Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to reduce the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York, United States.

The directive was conveyed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday in Abuja during a one-day retreat organised by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision

He explained that the decision to streamline Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th session of UNGA in September is part of the administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance.

Highlighting the need for the State House and agencies under its supervision to ensure that its functions are guided by statutes, regulations, policy decisions, and presidential directives, Honourable Gbajabiamila hinted at upcoming policy announcements aimed at ensuring efficient service delivery in government operations.

”I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we are going to see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York.

”During recent protests, there were talks about reduction in cost of governance. Everyone is waiting to see if Nigeria, as in the past, will send the ‘largest delegation’ to UNGA.

”From experience, we know that some individuals use the opportunity of such international meetings to go about their personal businesses.

”I have received a directive from Mr. President that this time, we will be strict. If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President,” he said.

The Chief of Staff urged heads of agencies at the retreat to comply strictly, adding that the President is listening to the concerns of Nigerians and is committed to addressing them diligently.

On the retreat, Honourable Gbajabiamila noted that it will facilitate collaboration and coordination among government agencies, particularly those under the direct supervision of the State House.

”The idea is to ensure coherence as we jointly work together to achieve the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

”Coordination is not just a choice but a necessity for the government to succeed and for us to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people,” he said.

He said the retreat would be a continuous exercise, as governance is an evolving process that requires regular adjustments.

The Chief of Staff also urged the State House management and chief executives of agencies under its supervision to lead by example by ensuring compliance with statutes, laws, regulations, and various policies designed to enhance governance.

”We must demonstrate excellence in our compliance with the Public Procurement Act, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, the Finance Act, and various appropriation acts in operation.

”Compliance with the civil service rules and the scheme of service guidelines, especially regarding recruitment, promotion and presidential approvals is also non-negotiable,” Honourable Gbajabiamila said.

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted citizens over the proliferation of substandard bread and other regulated products in markets across the South West region.

Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC’s South West coordinator, who said this at a
stakeholders engagement meeting in Ibadan,Oyo State,disclosed that recent laboratory tests conducted on bread samples from local markets yielded concerning results.

She added:“Recently, we observed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar.

“They are introducing ingredients that are not good for the health of the consumers”

Ajayi also disclosed that recent operations uncovered patent medicine dealers selling restricted drugs and unregistered products.

Besides,some manufacturers were found to be non-compliant with packaging and storage standards.

Acknowledging the current economic challenges, Ajayi said NAFDAC would not compromise its standards.

She said:“We are not unmindful of the prevailing economic challenges, but the agency will not compromise its standards.

“It is pertinent to note that the quality and safety of regulated products cannot be compromised”

Mr. Moses Adewole, Oyo State Director of Pharmaceutical Services, urged medicine sellers to operate within their expertise and warned against the sale of expired drugs, equating it to distributing poison.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Sentaor Ibikunle Amosun has revealed that Zhongfu International Investment FXE, a Chinese company, in whose instance three presidential jets were seized is an impostor in the business dispute which led to the seizure of the jets.

Senator Amosun, in whose tenure the dispute arose, said the issue was merely a business dispute between two Chinese Companies; Zhongfu International Investment FXE and another Chinese company, China Africa Investment FXE.

In a statement on Saturday,Amosun disclosed that, upon assumption of office in 2011, there were claims and counter claims by the two companies as tothe management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.

The dispute was settled with the intervention of the Chinese Government via Diplomatic Note 1601, in 2016 wherein it was clarified that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor,he said.

According to him,the Chinese government was given effect to after due consultation with the relevant organs of Government, security agencies and other agencies of the federal government.

He said that Zhongfu International Investment FXE approached Nigerian courts in different jurisdictions to ventilate its legal and business rights, but lost all their four cases in court.

He added:“We also consulted with and took advice from the State Security Services and the supervising Agency, NEPZA, on the best way to proceed. Accordingly, we served Zhongfu International Investment FXE with formal Termination Notice dated 27 May, 2016.

“For completeness of records, we must mention that Zhongfu International Investment FXE proceeded to Court.

“Among others, the proceedings in Suit No HCT/417/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs OGFTZ and, FCT/ABJ/CS/601/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs NEPZA & Ors will help to throw light on this business dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has stressed the need for public servants entrusted with the stewardship of public resources to demonstrate fiscal responsibility both in their professional capacities and personal lives.

Ogbuku stated this in his keynote address during a seven-day personal financial management training programme for NDDC staff in Port Harcourt,according to a statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama,Director, Corporate Affairs.

He noted that it was necessary to promote financial independence and inculcate feasible and sustainable personal financial management habits among the staff of the Commission.

The training which was anchored on the theme: “Personal Financial Management Training: Strategies for Eliminating Debt and Achieving Financial Freedom,” covered essential aspects of financial management, including psychological barriers to financial planning, cash flow management, money mindset, investment planning, and debt control.

Ogbuku said that the initiative was borne out of the need to address growing financial challenges among the Commission’s staff that called for equipping them with the requisite skills and knowledge that would ensure their financial stability and freedom from debts.

He noted that financial instability not only affects personal well-being but also impacts productivity and organisational integrity, stating that financial independence does not happen by chance but required discipline, knowledge and healthy financial habits. “That is what this training is all about; giving you the tools and strategies to make those choices, to take control of your financial destiny,” he said,

The training Ogbuku said, was a critical facet of the NDDC’s Rewind to Rebirth initiative which was aimed at recalibrating the Commission’s engagement with the Niger Delta region.

“By fostering a financially literate and resilient workforce, we are better positioned to drive sustainable development and effectively implement our intervention strategies in the region. By investing in your financial literacy and empowerment, we are not only enhancing your personal well-being but also strengthening the NDDC’s capacity to fulfil its mission,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, explained that the training programme was meticulously designed to provide the NDDC staff with the knowledge and tools to take control of their finances and eliminate debts.

He said: “Your financial health is integral to our success as an organisation dedicated to driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.”

He said one of the reasons for the training was due to the incessant death of staff members recently which had been attributed to cardiac related issues that may have arisen from pressure from thinking due to loans they took and were unable to pay back.

He advised staff not to spend recklessly by managing their funds prudently and not to go into unhealthy competition with each other and be content with their income.

He also advised staff to have priority by setting achievable goals and work towards them. He further advised staff to plan for retirement while still active in duty as it would be of great benefit in future.

Speaking on health,Chief Executive Officer of Save A Life Mission Hospital, Dr. Richard Okoye, emphasised the importance of good health in the life of workers, advising that it should be taken very seriously.

He said further: “Money is good but when your health is down, you can’t enjoy the money.

He harped on the need for regular check-ups on health issues which if left to deteriorate to a certain level, money would o longer save the situation.