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Afenifere: There Should Be No Sacred Cow In Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs Scam, Queries N4 Billion Verification Fee

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Afenifere, a Yoruba socio cultural group, has advised President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all those linked with the ministry of humanitarian affairs financial scam are brought to book.

The group was of the view that this is the only way, Nigerians will see Tinubu as being committed to the fight against corruption.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the organizing secretary of the group, Kole Omololu  stated that “As an organization deeply committed to the progress and well-being of our nation, we are ready to provide our support in the battle against corruption.

“We strongly believe that eradicating corruption is essential for creating an environment that promotes sustainable development, equal opportunities, and social justice for all Nigerians.

“Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to reaffirm his dedication, along with his government, to the growth and advancement of Nigeria.

“As the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, President Tinubu must show the determination and resolve to address the critical issue of corruption, which has plagued our beloved country for far too long.

“Corruption remains a significant barrier to our nation’s development and hampers our collective aspirations. It is imperative that we confront this issue directly and foster a society where corruption has no room to thrive.

“We firmly believe that adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption is vital in achieving this goal. Given recent revelations regarding alleged corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we urge the President to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations.

“It is crucial to meticulously examine every aspect of the ministry’s financial transactions to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Additionally, we call for a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions associated with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as a forensic audit of the ministry and the companies involved in the excessively inflated consultancy’s verification fees.

“Afenifere raises concerns about the expenditure of almost 4 billion naira solely for verifying

beneficiaries and questions how much money will be left to be disbursed to the verified beneficiaries from the limited resources of the country.

“We firmly believe that no one should be exempt from this investigation, as the government under President Tinubu’s leadership must set an example and demonstrate unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance.

“Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of conducting this investigation without any interference or bias, ensuring a fair and just process.

“The Nigerian people have entrusted President Tinubu with their confidence, and it is his responsibility to uphold that trust by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability.”

Betta Edu: EFCC Quizzes Zenith, Jaiz, Providus Banks CEOs

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

  • Fasoranti Urges President Tinubu To Spare Nobody

Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere Leader, has called on President Bola Tinubu to wield the big stick and not exempt anyone found culpable in the alleged N585 million fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, headed by suspended Minister, Betta Edu.

The National Leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group in a statement, signed by Otunba Kole Omololu, in Akure, Ondo State Capital, stated that President Tinubu should take a firm stance against corruption.

According to him ”As an organization deeply committed to the progress and well-being of our nation, we are ready to provide our support in the battle against corruption.

“We strongly believe that eradicating corruption is essential for creating an environment that promotes sustainable development, equal opportunities, and social justice for all Nigerians.

“Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to reaffirm his dedication, along with his government, to the growth and advancement of Nigeria.

“As the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, President Tinubu must show the determination and resolve to address the critical issue of corruption, which has plagued our beloved country for far too long.

“Corruption remains a significant barrier to our nation’s development and hampers our collective aspirations.

“It is imperative that we confront this issue directly and foster a society where corruption has no room to thrive. We firmly believe that adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption is vital in achieving this goal.

“Given recent revelations regarding alleged corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we urge the President to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations.

“ It is crucial to meticulously examine every aspect of the ministry’s financial transactions to ensure transparency and accountability.

“ Additionally, we call for a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions associated with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as a forensic audit of the ministry and the companies involved in the excessively inflated consultancy’s verification fees.

“Afenifere raises concerns about the expenditure of almost 4 billion naira solely for verifying beneficiaries and questions how much money will be left to be disbursed to the verified beneficiaries from the limited resources of the country.

“We firmly believe that no one should be exempt from this investigation, as the government under President Tinubu’s leadership must set an example and demonstrate unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance.

“Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of conducting this investigation without any interference or bias, ensuring a fair and just process.

“ The Nigerian people have entrusted President Tinubu with their confidence, and it is his responsibility to uphold that trust by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability.”

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has quizzed the Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, and Jaiz Bank in connection with the over N44 billion fraud allegedly uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

An EFCC source disclosed that Zenith, Providus, and Jaiz banks are being questioned over the alleged ₦44.5bn fraud uncovered in the Ministry involving Edu and Shehu, the embattled Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA.

