Opinion
Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi’s Two Years of Purposeful and Result Oriented Leadership In The National Assembly Service Commission
Just like yesterday, the Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE clocked two eventful years at the mantle of leadership of the commission after his appointment on the 25th February, 2020.
Inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari along with his commissioners, his mandate to reposition the bureaucracy of the hub of legislative arm of government was glaringly on course.
His appointment no doubt has restored alot of confidence not only on the part of workers of the commission, but by extension the National Assembly staffers charged with the day to day running of the legislative arm of government.
Anxious to make a difference, Amshi quickly restored the fragile confidence by the staff of the commission through welfare packages, staff reorientation and rationalization that was long overdue.
This was carried out through assertion of public service rules on the staff who are expected to put in either 35 years in service or 60 years of age in line with the service rules.
Hence , normalized the hitherto tense atmosphere in the commission on the condition of service of employees of the National Assembly and paved way for mass disengagement of those involved in either age falsification, service year manipulations that gave way to massive reorganisation of the staffers of the commission.
It was within two years under review, that Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi led National Assembly Service Commission NASC brought on board new principal officers of the two chambers in the management of the National Assembly that rejigged service delivery to the federal lawmakers to effect quality legislation.
His decision also touched extensively mass reinvigoration and redeployment of staffs of the National Assembly and by extension the commission that promoted hardwork, dedication to duty and diligence.
Mass promotion of staffs of the commission/assembly along with financial backing and payment of arears of outstanding entitlements had being at the front burner of the current leadership.
This is in addition to training and retraining as well as conferences organised by the commission to bring on board new ideas towards satisfactory job performance in the commission.
Kadi introduced routine visits rather than just taken administrative decisions on the national assembly, to acquaint the commission of the problems and prospects particularly with direct reference to their jobs.
Worried by inadequate office accommodation, and unbefitting environment currently being occupied by the commission, he embarked and redesigned the office for a corporate look, while he immediately embarked on the construction of permanent office complex worth 11B with ground breaking ceremony at three arms zone, Abuja already performed by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and construction ongoing with the completion period pegged before the end of the 9th Assembly.
The new complex when completed will not only ressolve accommodation problems, but logistics and movement of of official correspondence from the commission current rented apartment office in the heart of Abuja, and also addressed the huge rent being paid, as well other problems being encountered.
Engr Kadi, a technocrat of high repute also celebrated two decades of the existence of the commission with award to deserving and posthumous award to deceased staffs of the commission, along with pioneer staffs to encourage hardwork, dedication to duty.
He created a temporary clinic at the commission that provides first aide services to workers who may have been one way or the other involved in any form of casualties while on duty, before referrals. This had assisted in no small measure and brought about job satisfaction.
The Chairman was not relentless in the last two years through advocacy, memo both in public and private capacity on the need to grant blanket not only autonomy, but establishment of States Assembly Service Commission, a situation that is gradually paying up, as most states in Nigeria, except few ones had established the states commission to guarantee legislative freedom and independence.
In the last two years, he had engaged on seminars, symposiums, workshops, talkshops and series of meetings on the workability of states assembly commission inline with the principle of separation of powers.
It is novel that Kadi introduced open and transparent bidding in accordance with public procurement act, as contractors seeking for jobs in the commission were subjected to open and unambiguous approach towards assessing goverment funds. this is encouraging in the 21st century, when most procurement in Ministries, Departments and Agencies were shrouded in secrecy.
The astute adminstrator also planned to introduce a different payment platform in line with the government pay platform known as IPPIS , so as to permanently address multiple appointments, remunerations, claims and sharp practices among many other financial transactions of the commission.
In the last two years, the commission had played host to many foreign counterparts and also visited countries for studies, interactions, awareness to enhance on the job performance.
In his words, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE want to see a new commission that will be responsive and responsible to the smooth running of the activities of the legislative arm of government, as well as not only an administrative independent for states assembly service commission, but financial autonomy devoid of any interferences from the executive arm.
No doubt, Kadi’s two years at the mantle of leadership has asserted the total and interrupted operation through it’s own bureaucracy and management of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC.
Written By Abubakar Yusuf.
yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.