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Federal Fire Service: Group backs CG’s tenure elongation, slams online platform over alledged fake reports
Coalition of Civil Societies have thrown their weight behind the 18 months extension of tenure of the Comptroller General (CG), Federal Fire Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Liman by President Muhammadu Buhari.
They also described the report making the rounds and published by Sahara Reporters that the Comptroller General having spent 44 years in public service, refuse to retire as fake news.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Coordinator of the coalition, Yinka Sotade said the CG’s extension of tenure is likely to be connected to his outstanding performance.
He said “Globally, in every area and sector of life and economy, result-oriented leaderships are needed, identified, applauded, encouraged and given the opportunity to advance the good work.
“We then suspect that the tenure extension may not be unconnected to the great strides achieved by the service under the current leadership.
“It is imperative to cast the minds of Nigerians to some Federal appointments which were occasioned by a track record of good performances, like Mr. Raji Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State who was appointed as Minister for Power, Works and Housing on the account of his great achievements in Lagos State, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who was appointed Minister of Agriculture under President Goodluck Jonathan and was later nominated and supported to be the President, African Development Bank by President Buhari on the accounts of his outstanding achievements in the agriculture sector, as well as the current boss, Federal Road Safety Corps were also extended on the accounts of their great performances.
“Perhaps, it is important to inform that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants the President express powers to consider and approve the extension of tenure to any public officer on grounds that include but are not limited to good performances.
“It is however important to state categorically clear especially with the current paucity of dedicated leadership that “wherever loyalty and hard work is not rewarded, then disloyalty and failed leadership should not be penalized”.
The group however slammed Sahara Reporters for not conducting a thorough investigation on the matter before publication.
“We express our displeasure and grave disappointment at the unethical, unfounded, and fake news published by Sahara Reporters concerning the Controller General (CG) Federal Fire Service, Dr. Ibrahim Liman Alhaji.
“It is even more worrisome, the manner in which Sahara Reporters have thrown professional ethics to the winds, refused to conduct a thorough investigation into the accusation that the extension of the Controller’s tenure by 18 months which was recently granted by President Muhammadu Buhari is criminally intended to keep the current Controller in office to raise funds for what Sahara Reporters alluded as a Senatorial ticket at the 2023 general election”.
As against Sahara Reporters publication on the CG’s 44 years in office, the group said, it conducted an investigation and discovered that “Dr. Ibrahim Liman Alhaji who was born in 1960, joined the Federal Fire Service at age 26 years in 1986. The civil service rules and financial procedures only permit every civil servant to serve for a maximum of 35 years after which he/she is retired.
“This mathematically means that any federal civil servant who was employed in 1986 like the CG is expected to serve till December 2021, except for other grounds like health challenges, dismissal, compulsory retirement, or death. The above clarification suffices to inform Sahara Reporters and the entire public for which this piece of fake news is intended to misinform. The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service is expected to retire as of December 2021”.
According to the Coalition, the extension of Alhaji Liman’s tenure by 18 months makes his new date of retirement as the Controller General (CG) Federal Fire Service shift from December 2021(Regular exit date) to June 2022 (extended exit date).
They further urged the Nigerian media professionals to abide by the ethics journalistic profession in the discharge of their duties.
News
Austin Okai retracts N13. 4 billion LG fund diversion allegation against Governor Ododo [See letter]
His Excellency,
Alhaji Usman Ododo
The Governor of Kogi State
Government House
Lokoja, Kogi State
Formal Retraction of Media Statement Regarding Alleged Diversion of N13.4 Billion.
Your Excellency, I would like you to accept this letter as a formal retraction of the statement that I, Usman Okai Austin, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob and Peter Onuma made during a press briefing of last month, as it has to do with the matter titled “Group Demands Immediate Refund of N13.4 Billion Allegedly Diverted from State Coffers by the Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.”
Upon further review and diligent comparison of the relevant facts, particularly those provided by the State Government concerning the disbursement of funds intended for local government development, I came to the realization after much briefing and clarification of the significant discrepancies in the information upon which the previous statement was based on at the material time. Specifically, I now understand that the funds in question amounts to Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000.00) and that the State Government has provided documentation outlining the approved sharing formula for these released funds, which are hereby attached for your kind perusal.
Consequently, I acknowledge that our previous comments may have inadvertently caused confusion and were based on inaccurate information about the financial details *available to us* at that material time.
I hereby apologise on behalf of myself, Okpanachi Jacob, and Peter Onuma, who were invited as part of the press conference and withdraw the said statement in its entirety.
Furthermore, we wish to categorically state that our activities within Kogi State are devoid of bigotry or Party differences as alleged by some quarters, rather a sincere participation in ensuring that you write your name in the golden history of our dear State.
Our collective intention has consistently been to provide an opposing voice and contribute to holding the government accountable, a role we believe is vital in a democratic society.
We have no personal animosity, hatred, or ill feelings towards your Government, Personality, Tribe, or any member of your family. We hold your Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, in high regard as the duly elected Governor of our esteemed state.
It is never our intention to demean your Excellency in Person, your Family or Office. However, we take full responsibility for any damage or inconveniences my assertions may have caused.
This retraction is made in good faith, and we deeply regret any distress or harm the previous remarks may have caused to your Excellency, the administration, or the good people of Kogi State.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
Long live Kogi State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Yours Faithfully,
Comr. Usman Okai Austin, CCA
Documents outlining the sharing formula of the N3 Billion local government development funds.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denied that its Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has bèen sacked by President Bola Tinubu.
The statement issued by the Spokesman of the elctoral body, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi to address social media reports which went viral on Monday described the reports as fake.
The report which began to trend in afternoon of Monday said, Prof. Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Olamilekan.
“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read.
Rotiminurges Nigerians to disregard the sack rumour, “Please, disregard. It is not true.”
Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of the year.
The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services, DSS, for profiling.
After such screening, the President thereafter takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review. Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended warm felicitations to the former Governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris on the occasion of his 76th birthday anniversary.
In a congratulatory message to the elder statesman and political icon, Governor Ododo described Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as a patriotic leader and a bridge-builder whose contributions to the growth and development of Kogi State remain enduring and exemplary.
The made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Isah describe ex-governor, “Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as a leader of uncommon wisdom, humility, and foresight. His years of service as Governor of Kogi State were marked by inclusive governance, peaceful coexistence, and remarkable infrastructural growth across all parts of the state. He remains a father figure to many of us in leadership today, and his legacy continues to guide the path of governance and unity in our dear state.”
The Governor further noted that the former Governor’s calm disposition, ability to mentor younger leaders, and his unwavering belief in the unity of Kogi State are values worthy of emulation.
Governor Ododo also expressed appreciation for the former Governor’s continued support and wise counsel, especially in matters of governance, peace building, and political stability in the state.
He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) grant Alhaji Ibrahim Idris long life in good health, renewed strength, and continued fulfillment in service to humanity and the nation.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris served as the Executive Governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2012.
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