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Illegal Refinery: Rivers Gets New NSCDC Commandant, Anti-Vandal Unit Head

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NSCDC Illegal Refinery

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The authorities of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have appointed a new commandant for the Rivers State Command of the agency.

This action was taken after the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Mr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, received a report of an investigative committee set up to look into the allegations by the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, that some personnel were into aiding suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products in the state.

A statement issued on Monday, January 31, 2022, by the Director of Public Relations of the agency, Olusola Odumosu, stated that Mr Audi felt it was necessary to rejig the command for efficiency.

As a result, the NSCDC Commandant for Rivers State was replaced with a new Commandant from the North West, while the former head of the anti-vandal unit from the North Central was replaced with a new head from South East.

“I have charged the new commandant and the newly reconstituted anti-vandal unit to launch a total war against petroleum pipeline vandals, illegal oil bunkerers and all economic saboteurs by dislodging vandals, arresting oil thieves and dismantling all illegal refineries and roadblocks.

“Any attempt to delay immediate prosecution of arrested suspects is tantamount to compromise and any personnel caught collecting settlement or tampering with impounded tankers, petroleum products and other exhibits would be sanctioned and dealt with decisively according to the Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Ethics of the Corps,” the NSCDC boss was quoted as saying.

He affirmed his commitment to sanitising and the Rivers State Command of the corps for effective service delivery and optimal performance.

Mr Audi assured that the NSCDC under his watch will not condone any act of recklessness, indiscipline, negligence or compromise by any operatives as this is not only counter-productive but at variance with his principles and the corporate existence of the organisation.

The CG decried the action of some bad eggs within the agency in various formations and gave a stern warning to all heads of the anti-vandal unit to refrain from any form of compromise, charging them to be more committed, purposeful and patriotic in fulfilling the mandates of the corps without prejudice.

“Henceforth, a telescopic monitoring would be launched on the activities of the anti-vandal squads in all formations and anyone not living up to expectation would be shown the way out immediately. You must wake up from your slumber to arrest and prosecute vandals and criminals,” he stated.

He stressed that NSCDC as the lead agency in safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Nigeria was poised to putting in place a robust response and coordination system to guarantee the safety and formidability of the country as Africa’s largest economy and leading oil exporter with the largest natural gas reserves.

It was gathered that the panel constituted by Mr Audi and led by the Acting DCG operations, Mr Mohammed Lawal Haruna, performed an on-the-spot assessment of different locations in Rivers State including the NSCDC jetty and the exhibit yard where all impounded oil tankers, drums of illegally refined products, barges and boats were kept while awaiting court judgement.

Aduragbemi Omiyale is a journalist with Business Post Nigeria, who has passion for news writing. In her leisure time, she loves to read.

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Tinubu Appoints Ogunjumi Acting Accountant General as Madein Retires

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Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

“His appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein,” a part of the statement read.

“In announcing Madein’s successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration’s treasury policy reforms,” the statement added.

Mr Onanuga said Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

He described the appointee as a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF),

“He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting,” the statement added.

According to Mr Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his confidence in his appointment, saying, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation’s treasury management operations. Mr Ogunjimi’s wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda.”

President Tinubu also commended the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Madein, for her dedication and selfless service to the nation.

After reaching the civil service’s statutory retirement age, Mrs Madein is retiring effective March 7, 2025.

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CBN Denies Forceful Mass Retirement Amid Restructuring

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CBN IMTOs

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims of forced mass retirement as part of efforts by Governor Yemi Cardoso to restructure the workforce of the organisation.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, clarified that its Early Exit Package (EEP) is entirely voluntary and without any negative repercussions for eligible staff.

According to the statement, the decision to implement the exercise was the outcome of extensive consultations with the bank’s Joint Consultative Council (JCC), a body representing staff interests.

Mrs Sidi Ali explained that the EEP, a longstanding policy previously accorded to the executive cadre, has now been made available to eligible staff at all levels.

“For some time, staff representatives through the JCC had called on management to approve the early exit package for all cadres. Following these discussions, management decided to meet this popular demand,” she said in the statement.

Addressing concerns about potential repercussions for staff who decline the package, Mrs Sidi Ali reaffirmed management’s commitment to supporting employees’ professional growth and well-being, describing the concerns as unfounded.

She further emphasized that the initiative is an internal corporate matter designed to promote career development for staff.

According to wide spread reports, there have been plans to retire approximately 1,000 employees by the end of the year with a payoff estimated to cost over N50 billion.

The mass retirement, which was announced in a circular issued three weeks ago, mandates affected employees to apply for the Early Exit Package (EEP).

The statement allegedly warned employees with less than one year of service or unconfirmed appointments to refrain from applying for the program, noting that the application would remain open until December 7, with an effective exit date of December 31, 2024.

It was reported that the entire EEP was valued at N50 billion.

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CBN Okays Appointment of Benson Ogundeji as Greenwich Merchant Bank CEO

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Benson Ogundeji Greenwich Merchant Bank CEO

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the appointment of Mr Benson Ogundeji as the chief executive of Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited.

The board of the financial institution for businesses had picked Mr Ogundeji as its substantive CEO but awaited the authorisation of the banking sector regulator.

He brings over three decades of extensive banking experience to this role as a seasoned financial services professional, who previously served as Executive Director at Greenwich Merchant Bank from July 2020, where he played a pivotal role in the bank’s successful transition from the legacy Greenwich Trust Limited to a merchant bank.

In this capacity, he provided oversight for Corporate Banking, Treasury and Global Markets.

Throughout his career, Mr Ogundeji has demonstrated exceptional expertise in business development and operational excellence.

Before joining the firm, he held various senior leadership roles at prominent financial institutions, including Ecobank Nigeria, GTBank, and other notable banks, where he consistently displayed exceptional leadership skills.

His appointment comes at a crucial time as Greenwich Merchant Bank commences the next phase of its growth plans. Having related closely with the new CEO, as an Executive Director and acting CEO in the last four years, the board has expressed confidence about his ability to lead the bank in delivering our strategic goals.

“The board is pleased to announce the appointment of Benson Ogundeji as our Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer,” the chairman of Greenwich Merchant Bank, Mr Kayode Falowo, stated.

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