NEWS
ICPC Moves to Tackle Corruption in LGs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed determination to prevent corruption and enhance transparency in local government areas across the country.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting on ICPC Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for LGs (ACPPLG) on Thursday in Abuja.
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that the commission was poised to restore public trust in local government administration by strengthening governance structure that will enhance service delivery.
He said that local government administration played a vital role in delivering essential public services and fostering grassroots development in Nigeria.
According to him, as the tier of government closest to the people, its effectiveness directly impacts citizens’ welfare.
“For decades, systemic challenges such as financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and governance inefficiencies have hindered the local governments from fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.
“The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling of July 2024 reaffirming the financial autonomy of the local government present a unique opportunity to reposition this critical sector for efficiency and accountability.
“However, autonomy alone is not enough, there must be robust frameworks to ensure that local government funds are managed transparently and utilised for the benefit of the people,’’ he said.
Aliyu said that the ICPC had developed the ACPPLG to strengthen financial management, enhance transparency and promote proactive disclosure in local government administration.
He said that the key objectives of ACPPLG included ensuring transparency in local government operations and decision making, facilitating proactive disclosure of financial and administrative activities, and enhancing public communication and citizen engagement in governance.
“it also includes training local government officials on ethical governance and accountability, leveraging technology to improve transparency and access to public information, promoting collaboration between local government councils, civil society and development partners.
“Others are stablishing monitoring mechanisms to track governance performance, fostering inclusivity by ensuring that marginalised groups participate in decision making and encouraging sustainable development practices in local government policy making,’’ he said.
Aliyu said that ACPPLG assessment framework was built around five thematic areas, which are fiscal transparency, open procurement, human resources. corruption control and citizen engagement.
He said that focusing on these areas, the ICPC aimed to strengthen governance structure, enhance service delivery and restore public trust in local government.
“To achieve these goals, ACPPLG will deploy its investigative, prosecutorial and regulatory functions to ensure compliance.
“These include legislative enforcement, and periodic audits and oversight mechanisms to identify and rectify noncompliance.
“State governments must recognise their role in supporting local government council, ensuring that this reform is implemented without administrative bottlenecks,’’ he said.
In a goodwill message, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice said that the Federal Government remained resolute in its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance at all levels.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is also the Attorney General of the Federation, was represented by Mr Mohammed Abubakar, a director in the ministry.
He said that this was as encapsulated in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
He commended the ICPC for its unwavering dedication to the cause of integrity, transparency, and good governance.
Fagbemi said that the commission’s proactive engagement with stakeholders through fora such as this reflected a commendable commitment to collaborative governance.
Sen. Emmanuel Udende, Senate Committee Chairman on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, said that the committee would work tirelessly to support policies that guarantee the responsible management of public funds.
Represented by a member of the committee, Sen. Anthony Yaro, Udende said that the committee would ensure that allocations meant for LGs translated into real development for the people.
”Through oversight functions, the National Assembly will remain vigilant in ensuring that local government administrations are held accountable for the development of communities.
”We will also try to ensure that efficient services are delivered, and how effectively we can combat poverty and underdevelopment,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Kayode Akiolu, Chairman, House Committee on Anti Corruption, said that the initiative would ensure accountability and corruption prevention in the LGs.(NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
NEWS
C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.
Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.
The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.
Bassey Otu.The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.
She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.
“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.
‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’
Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.
According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.
“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.
Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.
Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.
NEWS
Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.
The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.
Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.
The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.
This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.