific objectives include: catalyse import substitution of targeted commodities; increase local production and productivity; increase non-oil exports; and improve foreign exchange earning capacity of the economy,” he said.
He explained that a comprehensive, regular monitoring of specific benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under the initiative would be undertaken regularly.
“The KPIs shall include increase in production output of financed companies; percentage increase in capacity utilisation and percentage increase in export volume and value,” he said.
According to him, the projects will produce close to 125.8 billion dollars in foreign exchange and more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs across all sectors of the economy.
Already, CBN has given out N23.2 billion in loans to 28 beneficiaries, under “100 for 100” initiative.
The beneficiaries cut across sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness and agro-processing and extractive industries, petro-chemicals and renewables, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, logistics services.
The apex bank said that 28 companies were found eligible and selected for funding in the first instance, with projects valued at N23.2 billion.
In supporting the initiative, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, said recently it is a proof of the CBN’s commitment to spearheading initiatives that would spur productivity and economic growth in Nigeria.
“Productivity forms the basis for everything we are doing.
To come up with such an initiative that benefits all key sectors means that the CBN has keyed into the fact that we need to produce,” he said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, advanced that the policy has coming at the time that economic diversification and local production of finished goods and services is needed.
“Over the years, the CBN has shown the capacity in modeling and pushing through programmes and initiatives that will facilitate the realisation of its core mandates of ensuring financial system stability and promotion of economic policies and strategies, ” he said.
The initiative has also attracted support from a member of House of Representatives who has commended the apex bank for introducing the policy.
Rep. Chris Azubogu, while moving a motion in February, urged the CBN to sustain the policy, saying that it will improve Nigeria’s capacity to produce goods for its population and the markets in Sub Saharan Africa.
According to him, the policy will support economic development and contribute to increase in economic activities by stimulating the production of goods and services and creating employment for the teeming population.
“The policy will improve the capacity of Nigeria to produce goods for its population and Sub Saharan Africa market especially, as well as protect the country from being a dumping ground for substandard products.
“The initiative, if well implemented, will contribute immensely to Industrialisation, increase capacity to create employment for the teeming youth.
“It will also improve revenues through exports and reduced importation of goods, thereby improving the economy of the country,” he said.
A financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, commended the apex bank for thinking outside the box in its efforts to fix the nation’s economy and urged beneficiaries to ensure that the funds were judiciously utilized.
“The CBN has made commendable efforts to encourage the manufacturing sector and economic diversification in recent times, and this policy is another one.
“The realisation by fiscal and monetary authorities, that it is imperative to move the country away from dependence on crude oil to the productive and manufactureting sector is encouraging.
“I urge beneficiaries of this policy to ensure that the funds are used for the purpose for which they were allocated, while the CBN should ensure strict oversight and monitoring to ensure compliance,’’ he was recently quoted as saying.
Given the poor performance of similar interventions in the past, some experts called for caution in celebrating the latest move.
Mr Ibrahim Aliu, a chartered accountant, advised the apex bank to take stock of its previous economic policy decisions to determine with a view to improving on the execution of the present one.
According to Aliu, in a recent interview with the NAN, said it is not just enough to introduce these policies, saying that their implementation of such policies must instill confidence and credibility in the system.
“The apex bank needs to take stock, do an appraisal, to determine the level of success of existing policies,’’ he said.
An economist, Mr Joseph Adebayo, in another interview called for effective monitoring of beneficiaries of the policy to ensure that the funds were not diverted.
“Many Nigerians believe that government money is free money.
I hope the CBN has adequate modalities to monitor the 28 enterprises that have so far benefited from this policy and their usage of the N23.2 billion loan,’’ he said.
Though CBN is confident about the success of the policy amidst concerns about the implement it is obvious that the nation’s economy can no longer afford to lean on crude oil exports.
The new policy therefore deserves the support of all stakeholders.
(NANFeatures)
*****If used please credit the author and News Agency of Nigeria
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has charged state governments to key into the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative to enhance transparency and accountability in governance.
Mustapha made the call on Thursday at the 2nd Quarterly Meeting of Secretary to Government of the Federation and Secretaries to State Government (SSG) in Asaba.
