Nigeria is on the path to recovery, says Tinubu

PIC.5. FROM LEFT: VICE CHANCELLOR, USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY (UDU)SOKOTO, PROF. ABDULLAHI ZURU; GOV. AKINWUMI AMBODE OF LAGOS STATE; FORMER LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR, SEN. BOLA TINUBU; OBA OF LAGOS, OBA RILWAN AKIOLU AND ROYAL MAJESTY GEORGE EGABOR, DURING THE CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE ON SEN. TINUBU IN SOKOTO ON SATURDAY (19/3/16). 2391/19/3/2016/AAG/EO/CH/NAN

•But warns it’s not an easy battle
•Urges commitment by all
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said yesterday that Nigeria has already begun the process of re-inventing itself under President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that after “many years of mis-governance and its myriad consequences,” the country has a fresh opportunity to reshape its future.
Tinubu spoke in Sokoto while responding on behalf of honorary doctorate degree awardees of the Usuman Dan Fodiyo University at the    Joint 32nd, 33rd and 34th Convocation and 40th Anniversary of the institution.
Reviewing the polity before and since the assumption of office by President Buhari last May, the former Lagos State governor said: “We were led down a path in which bad was deemed good and good was deemed inconvenient.  We were handed a way of governance in which anything goes and too much went – as if gone with the wind.

“Our present was squandered and future mortgaged. A few people took as their own what God intended to belong to all Nigerians.”
This, according to him, was not in tandem with the principle of “Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it” preached by the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate Usmanu Dan Fodiyo.
He added: “This was not the way of Usmanu Dan Fodio. This was not the way to build the nation we seek. It was the way to lay waste to our dreams and to jettison all the lessons that heroes such as Usmanu Dan Fodiyo and our forefathers taught us.
“Yet, human nature is such that it cannot exist for long without true and justice. For a period, darkness may descend and a lie may rule. But not forever, society needs justice and fairness as much as the body needs food and water.
“With last year’s election, the national conscience awoke.  The people rejected the distorted arrangements of past governments in order to make room for a better future. They had once again found the courage that Usmanu Dan Fodiyo had bequeathed them. They had rediscovered their way and their right to pursue it.
“Today we all participate in an epic struggle. We seek to undo many years of mis-governance and its myriad consequences. The process is hard because good is always harder to achieve than evil. Creation is always more difficult than destruction. Greed is easier than greatness.
“Yet Nigeria has begun the process of turning to its better self.  The government of President Buhari is cleaning out the rot of years of galloping corruption and avarice. This government is also moving to pursue policies that will spark development and bring prosperity to long oppressed Nigerians.”
But he warned that the process of re-building is not going to be a tea party.
His words: “Be reminded that this will be a battle.  No battle is easy.  We must be firm in our resolve to reform this nation. We must have the courage to stand fast in the times of difficulty, having faith that the rightfulness of our cause will see us through to the success of our collective efforts and yearnings.
“The truth today is that Nigeria has the greatest opportunity to get it right with a leader like Mr. Muhammadu Buhari.
“Another truth is that Nigeria and Nigerians are suffering under the yoke of corruption. The economy is based on a model no longer sustainable given the realities of today’s markets and global trends.
“There is much to fix. President Buhari is committed to fixing them. But he needs your support and patience. He cannot do it all alone. We must stand beside him or else we may be knocked down and not stand at all.
“Thus, let us be resolved to see reform and change that will make Nigeria rise as the nation it should be.”
He paid tribute to the great Islamic scholar for his “courage in the face of open danger; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who, he said, “represents the new hope of a new progressive political era”; and the Oba of Lagos and Chancellor of the institution, Rilwanu Akiolu, whose appointment, he said, “represents the best of Nigeria and signposts the promotion of unity, peace, harmony and better understanding.”
He expressed happiness for the honour done him and other awardees by the university and urged it to “strive to be the best and produce students who think as much of this nation as they do themselves.
“That is how this revered institution may do honour to the name it bears. This is how this institution may ensure that the ethics and principles of Usmanu Dan Fodiyo continue to have life and continue to breathe life into the progress of this nation.”
Tinubu was honoured with Doctor of Business Administration D.BA-Honoris Causa,
Also conferred with honorary doctorate degrees at the ceremony were :  Sultan Abubakar (Doctor of Law-LLD- Honoris Causa) Oba Akiolu (Doctor of Law-LLD- Honoris Causa); former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd),  Doctor of Science -DSC-Honoris Causa) and the Executive Director, Public Sector, First Bank Nigeria Ltd., Dauda Suleiman (Doctor of Business Administration-D.BA-Honoris Causa),
Three retired eminent public officers were conferred with Emeritus appointments.
They are Prof. Shehu Galadanchi and Prof. Mahdi Adamu, first and second Vice Chancellors of the institution, respectively, who were appointed as Vice Chancellors Emeritus.
Prof. A.T. Suleiman was appointed as Professor Emeritus.
Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Bello Masari (Katsina); Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara); Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) witnessed the ceremony.
Former Cross River governor, Donald Duke;  former deputy governor of Niger State, Musa Ibeto and  former Chairman of  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu also graced the occasion.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi led other prominent traditional rulers to the occasion.

