PSR: Directors Snub FG, Refuse To Exit Service

Ministry of Information and Culture issued a  fresh cicular directing Directors affected by the new Public Service Rule(PSR) 2021 to immediately exit the service but about 10 directors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration who have spent over eight years in office have failed to proceed on mandatory retirement almost one month after the newly revised Public Service Rules became operational.

The recent circular addressed to “All Directors/Heads of Unit” of the Ministry of Information on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by Ms Equere E( HRM), the affected Directors were instructed to handover in accordance with the revised PSR.

The circular dated August 17, under the heading ”Implementing The Revised Public Service Rule” reads:

“In furtherance to our earlier circular ref. No FMCT/PS/010/11/113 dated 10″ August, 2023 on the above subject matter and in compliance with PSR 021210.

“I am directed to request you to as a matter of urgency, hand over to the next most senior officer in your office and proceed immediately on your pre-retirement training.

“You are hereby kindly requested to accord this matter the urgency it deserves.

“Please accept the assurances of the permanent secretary sincere regards.”

The directors were said to have spent between nine and 12 years on the directorate cadre and were required to turn in their letter of retirement in compliance with the PSR which took effect from July 27, 2023.

The new rule was expected to affect over 500 directors who have stagnated in their positions for eight years or more.

Recalled that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan had in a memo dated July 27, addressed to all Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, ordered strict compliance with the revised rules. 

The new rules also introduced a tenure policy for permanent secretaries who are now required to spend four years in office which is renewable subject to performance.

According to The Punch, sources at the FCTA said the Director of Human Resource Management, Bashir Muhammad, and his counterpart at the Christian Pilgrimage Board, Dabara Vingo and others who were affected by the rule have yet to vacate office almost a month after the directive became operational.

It was gathered that Muhammad recently requested a three-month tenure extension from the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola.

An official stated, ‘’No fewer than 10 directors who have spent between nine and 12 years in office have refused to vacate office or retire as stipulated by the revised PSR. In fact, the Director of Human Resource Management has just asked the permanent secretary for three months’ extension in office.

‘’Though the request has not been granted, everyone in FCTA is worried by the refusal of the concerned officials to comply with the rules. We are hoping the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike would intervene speedily.’’

Ironically, Muhammad had in a circular dated August 9, 2023, drew the attention of the leadership of the FCT Administration to the HoS directive on the implementation of the PSR.

The letter with reference number: FCTA/HRM/ 141145/Vol.I was addressed to the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority; Secretaries, Mandate Secretariats; Heads of Departments, Agencies and Parastatals, Coordinators and Directors, FCTA Common Services Department and all staff.

It read, ‘’I am directed to refer you to the circular number: HCSF/SPSO/268/T3/2/37 of 27th July, 2023 from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and to inform you that the revised Public Service Rules has become operational in the services of FCTA with effect from 27th July, 2023.

‘’In this regard, you are to ensure full compliance with all the provisions of the revised PSR, particularly the provision of section 020909 on tenure policy for directors or its equivalent on Grade Level 17. Please, ensure strict compliance with the contents of this circular.’’

Muhammad could not be reached on Thursday as calls to his phone indicated it was switched off.

However, the FCTA Director of Press, Muhammed Sule, explained that the concerned officials had been directed to retire via a circular.

A source at the Federal Ministry of Health said that all the directors affected by the tenure policy have retired as directed by the Head of Service.

“For instance, the Director, Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Morenike Alex-Okoh has left; the Director of Family Health, Dr Boladale Alonge has gone, and many others. The ones I know personally that have retired are about seven,” the source said.

Trump Arrested In Election Case, Mug Shot Released

Former president of United States of America, Donald Trump was photographed for a police mug shot after his arrest on August 24 at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, multiple US media outlets reported citing local officials.

Trump was arrested at a Georgia jail Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges and released on a $200,000 bond after having a historic mug shot taken.

Trump, who is accused of colluding with 18 other defendants to overturn the 2020 election result in the southern state, spent less than 30 minutes inside Atlanta’s Fulton County Jail before leaving in a motorcade for the airport.

Like the other defendants in the case who have surrendered so far, the 77-year-old Trump had his mug shot taken during the booking process — a first for any serving or former US president.

In the photograph released by the sheriff’s office, he scowled at the camera while dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie.

Speaking to reporters after his arrest, Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said it was a “very sad day for America.” 

“What has taken place here is a travesty of justice,” he said. “I did nothing wrong.”

Trump posted the mug shot on his own Truth Social platform with the caption “Election Interference” and a link to his campaign website. 

