Lagos Assembly screens Gov Ambode’s nominees for Public Procurement Commission, TESCOM

Six nominees of Governor Akinwumi Ambode for Public Procurement Commission and that of the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) on Tuesday went through screening at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Designated nominee for the position of General Manager, State Public Procurement Commission Mr. Onafowote Fatai Idowu, a graduate of Agriculture, Biochemistry and Nutrition from University of Ibadan was born on 16th January, 1967.

Onafowote joined the Lagos State service through Agriculture Development Project and later became Programme Secretary, State Food Security Programme

The nominee also supported Lagos State Public Procurement as a Technical Adviser and has been acting as General Manager of the commission since May 2016.

The certificated procurements manager, who once worked under World Bank project in the sector disclosed during screening that insurance bond is important for procurement, adding that fund given to any contractor ought to be protected.

“They could get bond from banks or insurance companies. I support the ongoing reform in the House of Assembly on public procurement. “Initial payment for contracts could be between 20 and 40%.

It could be low for projects that involved a lot of money. Financial capability is part of consideration. 20% could be low, but it should range between 20 and 40%,” he said.

Onafowote disclosed that his current status as the Acting GM of the commission could be described as a child of circumstance, when the immediate past General Manager resigned.

Those screened for the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) include the designated chairman, Mrs. Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo.

Born in 1956, Ariyo attended United Missionary College and bagged Grade 2 Teachers Certificate, taught in Ilesha, Osun State. She later studied English Language at the University of Lagos between 1982 and 1986.

She joined the Lagos State School of Basic Studies in 1986, and later worked as an inspector, planning officer and State Primary Education Board.

Mrs. Ariyo became a Permanent Secretary in 2015 and retired in 2016.

Answering questions on pension from the lawmakers, she said she will monitor payment of pension of teachers, she disclosed that there is presently no central body.

Another nominee of the commission screened was Mr. Jacob Mahonu Ashaka.

Ashaka was born in 1958 in Topo, Badagry. He attended Government Teachers Training College, Badagry for Grade 2 Certificate in 1976 and was employed as a teacher.

In 1981, Ashaka proceeded to Lagos State College of Education and graduated in 1984.

Worked at Agboju Secondary School for period of nine years and later gained admission to the Lagos State University for first degree and went back for Masters Degree programme in Education Science and Administration in 2001.

Mrs. Sidikat Titilayo Smith was also screened and cleared for Teaching Service Commission. Born in 1954, Smith attended University of Lagos, where she studied Biology Education.

Mr. Adeleke Oluwaseun Kara was another nominee screened and cleared to be member of TESCOM.

Kara was a product of Federal College of Education, Okenne, and later taught at Teachers College, Ikorodu before going to the University of Ibadan to study Guidance and Counseling.

The fifth nominee screened for TESCOM was Mrs. Hadijat Hassan Kuburat. Born in 1965 and attended Lagos State University, where she studied Political Science, a Master degree holder and currently undergoing her PhD program at the University of Ilorin.

In another development, a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (2016) passed through second reading at the Tuesday plenary.

The Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Human Rights, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh disclosed that the bill needs overhauling and that the citizens of the State must be made to know the importance of security.

He submitted that the House has a responsibility to ensure that the agency works well and made to achieve its aim.

The Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade while adding his voice to the issue said there is need to review the law to consider the issue of vigilante.

He explained that members of the corps have power to conduct search or to arrest any erring members of the public.

The bill was later committed to the House Committee on Information, Publicity and Strategy, chairs by Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho to report back to the House in two weeks.