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Ekiti speaker reads riot act to commissioner Nominees

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The Speaker, Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye, has advised nominees for commissioners in the state not to disrespect the legislature after being confirmed for the position.

Aribasoye gave the advice on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the the screening of three commissioner-nominees at the State House of Assembly.

He  warned that henceforth the Assembly will not take it lightly with any commissioner who fails to make available report of his/her ministry’s activities on how public funds appropriated are expended before the next budget.

“The Assembly is empowered by the Constitution and its Standing Order to perform oversight functions and ensure that returns on how public funds are expended are rendered as and when due,” he said.

The three commissioner-nominees are Mr Folorunsho Olabode from Ilejemeje Local Government, Mr. Adebayo Gold Adesola and Dr Kareem Akande, both from Moba Local Government.

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti had forwarded a list of nominees to be appointed as commissioners to the Assembly for clearance and confirmatìon.

Aribasoye said the exercise was conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 192(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pave way for the smooth running of the government and implementation of its policies and programmes.

The three nominees were grilled by the  lawmakers who asked them questions on their educational background, pedigree, competence, past experiences in public and private sectors and values they intend  to add to governance when eventually confirmed.

As part of measures to ensure a stricter screening procedure, the nominees were compelled to produce Tax Clearance Certificates issued and verified by the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service in line with Section 38 of the Board of Internal Revenue Law.

The nominees’ Tax Clearance Certificates were authenticated by the Speaker and the Majority Leader, Mr. Tolu Ige, before the nominees addressed the Assembly and responded to questions posed to them by the legislators.

Aribasoye further added that each of the nominees screened by the Assembly must declare their assets and produce completed Asset Declaration Forms from the Code of Conduct Bureau before they are confirmed at a later date.

Laying emphasis on the need for commissioners and other officers of government to honour invitations from the Assembly on issues that require legislative scrutiny, the Speaker warned that the legislature will use the instrumentality of the law to compel the appearance of any officer invited.

He said: “This House will not take it lightly with any Commissioner that fails to honour invitations to appear before it on issues of governance and areas the House has oversight on.

“We will not tolerate any failure to make available report of your activities which must be available before the next budget.

“You must bring it to explain what you have done with the funds (appropriated by the legislature). The returns must be rendered as and when due.

“When you are summoned, you must appear before the House. I want to say that this House of Assembly will take its rightful position and do what is assigned to it as an arm of government.

“We are screening you today and we will confirm you if we find you worthy. Please let all commissioners respect this House.”

The  speaker added that the appointment of commissioners was a significant step in the administration of government as it paves the way for the implementation of policies and programmes that would directly impact on the lives of the citizens.

“It is therefore imperative that we approach this exercise with utmost diligence, transparency and fairness. Our primary objective is to thoroughly examine the qualifications, experience and suitability of nominees.

“We will evaluate their knowledge, competence and commitment to our state development agenda.

“It is crucial that we select individuals who possess the necessary leadership qualities, integrity and dedication to public service.

“I will like to emphasise that this screening exercise is not an opportunity for witch-hunting or personal vendetta,” Aribasoye said.

The Speaker urged his colleagues to approach the constitutional assignment with highest level of professionalism, impartiality and objectivity.

He stressed that it was their collective duty to safeguard the interests of their constituents and ensure that the individuals nominated as commissioners were capable.

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Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

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The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

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Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

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Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

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Airport tolls: Nigeria lost billions under old rules — Keyamo

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that the Federal Government lost 82 percent which is equivalent to N10 billion in revenue that ought to accrue from airport tollgates under old rules.

Keyamo revealed this to State House correspondents during the week at the end of a two-day meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

The minister lamented that the ministry accumulated 82 percent in the negative from the complimentary e-tags printed by the ministry, noting that 82 percent of the e-tags are given free of charge to VIPs.

He stated, “Let me give you the shocking statistics. The negative figure that we get at the end of the day from the complimentary e-tags is 82 percent, in the negative.

“In other words, where we are supposed to have a 100 per cent contract on the e-costs from these e-tags that we print, it is only 18 per cent that we now end up selling. That is how bad it is. 18 per cent and 82 per cent of these e-tags are given out free of charge to VIPs. So, imagine the loss in my sector, and I ask myself,Which other sector will I go to that they give me anything free?’

“Is it because I’m a VIP that you say that in FCT, I should not pay land charges that you waive it for me? I pay for that sector. I pay for power. Yes, I pay for everything. So, why would anybody now come to my own sector and want to get free passage? Not possible. That is how bad it is.”

He added that free e-tags to the VIPs had in the past led to the loss of billions of naira

“So this has led in the past to loss of billions of naira, not millions, annually. Yet, our airport infrastructure, you know, is decaying. I am helpless. I’m looking for concessionaires. I’m looking for help with decaying infrastructure.

“They will be the first to cry out, these same VIPs – ‘why are the toilets like this? Why are your toilets smelling? Why can’t you do this?’ They are the same people, but they don’t pay for the services. So, if we want improved infrastructure at the airport, we must pay for services,” he said.

The minister lamented that due to the policy of exemption, the ministry makes only about N100 million instead of making about N260 million from a particular airport gate every month.

“I’ll give you another example. In one of the access gates, based on the count of the barrier going up and down, we are supposed to be making N250m or 260 million from that gate every month. That gate, because of exemptions, the return to us is less than N100 million every month,” he added.

To end the loss, the FEC decided that the president, vice president, and other top government functionaries would start paying access fees or the e-tag at all 24 federal airports across the country.

Prior to this development, the president, vice president, and some government officials were exempted from paying access fees at the airports’ gates.

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