President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) board, decided to opt for a middle ground resolution of the impasse generated by the demand of the United States, a non-regional investor in the bank, for an independent probe of misconduct allegations leveled against the bank’s President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, whom the ethics committee of the organization has already cleared.
In a statement issued by the Chairperson of the Bureau of the Board of Governors, Ms. Niale Kaba on Thursday, the board stood its ground on the accuracy of the outcome of an internal investigation that had cleared Adesina of improper conduct, but confirmed it would authorise an independent review of the ethics committee report, as against the US’ “independent probe” in order to please all stakeholders.
AfDB’s board of governors said it believed the bank’s ethics committee, which produced the report, had carried out its role correctly. But the board has nevertheless agreed to authorise a review.
“The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high caliber individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity,” it said.
The AfDB chief who never hid his desire to run the bank for a second term, gained the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) due to his sterling performance at the bank. In April, Dr. Adesina was confronted with the first resistance to his second term bid in the form of allegations of misconduct by a whistleblower and later a second resistance when the United States rejected an internal process that cleared him of wrongdoing.
The United States, AfDB’s second-largest shareholder, has demanded a new independent probe into the allegations, rejecting the bank’s investigation over reservations about the integrity of the bank’s process.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the leader of the nation with the largest single share, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has voiced his support and gave his backing to Adesina in his bid for a second term as AfDB president.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari meets African Development Bank’s (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina
The board however stressed that the review of the investigation would take no more than four weeks considering the organization’s electoral calendar.
Owing to the disquiet in Africa’s number one bank, the board of Governors resolved to review the bank’s whistle-blowing and complaints handling policy at a later date presumably to improve the confidence of all stakeholders in its Internal mechanism.
Nigeria's Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila
Idowu Sowunmi
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Thursday denied authorising a letter by his Chief of Staff, Sanusi Rikiji, in which the leadership of the House purportedly insisted on an amended National Assembly Condition of Service seeking service extension for top management staff.
A memo by Gbajabiamila’s Chief of Staff, dated June 3, 2020, with reference number: NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL.1/520, had surfaced online on Wednesday night.
In the letter, Rikiji said the leadership of the chamber was opposed to the position of the National Assembly Service Commission which removes the clause extending the services of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, and 150 other management and senior staff members.
In his letter titled: “Re: Forwarding of Memorandum on the Review of Conditions of Service for the National Assembly Service,” Gbajabiamila said the House could not rescind the 8th Assembly’s resolution on the retirement age of National Assembly staff just like that.
“I am directed by the entire leadership of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the above dated 01 June 2020 vide NASC/CHO/IPS/II/Il/94 and have deliberated on it.
“I am further directed to inform you that the entire leadership of the House of Representatives cannot rescind the 8th Assembly’s resolution on the retirement age of National Assembly staff.
“Therefore, the House of Representatives maintains the position of the 8th Assembly as contained in the conditions of service jointly passed by that Assembly.
“Please accept the assurances of our regards,” the letter read.
It would be recalled that the speaker, in a statement on Wednesday night, said he did not direct issuance of the letter.
The statement said: “The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has been drawn to a letter purportedly emanating from his office allegedly stating his endorsement of the new Condition of Service for National Assembly Staff passed by the 8th Assembly.
“The Speaker wishes to inform the general public that there was no time he directed issuance of such purported letter from his office as there is a recognised and authorised channel for all correspondences and resolutions reached by the House or its leadership.
“The Speaker also wishes to call on the general public to disregard the letter and always rely on official communication channels of the House for news on the position of the House on any matter.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle at a Ministerial Press Briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's One Year in Office; Wednesday June 3, 2020.
The Lagos State Government has initiated an interactive knowledge sharing platform to tap into the wisdom of its pool of civil-servant-staff for novel ideas that will aid the development of the state.
The platform known as SHIFT Talks, was disclosed Wednesday by the state’s Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle at the Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the one year in office anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held at the JJT park in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos State.
In her remark to journalists at the event, Ponnle described the initiative as one that will help the State “at harvesting the collective wisdom inherent within the service, showcasing innovation by staff and networking to bridge the inter-ministerial gap”
Giving further explanation on how the initiative will also celebrate members of the Lagos State Government staff who distinguish themselves by following through on creative ideas, the Commissioner recognised some civil servants who had come up with ideas that aligned with the intent of the initiative in its first edition.
“Knowledge SHIFTer, like Mrs. Tope George, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice shared nuggets from a book she authored while Innovation SHIFTer, Seun Ogunmolu, who launched an App he developed, was recognised by Mr. Governor for an excellent performance. It should be worthy of note that Mr. Ogunmolu was advanced to GL 10 as a result of his innovative drive”.
