NEWS
Appointment of Professionals, key to Government’s Success- Expert
Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, National President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), has called on government at all levels to appoint professionals as their political appointees toward building a strong and value-adding governance in the country.
Ayinde made the call in Awka, on Wednesday at the investiture of Dr Okwuchukwu Ulasi, President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Anambra chapter.
He said that appointment of professionals as political appointees would provide the leadership and experience required to deliver good governance.
According to him, professionals are important in the success of any government.
“Governance is delivered or not delivered by the action and inaction of those in government.
Professionals are better positioned to serve in such government’s appointments.“Professionals have specialised knowledge, they are competent, reliable, trailblazers, leaders and problem solvers, and will make a difference in whatever assignments they are called to.
“They will help government utilise resources appropriately, to deliver impactful governance and deliver the dividends of democracy,” he said.
While congratulating Ulasi on his appointment, Ayinde advised him and his executive members to work with the state government to drive good governance and economic progress.
Also, Mr Chike Maduekwe, Executive Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board, urged the body of professionals in the state to shun all forms of misconducts.
“Embrace standard ethics that will promote the image and integrity of the body.
“Do not get the body involved in unnecessary politicking. Be on the side of professionalism and best practices always,” Maduekwe, also Chairman of the occasion, said.
In his remarks, Mr Akinloye Oyegbola, the National President of APBN, urged the association to assist, partner and advise the state government to ensure appropriate policies to deliver good governance.
“Come out strong to advise the government on the best ways to surmount the challenges facing Anambra.
”Partner with the government to drive economic transformation through formulation of positive policy framework in all the key sectors of the economy to aid strategic planning,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Ulasi pledged to uphold professionalism through effective advocacy to drive the growth of the state.
Ulasi said the association would continue to collaborate with the relevant government agencies, the media and other stakeholders in achieving the set goals and solving problems in the society.
Ulasi is the third Chairman of APBN since its 19 years of existence in the state. (NAN)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
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