News
Confusion as AG-F redeploys director appointed by Tinubu as her successor
Outgoing Accountant-General of the Federation (AG-F), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein yesterday redeployed the director appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take over from her.
On December 10, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga announced the approval of the President for the appointment of Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as Acting Accountant-General.
Onanuga statement said: “His (Ogunjimi) appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AG-F, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.
“In announcing Mrs. Madein’s successor, President Tinubu expects a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration’s treasury policy reforms.”
Mrs. Madein, due to retire on March 7, in line with civil service rules, was due to have commenced her pre-retirement leave on December 7.
However, Mrs. Madein and some top officials of the ministry frustrated Ogunjimi’s resumption until yesterday when his redeployment along with other officers, was announced.
In a December 18 circular which she personally signed, Madein said: “I hereby approve the posting of the following Directorate Level Treasury Officers with immediate effect towards enhancing effective service delivery.
“I want to further reiterate that all officers are to note that failure to comply with this posting instruction shall be treated in accordance with the provision of the Public Service Rules (PSR) 020602 (iv).
“Accordingly, affected officers are advised to submit assumption of duty certificates to the office of the undersigned on or before Tuesday, 24th December, 2024.”
In the circular, Ogunjimi was moved from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (Funds) to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Accounts.
Some others redeployed were Abalaka James N (OAGF Funds); Dagin Seldam (OAGF STF); Ekwem Virginus E (OAGF IPPIS); Luka Joshua Kadmi (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Accounts).
The situation at the AG-F office became more confusing yesterday when it became clear to the polarized staff members that the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HoCSF) had endorsed Mrs. Madein to remain in office till her March 7 retirement date.
She took advantage of the elongation of her stay in office by the HoCSF to redeploy Ogunjimi.
The letter authorising Mrs. Madein’s continuation in office was issued by the HoCSF Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack and confirmed yesterday in Abuja.
According to the spokesperson of the (OAGF), Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the letter reinstates Mrs. Madein to her role as AG-F and allows her to oversee treasury operations until her retirement.
Mokwa said: “Embarking on terminal leave by retiring civil servants is optional; it’s in the civil service regulations.
“However, staff members are unsure if Mrs. Madein’s letter invalidates Ogunjimi’s appointment by the President.”
While the letter did not explicitly nullify Ogunjimi’s appointment as Acting AG-F, it may have slowed down his resumption as the acting AG-F until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu decides.
Mokwa confirmed Ogunjimi’s redeployment.
A final-year student has tragically passed away after being shot by alleged cultists outside his school campus.
The incident was shared on a popular social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), by Maaloo Dgreat, who posted about the heartbreaking event on his official Facebook page.
In his post, he wrote: “I am heartbroken to hear about your death. The cultists who shot you will never know peace. This is not just a great loss to NIDSUG but to Rivers State. Rest on, Precious A. Briggs.”
Maaloo Dgreat continued, recounting the events leading up to the tragedy: “He was shot last night by cultists outside the school campus in Amassoma. I was reliably told that he had a quarrel and a fight with a cult group and was shot as he turned to go home.”
“He was then rushed to the hospital by friends, but the nearby hospital refused to attend to him. It is so sad and heartbreaking. This is the person who signed out two days ago and was awaiting his final project defense in just three days. It is so sad.”
As the post gained traction online, concerned individuals flooded the comment section to express their thoughts and condolences.
See some reactions below:
Saviour Saviour Idungafa: “Is so shocking to hear this, this was a very gallant comrade in NIDSUG, God have mercy.”
Christine Kyle Ebohimen: “Cultists still exist in campus ? I thought they have been eradicated .. what a youthful life cut short.”
Emumotimi Bryant Sien: “A rivers son?it is high time they pull out all cult groups from higher institutions initiations should be done after graduation.just like the pyrate confraternity.”
Victor Amatu: “It’s unbelievable, I can’t imagine it’s true… This is a very serious matter.. what’s is NDU turning into at the moment… It’s just like a film to my hearing at the moment.”
Raphael Barry: “I hope he was not one of the cultist”
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, demanding his personal appearance over the recent fire truck accident in Abuja that left three people dead and several others injured.
This directive was issued on Tuesday by the Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isah, following the agency’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to address the matter.
