NEWS
Forum Decries Alleged N585m Scandal at Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
The National Youth Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria (NYLFPPN) has decried the alleged N585 million scandal in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
The Spokesperson of the forum, Comrade Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure adequate investigation and prosecution of anyone involved in the scandal.
President Tinubu had on Monday, suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, following widespread anger over an alleged N585 million scandal.
In a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said his principal directed a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged N585m scandal in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He had also vowed to “decisively punish” those involved in any breaches and infractions unravelled during the investigations.
Chukwu, who is also the National Youth Leader, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said it is unfortunate that youths given opportunity to serve are abusing the privilege and discrediting others.
According to him, the unpardonable corrupt practices have eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian public offices for so long. These become a culture that must not be allowed to continue under any guise.
He expressed the forum’s concern over the recent scandalous revelations as it affects a member of President Tinubu’s cabinet.
“We hope findings will be revealed further in the coming days. We want to condemn in its entirety the misuse of office by a supposed pride of the youth of this nation.
“It has been our desire to see that the youths return to power and as such pains us as a forum when a youth in power is found in this kind of mess.
“It is even more shocking that the names of the public officers mentioned so far are youth, whom more confidence is being reposed in by all the youths of Nigeria,” forum’s spokesperson said.
He called on the President to see to the logical, thorough and transparent investigation of Dr Betta Edu and other public office holders that had been fingered in the current scandal.
“If facts are properly established and they are found guilty, due diligence should be deployed for prosecution of everyone found wanting, without fear or favour in accordance to the law.
“We urge the President to sustain the tempo of his fight against corruption at all levels by showing Nigerians that it is no longer business as usual.
” We also use this medium to register our unalloyed loyalty and genuine support for President Tinubu in the steps he is taking to correct the many past wrongs of leadership in the country.” (NAN)
Abia House of Assembly has denied social media report that it mandated the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, to issue a public apology over a misunderstanding between him and its member.The Deputy Speaker and Spokesperson, Austin Meregini, who debunked such report while addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, said the House did not reach any resolution to that effect.
He admitted that there was a misunderstanding between the deputy governor and Mr Mba Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, but said the matter had been taken care of Report says that there have been publications by social media of the House mandating the deputy governor to apologise to Nwoko for disrespecting the lawmaker during the recent state-wide local government elections. It was alleged that Emetu, who is from the same constituency with Nwoko, had instructed the security operatives to arrest the lawmaker for asking about the election result sheet.Condemning the report, Meregini, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Media, said that it was the imagination and figment of the mischief makers.He said that the deputy governor and the lawmaker are brothers, hence there was no need for the Assembly to pass a resolution mandating such an apology.Meregini said: “I was present at the Tuesday sitting, both at the plenary and executive session; there was no time we reached such resolution.“We do not condone any kind of misunderstanding, but as long as we co-exist, there’s bound to be misunderstanding every now and then.“When there is need, we do offer constructive criticism and constructive oversight on the activities of the government and the Executive and we expect that it will continue.”He reaffirmed the robust relationship between the Legislature and the Executive, saying that it would continue to exist for the benefit of Abia people.The deputy speaker commended the Executive on the level of implementation, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of bills passed by the Assembly.(NAN)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has proposed the sum of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year for submission to the National Assembly on Monday.The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this after the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
According to him, the Council pegged the price of crude oil at 75 dollar per barrel and proposed N1400 as exchange rate to a dollar with oil production put at 2. 06million barrels per day.Bagudu said that the budget proposal included new borrowings of N9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025.The minister added that with the growth rate of 3.19 per cent as at the second quarter of 2024, the Federal Government would continue to tackle Inflation, strengthen economic resilience and provide more support for the economy.He also said that government would continue to support high employment generation sectors, improve business environment and effective implementation of youths development and social investment programmes.Bagudu also disclosed that FEC reviewed the 2024 Budget implementation and acknowledged that the review revealed promising in revenue collection and expenditure management.” Despite lacks in prorated target, the overall trajectory shows that fiscal effort are on track with key non-oil streams performing better than anticipated.Similarly, the minister said FEC approved the medium term expenditure framework and the fiscal strategy paper to be submitted to the NASS.” This is in addition to the bills that are already at the National Assembly, the Economic Stabilisation Bill and Tax Reforms Bill , which we believe we will have a very strong growth in 2025,” he said. (NAN)
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Fred Itua, on Thursday in Benin.He warned that non-compliance by commercial banks as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would result in severe penalties.
“All bank accounts in all commercial banks are now frozen. Commercial banks must ensure strict adherence and prevent any withdrawal from government accounts until further notice,” the statement said. Okpebholo stated that necessary investigations and financial reconciliations would determine subsequent actions.He also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the old Ministry of Works with immediate effect.The governor cited what he called lack of completed bridges or significant road projects as a justification for changing the ministry of roads and bridges back to ministry of works.“It is ironic that despite its name, the ministry did not construct a single bridge, not even a pedestrian one,” he said.The governor directed immediate implementation and reflection of the new name across official documents and platforms. (NAN)
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