Politics
LASG Trains Perm Secs, Seeks Better Results
The Lagos State Government yesterday trained its Body of Permanent Secretaries on competence to enhance their jobs.
Speaking during the three-day ‘On-boarding and Executive Development Retreat’ for Permanent Secretaries held in Victoria Island, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged them to perform their duties diligently.
Sanwo-Olu called on the Permanent Secretaries to work collaboratively, in line with the government’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, for the benefit of the citizens.
He urged them to be committed and to understand that they were in the public service to serve the citizens, hence, the need for better results.
The governor told the Permanent Secretaries to engage with, as well as treat their subordinate well, and turn the public service to an enviable one.
“Being Permanent Secretary is an enviable position that comes with a lot of responsibilities, because it also has a lot of expectations from the leadership and the people.
“We are all in public service, what is driving us as government is that we have promised our citizens. We are in the service to serve the citizenship.
“The citizens are more charged, they are more engaging, they are more daring, there are more questions they are asking of us.
“The citizens are not asking for things that are too difficult, they just want us to listen to them more, they just want us to address them on the services for which they are paying, they just want us to do it quicker, faster and better.
“Let us in each of our ministries attend to the demands of the citizens. See yourself as part of that bigger team, ensuring you can deliver a Greater Lagos that we promised our citizens,” he said.
The governor enjoined the Permanent Secretaries to create effective and efficient working environment, so that they could deliver their responsibilities optimally.
In his address, the Head of Service (HoS), Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said that the retreat was a deviation from previous induction programmes held for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.
He said that it would serve to close the competency gaps observed during the selection process.
Muri-Okunola said that the retreat would equip onboarding appointees with the skills and competencies needed to succeed in the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
He said that it would provide an avenue for existing Permanent Secretaries to evaluate their current performances in their various MDAs with a view to bringing about improvement.
The Head of Service said it would also serve as a refresher programme for existing Permanent Secretaries in some areas.
“In general, this retreat is an intervention programme meant to expose the 21st Century Public Sector Executive Manager to new realities in managing and administering the modern Public Sector workplace and the new normal for effective service delivery, which is the essence of governance,” the HoS said.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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