By Yagana Ali, Damaturu

The Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Tonga Betara Bularafa, has engaged consultants from Speak in Codes on the implementation of the Human Resource Suite (HR Suite), a transformative Human Resource Management System (HRMS) designed to modernize workforce administration in the state.

Speaking during a briefing with the consultants, Alh Betara described the HR Suite as a pivotal tool for driving efficiency, transparency, and compliance in all human resource processes within the state civil service. He emphasized that the Office of the Head of Service would play a central oversight role in its execution.Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Head of Service noted that the state government had recently streamlined its succession planning framework.The HoS stressed the importance of integrating the state’s nominal role into the succession plan to ensure proper workforce planning and continuity.Alh. Betara reiterated the commitment of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration to the continuous training and retraining of civil servants, assuring the consultants of the government’s support for effective implementation.“The ‘Train-the-Trainer’ approach will be adopted by the Office of the Head of Service to ensure that staff across ministries becomes conversant with the new HR Suite,” he added.He also commended Governor Buni for his visionary leadership and dedication to institutional development, expressing confidence that a modernized nominal roll would enhance succession planning and overall service delivery.Earlier, the Director of Administration in the Office of the Head of Service, Malam Muhammed Mustapha, described the new nominal roll as a significant improvement, stating that it had been upgraded to meet international standards.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

In a major move to improve the ease of doing business and land administration in Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has announced the full digitalization and fast-tracking of the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) issuance process.Otu made this achievement public yesterday in Calabar during a courtesy and presentation visit by the Cross River State Land Cluster, where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to his People First mantra by removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long plagued property owners and investors in the state.

“Getting a Certificate of Occupancy used to take years, frustrating many landlords and business owners. Now, we are changing that. With this new digital system, we can deliver certificates faster, cleaner, and more efficiently,” the Governor said”.The initiative, championed by the Cross River State Land Cluster with the support of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, marks a significant shift from analogue to fully digital processing, enabling transparency and faster delivery times.The Director-General of the Cross River State Geographical information Agency, Williams Archibong, praised the Governor for creating a conducive environment to deliver on this promise.“With the new system, C-of-O for government land will now be issued within 21 days, and within 42 days for private land,” Archibong stated. “This is a major departure from the past administration, where analogue systems led to delays and frequent errors. Now, everything is digitized and streamlined.”Also speaking at the event, Akinlabi Ajoke, CEO of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, described the rollout as a dream come true for the company and its partners in the Land Cluster.“When we say digital, we mean from start to finish. Every stage of the process, from application to final issuance, is now online. This synergy between the land cluster, the state government, and our technology team is what makes this breakthrough possible,” Ajoke said.The Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Francis Ekpenyong described the issuance of C-of-Os as a long-overdue liberation for Cross Riverians who had been marginalized by banks and financial institutions due to the absence of proper land documentation. “This exercise is unlocking Cross Riverians who were locked out of the economy. With these certificates, property owners can now stand tall before any financial institution,” he remarked.The Surveyor General of the State, Patrick Bassey, hailed the digital transformation, pointing out new security features like QR codes that make each C-of-O verifiable and tamper-proof. “This showsCross River is now on a digital growth path,” he said, urging citizens to take advantage of the new system.As part of the unveiling, Governor Otu personally presented Certificates of Occupancy to some landlords and businesses, including Prof. Victor Okon Ansa, as well as Mainland Oil and Gas Company Ltd.Speaking on behalf of other recipients, Prof. Victor Ansa said he applied many years back, and “it felt almost impossible to get a C-of-O. But this administration has changed that narrative. It’s a new dawn for Cross River. This reform sends a strong message that the state is open and ready for business.”With the new system in place, the Otu-led administration is taking a bold step to create a more investor-friendly environment and ensure that property ownership processes are faster, more secure, and fully transparent.

By David Torough, Abuja

A political pressure group, the Zamfara Movement Democrat (ZMD), has lambasted Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State for what it describes as a complete failure to protect lives and properties in rural communities, two years into his administration.The group claimed that the governor has done little to address the alarming security situation ravaging the state, accusing him of governing in a “desperado and emperor style” while neglecting the plight of his people.

In a statement yesterday, ZMD convener, Umar Sarki said residents in rural areas are being killed daily, properties looted and villages attacked without any meaningful response from the state government.”People are being maimed, women and children displaced, and yet Governor Dauda has shown no serious action or empathy. Even condolence visits or emergency responses have been ignored,” Sarki said.Sarki further said Dauda is currently receiving 3 billion naira each month in security votes, yet insecurity remains high. In contrast, during Matawalle’s administration, he received 300 million naira and was able to reduce insecurity to the barest minimum.He criticised the administration’s failure to establish even a single police outpost in any of the 147 electoral wards, accusing the governor of instead ridiculing the police through state-sponsored litigation.Sarki further alleged that Governor Dauda has prioritised political gain over public safety, highlighting the procurement of security vehicles at allegedly inflated prices and the establishment of a Security Trust Fund as mechanisms to siphon local government funds.”The governor’s so-called security outfit only operates in urban areas and serves to suppress political opposition rather than protect the people,” the group claimed.Drawing a comparison, ZMD praised former Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr Muhammad Bello Matawalle, for what it called proactive steps during his 2019–2023 tenure, including leading relief efforts, working with federal security forces, and establishing operational bases in the state.”Governor Matawalle ensured the establishment of Operation Hadarin Daji headquarters in Zamfara and facilitated President Buhari’s launch of anti-banditry operations in the state. This brought relative peace before the current administration reversed progress,” Sarki added.