Top Story
I’ll be first governor to hand over to successor in Oyo — Makinde
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has vowed that he would be the first governor to hand over to his successor if defeated in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
He said this at the inauguration and commencement of duty service of the 8th President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, held at All Saints Chapel, C.A.C. General Secretariat, Bashorun, Ibadan.
He said, though no governor has ever handed over to his successor, he would break the jinx.
Governor Makinde who has been variously criticized by his political opponents in the state, said, “When we started the democracy we are now enjoying in Oyo State, if you look at all the past governors, none of them has handed over to the successor.”
He said that he was ready to make the difference in Oyo State where, according to him, no governor has handed over to the successor, since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
He recounted that in 2003, Governor Lam Adesina did not attend the handing over ceremony of his successor, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja; the latter did not also attend the inauguration of his successor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, even as Akala didn’t attend the inauguration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who also refused to hand over to the incumbent, Governor Seyi Makinde.
He pledged to be the first governor to do the handover to his successor in the state.
“In the message of the vice president, he said we politicians need to learn how to conduct rancour-free elections. I think it is not just about elections. We have something to learn about even handing over power and making proclamation and ensuring continuity.
“ From Alhaji Lam Adesina to Baba Ladoja, there was no handing over. From Baba Ladoja to Governor Akala, no handing over. From Governor Akala to Governor Ajimobi, there was no handing over. From Ajimobi to me, no handover.
“But because we are having a new beginning, and as I am standing on the altar of the Almighty, I will be the first governor to hand over to a successor in Oyo State.”
He said: “The Chairman of the South West Governors picked something from the citation of the 8th President of the CAC Worldwide and he mentioned that his (new president’s) priority is to end the crisis of division that has plagued the church for 30 years.
“I am reading the same thing from a different angle. Our country is at the crossroads right now: the issues of insecurity, banditry, ethnic clashes everywhere. And we know that the leadership of the church or political leaders did not drop from heaven as we are also from this society.
“So, if we are at a crossroads and the new president has said his priority is to end the crisis of division, I think as a nation and people, we, also, from this day, should make it a priority to end the crisis of division in Nigeria.
“The division is not just about the local branches here. The church has branches all over the world. We also need to make it a priority that Nigeria needs to reconcile with the rest of the world and I know it will happen.”
He, however, enjoined all politicians to learn from the transition model of the Christ Apostolic Church, which, he said, is rancour-free and encourages peaceful handing over of power.
Makinde appreciated the leadership of the Christ Apostolic Church for managing the affairs of the Church, praying that God will continue to be with the Church.
In his own remarks, the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Aso Rock Chaplain, Rev.Seyi Malomo, commended the Christ Apostolic Church for the smooth process that brought about the inauguration of the 8th President, adding that this is the way it should be.
He said: “I want to commend the Christ Apostolic Church for the smooth process, which has brought the inauguration of the president because this is the way it should be.
“Certainly, there is a lot for politicians to learn from the church on how to conduct elections without rancour.
“My prayer for the new president is that his tenure will record greater success in Jesus name.
“I also want to thank the outgoing president for his infallible service to CAC, for the years of glorious and faithful service. You have managed the affairs of CAC with integrity, maturity and fatherly understanding. May Almighty God preserve you for many more years in strength and good health to enjoy your fruit of labour.”
He declared that through the CAC, God has demonstrated that he does not need the highly educated professors or the mighty to do his work and that He can raise the humblest men to do his work.
The VP Said: “The anointing of God in this church has made it such that the humblest of men, even the least educated, can bring the good news of delivering the oppressed from the unseen spirit and even raising the dead. “Apostle Ayo Babalola remains a testament to this fact.”
He, therefore, enjoined the church to support the new president so that, as one body, the CAC will march forward, grow stronger and move faster to propagate the much-needed gospel of Christ.
The service also had the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu in attendance.
Akeredolu, while addressing the congregation, asked them to work for a new beginning adding that the leadership of the church has been in the trenches for too long.
In attendance was the Chief of Staff to the governor of Osun State, Dr Charles Akinola, who represented his boss, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, a host of royal fathers, government functionaries, pastors and dignitaries from different parts of the world.
By Matthew Denis
In a bid to enhance economic growth, President Ahmed Tinubu has promised to inject a whopping sum of N2trillions into the economy.
The President stated this while inaugurating a 31-man Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), drawn from different sectors of society and the economy
The inauguration comes three months after the President established the committee on March 27, 2024.
