Innocent Ojefia Blog

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs Amina Bala Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the conclusion of the term of Office of Prof. Attahiru Jega. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Haruna Imrana, Director of Communications for the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. According to the statement, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Barr. Danladi Kifasi who conveyed the appointment in a letter, said it is with effect from June 30, 2015 until the appointment of a substantive Chairman. Mrs. Zakari is presently a National Electoral Commissioner at INEC.

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday extended the deadline for the Bank Verification Number registration by four months  from June 30 to October 31, 2015. The apex bank disclosed this in a circular issued to all Deposit Money Banks operating in the country. The circular dated Tuesday, June 30 with reference number BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/02/008 was signed by the Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, CBN, Mr Dipo Fatokun. The bank in the circular said the extension became imperative in order to give customers of DMBs more time to participate in the enrollment exercise. It said since the registration exercise had in recent time elicited a lot of interests from customers of DMBs who have crowded the banks in the last few days, there is need to extend the deadline to ensure a smooth completion of the registration process. The circular further stated that in view of the fact that a lot of Nigerians in the diaspora may not be able to take advantage of the c...

The Delta State Government on Monday rolled out six entrepreneurship schemes with an assurance from the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, that 6,000 direct jobs would be created in the next six months as a result. The schemes are Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP); Tractorisation; Extension of Loans; and Development of Agro-industries. At the unveiling of the programmes before chairman and members of the Traditional Rulers Council in the State, the Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, said "these initiatives will create jobs and wealth, diversify the economy, engage youths in productive enterprises, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders, and promote communal peace and security.”   He stressed that the Government “is determined and poised to deliver prosperity to everyone in Delta through our SM.A.R.T agenda, and it is on that n...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), with a call on State governors to settle all unpaid workers’ salaries in their respective States. The President, who was speaking while inaugurating the council in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the call became necessary bearing in mind the untold hardship being experienced by the workers and their family members. Buhari also advised the governors to cultivate the culture of prudent management of resources as well as embark on projects that would meet the immediate needs of the people. “It is evident that the task of ensuring growth, job creation and equity, is quite enormous. “This will entail looking inwards to secure sustainable ways of increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and harnessing growth potentials of each State to supplement the Federation Account allocation to States. “The States are also encouraged to embark on projects that will meet immediate needs ...

President Muhammadu Buhari, has appointed Colonel Hamidu Ali as his Chief of Staff. Ali, was a former military administrator of Kaduna State. Details later.

At the last gubernatorial election, APC in Delta State did not win any House of Assembly seat and in fact, they won in only one ward out of a total of 270 wards in the 25 local government areas of the State. Its participation in the election was woeful. It is, therefore, laughable when it tries to play the opposition in the State. As Governor Okowa stated in the speech to the State House of Assembly, My mission today is principally to shed more light on our vision for Delta State predicated upon honest leadership and a responsible government. We have come into office at a very difficult and turbulent period in the history of our country. The spectre of broken promises and the profligate lifestyle of some of those entrusted with leadership have combined to erode public trust and confidence in government, and our people are beginning to lose hope.   The exercise was a state of the State address . Rather than look at issues raised by the Governor, the APC mouthpiece was...

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has concluded plans to inaugurate the National Economic Council (NEC), with the ceremony expected to hold on Monday in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa. The NEC serves as an advisory body to the President on economic matters and is made of the 36 State Governors and select members of the Federal Executive Council. According to tradition, the council is expected to be chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. With Ministers yet to be appointed, the Permanent Secretaries of some ministries such as finance, and national planning as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria are expected at the inauguration. The ceremony will hold by 11:00 am local time. It is believed that the council, which will also hold its first session after the inauguration, will draw up the economic blue print for the current administration. “All Motion, No Movement” The inauguration of the NEC comes amidst criticis...

The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has commended the Ijaw nation for their support during the last governorship election. He gave the commendation in Warri, Delta State, at the weekend, when he paid a condolence visit to the member representing Delta South Senatorial District, Senator James Manager, to commiserate with him on the death of his father, Chief Emiemukumor Manager. Governor Okowa, who described the death of the octogenarian as a great loss to the Ijaw nation and the entire Delta State, observed that the wise counsel of the late Chief Manager was instrumental to the success of the Senator, and prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss. While reminding the Ijaw nation of his administration's resolve to carry everybody along, he gave an assurance that the state government would be involved in the burial rites. Responding, Senator James Manager, said his family was grateful to the governor for the visit, adding...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa today worshiped at the Christ Embassy aka Believers Loveworld, Warri at the thanksgiving Service of His Excellency, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, the Deputy Governor  of Delta State . The thanksgiving service was graced by other dignataries, including the Deputy Goveror's  wife, Engr. Ebiere Otuaro, Senator James Manager, Senator Chief Ighoyota Amori, Leader PDP Cacaus in the House of Representatives Rt Hon. Leo Ogor, Speaker Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, and Pioneer Chairman of DESOPADEC Chief Wellington Okrika      

My mission today is principally to shed more light on our vision for Delta State predicated upon honest leadership and a responsible government. We have come into office at a very difficult and turbulent period in the history of our country. The spectre of broken promises and the profligate lifestyle of some of those entrusted with leadership have combined to erode public trust and confidence in government, and our people are beginning to lose hope. Our first responsibility as a Government is to rekindle that hope, and give our people the power to dream again. Our people are longing for good leadership; they want to see true role models. Indeed, they want more than a simple change of guard followed by cosmetic reforms. This is the first crucial test we face as a government. The starting point for us as elected leaders is to lead by example. It is a fact of life that people buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. The followers will always do what they see the l...