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Group calls on President Tinubu to rethink the appointment of Shamseldeen Babatunde as acting AGF
The National Accountability Crusade Vanguard (NACV) has called on President Ahmed Tinubu to urgently rethink the decision of appointing Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation.
In a release signed personally and made available to the media, the Executive Director of the group Dr. Kamarudeen Salu described Ogunjimi as an opportunist and a misfit for the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
The group described the several years of Mr. Ogunjimi public service in financial management across the public and private sectors as an extensive merry-go-round and a waste, as he has added nothing but only became Publilius Syrus, rolling stone that gathers no moss. He cannot therefore sow in Samaria and expect to reap in Jerusalem.
The statement drew the attention of Mr. President to all the positions held, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affair reiterating that all those positions have only led to monumental waste of public funds and goodwill, as he has woefully refused to successfully deliver on his mandates and schedules of duties.
They also drew the President’s attention to the Annual Performance Evaluation Records (APER) form and series of promotional examinations, where Ogunjimi refused to measure up to both the grading and the eligibility scores for any of the promotional examinations, but had to buy his way over at each point. Describing such as a very bad example to the lower officers.
A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr. Ogunjimi failed miserably in juxtaposing his ascribed knowledge to the everyday running of his schedules. It is very clear that his academic qualifications; both the Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting, were either a factor of calculated mistake or a testimony to the fallen standard of education, as he is unable through the discharge of his duties to give proper account of those scholarships.
Mr Ogunjimi lacks competence, trustworthiness, integrity and the necessary basic transparency demanding of such office, and can therefore not be able to effectively manage nor advance the economic reform agenda of the present government.
The group questioned the possibility of obtaining the West African School Certificate in 1985 from the Government College, Ikorodu, and graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy, within a period of four years, in a country bedeviled by constant strikes and educational dislocations. They also wondered how within the same period he equally obtained his Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos.
While doubting his entire credentials, they describe as farcical and a fluke or the subject of the cash-and-carry syndrome in our educational system his several credentials. Consequently, they strongly believe that such character lacks the moral imperative and fortitude to effectively and efficiently drive the fiscal reforms and ensure transparency in government finance.
“How can someone who came into the civil service in 2000 become the AG-F in January, 2025, a period of just 24 years in service? They questioned. Stating that, he lacks the basic bureaucratic experience and competencies for such lofty and tasking office.
He has spent all his life and career in the questionable private sector from 1991, where he is assumed to have worked as an accountant at Humana Diagnostic and Heart Centre in Lagos and only came into the Civil service in 2000 and it is therefore unfair to come in and pick the highest office” they stated.
“We finally state that, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi is unfit to occupy the position of Accountant General of the Federation. We therefore unequivocally call on Mr. President to rethink the decision but allow only capable personalities to fill the vacancy when Madein finally bows out of office” they concluded.
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.