News
Oyo Assembly reverses ‘vote of no confidence’ in Commissioner
•Commissioner tenders apology, says he has respect for House of Assembly Institution.
THE Oyo State House of Assembly, Tuesday reversed its earlier decision of vote of no confidence passed in state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela over alleged insurbodination.
It would be recalled that the House last week Thursday had earlier passed a vote of no confidence in the commissioner following his appearance before the legislators to answer alleged halving of funds meant for the Federal Government’s school feeding programme in the state, by his ministry, before it is sent to food vendors.
The Assembly, in a motion raised by Hon. Oseni Abdul Ganiyu representing Irepo/Olorunsogo State Constituency also accused Olowofela of withdrawing money from the vendors’ accounts and supplying food items directly from Ibadan which angered the commissioner and made the house passed the vote of no confidence in him.
Interestingly, the house withdrew its vote of no confidence following a letter of apology from the commissioner read by the Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo seeking the honourable members to forgive him over the alleged affronts.
Reacting during the plenary, the lawmaker from Ogbomoso North State Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Oladeji appealed to the house to temper justice with mercy. “In the spirit of peace and love in the government, I urge that we should forgive the commissioner”, she said.
Similarly, another member from Ibadan North State Constituency II, Hon. Olusegun Olaleye noted that the letter from the commissioner is a test of leadership and shows dexterity was put at work.
Olaleye applauded the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for prompt intervention in the matter to douse the tension and make the matter go to rest stressing that the crisis was borne out of misunderstanding which is settled.
The lawmaker, Olaleye, also added that the letter from the commissioner reflects his worthiness in learning and character.
Speaking during the plenary, the Speaker said the house is not constituted to be fighting with other arms of government saying that it is not mandate given to us but to make law.
“We have made 125 resolutions on laws that have helped the state but they are not recognized. Professor Olowofela knew he made error eventhough members of the public see it otherwise but he has apologized and I believe we should forgive him”.
After the unanimous agreement by the honourable members, the house therefore forgive and withdrew the vote of no confidence in the commissioner.
In an interaction with Mega Icon Magazine shortly after the plenary, the Commissioner, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela saluted the lawmakers for their courage for good reasoning to prevail, adding that the development will remove unnecessary distraction in the state.
“I want to say I have respect for individuals and the House of Assembly as an institution”.
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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