News
CACOL Demands Sack Of Buhari’s Minister Over Corruption
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, (CACOL), has backed the calls by workers in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, who are demanding the sack of Dr Okechukwu Enelamah as Minister.
The workers, under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN are accusing the Minister of corrupt practices, high handedness, injustice and nepotism.
CACOL, joined its voice in the call for the Minister’s sack in a press release signed and forwarded to DAILY POST by its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran yesterday.
The statement said, “Just yesterday, the representative of the workers and the Chairman of the workers’ union in the Ministry, ASCSN, Mr Okonkwo Onwuyah, led the workers in a protest at the Ministry in Abuja, where allegations of nepotism, corruption and other abhorrent acts were levelled on the minister
“The workers also alleged that the Minister had succeeded in duplicating and wasting resources through the creation of Nigerian Office of Trade Negotiation, NOTN, based on false memo or advice to the Federal Executive Council, FEC. The workers are also accusing the Minister of killing the Trade Department and having rendered commercial and trade officers redundant.
“This Ministry, like many others in the country, is too pivotal to the planned revitalisation of the national economy and the Federal Government’s plan for diversification from oil-based economy, to be enmeshed in ceaseless crisis of this nature.
“We would recall that barely last week, the national dailies screamed how over two billion US Dollars (about N700billion) was repatriated home from the national economy by foreign investors, due to fears over the forthcoming 2019 elections”.
“All this smacks of adequate engagements and competent line of responsibilities between the Ministry and various stakeholders the Trade, Industry and Investment Ministry in the country.
“One could easily deduce the depth of anxiety between the workers and the Ministry officials when one considers other allegations being peddled like, lack of necessary training and welfare needs of the workers, outstanding payments since 2014, absence of necessary promotion exercise, hiring of consultants for works that could easily be undertaken by regular workers in the ministry with the right motivation, etc. All this paints a grim picture of a conducive and convivial working relationship within this vital ministry.
“With the allegations including corruption, nepotism and other dishonest acts that could only harm and be prejudicial to successful industrialization and attraction of more foreign investments for the economy, we call on the Presidency or any other governmental agency with the requisite oversight power to intervene, by setting up a probe panel that should necessarily get to the root of whatever may be the issue here and recommend appropriate steps that would be in the best interest of the workers, the nation and catapult the economy into a working rather than a redundant one.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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