By Joseph Edegbo :

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has commiserated with the families of the victims of the ill-fated fatal road traffic crash that occurred around Bagauda Law School, on Kano-Zaria expressway.

Consequently, he has
ordered Commanding Officers to with immediate effect, step up enforcement on the installation of speed limiting device by commercial vehicle operators nationwide.

According to him, the order is to further intensify the implementation of the Presidential directives of 2016 on all round enforcement on compulsory installation of speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles across board.

Oyeyemi who expressed deep concern over the ugly incident and the loss of precious lives that followed, stated that bringing to an end, speed related crashes is one of the cardinal strategic goals the Corps intends to achieve this year, hence the urgent need to clampdown on commercial vehicles who refuse to comply with the policy on installation of speed limiting device.

In a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, preliminary reports from the crash investigation team revealed that the unfortunate, fatal but avoidable crash which occurred as a result of speed limit violation, involved two Toyota Busses with the following registration details KBT 152 XA and NSR 275 ZX.

The two vehicles conveyed a total of 45 passengers as at the time of the crash. Out of the 45 passengers, 26 were injured while 19 comprising of 15 male adults and 4 female adults were killed.

While commiserating with families of the deceased and other victims, Oyeyemi stated that eradicating speed limited crashes from the highways has been the major focus since his assumption of office as the Corps Marshal.

Explaining further, he stated that the Corps has continually carried out with all sense of responsibility and commitment, the Presidential directives issued on clamping down on excessive speed, that is why the Corps has put up several policies and enforcement strategies among which include the compulsory installation of speed limiting device which commenced with commercial vehicles.

According to him, ” most of these crashes are highly avoidable, only that most drivers and other road users do not harken to the training, sensitisation, and enlightenment programmes that the Corps has continually put in place to mitigate road mishap”.

” As the lead Agency in road safety administration and traffic management, we shall continue to strategically deploy the combination of operational and public education tools and personnel to ensure that road users are properly enlightened and checkmated for the safety of all” he added.

The Corps Marshal therefore called on all road users to religiously adhere at all times to all established traffic rules and endeavour to listen to the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM for real time traffic update, road safety education and others that could entrench safe road use culture.

By Iliya Kure

An aspirant to the Kaduna South Senatorial District seat, Sunday Marshall Katung has appointed a seasoned journalist, Reuben Buhari, to head his political campaign’s Communications and Media Relations Directorate.

Reuben Buhari was Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kaduna state, late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

In a statement, Katung said, Reuben Buhari, will brings on board his wealth of journalism experience in the course of his assignment, stating that, “Mr Buhari had worked as correspondent of influential news media like Thisday Newspapers, Leadership, Politico to mention a few.

“He also worked briefly as media aide to the Minister of Environment, Mrs. L.L. Mallam.”

The statement says, “Reuben will lead a crack team of tested Professionals in the area of communication and Media relations to ensure that every aspect of our campaign messages and policies are matured, issue based and taken to the door steps of our people.”

By Sunday Elijah

A socio-cultural group, Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) have berated Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for failure to prevent the killing of their people by Fulani herders.

A statement by Secretary of the Group, Lamela Umaru Lakorok, which highlights some of the negative attitudes of the Governor towards the people marvels at how the governor refuses to take preventive action despite security report over the planned attack, as well as will keep mum after the killing of a people he governs.

“No one has heard the voice of the governor either confirming or condemning the massacre,” it says, adding that, “is the governor not the chief security officer of Gombe state? Is this the typical response of a leader? No, the man is not just biased against the Tangale people; he has set his mind against them for harm.”

TCO recalls how its sister group Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), recently called on the state governor to withdraw a set of people it calls “thugs” which he stationed in their communities to provide security to the Tangale people.

“You may recall that the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) has recently written a press release. It demanded the governor remove the thugs he brought into Tangale. They are not law enforcement personnel but mercenaries of Gov. Inuwa,” it states.

The statement however praises the Fulani who live within the Tangale community for their cooperation.

“We also thank our dear neighbors of Fulani extraction, with whom we have lived for centuries, who have provided intelligence on the planned attacks on the Tangale people. We are keenly aware that the marauding attackers are not our local Fulani neighbors but imported from outside Gombe state. Everyone with common sense knows the attack is unprecedented in the entire Gombe state. Therefore, the commonsense question is, why this time? What circumstances are behind the sudden targetting of the Tangale people and the murder of people created in the image of God?” the statement questioned.

