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Step aside now, PDP tells Akpabio

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Step aside now, PDP tells Akpabio

The Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside and allow for an independent investigation into the N3.7trn 2024 Budget padding allegation.

The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has been suspended by the Senate for three months.

This decision followed approximately three hours of debate regarding his statements made in an interview where he claimed that the National Assembly inflated the 2024 budget to N28.7 trillion.

In the interview conducted on Saturday, Ningi asserted that while the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, the one being executed by the Presidency amounts to N28.7 trillion.

In response, the PDP, through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, expressed its support for the suspended Senator.

The party criticised the Senate leadership for suspending Ningi without conducting a thorough investigation into the matter of budget padding that he brought up.

The party stated “The Peoples Democratic Party demands that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, immediately step aside and allow for an independent investigation into the allegation that a staggering N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects.

“The party also demands that Senator Akpabio immediately reports at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the pending case of alleged looting of N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State under his watch as Governor of the State.

“Furthermore, the Senate President should speak out on the reported N86bn contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission during his tenure as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”

The PDP described Ningi’s suspension as a desperate move to suppress investigation, conceal, and sweep the facts under the carpet.

It added, “We ask, why did the APC leadership in the Senate not refer the matter to the appropriate Senate Standing Committee for an open investigation in line with the extant Rules of the Senate? What is the APC Senate leadership afraid of and what is it hiding from Nigerians?

“It is even more absurd that instead of recusing himself, the Senate President sat as a judge in the matter; a situation that has the capacity to bring the institution of the Senate to further public disrepute.

“This is especially true as the issues at hand heavily border on alleged gross misconduct and criminal betrayal of public trust which are serious offenses under our laws.

“This apparent inclination towards covering up sleaze in the polity is already pitching the institution of the Senate against Nigerians who are demanding answers on the matter. Of course, the widely condemned suspension of Senator Ningi does not provide answers to the budget padding allegation.

“It is indeed unfortunate and a huge smear on the image of the Senate, as the highest lawmaking and probity Institution in the country, that its Presiding Officer has found himself in a quagmire of alleged sleaze and betrayal of public trust.

“Our party therefore stands with Senator Ningi for his courage in seeking probity and accountability in the polity.”

Delay in 3% funding hampers PIA implementation

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Delay in 3% funding hampers PIA implementation

Stakeholders of the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas affirmed that the purported delay in releasing the yearly three per cent contribution from relevant oil firms to the Host Community Development Trust as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, significantly obstructs the enactment of the crucial legislation.

They made their position known during a town hall meeting in Yenagoa, organised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in partnership with HOSTCOM Management and Advisory Konsult Ltd, alongside the Host Communities Development Board of Trustees and Settlors in Bayelsa State, on Tuesday.

The HOSTCOM stakeholders, who were drawn from host communities across the state, revealed that about 15 HCDT had been created in Bayelsa so far.

They claimed that despite the meagerness of the three per cent, there is a delay in the release of the funds to enable host communities to carry out development projects.

According to them, the non-implementation of the PIA is “killing host communities” as all the proceeds that used to accrue to the communities through the Global Memorandum of Understanding signed with oil companies had ceased since the law took effect.

Speaking at the meeting, the national president of HOSTCOM, Benjamin Tamaran-Ebi, pointed out that more than two years after the PIA received presidential assent, host communities could not access their three per cent funds.

He said, “The delay in the implementation of the PIA is killing our people. After two and a half years since the PIA came into effect, host communities cannot initiate a simple project. Some communities, two years funds have been paid, they cannot access the funds for a particular project. Even to get an office with the funds is a problem.

“So we are looking at a way to ensure that this should not linger. When we come to the roundtable to discuss then it is a win-win situation; so that we can agree and say these are the principles, these are the rules and we should go by this. And everybody will abide by it and there will be prosperity. That’s why we are doing this town hall meeting.

“Recently, Oporoma community (In Bayelsa State) went and stopped Shell from operating in their platform and that has become an issue. Now, they (Shell) are calling everybody complaining that this community has stopped them from operation. Give them the money, allow them to use the money.