TheNation

Thieves steal handset of visiting World Muslim League scribe

Barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari declared the international conference on peace and stability open in Abuja, thieves reportedly stole the handset of the Executive Secretary of the World Muslim League Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdullahi Bin Abdul.Security agencies which are said to be hugely embarrassed by the development, are currently probing the alleged security breach which led to the theft.
The victim himself is said to be worried by the incident.
Investigation showed that Bin Abdul had been accorded the honour of leading the Jumat prayer at the National Mosque on Friday.
A heavy security ring was therefore formed around him and his entourage by the relevant agencies.
After the Jumat service, many dignitaries and worshippers tried to move closer to Abdul which led to the alleged security breach.

It was gathered that the Secretary of World Muslim League later discovered that his handset had been stolen.
A top source said: “Despite tight security for him, some thieves made away with the handset of the Executive Secretary of the World Muslim League.
“The theft occurred after the Jumat prayer session suggesting that there was breach of the security wall at the National Mosque. Some smart guys took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere to strike.
“This incident created an embarrassment for the cleric, diplomats and most of the dignitaries that accompanied him to the service.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The visitor from Saudi Arabia was shocked and embarrassed. No one could explain how it happened.”
Sources told The Nation last night that the matter was being investigated.
Another source added: “All the agencies have swung into action to arrest those who perpetrated the act. They will get the brains behind the incident. I cannot confirm whether or not any arrest has been made but we will crack this case to correct any misgivings.”
It was not immediately clear if the CCTV system at the National Mosque was working as at the time of the incident.
“The security agencies will determine the efficiency of the CCTV,” the source said.
Prior to the theft on Friday, the Secretariat of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), within the premises of the mosque, was recently burgled with hard discs of some sensitive computers carted away by unknown thieves.
The development made the NSCIA to eject some tenant organizations from the main secretariat.

TheNation

Kano APC crisis: Ganduje’s loyalists sack Kwankwaso allies

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje

The crisis rocking the Kano State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress appears to be getting worse as supporters of Governor Umar Ganduje are insisting on cutting ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to size.

Findings by SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday showed that although the National Working Committee of the party had opened a channel of communication with Ganduje and his predecessor, hardliners in the governor’s camp insisted on punishing the former governor.

Barely 48 hours after removing the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, a known Kwankwaso ally, the party leadership announced the suspension of the state party chairman, Umar Doguwa.

Ganduje’s Political Adviser, Abdullahi Abbass, had been named as the party’s new acting chairman. Abbass  served as commissioner in the Kwankwaso  administration.

The decision was endorsed by 43 out of the 44 local government chairmen in the state as well as members of the state House of Assembly at a well attended meeting in Kano on Saturday.

Doguwa was among other things, accused of anti-party activities. His main offence was that he dissociated himself from a statement where the majority of the state leadership of the party pledged allegiance to Ganduje.

As things stand, 34 of the 39 surviving members of the state House of Assembly (there were 40 members, one died) have pledged allegiance to Ganduje.