After inaugurating the council, President Tinubu presented the outcomes of his review of the accelerated stabilization and advancement plan, which seeks to inject a total of N2 trillion into the economy in the next six months.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who led selected members of the council to brief journalists after the briefing, gave a breakdown of the areas to benefit from the emergency funding including Health, Agriculture, Energy/Power and other areas.
“The president has just inaugurated the Presidential Economic Coordination Council and that is a body that is made up of the President’s Economic Management Team, the Legislature, represented by the leaders of the National Assembly; the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as very importantly, the sub-nationals, represented by the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and, of course, the elite of the private sector.
“They were presented with the outcomes of Mr. President’s review of the accelerated stabilization and advancement plan and that was an emergency plan to cover the next six months, which Mr. President had directed that a combination of his own Economic Management Team and the sub nationals, the governor’s level, and the private sector put together for his consideration.
The sum of that very important exercise is that a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for Health and Social Welfare; N500 billion funding for Agriculture and Food Security; N500 billion for the Energy and Power sector and general business support of about N650 billion.
“In addition to a range of policy measures and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of doing business at this particular time”, he said.
President Tinubu announced the constitution of the Council, which he personally chairs, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, of March 27, 2024.
Other members of the PECC are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Vice-Chairman; President of the Nigerian Senate; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security; Aviation and Aerospace Development and Budget and Economic Planning.
The song of that very important exercise is that a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for Health and Social Welfare; N500 billion funding for Agriculture and Food Security; N500 billion for the Energy and Power sector and general business support of about N650 billion.
“In addition to a range of policy measures and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of doing business at this particular time”, he said.
Recall that Tinubu had announced the constitution of the Council, which he personally chairs, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, of March 27, 2024.
Top members of the PECC are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Vice-Chairman; President of the Nigerian Senate; Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Abdulrahkan Abdulrasaq , Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Wale Edun , Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Yemi Cardoso, Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security; Aviation and Aerospace Development and Budget and Economic Planning.
The council also comprises 13 persons drawn from the organised private sector including the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; UBA Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu; BUA Founder, Abdulsamad Rabiu, among others.
The members of the organised private sector would serve on the council for a one-year tenure.
They include Ms. Amina Maina, Mr. Begun Ajayi-Kadir, Mrs. Funke Okpeke and Dr. Doyin Salami, Mr. Patrick Okigbo, Mr. Kola Adesina, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Mr. Chidi Ajaere, Mr. Abdulkadir Aliu and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi.
The move is “in furtherance of his administration’s efforts at re-engineering the nation’s economic governance framework,” the Presidency said in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in late March.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu establishes comprehensive economic coordination and planning system for Nigeria.’
It came weeks after the President created an economic advisory committee comprising the federal government, sub-nationals, and the private sector, on February 25.
Top Story
#BigSamBigImpact: Old students to inaugurate, name library after NewsDirect Founding Publisher, Samuel Ibiyemi
…Ex-Ogun NUJ chairman calls for annual program to honour late NewsDirect publisher
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Olode Grammar School Old Students Association has announced plans to rename the school library after Late Dr Samuel Folorunsho Ibiyemi, a renowned journalist and founding publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect in recognition of his contributions to the school and the community.
Ibiyemi who was a past president of the Rotary Club of Ota has donated over 200,000 books to the school library, which has been a valuable resource for students and teachers.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the National President of the Olode Grammar School Old Students Association, Dr. Salau Dauda Folaranmi, during the first year remembrance of the late publisher at his residence.
According to the National President, “We will renovate the library and dedicate it to his memory. He loved people, assisted people, and donated 200,000 books to the school, which has been beneficial to teachers and students.”
Also, Engr. Niyi Adegoke, a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Ota, suggested the idea of renaming the library after Ibiyemi, saying, “Late Samuel Ibiyemi was a very active member of the club, and he lived his life for humanity. He was a philanthropist, and we will support the initiative to ensure that the project comes to reality.”
In the same vein, Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Chapter and current Senior Special Assistant to the National President of the NUJ, Wole Shokunbi, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Samuel Ibiyemi, a renowned journalist and publisher.
Shokunbi, who described Ibiyemi as a mentor and brother, recalled their close relationship, which spanned over two decades.
He praised Ibiyemi’s commitment to developing people and bringing joy to others, even at his own detriment.
Shokunbi called for Ibiyemi’s immortalisation, suggesting that the NUJ and the Guild of Editors come together to organise an annual program in his memory.
