NEWS
ICPC Inaugurates NYSC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit.
By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said its partnership with the NYSC would continue to play a vital part in the re-orientation of youths to imbibe positive virtues of hardwork and patriotism.
It said all hands must be on deck to ensure that corruption is eradicated in Nigeria.
ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye stated this toYesterday in Abuja while inaugurating the Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACTU) Sub-Units of the National Youth Service Corps.
He commended the Corps for its intention to expand its scope of operation in the fight against corruption.
Addressing the newly inductees, the ICPC boss who was represented by Mr Demola Bakare said in order to achieve its mandate, the ACTU must execute its statutory duties which include periodic sensitization of staff against corruption, examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and proffering solutions.
He added that they must develop and review the code of ethics for staff and ensure compliance, monitor budget implementation of the Corps and undertake preliminary investigations on complaints, among others.
“To the newly appointed members, l encourage you to work hard, be above board, be responsible and responsive in the exercise of your functions and avoid any questionable acts given the strategic role you are expected to play in your offices”, he said.
In the statement by the Director, press and public relations, Adenike Adeyemi, Owansanoye urged NYSC Management not to relent in its support to the ACTU, but go a step further to extend same to the sub-units at the NYSC formations by continuing to provide a conducive environment for them.
He emphasized that ACTU was not established to displace Management, rather the Unit will complement Management’s effort in promoting the core values of the NYSC.
In his address, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the Scheme earned recognition for its efforts at promoting ethics following an Annual Ethics and Compliance Scorecard and ACTU Effectiveness Index conducted by the ICPC in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the last quarter of 2020.
He stated that the exercise is a system study to ascertain the level of compliance with ethics, statutory and integrity standards by MDAs and ACTU Effectiveness Index.
“At the end of the exercise, the Scheme scored 77.75% to record a substantial compliance level and ranked among the ten best performing MDAs”, the DG said.
Speaking further, Ibrahim whose address was presented by the Director, Human Resource Management, Hajiya Habiba Bappah said today’s inauguration is a follow-up to the induction of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the NYSC Headquarters which took place recently where he emphasized the need to replicate the Unit in all NYSC Area Offices and State Secretariats.
He enjoined the ACTU Sub-Unit members to be above board in complementing the efforts of the main Unit at the National Directorate Headquarters.
“We will continue to deepen our strides towards entrenching work ethics of integrity, transparency, accountability and efficiency”, the DG said.
Ibrahim enjoined the inductees to maintain good records of proven integrity and dedication to duty and utilise the knowledge acquired for the effective discharge of their assignment.
“We will rely on you for the promotion of diligence at work, fairness and sincerity, in line with the standard set by the commission”, Ibrahim added.
In his introductory address, the Acting Director, Special Duties, Alhaji Musa Abubakar represented by Mr Emmanuel Tapshang said the activities of ACTU has reawakened the consciousness of staff and engendered better attitude to work.
He added that management would provide the necessary support to enable them succeed.
NEWS
Abia Assembly Didn’t Mandate Deputy Gov. to Apologise – Deputy Speaker
Abia House of Assembly has denied social media report that it mandated the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, to issue a public apology over a misunderstanding between him and its member.The Deputy Speaker and Spokesperson, Austin Meregini, who debunked such report while addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, said the House did not reach any resolution to that effect.
He admitted that there was a misunderstanding between the deputy governor and Mr Mba Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, but said the matter had been taken care of Report says that there have been publications by social media of the House mandating the deputy governor to apologise to Nwoko for disrespecting the lawmaker during the recent state-wide local government elections. It was alleged that Emetu, who is from the same constituency with Nwoko, had instructed the security operatives to arrest the lawmaker for asking about the election result sheet.Condemning the report, Meregini, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Media, said that it was the imagination and figment of the mischief makers.He said that the deputy governor and the lawmaker are brothers, hence there was no need for the Assembly to pass a resolution mandating such an apology.Meregini said: “I was present at the Tuesday sitting, both at the plenary and executive session; there was no time we reached such resolution.“We do not condone any kind of misunderstanding, but as long as we co-exist, there’s bound to be misunderstanding every now and then.“When there is need, we do offer constructive criticism and constructive oversight on the activities of the government and the Executive and we expect that it will continue.”He reaffirmed the robust relationship between the Legislature and the Executive, saying that it would continue to exist for the benefit of Abia people.The deputy speaker commended the Executive on the level of implementation, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of bills passed by the Assembly.(NAN)NEWS
FEC Proposes N47.9trn 2025 Budget
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has proposed the sum of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year for submission to the National Assembly on Monday.The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this after the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
According to him, the Council pegged the price of crude oil at 75 dollar per barrel and proposed N1400 as exchange rate to a dollar with oil production put at 2. 06million barrels per day.Bagudu said that the budget proposal included new borrowings of N9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025.The minister added that with the growth rate of 3.19 per cent as at the second quarter of 2024, the Federal Government would continue to tackle Inflation, strengthen economic resilience and provide more support for the economy.He also said that government would continue to support high employment generation sectors, improve business environment and effective implementation of youths development and social investment programmes.Bagudu also disclosed that FEC reviewed the 2024 Budget implementation and acknowledged that the review revealed promising in revenue collection and expenditure management.” Despite lacks in prorated target, the overall trajectory shows that fiscal effort are on track with key non-oil streams performing better than anticipated.Similarly, the minister said FEC approved the medium term expenditure framework and the fiscal strategy paper to be submitted to the NASS.” This is in addition to the bills that are already at the National Assembly, the Economic Stabilisation Bill and Tax Reforms Bill , which we believe we will have a very strong growth in 2025,” he said. (NAN)NEWS
Okpebholo Freezes Edo Accounts, Orders Reversal of Ministry’s Name
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Fred Itua, on Thursday in Benin.He warned that non-compliance by commercial banks as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would result in severe penalties.
“All bank accounts in all commercial banks are now frozen. Commercial banks must ensure strict adherence and prevent any withdrawal from government accounts until further notice,” the statement said. Okpebholo stated that necessary investigations and financial reconciliations would determine subsequent actions.He also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the old Ministry of Works with immediate effect.The governor cited what he called lack of completed bridges or significant road projects as a justification for changing the ministry of roads and bridges back to ministry of works.“It is ironic that despite its name, the ministry did not construct a single bridge, not even a pedestrian one,” he said.The governor directed immediate implementation and reflection of the new name across official documents and platforms. (NAN)