This is coming at a time the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee, is expressing confidence that the feud will soon be over.

In a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, Odigie-Oyegun said, “We are engaging with the governor and his predecessor. The very good and encouraging thing is that the two men are enthusiastic and cooperative and I assure you that all the issues will soon be resolved.”

Doguwa had earlier recanted a statement he made on Thursday, threatening former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso with suspension for organising a “violent rally.”

Doguwa had while addressing journalists in Kano on Thursday, said Kwankwaso faced suspension from the party for sponsoring a violent rally while paying a condolence visit to the governor over the death of his mother.

He said Kwankwaso exhibited “acts of indiscipline which should not be allowed to go unpunished.”

Doguwa also said the party’s leadership and elders had approved the inauguration of a disciplinary committee to penalise Kwankwaso.

According to him, the condolence visit was deliberately turned to a violent rally to cause mayhem in the state and to abuse the governor and President Muhammadu Buhari.

PUNCH.

Tinubu, Atiku fight over APC BoT chair

John Alechenu, John Ameh and  Eniola Akinkuotu

Cracks among key political office holders and leaders in the All Progressives Congress are threatening the unity of the party, which is in control of the Federal Government, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Investigations indicated that between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for instance, there is a “cold war” over key decisions taken by the former.

“There have been cases of appointments into offices, which have generated tension between the President and Tinubu. That is just one angle to the issues,” a top member of the party in the National Assembly confided in Sunday PUNCH in Abuja.

The other angle, the source said, was an attempt to sideline Tinubu because he held no official position in the party.

“During most decision-making meetings of the party, key officials often point out that he (Tinubu) cannot influence decisions on the grounds of being the national leader because there is no such office in the APC constitution.

“For example, while political office holders like the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Mr. President, National Assembly members, governors, among others may have a say in decision-making, the office of national leader has no much powers,” the source added.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that this was also why the choice of who would occupy the position of Chairman of the Board Trustees of the party had become a contest between former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Tinubu.

“It had been initially agreed that Abubakar should become the BOT chairman. But, since the other leaders are now saying that the position of national leader is unconstitutional, Tinubu wants to revert to the position of BOT chairman.

“That way, he will become a major decision– maker in the affairs of the party and the Federal Government as presently constituted,” the official stated.

The source described the recent criticism of President Buhari and the APC-led Federal Government by Tinubu’s wife, Remi, and his daughter, as “signs” of the alleged cold war between the President and the national leader of his party.

Findings also showed that a group in the party had been pushing for the exit of Odigie-Oyegun as the national chairman, “owing to his not too impressive role in the election of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, particularly the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.”

However, another faction backing Odigie-Oyegun was said to have held the view that he should be allowed to stay on till the party would have conducted its national convention and filled the vacant positions in the APC.

SUNDAY PUNCH further learnt that while Buhari had been cautious in relating with Saraki, he was “normally at home with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, whom he sees as an “ally” at the National Assembly.

However, a reliable source within Tinubu’s camp told one of our correspondents that the former governor and Buhari were back together.

He said the problem with the APC was that the presidency had distanced itself from the party and had thus lost touch with the change agenda.

The source added that there was a growing consensus that once the party had a new chairman and a new publicity secretary, things would change.

He said, “We are of the view that unless the party leadership is changed, the change agenda will fail. The new agenda is to make sure that the President and the party are on the same page. There is no presidency that can survive if it divorces itself from the party.

“The presidency’s action is also justified because we have a party leadership that is just not there. It is not focused, disciplined or pushing any agenda and so the presidency has ignored the party but the two must work together.”

He revealed that all party leaders will meet in Abuja on Tuesday where major decisions would be taken regarding the way forward.

He added, “Unlike three months ago when nobody cared, everyone now cares and has decided to work together and ensure that the party is structured. I don’t know how the restructuring will take place but we will change the party chairman and find a replacement for Lai Mohammed.

“Once we can get this right, things will change and that is why we are having a caucus meeting on Tuesday which all party leaders for the first time have agreed to attend.”

Attempts to get a reaction from the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile phone were neither picked nor returned.