A short while later, he also posted it on X — formerly Twitter, which was Trump’s favourite bullhorn until he was banned from it after the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol by a mob of his supporters.

New owner Elon Musk reinstated Trump on X in November of last year, but Trump stayed away and posted instead on Truth Social. This was Trump’s first post since 2021 on what had been Twitter. 

Trump was given the inmate number “PO1135809” by the Fulton County Jail, which listed his height as six foot three inches (1.9 meters), his weight as 215 pounds (97 kilograms) and his hair colour as “Blond or Strawberry.”

The billionaire has been criminally indicted four times since April, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented drama as he tries to juggle multiple court appearances and another White House campaign.   

Trump was able to dodge having a mugshot taken during his previous arrests this year: in New York on charges of paying hush money to a porn star, in Florida for mishandling top secret government documents, and in Washington on charges of conspiring to upend his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

His arrest came one day after Trump spurned a televised debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring eight of his rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, all of whom lag well behind him in the polls. 

He still stole the spotlight, though, with all but two of the candidates saying they would support him as the party’s nominee even if he were a convicted felon.

– Court dates in election race –
A tight security perimeter was set up for Trump’s booking at the Fulton County Jail, which is under investigation for a slew of inmate deaths and deplorable conditions.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who filed the sweeping racketeering case, had set a deadline of noon on Friday for Trump and the other 18 defendants to surrender.

Trump and 11 others have turned themselves in so far.

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows surrendered on Thursday and was released on $100,000 bond.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as Trump’s personal lawyer when he was in the White House and vigorously pushed the false claims that Trump had won the 2020 election, was booked and released on Wednesday.

John Eastman, a conservative lawyer who is accused of drawing up a scheme to submit a false slate of Trump electors to Congress from Georgia instead of the legitimate Biden ones, has also been booked and released.

A few dozen supporters of the former Republican president gathered outside the jail, including Sharon Anderson, who spent the night in her car.

“I think this is political persecution, and now that’s turned into a political prosecution,” Anderson told AFP.

Trump is the first US president in history to face criminal charges.

Racketeering Case
His various trials, if they take place next year, may coincide with the Republican presidential primary season, which begins in January, and the campaign for the November 2024 White House election.

Special counsel Jack Smith has proposed a January 2024 start date for Trump’s trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the last election with a lie-fueled campaign that culminated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

Trump’s attorneys have countered with a suggested start date well after the election — April 2026.

Willis, the Georgia district attorney, initially proposed that the racketeering case begin in March next year, the same month Trump is scheduled to go on trial in New York on charges of paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels.

On Thursday, after one of the defendants asked for a speedy trial, she proposed that it begin for all 19 in October of this year, a move met with an immediate objection from Trump’s lawyers.

The Florida case, in which Trump is accused of taking secret government documents as he left the White House and refusing to return them, is scheduled to begin in May.

LIRS Reiterates Renewed Efforts In Using Technology, Advocacy To Shore Up Revenue

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has reaffirmed its renewed efforts in leveraging cutting-edge technology and effective advocacy to significantly enhance the state's revenue generation.

 

The Executive Chairman, LIRS, Mr Ayodele Subair, made this known while speaking in an interview on The Tax Talk, a newly launched 30-minute public enlightenment television programme on taxation, monitored on Channels Television recently.

 

The Tax Talk, an LIRS production, is broadcast every week on TVC, Channels, LTV and WAP TV.

 

While speaking on the programme, Subair noted that the use of technology has helped the agency in optimizing its operations while also enhancing revenue generation for the state.

 

He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the use of technology in the generation of the state revenue during his tenure as the state governor.

 

According to him, past governors such as Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the current governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also made efforts in upholding the autonomy of LIRS, which has led to a notable level of effectiveness.

 

Subair noted, “One of the first things we did was to look at the market, the taxpayers and then we did some element of market segmentation, recognizing that there are some players in the market who work in an unstructured environment, some work in a structured environment, formal and informal. We looked at the situation where we have high net worth individuals, and then we set up shop to make sure that we plan to cater for the different needs of the different segments of taxpayers. So having done that, we looked at our processes, did a lot of process reengineering, and looked at removing all the things that would make our jobs longer or more difficult. We also looked at the staffing arrangements, we looked at human resources and designed a whole set of training programs to ensure that everybody is up to the task.”

