News

NGO Names Ambassador Hassan Ardo Tukur As Patriot of the Month

Published

7 months ago

June 1, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ambassador Hassan Ardo Tukur, MFR, OFR, has been honored as the Patriot of the Month by the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative (URNI) for May 2024.

Born on January 3, 1957, in Kilbawo, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria, Tukur’s distinguished career in diplomacy and public service has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s development and international standing.

According to the Spokesperson, Mr. Moses Banjo he noted that Tukur’s academic journey spanned from 1964 to 1980, culminating in a B.Sc. in Political Science from Bayero University, Kano. His early career saw him serve as the Chief Examiner for Government at Government College, Bida, during the 1980/81 session, where his leadership resulted in a remarkable 98% pass rate in the School Certificate Examinations.

Joining the Ministry of External Affairs in August 1981, Tukur’s first international posting was as a Foreign Service Officer at the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His career includes significant roles such as Principal Protocol Officer to the Head of State in Lagos (1984-1985), and various postings in London and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Notably, as Charge d’Affaires in Malabo, he successfully led negotiations on maritime boundary demarcations and oil field unitization with Equatorial Guinea, resulting in a key treaty.

Tukur played a pivotal role in the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) Treaty negotiations between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe, earning him a position as one of the pioneering directors of the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority. His expertise extended to international election monitoring, being part of the UN Election Team in Namibia that facilitated SWAPO’s victory and Namibia’s independence.

In 2005, upon his return to Nigeria, Tukur was appointed Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He later served as Secretary of the National Energy Council and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Energy Partnership from 2007 to 2010. His tenure as Principal Secretary to President Goodluck Jonathan began in 2011.

Tukur’s contributions have been recognized with national honors, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2004 and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2011. His recent accomplishment as chair of the High Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) earned him the URNI Patriot of the Month recognition. The project successfully extended Nigeria’s maritime boundaries by approximately 16,300 square kilometers without conflict.

Currently, Ambassador Tukur serves as the Patron of the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative, an NGO dedicated to fostering patriotism through community engagement and technological advancement.

“If Nigeria will be great, then it’s up to Nigerians to make it happen,” Tukur stated, embodying the spirit of URNI’s mission to rediscover Nigeria by Nigerians.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

32 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

41 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

50 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”