Rountrip

The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has urged Nigerians to disregard the false alarm by Sahara Reporters and a faceless staff of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) against its Director-General/Chief Executive, Sir Joseph Ari.  The group, at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, said after thorough investigation, it discovered no iota of truth in the claims of nepotism, favouritism and marginalisation against Sir Ari.  According to Secretary-General, Sola Olumese, Sahara Reporters was either misled by the hypothetical staff or is being mischievous in its reportage of events around the ITF.  On the issue of nepotism, the CGG noted that for the first time since the agency's creation, the management team cuts across all the six geopolitical zones of the nation.  The group further revealed that its research shows that promotion in the ITF is carried out in line with federal character principle without any preference for females as being reported.  It noted tha...

The Industrial Training Fund has been in the news of late for leading a revolution in the technological space in the country. One of the reasons is the recent launch of made in Nigeria Android phone, ITF Mobile with 100% locally sourced materials.  I was impressed, to say the least, and that ignited my interest in the ITF, and the revelations have been mind-boggling. As a start, the ITF, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and established in 1971, has not only raised training consciousness in the economy but has also helped in generating a corps of skilled indigenous manpower which has been manning and managing various sectors of the national economy. In those days, at the mention of ITF, the thought of students’ placement on industrial training readily comes to mind. This erroneous impression is that everything about the ITF starts and ends with certifying students' industrial training experience.  I dare say a lot has changed in the operations of th...

  More facts are emerging on the PIB Bill and why Nigerians should be wary of the traps built in to turn the country into a monopoly. Recall that a few days ago the Abuja rumour mill was awash with the story that as much as 70,000 Dollars was allegedly given to each Senator to facilitate the passing of the Bill in the Upper House. In the current form, the Senate version of the Petroleum Industry Bill will only permit two entities to import petroleum products into Nigeria: those who own active refining licenses and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited. However, the law makes it impossible for even modular refiners like Walter Smith to import the product, as a clause in the concerned section provides that licenses be given based on the refining record of the permit holder. By the time the bill becomes law, the Dangote refinery, which has a 650,000-barrel per day refining capacity, would be in operation, making him the only license holder that would be able to import any...

The Centre for Social Justice Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Minister of Finace, Kemi Adeosun for forgery. The centre, in a statement by its Executive Director, Kolawole Johnson, said Adeosun forged her way into a very sensitive position. According to Johnson, Adeosun should face the wrath of the law just like ex-South Africa president Jacob Zuma who is currently languishing in prison for contempt of court. The centre, however, urged all well meaning Nigerians to rise up as statesmen and protect the institutions that have made us who we are as a nation especially the judiciary to avoid these kind of embarrassing judgements. It, therefore, issued a 48 hrs ultimatum for Adeosun to be arrested to face prosecution for a crime she has already admitted to have committed to avoid a mass action of Nigerians against the judicial system of this country. Read full statement below: The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparenc...

These are indeed interesting times with the recent acquittal of the former minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, by a federal high court in Abuja. In its ruling, the court averred that the ex- Finance Minister, being a British citizen, was not qualified to take part in the NYSC as she graduated at the age of 22. The court held that since the 1979 Constitution, which was in force when Adeosun graduated, did not recognize dual citizenship, she could not have participated in the NYSC scheme, being a British citizen. This is indeed very interesting, and one wonders if some of these judges live in Nigeria or are from outer space. This is a topic for another day.  The fact of the matter still stands on certificate forgery and not eligibility for participation in the NYSC scheme. This is where I think it's too early for Madam Kemi Adeosun to dance because she hasn't been cleared of the allegations of certificate forgery.  This is the crux of my piece and why the government must do the n...

The concept of sustainability and affordability needs to be adequately explained in the government's policy formation to realistically achieve efficient housing production delivery, according to a senior member of faculty at Covenant University, Professor Olabosipo Fagbenle. He made the assertion amongst others on Friday, June 25, 2021, at the 24th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled "Affordable and Sustainable Housing: A Practical Approach to Total Building Construction". "Despite its importance as a fundamental necessity, accommodation has been in short supply in nearly all communities across history.  The situation is particularly dire in developing nations, where urbanization and population growth are accelerating, and the gap between housing demand and supply is widening," said the inaugural lecturer. With the estimated increase of the current average global population being about 81 million people per year, he said that there was a need to provide s...

In fulfilling one of the key campaign promises by the Olusola Egbesola-led executive council, the Odole of Yorubaland, Chief Kessington Adebutu (aka Baba Ijebu) has begun the construction of 1000 seater hall for Abeokuta Sports Club 1904. Egbesola emerged as the President Abeokuta Sports Club 1904 during an election, which held on May 7, 2021. Egbesola, a successful businessman, entrepreneur and technocrat, has proven that his tenure would witness a massive turnaround in the club. The foundation of the project has since commenced after necessary approvals were obtained from the relevant agencies. The Ijebu, Ogun State-born Kessington, notable as a philanthropist and successful businessman, had promised to be part of the success story of Egbesola-led exco of the club. With the project, it is certain that Egbesola and his team would not only consolidate on the achievements of the past administrations, they would also pursue innovative landmark projects. In appreciating Baba Ijebu for the...