Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, has made a case for strict adherence to Corporate Governance in the nation’s public Service stressing that it promotes accountability and business prosperity.DIG Argungu spoke in Abuja at a Management Meeting of the Commission in a paper titled “An overview of Salient Features of Federal Government of Nigeria Corporate Governance Manual for Governing Boards/Councils of Federal Parastatal Agencies and Commissions”.
He noted that the place of Corporate Governance in public and private sectors in developing economic and enterprise activities cannot be overstated.The PSC Chairman said Corporate governance seek to institutionalize best practices in Nigerian Public and Private Sectors and enhances the integrity of the business and working environments.DIG Argungu noted that “essentially Corporate governance is about the way power is exercised over Corporate entities, it covers the activities of the board and its relationship with shareholders or Members, and with those managing the public/private enterprise as well as with external Auditors. Regulators and other legitimate stakeholders “.
He specifically explained that Corporate governance ” is a collection of control mechanism adopted by an organisation in promoting fairness, accountability, responsibility and transparency consistently and equitably in all that it does towards achieving its planned objectives. ” In doing these, every stakeholder in the organisation will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of the organisation, believing that his/her interest, whatever that might be, will be protected”, he explained. The PSC Chairman said the benefits of corporate governance include, transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness and responsibility. Others, he noted are consistency and equitability.
Immediate past governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, will be at the head of a powerful delegation of alumni of the University of Ilorin to the launch of two books authored by fellow alumnus, Tunde Olusunle, the eminent poet, journalist and scholar. The books are: Orisirisi: Vistas on Contemporary Politics in Nigeria and Toasts, Tributes and Wreaths. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday October 9, 2024, at the Yar’Adua Centre and will be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON. Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo is also expected as Chief Host of the programme and will be supported by some of his colleagues. Former Governor Ahmed graduated from the “Better By Far” citadel, the moniker with which alumni and students of Unilorin love to drape their alma mater, about 40 years ago.
The formidable alumni entourage will include the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial Zone, Fatai Buhari. Buhari, who graduated in the same year with Olusunle in 1985. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation. Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede and former Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, (GSO), in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adekunle, will be on the entourage. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Tinuke Watti; Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigrations Service, (NIS), Nana Nandap and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL), Prof Yemi Akinwumi will be on the party.
Former Executive Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr Victor Babatunde Adeniran; former Director, Policy, Plans and Research, Defence Space Administration Agency, Major Gen Kayode Ogundele, and former Director, Research and and Development, Defence Industries, Kaduna, Brig. Gen John Obasa, (rtd), will be at the event. Legal Adviser to Green Energy Ltd, Olusegun Ilori; Managing Partner, Awomolo and Awomolo Chambers, Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN; Femi Atoyebi, SAN, of OM, Atoyebi and Partners, as well as Tunji Bamishigbin, attorney and film producer, will be in tow. Pioneer Executive Vice Chairman, (EVC) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera; immediate past Director-General of the National Theatre, Prof Sunnie Ododo and Secretary to the National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC), Franca Aiyetan will honour the event.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), Ademola Hamzat, an alumnus of Unilorin will represent the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, while AIG (Mrs) Rhoda Adetutu Olofu, Secretary of the Nigerian Police Force, (NPF), a 1986 graduate of the same institution, will also be in attendance. Newly promoted Commissioners of Police, Wilfred Tokunbo Afolabi and Saadat Ismail; former Director in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Director of Arts and Culture, Erelu Ronke Bello, PhD and renowned petroleum engineers, Francis Osasona and Idowu Lawanson, also from the same source, will grace the function.
Hakeem Bello, long-serving media adviser to Emeritus Governor of Lagos State and more recently Minister for Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media, Tunde Rahman, both from Unilorin, will support the event. Seasoned mariner, Sunmola Bakare and his banker wife, Deola Bakare, both Unilorin alumni will be in attendance. Former Deputy Director-General, (Operations) of the National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ambassador Agev Apollos Dem; Director of Public Affairs at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Tayo Haastrup, who is also the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa, Osun State, and Mrs Tayo Olowola, Registrar, Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun State, are expected at the event.
