Appointment
EFCC Chair: Okechukwu urges critics of Olukoyode’s appointment to sheathe their swords
A stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Osita Okechukwu has appealed to critics of the appointment of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede as the new chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sheathe their swords.
This is coming against the backdrop of reactions that have continued to trail the appointment by Presiden Bola Tinubu
Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of All Progressives Congress (APC), said Olukoyede’s traducers should calm down, stressing that the appointment of the former EFCC secretary is a game changer for anti-graft-war crusade, going by his antecedents.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, in Abuja, the APC chieftain maintained that it is not unusual for controversy to erupt after the appointment to an important and strategic office like the chairman of EFCC, with regard to whether the appointment conforms with extant laws.
However, Okechukwu, who is also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (DG VON) called for caution, saying, “One has carefully taken a cursory analysis of the raging debate and came to the inevitable conclusion that Ola Olukoyode’s traducers had forgotten the famous and ageless maxim of the foremost physician of all time Albert Einstein – “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
“Corollary,” he said, “the truism is that Olukoyode’s appointment comes as a remedy, because EFCC was formed to provide alternative front for higher performance in waging the Herculean anti-graft war crusade.
“Therefore, his appointment from fraud angle of the noble legal profession is an appropriate alternative strategy for reforms. Doing otherwise is akin to doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
On the legitimacy of his qualification, the DG VON said that he is in league with the preponderant view of senior counsel that Olukoyode’s cognate experience is unassailable having headed the administrative wing of the EFCC and having devoted the last two decades in the tricky fraud profession.
“As the intendment of the law is that emphasis should be laid on cognate experience. The reforms contemplated by Renewed Agenda of President Tinubu can only be achieved under an informed insider with requisite legal tools not a learner. That, to me, is the essential thrust of Olukoyode’s appointment,” he added.
Okechukwu said Nigerians should expect better results from Olukoyode, even as he urged the new EFCC chairman to always stand against the temptation of media trial but conclude diligent investigations before exposing criminal suspects.
He further admonished Olukoyede to ensure that EFCC operatives embark on investigations with fine tooth combs to fish out billions of dollars looted from Nigeria’s commonwealth and stashed abroad in foreign banks.
“Having served as member of the Technical Committee of the Presidential Advisory Council on Corruption, as well as member of the Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); Olukoyede should insist that his men uses fine tooth combs to fish out billions of dollars stashed abroad.
“These monies could help to bail Nigerians out of economic quagmire and debt burden. Common-sense dictates that it cannot be only Gen Abacha’s loot that are hidden in foreign banks. I therefore appeal to Olukoyede’s traducers to sheathe their swords and assist him with ideas to make EFCC deliver on its lofty mandates,” Okechukwu demanded.
The Senate has endorsed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran as the substantive Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
President Bola Tinubu had nominated Oloworaran for the position and sought Senate approval through a formal request.
Her confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, presented during Thursday’s plenary session.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North), stated that Oloworaran met all legal and professional requirements as outlined in the Pension Reform Act 2014. He emphasized that she fulfilled the criteria stipulated under sections 19(2), (5), (6), and 26 of the Act, qualifying her for the role.
“The nominee has demonstrated competence and meets the legal prerequisites for this position. The committee finds her to be a fit and proper person for appointment as Director-General of PENCOM,” Senator Fasuyi said.
During the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin put the committee’s recommendation to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the senators.
Oloworaran’s confirmation ensures continued leadership at PENCOM, an agency critical to Nigeria’s pension administration and reform initiatives.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as Chief of Staff, with the appointment taking immediate effect.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Fred Itua, made the disclosure through a press Statement on Thursday.
According to the statement the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, who made the announcement described Audu’s new role as integral to advancing Governor Okpebholo’s reform agenda for the state.
The statement reads: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect.”
Hon. Audu, born on August 18, 1969, brings a rich background in governance and administration to his new role. A graduate of Auchi Polytechnic with an HND (1994), he went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University (2011) and an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja (2024).
Audu’s political experience spans nearly two decades. He served as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010, represented Etsako West Constituency 1 in the Edo State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, and was the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2020 Edo State elections.
This strategic appointment is expected to bolster the governor’s administrative team and support his vision of transformative governance in Edo State.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), on Wednesday, President Tinubu expressed his enthusiasm about strengthening Nigeria-U.S. relations amidst the complex global challenges and opportunities.
Trump, who claimed victory on Wednesday, pledged to “heal” the country as he was on the brink of defeating Kamala Harris in a remarkable White House comeback.
President Tinubu praised Trump’s victory, emphasizing that it reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He also commended the American people’s commitment to democracy.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu expressed confidence that Trump’s experience as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021 would foster beneficial and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between the U.S. and Africa. He expressed hope that this new era under President Trump would promote peace, economic cooperation, and address global challenges.
Acknowledging the significant influence of the United States in shaping global events, President Tinubu believes that Trump’s leadership will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu