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Aregbesola: How Interior Ministry Managed 1.5m Applicants For 5,000 NSCDC Jobs; 500 Staff Parading Fake Certificates – Head Of Service

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Rauf Aregbesola The recently concluded recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has been declared one of the fairest and most transparent in recent time, despite the huge number of applicants who applied for the few positions available.

This was declared by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the Policy Dialogue on Entrenching Transparency in Public Service Recruitment in Nigeria, organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, an institution of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Relates Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

“For the NSCDC, about 1.5 million applications were registered on the website. Those who met the requirements on age and height were about 750,000 and were asked to upload their certificates. A total of 217,000 applicants uploaded their certificates of which 113,000 were shortlisted to write the CBT but only 53,116 eventually sat for the test. It is from these that 5,000 were picked among the successful ones.

“In recruiting into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the board decided to advertise in the media to bring the information to the awareness of as many people as possible.

This rules out secret recruitment. We also put away the manual mode of conducting tests and adopted computer based tests that can be done in any location, eliminating the need to have a mass crowd together in one place. We hired a reputable examination body, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the aptitude test.

“In addition, we included the National Identity Number (NIN) to authenticate the identities and biodata of applicants and eliminate fraud and possible impersonation.

We also engaged the Federal Character Commission at all stages of the recruitment exercise. All these were done through a dedicated website,” the minister revealed.

The Minister who revealed the process was long and tortuous, however stated that the recruitment exercise was a novelty that came with a lot of pressure, yet we’re able to recruit the best into the service.

“The recruitment process into the NSCDC was long and tortuous, though It is also a novelty. So we expected a lot of pressure. Some of the pressures are understandable. A woman came with her son after getting very high up people to influence his appointment. But we discovered that the son was far, far below the required height of 1.7 metres. Some applicants on wheelchairs also came, demanding for the statutory five per cent allocation for special people. We politely explained to them that the job is paramilitary, requiring strenuous physical exercise for which they are not eligible, given their physical condition.
“One of the lessons we learnt, which we have always known anyway, is that there is no part of this country where we cannot get merit, if we want the best. We got people from all parts of the country who are qualified, including females, as certified by the Federal Character Commission that was part of the process from the beginning to the end,” the Minister noted.
Speaking during his address, the Chairman of the ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, noted that the event was the third in the series and germane in the fight against corruption.

“You will agree with me that the theme for today, Entrenching Transparency in Public Service Recruitment, is very germane in the fight against corruption and more importantly, they contribute towards the attainment of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) one of whose objectives is promoting an improved legal, policy, and regulatory environment for the fight against corruption.

“Indiscriminate recruitment has impacted personnel budget such that government personnel wage bill has continued to rise geometrically almost doubling between 2015 and 2022 from N1.832trn in 2015 to N3.494trn in 2022,” the ICPC chairman noted.
In her keynote address, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Esan, campaigned for more transparency in the recruitment process of all government agencies.

“Transparency in recruitment is a matter that elicits interests because some people for some incorrect reasons think public sector jobs are somehow better than jobs in other sectors. In fact, according to a 2021 Q3 report, Agriculture, Trade and Manufacturing stands as the highest employers of labour in Nigeria.

She continued, “In March 2021, my office reported to the ICPC that in a particular Ministry, over 1,000 people were carrying fake employment letters and are already enrolled on the IPPIS platform and are drawing salaries from the Federal Government.

She however listed the measures being put in place to ensure transparency in recruitment and also delist those found wanting or parading fake employment letters.

“Just yesterday, the Civil Service Commission sent us a list of 500 people parading fake employment letters and recommended that their salaries be stopped. A list of another 3,000 was forwarded for their salaries to be stopped until their certificates and letter of appointments are verified,” the Head of service stated.

Other dignitaries at the event include, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Prof. Tunde Babawale; Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa; Director (IPPIS), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Ben Nsikak, Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Mr. Adetokunbo Mumini amongst others.