Full statement by the Tangale Community Overseas (TCO)

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, the Tangale community ushers in the new year with tears as they buried twelve young men whom Fulani herders massacred in their homes. No doubt, the state security agency did its job by providing intelligence early enough to save lives, and we applaud them for that. We also thank our dear neighbors of Fulani extraction, with whom we have lived for centuries, who have provided intelligence on the planned attacks on the Tangale people. We are keenly aware that the marauding attackers are not our local Fulani neighbors but imported from outside Gombe state. Everyone with common sense knows the attack is unprecedented in the entire Gombe state. Therefore, the commonsense question is, why this time? What circumstances are behind the sudden targetting of the Tangale people and the murder of people created in the image of God?

It is no secret that Gov. Inuwa has targeted the Tangale community, as we noted in several press releases and articles. Unfortunately, the state has refused to protect the citizenry by denying the intelligence memo. Instead, it resorted to shameless lies and misrepresentation of facts. As if that is not enough, no one has heard the voice of the governor either confirming or condemning the massacre. Is the governor not the chief security officer of Gombe state? Is this the typical response of a leader? No, the man is not just biased against the Tangale people; he has set his mind against them for harm. You may recall that the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA) has recently written a press release. It demanded the governor remove the thugs he brought into Tangale. They are not law enforcement personnel but mercenaries of Gov. Inuwa.

Therefore, in response to Gov. Inuwa’s evil intent against the Tangale people, we remind our people not to be fooled by any political or financial schemes of the man. He may seek to save face by giving tokens to foolish Tangale men who cannot see beyond the present. However, we know that the Tangale identity is above any individual interests. Therefore, we appeal to our people to look behind the façade and see that Inuwa Yahaya is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He has singlehandedly shed the blood of Tangale people than any war in recent memory. If he is a sincere and honest man, why do we hear the bleating of sheep in his pen? The final straw that broke king Saul’s Camelback was pretending to obey God while doing the opposite. As noted above, Gov. Inuwa is selecting some Tangale sheep for the political sacrifice of appeasement. But like Saul, God has rejected him.

While Gov. Inuwa parades himself as a demi-god in the state, we continue to seek recourse in the court of law. We regret to announce the death of one of those unjustly incarcerated by Gov. Inuwa, who could not receive proper care by the governor’s orders. Mr. Friday Mela was arrested on his way to Banganje to seek medical care, yet he did not receive justice until his death. Yet, we believe in the rule of law and the judicial system as the instrument of righteousness. We have seen justice catch up with Justice Pindiga, vindicating Justice Beatrice and the evil he perpetrated against her. We will see justice prevail against Gov. Inuwa’s mistreatment of innocent Tangale sons and daughters. Justice will prevail for HRH Dr. MIM in due course. We shall never surrender our sovereignty to an errant zealot. Justice will stay for the poor workers discharged unceremoniously so the governor can siphon their salaries to his pet projects. We call on the former executive governors of the state to use their prestige and influence as men of integrity to salvage our government from total anarchy.

There are matters of governance that need the urgent attention of the governor. For instance, the recent grim report by UNICEF indicates that Gombe state is 74.6% poor. That should concern all citizens who care about the glory of Gombe state as an economic powerhouse in Nigeria. We must each hold to integrity, respect the rule of law, and encourage innovation in our young people. We are willing to work with our political leaders, business entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and non-governmental organizations to effect changes and development. We also call on Gov. Inuwa to reflect on his style of administration and take advantage of the enormous resources of Gombe state within and without Nigeria. His current model does not bode well for the masses and will only destroy the legacies of his predecessors. What a tragedy that our children’s future is gloomy because of the lack of visionary leadership. His incompetence is only surpassed by the sheep-like behavior of some people whose God is their stomach. Therefore, we call on the Gombe state Legislature to show some bones and act as an equal member of the three arms of government. They must curtail the excesses of the governor and bring some sanity to the financial mismanagement.

Similarly, we call on Mallam Danladi Maishanu to stop posturing as Mai Tangle and desist from visiting Tangale towns. The case of Mai Tangle is officially in court, and it demands that he respects the court order. Furthermore, his recent visits to Tanglang and Tal intimidated our people, resulting in security concerns for Tangale land. His sycophant called Simon Lamiya, who parades himself as TCDA Chairman, is an imposter in the manner of Maishanu. No Tangale person recognizes him, and he is impersonating the TCDA leadership. He is fake and a disgrace to the Tangale people. We call on all well-meaning people to abstain from identifying with the man. He is as useless to Tangale as Babaji Babadidi.

