Yuletide: IG promises adequate security.

Yuletide: IG promises adequate security.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians of adequate security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He made this known on Friday during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Force Christmas Carol in Abuja.

The IG, speaking to journalists during the Carols of Nine Lessons, noted that the police had put in place necessary security measures towards ensuring a hitch-free celebrations across the country.

He added that Christmas Carol was to intimate Nigerians on the need to promote peaceful coexistence during and after the Christmas celebrations. He further revealed that the NPF has been at the forefront in ensuring the security of lives and properties.

Egberokun said, “This is the first of it’s type by the Nigeria Police Force; the Christmas Carol is an avenue to bring Nigerians together to celebrate, and be encouraged to live peacefully with one another. Before this Carol, we have made our adequate deployments across the country to ensure that Nigerians are safe and that they enjoy the festivities in peace and harmony.”

Tinubu Reassures Nigerians of Unwavering Commitment to Fairness for All Policy.

Tinubu Reassures Nigerians of Unwavering Commitment to Fairness for All Policy.

President Bola Tinubu says he will always be fair to all Nigerians and that his administration remains committed to advancing the unity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the welfare and prosperity of all citizens. 

Speaking at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque in Surulere, Lagos, on Friday, the President said the economic reforms initiated by his government are aimed at establishing a robust and secure foundation for Nigerians today and for generations unborn.

President Tinubu, who joined the Muslim Ummah to observe Jumaat prayers marking the centennial anniversary of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), commended the Society for its service to humanity, contributions to the propagation of the tenets of Islam, and efforts in uplifting the downtrodden.

He implored members of the Society to remain committed to their objectives of advancing the education of citizens, as well as promoting the moral and social development of the Muslim Ummah.

The President thanked the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society for their support during the elections, emphasizing that their efforts serve as a motivation for his government to stay resolute in delivering good governance to the people.

”I thank the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society for its support during the elections. I do not take it for granted; rather, the support serves as a stimulus for us in government to remain focused,” he said.

Reiterating his commitment to the welfare of all citizens, President Tinubu, who is on a brief Christmas holiday in Lagos, said the recent 50 percent cut in inter-state land transportation fares nationwide, and the payment of N-Power beneficiaries’ backlog of allowances, among other reliefs, are all efforts aimed at alleviating the burden of Nigerians this festive season with much more to be expected in the new year. 

”We are committed to enthroning a better society for our citizens irrespective of ethnic, religious, or geographical differences. The various policies already in place are expected to bring great succour to our people. We know their pains, and we are addressing them holistically.

”It is instructive that Ansar-Ud-Deen has attained 100 years through a systemic strategy that maintains its mission and vision. This is a testimony to what focused planning can achieve in a society,” the President concluded.

Kaduna gov signs 2024 appropriation bill into law.

Kaduna gov signs 2024 appropriation bill into law.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani on Friday signed into law the 2024 appropriation bill of N458,271,299,477.66.

It was reported that the governor had on Monday, presented the 2024 budget to the lawmakers for approval.

The budget had a capital budget size of N318,836,576,588.28 and recurrent spending of N139,434,722,889.38, representing a capital-to-recurrent ratio of 69.57% to 30.43%.

Sani had said that education took the lion’s share of N115,421,129,011.16 or 25.19% of the budget while state N71,647,821,975.33 or 15.63% would be spent on the Health sector.

The governor while signing the appropriation bill into law at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, commended the lawmakers for the expeditious passage of the bill.

He, however, noted that for the state to achieve the objectives of the 2024 budget, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as well as other government-owned enterprises must improve on their revenue generation efforts.

He also solicited the support and cooperation of the good people of the state to commence the implementation of the budget.

According to him, the budget tagged: ‘Rural Transformation for Inclusive Development,’ will revitalize the rural economies, promote social inclusion, boost agriculture, and make the state secure for the citizens.

He said, “The 2024 Budget that I have the honour of signing into law today provides for a total expenditure of N458,271,299,477.66, of which N318,836,576,588.28 (69.57% of the budget) is for Capital Expenditure and N139,434,722,889.38 (30.43% of the budget) is for Recurrent Expenditure.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Henry Danjuma and Honourable Members of the House for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Appropriation Bill. This is a clear testament to your commitment to the progress and development of our dear state.

“As I stated during the budget presentation to the House, this budget is designed to bring development closer to the people of Kaduna State.

“The 2024 Budget of “Rural Transformation for Inclusive Development” will bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas, revitalize our rural economies, promote social inclusion, address the gaps in infrastructure and human capital, boost agriculture and food security, and make Kaduna State safe and secure for citizens and investments.