“The delay in release of funds is impeding the implementation of the PIA. This is a fact. If the funds are not released for the community to embark on projects, what do you expect the community to do? They are starved of funds and when they are starved, they are pushed to the wall. And when they are pushed to the wall, they go to the oil installations and shut them down. And we don’t want that to occur in our communities, in Bayelsa and other states.”

In their separate contributions, the representative of Yenagoa/Ogbia Host Communities Development Trust Fund, Zuwa Konugah; High Chief Idani George of Azagbene community, Ekeremor LGA and Praise Perekebina, from Kabeama in Sagbama LGA, among others, said that host communities were no longer comfortable with the delay in the PIA implementation.

While insisting that the annual three per cent was inadequate and that 10 per cent was the acceptable minimum, they urged the NUPRC to intervene and compel the oil firms to stop the delay in the release of the withheld three per cent funds.

Addressing the participants, the Commission Chief Executive at the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, said the commission had been working assiduously to ensure the implementation and operationalisation of the HCDT in line with the provisions of the PIA and the NUPHRC, 2022.

Komolafe represented by the Bayelsa State Coordinator of NUPRC, Bighoro Sylvester, said the commission had issued approval to incorporate over 113 HCDT while 100 HCDT had been fully incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, among other achievements recorded in the operationalisation of the PIA.

In addition, he explained, “The Commission is working in collaboration with NIUMS to ensure the OPEX presented by Settlors are accurate and true representation of each HCDTS.

“To manage the reserve funds which is 20% of the 3% OPEX, the Commission has approved twenty-five competent fund managers to invest the funds for the HCDTS. Some of the incorporated HCDTS has already started the process of engaging some of these fund managers”

He assured the HOSTCOM members that the commission would do its best within the ambit of the provisions of the PIA and the NUPHCR to ensure smooth and speedy implementation and operationalisation of the HCDT while ensuring that all stakeholders were adequately carried along.

Production costs raising cement prices, not concrete roads — FG

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Production costs raising cement prices, not concrete roads — FG

The Federal Government on Wednesday said the rising cost of production is responsible for the recent cement price hike and not its concrete road policy.

It also explained that its insistence on concrete roads will not phase out traditional asphalt roads but is only an alternative for sites with high water tables and poor conditions.

“This assertion is highly misplaced because the policy has not even taken off,” said the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, when he briefed State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

His remarks followed warnings by the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria that the FG’s plan to introduce concrete roads will raise the price of cement from N5,600 to N9,000 per bag.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives invited top manufacturers, Aliko Dangote Rabiu Abdulsamad, among others for discussions on the high cost of the product.

The House’s resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Arbitrary increase in the price of cement by manufacturers of cement in Nigeria,” moved by a member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Gaza Gbefwi, and his counterpart representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, during plenary on Wednesday.

Fielding questions on the issue, Umahi cited recently released documents showing that Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc spent N598.14bn on power during the full year ended December 31, 2023.

He explained, “I just got a document this morning where three companies producing cement, Dangote, BUA and Lafarge, said in 2023, the total cost of their gas rose by over 42 per cent. So, if the cost of their gas rose by 42 per cent and then the import duty exchange rate has also gone up, it is expected that the cost of cement would go up.

“But Mr. President has discussed with them and I think there are a couple of incentives being made available to them which should reduce the cost of cement.

” In Sokoto, where I visited recently, the BUA Executive Director said that the ex-factory was N6000. And that was down from N8000. We are getting there because Mr. President has directed them to reduce the price and they have to comply and I think Mr President has also offered them some incentives to them.

“So it’s not because we are going from asphalt to concrete. And we are not totally leaving the asphalt. It is just an alternative, especially where we have a very high water table and then a very poor sight condition.”

The minister disclosed the council’s response to the memoranda he presented at the meeting.

This includes the approval of an additional N757bn as augmentation for the dualisation of the 489km Obajana-Benin Road, N2.23bn for the Isheri-Ogun Road and N114bn for Outer Marina shoreline protection.

He explained, “Today we’ve got augmentation approved for Obajana in Lokoja to Benin Road, a total of 244km and 489km dualized. Recall that in 2012, this project was awarded to four contractors: CGC, Mothercat, Dantata & Sawoe and RCC at a total cost of N122bn, and that was for light rehabilitation.

