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Reps Issue 10-Day Ultimatum For Federal Polytechnic Idah To Provide Documents On Projects

Published

1 month ago

October 11, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has issues a 10-day ultimatum tothe management of Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, to provide detailed documents of ongoing projects in the institution.

Chairman, House Committee on Polytechnics and other Technical Institutions, Rep. Fuad Kayode-Laguda gave the directive when the Rector, Prof Yahaya Usman and other officials appeared before the Committee on Thursday.

The Committee querried the documents presented by the institution’s officials which the lawmakers said was short of what was required by the Committee.

The lawmakers also discovered some infractions on the observance of Federal Character principles in staff composition on the Nominal Role presented to the Committee.

Speaking to journalists after the session, Chairman of the Committee said: “We invited Federal Polytechnic Idah Kogi State and Federal Polytechnic Shendam, Plateau State. But, unfortunately Federal Polytechnic Shendam didn’t come prepared, and we couldn’t host them today.

“But we were able to have a very-very productive interaction with Federal Polytechnic Idah, which they’ve also invited us over to the school to come which ordinarily we would have gone.But, to make things convenient for them we said they should come here. But, they also pleaded with us to come.We had a very-very mutually beneficial discussion.

“Yes, they have not met the standards expected by us in terms of their reportings which we have given them another 10 working days to make available those documents to us.Basically, it’s just explaining their budget line that we asked for. So, it’s not anything out of place”.

Speaking the Federal Character issue, he said they have made their observations and have directed the institution that there was a violation which was need to be addressed urgently.

He added, “Well, after going through their nominal role, we noticed that, a shortfall of indexes of Federal Character. However, they came up with reasons and defence.But, very soon, we are sure there are some employment opportunities that would come up and the corrections will start happening.

The Committee chairman said although some officials of Federal Polytechnic Shendam, Plateau were at the sitting, but the refused to entertain them because the requirement was that, the Rector as the headvof the institution must be before the Committee in person.

He said, “The people that came, the head of the school was not here and he didn’t send in an apology and that’s not satisfactory. So, we told them to please excuse us, till when they have a complete team to meet with us. We will be getting in touch with them by inviting them back.

“We’ve invited them. In North Central we invited four schools.Idah, Kogi State, Shendam Plateau, Bida Minna, the Rector will come back with his team before we go through their reports and of course the one we took now”.

While speaking to journalists, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Prof Yahaya Usman Usman said that, they were before the Committee made submissions and the Committee has requested additional documents and further clarifications on some issues which he said would be made available on the appointed date for their next appearance.

He said, “The interaction was very smooth. Of course when you face a Committee like this that is carrying out their statutory function, it is more or less interviews,investigations and all these things. But the… other correspondences that were not contained in our submissions, they’ve given us 10 working days within which we submit, and we’ve obliged”.

Speaking on the oversight visit by the Committee to the institution, he said some issues were raised which necessitaed the suspension of the visit until another time.

He added, “The letter written to us before we started coming, the reason given was based on security, why we have to come. If not, ordinarily, of course they are supposed to be in Idah today.But with the reason given we understand that we have to come back”.

Speaking on the alleged violation of Federal Character, the Rector said, “Yes, we argued this out. Federal Character was implemented. It might not be, the profession, you might not expect the proportions of the State’s populations of staff. The staff are from different populations.

“Oh, yes. Of course Idah is a traditional town, you understand. Most people employed from the far north, from the West will not come. They come, see the place and run away. So, indigines have to fill in these gaps. I think we have explained it”.

News

Troost-Ekong dismisses retirement talks

Published

6 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has vehemently dismissed any talk of retirement amid rumours that the Al-Kholood defender may quit the national team after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Despite being just 31 years old, Troost-Ekong is the oldest player in the team, with Moses Simon (29) the second oldest, while Alex Iwobi, who is 28, is the third oldest player in the current squad.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday ahead of Monday’s (today) Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, affirmed his commitment to the national team.

“It is a question I get asked a lot by Nigerians, but I think it is a bit too early,” he said.

He continued, “I am 31 now, and I think I am playing my best football in recent years. We are only talking about 12 months from now, so after that, we will see,” Troost-Ekong explained.

“It will not be my decision; it will be up to the coaches. Once I feel I am no longer an asset to the team, I will have that discussion.

“But I still have some targets in sight—that will be the AFCON in 2025 and the World Cup in 2026. We’ll see what happens afterwards.”

Troost-Ekong could add to his 75 international caps when the Eagles host the Amavubi today in their final game of the qualifiers.

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Use Ondo Guber poll as template in Nig’s future elections – Coalition of 51 INEC recognized observer groups tell FG+Photos

Published

10 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A coalition of 51 recognized INEC groups under the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, CCLCA have recommended that the Federal Government should adopt the Ondo Guber poll as a template for future elections in Nigeria.

