Business

President Buhari was aware of Maina’s reinstatement, i warned him against it – Head of Service reveals

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2017

The Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs . Winifred Oyo -Ita , has said President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the reinstatement of a former Chairman of the Pension Reforms Commission , Mallam Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service.

She however said she warned the President against it .
Oyo – Ita said that her warning was based on the implications such reinstatement would have on the anti – corruption war of the Federal Government .
The HoS stated this in her memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari .

The memo , with reference number HSCSF/ HCSF/ LU/ COR/FCSC/ 750 / T, was dated October 23, 2017 .
The memo , titled , “ Re : Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, ” was received in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President on October 23.
A copy of the memo was sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday .
The President had directed the HoS to investigate the circumstances that surrounded the return of Maina to the civil service.
He gave the directive following the public outcry that trailed Maina’ s reinstatement.
Maina, whose whereabouts is still unknown , has been accused of embezzling pensioners ’ funds running into billions of naira and is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Explaining further , the HoS said she met the President after the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, October 11 , where she verbally warned Buhari against bringing Maina back to the service.
She , however , did not say what the response of the President was after briefing him .
Oyo – Ita said , “ Please, note that the OHCSF was never in agreement with the reinstatement and consequently never conveyed the approval of the FCPC to Mr. A. A. Maina, nor approved his posting to the Ministry of Interior or any other MDA
“ Rather, I sought audience with His Excellency , Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October , 2017 after the FEC meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the wide – ranging implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A . A . Maina, especially the damaging impact on the anti – corruption stance of this administration . ”
The letter partly read, “ Further to your letter Ref . SH/COS /100 /A/ 1570 dated 23 rd October , 2017 on the above subject matter, I write to inform you of the circumstances leading to the irregular recall of Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina.
“ I wrote to place on record the following facts as it permits to Mr. A . A. Maina who was dismissed from service on 21st February , 2013.
“ The move to recall Mr. A. A . Maina was at the instance of a series of letters from the Attorney General of the Federation to the Federal Civil Service Commission requesting the commission to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against Mr. A . A . Maina which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal.
“ The letters herewith attached as Annexes I- III are:

(a ) Ref . HAGF /FFCSC /2017 /VOL . 1 / 1 dated 19 th January 2017 ,

(b) Ref . HAGF /FFCSC /2017 /VOL . 1 / 2 dated 21 st February 2017 ; and

(c )Ref . HAGF /FFCSC /2017 /VOL . 1 / 1 dated 27 th April 2017.
“ The FCSC thereafter requested that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should advise the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF ’ s letter and make appropriate recommendations to the commission and this was so communicated to the Ministry of Interior .
“ The Ministry of Interior took the matter to the Senior Staff Committee of the ministry and recommended the reinstatement of Mr. A . A . Maina into the service as Deputy Director .

“ The OHCSF forwarded the recommendation to the FCSC which has the constitutional responsibility for appointments, promotion and discipline for further action.
“ The FCSC in consideration of the letter from the AGF and the recommendations of the SSC of the Ministry of Interior consequently approved and conveyed the reinstatement of Mr. A. A . Maina with effect from 21 st February , 2013 vide letter herewith attached as Annex IV.
“( vi) The letter of reinstatement , as communicated to HCSF Ref . FC. 4029 . 82/ Vol. III /179 dated 18 th September , 2017 attached herewith as Annex IV , ostensibly also copied the Ministry of Interior which is the one erroneously used to document Mr. A. A. Maina on a claim that he has resumed work since 28 th September , 2017 . The Ministry of Interior informed the OHCSF of this development vide letter Ref . MI / 1436 /II/ 24 dated 16th October , 2017 from Ministry of Interior stating that Mr. A. A . Maina has resumed with effect from 28th September , 2017 is attached as Annex V .
“ Please note that the OHCSF was never in agreement with the reinstatement and consequently never conveyed the approval of the FCSC to Mr. A. A. Maina nor approved his posting to the Ministry of Interior or any other MDA .
Rather, I sought audience with His Excellency , Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October , 2017 after the FEC meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the wide – ranging implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A . A . Maina, especially the damaging impact on the anti – corruption stance of this administration .
“ However , I have requested the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Interior , to provide any documentary evidence to support the claim of reinstatement and posting of Mr. A. A . Maina by OHCSF , since after his dismissal.
“ The letter to the Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Interior is attached as Annex VI . The foregoing is accordingly submitted for your information and further consideration .

“ Please accept the assurances of my best regards. ”

Business

Giraffe Global Magazine rebrands as Giraffe Global Africa

Published

11 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Eureka!
Its 8 years of excellent media reportage for
Giraffe Global Magazine

….now rebrands as Giraffe Global Africa

Eight years ago, the idea of setiing up Giraffe Multimedia Communications, the Publisher of Giraffe Global Magazine was birthed by quintessential and well known journalist, Akin Sokoya. Gradually, the magazine has suddenly become a highflyer in the African media value chain. Aside publishing, Giraffe Media also controls an online platform tagged www.giraffeglobal.com.ng which is diseminating quality and up to date news and information globally.

Presently, the media company has rebranded it’s soar away and seasoned celebrity Journal to Giraffe Global Africa, which has also reflected in it’s online platform, www.giraffeglobalafrica.com.ng

According to the publisher/editor-in-chief of Giraffe Global Africa, Akin Sokoya noted that the reason for the rebranding has to do with the wider reach to more African countries and in diasporas.