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As  late Ifeanyi Ubah goes Home in a blaze of glory!

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Late  Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah would be compared with  a shooting star across the midnight sky that left unannounced when many were still savouring and   amazed by its beauty.

Until his death the senator that represented Anambra South Senatorial District touched many lives, he gave laughter to many homes, he fed many hungry mouths, he gave succour to many hearts and gave hope to many hopeless.

Though his style and approach to some to issues may be distasteful to many,  He held his passion with absolute conviction, fighting many battles that would easily cowered the faint hearts, he dared the mighty, ventured into the unknown, took the trophies everywhere he went.

He was simply fearless!

Since his death was announced that red letter day last July tributes have been showering for the man whose milk of kindness was described as second- to- none.

The man who was also the  Chairman, Capital Oil, is generous to a fault.   This top player in the nation’s oil and gas sector also was born with  a large heart. Besides, he was  unapologetically committed to the uplift of his community, while also helping the course of humanity.

It was  gathered the many remarkable tributes during his lying state about the countless lives he touched and the enduring legacy he left behind.

He was also described as a tenacious businessman, philanthropist and public servant. Through his lifetime, he dedicated himself to the service of the people of his state and constituency.

As the titan went home  yesterday, Saturday 23 November, 2024, in a blaze of glory when he  committed to mother earth the nation as  a whole  would surely miss a shrewd businessman,  distinguished  politician and man born to serve humanity.

It is definitely incontrovertible that while alive, late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, was someone many wished to be as blessed as he was.

But unknown to those who covet his successes, he faced many challenges that would ordinarily consume a lily-livered.

Interestingly however, Ubah had always proved to his detractors that he is indeed a cat with nine lives.

In other words, the more they tried to bury him, the more he sprouted like a seed in a well-fertiled land. Though he was a lone fighter, he proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was indeed a warrior, as he always emerged victorious in all his legal battles.

All his life, he walked tortuous and undulating paths to achieve success.

The billionaire businessman was a courageous, even fearless, confident and self-made man. His life, in a way, taught many that one could be whatever one wanted to be if one prepares well and stays focused.

 However, last July, the man who survived and escaped many battles, including an attempt on his life, finally succumbed when he died in London.

Many would remember September, 2022, the businessman , who was also the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, was going about his normal activities that fateful Sunday , travelling to his hometown, Nnewi with his aides when some dare-devil gunmen rained bullets on him alongside his convoy.

Many scampered for safety. And it was, indeed, a sad day as some of his trusted aides were fell by the bullets.

It was learnt that if not for his bullet- proof car and the grace of God, the Anambra State-born Senator would have kicked the bucket at the time.

 It was such a dreadful and unpalatable scene to watch.

The sad event of that day no doubt haunted the senator till he breathed his last.

Until the tragic event of his death , if you had asked the late politician his most cherished ambition, he would probably have told you, it is to become the governor of the state.

This, he had worked tirelessly to achieve in the next governorship election of the state.

Indeed, the highly flamboyant politician had launched powerful consultations in the state for his ambition before death plucked life out of him. He has spent money traveling round the world consulting and seeking the blessings of many that matter to his ambition.

Sadly, this beautiful dream died with him.

 

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Behold The Next Owa Obokun Of Ijesa Land, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele…. A Pedigree Of Excellence And Omoluabi Prince Of The Source