“Around 2018, the past administration reviewed the project and dualised it and that’s why you have a total of 489km and then now got ‘No Objection’ from BPP. When I came on board in August, we were supposed to present the no-objection to FEC in line with due process and we decided to review the project, one, to determine whether the dualisation was desirable in view of the economic challenges and two, to see the texture of the soil and what to do.

“So we had to restore the project now, but we didn’t increase the cost. We got approval for argumentation from N122bn to N897bn. The contractors were off-site because they would not be working and they would not be paid based on the new basic rate. So we got them back to the site and Today we got approval.”

The Council also approved N2.23bn for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency for the rehabilitation of the road from Isheri North to Ogun state.

“Now, under FERMA, we got approval for the construction of Isheri north, Lagos route, which is to connect Ogun state. This is an alternative route to Lagos – Shagamu Road and we’re going to toll this Lagos-Shagamu when completed. But by law, you only toll a federal road when you have an alternative.

“This approval of about N2.23bn to connect Isheri North to Ogun state. It is a breakthrough that has freed the Lagos-Shagamu for tolling,” he revealed.

Explaining the Council’s approval for the N114bn Outer Marina shoreline protection, Umahi said, “The shore protection was done over 50 years back with sheet piles and we had to take the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on a tour with Julius Berger through the entire shoreline of 3.92km.

“We took the tour with Julius Berger, CCECC, CBC and BuildWell, and demanded for them to inspect and then give us their proposal. Only BuildWell and CCECC brought their proposals.

Whereas CCECC was quoting on 3.2km at N134bn, BuildWell was quoting on 3.9km at N114bn. We sent the two to BPP and BPP found merit in BuildWell because of cost and, of course latest technology in doing shore protection using interlocking concrete, which will not be subject to rusting. So we got approval for Build Well in the sum up N114bn.”

Umahi said the shoreline protection project was necessary given its proximity to the recently inaugurated Red Line and other existing structures in the area. He added that his ministry sought to leverage the low-water levels of the dry season to drive piles down the shore.

Some kidnap cases in FCT staged-managed – Wike

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Some kidnap cases in FCT staged-managed – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that most cases of kidnap in the FCT in recent times were stage-managed.

He also declared that there has been a remarkable improvement in the security situation of the territory.

Wike said this on Wednesday at the National Assembly while addressing journalists after about two hours of closed-door session with the Senate on the state of security in FCT and measures being put in place.

The Senate had met with the FCT Minister and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, behind closed doors.

After the closed-door session, Wike said there has been a reduction in crime and criminalities in the FCT, adding that two of the most wanted kidnappers in the FCT have also been arrested.

He, however, said that though the FCT has not reached where it wants to be in terms of security, there has been marked improvement in the security situation, as attested to by the lawmakers.

He further noted that it was impossible to put a total stop to crime and criminalities within any society, but assured all that the FCT administration, working with the security agencies, will continue to do its best to secure lives and property in the nation’s capital.

Wike said, “Even the Senators agreed that security has quite improved in the FCT. There is no part of this world where criminality has been eradicated completely.

“What we are trying to say is being able to limit or reduce the level of insecurity. But if anybody tells you that as a society is concerned, you will not have one form of criminality, that is not correct and we must have to tell ourselves the truth.”

He added that the kidnapping incidents in the FCT were sometimes stage-managed by unscrupulous elements in the society while assuring all that the security agencies would continue to ensure that kidnapped victims were released.

The FCT minister stated, “The kidnappings you hear, sometimes, are stage-managed by people. There are some internal arrangements.

“Take for example, you have a housekeeper in the house, you have a driver who will plot to kidnap the child of their master.

“In that case, what do you want us to do? All we can do is to see how the person that has been kidnapped is released.”

He explained further, “But to stop crime of that nature will be difficult because it’s an in-house arrangement, where a driver that is involved in bringing a child from school will mastermind kidnapping of the child .”