 

Speaking further, he said;  “We looked at the applications that we had in place in terms of the software. How efficient were they? How easy was it for members of the public to access and also to understand? So, we came up with the e-tax application, which is an end-to-end tax administrative solution. It runs through the whole process, right from registration to raising of assessments, up to the filing of tax returns, making payments through the various payment channels, the ability to print out the receipts, and of course, at the end of the day, generate tax clearance certificates. So, with that in place, it's gone a long way.

 

According to him, “If we did not introduce technology, no, doubt, we’re going to have very, very limited success. We have our e-tax and we also have our IBILE hub software to take care of the informal sector. One of the key features of the IBILE hub software is that it allows instalment payments from members of the sector.

 

“With the e-tax solution, people no longer have to troop and come to LIRS offices. From the comfort of their homes, they can carry out all their tax business, all the things that had issues in the past, that had problems, that created tension between the public and members of the organization, all these have been taken out completely. And there's the ease of doing business. So, with this, move in that direction, we expect to move the revenue upwards continually. We're quite confident that we will get there.

 

“We're exploring constantly and bringing initiatives on how we can leverage fully on technology. We intend to set up some research unit that will delve more into technology to see how it can be relevant to our operations and of course, to the benefit of taxpayers. We're constantly looking at how we can make tax experience very easy for members of the public.”

 

The LIRS chairman said the use of advocacy has also played a big role in its tax administration, as the agency makes it a priority to always engage taxpayers and stakeholders.

 

“The key thing in tax administration is for you to be positive all the time. You should never have a cannot do spirit. So, we were quite optimistic. All we have to do is continue to improve on advocacy and remind residents of Lagos that there's a social contract. They expect so many things from the government, the government also expects them to carry out their civic duties. So, we expect that members of the public who come and file, not just file their return, they file honestly and pay the appropriate taxes when the tax is due. One thing that drives this is there's a certain level of mistrust between the people and the government.

 

“Part of our duty is to try and bridge that gap and remove all the elements of distrust from members of the public because where members of the public start to trust the government in place, that is what is helping Lagos to drive revenue. People come to Lagos; they can see the level of development; they can see the level of growth in the system. You can also see that members of the public get highly qualitative, social utilities to use and social services like schools, hospitals, and all the expectations. So, we might not exactly be where we want to be. But we are certainly moving in that direction. And if you compare Lagos state with all the other states in Nigeria, the difference is very clear. So, we're very optimistic that we will continue to push continue to improve on advocacy,” he submitted.

Anti-Corruption: FG Urged To Ensure Adherence To Procurement Law

… urge Bauchi Govt to intervene in alleged extortion of A.D. Rufai College of Education students

Worried by rising cases of fraud in public service, stakeholders in the anti-corruption campaign have urged President Bola Tinubu to leverage the enforcement of procurement and assets declaration laws to advance Nigeria’s anti-graft war. No

The anti-corruption stakeholders also chastised the management of A.D. Rufa’i College of Education, Legal and General Studies, Misau, Bauchi State, for extorting students in the name of different fees without providing services to the students.

They called on the state governor, Bala Mohammed, to intervene and bring the fleecing of the students to a halt as soon as possible.

Co-Publisher/Managing Editor, Wikki Times, Ajibola Amzat led the call during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja.

Amzat, who was speaking on the need to promote integrity and anti-corruption norms by the government and citizens, asserted that enforcement of public procurement, Freedom of Information (FOI Act), and assets declaration laws can help the Tinubu-led administration better advance the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria is not in short supply of laws that prevent or tackle corrupt acts but is suffering from lack of enforcement and consequence for actions.

“Corruption is worsening in the country because people are not punished appropriately for their crimes; leaders are not accountable to the masses.

“There are different ways the president (Tinubu) could tighten the system and prevent corruption, and it can be by ensuring public officers adhere to procurement laws, FOI Act and assets declaration at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

“Because when you look at the rising number of corruption cases since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, you will wonder if anti-graft agencies are doing their jobs, but there are enough regulations that should check bad behaviours in the public sector,” Amzat stressed.

Speaking on an investigative corruption report published by Wikki Times indicting the management of A.D. Rufa’i College of Education, Legal and General Studies, Misau, Bauchi State of extorting students in fees payment, Amzat called on Governor Bala Mohammed to intervene as soon as possible.

He regretted that integrity and standards are falling in Nigerian society right from the family structure, which is a manifestation of booming corruption in the public sector. He added that “parents, religious bodies, institutions and CSOs should prioritize the teaching of ethics.”

Similarly, Programme Officer, Integrity Organisation, Maria Gowon also called on the Federal Government to create a good framework for enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

According to Gowon, the National Ethics and Integrity policy and other laws can be leveraged to fight corruption, whether it is in the public or private sector, noting that application and enforcement of these laws remain the main challenge.

