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Confab: 20 Committees Submit Report …Recommend State Creation, 36 Ministers, Graft Court …Plenary Resumes Monday

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The National Conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government yesterday, recommended the creation of more states based on merit.
In its final report, yesterday the committee attached a list of requests for additional 32 states and one for a change of name.
The committee resolved by consensus that “there shall be created an additional state for the South East zone.
“That all other requests for state creation should be considered on merit.’’
The “List of Proposals for State Creation” was signed by rapporteur of the committee, Chief R.I. Chris-Garuba.
The 32 proposals for state creation include Aba, Adada, Amana, Apa, Anioma, Anim, Orimili, Oduduwa, Ijebu, Yemen, New Delta, Okun, Edu and Lagoon.
Others are South Plateau, Confluence, Etiti, Njaba, Oke-Ogun, Toru-Ebe, New Oyo, Hadejia, Ose, Ogoja, Okura, Ugwuaku, Ghari, Sombreiro and Old Calabar, Savannah, and Warri.
There was also a proposal for “Change of Name of State” from Adamawa to Gongola, its former name.
However, the National Conference Committee on Public Service recommended the reduction of appointed ministers from 42 to 36 to reduce the cost of governance as the committee rounded -up its work.
Chairperson of the committee, Mrs Bello Okeke,  who is also a retired Head of Civil Service, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
Okeke said that high cost of governance was not caused by the number of people in the civil service but that of public service.
Public servants according to her, include executives in Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the three arms of government as well as the military and para-military and their aides.
Okeke also said that the committee recommended the establishment of a special court to prosecute people indicted of corruption.
She said that the move was to ensure that such people were immediately apprehended and brought to book.
The chairperson said this was important as some people had arrogated to themselves the pension money meant for people who retired from service.
Okeke said that the committee was also recommending upward review of pension.
The chairperson said that the committee was also recommending the re-investment of pension fund in the provision of housing for workers.
The chairperson also said that the committee had recommended proper data collection in the country to prevent falsification of records.
The chairperson said that the committee had recommended that physically challenged persons should also be provided with access into public buildings with a certain percentage of employment slots.
Meanwhile, twenty standing committees of the National Conference have concluded their work and are ready to proceed to plenary on May19, an official said.
The committees, which had gone through four weeks of thorough deliberations on the terms of references given to them by the conference secretariat, commenced sitting on April 22.
The committees conferred with senators, ministers, ambassadors, chief executives of parastatal agencies as well as other relevant stakeholders on various burning issues.
The committees, which were divided into two groups, with each group made up of 10 committees, met at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and NICON Luxury Hotel.
The first 10 committees that sat at NJI were committees on Devolution of Power, Political Restructuring, National Security, Environment, Politics and Governance.
Others were Law, Judiciary and Human Rights, Social Sector, Transportation, Science Technology and Development as well as committee on Agriculture.
The second set of 10 committees that sat at NICON Luxury Hotel were those on Civil Societies, Labour and Sports, Public Service, Parties and Electoral Matters, and Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters.
Others were Land Tenure and National Boundaries, Economy, Trade and Investment, Energy, Religion, Public Finance and Revenue and Immigration and related matters.

LR: Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margaretta Wahlsrom; Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, at the 5th Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja On Tuesday

LR: Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margaretta Wahlsrom; Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, at the 5th Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja On Tuesday

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State House Spent N22bn On Overhead