Also the FCT Commissioner of Police, Igwe assured residents of their safety within the FCT and its immediate environs, adding that his command has come up with new strategies and tactics to deal decisively with criminals especially “armed robbers” popularly known as “One Chance “ terrorising the city.

Also at the meeting were the FCT Director of the DSS, ADG Ado Muazu, and the Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu.

Tinubu names new South East nominee on CBN board

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Tinubu names new South East nominee on CBN board

President Bola Tinubu has sought Senate’s confirmation for Ruby Onwudiwe as a replacement for Dr Kalu Eke, who declined the President’s nomination as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Kalu had declined the President’s appointment due to his engagement at the World Bank and other financial institutions.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, which was read during plenary on Wednesday.

The President, in the letter, said the request for confirmation was in compliance with provisions of Section 10, Sub-section 1 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Establishment Act, 2007.

The letter read, “I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Dr. Ruby Onwudiwe as a member of the CBN board of directors. The Senate is invited to kindly note that Onwudiwe is a replacement for Mr. Kalu Eke, due to the unavailability of Eke for the position.

“It is my hope therefore, that the Senate will consider and confirm in its usual expeditious manner, the appointment of Onwudiwe. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

The Senate had on February 29 confirmed four out of the five persons nominated by Tinubu as members of the Board of Directors of the CBN.

Those confirmed were Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Muslimat Olanike Aliyu, but Eke did not appear before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions for screening.

Although there was no formal explanation from Eke to the committee or the Senate, former Abia State governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, informed the Senate that the nominee not confirmed could not appear for screening to take up the role because it would conflict with his current job as a consultant to the World Bank, among others.

He added that Eke had already informed the CBN that he would not be able to take up the job being nominated for by the President.

Reps seek free treatment for cancer patients

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Reps seek free treatment for cancer patients

Cancer patients across the country may soon heave a sigh of relief as the House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to provide funding for the establishment of free cancer treatment centres across the country.

This followed the adoption of a motion on matter of urgent importance on “The Need for free cancer treatment in Nigeria,” moved by member representing Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constitiuency, Kano State, Mr Yusuf Badau.

The lawmaker described the devastation cause by cancer disease and the rising number of cancer patients in Nigeria as alarming, adding that “Urgent step is needed to cushion the effect on the affected persons of the disease.”

He said, “This disease has recorded unprecedented cases of deaths in recent time due to lack of government intervention in cancer treatment which result to difficulties been experienced by many affected persons in meeting the financial obligation of the treatment.

“The House is aware that majority of these affected persons are low-income earners mostly in rural communities where there is no or just little fund, awareness on prevention and managing cancer disease compared to other developed Nations of the world.

“The House is also aware that, there is urgent need for government to provide the legal framework to ensure free treatment of cancer in all teaching hospitals so as to eradicate or reduce the high rate of death caused by cancer disease in Nigeria.”

 

Following the adoption of the motion, the House Committee on Health Services mandated the Federal Ministry of Health to direct all teaching hospitals in the country to “Immediately establish cancer treatment centres and commence free treatment of cancer patients in their hospitals.”

The House also mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Office of the Federation to appropriate funds to ensure the establishment of cancer treatment centres and free cancer treatment exercise in Nigeria.

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Anambra SUBEB chair denies involvement in N6.7bn contract scam

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Anambra SUBEB chair denies involvement in N6.7bn contract scam

The Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Associate Prof. Vera Nwadinobi, has denied any involvement in an alleged N6.7billion UBEC contract scam said to be uncovered and currently being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

There have been reports making the rounds on social media platforms over the alleged N6.7bn contract scam said to be procurement funds meant for UBEC projects in Anambra for 2019, 2020, and 2021.

But in a reaction, when contacted over the development on the telephone on Tuesday, Nwadinobi, dismissed the allegations, saying they are “false and fabricated” stories from those who don’t want the “disruptive change” going on in Anambra.

The reports claimed that the funds were allegedly shared among the chairman of ASUBEB in collaboration with some government officials and their cronies.

Investigations revealed that the UBEC contracts in the period under review were awarded to people who did not participate in the technical bidding process of the board.

