News

Uneasy calm in Aso Rock as President Tinubu may unveil new cabinet this week

Published

10 hours ago

October 22, 2024

There are indications that the long-awaited cabinet reshuffle may be announced any moment as President Bola Tinubu on Monday, held closed door meeting with Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination.

President Bola Tinubu
The Policy Coordination office was saddled with the responsibility of coming up with the criteria that would determine who to go and those who would be retained.

It will be recalled that the President had in November, 2023, saddled the office with the responsibility of overseeing the performance appraisal of the Ministers, at the end of their retreat.

The Minister had signed a “Performance Bond,” while the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, also developed a “citizens’ delivery tracker,” launched by the Federal Government that will come up with the empirical data to evaluate the performance of the cabinet members.

The policy coordination meeting with the President on Monday is seen as pivotal to the reshuffling, although details of the meeting were not made public.

The President, aside from reshuffling his current ministers, is also expected to appoint some other ministers to fill the offices vacated by Simon Lalong, former Minister of Labour and Employment, who was President Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Director General.

Lalong resigned to take over his seat at the Senate to represent Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has also been without a minister, following the scandals that rocked the ministry, leading to the suspension of Betta Edun, the substantive minister.

Although it is not clear if the President will still retain the ministry or merge the roles with those of the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry is however seen as strategic, as it develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national humanitarian interventions; ensures strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response; and manages the formulation and implementation of fair-focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria.

Also expected to be announced, is the minister that will coordinate the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development.

It was gathered that aside from receiving briefings from Hadiza Bala-Usman, the President who was away from the country for two weeks as part of his annual leave, also got briefings from Zach Adedeji, the Special Adviser on Revenue and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).

It will be recalled that before he started his annual leave, the President had a meeting with the ministers and expressed his displeasure with the performance of some of them, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

He revealed that the President expressed his displeasure, during the meeting of the Federal Executive Council and directed the ministers to engage more with members of the public on the achievements of his administration.

Onanuga noted that the Tinubu administration has achieved much in terms of policy initiatives, but added that the President was disappointed that much has not been put into the public domain.

“The President has directed the ministers to engage more with members of the public, especially on the achievements of the current administration.

Onanuga however could not say when the cabinet was going to be reshuffled, but stated that the President himself has given an indication of his plans to reshuffle the cabinet.

“I cannot say exactly when he will reshuffle his cabinet, but the President has indicated his intention to reshuffle his cabinet. Whether that will happen before the 1st October, Independence celebration, I cannot tell.

Checks indicate that the pressures from interest groups delayed the cabinet reshuffle as some pressure groups emerged to oppose the move.

Mustapha Audu, a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC, while speaking on the issue, counselled the President to reshuffle his cabinet, adding that “50% of the Ministers are underperforming.

“A lot of non-performing members of the cabinet…More than 50% of the cabinet are non-performing. No one knows who they are, and it’s quite unfortunate. We expected so much more, so we expect that from Mr President.

“In reality, the truth about it is that Nigerians are not feeling the Renewed Hope agenda- that’s just the truth of it,” Audu stated.

“Two protests in the space of three months show us that we’re not actually performing as we promised Nigerians that we would. It’s not about having just people occupying positions. You need people with vision, people with understanding, people who know what to do and how to go about doing it,” he emphasized.

“Let’s hit the nail on the head, and let’s be direct. First of all, we expect a cabinet reshuffle, at the very least but some members of the Northern Elders Political Development Group, however, passed a vote of confidence on some of the Ministers, especially those from the northern part of the country,” he said.

The group is of the opinion that the cabinet reshuffle was unnecessary as according to them, the ministers have done well.

Adamu Giwa, the Secretary General of the group had given a pass mark to some of the ministers, including; Farouk Dangiwa Housing, Abubakar Atiku Budget and Economic Planning, Mohammed Matawalle Defense, as well as Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff.

The group insisted that “Tinubu Ministers have performed creditably well” and charged the President to “concentrate on the fight against insecurity and economic reforms.” (BusinessDay)

News

Former NLC Deputy President, Joseph Akinlaja Loses Mother-in-law, Rachael Olague

Published

53 mins ago

October 22, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A former member of the House of Representatives who represented Ondo East and West Federal Constituency in the 7th and 8th Assembly, Hon. Joseph Akinlaja has lost his mother-in-law, madam Rachael Olague, who passed away in Benin City on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

According to a statement issued by the former parliamentarian and former Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), madam Olague 79, the mother of Queen Philomena Akinlaja (nee Olague), Nekpen Olague-Nekeve, Eugene Olague, and Andrew Olague was known as an exemplary and kind-hearted mother in her community and also a devout Christian.

“With profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God, my dearest wife Queen Philomena Akinlaja (née Olague) lost her beloved and precious mother, Mrs. Rachael Olague to the cold hands of death on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

“Mama, who also was my mother-in-law, was a caring mother, grand-mother, and matriarch; her illustrious virtues would be greatly missed.

