General
Severance: Why We Paid OGD Appointees—Amosun
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Ogun State Governor, Mr Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday, presented severance allowance cheques to political office holders who served during the administration of former Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, between 2007 and 2011 as well as those who served during his first term of office between 2011 and 2015.
While addressing the beneficiaries at the Arcade ground, Governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the Governor said, “it does not matter which political party or administration you have served, what matters is that you have served the state diligently.”
Governor Amosun disclosed that in order to accommodate all former political appointees, including those who served at the local government level, his administration added a total of N2.4 billion to the N10.6 billion it received from Federal Government as its share of the Paris Club loan refund.
The Ogun State government has so far used the fund to pay arrears of gratuities from November 2012 to February 2014; six months of cooperative deductions as well as severance allowance of political office holders who served between 2007 and 2015.
In all, Ogun State government has paid N13 billion as opposed to the N10.6 billion it received from the federal government.
The Governor explained that the payment of the N13 billion would directly benefit the economy and positively affect market women, traders as well as taxi drivers in the state.
Mr Amosun who used the avenue to assure the people that he would leave the state better than he met it said “Ogun State is now the industrial capital of Nigeria with about 110 multi-national companies that have opened shops in the state.”
The Governor also hinted that 2017 will witness more infrastructural development in the state, including the proposed light rail project.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, appreciated Governor Amosun for the payment as well as infrastructural developments that he said, “have dotted the nooks and crannies of Ogun State.”
General
e-Governance Bill Will Promote Accountability, Transparency—Oyo Stakeholders
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some stakeholders in Oyo State, including the state government, have called for a speedy passage of the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, submitting that it would ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
At a stakeholder engagement meeting on the National Digital Economy and eGovernance Bill in Ibadan on Tuesday, participants agreed that the e-governance bill would smoothen government activities and boost government-citizen engagement.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Olatunbosun Tijani, appealed to Nigerians to give the bill the needed support for passage.
Mr Tinubu, speaking at the event through Banke Ajagunna, noted that the importance of the bill cannot be underestimated as it will enhance the digital economy and build trust between the government and the people.
According to him, the consultative engagement is going on in all the states of the federation to seek the input of stakeholders on the bill, and submitting it is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
This bill, according to him, aims to drive economic growth through digital technology, improve public service delivery, and create a competitive environment for the Nigerian digital economy.
He noted that in a bid to migrate Nigeria into a smart country, the federal government through his ministry proposed the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill.
The Minister said the bill offers numerous opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand, with improved digital infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment. Individuals will also benefit from improved access to digital services and better governance through e-governance initiatives.
He highlighted the advantages of the E-governance bill to include Economic Transformation and Establishment of a regulatory foundation to encourage digital commerce, cross-border trade, and innovation, positioning Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s digital landscape.
“It will facilitate the digital transformation of government services to make them more transparent, accessible, and responsive to citizens,” Mr Tijani stated.
He also said the bill will ensure Digital Access for All, saying, “it will promote infrastructure and digital literacy programs to make digital services accessible across Nigeria, including underserved regions.”
Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance to the Governor, Mr Bayo Akande hailed the federal government’s National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.
Mr Akande, who observed that the nation is overdue for a digital economy, which is the order of the day, added that this bill will drive economic growth through digital technology.
“Despite advances in technology, Nigeria’s digital economy faces critical challenges, Nigeria lags behind countries with robust e-governance frameworks that empower citizens and protect consumer data. Without intervention, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities in an increasingly digital world,” he stated.
“Though Oyo has already started to introduce digital methods in the governance space of the state, as the state recently deployed Business Process Automation, in a bid to make Oyo state government services go paperless, the bill is a step in the right direction,” the aide to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State noted.
General
Labour Party Disassociates Self From Interim Executive Committee
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has affirmed Mr Lookman Abiodun Jagun as the leader of the party in Ogun State.
Mr Jagun was appointed as the leader of the Caretaker Committee for Ogun State chapter of the opposition party by its highest organ, the National Executive Committee (NEC).
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, it was emphasised that any other group parading itself as the leadership organ of the party in Ogun State was not recognised by the national leadership.
There has been a group known as the Interim Executive Committee (IEC) of the Labour Party claiming to be in charge of the party in the state.
But Labour Party stated that this group is not known to it as “the Interim Executive Committee is an aberration and it is unknown to both the constitution of the Labour Party and the national leadership of the party.”
The Labour Party has a structure and a valid constitution that governs its operations and all members are expected to abide by the party’s constitution.
“The party does not permit or encourages members to arrogate powers and functions to themselves, without recourse to the constitution or the national leadership.
“Faithful party men and women in Ogun state are advised to be wary of the antics and activities of the self-styled IEC, as they do not enjoy the support or validation of the National Leadership of the Labour Party.
“We also urge every member and intending members to subject themselves to the ongoing e-membership registration and revalidation exercise to be able to participate in the activities of the party, including the congresses that will commence in February 2025 across the nation,” the statement said.
General
Tinubu to Visit France Wednesday to Strengthen Bilateral Relationships
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu will embark on a state visit to France on Wednesday and stay in the European country for the next three days in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.
The presidency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement said President Tinubu will “be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Mr Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”
“The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria,” the statement said.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” it added.
The President will travel for the visit with his wife, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, and other senior government officials. They will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure.
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