Professor of mass communication at the East Connecticut State University, (ECSU) in the United States, Gbenga Ayeni, and associate professor of journalism at the Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Tivlumun Nyitse, will be in Unilorin entourage. Kola Olorunleke and Tunde Akanni, professors at FUL, Lokoja and the Lagos State University, (LASU), respectively will participate at the launch. Chief operating officer of Benjamin Black Group, Dapo Adelegan and his counterpart in Noah’s Ark Communications, Lanre Adisa will equally be at the event.
According to Bolaji Afolabi, Member, Book Launch Media Committee,Tunde Olusunle is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja. He is better known as a poet and has previously published three volumes of painstaking verse notably: Fingermarks, (1996); Rhythm of the Mortar, (2001), and A Medley of Echoes, (2022). Forewords to the various poetry volumes were written by Emeritus Professors Femi Osofisan and Olu Obafemi, both recipients of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, (NNOM), Nigeria’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. He previously authored two compendiums of essays: On The Trail Of History: A Reporter’s Notebook on Olusegun Obasanjo, (2006) and Atiku: Perspectives on a Phenomenon, (2023).
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni today led the Management team of the Commission to receive a strong delegation from the Bureau of Public Service Reforms led by its Director General Dasuki Arabi at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.DIG Argungu said the Commission will be committed to establishing a working partnership with the Bureau and will be inviting the Director General to come and address the staff on the requirements of the Public Service Reforms.
He said his leadership is going to bring innovations in the Management of the Commission and appealed for the guidance of the Bureau.”We will embrace the Reforms in the Public Service and we are ready to take necessary decisions. We want to bring changes, we have a lot to do to improve policing in Nigeria and we believe that Nigeria is more important than anybody.DIG Argungu said the Commission will continue to seek the advice of the Director General adding that the Commission will soon put in place a quality assurance Unit.The Director General had earlier said they were in the Commission to welcome and congratulate the Chairman and his team on their appointment and promised to support the new leadership to work to improve the quality of life in the country.
Mr. Arabi said the Bureau is set up to drive Reforms in the Federal Public Service. He announced that the Bureau has digitalised the public Service Treasury account adding that the Treasury single account has helped the Government to track its finances.” we have opened Government’s financial system, we generate data and we have the capacity to manage the data, he noted.He advised that the Commission should be prepared to digitalise Police Promotions, Recruitment and Discipline for improved performance system.
The Director General said the Commission should prioritise capacity development in the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force and also ensure that Police Training institutions are equipped. Ikechukwu Ani , the Commission’s image maker disclosed that DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, Honourable Commissioner in his brief remarks promised that the Commission will work to deliver on its mandate and in conformity with the requirements of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.He noted that the new leadership in the Commission is committed to service delivery and will do everything possible to make the Nigeria Police Force more efficient and effective.
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” ( 1 Kings 19:4)”Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out.” – John Bunyan ( Pilgrim’s Progress) *INTRODUCTION*Today’s message is very important and you should master it and heed it. It is your life in the days to come.Before Introducing the message let me first preface it with two recent incidents this year, one happening just this last week which occasioned this message. *Case Study 1:*This last week in Lagos a, 45-year old lady and an accountant with Globacom living at Osapa, London, Lekki area committed suicide by drinking insecticide and died. Folake Abiola did not take her own life because she was poor or had no job or lacked professional fulfilment. According to a colleague of her she had battled depression for years. More baffling is the fact that she was a Christian the only Christian in a family of Muslims and her depression, according to this friend was not due to loneliness or even sex because she had been involved in romantic relationship with two men which she ended at her own instance because of her depression as she “did not want to bring someone else into her life when she could not take care of herself.”Thus a soul was lost. Her church could not help her.
It is really sad but when I look into churches today I see many people who are lonely even though they are surrounded by congregation. Many people in church today are suffering and the church does not even speak to their conditions. Because the church does not even understand them. *Case Study 2:*Ms Cheelie Kryst was a Miss USA, Miss North Carolina, a reporter and former attorney. She held an MBA from Wake Forest University and was doing well until this year. On Sunday at 6.00 am January 30, 2022 she committed suicide by jumping from her 29- storey New York City apartment leading to her death. She was only 30 and a victim of depression which she had managed to hide from others. The mother immediately confessed that it must be due to depression because her daughter had battled this problem for years.