“For us to achieve the objectives of the 2024 Budget, all hands must be on deck. MDAs and government-owned Enterprises must brace up and fashion effective strategies that will enable them to improve their revenue generation efforts.

“The reinvigorated Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has an important role to play in the effective implementation of the 2024 Budget. KADIRS must sustain the current momentum of our revenue generation drive.”

Speaking at the Signing of the Budget, Acting Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Henry Danjuma, said the lawmakers consider speedy passage of the bill to enable the government to deliver the much-needed dividend of democracy to the people of the state.

He expressed confidence that the governor has the determination to fully implement the appropriation law.

Hon. Wunmi Olubunmi Ogunlola's Remarkable Donation of 9 Flats to Indigent Citizens Celebrated in Ijero.

Hon. Wunmi Olubunmi Ogunlola's Remarkable Donation of 9 Flats to Indigent Citizens Celebrated in Ijero.

In a heartwarming display of generosity, Hon. Wunmi Olubunmi Ogunlola has once again touched the lives of some indigent citizens, just as she did in 2020 when she assisted a helpless aged woman fondly called Iya Olowe.

This time, Honorable Ogunlola surpassed expectations by donating a staggering 9 flats to those in need within the consistency.

During the presentation of these apartments, Hon. Wunmi reiterated that the recipients would permanently own the flats, urging them to maintain cleanliness and upkeep. She emphasized a no-payment policy, assuring the occupants that the houses would only be reclaimed if they were relocating to their personal residences.

Appraising the efforts of the Ekiti Government, particularly under the diligent governance of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Hon. Wunmi highlighted a joint commitment to ensuring the best for Ekiti and its residents.

Moreover, in an act of empowerment and a festive spirit, Hon. Wunmi extended a generous Christmas gift of N25,000 to over 250 individuals. One beneficiary, Ayoade Funmi, expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, "I wasn't expecting this kindness. It's rare, and the gift came at the perfect time. Just last week, my landlord reminded me of my impending house rent expiry. I can only pray that God makes her go to greater heights, and God continues to bless her."

Obi hails FG over 50% interstate fare slash, laments non-compliance.

 Obi hails FG over 50% interstate fare slash, laments non-compliance. 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Friday, praised the Federal Government for considering partnering with some major transport companies to subsidise interstate fares for Nigerians travelling during the Yuletide season.

The FG on Wednesday announced a 50 per cent reduction in transportation costs along 22 interstate routes during the festive period.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, who chaired the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, made the announcement when he briefed State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The spokesperson for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Segun Falade, also confirmed that the union would commence the implementation of the fare subsidy on Thursday.

Alake said the 50 per cent reduction in fares was arrived at in conjunction with companies operating luxury buses, and President Bola Tinubu had directed that commuters on all train services would get free rides from December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.

Reacting to the development via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Obi commended the intervention intended to help the masses, saying it was the right step in the appropriate direction.

The former Anambra State governor, however, expressed concern that there were no checks and balances to ensure compliance, saying his investigation at major parks across the country showed that the transporters were not following the terms of the contract.

He tweeted, “If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.

“However, the major concern about such emergency measures is what follows afterward. The high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known.

“The question this seasonal palliative raises is what happens after the festive season. Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges.

“Millions of people have already travelled, bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated?

“Following the government’s announcement of a 50 per cent discount on interstate transport fares for Nigerians, I have taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities, but I have been disappointed.

“Today, I sent out contacts who consulted widely with the transporters in major parks across the country: in Abuja, they carried out on-the-spot investigations in Jabi and Utako areas; in Lagos, they visited major parks like Jibowu, Festac, Mile 12, Ajah, and Mazamaza, and none of the transporters in these parks was aware of this 50 per cent discount.

“At Upper Iweka, Onitsha, which is the main traffic hub in Anambra, and in other parts of the country like Kano, Aba, Kaduna, Owerri, and Gombe, the story is the same.”

Continuing, the LP presidential candidate lamented that it was unfortunate that such a lofty initiative could be deliberately hijacked to further worsen the situation of the masses.

He also urged the FG to speak up in the wake of the alleged manipulation to clear the air that its 50 per cent intervention wasn’t just a ‘spin’ to deceive Nigerians.

“There are obvious questions about the integrity of this intervention effort. One expects that such a policy that strives to appeal to the broad masses, especially the downtrodden, should be made with transport companies.