The source said, “The CEOs and MDs of Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, and Jaiz Bank are currently being grilled by our interrogators here at the headquarters.

“They were invited and are being probed in connection with the uncovered ₦44bn fraud and the ₦585million involving Halima Shehu and Betta Edu”, the source disclosed.

Outstanding Entitlements: Ondo Retirees Get N1.2 Billion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government is set to distribute cheques worth N1.2 billion to some retirees from its employment.

Government statement on Tuesday explained that beneficiaries are those that left the service on 2014.

Aside this, the State Government has promised to vote N320 million monthly for pensioners’ benefits.

The statement, signed by Sina Adeyeye, Press Officer,

Office of the Head of Service, stated that “As part of efforts of the Ondo State Government to settle the backlog of gratuity of state retirees and give them new lease of life, the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the sum N1.2b to fully offset backlog of 2014 set of state retirees.

“Distribution of cheques to beneficiaries will be flagged off by the governor at an event to be held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure on Thursday 11th January, 2024 by 3pm.

“It would be recalled that all 2013 set of state retirees’ gratuity had been cleared last year, while 2011 and a fractional part of 2012 set of the local government retirees were also cleared.

“This is apart from about N320m monthly, totalling about N2.7b yearly, that government has set aside for the settlement of all other categories of the pensioners’ benefits.”

Why Tunji-Ojo Was In Aso Rock – Presidency

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has summoned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to report at the Presidential Villa.

The summons was consequent upon the controversy that has rocked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, over the award of a N438m consultancy contract for the National Social Register to New Planet Projects Ltd, a company the Minister is said to have a strong interest in.

However, the Presidency denied the report stating that the Minister was in Aso Rock for a discussion with the President.

The Interior Minister had come under fire for his alleged involvement in a N438.1m consultancy contract.

The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu is with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC assisting operatives in their investigations

The Interior Minister met with the President on Tuesday afternoon but the  agenda was not made public.

Sources close to the Minister denied the report that he was summoned.

According to one of the sources, “We are too intelligent to be stupid.

Meanwhile Tunji – Ojo has explained his role in the humanitarian fund’s alleged scam.

It was reported that a firm allegedly owned by the Minister had received N438 million as “consultancy fees” from the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu.

The Minister, who denied  owning the said firm said “I am not a signatory to the company’, responding to the contract allegations linked with his former company and the Ministry of humanitarian affairs.

“I am not a signatory to the company,” the Minister said on Monday during a live appearancen Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“As I’ve always said, I came into public office with a commitment to base my service on sincerity of purpose and openness. I believe that Nigerians don’t deserve to be kept in the dark in terms of public office operations.”

“And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a Director. About five years ago, I had resigned from my directorship”.

While admitting to founding the company alongside his wife, the Minister said his resignation from the firm is a consequence of his  political ambition.

“I and my wife founded the company 15 years years ago. Well, in 2019, when I got to the House of Representatives, when I won election precisely, I made a change. I had resigned as Director of the company to hold office.”

The Minister said he is only a shareholder of the company which is not in violation of the law.

“Of course, and to the best of my knowledge, the public service rule does not prohibit public officers from being shareholders.”

Certificate Racketeering: FG Set Up Cmte To Probe Private Universities

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Prof Tahir Mamman - Minister for Education

The Federal Government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to probe certificate racketeering by foreign and local universities in the country.

The eight-man panel headed by Prof. JD Amin as chairman also have as part of its terms of reference, to investigate the activities of private universities established in the last 15 years.

While inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, said the committee report will assist the government is sanitizing the ivory towers in the country, as well as the certificates they issued.

The development comes on the heels of suggestions that some universities are issuing fake certificates. a

A journalist, Umar Audu, recently went viral after he exposed how he obtained a university degree in a Benin Republic university in six months, which enabled him to embark on the mandatory one-year national youth service under the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme.

A university course in the country takes at least four years to complete.

