News
Makinde swears-in 7 commissioners, assigns portfolios
Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Friday, swore-in the seven commissioner nominees who were reappointed into the cabinet, charging them to keep raising the bar of governance.
The governor, while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, stated that names of the remaining commissioners would soon be made public.
He equally charged the reappointed commissioners to explore more innovative ways to deliver on their mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the composition of the whole cabinet will be completed in the next few weeks.
The statement added that six of the reappointed commissioners retained their former Ministries, while the immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Faosat Ajoke Sanni was deployed to the Ministry of Special Duties.
The newly sworn-in commissioners include Mr. Akinola Ojo (Finance); Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN (Justice); Chief Bayo Lawal (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin (Public Works).
Others are Mr. Ayansiju Lawal (Establishment and Training); Mr. Temilolu Ashamu (Energy and Mineral Resources) and Mrs. Faosat Sanni (Special Duties).
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said: “Two years ago, I inaugurated the first State Executive Council with 14 members initially and the number eventually grew to 17. The cabinet was dissolved about a month ago. All of you here who have been reappointed Honourable Commissioners were members of that cabinet.
“Well, as they say, ‘you don’t change a winning team.’ Yes, that is true. But they didn’t say that we should not reassess our team. In fact, regular assessment and reassessment are important to keep teams working optimally. So, to all seven of you here today, I will say welcome back.
“I hope you have used the time to get enough rest and you are fully reinvigorated now for the task ahead. You have just under two years left to make even greater marks in your various Ministries.”
Governor Makinde, who maintained that his administration will continue to take development to all the nooks and crannies of the state, said his government has done massive works along the four pillars upon which the roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 is built.
“Our administration has become known for sustainable development in all sectors, with no communities left behind. We want to continue to do even more than what we have done before.
“I meet people and once they tell me they are from Oyo State, I ask them the geopolitical zone they are from. And once they tell me, I ask them if they have seen so and so projects in their communities. So, that is what we are known for. It is even development all across the state and that is where we really want to be.
“Two years ago, I spoke to you about the key roles you will play in ensuring that our people partake of Omituntun. “Today, there is clear evidence of the massive works we have done in the four pillars upon which our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 is built.
“Yes, we have done so much already but this is not the time to rest on our oars but think of more innovative ways to deliver on our mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of Oyo State.
“When we complete our tenure in office, we will have set a new bar of governance in Oyo State and I believe that by that time, I would have one or two things to learn from yourselves. You have taken a break and now you are back.
“I remember that over a year ago, they said everything we were doing was audio. Then, I actually enjoyed being the ‘audio governor.’ For me being audio, they are acknowledging the visuals and by the time we are done, they will understand that we have set a new bar on governance.
“I was recently talking to a brother-governor and he said to me that, first, they called you audio. Now, they are saying we are seeing what you guys are doing. But then, they ask if those things are sustainable. We have sustained payment of salaries for our workers and pensioners in the state for over two years. So, they will constantly be shifting their position until they have nowhere else to shift to,” the governor added.
He equally stated that the new commissioners will all need to play their part in ensuring that emphatic and service-oriented leadership becomes the norm in the state, saying: “The people of Oyo State will no longer be dragged down to the days of mediocre leadership. You all have a role to play in ensuring that ’emphatic’ leadership becomes the new normal in Oyo State and, by extension, Nigeria because the whole country is watching. We should not relent but keep raising the bar.
“Of course, we have provided the channels to ask questions. I will also continue to ask questions to ensure we remain on the path to sustainable development in the state. So, when I am holding you accountable to a very high standard, it is because some of you will go beyond the current leadership role to something even higher.
“So, I urge you to rededicate yourselves to your positions. We have presented your scorecard before the state House of Assembly, which was a prerequisite to your reappointment. I want you to look at that assessment and ask yourselves if that was indeed your best. Are there ways you can serve the people better? Ask yourselves how you want to be remembered. Revisit the answers quarterly and measure your activities against your goal.
“This is a sure way to self-correct any inadequacy you may notice.
“In the next few weeks, we will have the whole cabinet once more. Our goals will remain the same. We will do everything in our power to move Oyo State from poverty to prosperity. So, I congratulate you on your appointment. Let us do it again.”
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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