Naijablitznews.com recalled the tragic incident occurred on Friday evening at ECOWAS Junction, Wuse 2, during an emergency operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex, where a fire truck reportedly lost control, claiming the lives of three siblings.
Rep. Isah expressed dismay that despite graphic videos circulating online, the Fire Service had not issued any public statement or shown presence at the scene. He called on the agency to visit the bereaved family without delay, cover all medical expenses of the victims receiving treatment, and arrange adequate compensation.
He also demanded that the Fire Service take concrete steps to prevent such an incident from happening again.
Earlier in his brief, a top-ranking officer in charge of Administration and Supplies at the Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, admitted the agency deeply regretted the fatal incident in Abuja.
He stated that while the Controller-General couldn’t appear in person due to pressing state duties, he had given clear instructions for a team, including Olumode himself, to represent the service at the hearing.
Olumode eemphasised hat no one takes the loss of life lightly, especially when such a loss is irreversible. He attributed the tragic occurrence to the urgent and chaotic nature of the firefighting operation that night.
According to him, the driver of the fire truck did not stop at the scene immediately after the crash, fearing possible attacks from an angry crowd, something fire crews reportedly face often. However, the driver later turned himself in at the nearest police station and has remained in custody since.
Olumode also disclosed that the Fire Service, under the leadership of the CG, had already begun reaching out to those affected. Visits had been made to the victims’ family and the injured in hospital. Fire officers were also present at the funeral held at the National Mosque and the burial that followed.
He described the moment as extremely difficult for the bereaved family and confirmed that another team had visited the boys’ mother to console her personally.
Olumode added that the Fire Service had made a public apology, which was aired and published by several leading media outlets across the country.
By Francesca Hangeior
The move to transform YabaTech in Lagos State to a University of Technology and Vocational Studies has got a boost as a Bill to this effect has scaled second reading in the Senate.
After being read the second time yesterday, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, who presided at Tuesday’s plenary session, thereafter referred it to the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND for further legislative action and report back in four weeks.
It is titled, a Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies Yaba, Lagos State and to make comprehensive provisions for its due management and administration and for other related matters, 2025 (SB. 738).
In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Centra,l said that the Bill essentially seeks to transform and upgrade the YabaTech to Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, which has already been done via a presidential fiat.
Bamidele said, “This Bill seeks to establish Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies Yaba, Lagos State. The Bill was read the first time in this Hallowed Chamber on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025.
“The Bill essentially seeks to transform and upgrade the YabaTech to Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, which has already been done via a presidential fiat.
“Nigeria’s steady march towards education for all in the shortest possible time has taken a giant leap with the introduction of this Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of this University.
“I am personally excited by the prospect of transforming this Polytechnic to a University of Technology and Vocational Studies as it will motivate both students and academic staff, just as it will upgrade its facilities and enhance its capability to achieve its objectives.
Similarly, The New University will encourage the advancement of learning and hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction the opportunity of acquiring a higher and liberal education. It will also do the following: Provide courses of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit from them; Encourage and promote scholarship and conduct research in all fields of learning with emphasis on technical education”
According to the Senate leader, the new school will m”Relate its activities to the social, cultural and economic needs of the people of Nigeria; and Undertake any other activities appropriate for a university of the highest standards.
“If Nigeria, as planned, should aim to become one of the world’s twenty leading economies of the world in this 215t century, we must be ready to adjust and position our educational institutions so that its products are geared towards technological challenges inherent in such projections. Our educational authorities are moving to revamp our institutions for these objectives.
Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, when enacted by the National Assembly will have power to establish such campuses, colleges, faculties, institutes, schools, extra-mural departments and other teaching and research units within the University as may from time to time seem necessary or desirable subject to the approval of the National Universities Commission.
“To ensure continuity in the administration of the university, all property held by or on behalf of the Yaba Polytechnic shall be vested in the University and be held by it for the purposes of the University. Notably, all staff of the Polytechnic are hereby transferred to the University and previous service in the Polytechnic shall count as service for the purposes of any pension payable by the University.
” The institution is prepared to undertake the educational and other modifications that are a natural corollary of transforming to a university. The institution is also prepared to remains true to its core mandate of producing well-trained manpower capable of driving the technological, management and business goals of the nation.
“In this regard, it will seek to emulate the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which has built upon a tradition of distinction to become one of the world’s foremost educational institutions.
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