The meeting has as its theme, “Democratic Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Opportunities in Key Sectors of the Economy”.
He said the quarterly forum strived to build the required synergy between the federal and state bureaucracies, to enhance harmony and improve relationship between the tiers of government.
He said the appraisal provided a better appreciation of the scope of the office mandate and functions and more innovative ways of delivering them.
“In addition, the feedback process is also in place where citizens participate to have a greater say in public decision-making as well as the desire by many governments to improve inclusivity and responsiveness led to calls for more openness in governance.
“Pursuant to this, the Federal Government has been collaborating with an international transparency and accountability organization known as the OGP.
“This is to ensure that budget planning, approval, implementation monitoring and reporting meet the needs of citizens and that citizens have open access to budget information in a format that is both human and machine readable.
It is also “to improve accountability and transparency of government procurement process through the implementation of open contracting and public participation in the public contracting process, among others”.
Mustapha added, “Federal Government would continue to give priority to high employment generating sectors, business improvement environment and youth development and that social investment programmes will continue to be given the required attention.
“The active support and collaboration of sub-national governments is therefore very critical as we strive to resolve the present economic challenges of our country, Nigeria.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are being steadily implemented and substantial progress has been attained in a number of goals.
” As we work towards meeting the 2030 target, states are also encouraged to partner with the Federal Government in this area.
“I urge you to utilise the instrumentality of your office as the policy coordination hub of government to fast-track the initiation and implementation of policies and programmes.
“The states can as well harness the various opportunities in key sectors of the economy, offered by the federal government to improve the lives and well-being of our people,” Mustapha said.
He said the forum provided an atmosphere for critical discussions and policy articulation, experience sharing, peer review and adaptations.
“As you are aware, Nigeria operates constitutional democracy, which has characteristics such as guaranteed freedoms, equity, justice, transparency and accountability among others.
“Democracy also promotes an open participatory process, feedback mechanism, rule of law, thereby guaranteeing better and fairer government policies, programmes and project implementation.
“As Leaders charged with responsibility of servicing government machinery, policy coordination, monitoring implementation of programmes and policies and reporting in our respective jurisdictions.
“We need to address the question of how to effectively deliver democracy dividends in form of well-articulated policies, programmes and projects.
“At the Federal level, the realisation of the critical role of the SGF office in the coordination of government policies, programs and projects led to conduct of an institutional appraisal in 2019,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah, said that only an effective democratic governance helped to advance sustainable development.
He said the theme was apt as government at all levels strived to strengthen democracy and make the idea real.
Okowa lauded the SGF for keeping fate with the cause of advancing the Forum through continuous engagements with Secretaries to State Government.
The Keynote Speaker and former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, said to ensure good governance, rule of law, social accountability, transparency and integrity, independence and high moral values must retake the centre stage.
He urged all leaders to provide direction, maintain order and put the interest of the people above self, adding that anything contrary would be counter- productive.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Federal Government has indicated the need to revisit and remodel the ranching programme to address the recurring clashes between herders and farmers across the country.
This is contained in a memo by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, signed by a Director in the SGF office, Mr David Attah, and obtained by NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.
The memo titled, “Heightened misunderstanding between farmers and herders in Abia, Delta and Kwara States’’, was addressed to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and that of Information.
According to the SGF, the recurring invasion of farmlands by migrant herders with accompanying hostilities across affected agrarian settlements had continued to pose threat to food security.
He added that the situation had affected peaceful coexistence in the affected communities.
“The aforementioned development underscores the need to revisit and remodel the ranching programme.
“And to partly facilitate the campaign against inflammatory and divisive statements that are capable of escalating the subsisting crisis between farmers and herders,” the SGF added.
He urged the ministers to take necessary action on the matter to ensure peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders across the country.
According to him, there is a looming confrontation between itinerant herders and farmers in Opiene community, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia over alleged invasion by the herders on farmlands in adjoining Oblene forest.
He said nomads numbering about 15 arrived the agrarian settlement from neighbouring Itu village in Gdukpani Local Government Area of Cross River.
According to him, the President-General of the community, Kalu Irem, had drawn the attention of the government to the matter and urged government to intervene to avoid confrontation.