Giving performance account of her ministry and agencies under her supervision in the last one year, Ponnle noted that the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) had by the end of March 2020, designed and implemented a total of 44 Learning and Development programmes for a total of 2,164 Public Service staff to enhance job performance.
Among others, She listed the organisation of In-Plant, Tailor-Made Workshops and Seminars, sponsorship of officers for Local and foreign training and approval for Study Leave as programmes implemented to boost the morale of employees.
Reiterating the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu led government to boost service excellence, the Commissioner noted that: “We have trained a total of 4,210 staff during the year in-class sessions, representing 30% of the cumulative number trained in the previous four years, apart from the over 11,000 participants online”.
She averred that in order to ensure a safe, conflict-free and productive workplace, the Ministry provided strategic and expert advice on industrial relations and also played an important role in the successful negotiation of the new minimum wage plus consequential adjustments, noting that three months arrears, as agreed, had already been paid to employees between February and April 2020 during the lockdown.
Ponnle also emphasised that “the Lagos State Government pays more than the Federal recommended minimum wage, which shows the magnanimity of Governor Sanwo-Olu in ensuring that the ‘take-home’ of staff truly take them home”.
In the area of Pension payments, she affirmed that the State Government has consistently distinguished itself as the leading State in the payment of contributory payment scheme, its management, implementation and administration in Nigeria, while also leading the pack in the full implementation of an increase in employers’ contribution from 7.5% to 10% and employees contribution from 7.5% to 8%.
She submitted that a total of 4,104 retirees had their accrued pension rights of N16,759,441,707.75 credited into their RSAs between May 2019 to April 2020, saying that the government also approved the release of N13.75billion to fund the Redemption Bond Account, thereby increasing the additional funding rate from 5% to 10% of total annual staff emoluments in order to fully clear the backlog of arrears from the old defined benefit scheme era of pension management by the State.
Ponnle stated further that the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, has commenced the issuance of pensioners ID cards to retirees while additional benefits that will accrue to civil service retirees, who hold ID cards, will be unveiled in due course.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to developing initiatives that will ensure the mandate of a 21st Century-compliant workforce is achieved.
Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun on Education (Primary, Secondary & Technical Schools), Ronke Soyombo
The Ogun State Ministry of Education has inaugurated a 13-member committee tasked with the responsibility of developing ideas that will improve the standard of education in the State.
This step in the state’s education sector was Wednesday announced by the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo who said the committee was saddled with responsibilities of overseeing the management side of schools, to support and challenge schools’ senior leadership team, setting of strategic direction in schools, creating a robust accountability, ensuring financial probity among others.
Stressing the commitment of the state government to ensuring quality and efficient schooling, Soyombo stated that the School Based Management Committee would help in bridging the gap between the government and the people, and design programmes towards restoring the lost glory and standards of schools in Ogun.
In her remark, she said “we are committed to ensuring newly appointed committee members are up to speed and effective in their roles as quickly as possible. We would provide a number of services to support you from the start”.
According to the Special Adviser, the State government had achieved a lot within its first year in office, including the renovation of primary schools, payment of running cost and the introduction of Ogun Digi-class.
Reiterating the goals set for the inaugurated committee in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Abosede Ogunleye said the committee was inaugurated to ensure improved educational standard, as well as help students realise their full potentials.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite while giving an acceptance speech, described the occasion as a good intervention, promising to do all within their capacity to support the present administration at ensuring qualitative teachings and learning in schools, while also canvassing for support from individuals, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Old Students Association, Royal Fathers, Community Leaders among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said Nigeria would stand solidly behind Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in his bid to get re-elected as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The President stated this at State House in Abuja, while hosting Adesina on a courtesy visit.
According to him, “In 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position.
“I didn’t say because you were a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Minister, and I belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC), so I would withhold my support. I’ll remain consistent with you, because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria.”
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, pledged that Nigeria would work with all other leaders and stakeholders in AfDB to ensure that Adesina is elected for a second term built on the record of his achievements during his first term.
The African Union had already endorsed the incumbent AfDB President as sole candidate for the continent, but some other stakeholders are trying to ensure that Adesina is re-investigated on some allegations, and rendered ineligible to run.
Giving a background to what was happening in the bank, Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister for Agriculture, said the 16 allegations raised against him were trumped up, “and without facts, evidence, and documents, as required by the rules and regulations of the bank.”
He added that the Ethics Committee of the bank cleared him of all the allegations, and calls for fresh investigation by the United States of America, were against the rules.”
He said: “My defense ran into 250 pages, and not a single line was faulted or questioned. The law says that report of the Ethics Committee should be transmitted to the Chairman of Governors of the bank.
“It was done, and the governors upheld the recommendations. That was the end of the matter, according to the rules. It was only if I was culpable that a fresh investigation could be launched.