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The State House management yesterday disclosed that its overhead expenditure amounted to N22.62billion, spread across seven cost centres.
These include the State House Headquarters, State House Operations (President), State House Operations (Vice President), Office of the Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Security Officer to the President, State House Medical Centre, and Lagos Liaison Office.
The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Olufunso Adebiyi, revealed this during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties to the data centre located in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, announced this in a statement issued yesterday titled ‘State House to Achieve Full Digitisation by November 2024, Says Permanent Secretary, as Reps Tour Data Centre.’
During his presentation on the 2023/2024 budget implementation, the Permanent Secretary highlighted that the State House had achieved 43 per cent implementation of capital projects for 2024 and an impressive 99 per cent implementation in overhead expenditure.
“Out of this appropriated amount, so far, as of 31 August 2024, a total sum of N15.08bn has been released to us; and of the said released amount, a total of N14.9bn has so far been expended during the fiscal year, leaving an outstanding balance of N14.5bn. This represents an encouraging performance of 99 per cent,” he said.
On capital expenditure, Adebiyi noted that N51.3bn was appropriated for 2024, with N22bn spent, leaving a balance of N29.3bn, representing 43 per cent implementation.
The Permanent Secretary commended the Committee members for approving an increased budget allocation to the State House in the 2024 appropriation, particularly given the considerable demand from various cost centres during the challenging fiscal year.
“This has gone a long way in enhancing our performance as an important arm of government, especially with regards to the welfare of staff and various capital projects, such as the renovation of the residential quarters of the President, Aguda House, computerisation and digitalisation of the State House, construction of an office complex, replacement of operational vehicles, and others,” he said.
The chief accounting officer further presented the 2023 budget and supplementary budget performances.
He disclosed that N1.65bn was approved for personnel costs in 2023, of which N1.65bn was spent, leaving a balance of N439,433.66.
For overhead expenditure in 2023, N8.29bn was appropriated, and N8.27bn was expended, leaving an outstanding balance of N14.5m, marking a 99.82 per cent budget implementation.
Regarding total capital expenditure for 2023, the Permanent Secretary said N11.2bn was approved, with N10.9bn spent, representing an overall performance of 98 per cent.
Adebiyi also mentioned that the State House is set to achieve full digitisation of its operations by November 2024.
According to him, the completion of the computerisation and digitisation process would enhance efficiency, security, and the seamless operation of critical administrative functions at the State House.
The visit, led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Kabir Tukura, was part of the legislators’ statutory oversight to assess the performance of the 2023 and 2024 budgets of the State House.
Adebiyi also briefed the lawmakers on the ongoing renovations at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, the former seat of government.
He noted that the renovations are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Adebiyi invited the legislators for an on-the-spot assessment of the barracks, with funds for the project and others at the Lagos Liaison Office sourced from the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget respectively.
In his remarks, Tukura expressed satisfaction with the ongoing digital transformation and commended the State House for its commitment to budgetary discipline and modernising government services.
“The 2024 budget is still ongoing, and I would say, so far, so good. The releases have been made and utilised by almost 98 per cent, and that is quite commendable.
“There are no gaps. The 2023 budget has been completed. Members have asked questions, and we have heard the responses from the Permanent Secretary. We are convinced they are doing well,” he said.

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Fubara Inaugurates Judicial Commission On Killings, Blasts In Rivers …Charges 7-Man Panel To Be Resolute, Just