“Similarly, uneasy calm has pervaded Ogwashi-Uku and Ubulu-Unor communities in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State, due to increasing presence of strange pastoralists in the area.
“The anxiety followed the refusal of some resident to serve as guarantors to the intruding herders, who have already encroached on some farms at Chibata and Aboh-Ogwashi villages in same LGA.
“Relatedly, in Kwara, some nomads operating around Marafa axis of Ilorin-East Local Government Area were reportedly ready to confront members of their host community.
“The planned confrontation was as a result of the recent attack on two of their kinsmen in the area.
“Meanwhile, the victims, Sadik Isah and Abubakar Bindo were said to be receiving treatment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,’’ he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the federal government had introduced the National Livestock Transformation Programme as a panacea to the farmer-herder clashes.
The government had in December 2021 released N1 billion to Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa and Adamawa states for the commencement of the remodelled livestock programme.
A total of 22 out of the 36 states of the country had in October 2021 indicated interest to key into the programme.
Initial attempt by the federal government in 2018 to establish 94 ranches in 10 states prone to herdsmen-farmers clashes was stalled due to misunderstanding of the programme by stakeholders.
The National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had at the time approved a 10-year National Livestock Plan which will cost about N179 billion.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, on Monday pledged the support of the Federal Government to the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) in promoting the cause of women in the country.
Mustapha said this when the President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, led members of the Women in National Service (WINSERVE) Week Implementation Committee on a visit to his office in Abuja.
Mustapha described women as the backbone of a nation who need the support of every stakeholder to achieve their aspirations, especially the protection of women and children’s rights.
He said that government would do everything within its capacity to ensure the success the NCWS project focusing on celebrating the outstanding women in national service.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NCWS is organising WINSERVE 2022 week, with the theme: “Celebrating our mother, recognising our amazons’’.
Mustapha said women are making the country proud in their various fields of endeavours.
He said, “I am pleased with the partnership between NCWS and the Federal Government towards tackling the critical challenges we are presently faced with.
“Challenges such as gender bias, drugs and other substances, out-of-school children, youth and unemployment and other related social vices.
“I believe that this partnership should and must yield positive results,’’ he said.
Mustapha thanked the NCWS president for recognising his effort in the COVID-19 response committee, adding that there was an upsurge of gender-related violence during the pandemic.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has urged the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to ensure that trainings were maximised to enhance effective service delivery in all sectors.
Mustapha gave the charge at the Induction of Chairmen and Members of Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The SGF was represented by his office’s Permanent Secretary General Services, Mr Maurice Mbaeri, at the induction conducted at the end of a two-day capacity training for chief executive officers, heads of MDAs and board members.
“The decision to conduct this programme to induct Chairmen and Members of Governing Boards of Federal Parastatals stems primarily from the recognition that your roles and responsibilities are unique and invaluable.
“As new demands are being made on the public service and each parastatal agency and commission is being called upon to re-examine its raison d’etre and modus operandi.
“We believe there is need to improve the delivery of service to our clientele,” he said.
Mustapha appealed to them to make their management team and staff feel the impact of the programme from the enhanced quality service that they would henceforth render.
“Our society has become more educated and developed.
Their expectations of service delivery system keep increasing; even the ordinary citizen is expecting openness and transparency in the decision-making process of the government.
“As top government functionaries, it is our duty to meet the expectations and render efficient service to our people, failing which, the government will have to bear the risks and possible consequences,” Mustapha said.
In his speech, the Director-General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr Dasuki Arabi, thanked all participants and promised better packages for public servants.
“I thank all the various contributors and participants; we are going to see how we can improve on this and possibly get larger numbers of agencies to participate and benefit.
“I also thank the SGF and our development partners, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for their continued and steadfast support to the Federal Public Service Reform Programme and urge them to sustain and enhance the support,” Arabi said.
On her part, Ms Marija Peran, Resident Representative to Nigeria for KAS, thanked all the presenters for their valuable papers and for sharing their wealth of experience.
“I thank the SGF, bureau and ministries for partnering with us for the success of this training.