The convener of the coalition, Dr Gabriel Nwambu made this disclosure in a post election press conference be stating that:

“Considering the manner the apex electoral body, INEC conducted the election in Ondo state last Saturday, we recommend this template for future elections in Nigeria.

Read full details of report below:

“We stand before you today as a coalition of 51 accredited observer organizations under the aegis of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness. Our mission has been to observe the Ondo State Governorship Election held on November 16th, 2024, and to provide an unbiased report of our findings.

OVERVIEW OF OBSERVATIONS:

We observed the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state under tight security in line with extant laws and the rules of engagement by the police. Ondo state has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters, but 1,757,205 people collected their Permanent Voters Card across the 18LGAs, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units. INEC deployed 4 ad hoc staff pee polling unit, that is, one Presiding Officer and 3 Assistant Presiding Officers.
Out of the 19 registered political parties, 18 political parties fielded candidates for the election Although, 3 candidates stepped down before the election.
We also observed that the election materials were ultimately moved to the 3,933 polling units by INEC ad hoc staff, predominantly National Youth Service Corps members while the law enforcement agencies provided adequate security.

Voting commenced between 8.30AM and 10:00 AM in most observed polling units.

ELECTION INTEGRITY AND CHALLENGES:

Our field observers noted a few cases of voter inducement otherwise called vote- buying.An incident of concern involved military personnel denying access to accredited observers, despite proper identification.

Ladies and gentlemen, as a coalition of INEC Accredited Observer organizations, we are relieved to report that the election concluded without violence. This is a notable and progressive achievement as Ondo people have demonstrated maturity and the will to deepen our democratic values.The collation of results was conducted meticulously, adhering to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. We as a coalition of INEC Accredited observer organizations having observed the performance of the BVAS in the process of authentication and accreditation of electorates, the logistics in terms of distribution of materials, the uploading of the FORM EC8A in the IRev viewing portal, the collation and announcement of election result hereby strongly recommend the Ondo state governorship election of 16th November, 2024 as a template for evey other election in Nigeria as we look forward to the Anambra state governorship election in November, 2025.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion,we assert that the Ondo State Governorship Election of 16th November, 2024, was conducted in line with the Electoral Act, 2022, and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

We as 51 INEC Accredited observer organizations hereby unequivocally declare that this election was transparent, free, fair, and credible. Importantly, we report no loss of life on election day, which reflects positively on the overall conduct of the election.
We would like to encourage those who lost in this election to be bold and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the APC candidate who won landslide.

We commend the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police for the professionalism exhibited by officers and men in the discharge of their duties, the NSCDC, the DSS, and other paramilitary organizations in Nigeria as well as INEC for overseeing a credible election. Lastly, we applaud the people of Ondo State for their peaceful disposition, demonstrating their unwavering love for peace.

News

Tax Reform Bills: Northern Lawmakers Will Prioritize National Interest – Doguwa

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The leader of the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has assured Nigerians that lawmakers from the North will prioritize national interest in the consideration of the proposed tax reform bills.

Doguwa who was the Majority Leader in the 9th Assembly stated this during an interview with journalists during a Tax Reform Interaction Organized by the House in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasized that the process will not be rushed and assured Nigerians that the bills will be carefully studied to ensure they serve the best interest of the people and the nation.

He said: “These proposed bills are obviously to do with fiscal federalism as it relates to sharing of resources to federating units and key government institutions. We must, therefore, be careful to study the bills diligently and consider them clause by clause with a view to doing justice to the people and to the bills in the overall interest of the nation.

“We will certainly NOT rush the passage of these bills in order to avoid making hasty legislations or laws that would, in the end, fail to address our practical economic realities as a nation.

“National interest will be the key word. It will be the watchword, and I believe all of us will be guided by national interest. The government itself, I want to believe, has good intentions. So, we will look at those intentions and see how we can educate and enlighten our people. At the end of the day, the law will be for the good of the people.”

The caucus leader commended the House leadership for organizing the interactive session, which he said has helped members to better understand the proposed bills, even as he emphasised the importance of ongoing consultations.

“We must commend the wisdom of the House leadership for coming up with this interactive session to further enlighten and clarify the contents and intentions of the proposed tax reform bills. Building on this good initiative, we will continue to hold further consultations at the levels of state and regional caucuses to create sufficient awareness among our members and other stakeholders.

“If there’s anything, we members can now say this should be a work in progress. This consultation has to be work in progress. We will pick it up from here and go into smaller legislative groups, caucuses, and state-level meetings to ensure people understand the importance of the bills”, Doguwa noted.

Doguwa reaffirmed the commitment of Northern lawmakers to promoting interaction, consultation, and public enlightenment about the tax reform bills.

“We, as members of the Northern Caucus, will build on the initiative of the House leadership, which promotes interaction and consultation, widening the scope of enlightenment for our people,” he stated.