A response to a text message sent to him on the subject was being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

A similar call made to the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank was picked by an aide who said, “I will tell him you called.”

A response to a similar text message sent to him was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report. 7:00pm.

Similar attempts to get an official reaction from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were equally unsuccessful.

A call to the Director General of the Atiku Media Office, Mazi Paul Ibe, indicated that his phone was switched off. A response to a text message sent to him was also being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

Punch

From the gods with Love…How Ifa Oracle Picked Ooni of Ife’s Second Wife, Wuraola

Highlife With Lanre Alfred

High Life…Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Knowledge of divine things for the most part are lost to man by incredulity. Thus bothered by the foul whisperings about his new bride at home and abroad, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has responded to bearers of malicious rumours stating that, his new wife, Wuraola, was a divine gift from the gods. According to him, Wuraola’s ascent to the throne, his bedroom and inner cockles of his heart, was divinely ordained. Simply put, Olori Wuraola, the new queen of Ife kingdom, emerged by a supernatural procedure; she was handpicked by the divine oracle of Ile Ife.

While many were of the opinion that the Ooni and Wuraola were dating before he married her and that the new queen lived a seedy life on the fast lane before her marriage to the Ife monarch, Oba Adeyeye’s family have cleared the air. They also alleged that Ifa Oracle picked Wuraola because she might be a solution needed in the rulings of King Ogunwusi Adeyeye. According to them, the King never met Wuraola before, it was the oracle that revealed her to Kabiyesi. The irunmole are still alive and they are doing wonders, according to the Ogunwusi ruling house.

The ceremonies have ended. The husband has taken his wife home. Whatever anybody says or feels, the process of increasing Nigeria’s population must have begun in the confines of the Ooni of Ife’s home. It was gathered that before Oba Adeyeye emerged as the Ooni, his marriage to his estranged wife, Adebukola, had already hit the rocks but they lived together. Now that he is married to Olori Wuraola, what will happen to Adebukola? Are they divorced now? Or is she going to remain the respectable Oba’s first wife? What will be her fate now?

African sweethearts…From late Maryam to Aisha Babangida, a better life gift to Nigerian women

If the legacy of heroines is truly the memory of a great name and bequest of a great example, then the former first lady of the country, late Maryam Babangida, has left an enviable legacy for her wards and family. Maryam no doubt left behind big shoes for her children to fill. The late wife of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) will forever excite fond thoughts in the hearts of millions of Africans. There is no gainsaying she was both an African and Nigerian sweetheart. She transformed lives positively and established a legacy that remains phenomenal even as you read.

Last Saturday the memory of the iconic woman was honoured at Tungan Ashere Adult Literacy Centre, Gaku District, Zuba Abuja-FCT Abuja as 52 women graduated from the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman Adult Literacy programme, an initiative of late Maryam. The 52 women who could not read and write completed their 12 months course; not only can majority of them now read and write, they can also express themselves in English Language. The special event which was aimed at encouraging the female students within these communities to embrace literacy began with a brief history of Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman.

The baton has since been passed on to Maryam’s daughter, Hajiya Aisha Babangada, who has tried to achieve even more than her mother did. The new leadership of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), headed by Aisha, shares and respects the vision and mission of the organisation as founded by her late mother. In August 2012, Aisha embarked on a charity programme tagged, “Servant Learners,” whereby youth volunteers from different professional and educational backgrounds came together to offer free services to communities. Tungan Ashere community was identified and picked for the pilot phase of the programme because of its location and the needs of the people despite their closeness to the nation’s capital.

Rainoil Boss, Gabriel Ogbechie, plans high-octane 50th anniversary
Gabriel Ogbechie has attained the golden age of 50 and he will celebrate it to high heavens. Stylish, exquisite and unassuming, the billionaire oil magnate and owner of Rainoil will celebrate his golden jubilee in grand style come the month of May. Gabriel is ready to spare no expense to celebrate this milestone as he is known for his love for good life. Though a quiet man, one would have to get very close to him to know that he never dithers from acquiring the finest luxury money can buy. As you read, he has scenic houses scattered around Nigeria and choice cars, to mention a few of his enviable acquisitions.