“It’s exactly eight years that Giraffe Global Magazine, and it’s online platform www.giraffeglobal.com.ng has been in existence, and we deem it fit to give our readers and advertisers a better value for their money and data, and this culminated into rebranding the name, giraffe globalafrica, www giraffe globalafrica.com.ng.

Business

Ex-bank manager remanded

Published

23 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Ex-bank manager remanded

A former new generation bank manager in the Iju branch, Abiodun Sanni, was on Monday remanded in the correctional centre by a Lagos State Special Offences Court, in Ikeja, over alleged N122,011,441 fraud.

Sanni was arraigned on 16 counts bordering on obtaining credit by false pretences, forgery, use of false documents and stealing by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, O. Adewunmi, told the court that Sanni committed the offences on or about February 24, 2020, in Lagos.

Adewunmi told the court that the defendant while he was the bank manager of the lju branch of Polaris Bank Limited, obtained credit in the form of a loan in the sum of N17m, for one Bamgbose Tayo Taofia trading under the name and style of Banut Haulage.

The prosecutor said that the money was obtained from Polaris Bank Limited, by the false pretence that the loan had collateral in the form of a fixed deposit account number 0071572791, worth N111,540,380.52 belonging to Yinkus Multibiz Ventures and that the owner, one Mrs Olayinka Hannah Aderibigbe, consented to it being used as collateral.

He was also alleged to have dishonestly converted a Polaris Bank Limited fixed deposit account number 0071277522 worth N15, 011,441.00 (Fifteen Million, Eleven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-One Naira) belonging to Atolagbe Joshua Tinuoye, to his use.

The prosecutor, urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, pending his trial date.

“My Lord, the prosecutor intended to call 10 witnesses regarding this case and we urge the court to remand the defendant in custody”, Adewunmi said.

But the defence counsel, Osho Oludoshu, told the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client.

In a short ruling, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case and ordered that the bail application should be submitted to the court before the date of trial.

“I adjourn this case to Match 6 and 19, 2025, and I remand the defendant at the correctional centre. They are entitled to bring a bail application before his trial date”, the judge held.

Business

FirstBank Hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum; reiterates its commitment to promoting trade, financial cooperation and Economic Development.

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

FirstBank Hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum; reiterates its commitment to promoting trade, financial cooperation and Economic Development.

FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider has announced its hosting of the first-ever China-Africa Interbank Association (CAIBA) Forum to strengthen economic ties and investments between China and Africa. The forum, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Strengthening China-Africa Trade, Industrialization and Economic Diversification,” will take place on November 27, 2024, at the Fraiser Suites Abuja.

Established in 2018, CAIBA marked a significant milestone in fostering financial cooperation between China and Africa, comprising 16 African banks, including FirstBank, and China Development Bank (CDB) as well as ABSA Bank, West African Development Bank, Central African States Development Bank, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, Development Bank of South Africa, Ecobank, United Bank for Africa, RawBank with the aim to enhance partnerships in various spheres, such as infrastructure interconnection, international cooperation, and cultural exchange. This initiative was driven by the need to address the funding gap in Africa for industrialization, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.

The CAIBA Forum which will be co-hosted by China Development Bank offers a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing, networking and deal making, for the purpose of fostering a win-win cooperation and promote joint development among member-banks. Formerly convened only in Beijing, the Forum will now provide a unique platform to spotlight Nigeria’s pivotal role in the growing China-Africa economic relationship as the host country.

Intrinsically woven into the fabric of the society and with its extensive network across Sub-Saharan Africa, UK, and China, FirstBank provides unparalleled access to markets, to facilitate trade and investment flows between China and Africa.

Additionally, FirstBank’s expertise in financial inclusion, trade finance, corporate and investment banking positions it as an ideal partner with China Development Bank with key strengths in inclusive and sustainable financial solutions in driving this important initiative to support Chinese and African businesses.

Speaking about the forum, the CEO of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, said, “We are honoured to host this pivotal event that fosters dialogue and collaboration between Chinese and African financial institutions. This forum reinforces our commitment to bridging the gap between Africa and China, catalyzing economic growth and development. The selection of FirstBank as the host is a testament to our rich legacy, deep expertise in African markets, and an impressive 130-year history of empowering businesses and communities to thrive. We are proud to support the continent’s economic transformation and growth and remain dedicated to exploring the partnership opportunities this forum will bring for the mutual benefit of China and Africa.”

Participants will have the chance to engage with government officials, business leaders, and financial experts from both regions. Expected guest speakers include His Excellency, the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment, MD of China Development Bank, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Governors of Lagos, Kano and Anambra States; Ambassadors from countries of CAIBA members, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank, Representatives from the China-Africa Development Fund, and many industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore opportunities for cooperation and mutual growth.

In addition, the CAIBA Forum will feature a plenary session which include Dr. Abiodun Adedipe – Founder & Chief Consultant BAA Consult, David Ofosu-Dorte – Senior Partner, AB & David Africa, A Pan-African Law Firm, Ugo (UgoDre) Obi-Chukwu – Publisher Nairametrics, Wole Adeniyi- CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Bamidele Abu- CEO, ABSA Nigeria Capital Markets, Mrs Kouassigan Dovi Eliane Khady – Head Financial Institutions West African Development Bank (BOAD). Other exciting line-ups include a trade exhibition, keynote speeches, and networking events that will explore the latest trends and opportunities in China-Africa cooperation.

The establishment of CAIBA is a positive development that has the potential to significantly impact the economic landscape, actively shaping economic future and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable growth and prosperity of both China and Africa.