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A successful healthcare administrator based in the United States, proud Ijesha prince, historian per excellence, Dr. Oriyomi Adewunmi Akerele was born on August 10th 1974, to a the BILARO ruling house of Ijesaland.
He attended University of Ilorin where he bagged a B.A degree in history and eventually proceeded to the prestigious University of Arlington Texas where he obtained both is Masters and PhD in History. He also holds an MBA healthcare management from Dallas Baptist University.
A successful Prince of the soil, Dr. Akerele presently runs a top healthcare company in the US with a portfolio of over 7 billion USD, and still counting.
According to him, he is ready to take the position of the leadership of his home town where he has a lot of passion and drive to take to the next level considering his exposure in the international environment.
“I am passionate about the development of Ijesaland, I want to take our historical town and its people to a higher level of development through purposeful leadership through cooperation of all Ijesa sons and daughters both at home and abroad.
Adding that his intentions are pure and for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the ijesha land. “I intend to focus on the areas where the Ijesa’s have the comparative cost advantage over other towns in Yorubaland.
He has so far got the backings of the ijesa indigenes in diaspora to give him all the support in whatever way he might be needing them;
“ I have the support and assurance of Ijesa sons and daughters in the diaspora and they are ready to lend their hands and resources for the development of our ancestral land”
“I am ready to leave my comfort zone and answer the call of leadership to the throne of my forefathers, I have the pedigree, exposure, love and compassion to lead Ijeshaland and rewrite the history, culturally, economically and socially” he concluded.
It will be recalled that Ijeshas are a sub-ethnicity of the Yorubas of West Africa. Ilesha is the largest town and historic cultural capital of the Ijesha people, and is home to a kingdom of the same name, ruled by an Oba locally styled as the Owa Obokun Adimula. The last reigning Owa Obokun was Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, who joined his ancestors around September, 2023.
According to prince Oriyomi, “As Ijeshas, we need to connect our roots and stems to our present.
We (Ijeshas) are battle strong; we are smart business people; pace setters in everything we do. Our excellence should be studied.
What we need is a synergy of our strengths and a strong purpose of our collectivity’
He stressed further that if opportune to ascend the throne of his  ancestors, he will work with everyone to make Ijeshaland a prosperous land that would beam with pride, success while creating a generation of immaculate community.
”From our major towns of Iperindo, Ijebu-Ijesha, Osu, Esa Oke, Ikeji Arakeji, Owena, Imesi Ile, Ifewara and other several villages, we will have a land that we would bemoans opportunities and bliss” He added.
Dr. Oriyomi is married to princess Oluwaseun Akerele nee Bakre of the Gbagura clan of Egbaland.

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Folake Soetan, Shettima, Okewale, others to Speak as WHATrybe annual confab holds Sunday

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Dr. Kole A. Shettima, author and Director, The MacArthur Foundation, Africa Office and Folake Soetan, the CEO, Ikeja Electric PLC will lead high-powered speakers at the Women High Achievers Trybe (WHATrybe) 2024 annual conference to be held Sunday 10 March at 4:00pm.
The upcoming free one-day virtual event themed “Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges,” is in commemoration of International Women’s Day.
WHATrybe is a Nigerian non-profit community dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to attain leadership roles in business and management services.
Speaking on the forthcoming virtual gathering, Kiki Okewale, the host and Convener, WHATrybe Community said this year’s conference asides giving women a new reorientation of being a woman with value, it also aims to celebrate the achievements of women while also advocating for gender inclusion and empowerment.
“With a strong emphasis on breaking barriers and fostering connections, this year’s event seeks to inspire women to overcome obstacles and build bridges towards a more inclusive and equitable society. We are coming together to celebrate the achievements of women, break down barriers, and build bridges towards a more inclusive and empowered future,” Okewale stated.
She added that to achieve this, a lineup of distinguished speakers who are leaders and experts in their respective fields have been lined up to share their insights and experiences during the conference.
Other speakers include Dr. Tewa Onasanya, founder,Exquisite Magazine; Josephine Osomwonken Omoniyi, Clinical Psychologist and Entrepreneur; Mabel Adeteye, Head of Brands & Marketing, Wema Bank; Karika Yonreme, Corporate Strategist; and Etemore Glover, Seasoned Development Expert.
The event will be hosted by the dynamic podcaster and coach, The Energetic EJ.
Registration is open now while interested attendees can reserve a spot at the conference by visiting: https://bit.ly/Whatrybe2024 and stay tuned for further updates on WHATrybe social media pages @whatrybe. They can also visit Bit.ly/WHATcommunity to be a member of the community.

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