“I was exonerated, and any other investigation would amount to bending the rules of the bank, to arrive at a predetermined conclusion.”
Stressing that the motive was to soil his name, and that of the bank, the AfDB President said he was proud to be Nigerian, and thanked President Buhari for his unflinching support.
“You helped me to get elected in the first place, and you have supported me robustly all along, and the African Union unanimously endorsed my re-election,” he declared.
While commiserating with President Buhari on the death of the former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr Adesina described Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new Chief of Staff as “a man of integrity, and of global standing.”
The Jummai Aduda Youth Centre alleged to have been built at the expense of FCT Senatorial District constituency water project
By Tobiloba Kolawole
The threat to the life of anti-corruption activist Garba Abdullahi over his role in exposing alleged misappropriation of N225 million constituency projects involving Senator Philip Aduda, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has been condemned by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The civil rights organization in a statement Tuesday urged Nigerian authorities including the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) to ensure the safety and security of Abdullahi.
“We also urge authorities to promptly, thoroughly and transparently probe the alleged threats and bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible”, SERAP demanded.
The group reiterated the important role of activism IN checking corruption and executive recklessness in public office, which is backed by a United Nations (UN) Convention.
“UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified, recognises [in arts 5, 13 and 63] the important role activists play in the fight against corruption, impunity, and promotion of access to public services. They should never have to face threats to their safety or lives.”
Not loosing track of the uncovered corruption as alleged by Abdullahi, SERAP did not only challenged the relevant agency to investigate corruption allegations leveled against the Federal Ministry of Water Resources but to ensure that the suspects, including an undisclosed Senator are prosecuted.
“We urge ICPC to promptly, thoroughly and transparently probe the alleged misappropriation involving @FMWRNigeria (Federal Ministry of Water Resources) and a Senator, find out where the public funds ultimately ended.
“The ICPC should prosecute suspected perpetrators if there is relevant admissible evidence”, the group added.
Trouble started for Garba Abdullahi, a community champion for Budgit, an independent civic organization when he shared a “Fraud Alert” article that implicated Senator Aduda and some officials of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, which was initially posted on the organization’s Facebook page.
In a statement by the spokesperson for Budgit Tuesday, Iyanu Fatoba affirmed that Abdullahi has been reviewing threats since he shared the organization’s “Fraud Alert” article.
While calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for his intervention, Fatoba confirmed that the involvement of of Senator Aduda is true as her organization will not put out any unverified information.
“We also maintain that we will not share false information with members of the public to incite misunderstanding between them and their representatives at any point. By issuing this press release, we are calling on The Inspector General of Police to investigate this issue and prevent any mishap from happening to any of our staff, community champions – Garba Abdullahi or affiliated persons” she stated.
Our attention has been drawn to a threat received by our community champion in Abuja as a result of a fraud alert post shared from our Tracka page to his Facebook page, sometime last week.
The post, which was initially published on our Tracka page on the 30th of May, called out Senator Aduda and The Ministry of Water Resources for allegedly mismanaging financial resources to the tune of N225m and converting a public project into a personal project, by naming the constituency project after Jummai Aduda, Senator Aduda’s mother. The post which reads “Fraud Alert, Sen. Aduda aided by Min of Water Resources has converted a public project of N225M “mine.” The Constituency Project – gulped N100m (2016) N75m (2017) & N50m (2019) – is now JUMMAI ADUDA YOUTH CENTRE with engraved mother’s picture.” garnered several reactions from active citizens who joined BudgIT and Tracka in condemning the unacceptable and unconstitutional act.
Following this post, Sunday Dogo Zaka – a loyalist to Senator Phillip Aduda issued a threat through his Facebook page that the Abuja South PDP youth forum would “take care” of him, after which we received a distress call from our Community champion, Garba Abdullahi. He claimed that he has been receiving calls from strange and unfamiliar people who also threatened his life. Another anonymous caller advised him to visit the Senator’s former aide because they plan to “do him something bad”. As we speak, our community champion, Garba Abdullahi, has gone into hiding as a result of these threats.
As an organization, BudgIT, together with Tracka reaffirms our position that the naming of constituency projects is not left to the prerogative of the parties involved as there are laid down procedures to be followed when re-naming a project. This might have community inputs but the Honourable Senator is aware that there are laid down principles in re-naming a public project, as against what was stated in the Appropriation Act.
We also maintain that we will not share false information with members of the public to incite misunderstanding between them and their representatives at any point. By issuing this press release, we are calling on The Inspector General of Police to investigate this issue and prevent any mishap from happening to any of our staff, community champions – Garba Abdullahi or affiliated persons.
Late Nigerian Reggae sensation and Legend, Majek Fashek
Nigerian reggae music star known for his 1988 all time hit song “Send Down the Rain”, Majekodunmi Fasheke, widely known by his stage name Majek Fashek, is dead.
