National News
Procurement Acts: BPP Caught in NIPOST Certification Scandal
Procurement Acts: BPP Caught in NIPOST Certification Scandal
By: Joe Lazarus
Reports reaching NEWSng on Monday indicated that Staff of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST may be out for a showdown with the management over what some of the staff describes as tribal sentiment and blind interest under Dr. Adebayo Adewusi led management.
The staff also faulted that the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP for awarding a certificate to a staff of the organization, which according to them did not have a background in procurement, adding that by the procurement act, he was not supposed to attend such a course or obtain a certificate to that effect.
“They (Management) have flouted the procurement acts by awarding procurement certification to staff without procurement background in the 2021 procurement conversion examination.” A source in the organization told NEWSng
Also the staff in a petition written to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation insists that, the staff, a 54 year old Mr. Samuel Oluwasegun Sangotayo, which was on the BPP list number 118 with Examination number BPP/PCC/NOV/2021/142 was co-opted into the procurement department of NIPOST with fraudulent intention as he has no background on procurement before the NIPOST Management move against the procurement acts and rules of the civil service to appoint him as Director of Procurement.
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The petition in part reads: “From all indications NIPOST has co-opted the BPP into its fold of agencies that abuse and flagrantly disregard extant rules, guidelines/procedures. This is manifested in the impunity by NIPOST management in planting a 54 years old substantive Deputy Director( Legal) on GL 16, by name Mr. Samuel Oluwasegun Sagontayo, in the procurement department, and allowing him to attend Procurement conversation course in 2021.
“This is against the procurement act. To Staff amazement the BPP went ahead to issue Certificate to this unworthy candidate despite petition. Mr. Samuel Oluwassegun is number 118 on the BPP Certification lists. This is contrary to a circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, dated 14th June, 2017 with reference No. 59780/S.1/1.1/117 which states that Officers from other cadres in civil service are prohibited from procurement functions where career procurement Officers are available.
“Specifically, the BPP mandatory conversation training guidelines for 2021 as obtained from its website clearly indicated that; 2(b) Current cadre and grade level (Nominees should not be above GL 15 or equivalent). Why was Mr. S. O. Sagontayo, who has been on GL.16 since January 2018, allowed to take part in the November 2021 conversion exercise? Has the rules changed? 3(e) Nominees who are more than 50years of age or have less than 5years in service are not qualified to apply. Here the rule was violated because Mr. S.O Sagontayo is 54 year of age.”
According to staff of NIPOST the organization has moved from bad to worse since the coming on board of Dr. Ismail Adewusi, who took over the administration of NIPOST in December 2019.
“Under him (Dr. Ismail Adewusi) management have been operating with total disregard to the laid down rules and procedures obtainable in civil service. The provision of a circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, dated 14th June, 2017 with reference No. 59780/S.1/1.1/117 states that Officers from other cadres in civil service are prohibited from procurement functions where career procurement Officers are available.
“On the contrary, a case in hand is the drafting of a non-career officer, a deputy director from the legal department to succeed the retired Director, while there are two (2) senior certified procurement officers with total disregard to the above cited circular.” A staff told NEWSng
Attempt to speak to the Director Corporate Communication; Mr. Frank Alao did not yield result as his phone is not reachable.
Procurement Acts: BPP Caught in NIPOST Certification Scandal
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.
He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
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