*THE ISSUE*
Thus it is my purpose in this message to explain:* What depression is* Causes of depression* Danger of depression* How to escape depression* Answer to depressionThis message engages the principles of the Bible and the spiritual system of reality and not the medical or intellectual or physiological aspect as obtain in University training of Medical Science. All my knowledge and exposition here is purely on spiritual system and not academic or scientific. Those ones may help too but at certain stage of depression especially what Science itself calls “high- functioning depression”, Medical Science may not be of much help. *Elijah and Depression*Depression is a serious thing. It can end a man’s life as suddenly as anything. It is worse than bullets. It is one of the worst arrows of witchcraft and forces of darkness that could be fired against a servant of God or someone they want to destroy. Because once you succumbed to depression you are gone unless by the special intervention of God. At that time, your spirit begins to sink and your mind is in retreat and your body can absorb any sickness even your pores begin to absorb any germ or virus. Because technically and spiritually you are on retreat, you are sinking. Your spirit is sinking as in a mire. Run away from depression.What all the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Grove could not do against Elijah one single arrow of Depression fired by that Queen of Hell, Jezebel did it.
The prophets of the Grove and preachers of Baal in modern times who have abandoned the Cross and turned after prosperity and success who glorify and worship success more than anything are telling us to seek success and prosperity. Fine. The two ladies mentioned in the case studies were not failures, they were on the top of their careers and models of success. Elijah had just achieved the greatest success in ministry by slaying the prophets of Baal and putting Baal to open shame. Yet they succumbed to Depression and wanted to take their lives. They actually did and Elijah would have done so too but for God. Success is iot the answer to depression it may even be the trigger of it.That is why you must know this great weapon,this arrow of the enemy. *John Bunyan and Giant Despair*It is one of the tragedies of modern Christianity that Christians today do not read the great classics of Christian Literature. They don’t even know them. The average Christian today has never read a single Christian classic of all time. Most of what they read are the same glossy and soft materials based on pernicious logic and heretical principles constructed on wholly effete religion and shaky philosophy of the modern day. That is why we have not saints among us. That is why we lack exceptional universal Christians today. I recommend to you – if you have not read it – *Pilgrim’s Progress* by John Bunyan, a masterpiece of both spiritual logic and even the finest form of allegory in the whole annals of English Literature. In this book Bunyan typifies Depression as the Giant Despair who enslaves Christian and his companion, Hopeful as they journeyed from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Bunyan devotes three pages to this enemy because of its importance. That is why we should take heed. The old Christians were wiser than us and they knew where the danger is.
Hear how John Bunyan captures it and see the power of his language:” Now there was not far from the place where they lay, a castle, called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair, and it was in his grounds they now were sleeping: wherefore he getting up in the morning early, and walking up and down in his fields, caught Christian and Hopeful asleep in his grounds. Then with a grim and surly voice he bid them awake, and asked them whence they were, and what they did in his grounds. They told him *they were pilgrims and that they had lost their way. Then said* the Giant, You have this night *trespassed on me, by trampling in and lying on my grounds, and* therefore you must go along with me. So they were *forced to go because he was stronger than they.* They also had but little to say, for they knew themselves in a fault.” [ My emphasis]Christian and Hopeful were imprisoned and they would not come out until days after without food. How did they find the key that finally released then? Go and read the book.That is the power of Depression. We must salute the creativity of Bunyan that he represents this fiend as Giant Despair because indeed he is a giant – a giant that has slain many giants and inside whose grounds were the broken bones of many pilgrims on their way to the Celestial City. In all the journeys of Christian and his sufferings right from the Wicket Gate through the Slough of Despond to the City of Vanity, they met with many temptations but not in a single place did it occur to them to take their lives through suicide except when they were imprisoned by Giant Despair. So even as far back as more than 400 years ago Bunyan already connected Depression with suicide which modern medicine and experience are just discovering.Here is the wonder of wonders by the hand of that English Craftsman and author: after escaping from the prison of Giant Despair they immediately got