According to the minister, part of the work of the committee is to uncover universities in the country involved in certificate racketeering.

Tahir said,  “The next step will be if the committee can uncover those institutions and those who participated because I won’t say they are victims or graduates; we will chase them out of the system because they are not qualified to work in the system, and we will make them face the wrath of the law.”

Apart from Prof. J.D. Amin, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BOT, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, the committee has Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, as a member.

Other members of the committee are Amb. Lazarus Kpasaba from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Abel Olarenwaju, Office of the National Security Advisor; Omeh Nwokpoku, Office of the National Security Advisor; Amina Lugga, Federal Ministry of Youth and Development; Mrs. Doom Iyortyom, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB); and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Committee’s terms of reference include, to “Review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question;

“Review existing policies and procedures related to accreditation and certification to identify weaknesses contributing to the issue; examine the rules, procedures, and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education.

“Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form, with their identities and locations if any;

“Make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials;

“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognitions, accreditations, and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria.

“Examine the extant rules, procedures, and processes for granting provisional licences to new universities by the National Universities Commission.

“Examine the procedures and processes for periodic accreditation of programmes in the universities by the NUC and examine their effectiveness in quality assurance of the programmes;

“Without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the NUC, examine whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, an appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, and requisite staff (nature of staff: full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting, other types).”

Petrol Price Likely To Drop- UN

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol will decline this year, according to the United Nations.

The global body prediction was contained in the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects, WESP, report for 2024.

According to the UN, the price cut would come as a result of domestic refining of the product by some local refineries.

“Efforts to increase in-country oil refining capacity would likely reduce domestic fuel costs in 2024 and beyond,” the report said.a

Recall that Dangote Refineries has promised to start refining petrochemical products at its multi-billion naira refinery in Lagos, after receiving 6 million barrel of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

The sixth tranche of crude was delivered to the refinery on Monday.

Akin Omole, the Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, had told journalists at the Dangote Quay, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos that the Refinery was ready to take of once the 6 million barrels of crude is delivered.

He said, “Once the 6 million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

Petrol is currently sold in the country for N600 or more per litre, and marketers of the product recently suggested that the price should move up to N1200 per litre due to the foreign exchange scarcity.

Edugate: Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo Under Fire

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

The fate of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is hanging as a member of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, following the suspension of Beta Edu by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over an alleged N585 million fraud.

Edu was suspended on Monday by the president after Nigerians demanded her removal from office after a viral memo revealed that she advised the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the whopping sum to a private account.

Her action, according to analyst contradicts the country’s extant financial laws.

Following her suspension, Nigerians have demanded that other persons involved in the alleged scam be also dealt with.

It was on this basis that President Tinubu summoned Tunji-Ojo on Tuesday to Aso Rock, after the firm he co-owned with his wife was mentioned among other companies which allegedly received money from the embattled ministry.

The former lawmaker has exonerated himself from the scandal, insisting that he has resigned from the company, and no longer a director as being claimed in some quarters.

According to him, ”I am not a signatory to the company.

“And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I had resigned from my directorship.

“Of course, to the best of my knowledge, public service rules do not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. What public service rules say is that you cannot be a director of which I had resigned about five years ago.”

The worry among those watching the development, is that the minister, one of the poster boys of the Tinubu’s administration could also be in the firing line as a result of the scam.

The question is: will the former House of Representative member from Ondo state be the next casualty of the Edugate?

Following his appointment by President Tinubu last August, the minister has embarked on what, some people described as cleaning the Augean stable of the Passport Office in the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS. To the credit of the minister, Nigerians no longer have to wait for months to obtain their international Passports.

Meanwhile, Edu was grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday to ascertain her role in the financial scandal.

Obi Faults Neglect Of Human Capital In 2024 Budget, Decries N6b for Legislators Car Park Over N5b Students Loan

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi, has again decried the apparent neglect of human capital in the 2024 national budget just signed into law by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.

Obi lampooned the inhumane of a budget that has N6b to construct a car park, a billion naira higher than the N5b loan budgeted for the entire Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.