“I pray that this is not yet another spin to curry favour in the media space after appetising the people. The Nigerian people are going through untold hardship, and the government must not remain insensitive to their sufferings.

“Compassion on the part of government is a good thing, but it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation,” he stated

Emefiele operated 593 illegal US, UK, China accounts – CBN investigator.

Emefiele operated 593 illegal US, UK, China accounts – CBN investigator.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, illegally lodged billions of naira in no fewer than 593 bank accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, and China without the approval of the apex bank’s board of directors and the CBN Investment Committee.

The Special Investigator on the CBN and Related Entities, Jim Obaze, found that the ex-CBN governor lodged £543, 482,213 in fixed deposits in UK banks alone without authorisation.

When contacted, counsel for Emefiele, Mathew Bukkaa, SAN, asked one of our correspondents to send him a text message. He has yet to reply to the message as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Obaze submitted his final report tagged, ‘Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences) to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

The report partly read, “The former governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele invested Nigeria’s money without authorization in 593 foreign bank accounts in United States, China and United Kingdom, while he was in charge.

“All the accounts where the billions were lodged have all been traced by the investigator.”

In a letter dated July 28, 2023, sighted by The PUNCH, President Bola Tinubu had named a former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Obazee, as the CBN special investigator.

Emefiele, who is currently in Kuje Custodial Centre, is being prosecuted for N1.2 billion procurement fraud.

He has not been able to perfect the N300m bail granted him by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on November 22.

However, documents obtained by our correspondent on Thursday indicated that the former apex bank governor might face fresh criminal charges over the handling of the CBN naira redesign policy.

Emefiele could be prosecuted for illegal issuance of currency under section 19 of the CBN Act alongside Tunde Sabiu, a former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, and 12 top directors of the CBN.

It was gathered that the naira redesign policy was sold to Buhari at the instance of Sabiu and that the initiative was done without the approval of the board of the CBN.

The investigator found that Buhari didn’t approve of the naira redesign. It was Tunde Sabiu who first told Emefiele in September 2022 to consider the redesign of the naira. On October 6, 2022, Emefiele wrote to Buhari that he wanted to redesign and reconfigure N1000, N500 and N200 notes.

“The former President tagged along but did not approve the redesign as required by law. Buhari merely approved that the currency be printed in Nigeria. The redesign was only mentioned to the board of the CBN on December 15, 2022, after Emefiele had awarded the contract to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc on October 31, 2022,’’ the documents noted.

Emefiele was said to have contracted the redesign of the naira to De La Rue of the UK for £205, 000 pounds under the vote head of the Currency Operations Department after the NSPM said it could not deliver the contract within a short timeframe.

The special investigator found that N61.5bn was earmarked for the printing of the new notes out of which N31.79bn had been paid.

As of August 9, 2023, findings revealed that N769bn of the new notes were in circulation.

The probe of the CBN also revealed the fraudulent use of N26.627tn Ways and Means of the Apex Bank as well as the misuse of the COVID-19 intervention fund.

For instance, the CBN under Emefiele at its 661st meeting held on October 27, 2020, approved that the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account should be debited with the sum of N124.860bn, and the decision was implemented on October 9.

Similarly, the Committee of Governors at its 670th meeting held on December 9, 2020, granted anticipatory approval ‘’pending receipt of a formal request by Mr President and ratification by the board of directors the payment of the sum of N250bn only to the Federal Government of Nigeria to address challenges as a result of low revenue inflow and the payment of salaries.

The decision was implemented on December 15, 2020.

Also on December 30, 2020, the committee of governors at its 672nd meeting granted another anticipatory approval for N250bn to the Federal Government for payment of salaries pending receipt of a formal request by Mr President and ratification by the board of directors.

The apex bank’s management through the Finance and General Purpose Committee equally granted anticipatory approval on the investment of $200mn in equity warrants of the Africa Finance Corporation.

According to section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007, the CBN could grant temporary advances to the Federal Government in respect of temporary deficiency of budget revenue at an interest.

The section also provides that such advances are to be repaid by the end of the financial year in which they are granted otherwise, the CBN shall be stopped from granting such advances in the subsequent year.

The advance is not to be repaid by way of promissory note, securitization or issuance of treasury bills.

The CBN investigator discovered that the CBN Ways and Means was abused under the Buhari administration.

The document further said, “In an instance, they (senior CBN and government officials) padded what the former President Muhammadu Buhari approved with N198,963,162, 187. There are instances where no approvals are received from the former president and yet, N500bn is taken and debited to Ways and Means.

