NEWS
Benue N20bn Fraud Allegation Baseless, Targets at Discrediting Alia’s Govt – Akura
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The immediate past Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (LGACA), Dr. Dennis Akura has dismissed the N20bn fraud allegedly uncovered at the Bureau in Benue State.
Dr.
Akura, who is presently SA on Financial and Economic Strategy, Planning and Development to the Governor, described the allegation as a gross friction and baseless targeted at him to discredit his hard-earned reputation and good deed.He stated this in a statement he issued and made available to Daily Asset in Makurdi, while reacting to media reports where it was alleged that N20bn belonging to LGCs were embezzled under him.
An organisation identified as Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), with an acclaimed mandate to checkmate corruption and avail recommendations to anti-corruption agencies and the public for investigation, had in the media raised the alarm over the alleged fraud.
However, Akura in his statement said; “We read in a section of the media with utter dismay venal and mischievous allegations of missing ₦20bn in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in Benue State.
“In the news story, “Global Integrity Crusade Network”(GICN) who claimed that their mandate is to checkmate corruption and availed recommendations to Anti-corruption Agencies and the public domain for investigation, had in a news report tried unsuccessfully to mislead the unsuspecting members of the public with bogus fallacious claims designed to discredit and distract the Alia administration.
“For the records, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a much disciplined leader whose standpoint is prudent management of resources did not direct the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Denis Akura, to monitor the diversion of over ₦20billion federal allocation which aggregated to the local government from the federal allocation in Benue State.
“Again, as at June 2023 – 2nd October 2023, I was not at the helm of affairs at the Bureau. Therefore, making references to me within the period only exposes GICN’s main intention for the petition.
“Furthermore, it is on record that on the assumption of duty at the Bureau, I made it clear to all staff at the Bureau that I was directed by my boss to strictly adhere to the ‘workable administrative framework designed to restructure, revamp cum return the lost glory at the local government administration in Benue State.
“It is unfortunate that GICN completely exposed itself once more of the mischievous or stark ignorance or both on the running and management of the Bureau. In Benue State, the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs no longer controls the federal allocation or any funds of the local government areas. A quasi-financial autonomy has been granted to the local government where the aggregated federal allocation of the local government goes directly to each and every local government area’s Accounts.
“The Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as mandated by Governor Alia only Supervised, monitor and Coordinate the Affairs of the 23 local government areas through her Directorate of Monitoring and Inspection.
“Moreover, for transparency, the designated administrative framework has also directed all the local government area Caretaker Committee Chairmen to as a must be crediting their IGR into the local government area Accounts before transferring into the expenditures account to spend on the local government policies, Programmes and projects. All these decisions are deliberated and approved in the monthly Local Government Joint Account meetings”, Akura said.
The statement further stated that the same administrative framework has returned normalcy in the regular payment of local government salaries, imprest, pensions and gratuities; upfront payment of fresh retirees entitlements on or before 25th of every month with immediate enrollment on the pension payroll.
According to him, proposals of massive infrastructural development are collected by the Bureau across the 23 Local Government areas by the management of the Bureau.
“Within a short time, the Chairmen will soon be giving permission to prepare their local purchase orders to ignite massive infrastructural development ranging from overhaul renovation of the local government Quarters cum installation of street lights, and opening of ruler access roads to better the lives of rural dwellers in Benue State.
“The management of the Bureau does not have the mandate to share palliatives nor Christmas relieved materials as alleged in a section of the media.
“Finally hatchet jobs of this nature are to be expected, and we are expecting more to come in the nearest future especially now that the reform in various sectors of government by the Alia administration continues to gather steam”.
Akura alluded that Governor Alia had promised and declared that Benue people deserve to know what happens with their money and therefore, not afraid of any petition and shall not hesitate to reply to any, as there is nothing to hide.
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has tasked the Federal Government on the inclusion of the state in the disbursement of 13 percent oil revenue share, in line with the Derivation Principle as provided for in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He made the call when he received the Indices and Disbursement Committee of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday. It is recalled that the RMAFC had in December 2022 listed Enugu as an oil producing state.However, receiving the RMAFC team in his office, Mbah regretted that the state was yet to receive 13 per cent of revenues accruing to the state from the affected oil wells.“We still have this pending issue of Enugu State being recognised as an oil producing state, which your Office actually communicated to us sometime in December 2022 based on the report of the Inter-agency Technical Committee. The Committee came up with a recommendation that Enugu should be benefiting from the 13 percent derivation of the Anambra River Basin 1, Anambra River Basin 2, and Anambra River 3. But we have still not benefited from those fields.“So, it is our hope that your Office will put the necessary machinery in motion to ensure that we begin to benefit from that,” he stated.Mbah however said his government was not resting on its oars, as it was mobilising internal revenue sources, growing the state’s IGR by over 400 per cent by broadening the revenue sources and deploying technology to block leakages.“It is our hope that your indices also would be updated to reflect that much growth in our domestic revenue. We hope to actually surpass that. Our IGR in our 2025 budget is over 500 billion. And from the indications, we are going to surpass that projection,” Mbah stated.He added that his administration ensured that all revenues accruing to the local governments got to them 100 per cent in addition to assisting them in the funding of big projects. This, he said, was in the spirit of transparency and accountability.Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the leader of the team and Commissioner representing Kwara State at RMAFC, Ismaila Mohammed Agaka, commended Mbah for the proper utilisation of federal allocations and IGR to transform the state in a short period.“Before we came, we thought it was one of those media blitz that accompany the activities of state governors. But we have gone around. We have seen for ourselves the work going on. I particularly noted that illegal structures have no place again in Enugu. And that is the way it should be. There should be sanity and discipline in the way we do things; and we have seen evidence of that, sir.“I am pleased to note that the Smart Schools and the Health Centres across the 260 wards are very commendable. It clearly demonstrates the fact that it is clearly the government of the people by the leader of the people in the overall interest of the people,” he said.He said the RMAFC team was in Enugu State to monitor the disbursements from the Federation Account to Enugu State.“The major aim and objective of this exercise is to assist in identifying any irregularities, misapplication or wrongful application of indices with respect to the indices used in sharing revenue to Enugu State and the local governments from the Federation Account; to examine the actual deductions made before the disbursement to the state and the local governments and to identify possible causes of zero application, if any, to the local government councils with the view to resolving it amicably,” Agaka stated.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The President of Church of Christ in Nations(COCIN), Rev. Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo has frown at the deteriorating level of insecurity across the country fuelled by suspected Fulani terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and land grabbing has not only claimed countless lives but has also crippled economic productivity, couple with the displacement of communities leading to hopelessness among the people.