Many wouldn’t have forgotten so soon the luxurious birthday party he threw for his wife, Gabriel Ogbechie, when she turned 50 in October last year. The celebration was the talk of the town, as he spared nothing to make it memorable for her. Now, it is his turn to be spoiled and feted. Gabriel’s family and friends can hardly wait to celebrate him as he attains this momentous breakthrough in his life.

Kingsley Kuku and his second wife, Chika, serenade first wife, Tonbra, on her birthday
If diseases are the tax on pleasures, then President Muhammadu Buhari is the nemesis to every light-fingered public officer. No sooner did he become President than the political and socioeconomic spaces began to undergo a spasmodic and definitive operational and philosophical reset. Take the hilarious case of Kingsley Kuku for instance, despite his initial posturing, the former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, is scared silly of the invitation extended to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Kuku is yet to honour the EFCC’s invitation for questioning on allegations of fraud. He had earlier failed to appear before the commission on July 28, a few weeks after the anti-graft agency invited him for interrogation; citing a knee injury, for which he was receiving treatment at St Andrew Hospital, Alabama in the United States (US), as his reason for ignoring the invitation of the agency.

He also denied claims that he was a fugitive, emphasising that he was a patriotic Nigerian, who would return home to clear his name. Unlike most husbands, Kingsley hardly reminds his wives “of an orang-utan trying to play the violin.” And unlike the late French writer, Honoré de Balzac, Kingsley’s first wife has no reason to doubt or disdainfully analyse the character and depth of her husband’s love for her in such manner. Last Sunday, Kingsley and his second wife gave his first wife, Tonbra, a –never-to-be-forgotten birthday. It was a big celebration galore. However, contrary to insidious speculation that her marriage to Kingsley would not survive the ravages of fame and celebrity lure, when Kingsley took a second wife, Chika, Tombra navigates the tumultuous terrains of matrimony with towering confidence and a gait that bespeaks an inviolate inner peace and contentment – which makes her a sight for sore eyes amidst the banalities of everyday turbulent matrimony.

For Yakowa’s widow, reality bites….very hard too
Vows leap like vain air from the lips of a man’s best friends in the wake of his death – especially when those promises are made to his children and the widow he left behind. Ask Amina Yakowa, the widow of former Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. Amina has finally seen through the heartfelt ‘promises’ of friends and political associates of her late husband; they all lied. It would be recalled that immediately after the former governor of Kaduna died in a helicopter crash in the company of former defence chief, General Azazi, late Yakowa’s friends, fellow governors and political associates pledged to move the world in favour of Amina, the widow he left behind.

But ever since they uttered their promises, none of them has endeavoured to fulfill his pledge, thus leaving the poor widow desolate and helpless, particularly now that she has run into hard times. Following their desertion, Amina has awakened to the sad reality of the emptiness and absurdity of mortal pledge. Yakowa’s widow wonders even as you read where all those people who promised her heaven and earth when her husband died, have absconded to. Those that promised to reduce the sky to a skyscraper and do their best to lighten her grief have dumped her like a bad habit. Such is the depth of the human pledge, it’s as shallow as a fresh brook.

British Airways’ shabby treatment of Nigerians
British Airways (BA), is desperately in pursuit of two passenger divides: one Nigerian, and the other, for the rest of the world; the two divides, though informally perpetuated, are separate and unequal. British Airways authorities no doubt consider its Nigerian passengers minions and expendable; little wonder the airline subjects Nigerians to the worst treatment possible. Like recalcitrant racists, desperate to preserve the perks and privileges enjoyed by whites in the slave era, British Airways, the United Kingdom’s most viable air carrier, doles haughtily, hideous barbs on every flight. It doesn’t matter whether you travel first class, business class or economy class, as long as you are Nigerian, British Airways staff will shove you alongside fellow Nigerians into a rickety, poorly ventilated and badly serviced airplane.

