National News

Back After Kashim Shettima Sent Us ‘Packing’

Published

10 months ago

January 5, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Back After Kashim Shettima Sent Us ‘Packing’

By Stanley Nkwocha

The mood at the Vice President’s wing of the Presidential Villa on Friday December 22, 2023, was different from what it used to be during preparations for festivities in the yuletide. On the faces of the aides and staff working in the VP’s office was a concatenation of excitement and incredulity. Even an amateur telepath would effortlessly sense the relief and exhilaration coursing through them as they discussed among themselves.

What was the excitement all about? The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, had just directed that all his aides and staff who are Christians should proceed on Christmas holidays and resume after the New Year celebrations. It was a big relief for them, especially those who had already been slated for advanced movements ahead of the VP’s official visits to some states.

The thrilling sensation in the VP’s office that weekend was however not unexpected. Such a gesture from a leader pertaining to the welfare of his workers is quite rare in this part of the globe, especially in Nigeria where aides and staff of Aso Rock Villa would have to work round the clock to maintain and sustain presidential schedules.

As an aide or staff in the seat of power, your life is no longer your own. Work-life balance doesn’t exist. You hardly have a weekend planned, entailing that you must have to cope with events of close friends and family members you will have to miss. This is apart from not seeing them more often, as you would not be at liberty to frequently take a vacation.

However, it was a completely different ball game for the 2023 yuletide, as the workers were asked to go home and celebrate the Christmas holiday with their families, courtesy of the VP’s human side of officialdom and bureaucracy. That is Vice President Shettima for you – a boss who takes the welfare of his workers seriously. He cares about life outside of work and is conscious about the things that are important to those working with him, irrespective of class and religious affiliations. He would check in to see how things are going for them.

A true example of what it means to be a servant leader, the Vice President is one of the most humble, compassionate leaders that I have personally met. He is a man who leads by example and is committed to creating a better future for the next generation.

His approach to work and style of leadership which treats the ‘ordinary’ man with the same delight as those of the ruling class are fundamentally both humane and democratic. At work, he gives you ample time to explain your expectations, as he patiently answers your questions, and he is available if you need help. He also encourages all his staff to work together, help one another and be a true team.

Yet, for himself, state governors and other top government officials, Vice President Shettima did not see the need to go on vacation when, according to him, a lot needed to be done to save the nation’s economy. At the 138th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) which was held on December 21, 2023, he told council members to shelve the idea of vacation and concentrate on issues of governance with a view to easing the burden of the citizens.

“As the year draws to a close, none of us in this chamber should anticipate a vacation. I tend to think so because upon our shoulders rests the weight of responsibilities from which we cannot escape. We are returning to be judged by the promises we made to be here,” he told the NEC members suggestively.

The message here was simple and direct: as public office holders, members of NEC should realise that there is no time for revelries and merriment because ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’

At the national level alongside his principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a seasoned democrat, Kashim Shettima is replicating the same leadership direction required by his Boss as manifested during his visit to Bende in Abia State last Friday where he unveiled the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

The VP declared the readiness of the Tinubu administration to put an end to the reign of terror in the South East region by those he designated as self-serving criminals working in cahoots with certain persons taking advantage of the security situation to foster their dangerous political agenda. He vowed that the administration will deploy all available resources to eliminate the purveyors of falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against Nigeria’s unity.

And to confirm the confidence the people of the South East have in the VP and his boss, the duo were given traditional titles. President Tinubu was conferred with Omeziri Igbo 1, while VP Shettima got the traditional title of Enyioma Ndigbo by the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Mbah.

Tacitly justifying the traditional titles conferred on the VP and his principal, chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, said Senator Shettima has demonstrated sufficient goodwill to the people of the region. “Our Vice President has shown sufficient goodwill to the people of the South East. From this part of the country, we will continue to work with the rest of Nigeria to make the country a prosperous nation for the interest of all of us for service to God and humanity,” the governor stated.

Indeed, in a country where religion, tribalism and regionalism are often used to divide and conquer, Vice President Shettima remains a staunch believer in the unity and progress of Nigeria. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to a united Nigeria where every citizen is treated equally, regardless of their religion, tribe or ethnicity.

As we return to work following his ‘henlele dey go’ directive, one cannot but see the freshness amongst fellow colleagues who clearly are more invigorated and focused to support the Vice President in achieving the monumental set goals, targets and visions of the Tinubu administration.

May God bless us with a most prosperous new year.

Nkwocha is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President).

Back After Kashim Shettima Sent Us ‘Packing’

National News

Kebbi Gov. signs N75,000 minimum wage, gives 72 hours implementation directive

Published

3 days ago

October 24, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Kebbi Gov. signs N75,000 minimum wage, gives 72 hours implementation directive

By: Our Reporter

The Kebbi State Governor, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has signed into law a new minimum wage of N75,000.

The governor also directed the State Accountant General, Ministry of Finance and Ministry for Local Government to ensure implementation of the new wage within 72 hours.

The new minimum wage was signed into law before the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and his executive members who were in Kebbi State for a meeting.

