National
Oborevwori Tasks MDAs on Standard Project Delivery
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has tasked officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on ensuring strict adherence to standards before issuance of clearance certificates to contractors for projects done.
The governor gave the charge on Friday, when he received the College of Permanent Secretaries, led by the state Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, on a Christmas and New Year visit to Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori said that Permanent Secretaries were very key to his administration, while commending them for their commitment and support to his government by holding the ministries before the appointment of commissioners in line with constitutional requirements.
He said that his administration was very focused on consolidating on the foundations already laid in the past going forward.
He said that his government would remain committed to its M.O.R.E Agenda to deliver the gains of democracy to the people of the state.
Oborevwori said that his administration had been running smoothly without borrowing because of its prudent management of the state’s resources.
He said that if there would ever be any reason to do borrow, such facility must be tied to tangible and beneficial projects.
“I am happy to receive you today because Permanent Secretaries are very important to this administration.
“When I assumed office, I ran the state with you people before commissioners were appointed. I must say that you did extremely well. Most of the achievements we have today, you laid the foundation.
“We planned ahead before the commissioners came. I want to say that you contributed to the commendation we receive today in the country.
“We give God the glory for the achievements we have had and I advise that we continue to sustain it in the coming year,” he said.
The governor added, “we are among the few states that have not borrowed money since we came on board seven months ago.
” If we must borrow, we must borrow money that would be tied to projects and we will be very sure of the projects.
“Another advice I want to give to the Permanent Secretaries is that you discuss with your directors to ensure that they issue certificates to contractors for only completed jobs.
“This is because a lot is going on and we won’t take it in 2024. Your certificate will not guarantee payment except when the jobs have been verified as completed.
“If this government succeeds, we have all succeeded. I believe that 2024 will be better than 2023”.
The governor thanked God for the achievements so far.
“We have engaged a construction giant, Julius Berger to build flyovers, cloverleaf, pedestrian bridges and expand roads in Warri and Effurun.
“We have also inaugurated several projects, while other projects are being constructed across the state,” he said.
Earlier, Bayoko, who led the delegation of 45 Permanent Secretaries and 15 Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments, thanked the governor for granting them audience.
He extended the felicitation of the College of Permanent Secretaries and the entire state Civil Service to the governor on Yuletide.
He lauded Oborevwori for his visionary leadership style since he took the mantle of leadership of the state.
“We represent a group of dedicated public servants committed to the noble cause of serving our beloved state under your guidance and vision.
“We extend our heart- felt felicitation to you and your immediate family. We say that within this short time that you have been on the saddle as the head, you have provided visionary leadership.
“We have seen unprecedented development and your commitment towards the public service and your drive in ushering a new era of prosperity has been inspirational,” Bayoko said.(NAN
A Nigerian good governance advocacy group, Countryfirst Movement, has announced plans to form a coalition to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, aiming to make Tinubu a one-term president.
In a statement on Friday, the group’s convener, Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, described the APC as “rudderless” and accused Tinubu’s administration of “outperforming” former President Muhammadu Buhari’s “colossal failure.”
Nwaokobia expressed confidence that there is sufficient time to build a coalition capable of defeating the APC, despite recent high-profile defections, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his team from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
“Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his team are smart by half,” Nwaokobia said, dismissing concerns over the defections’ impact.
“There is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027.”
Nwaokobia pointed to the 2023 elections, where the Labour Party, led by Peter Obi, secured significant support in Delta State without controlling a single state government.
He noted that the “Obidient Movement,” a grassroots political force backing Obi, defeated the PDP’s machinery in the presidential polls in Delta, despite Oborevwori’s eventual gubernatorial victory.
“Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the people’s power and the power of the men in power,” he said, predicting a “ballot-based people’s revolution” deeper than in 2023.
The activist also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and hold public officials accountable, urging citizens to reject “the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery” propagated by self-serving politicians.
Tinubu, declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has faced criticism for economic challenges and governance issues.
Nwaokobia argued that the president’s failure to secure a majority of total votes in 2023, combined with ongoing defections, will deepen public rejection of his leadership.
The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed deep concern over the welfare of workers in the state, calling on the Osun State Government to prioritize the needs and aspirations of civil servants and public workers.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Party, Wole Adedoyin, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to the statement, APGA recognizes and appreciates the indispensable role that Osun workers play in the administration and development of the state. Without the hard work, loyalty, and sacrifice of civil servants, governance would grind to a halt, and public service delivery would be severely impaired.
The party noted that while workers across the country face similar challenges, the plight of Osun workers demands special attention. Delayed salaries, pension arrears, poor working environments, and lack of adequate motivation have continued to diminish the morale of workers in the state.
“Osun workers deserve better,” Adedoyin said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, workers still struggle with irregular salary payments, inadequate housing, and insufficient health coverage. This is a violation of their rights and a breach of trust between the government and its employees.”
APGA called on the state government to implement a comprehensive worker-friendly policy that includes prompt payment of salaries and pensions, professional training opportunities, and improved infrastructure in public offices. According to the party, a motivated workforce is the bedrock of any successful administration.
The party also urged the state government to engage directly with workers’ unions and associations to identify critical areas of need and to ensure a participatory approach to policy-making regarding labor and employment matters.
APGA used the opportunity to salute the resilience and patriotism of Osun workers, especially teachers, health professionals, law enforcement officers, and local government staff, who continue to discharge their duties in the face of adversity. “Your commitment to the state does not go unnoticed,” the statement read.
Wole Adedoyin reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to the protection of workers’ rights, stressing that the party’s philosophy—Be Your Brother and Sister’s Keeper—would remain its guiding principle in standing with the workforce of Osun State.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has refuted allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement of student loan funds.
In a statement on Thursday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the fund’s director of strategic communications, said some media reports are circulating “unverified, context-free, and inflammatory” claims suggesting that it mismanaged student loan monies.
Oluwatuyi said these allegations are “false, grossly irresponsible, and damaging” to the integrity of the scheme.
TheCable earlier reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into alleged discrepancies in the disbursement of student loan funds.
A report had claimed that 51 tertiary institutions were involved in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFund scheme.
The ICPC said that of the N100 billion released by the federal government reportedly for the student loan scheme, only N28.8 billion had been disbursed to students as of the time of the report, leaving about N71.2 billion unaccounted for.
It noted that its special task force has invited key stakeholders for questioning, including the director general of the budget office, the accountant general of the federation, and officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFund’s managing director, has also been invited to provide relevant documentation.
The ICPC said N203.8 billion had been received by NELFund as of March 19, 2024, from multiple channels.
These include allocations from the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Of that figure, ICPC said N44.2 billion had been disbursed to 299 beneficiary institutions, covering 293,178 students.
Oluwatuyi said no funds have been stolen under the current student loan scheme, which officially launched its application portal in 2024.
“All institutional fees are paid directly to verified institutions, while upkeep allowances go into the verified bank accounts of eligible students,” she said.
“The reports circulating in the public space are based on outdated figures and previous interventions that predate our operations.”
The communications director said NELFund operates an automated loan system to eliminate the possibility of financial misconduct.
Every application and disbursement, according to her, is digitally tracked, time-stamped, and verifiable.