to the Delectable Mountains from where they could see and behold the Celestial City – the Land of Emmanuel “where there are no passing seas nor interposing mountains.” ( apologies to John Fletcher)Thus from the moment of Depression, if you can be patient and endure and do the right thing the Mountains of God are not far away. Every time I have heard the Voice of God have been immediately after a period of deep depression when I almost lost hope. What if I had taken my own life then? Then I won’t hear His Voice because He does not speak to murderers and those in hell never hear His Voice. I want to share with you what I know on this subject.1. *What is Depression* It is a state or conditions either natural or of spiritual attack directed against a person during which his vital and critical functions of reason, faith, hope and connectedness with the environment are shrinking. During Depression it is difficult to pray or read the Bible. It is like your spirit has fallen deep down; it is like you have no spirit. Your spirit has been shot at and it will be going down unless brought up by the Word of God and gracious actions of the Holy Spirit. At that time even your prayers can’t rise through the ceiling because your spirit has sunk. *1. What Causes Depression*Depression, I am speaking from the Platform of spiritual reality not medical or scientific reasoning or permutations, can be caused by various things:1. *Boredom.* When you have done the same things over and over for years with no possibility of changing, it could lead to depression.
The white men knew what they were doing when they say you should go on leave once in a year to try something else. Why lecturers should go after 7 years of teaching to do something else and allow the mind to rest and roam. Unfortunately our love of money erode that possibility because even in that sabbatical year many still go and teach to get double salary. Greed. Rather than research or go into writing books and journal articles refreshing the minds with other creativity. These things can cause depression.Even praying and fasting if that is all you do will lead to boredom. Preaching always and nothing more will lead to boredom and ultimately depression. Change the route. Shift the focus once a while. Read the Bible, but not only the Bible and Christian Literature, read other things. Let your mind too exercise.
2. *Unfulfilled expectations of long- term desires*” Hope deferred maketh the heart sick…” That is how the Proverbs said it and it is so.You have seen others of your classmates getting good jobs and you are still at home tending babies like rabbits. Other are married and only you in your age group is still single in the church…These can lead to depression.3 *. Enjoying what is not meant for you*When you have started toying with what is not meant for you then it will bring guilt and ultimately condemnation. Example, because you are not yet married you feel sex is necessary to keep you warm. Well sex is designed for marriage not outside. This may bring guilt and condemnation and later depression. *4. As arrow of witchcraft*Elijah received an arrow of witchcraft that brought him to isolate himself from others and led to depression that ended his glorious Ministry. Arrows are regularly fired from the covens of darkness against servants of God and if you are not rightly positioned and understand what is happening you will succumb. The danger is you won’t know where it comes. At that level you will take foolish decisions based on cognitive dissonance. You are at that stage opened to all manner of attacks and even diseases because your body only receive orders from your spirit and once your spirit is no longer in control and power and Dominion then your body will receive counter order from your enemies. The sting of witchcraft is the worst form of arrow that can generate depression.
And it will not go away unless cleared by the Spirit of God through anointed spoken words or preaching. 5. *By the actions of the Holy Spirit* Depression can also come by the actions of the Holy Spirit. Usually this may be for one or two days and it is not dangerous. Sometimes the Holy Spirit uses our human spirits for His purposes and operations without us being aware of it just as evil spirit too can use your spirit without your awareness if you give them room. That is why the Bible says if you hate your brother in your heart you are a murderer because the evil spirit can take your spirit and through the hate in your heart construct a bridge to that person and murder him but it will be charged to your account as I was explaining to the School of Divine Healing yesterday. The Holy Spirit can pray through your spirit and even bless people. Some persons have told me they saw me in their dream praying for them or giving them instructions. Now that is not me, that is the Holy Spirit taking my spirit form to do that exercise. God can also look through your eyes to people and deliverance will take place. I have witnessed this happening. Now at such a time when the Spirit is praying through your spirit you may feel depressed and bogged down. This feeling won’t last for more than few days. If it is more then it is not the Holy Spirit…I will continue next week.Keep a date.