Speaking shortly after signing the wage at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Gov. Idris said all categories of workers would benefit from the new minimum wage and “it must start from this month of October.”

The governor recalled that right from the onset, he promised not to disappoint labour, saying that the labour have now started harvesting what they have planted.

“I want to use this medium to thank the NLC president and the labour for supporting me to win my election.

“The national leadership was here in Kebbi State in support of my election and by their support, I won my election and at the same time, I won my cases in different court of law.

“I promised you that I will never fail you and I promised that I will not fail Kebbi workers also. I reiterate my commitment and sincerity to using the Kebbi resources judiciously, with fear of God and I will not fail you, and will not fail Kebbi workers.

“In my administration I don’t owe salaries, I don’t owe pension, I don’t owe gratuity, I don’t owe death benefit and I pay leave grant up to 2023,” he confirmed.

The governor said he was supposed to be the first governor in Nigeria to implement minimum wage but there was no template to lay hand on.

He explained that the new wage was the outcome of a joint committee comprising representatives of both labour and the state, who arrived at three different wages of N70,000, N72,00.

Kebbi Gov. signs N75,000 minimum wage, gives 72 hours implementation directive

National News

EFCC, ROLAC to Host National Summit on Cybercrime

Published

6 days ago

October 21, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EFCC, ROLAC to Host National Summit on Cybercrime

By: Michael Mike

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will join forces with the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to host a National Summit on Cybercrime Prevention on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

The summit, themed “Alternative to Cybercrimes: Optimising Cyber Skills for National Development,” aims to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and its impact on Nigeria’s economy, financial systems, and citizen safety.

This was contained in a media advisory made available yesterday by the Communications Officer, ROLAC II, International IDEA, Mr. Murkthar Suleiman.

According to the statement, the event will also mark the launch of the EFCC’s 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C), a multi-agency initiative designed to tackle cybercrime threats and incidents in the country. The E-CR2C will serve as a one-stop hub for receiving, investigating, and enforcing court orders against suspected cybercrime activities.

“The summit and E-CR2C launch are crucial anti-corruption measures to address emerging digital challenges and strengthen anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, supports the EFCC’s efforts,” the statement noted.

“This summit will, therefore, sensitise the citizenry on cybercrime, its negative impacts, and measures for curbing and preventing it. There will, therefore, be an essay competition for select school students on the negative impact of cybercrime followed by the unveiling of a digital response centre where citizens can report cybercrime,” it added.

Key Objectives of the Summit are to raise awareness by educating the citizens, especially youths and parents, about the risks and consequences of cybercrime. It also aims to prevent cybercrime by promoting alternative uses of cyber skills for national development and enhance the justice sector by consolidating reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors.

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Nigeria. The RoLAC II Programme aims to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria, promoting transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the European Union’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nigeria 2022-2027. Specific objectives of the programme include further consolidating key reforms in the justice and anti-corruption sectors, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting respect for human rights, especially of persons with disability and other marginalised persons in society. The ultimate objective here is the consolidation of the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria.

International IDEA, the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is a 35-member State Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1995 as a global think-tank committed to supporting sustainable democracy worldwide and the development of democratic institutions and culture.

EFCC, ROLAC to Host National Summit on Cybercrime

National News

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference

Published

7 days ago

October 20, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference

By: Michael Mike

The Diaspora Organisation Americas (NiDOA) has announced that its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Conference will be held from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24 in Cleveland Ohio, U.S.

Dr Victor Ubani, Continental Chair, NiDOA, said via telephone on Sunday, that Nigerians in the diaspora played active role in nation building.

Ubani, who doubles as Coordinating Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation(NiDO) Worldwide, said the conference with the theme “New Nigeria: Fresh Progress, Vision for United NiDO” sought to promote unity among Nigerians living abroad.

“This is clarion call to all Nigerians living outside the shores of our dear country, across the globe, to come on board as united NiDO at the World conference.

“This year’s AGM offers vistas for us to reunite as big diaspora family with Mr Wole Oke, Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the special guest of honour.

“Other guests include Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mr Tochukwu Okere, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters and Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Current OPEC Governor for Nigeria.”

He said that there was no better time for Nigerians to work more closely together and contribute their quota to the nation building.

According to him, it has become important for Nigerians living outside their fatherland to participate in the conference in order to achieve more meaningful growth in the country.

“Everyone is cordially invited; you can participate via zoom or you can come in person; it is a clarion call to Nigerians; it is time for us to come together as one.

“Each Nigerian at home or abroad adds to the richness of our collective story; in recognising vital roles that our community plays in nation building, we are not just observers; we are active participants shaping our future.

“From advocating positive change to driving sustainable development, our voices resonate far beyond borders and we are focusing on how we can collaborate with government to achieve set goals.

“We cannot do it alone; we need few selected and focused individuals, so that we can see what we can do for our dear country.

“We have more than 20 million Nigerians living outside the shores of our country; so, it is an appeal to all Nigerians,” Ubani said.

He urged Nigerians to visit the organisation’s website via www.nidoa.org for further details about the conference.

NIDOA Sets Date for AGM, World Conference