No matter what class you travel, as long as you are Nigerian, you will be treated to vile tasting meals – usually accompanied by dried out salad. This has become worrisome considering the huge profit the British carrier makes from Nigeria; despite its discourteous and scornful cabin crew and ticketing office staff, hordes of Nigerians including superrich industry titans, politicians, celebrities and ever ubiquitous fortune seekers continually throng its corridors and aisle thus justifying the airline’s shabby treatment of Nigerians. More worrisomely, Nigerians have learnt to turn a blind eye to such an eyesore simply because of the oft overwhelming excitement coursing through their psyches at being able to leave Nigeria. Regardless of the individual reasons people constantly troop to travel by BA, it gives the airline no reason to disregard and be contemptuous of its Nigerian clients.

ThisDay

How Suspended PTAD DG Ran Agency

By Catherine Agbo

Revelations have emerged of how the suspended director general of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs Nellie Mayshak, ran the agency as a sole administrator, without a board to supervise the agency’s operations.
According to information available to LEADERSHIP Sunday, is been investigated for issues bordering on violation of some sections of the Pension Act 2014, employment without due process, and financial mismanagement among other things.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the indefinite suspension of Mayshak, and three other senior staff of the directorate.
The statement said that Mayshak was suspended over alleged mismanagement of funds.
“The suspension which is a normal civil service procedure is to pave way for an unimpeded investigation into the activities of the directorate under the watch of Mayshak,” the statement said.
A source within the agency told LEADERSHIP Sunday that whereas the Pension Act 2004 provided for the establishment of PTAD and in the amended Act, Pension Reform Act 2014, Section 42 and 43 amended the name slightly and provided for the headship of PTAD to be an Executive Secretary, when Mayshak was appointed, it was as Director-general, in violation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 (43).
The source further alleged that in violation of the Act, PTAD unlike other federal government agencies never had a board, thus allowing the now suspended director general who was also the pioneer head of PTAD, free hand to operate.
Also, LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that whereas the PRA (2014) 42(3) provided for representatives of the Civil Service Pension Department, Police Pension Department and Customs, Immigration and Prisons Department; they are not represented in the agency.
“This singular act is a breach of the Parliament Act and amounts to wilful negligence which is tantamount to gross misconduct according to the Public Service Rules (PSR). Does this singular Act not a breach of the parliament? In the Public Service Rules (PSR) does this not amount to wilful negligence and tantamount to misconduct if not gross misconduct?” the source stated.
It was also alleged that employment at PTAD at inception was skewed in favour of acolytes of the agency head and children of senior government officials, hence fencing out others, including former staff of the pension office.
LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered from sources within the agency that at the inception of PTAD, the agency allegedly conducted a Computer Based Test (CBT) in conjunction with a recruitment outfit for recommended representatives of the former pension office since in their wisdom, they deemed it fit not to inherit all staff of the former pension office in line with the Head of Service circular Ref. No. 63903/S105/T/1/68 of 30th October, 2013 establishing PTAD, which directed that all assets and liabilities of the former pension offices be inherited by PTAD.
“As if that was not enough breach, PTAD conducted a recruitment exercise in November 2014 through February 2015 and threw over 95 per cent of the inherited civil servants out but regularised the appointment of preferred/anointed candidates of the high and mighty in Nigeria, particularly those that were earlier engaged on contract terms irrespective of the interview and also engaged a few more anointed candidates.
“The recruitment exercise did not follow laid down procedure. Candidates that should have been given contract appointment were offered permanent appointment. It is both ironical and paradoxical that in the interview conducted, over 95 per cent of the civil servants that participated in the recruitment exercise failed while 100 per cent of the contract staff all passed the so called test. This is obviously questionable and I stand to be corrected or proved wrong that the above is both deliberate and a calculated attempt at expunging inherited civil servants from PTAD,” the source added.
On the issue of emoluments, it was alleged that apart from approving N60 million monthly salary for herself, Mayshak in connivance with top officials of the ministry of finance at the time, including a former minister, recommended an outrageous salary structure that was merely ratified by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
While pointing out that it is true that staff of PTAD need to be encouraged and motivated by way of enhanced salary to prevent being lured into committing fraudulent acts, it ought to be benchmarked against the existing salary structure in the Federal Public Service since PTAD draws its funding from the Federal Treasury and does not generate any income.
“How can one explain this scenario where a fresh graduate staff on GL 08 is paid a huge abou N300,000 monthly, more than a full fledge Director in the main-stream Civil Service that is at the verge of retirement? This calls for concern,” he added.
The source added that PTAD did not get a waiver to carry out the recruitments it did, in violation of extant civil service regulations, just as the provisions of the Procurement Act was grossly violated in the award of most contracts in PTAD.
“Arbitrariness in general spending and misappropriation of funds is a ‘house-hold’ name in PTAD. For instance renovation/painting of a rented property belonging to a then sitting minister was carried out three times in a year. Consider the huge cost to rent the property when there is vacant accommodation in the Federal Secretariat and other government buildings in the FCT. How can you explain feeding one pensioner with N4, 500 during the police pensioners verification exercise? How can the setting aside of as much as N9.5 million for security and contingencies in verification of reimbursement claims to Ekiti State be explained?” the source queried.
The suspended DG was also alleged to have applied for and received N36 million in December 2014 as allowances for staff who worked overtime but failed to pay the affected staff.
Efforts to speaks with the PTAD spokesperson, Mrs Theodora Amaechi, on the allegations were unsuccessful as severe calls to her mobile phone number were not answered.

