Top officials in the federal civil service have commenced intensive lobby as the federal government shops for new Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, as well as two federal permanent secretaries.

A statement by Eno Olotu, Director, Information and Public Relations in Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, on Monday said the two vacant positions of permanent secretary arise from the recent retirement of the permanent secretary from Oyo State and an impending vacancy in the North-West Geopolitical Zone.

Olotu added that the position of the Accountant-General of the Federation will become vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent in March 2025.

She said that to ensure the appointment of only qualified, credible, and competent individuals, the appointment process will follow a structured and multi-tiered evaluation, as approved by the President as a measure of reaffirming its commitment to a transparent, merit-driven, and rigorous selection process.

President Tinubu in December last year, in what appears as a policy reversal, directed the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to continue in office till 7 March 2025.

This followed the controversy that trailed the announcement of Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new AGF by President Bola Tinubu.

Our correspondent had also reported that there was tension in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation(OAGF) Abuja, following the appointment of Mr Ogunjimi as the new acting AGF by the President.

Ogunjimi’s appointment was announced by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga in a statement on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, as a result of the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. Madein which commenced on December 7th.

However, in a letter from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs Madein was asked to reverse her pre-retirement leave notice and continue in office till March 2025.

However, the Monday night circular said that the appointment process is open to all serving Grade Level 17 officers in the mainstream Federal Civil Service who have held their current position for at least two years and have expressed interest in participating.

Candidates must meet several eligibility criteria, including screening and confirmation by their respective permanent secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure they are not under any disciplinary procedures.

The circular said that the list of eligible candidates will undergo verification screening by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, under observation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure eligibility.

The candidates will also undertake an asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

To further ensure the selection of individuals with impeccable ethical standing, candidates will undergo anti-corruption clearance by the DSS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the ICPC.

“The process will include a written examination conducted at a top Federal Government security agency.

“The setting of the examination questions and marking will be overseen by a body of serving and retired permanent secretaries, with observers from credible civil society organizations, the organized private sector, professional associations, DSS, and ICPC.

“In the subsequent phase of the selection process, candidates will be tested for ICT proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. ICPC and DSS will also observe this stage.

“The final appointment will rest with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who will consider the best-performing candidates based on their performance throughout the selection process,” the circular reads in parts

Access Bank’s top executives reportedly avoided arrest on Wednesday, February 5, when security agencies attempted to execute a court-ordered bench warrant at the bank’s headquarters in connection with an alleged unauthorized use of collateral property.

According to emerging reports monitored by Society Reporters, the bank’s Legal Officer informed law enforcement that CEO Bolaji Agbede, MD Roosevelt Ogbonna, and the Company Secretary were unavailable during the February 5th operation.

Video footage has surfaced showing the interaction between bank officials and prosecutors. The Legal Officers later accompanied police to Alagbon station, where they reportedly promised the defendants would appear at the next hearing scheduled for February 24th, 2025.

The controversy centres around a N 333 million loan granted by then-Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) to Balmoral International Limited and its managing director, Adejare Adegbenro. MOB Integrated Services Limited had allegedly provided their Bourdillon Road property in Ikoyi as collateral for this loan. However, Access Bank is accused of subsequently using the same property as collateral for an unrelated N1 billion facility without MOB Integrated Services’ knowledge or consent.

The bench warrant was issued after bank officials failed to appear for their January 20th arraignment. This latest development adds another layer to the complex legal battle over the alleged misuse of collateral in loan agreements worth over N1.3 billion.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, says the seeming fights among politicians are not real but only to entertain Nigerians.

Speaking during his 60th birthday thanksgiving service at St. Martins’ Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti, on Sunday, Fayemi downplayed the perception of animosity between political figures, emphasising that many of the supposed rivalries exist only on social media.

“So, all these things you read on social media are for your entertainment,” he said. “Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. During his birthday, I spent the entire day with him, and Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around.”

He said irrespective of political political differences, Ekiti politcians are not enemies.

He said, “The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to—that is the Ekiti Party, Ekiti Progressive Party—and our governor is carrying on with that.”

Reflecting on his journey, Fayemi said his 60th birthday was a moment of gratitude and rededication to service. “I am a product of grace, and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at 60,” he said.

“I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. it could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace and that is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect.”

Prominent Nigerians, led by President Bola Tinubu, celebrated the former governor and ex-minister for his contributions to governance.

Tinubu, in his tribute, commended Fayemi’s role in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that formed the All Progressives Congress.

“As a two-term governor, he (Fayemi) served the people amid severe economic challenges. There is no doubt that he made his mark in the governance of Ekiti State,” Tinubu stated. “Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfillment in the years ahead.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Fayemi’s 60th birthday as a celebration of “a life dedicated to service and excellence.”

He said, “The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world. I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements; it has been 60 years of progressive impact.”

The event attracted dignitaries including the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former Governor Segun Oni; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; wife of the Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Oladokun.

Others present were former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Chairman, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Wale Osun; APC Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola Elesin; serving and former members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and members of the State House of Assembly.