To promote integrity in the country, she urged President Tinubu to lead the line in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, while urging citizens to report cases of bribery and procurement fraud.

“I believe it begins with a very strong tone at the top among the leaders at Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, I believe ethical training and integrity training are good practical steps.

“There should be capacity building, teaching of ethics and rapid response to corrupt acts by officials in the public sector in order to deter others,” Gowon stated.

She, however, urged students in tertiary institutions across the country to emulate students of A.D. Rufa’i College of Education, Legal and General Studies, Misau, Bauchi State and report all forms of extortion by the management of their institutions to journalists.

Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

LASU Streams Landing Of Indian Satellite On Moon

Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), has commended the Consulate General of India for choosing the institution as one of the viewing centres for the launch of her space craft, Chandrayaan three, to the moon.

Olatunji-Bello, represented by Mrs Adenike Boyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), said this at the live viewing of the landing of the Indian satellite on the moon, organised by the High Commission of India, Lagos, on Wednesday. 

A satellite that was recently launched by the Indian Nation landed on the moon on Wednesday, and LASU was designated as one of the centres  where the landing was viewed live by school pupils.

The vice chancellor said they were glad to be associated with the initiative, as it aligned with their drive to leverage science and technology. 

“This is an historical event on the South Pole, as Indians would cherish Chandrayaan three for life because it will enrich their memories and exposure to the world on science and technology.

“The institution is willing to further work on mutual beneficial programmes and initiatives towards building a better place for Lagosians,”she said.

Mahesh Narasimhan, Consulate General of India, Lagos, said this was their third mission to the moon and Chandrayaan three was a great success.

"Chandrayaan three landed on the South Pole of the moon and no country in the world has landed there, which is a big achievement for us. 

"We chose LASU to view the streaming because LASU is one of the great universities in Nigeria, and particularly, Lagos State,” he said.

Ramesh Biswal, Coordinator, Sanyukta Bharitiya Association, Lagos chapter, said this was a big achievement, not only for Indians, but for other countries in the world. 

He said that Chandrayaan three would explore the moon and enable people to see many things on the moon.

NAF Reveals Details Of Personnel In Helicopter Crash

Nigerian Air Force has named the personnel who lost their lives in the 14 August 2023 NAF Helicopter crash during an Evacuation mission in Niger state.

This was made known during a condolence visit to family members of the deceased in Port Harcourt, where the chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar promised the NAF would continue to honour the memory of their loved ones while supporting those left behind.

The CAS also visited the NAF unit, commisserating with personnel on the loss and praising them for their commitment and efforts in the ongoing joint military operations in the Niger Delta.

The crew members who lost their lives during the mission include Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter. 

Two other NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar, two other NAF Regiment personnel also lost their lives as part of the Nigerian Army ground troops who were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Niger State.

Lagos Assembly Confirms 22 Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner-Nominees, Rejects 17

Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed 22 out of the 39 cabinet nominees sent recently by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for screening.

Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the day’s sitting, said the confirmation followed rigorous and detailed screening of the nominees by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Fatai Mojeed.

He commended the committee for its effectiveness and urged the confirmed nominees to always remember that they are in office to serve the people of the State and not individuals.

He also promised that the House would continue to do its best in the interest of the State.

The confirmation was done through a voice vote, as Obasa mentioned the name of each of the nominees.

However, the lawmakers rejected 17 of the nominees.

Those confirmed include:

Hon. Layode Ibrahim

Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende

Dr. Dolapo Fasawe

Hon. Bola Olumegbon

Mr. Idris Aregbe

Ms. Abisola Ruth Olusanya

Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai

Mr. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts

Engr. Abiola Olowu

Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka

Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih- Awokoya

Mr. Yakub Adedayo Alebiosu

Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN

Mr. Tunbosun Alake

Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde

Dr. Adekunle Olayinka

Dr. Jide Babatunde

Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab

Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu

Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun

Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo

Those not confirmed by the House include:

Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo

Prof. Akin Abayomi

Mr. Yomi Oluyomi

Mrs. Folashade Ambrose

Ms. Barakat Bakare

Mr. Gbenga Omotosho

Engr. Olalere Odusote;

Dr. Rotimi Fashola

Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada

Mr. Sam Egube;

Mr. Olalekan Fatodu

Mrs. Solape Hammond

Mr. Mosopefolu George

Engr. Aramide Adeyoye

Mr. Seun Osiyemi

Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi

Dr. Olumide Oluyinka.