The LP standard beer noted that this notwithstanding that the legislators had recently used 12 times the number of student loans to buy their cars.

Obi writing in his X handle on Monday said

“Today, in this country, the inadequate attention being given to human capital development is at the root of most investment challenges in our clime.

“This malaise has become a recurring decimal in our political life due to poor governance and persistent leadership failure in the country.

“This has become a critical thing that is affecting the overall development, especially its HDI rating. Nigeria currently ranks 163 out of 191 countries measured and remained within the low category when our contemporaries have all moved on to medium and high categories.

“It is therefore shocking that our budget was signed and released to the world without prioritizing the critical areas of investment for the people. A sum of N5 billion was budgeted for student loans, while a larger sum of N6 billion was budgeted to build a car park for the legislators, who recently used 12 times the amount of student loans to buy their cars. Now we are using an amount more than was budgeted for student loans, to provide them with car parks.

“Nigeria remains a country without a national library. The library was awarded by Late General Abacha in 1995, and despite the billions already spent on it, it remains uncompleted today, and Nigeria’s library is operating from a rented apartment. Yet, the National Assembly budgeted N3 billion for its library.

“I consistently maintain that unless we cut the cost of governance and strictly prioritize our expenditure on areas of growth and development, we will not achieve any tangible and lasting development. PO

Utomi: Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso And I Are Discussing

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Pat Utomi, former Presidential Aspirant and Professor of Political Economy, has described the Nation’s Democratic System as a non-working one.

Utomi said that the absence of real political parties is the reason why the nation’s democracy is not working.

He added that what only happens in Nigeria is the focus on elections to grab power.

Utomi said this during an appearance on Arise Television. He stressed that Nigeria is not a working democracy, and part of our efforts is to make our democracy work before people think about the next election. “Countries don’t grow by waiting for the next electoral process; countries grow through the founding of political parties.

“I can say without any feeling of wrongness that we don’t have a political party in Nigeria today. What we have been able to couple together since 1999 has been a platform for machine politics, where the game is to grab power rightly or wrongly and share spoils.”

Speaking further, he stated that he’s had conversations with the frontrunners during the 2023 general elections over a merger to make the country better.

“In the last week, I’ve had significant conversations with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Mr. Peter Obi. My view is clear on this matter, let’s build a great party that can make Nigeria better.

When we then build it, the people from different social movements, in addition to the political parties that come into this one party, subscribe to certain values and ideologies of how you make a nation happen, can then present those who seem interested can go forward.

“This is what Nigeria needs, and must have but shouldn’t be about some individuals advertising that they are the ones who should go forward, Nigerians will determine that.”

Imo: Police Closes In On Suspected Abductors Of Monarch, Recovers Uniform Of Kidnapped FRSC Officer

By
Ayodele Oni
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HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri

By Ayodele Oni

The Imo State Police Command’s efforts to free an official of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) and a Traditional Ruler abducted a few days ago are yielding results.

The Command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, disclosed on Tuesday that it has bursted a criminal den that may lead it to apprehend those behind the kidnap.

The FRSC officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu, and HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri, the immediate past Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, were kidnapped few days ago at different locations in Imo state.

Okoye, explained that  Police operatives in collaboration with the military, made the breakthrough when they stormed a hideout suspected to be IPOB/ESN camp at Ihite Owerre, in Orlu Local Government Area of the State at about 3.30 am on January 9, after a gun duel.

He said after a protracted gunfight with the alleged IPOB/ESN members an unnamed suspect was apprehended while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“The arrested suspect, who is believed to be a member of the ESN terrorist group may lead to where the kidnapped victims are.

“On searching the camp, we recovered road safety uniforms of the kidnapped officer, Sabinus Ugwuebu.”

He added that other items recovered include one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, two single barrel guns, 54 rounds of live cartridges, military uniforms, six motorcycles and a box containing locally made explosives.

“A concerted investigative effort is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspects and possibly rescue the kidnapped victims.”

Okoye assured that the Command would continue to work closely with the Military and other relevant security agencies towards stamping out all forms of crime and criminality in the State.

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