“There are more shocking instances where the erstwhile CBN governor and his four deputy governors connived to steal outright in order to balance the books of the CBN.

“This was by violently taking money from the Consolidated Revenue account and then charging it to Ways and Means. It was a total of N124.860bn. They even created the narration as a presidential subsidy and expanded the ways and Means portfolio to accommodate crime.

“The CBN officers and even the then acting CBN governor could not produce the Presidential Approval of most of the expenses described as ‘Ways and Means.’ When confronted, to provide the breakdown of the supposed N22.7trn that was presented to the 9th National Assembly to illegally securitise as ‘Ways and Means’ financing, they were only able to partially explain a total of N9.063 trn or N9.2trn depending on which official you are considering his submission and an unreasonable attribution of non-negotiated interest element of N6.5tn.

“This shows that this was the point where the officers of the immediate past administration as well as the erstwhile CBN governor and his four deputy governors connived, defrauded, and stole from the commonwealth of our country with the aid of civil servants.’’

Continuing, the report said, “The true position of the Ways and Means as documented from the reconciliation between the CBN and the Ministry of Finance at the time is N4,449,149,411,584.54.

“This may have been the main reason the past administration hurriedly sought that the advances of N22.7trn be securitised by the 9th National Assembly on December 19, 2022, which they also hurriedly did despite the fact that it contravenes section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007.

The CBN under Emefiele was also said to have spent N1.7bn on questionable legal fees for 19 cases instituted against the naira redesign policy.

The investigator also discovered how Emefiele misrepresented the presidential approval for the NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited approved by former president Goodluck Jonathan.

The document read, “The Presidential approval granted by then President Goodluck Jonathan was rightly stated by him NESI should be a company limited by guarantee but the Committee of Governors misled the Board of the CBN by relying on non-existent advice by the office of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to incorporate a company limited by shares for which the allotted share capital exceeded the authorised share capital (See 380th meeting of the Committee of Governors held in January in January 2015) and allotting unauthorised share capital to Mr Godwin Emefiele and Mr Mudashiru Olaitan without lawful approval by the President.

“N1.325bn was stolen pre-incorporation and the money funnelled to four companies, including a legal firm which got N300mn.’’

Between 2015 and 2021, an investment company was said to have collected unlawfully a total of N4.89bn.

A breakdown indicated that the firm received N262mn in 2015, N464mn in 2016, N550mn in 2017, N726mn in 2018, N762 in 2019, N684 in 2020 and N1.44bn in 2021, totalling N4.89bn.

Emefiele also allegedly paid N17.2bn to 14 deposit money banks participating in the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility.

“A total of 14 DMBs engaged in the manipulation by unlawfully arranging and collecting 1.9535 per cent of the total disbursements paid to the DMBs participating in the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility.

The fees are paid to the banks in the ratio of their contributions to the NEMSF disbursement, according to External Auditor’s Notes to the Financial Statement of NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited.

“The CBN also went further by authorising the issuance of debenture for the NESI SPV, starting with N64.8bn in 2015. By 2021, N952bn debenture had been issued. The investigator said the money was diverted from public funds,’’ the document further stated.

It was further gathered that Emefiele could be tried for alleged manipulation of the naira exchange rate, fraudulent implementation of the e-naira project, and exemption of three foreign firms from paying income tax.

Meanwhile, the investigation has uncovered the strange illegal withdrawal/theft of $6.23mn from the CBN vault by two persons who used a forged presidential letter.

The suspects currently in custody were said to have presented a forged letter on February 7 and 8, 2023, purportedly signed by Buhari to withdraw the money allegedly meant for payment for foreign election observation missions.

FG declares December 25, 26, January 1, 2024, public holidays.

FG declares December 25, 26, January 1, 2024, public holidays.

The federal government has declared Monday 25, Tuesday, 26 December, 2023, and Monday, January, 1st 2024 as public holidays to mark Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations respectively.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government on Friday, December 22.

He felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Peter Egbodo, enjoined Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings of humility, service, compassion, patience, peace, and righteousness that His birth signifies.

He emphasised that peace and security are critical prerequisites for economic development and prosperity.

The minister assured that the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu would continue to put in place effective measures for the security of lives and property

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is my Minister of the Year

He urged Nigerians to be security conscious, and report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agencies.

He reiterated that the Yuletide season calls for discipline to protect the lives and property of everyone in their respective communities and the nation as a whole.

Dr Tunji-Ojo admonished all Citizens to remain focused that, the year 2024 will be a better year with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President.