Opinion
UBEC; Reforming Deficits Towards Enhancing Performance
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC under the leadership of Dr Hamid Bobboyi as the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer ES/ CEO has showed a lot of willingness and administrative wizardry towards inculcating not only Infrastructural rejuvenation, but manpower development towards the delivery of its mandate inline with the act establishing the commission.
In this vein , it started the process of Infrastructural rejuvenation side by side with manpower development towards ensuring a lasting solution to all round deficits, prevalent in the commission with concentration to Zonal and State offices across the country.
With only one commission serving as the corporate headquarters in Abuja, the desire to trickle down both infrastructure and manpower development to Zonal and State state offices cannot be overlooked, to ensure synergy and simultaneous deliverance of all its programs across board.
Worried by the glaring non -performance at the Zonal and State offices through lackadaisical attitudes of staffers , the commission organised a two day sensitization and mobilisation program to address not only Infrastructural development problems prevalent at that level , but manpower utilization that had been neglected by sheer inactions on the part of staffers at that level.
Having identified such anomaly and misgivings, at that level , in contradiction to the activities at the national level , the commission had raised alarm with the dearth of lack of performance, improved productivity and efficiency, in spite of the creation of an enabling environment, Infrastructural rejuvenation and manpower development.
Aside execution of it’s statutory programs both at the national, zonal and state levels , particularly as it affects Basic Education, strengthening of these offices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not negotiable and desiring.
Since the core mandate of the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC trickled down to both states and local government levels, the usurped functions of the Zonal and State offices according to the leadership of the commission under Hamid Bobboyi is not acceptable, not modest and modern in line with its vision and mission, as it seems concentrated at the commission’s headquarters.
With the current leadership revolving administrative and Infrastructural development that led to the upgraded physical planning and execution at the national level , reducing to the barest minimum office accommodation problems and gradual implementation of similar program both at the Zonal and State levels, the need to streamline manpower and performance in tandem with the new order is sacrosanct.
Therefore, the desire of the commission to extricate its activities at the Zonal and State from a non- functional status that could tackle going forward it’s statutory functions in the area of project monitoring, program monitoring, other major programs and projects need not to suffer, as the officers at that level are fully paid to perform their statutory functions.
With determination of the commission through the two day sensitization, mobilisation workshop, training and retraining , the prevalent presentation of inaccurate reports of its activities, rash inspection of projects that had led to payment for shoddy jobs, uncompleted and abandoned projects will no longer be tenable.
The new order which is capable of turning around the Zonal and State offices, deliver Basic Education programs, abhor absenteeism, redundancy and low morale, as well ensured harmonious working relations, with a rejiged and refocused Zonal and State offices with a view to performing the statutory functions.
With concerted efforts by the current management under Dr Hamid Bobboyi that had improved staff training, provision of working tools , decent accommodation, funding, transport among others to encourage productivity in the commission.
The positive development by the leadership has challenged the field officers both at the Zonal and State offices to synergise and devolve responsibility with both the national and sub- national levels.
No doubt, with the new zeal , optimum and seamless performance in line with UBEC act will not be compromised.
ABUBAKAR YUSUF Writes from Abuja on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
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.