Some staff and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) have passed vote of confidence on the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Muheeba Dankaka.

Some of the staff and Commissioners who spoke with our correspondent on Monday, 25 September, 2023 described the administration of Dr Dankaka as the best ever in the Commission.

“She has brought innovation into the running of the administration and she has made staff welfare one of her major priorities. I’ve been here for years and I can testify that she’s the best Chairman I’ve worked with,” a junior staff at the headquarters of the Commission said.

According to another staff, Dr Dankaka has instill discipline on the staff and gave them sense of belonging which has lifted the morale of the staff.

“She’s not only our Chairman but also a mother who protects and encourages us,” the staff said.

One of the Commissioners who spoke with this reporter described those calling for the removal of the Chairman as agents of darkness.

According to him, those fighting Dr Dankaka are doing so because she has stopped them from selling job slots.

“These are the cabals selling job slots in the Commission. They’re attacking her because she dismantled their gang,” another Commissioner said.

According to a female Commissioner, those who allegedly wrote petition to the President are afraid of their shadow. “They’re the same people that sent petition to the House of Representatives, but they can’t even wait for the House report before allegedly sending petition to the President. What are they afraid of? They’re liars, just looking for anything to hang on,” she said.

Our correspondent observed general contentment among staff and Commissioners at the FCC and their general chorus was: “Dr Dankaka, we’re proud of what you’re doing. You’ve our support”.

Wale Adedayo, the impeached chairman of the Ijebu East Local Government (LGA), has been arraigned by the Ogun State Police Command on a two-count charge for allegedly publishing an alleged false story about local government funds diversion by the state government.

This follows a petition filed by the state government over the alleged zero allocation and diversion of local government funds by the state government, an allegation which has been denied by the government.

Adedayo, who was arrested by the police on Monday, has since been arraigned at the Customary Court 2 in the Isabo area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge proffered against him.

The counsel to the defendant, Kayode Akinsola, prayed for the court to grant his client bail, promising that the defendant would not jump bail if granted and would honour all conditions attached to the bail application to which the prosecuting counsel, Olaide Rolly, did not object.

Delivering her judgement for the bail application, the presiding judge, A K Araba, admitted the defendant to bail of N2 million and two sureties with landed properties, among others within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case has however been adjourned till October 20 for the next hearing while the defendant has been remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta.

The  Senate will today (Tuesday) screen the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, for confirmation into a substantive capacity alongside four nominees for the positions of CBN Deputy Governors, to steer affairs of the apex bank in the next five years.

The Red Chamber, which is returning from its two-month annual vacation, has also scheduled the screening of two additional ministerial nominees by  President Bola Tinubu for Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

The Media Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement on Monday evening.

While the National Assembly was on break, the President appointed the duo of Dr. Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths respectively.

Tinubu also approved the nomination of  Cardoso as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria pending his confirmation by the Senate.

Last week, Cardoso resumed as the CBN governor in an acting capacity pending his screening and expected confirmation by the Senate.

The statement by the Senate Leader office said, “Dr. Cardoso will be screened alongside four deputy governors: namely Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

“Besides, the Senate has scheduled to screen the ministerial nominees – Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande, respectively designated as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth on October 3.”

Meanwhile, the Senate also pledged not to disappoint Nigerians as regards the appropriation of the 2024 budget.

Speaking on the agenda of the Red Chamber ahead of its resumption, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu,  emphasised that the revitalisation of the economy was top of its priorities.

Adaramodu said, “Soon after the resumption, the appropriation process will commence.

“The 10th Senate will not disappoint Nigerians; we’d ensure that we do what is expected of us because we are in a peculiar time when all hands must be on deck and Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see us do the needful to save Nigeria from the economic troubles we are currently experiencing and that permanent solutions are proffered.

“We’d ensure that appropriations are targeted at deliverables that can enhance a good life and good living of Nigerians and we are going to ensure that those that are approved are delivered to the latter and that quality services are given to Nigerians so that we can realise the goals of the Nigerian project so that we can ensure that life is more abundant to everyone to Nigerians.”

Adaramodu said the Senate expected the President to send the budget soon.

Credit: The Punch