Recently, the federal government announced the establishment of a “Disaster Relief Fund” to address national disasters like flooding. I struggled to understand the aim and objectives because Wale Edun, the minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, stuttered when making the announcement. Yes, there is no doubt that when disasters occur, it is incumbent on the government to provide relief to those affected promptly to cushion the effect of such disasters. Does the country have a framework for addressing disaster situations, and has the agencies involved in disaster management lived up to expectations? I think the government has an ulterior motive. It seems a merry-go-round. While establishing the Disaster Relief Fund seems a brilliant one on the surface, it left many unanswered questions about the core mandate of the fund and how effective it would be in disaster relief administration in Nigeria. It is not enough to receive funds in a central pool.
The last I checked donations and funding is not the missing link in disaster prevention and management in Nigeria. But rather, strengthening the capacity for rapid response to national emergencies. This is critical thinking. Establishing a Disaster Fund is not critical thinking. There is deep suspicion about the quantum of money that could be made and who should be in charge of the anticipated inflow. This is what the government appears to be interested in.
I stand to be corrected. It also appears the government forgot there is an agency called National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) whose mandate is to “coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparation, mitigation and response in Nigeria. ” It also appears that the supposed eggheads behind the establishment of the Disaster Relief Fund are not aware that there are five phases of emergency management including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Wale Edun, the supremo minister while making the announcement stated, “We know we do have the NEMA Relief Fund, we even have the Flood Relief Funds set up around 2012 but Mr President feels we need in this era of climate change, climate events as well as from time to time there will be matter in prevention measures there will be disaster that will occur.” What is the meaning of what he said? Let me help him out. It should not be a function of what Mr President “feels”, but what is necessary. For example, the emphasis was on the era of climate change. Is climate change a new concept? Who was supposed to remind the president about other agencies such as the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which serves the preventive function in the disaster management ecosystem? For the records, the NIHSA has a flood alert system that provides flood warning coverage, a real-time, community-oriented flood warning system geared towards reducing risks involved with flooding.
The establishment of flood warning systems near any major waterway or body of water provides critical information that can protect property and save lives. I think that the government must also do well to strengthen the operations and capacity of NIHSA. If that is done, the implication is that the country would have addressed a key component in the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF). What this move by the government has done is begin the process of rendering some critical organs of government redundant and creating a parallel arm that would rival the existing structures. What happens afterward? The victims of disasters in the country would suffer because high-level politics would play out. It would indeed begin a regime of lethargy and blame game. This is a common feature in our clime. Let’s make some assumptions.
Say there was a disaster in a part of the country, and funds were donated for that purpose to the Disaster Relief Fund. Would there be a structure in place for the Disaster Relief Fund to address the situation , or would we rely on the network of NEMA, NIHSA, and other agencies in the ecosystem to ameliorate the situation? But from the look of things, the government is not looking at the issue of disaster prevention and management holistically, hence the hurried establishment of the Disaster Relief Fund. It is akin to creating monsters while solving a problem because the government also didn’t factor in the institutional rivalry this move would create. Don’t forget that disaster situations require a rapid response approach. Creating bureaucracies ultimately defeats the purpose. It is not enough to channel energies towards warehousing disaster relief funds. What about prevention and the preparedness to manage disaster situations? This is key to ensuring a robust disaster management strategy. I think the government got it wrong. It might as well pass for a reflex action without a clear-cut purpose. Or maybe the aim is to keep a proper record of donor funds for disaster-related purposes and not address disaster situations.
If this is the case, then I dare say the government is not intentional about addressing disaster situations in the country. What I had expected was strengthening the operations of agencies in the disaster prevention and management ecosystem for operational effectiveness. It is not rocket science. If there are noticeable lapses in operational effectiveness, the rational thing to do is to strengthen governance processes and structure. We can’t be duplicating roles and responsibilities given the dire economic situation in the country. No matter how coated it is, the Disaster Relief Fund is a duplication. It is unnecessary and runs contrary to the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF), which provides a clear mechanism that serves as a regulatory guideline for effective and efficient disaster management in the country. The NDMF was conceptualized in 2018 and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement measures to enable communities, individuals, businesses and institutions to minimize the adverse effects of disasters in Nigeria, thereby enhancing the ability to prevent, prepare, respond to and recover from disasters across all elements in the country.
It also caters to the accessibility and governance of financial resources for disaster management. It stated that for disaster-related matters (DRM) to be successful, “plans and operations must be linked with required financing for (a) immediate liquidity for relief and short/medium-term recovery, (b) resource mobilization for prevention and mitigation investments, (c) long-term recovery or reconstruction.” In light of the above, my question is, what does the government want to achieve with the establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund where there exists a robust disaster management framework in the country? The onus lies in the hands of the government to provide answers to this question. And if all the government cares about is pooling of resources alone, then we are making a caricature of governance and its impact on the lives of the people. We must tell ourselves the truth. Some certain things do not add up. Why fix it when it is not broken?
In a devastating turn of events, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has passed away.
According to a statement released by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, she died peacefully at the hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by her family .
The family has requested prayers and support during this difficult time, and has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has said he has made arrangement for his transition.
Soyinka, who turned 90 on 13 July 2024 and whose birthday was celebrated across the globe, made this statement in an exclusive interview Larry Madowo, host of the African Voices Changemakers and Playmakers series on CNN had with him
The interview was first broadcast on CNN on Saturday 21 September, 2024.
At the tail end of the interview, in which Soyinka spoke, among other things, about writing, activism, life in prison and the Nobel Prize in Literature which he won in 1986, Madowo asked him “Now that you have your own legal piece of earth here what is your new future?”
Soyinka, responding, said he didn’t want to be morbid but hinted that his transition was his future, adding that he had made arrangement for that within the estate.
Madowo, taken aback by the distinguished writer’s response, laughing, said: “That is the most morbid answer anybody has ever given me. ‘I have made arrangemenf for my death?”
Soyinka again responded: “Many people don’t like to hear it. As I said all the time. I won’t say it here. In fact, CNN, everybody knows what we are talking abbout. It is where we are all headed. It’s a future for everybody.”
Still, Madowo interjected, saying, “But before you die… ”
However, Soyinka later toned down his response and gave a more realistic and less morbid answer, saying that in terms of productivity the immediate thing is to go on a vacation.
“But in terms of productivity the immediate thing is to go on a vacation. Take a resolution which will be atttested judicially, not grant any more interviews, certainly not writing, but simply trying to resume certain activities which gave me pleasure, which I consciously and rigorously cut off to be able to pursue my vocation. Because I’m not going to sit on it.
“I would also get into a vehicle, somewhere, I don’t care, in the world and sit for a week or two weeks to be just a tourist. I’m looking forward to that, ” Soyinka maintained.
The Osun State Government has raised serious concerns about the operations of the Segilola Gold Project, managed by subsidiaries of Thor Explorations Ltd, a UK-based company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
According to Prof. Lukman Jimoda, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining and Mineral Resources, the state’s investigation revealed various unethical business practices, including alleged tax evasion, use of proxies, and failure to comply with environmental rules and regulations.
The companies involved—such as SINIC Engineering, ATF Consulting, Monurent Nigeria, and others—are reportedly engaged in outsourcing employment and operations to undisclosed third parties without proper documentation or environmental compliance.
Prof. Jimoda highlighted that the federal constitution places environmental oversight under the concurrent list, allowing the state to assess companies’ operations for economic and environmental impacts.
He emphasized that the Segilola project, despite its significant production since 2019, has resisted complying with extant laws like the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) and the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) which govern tax levies.
He also expressed concerns over pollution, including particulate emissions and possible acid drains from waste rocks, which pose serious environmental risks to the state.
The state government is therefore demanding the payment of accrued taxes and environmental development levies, as well as proper documentation for all involved parties.
The Special Adviser stressed that Osun has not received its due revenue from the Segilola project for over three years, despite its bankable gold production since 2019.