However, a source in ASUBEB confirmed to our correspondent that the officials fingered in the alleged scam have been invited by the ICPC to explain their alleged involvement in the development.

The source said, “Also, the anti-graft agencies including ICPC and the office of the Anambra State Auditor General have invited ASUBEB officials for questioning on the ugly developments in the award of contracts.

“The Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board and some officials of the ASUBEB have been invited to explain their involvement in the scam by the ICPC on Wednesday morning.

“The development caused confusion at ASUBEB as the notice board where ‘qualified bidders’ list was pasted has been removed and replaced with another list. This happened during the last administration and government officials were guests severally at these anti-corruption agencies.”

The reports also had it that to perfect the scheming, a new Procurement head was brought to ASUBEB who is signing the contract award letters he never supervised and was never part of the Procurement process.

Documents from the office of ASUBEB showed that 12 companies were allegedly awarded contracts they never bid for and 50 other companies that failed the bidding process were also awarded such projects to execute.

During the telephone conversation with our reporter who sought clarification from the ASUBEB chairman over the development, she said the claims were fabricated lies.

She said, “They are all fabricated lies. Somebody is fabricating the stories, the person could not key into the disruptive change by the governor to better Anambra and rid the state of corrupt practices. They are all fabricated stories, none is true, bye bye for now.”

When also contacted on Tuesday through the telephone over the investigations, the Spokesperson for ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, told our correspondent to give her some time to make her findings and get back.

But on Wednesday, when reminded again by our correspondent, Ogugua simply said, “When an investigation is ongoing, we do not disclose the details. Thank you.”

Police arraign ex-NIRSAL MD for forgery

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Police arraign ex-NIRSAL MD for forgery

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday arraigned a former Managing Director of Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Plc, Aliyu Abdulhameed, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The former NIRSAL MD who was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari, on December 1, 2022, was arraigned alongside Babangida Abdullahi on 10 charges bordering on conspiracy and document forgery.

In the suit marked: FHC)ABJ/CR/555/2023 the police said the defendants, and others now at large, were alleged to have, about October 23, 2023, conspired among themselves to commit an offence of forgery.

The defendants, and others now at large, were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit an offfence.

The offences were said to be contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1(2){c} of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The prosecuting counsel, Celestine Odo, then urged the court to remand the defendants at the Kuje Custodial Centre.

Odo also informed the court he had penciled down five witnesses to prosecute the case.

He added that the prosecution would not call more than three witnesses to establish their case against the defendants, noting that documentary evidence would be tendered by the witnesses.

Giving his remarks on Odo’s comment, the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, noted that he would take documentary evidence in a bundle.

He said, “You are going to bundle the documentary evidence per witness and paginate it from page 1 to the end.

“I will take the documentary evidence in a bundle and will not entertain any objection on admissibility.

“Parties will be at liberty to address the court after the trial on both admissibility and probative value. ”

The counsel for the defendants, Akin Olujimi (SAN), while applying for his clients’ bail, told the court he had filled an application on February 24.

He added that the prosecution had not filed any counter-affidavit in opposition.

When asked, Odo confirmed that the defence counsel served them with the application, adding that the prosecution was not opposing the request.

The judge subsequently admitted the defendants to bail on the terms of the administrative bail.

He ordered the prosecution to transfer the particulars of their bail to the court registry.

Ekwo, however, adjourned the matter til May 20, 21, 22 and 23 for trial.

Southern senators revive forum, appoint new leaders

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Southern senators revive forum, appoint new leaders

Senators from the southern part of the country have revived their forum.

They met for the first time on the platform of the Southern Senators Forum to inaugurate the forum nine months after the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.

The 51 senators from the 17 southern states, met and elected six executives under the Chairmanship of Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC Lagos East).

Other members of the executives are: Vice Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh (Labour Party, Anambra Central), Secretary, Senator Mpigi Barinada ( PDP, Rivers South East), Publicity Secretary, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong ( APC, Cross River North ) and Treasurer, Senator Kenneth Eze ( APC Ebonyi Central).

Addressing the forum at the inaugural meeting, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the forum has been in existence since the 9th Senate and not a newly formed forum.