If anyone doubts the divisiveness of Gov. Inuwa, please think about the recent election of CAN leadership. What has the state to do with the election of religious organization leaders? Yet, the governor shamelessly went to the media and announced what he had chosen as leaders of CAN. The man is in over his head. Yet, we have not heard the Legislature or Judiciary call him to order in these callous acts. We know that his intentions are for division in the state, just like he sowed the seed of discord in Tangale land. Therefore, we call on those ordained ministers falling for the deceit of the governor to disavow the relationship and distance themselves from this atrocity. CAN has elected its leaders; let us pray for unity among Christians and Muslims. We appeal to Gombe DCC to investigate the involvement of Mr. Babaji Babadidi in the intentional intrusion of the state in church matters. If it is true that he was involved in the process, he should be disciplined accordingly.

As we navigate the new year, let us remember that we have found ourselves in uncertain times in Gombe state. We have the opportunity to overcome religious differences and seek to build a better society for our posterity. Inuwa Yahaya is a mortal being, and his days are numbered. Soon he will vacate his position, but humanity remains to the end of time. Therefore, let us disavow those who sow the seed of discord in our community. We know them by name. Some are Christians, and some are Muslims. They thrive in causing divisions because it is the only way they know to survive. We are fully aware of the divisiveness inspired by some members of the Fawu family. However, we also know of the same caused by Babaji Babadidi, Bitrus Bilal, and Simon Lamiya. The community should ostracise these people because their actions result in losing lives and division. Some people seek to follow the path of discord in Tangale land by taking advantage of the respect we freely give them. They should know that what is freely given can also be voluntarily taken back. The Tangale community is more significant than any individual. There is only one TCDA with one BOT. A word to the wise is enough.

We wish all the people of Gombe state a prosperous year. But, please, remain vigilant and watch out for the safety of each other. Be observant of the invading thugs of Gov. Inuwa, who seek to cause havoc and destruction of lives and property. Furthermore, we encourage our youth to be alert and take responsibility for the community’s wellbeing.

Signed

Lamela Umaru Lakorok,

General Secretary,

For Tangale Community Overseas (TCO)

By Sunday Elijah

Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the automation of its Civil Service and Asset Management System (AMS) for transparency and efficiency of operations.

Governor Udom Emmanuel said on Thursday, in Uyo, the state capital, while declaring open a one-day Training Workshop on the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) for State Executive Council members.

The Governor said the automation of the service will reposition it for more efficiency and seamless operations, adding that challenges earlier experienced with promotions, retirements, pensions and gratuity will be a thing of the past as errors will be minimised.

The State Chief Executive further said the full automation of the service will be completed by January 31, 2022, assuring that the integration of the Human Resource Management System and Asset Management System will be safe as its operations will be backed with an efficient storage device to enhance productivity.

“We want to leave the Civil Service much better than we met, we will first of all start with automation of the full Asset Management Processes of government and we want to do automation of the contract systems, how contracts are awarded, how they are being paid for, how they are monitored, how progress is made, everything then completion and releases.

‘Then the critical aspect that we must anchor from the point you join the Civil Service up to the point you become a pensioner is what we are doing right now it is called Human Resource Management (HRM) application software which is what we are doing right now and we intend to do a live cut-over by January 31 so that we can go live.

“Every single person must go live by January 31. So, anybody coming to work on February 1 in the MDAs is coming into a totally different approach and I’m believing that the Asset Management will do a total cutover by March 31.

“So, by April 1, I won’t do anything manual again, including vehicle requisitions.

“What that means is that a whole lot of things that were done manually before now will be fully automated. We are trying to make it user friendly and you can access it anywhere with your phones and laptops once you have a smart device you can access the system especially the HRM system where you can check on any information.

“The benefits are enormous in terms of cost, efficiency and information management and we are trying to reduce error in the system”

‘’The whole complaints about pension, gratuity, even issues of payroll, promotions, ghost workers, paying the wrong people and the likes, will be sorted out immediately, so once people enter this system, the system will work automatically: promotions, retirement, pensions, and gratuity; it is supposed to be a fully integrated HRM systems”, the Governor added.

In his opening remarks, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his policy to introduce automation of the Civil Service, which he noted will upgrade operations of service from analogue to digital.

Elder Essien said the training and re-training of key and principal operators of Human Resource Management remains a cardinal objective of enhancing efficiency of Civil Service, and appealed to the Governor to build a data centre to store hardware components of Human Resource Management.

“Let me thank the Governor for giving us the idea to push and the needed resources to introduce this system of efficiently running the Akwa Ibom Civil/Public Service and thereby upgrading it from analogue to digital and automated service.

“Please permit me your Excellency the Governor to request Ministry of Housing to expedite action on the building of a Data Centre for safe housing of the hardware components of both the HRMS and AMS”, he added.