“The government is prepared to take necessary actions to ensure compliance and safeguard the state’s environmental and economic interests”, the Special Adviser noted.
Also speaking, the Financial Consultant to the Office of Mining and Mineral Resources, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro while presenting his report said the allegations against Thor Explorations Ltd and its subsidiaries mark a significant moment for Osun State, as the government seeks to reclaim its financial rights and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Dr Bolorunduro highlighted the state’s concern over the company’s alleged tax evasion and failure to comply with legal requirements, which could have severe financial implications for Osun.
Dr. Bolorunduro’s detailed statement paints a picture of a company attempting to sidestep its fiscal responsibilities, with far-reaching consequences for the state’s revenue.
“The refusal to remit taxes from both direct employees and service providers, as well as the evasion of other financial obligations, highlights a deeper issue of corporate governance and transparency.
Particularly troubling is the claim that Osun State’s interests in Tropical Mines Ltd were strategically diminished without due financial compensation, raising questions about the fairness of the company’s practices in Nigeria versus its compliance with international standards in the UK and Canada, where it is publicly listed”. Dr. Bolorunduro stated.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has emphasized the need for due payments to be made, while also ensuring that business operations continue smoothly. This balanced approach underscores the state’s willingness to foster investment, but not at the expense of its fiscal health or integrity.
Responding to the allegations that the Adeleke Dynasty is involved in the management of the Segilola Gold Project, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi denied the report, noting that those holding a stake or the other in the gold firm areas shortchanged the Osun state government.
He therefore assured members of the public that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke will not relent in efforts to ensure that the state gets its dues from all companies operating in Osun State.
The Police Service Commission Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit was today, Tuesday, September 24th 2024, inaugurated. The inauguration was conducted by a team from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, led by Olusegun Adigun, who represented the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, told the new team that they are now in the temple of justice and should eschew tribal and religious sentiments in the discharge of their duty.
DIG Argungu reminded them that it is Nigeria first and that they should feel free to blow the whistle on him if found guilty of Corrupt Practices. “Come and confront me if you hear that I have diverted money. Don’t waste time to hold me accountable for any financial infractions”, he declared.
He said they should operate above the yoke of tribalism, nepotism and religious sentiments and bring all bad elements in the Commission to book. You have to be upright, he further advised the new Members of the Unit.The Chairman of the ICPC, who spoke through Olusegun Adigun said the Anti Corruption Transparency Unit is an initiative of the ICPC approved by the Federal Government to serve as an in- house check mechanism for Corruption prevention within “MDAs, in line with global best practices of building strong institutions and entrenching Good governance in the fight against corruption “.He said ACTU complements the ICPC in building strong institutions and fostering principles of accountability and Transparency in Government MDAs.The ICPC Chairman said the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the Commission will be a veritable tool in the achievement of PSC vision of becoming a highly motivated, professional, disciplined and accountable Police Service that upholds human rights ” if allowed to effectively discharge its functions “.According to the ICPC Chairman, ” it is hoped that with this inauguration, the Unit will be empowered to deliver on its mandate but noted “that ACTU is not envisioned as a parallel authority to the Management, rather it is expected to operate under the direct oversight of the Chairman so as to complement Management’s efforts in promoting Transparency and accountability within the Commission “DIG Taiwo Lakanu, Honourable Commissioner in the Commission pledged the support of the Commission in ensuring that the Unit succeeds in this onerous assignment.”
We will cooperate with the Chairman, work with him and propagate his lofty ideals to make the Commission Corrupt free.Spokesman of the Commission, Ikechukwuu Ani confirmed that the new Chairman of the PSC ACTU, Nasidi Yusuf in his acceptance speech after the inauguration pledged to uphold the principle of integrity, accountability and transparency, forster a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and ensure seamless collaboration with ICPC and other stakeholders.
Mr. Nasidi said the new team will promote education and awareness on anti’ Corruption best practices, address corruption related issues promptly and called on his other Members to join him to identify and mitigate Corruption risks, develop and implement effective anti Corruption strategies and monitor and evaluate progress.