He said his current position as Leader of the 10th Senate prevented him from providing the required leadership, which has necessitated the change of leadership which took place at the meeting .

The Senate leader said, “What is happening here today is not new as both the Southern and Northern Senators’ fora existed even before this 10th Senate.

“At this meeting of the Southern senators, new executive members will be announced to steer the affairs of the forum.

“The new chairman as unanimously agreed by Southern Senators is Senator Adetokunbo Abiru ( APC Lagos East) , Vice Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh (Labour Party , Anambra Central) , Secretary , Senator Mpigi Barinada ( PDP Rivers South East) , Publicity Secretary, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC Cross River North ) and Treasurer , Senator Kenneth Eze ( APC Ebonyi Central).”

Accepting his appointment as the new leader of the forum, Abiru said the forum would serve as a veritable platform for discussing, analysing and dissecting national issues by Southern senators for the purpose of moving Nigeria forward.

He added that they would partner with the Northern Senators Forum to move the country forward.

Abiru said, “This forum, the Southern Senators Forum is to champion the course of Nigeria and Nigerians. We have our Northern brothers with the Northern Senators Forum. We will work together with the Northern Senators Forum to move the country forward.

“We will swing into action and roll out our plans for the betterment of the region and Nigeria. We will map out our plans and work on them for the betterment of Nigeria and Nigerians generally.”

When asked by our correspondent why it took the forum nine months before its inauguration and if it had anything to do with what transpired in the plenary on Tuesday, Abiru said it had nothing to do with it.

He said, “No, it doesn’t have anything to do with what happened at the plenary yesterday. The last leadership headed by the leader of the Senate is just transferring their powers and responsibilities to us.

“We have been running, it’s not like we haven’t existed, what we just have now is a change of leadership because our former leader is now the leader of the Senate.

“So, what we had today is a change of leadership and we will follow in line with the direction they have given us. It’s continuity and we will all work together.”

Chartered institute of directors inaugurates South West executives

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Chartered institute of directors inaugurates South West executives

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, Abeokuta Southwest zone, has inaugurated its new executive officials.

The swearing-in, conducted by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, CIoD Nigeria, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, represented by the Secretary-General, Mr. Bamidele Alimi, was held at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the institute’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday.

The inauguration witnessed the emergence of Chief Olabode Mustapha as the Chairman, Dr. Olubola Aikulola as Vice-Chairman, Olori O.M Aboderin-Olubasi as Secretary, Mr. Ogunseye Oluwaseyi as Treasurer, and Mr. Rotimi Olashore as Public Relations Officer.

Congratulating the new executives, Borodo expressed gratitude for the dedicated service of the zone’s inaugural Chairman, Chief Alaba Lawson, who served from 2017 until her death in October 2023.

He said, “I am honoured to stand before you today at the first Annual General Meeting of the Charter. I feel great to be among esteemed colleagues of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria.

“Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to all esteemed members of the zone for this stride, and I must particularly use this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the inaugural Chairman of the Zone, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, F.IoD, who served from 2017 till her demise in October 2023.

“As we usher in new leadership to champion the affairs of the zone, I offer my congratulations and best wishes while assuring them of the institute’s support and dedication to advancing the zone’s activities and progress,.”

In his remark, the new Chairman, Mustapha, pledged to expand membership and organise events to attract valuable contributors to the Southwest zone.

“I am confident that with the inauguration of an EXCO for the zone, more members will undoubtedly be brought on board, and events will be organised to attract members who could significantly add value to the South West Zone and the whole of the institute, especially now that it has attained its Charter status.

“Let me, however, accord due respect to the former Chairman of the Branch, Late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council CIoD Nigeria, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, and his Governing Council members for their resounding and tireless effort in ensuring that the Institute’s Chartership portfolio becomes a reality.

“I must also recognise the DG/CEO, Mr. Bamidele Alimi, for his steadfastness and his entire team for their collective efforts in the institute’s stewardship roles,” he added.

He further commended the efforts of Borodo and the Governing Council for their collective roles in the institute.

CIoD Nigeria is a professional institute that promotes directors, develops corporate governance, represents members to the government, enhances the economy for business development, and provides services to its membership.

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