He also promised to take action to support the family, saying, “We will get back to the family soon.”
…Governor launches special health insurance scheme for all Lagos retirees
By Esther Agbo
Lagos State announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in pension administration by clearing a longstanding backlog, disbursing a total of N4,461,659,536.82 to 2,000 retirees.
This accomplishment follows a previous payment of N3.1 billion to 1,013 retirees earlier this year, marking a commitment fulfilled.
Employees of Lagos State Government who retire from the civil service will now get their full pension benefits and gratuity immediately after retirement.
This unprecedented record has just been set by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who fulfilled his promise to settle all arrears and current pension liabilities in the State’s public service.
Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, presented pension bond certificates totaling N4.5 billion to 2,000 retirees at the 105th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony hosted by Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in Oregun.
The clearing of the accrued pension liability essentially implies that the State Government owes no outstanding pension benefits and any form of entitlement to any individual who retired from its public service.
By implication, fresh retirees will no longer wait endlessly after service before being paid their retirement benefits. Settlement of the State’s pension backlog has transitioned Lagos pension administration from servicing a liability to an era of pay-as-you-go.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu launched a special health insurance scheme for all living retirees, who served the State.
The Governor said the development marked a milestone in the State’s pension administration, stressing that the new template of “Pay-As You-Go” had prioritised quick payment of accrued rights in order to ensure retirees in the State enjoy dignity and financial stability after their retirement.
He said, “Today, we mark the 105th Retirement Bond Certificate presentation and I am pleased to present bond certificates worth a total of N4,461,659,536.82 to 2,000 retirees from our civil service.
“This development marks a historic milestone as our dear State transitions into a new era of Pension Administration known as ‘Pay-As You-Go.’ From now on, all retirees of the State Government will be paid as they retire, provided all procedures and approvals have been completed before retirement.
”We have strategically prioritised clearing all backlogs of Accrued Rights payments to ensure our retirees enjoy dignity and financial stability after retirement. This commitment extends to the welfare of both current and former members of our workforce, recognising their unblemished careers in the State’s public service.
“These funds, along with their monthly contributions, have already been remitted into their respective Retirement Savings Accounts with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).”
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was the first State in the country to embrace the Contributory Pension Scheme when it commenced in 2004, pointing out that the State Government had paid N141.2 billion to 35,191 retirees till date.
Under his administration, the Governor disclosed that the State had paid N59.7 billion to 17,039 retirees over the last five years, making Lagos a top performer in pension payments.
Sanwo-Olu said the newly introduced health insurance scheme for the retirees was to further appreciate the service of the senior citizens in addition to payment of their financial entitlements.
He said, “We have also launched a Health Insurance Scheme tailored specifically for our retirees. This scheme will provide access to a wide range of medical services, from routine check-ups to specialised treatments.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to the well-being of our retirees, while ensuring that they receive not only what is due statutorily but also additional support and assistance to enhance your lives in retirement.”
LASPEC Director-General, Mr. Babalola Obilana, said the settlement of all backlogs of accrued rights demonstrated a significant achievement in public service, adding that the development reflected the Governor’s dedication to addressing the challenges faced by our retirees.
He said the Pay-As-You-Go template would help secure comfortable and dignified retirement for the retirees.
Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, observed that the Sanwo-Olu administration had been steadfast in recognising invaluable service of the State’s workforce, which made the Governor push all efforts to clear all backlogs of Accrued Rights Payments.
Agoro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, said, “The State Government recognises and appreciates the remarkable contributions made by our esteemed retirees. Your commitment, dedication, and sacrifices have been instrumental in the achievements of our Public Service, which in turn have significantly contributed to the progress of our great State.”
Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, said the transition to Pay-As-You-Go template had set a precedent for establishing a sustainable and dependable pension system, which would serve as a model in the country.
Ayantayo, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mrs Olubukola Abidakun, noted that the ministry had worked collaboratively with LASPEC and PFAs to ensure the disbursement processes were efficient and transparent.
“This gesture will undoubtedly impact the lives of our retirees positively, rebuild trust in the State’s pension system, boost employee morale, enhance productivity and ensure that public servants can anticipate a secure retirement,” the Commissioner said.
The retirees, in appreciation of the Governor’s gesture, held a special prayer session for Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. The senior citizens also trooped out to dance with the Governor.
NRC suspends train services in Delta, Kogi
Tinubu meets Edo APC gov candidate, others in Abuja