“KAS is to deliver quality capacity building trainings and to work together with government and the MDAs. “We see ourselves facilitating and answering to the needs of Nigeria’s MDAs and helping them reach their goals,” Peran said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has called on newly appointed board members for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure enhanced diligence, due process and effective public service delivery.
The SGF, represented by Mr Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary General Services in the SGF’s office made the call during a two-day induction programme for Chairmen and Members of governing Board of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the programme, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in collaboration with Konard Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), aims to strengthen the capacity of Board members of federal parastatals and commissions on organisational effectiveness and cooperate governance.
“The programme aims to further deepen your understanding of the new policies, processes and procedures that have been introduced into the art of governance.
“This induction programme has become more significant at this time that the present Administration is fully committed to the entrenchment of good and purposeful governance in our country.
“As you are all aware, the Public Service that we all know remains the major service provider in Nigeria.
“It is the operating arm of Government with the responsibility of implementing policies and programmes that guarantee the efficient delivery of good governance and democratic dividends to citizens.
“It is, however, hierarchical in structure deriving its direction from the foremost decision-making body in the Federation, the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“The affairs of Parastatals are superintended by a Governing Board, headed by a Chairman, to provide policy guidelines and liaise with the supervisory Ministry through the Permanent Secretary for effective monitoring, policy guidance and ensuring that Government policy directives relating to the functions of the Parastatal are carried out.
“It is, therefore, worthy of note that the day-to-day administration of the Parastatals is handled by a Chief Executive who doubles as the Accounting Officer.” He expressed concern about some worrisome issues that were threatening the smooth operations of some MDAs such as: “Disagreements on who is responsible for the day-to-day running of Parastatals and Agencies; disregard for extant regulations guiding\restricting the conduct of Board meetings and Interference in the function of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer.
“Issuing directives to staff without recourse to the Chief Executive Officer thereby creating disharmony amongst personnel.
“Initiating unlawful disciplinary measures against the Chief Executive without requisite guidance and approval from supervisory Ministry and Instigating the Labour Unions and Associations as agents of distraction in the Parastatals.” According to him the observed poor and unhealthy relationships existing between Governing Boards and their Chief Executive Officers have become very worrisome to Government and are unacceptable.
“This could be avoided if Chairmen and Members of Governing Boards acquaint themselves with the instruments of establishment of their respective organisations, where the role and responsibilities of the Board are prescribed,” Mbaeri said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of BPSR, Dr Dasuki Arabi, said the Induction was apt, especially in view of the growing concerns expressed about weak corporate governance practice and the struggle and misunderstanding among Board members in some Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.
“It is a known fact that while top-level Federal Civil Servants, such as Permanent Secretaries, Directors and their equivalent in the service grow through the Federal Civil Service and acquire varied public service knowledge and cognate experience in the conduct of government business, most members of Governing Boards of Federal Agencies largely lack such knowledge and experience.
“This is as a result of the fact that most of them are appointed from outside the public service, and assume duties in their respective agencies with limited knowledge of the workings of public service, corporate governance practices and conduct of government business.
“Note that Parastatals are important institutions because most citizens experience governance and service delivery directly through them.” He said it was therefore imperative for the Federal Government to look into how to properly induct new appointees on the ethics and procedures of the Federal Public Service before or immediately after assumption of office.
“In order to address this concern as well as respond to the numerous concerns from Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions on matters relating to good corporate governance practices, the SGF directed the institutionalisation of the Induction Programme for members of Governing Boards and Chief Executive Officers in the Federal Public Service immediately they are appointed.
“It is in the foregoing context that this induction is taking place.
“So, members can gain understanding of their roles, key responsibilities and the behaviour required of them in their respective organisations, both as individuals and as part of the Board’s collective responsibility.
“And how they can contribute effectively to promote good corporate governance practice in the agencies,” Arabi said.
For her part, Ms Marija Peran, Resident Representative of Konard Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Nigeria said: “The Foundation is a German political foundation, a non-governmental organisation.
“We are part of the official German development cooperation and thus funded by the German Government.
“We have established more than 100 offices worldwide and have been active in Nigeria for 20 years now.
“The focus of our work in Nigeria lies in the promotion of democratic governance and the rule of law and on security sector reform,” Peran said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