He said the Church advocates for leadership that fears God, serves the people, and upholds righteousness and called on all arms of government to urgently reform institutions to empower security agencies, invest in productive sectors, and uphold justice for all citizens of the country. COCIN president, Rev. Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo, while speaking on the state of the nation confirmed that Nigeria continues to be overwhelmed by the foundational challenges that threaten its unity, progress, and stability.”At the forefront is the scourge of corruption and lack of accountability, which has weakened public institutions, deepened inequality, and eroded trust between the government and its citizens.”Insecurity across the country-fuelled by Fulani terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and land grasping- has not only claimed countless lives but has also crippled economic productivity, displaced communities, and increased dear and hopelessness among the people.”We must advocate for leadership that fears God, serves the people, and upholds righteousness. We call on all arms of government to urgently reform institutions, empower security agencies, invest in productive sectors, and uphold justice for all”, COCIN president mentioned.Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang who was at the opening ceremony of the 107th General Church Council said the Church is a critical institution in the society, hence the need for Church leaders to remain committed and resolute in uniting the body of Christ.Mutfwang said lack of unity of purpose hindered believers to work as family instead, allowing the enemy to continue creating friction and division.He expressed concerns that the society is polarized by all kinds of social vices, urging Church leaders to consider their calling as a God divine responsibility on them as they continue to pray and preach the true gospel of Christ.”We must pray for strength to stand firm in the face of these challenges. By God’s grace, we have an open door to change the course of history. Even though the road has been tough, we are confident that the God who brought us this far will take us even further.”We are also addressing the economy, especially agriculture. We are making arrangements to subsidize fertilizer and have already procured seeds which we’ll distribute to farmers. We want to completely transform the agricultural system.”Mutfwang further revealed that very soon the government will add another 200 rangers to the already existing 100 had in place to tackle insecurity, challenging every community to rise up and take responsibility.
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Olufemi Gbajabiamila yesterday described education as a foundational truth that gives adequate meaning and purpose to life, saying every responsible government that wants to develop should take education as its major priority.
Gbajabiamila said an educated man or woman is always cognizant of his or her rights and responsibilities within the community they live. According to Mr President’s Chief of Staff, many people consider education as privilege but it’s a right of every citizen, added that, “the utmost purpose is to produce a nation of people who build thriving communities, contribute to a fair society, and shape a country that reflects the highest ideals”Identifying funding as one of the challenges facing tertiary education, Gbajabiamila said Nigeria universities must reform its curriculum, teaching methods, technology access and comfortable lodging among others to overcome funding challenges bedevilling funding of operations.Gbajabiamila added that management of the institution must have zero tolerance for unethical conduct and coordinated efforts to eradicate ills as plagiarism, cultism and sexual harassment.The Chief Of Staff, while delivering the maiden annual lecture of Osun State University on Tuesday, titled “Interrogating Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives” disclosed that the Federal Government operates 64 while state governments operate 63, noting that they are insufficient for the growing population of Nigeria.However, he stressed that Education is a right but it is not free, revealing that education gulped N2.18trillion in 2024 which is second to National Security and lamented that despite the large sum universities in Nigeria still fall short of what is required in Africa and the world.He said in the United Kingdom and United States, in-state students pay £9,535 and $8,914 per annum while International students pay £38,000 and $19,081.His words “The financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide, helping to subsidise university education for the citizens of those countries. Policymakers and university administrators in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Africa have long implemented policies and strategies to boost the enrollment of international students.”He noted that African countries like Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa have made efforts to boost funding of public universities by attracting International students.“Public universities in Nigeria can and should also look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students. Like the embassies of other nations in Nigeria, our embassies around the world can become very effective avenues for reaching out to a global market of students.”He added that academia must collaborate with the private sector to create a robust ecosystem for innovation; research commercialisation and economic growth thereby boost job creation.While saying that the number of universities in Nigeria is insufficient, the CSO hinted that the growing population demands more establishments of more universities.He added that the analysis of the 3024 budget of the federal Government of Nigeria by Nigerian institute of social and Economic Research (NISER)shows that education has 2.18trillion aside health and Defence that has 1.33trillion and 3.25trillion respectively.Speaking, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke said that the university is one the enduring legacy that has continued to make him proud in the state, saying that Uniosun has become a model for other universities to emulate.He said: “Osun State is experiencing rapid development in her educational achievements , Osun ranks seventh position in last international examination ranking against what osun used to be in 33 position in 2022.Our target is to be ranked number one in the future”He, however, appreciated the guest lecturer, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye and other management team for the good they are doing in the institution urging them not to relent.UNIOSUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye appreciated the guest lecturer for honouring them just as he bailed the state governor for his unwavering support to the institution.
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