Politics

Okowa Swears In New Perm Secs, Charges Them On Good Conduct

Published

4 years ago

July 21, 2020

Delta Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, sworn in five new permanent secretaries in the state’s public service with a charge on them to lead by example and uphold commitment, accountability, fairness and versatility in the discharge of their duties.

At the ceremony in Asaba, the governor urged the permanent secretaries that as veterans in civil service and Chief Accounting Officers in their ministries, they should see their elevation as a call to higher responsibilities and challenges that would lead to maximum productivity in the state civil service.

He advised them to be acquainted with the Stronger Delta policies and programmes of his administration and pledged to continue to create an enabling environment for the civil service to thrive.

Okowa reminded the permanent secretaries of the need to cut waste and inefficiency in the service, and enforce discipline and due process in the rank and file so as to engender a new paradigm shift in the civil service.

“This is the third batch of permanent secretaries that this administration has appointed since 2015; the swearing-in of these five distinguished gentlemen brings the total number of permanent secretaries appointed by this administration to 25.

“We need them to fill existing vacancies created by the exit of those who have retired. It is imperative that we fill these vacancies for a strong and stable civil service, necessary for the implementation of government policies and programmes.

“The new permanent secretaries are persons with a broad-range of knowledge, experience and exposure that qualify them for the office.

“As veteran civil servants and accounting officers of your various ministries, you are expected to lead by example. You must show the way in terms of punctuality, prudence, accountability, fairness and commitment.

“Your conduct and performance – or lack of it – impact directly on the directive principles of state policies and government business,” he said.

The new permanent secretaries are Mr Daniel Momah, Mr Emmanuel Aghedo, Dr Moses Bragiwa, Mr Bennett Agamah and Mr Maxwell Awuse.

The governor also inaugurated a seven-member Public Procurement Council for the state, with a former Head of Service of the state,

Sir Okey Ofili, as Chairman, and disclosed that it was a core duty of the Council to ensure that all extant laws such as sign-off limits and other standardised regulations were complied with in the state.

He said that the Council, as an independent body, was a creation of Delta State Public Procurement Law 2020, adding that its establishment would among others, help to achieve the state fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability initiative of the World Bank.

Okowa pointed out that the Council would have an oversight function over the state’s Public Procurement Commission, and explained that it was the requirement of the World Bank that for all transactions of government should be credible and overseen by an independent body such as the Council.

“The Delta State Public Procurement Council is an independent body with oversight functions over the State Public Procurement Commission. There is no conflict here.

“While the Commission operationalises the provisions of the procurement law, it is the responsibility of the Council to ascertain that all extant laws such as sign-off limits and other standardised regulations are complied with by the Commission,” he said.

The governor congratulated the permanent secretaries and Chairman and members of the Public Procurement Council on their appointments, and urged them not to compromise the confidence reposed in them by the state government.

In separate responses, Mr. Daniel Momah, on behalf of the new permanent secretaries and Sir Okey Ofili for members of the Public Procurement Council, assured the governor that they would do their best in their assignments, adding they would make meaningful input in building a Stronger Delta.

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent