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Makinde warns against politics of bitterness
The Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has charged Nigerian politicians to bury their political differences and maintain unity of purpose for the progress of the country.
The governor, while receiving the members of the Senate Committee on Army, led by its chairman, Senator Ali Ndume, in his office, stated that Nigerians need to keep talking to one another and put the national interest first at this period.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as adding that national peace is paramount at this period, noting that there is the need for all politicians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to work together for the progress of the nation.
While speaking on the state of security in the country, Governor Makinde maintained that Oyo State would always be accommodating to all ethnic groups, except criminal and disgruntled elements among them.
He equally commended the efforts of the Nigerian military in combating crimes across the geopolitical zones of the county.
He said: “I want to welcome you to Ibadan. Quite frankly, for us, APC, PDP is not the issue. The issue for us is development for our people and we need to work together to see that we have development in our state.
“We know the government, either APC or PDP, will come and go but our state will remain. When we are done, the people coming will take up whatever we are able to achieve.
“Also for our military men, the best we can do is to support them. They are all over the place trying to keep us safe. What we are saying is, we are in a very challenging period and we have economic issues as well. The only thing we can do is to rally round and give them support so that when they are in faraway places, they will know that their families left at home are receiving attention.
“Also for us here in Oyo State, we don’t stereotype. We work with the Army and other security agencies. We are only after criminals. We don’t care whether they are Yorubas or Fulanis or Igbos. Wherever we identify criminals, we go after them.
“I also want to thank you for the work you are doing on behalf of us and be sure that you will always have our cooperation and support from Oyo State.”
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, lauded Governor Makinde for providing basic and social amenities, such as street lights to military barracks in the state.
Senator Ndume also lauded Governor Makinde for the tremendous changes the state has witnessed within a short period of time.
“We are here on an oversight visit and we want to inform you that the Committee has seen what you are doing to complement the effort of the Nigerian Air Force.
“So, we want to commend you for that. As we moved around to supervise some of the projects they were doing in the barracks, the GOC told us that as part of your effort to light up Ibadan, you included the streets around them in the project. This is very commendable.
“I also personally want to tell you here that the people of Oyo State are very lucky to have you as a leader at this material time.”
The courtesy visit, had in attendance, the Senators representing Oyo North and Oyo South senatorial districts, Senators Fatai Buhari and Kola Balogun, among others.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
Nineteen out of the thirty-eight directors who were shortlisted to fill permanent secretary vacancies within the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination, a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) revealed on Tuesday.
The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, disclosed that the qualifying exam was conducted on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the OHCSF, launched the recruitment drive in October to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states.
Providing insights into the progress, Eno Olotu, Director of Press at OHCSF, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”
Olotu highlighted the rigorous three-stage selection process, designed to ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to these high-ranking civil service roles.
This comprehensive approach, according to OHCSF, aims to elevate the quality of leadership across federal ministries.
The directors who advance beyond the ICT proficiency test will face a final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where a panel of senior government officials and private sector experts will conduct a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the permanent secretary positions.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and representative of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday urged the community to unite in advancing key development projects aimed at transforming Ikogosi.
Speaking at this year’s Ikogosi Day celebration and the launch of a N1 billion development project in Ekiti, the lawmaker, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of unity and collective action.
He encouraged attendees to approach the celebration as a call to action for the betterment of their community.
“As we all know, Ikogosi is not merely a town; it is a treasured gem in the heart of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said. “Ikogosi, a historic and vibrant town, plays a vital role in the tourism and economic landscape of Ekiti State. Its rich cultural heritage and unique resources draw visitors and stimulate economic activities that benefit us all.”
“Today is not just a celebration; it is a call to action,” he continued. “Let us come together, united in purpose, to support these transformative projects that promise to uplift the Ikogosi community. I urge everyone here to invest their time, resources, and energy in this endeavor. Together, we can build a legacy of self-help and development that future generations will cherish.”
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the country, Oseni encouraged the people of Ikogosi and all Nigerians to remain hopeful and resilient, assuring them of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a brighter future for the nation.
“To the good people of Ikogosi and all citizens of Nigeria, I urge you to remain steadfast and hopeful. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for all Nigerians. The APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope agenda holds the promise of a brighter future. Though the beginnings may be challenging, perseverance will guide us toward a prosperous new Nigeria,” he stated.
In a statement released by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker lauded the Ekiti State government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership for its transformative efforts in governance and development.
He acknowledged the strides made by the governor and praised his impactful initiatives, which have set Ekiti on a progressive path.
“First and foremost, let me commend the Ekiti State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. The trailblazing development initiatives and effective governance during your tenure have not gone unnoticed,” Oseni remarked.
“Under your stewardship, we have witnessed remarkable progress and commendable governance that have undoubtedly made Ekiti State a shining example of peace and development,” he added.
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