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction of property at various Local Government Council Headquarters in the State.
Governor Fubara inaugurated the seven-member commission at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.
The commission that has one month to conclude its assignment, has Hon. Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri as Chairman; Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the Secretary; and Barrister Uzor Ikenga as the Counsel.
Other members are Barrister Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Sir Samuel Egbe; and Venerable Alex Usifor.
The Governor said the recent attacks and burning of Local Government Councils’ Secretariats on the 7th October, 2024, seemed like a repeat of what was experienced in 2014, months to the General Elections of 2015 when courts were set ablaze, residences bombed and people killed, leading to the closure of courts in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara said his administration will not look away while ill-guided youths and sponsored political thugs turn the State into a theatre of violence without being made to pay for such crimes against the State.
He said, “So, I have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, most importantly, no matter the personalities involved, we must bring them to book.
“So, this assignment is a very important. It is an assignment that, if it is not done rightly, would give the enemies of this State opportunity to continue.
“And if we are right, it is going to be the end of further destruction of public property in the State. I know it is going to be very tasking. I can assure you that there will be threats, but you have to be strong,” he advised.
Governor Fubara stated that it is long overdue to inaugurate the commission of inquiry owing to incidences that have been witnessed since his administration came on board.
He explained that sometime in the past, about October, 2023, a similar incidence was experienced, and because he had thought that everybody was of the same political family, he decided to let go.
He added that the persistence of the violence and differences between people who once had worked together have seemingly destroyed chances of settling any misgivings internally.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “It has become very clear that rather than getting close to the path of peace, this State is gradually turning into a kingdom where law and order is no longer the order of the day. And we cannot fold our hands and allow such thing to happen.
“On the 5th of October, 2024, about four days ago, we had an election in this State. Before the election, we also heard from a lot of quarters, songs of war, (and) threats but we never took them seriously because we believed that a local government election is a prerogative of the State Government. It has nothing to do with anybody anywhere that is outside the confinement of our State.
“And for that reason, we believed strongly that whatever it is, we could manage it to produce the purpose of that election.”
Governor Fubara further said: “But, it is very unfortunate that after the election, even while the election was going on, several things happened, which we managed, thinking it was going to end there.
“The day after the election, there were also more threats from people, and we also thought it was just a normal threat, believing that it was not going to be out of hand but it did.”
Governor Fubara told members of the commission that God has not made any mistake to find them suitable for the assignment given to them.
He urged them to work with the mind of actualising the purpose of the assignment, and noted that history will not forget this responsibility given to them.
Governor Fubara outlined the terms of reference of the assignment given, saying that they must: “Determine the underlying causes of the violence and identify the individuals or groups reasonable for the attacks on some Local Government Council Headquarters and the harm caused to citizens.
“Evaluate the extent of damage to property, infrastructure, and human lives and estimate the financial losses incurred.
“Examine whether the violence was politically motivated, and if so, identify the key players and their roles in instigating the violence.
“Assess the effectiveness of the security agencies’ response to the violence and identify areas for improvement.
“Investigate the actions of individuals and groups involved in the violence in the face of the relevant laws, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, etc.
“Advise on adequate compensation and support for victims and their families, as well as measures to prevent future occurrences.
“Make recommendations on long-term strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future, including recommendations for policy reforms, community engagement, and conflict resolution mechanisms.
“Recommend appropriate sanctions for individuals and groups found culpable.
“Make other relevant recommendations in light of its findings which the commission may consider appropriate,” and also mandated the commission to submit its report within “one month”.
Governor Fubara said the task will not be easy on them but added that they must brace up and do what is right for the good of Rivers State.

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Brain Drain: Senate Seeks Improved Budgetary Allocations To Universities

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The Senate has called for improved budgetary allocations to universities in the 2025 budget in order to check brain drain and other challenges in the universities.
The Tide’s source reports that the senate’s decision followed adoption of a motion at plenary, yesterday.
The motion, titled “Urgent Need to address challenges of increasing cases of brain drain in the Nigerian University System.” was sponsored by Sen. Ani Anthony (APC- Ebonyi).
Ani, in his motion said over the years, there has been a significant outflow of highly educated professionals in Nigeria, especially in the academia, in quests of better working conditions.
According to him, this worsened the skill gap in the workforce and is capable of hindering economic growth and development of the country.
Ani said that the National Universities Commission (NUC) report indicated that many Nigerian universities operate with less than 50 per cent of the required academic staff.
He expressed worry that the remunerations of the Nigerian university lecturers was among the poorest in the world, and it was last reviewed over 15 years ago.
This, he said cannot meet the current economic realities of the country.
He lamented that many universities in other Western African countries have better working conditions than what was obtainable in the Nigerian university system.
“I am worried over the continuous loss of experienced faculty members from our ivory towers to other countries, is capable of impacting negatively on the quality of education.
“ This reduces the effectiveness of teaching, learning and mentorship for students in our higher institutions.
“Also worried that brain drain has assumed an unprecedented posture in recent time, due to the current economic situation of the country.”
He stressed that the brain drain syndrome in Nigeria should be a cause for concern, as it threatens survival of the nation ‘s higher education, particularly in engineering, medicine and sciences.
He said the sectors were critical for the socioeconomic development of the country.
However, the Senate in its other resolution, mandated the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND to liaise with relevant government agencies and work out modalities to check the spate of brain drain, in Nigeria universities.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his remarks said all hands must be on deck to proffer solutions to issue of brain drain, as a matter of concern in the nation’s tertiary education.
He said that the reasons for brain drain was basically economic in nature.
He expressed believe that a review of the employment of personnel in tertiary institutions would help mitigate the brain drain issue.

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