Late Nigerian Reggae Music Icon, Majek Fashek
The death of the reggae icon was announced early Tuesday, June 2, by his manager Umenka Uzoma who wrote on his instagram page:
“Today been having pressure calls, well it is true that the African No 1 Legendary ICON has gone to be with the LORD his Maker, Day said.
“Let’s celebrate him, his achievements, and his family, whatever decisions made by his immediate family will be notified”, Uzoma stated.
Fashek, 57, who until his death battled mysterious illness in recent years, started his music career in the early 80s with a group called Jastix.
In 1988, he broke out of the group to further his career as a solo artiste and recorded his popular debut single Prisoner of Conscience.
His album, which had the widely accepted hit track Send Down the Rain was a huge success that only lasted until heavy use of drugs largely truncated the euphoria thus leading Majek to years of bankruptcy and frustration.
Over the last decade, Majek had made efforts at comebacks to performing again but failed, he was never what he used to be.
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina
The support base of embattled President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), DR. Akinwunmi Adesina has been strengthened by two top level individuals, Sierra Leone President, Julius Maada Bio and Harold Doley, the first United States representative to the AfDB. They are the latest joining in with their voice.
In a message posted on twitter last Sunday, President Bio expressed solidarity to the man that is widely referred to, across the continent as Africa’s Chief Developer.
Adesina, the 2013 Forbes Africa Person of the Year awardee did not only appreciate President Bio throwing his weight behind him, he also expressed gratitude to other African leaders who had spoken in his favour over controversies generated by some whistleblowers and fanned by the United States, a non-regional member of Africa’s multi billion dollar development bank.
“Thank you very much Your Excellency President Bio of Sierra Leone for your heartwarming confidence and support and that of the good people of Sierra Leone. I am humbled and grateful. @CyrilRamaphosa (President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa), @MBuhari (President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria) @AUC_MoussaFaki (Chairperson, African Union Commission)”, Adesina wrote.
On his part, Doley did not fail to emphasise Dr. Adesina’s impressive feat as head of the AfDB in an open letter to US President Donald Trump.
Doley stressed that Adesina, since he assumed office in 2015, has rapidly restructured the bank refining its focus through a High-5 strategy, driven by strategic investment in energy, and electricity, agriculture, technology that significantly improved food security, access to private sector finance, improved transport infrastructure, water and sanitation, which has directly impacted the lives of many Africans.
While he noted that it is profitable for America to support the AfDB, Doley said: “In 2019, with US support, the AfDB stakeholders approved a general capital increase of 115 billion dollars, the largest in the bank’s 56 years history. The increase more than doubled capital from 93 billion dollars to 208 billion dollars.
“Also in 2019, the bank’s concessional window, the African Development Fund, received a 35 percent replenishment with donor contributions.
“US shares of $499,695,200 represents 7.81 percent of total subscriptions are a critically needed resource for low-income countries and transition states.
“Ultimately, supporting Africa’s private sector is critical for social and economic development. In 2018, Adesina led an unprecedented effort to attract global investment into Africa through the inaugural Africa Investment Forum”, Doley’s letter read in part.
In separate statements written to the Ethics Committee and Board of Governors of the AfDB to register their support for Dr. Adesina, the Nigerian Government through the office of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and 14 former African presidents and prime ministers led by Nigeria’s ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo including ex-President Goodluck Jonathan affirmed that an independent probe is stretching the matter too far since the Ethics Committee had cleared the Bank’s president of wrongdoing according to the governing procedures, to which an external independent probe is alien.
The Ogun State government has reacted to some media reports that erroneously claimed the state generated merely Seventy billion, nine hundred and twenty two million, five hundred and ninety thousand, four hundred and ninety five naira, eighty nine kobo (N70,922,590,495.89) as internally generated revenue for year 2019 In their review of Internally Generated Revenues record of the 36 States of the Federation.
A statement by the Information Officer, Ministry of Finance, Segun Craig, Friday said “from the audited account of the state for 2019, which was published in some national newspapers, the actual figure of Ogun State Internally Generated Revenue stands at N81,420,131,107.30 (Eighty one Billion, four hundred and twenty million, one hundred and thirty one thousand, one hundred and seven naira, thirty kobo only)”.
Craig noted that whatever figure that is being quoted differently from the official number by the State Ministry of Finance should be disregarded.
In his words of caution, Craig advised all stakeholders, including the general public to stay guided by on information pertaining to he state so as not to be misled.
“The State Government, through the office of the Hon. Commissioner of Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor hereby deems it highly expedient to advise all relevant stakeholders in the financial sector and beyond, and to also call on the reading public to be properly guided” he added.
Actimg President, Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban Mensem
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Hon. Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) with effect from June 3, 2020, for a further period of three (3) months.
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