Leadership

12 top military officers in trouble over N5bn polls cash

•Others quizzed over N5billion ‘election operation’ fund  
The army segment of the $2.1billion arms slush funds    has landed 12 top army officers in trouble with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Three serving major generals, a retired major general, three brigadier generals, four colonels, and one lieutenant colonel are being interrogated by the anti-graft agency for their alleged involvement in the deal.
They were referred to the EFCC by the army authorities following an internal probe.
A security source familiar with the development branded it “a monumental fraud” last night.

The source said that from the evidence already gathered, what transpired in the air force with the arms procurement fund might turn out to be a child’s play.
“This is the most crucial aspect of the $2.1billion arms deals because the Nigerian Army was at the centre of the procurement. The case of the Nigerian Air Force might be a child’s play.”
Commodore Salisu Yushau, a retired finance director of the Air Force and prosecution witness in a case of corruption against former Chief of Defence Staff and one time Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh told a Federal High Court in Abuja last Wednesday of how air force money was used to buy choice properties for Badeh’s sons and how the former Air Force Chief routinely mopped up salaries in excess of N500m monthly.
Ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki is facing a separate trial for alleged diversion of the $2.1 billion arms procurement fund.
Sources said:”already, we have started interrogating the officers referred to the commission. At the appropriate time, we will release their names to the public.
“Certainly, we will interact with two former Chiefs of Army Staff on the procurement process and inventory of arms and military hardware.”
The Army had said those found guilty of fraud by the EFCC will be tried by a Military Court Martial.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a terse statement that “However it should be noted that at the end of the commission’s investigations, those found culpable will be tried by a Military Court Martial.”
Some retired and former military officers are also under investigation for allegedly diverting a N5billion vote earmarked for election operation.
The fund was released by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The illegal fund, which was drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria, was allegedly used for personal service.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the N5billion was illegally drawn for the Army from the CBN by ONSA.
It was learnt another vote was budgeted for the Army in the 2015 budget for operations leading to duplication of funds.
Some Army officers were said to have helped themselves to the N5billion cash since “operation funds” were regarded as “mere fluid budget.”
A reliable source said: “Some top Army officers are under probe over N5billion election operation funds from ONSA. The funds were illegally drawn under curious overhead from CBN.
“But preliminary findings have indicated that the cash was diverted to personal use. There is no record of disbursement and utilization.
“Some of the affected officers have been invited to Abuja. If found guilty of mismanagement of funds and political indulgence, they might face severe sanctions including dismissal or retirement.”
About N16.5billion was released to the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army and ONSA for “logistic requirement for 2015 elections.”
The breakdown is as follows: IGP General Election OPS Fund Account (N10billion); Nigerian Air Force OPS Account (N1billion); Nigerian Army Operations Account (N5billion) and ONSA (N500million).

TheNation.