“She was respected for her wisdom, story telling, compassion, and dedication to charitable causes,” the statement said, adding that many remember her as a source of guidance and support, both within her family and in the wider community in Benin, Edo State.

Akinlaka, a former General Secretary of NUPENG further noted that madam Olague’s shocking and painful exit had since drawn a large gathering of family members, friends and associates paying their condolences and also commiserating with the bereaved family.

Her death, the statement said, was undoubtedly a great personal loss for the family of Olague in Edo State especially the nonagenarian widower, Chief Osa Olague and by extension the entire Akinlaja family.

“We however draw solace from the fact that madam Rachel’s sojourn on earth was impactful and fruitful and it is our belief that she is already resting in the bosom of her Lord. Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in due course. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support as we mourn Mama’s passing, as she rests tranquil, in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement concluded.

News

Oborevwori appoints Prof. Asagba Delsu VC

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon.Elder Sheriff F.O Oborevwori has approved the appointment of Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba as the new Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, the appointment will take effect from 1st December, 2024.

A Professor of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology, Prof. Asagba had previously served the University in various capacities, including serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration as well as Provost of the defunct Asaba Campus.

News

Constitution Review: Reps to involve NGF, NGE, LG Chairmen, CSOs, Others

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

… Kalu announces membership of sub-committees

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has said that it will engage the Nigerian Governors Forum, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Conference of Speakers of State Legislature, Chairmen of the 18 Political Parties, Civil Society Organisations, amongst others, as part of activities for the ongoing review.

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who made this known during the committee’s meeting in Abuja, also said that the House will be holding an international legislative dialogue on women on October 28 and zonal public hearings in January.

In his remarks, Kalu assured that the committee is on track to deliver to Nigerians, a new Constitution by December, 2025, noting that the essence of the engagements is to get the input of various stakeholders and brief them on what the committee is doing.

He said that the Committee in carrying out most of its assignments, will be broken down into subcommittees, which will not be exhaustive as additional members will be included later on to ensure that everyone is carried along.

The Sub-committees members according to thematic areas include: Local Government Matters, “Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Onwuzibe Ginger Obinna, Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya , Hon. Jimbo Inemesiti Clement, Hon. Ibrahim Tukura Kabir, Hon. Abeji Leke Joseph, Hon. Olawuyi Olatunji Raheem, Hon. Ahmed Idris.”

Judiciary, “Rt. Hon. Bello Kumo ii. Hon. Ogene Victor Afamefuna ii. Hon. Manu Zoro Mansur iv. Hon. Agbedi Fredrick Vv. Hon. Benson Babajimi Adegoke vi. Hon. Gbewfi Gaza Jonathan, Hon. Mamudu Abdulahi vili. Hon. Sada Soli.”

Electoral Matters: “Rt. Hon. Ali Abdulahi Ibrahim ii. Hon. Tarkighir Dickson iii. Hon. Aliyu Muhktar Betara iv. Hon. Ofionu Goodwin Odey Ekpo v. Hon. Osoba Olumide Babatunde vi. Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati vil. Hon. Oke Olubusayo Oluwole vill. Hon. Abiodun James Faleke.”

Security Architecture, “Hon. Isa Ali JC li. Hon. Pondi Julius G. ii. Hon. Chinedu Nweke Ogah, Hon. Akpatason Peter, Hon. Olayide Adedeji Stanley, Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya,cHon. Bob Solomon, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo.”

Gender Issues – “Rt. Hon. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi li. Hon. Rotimi Akintunde Oluwaseun li. Hon. Mohammed Audu iv. Hon. Fatima Talba Vv. Hon. Zainab Gimba vi. Hon. Princess Miriam Odina vii. Hon. Akume Regina viii. Hon. Ogbara Adetola Kafilat.”

Devolution of Powers & Other Special Matters: “Rt. Hon. Chinda Kingsley Ogundu ii. | Rt. Hon Madaki Aliyu Sanni iii. Hon. Obed Paul Shehu, Hon. Amadi Akarachi Etinose, Hon. Fulata Abubakar Hassan vi. Hon. Kabir Amadu vii. Hon. Mohammed Danjuma Hassan viii. Hon. Francis Waive.”

Members of the Committee on Human Rights include: Rt. Hon. Ozodinobi George Ibezimako, Hon. Magaji Amos Gwamina, Hon. Yusuf Rabiu, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Ahmed v. Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Omehia, Hon. Ajiya Abdulrahaman and Hon. Dasuki Abdlsamad.”

The Deputy Speaker, thereafter assured that clear actionable recommendations from the women summit holding next week will be taken forward in the constitutional alteration exercise.

He added that the summit will help in building of political will and eliciting of commitments from political leaders and stakeholders.