NEWS
Reps Move to Block FG Agencies Accounts over Revenue Accountability
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance on Monday, threatened to order the Accountant General of the Federation to block the accounts of Federal Government agencies that have refused to render accounts of their revenue profile or make accurate remittance to the federation account.
This was just as the Director of Finance and Account with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Musa Jemaku lambasted the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) for claiming that they have not paid their operating surplus for three years (2019, 2020 and 2021).
A representative of the Office of the Accountant General whose name could not be ascertained had said that the FRC has not remitted it’s operating surplus for 2019 (N126 million), 2020 (N143 million) and 2021 (N26) million to the government coffers adding that the operating surplus for 2021 has not been fully calculated because the agency has not submitted its audited accounts for 2021.
Speaking at the resumed revenue monitoring exercise of the committee, Vice Chairman of the committee, Saidu Abdullahi (APC, Niger) frowned at the refusal of some of the agencies to appear before the committee despite invitation extended to them.
Abdullahi said out of eight agencies that were invited to appear before the Committee on Monday, only two (Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and National Health Insurance Authority) honoured the committee invitation.
The Lawmaker said while two others applied to be given another date, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, National Broadcasting Commission, National Examination Council and National Inland Waterways Authority failed to either honour the invitation or communicate with them.
He said “We expected eight agencies to appear before the committee today, but only two agencies came, while two others wrote to request for another date and they were granted.
“However, four others decided to abscond. That was the same word I used last year that did not go down well with some of the agencies. Theybhave decided to play truancy on an assignment that is very important. If members can turn out in large numbers for this assignment, I don’t see any reason why any agency will decide not to appear before the committee.
“Let me put on record that we hope to have these agencies appear before the committee. Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, National Broadcasting Commission, National Examination Council and National Inland Waterways Authority.
“We expect them to make an appearance by tomorrow Tuesday. If they fail to appear before this committee, we may be forced to take appropriate actions. We may write to the Office of the Accountant General to block their account.
“We will not take it lightly with any agency because this is an assignment that is very important to this country. We talk about revenue and if we cannot collect the revenue accruing to his country, I think there is a big problem.”
Jemaku who said that the agency has paid about N800 million to the government this year also faulted the AGF’s claim that they have only paid about N602 million to government coffers.
He explained that there is a circular from the office of the Minister of Finance for the implementation of the Finance Act 2020, adding that the circular automated the process of paying the 50 percent deduction, adding that “the AGF should be in a better position to answer the question on why the system could not deduct the correct 50 percent for the period.
“On a lighter note, let me say that this is not the avenue for the AGF to draw our attention to the none payment or operating surplus when there is no official communication from them to the agency.”
The Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (SEC) on Friday warned Nigerians against investing in Meme Coins, known as “$Davido”, allegedly linked to popular Nigerian singer David Adeleke, known as Davido.
In a statement on its website, SEC said that it does not recognise $Davido as an investment product or investable asset class under its regulatory purview.
The regulator noted that, consequently, individuals who invest in it do so at their own risk.
“Generally, meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by memes and internet jokes.
“They are often envisaged as a fun, light-hearted cryptocurrencies promoted through a social media community and sometimes through celebrity endorsements,” it said.
According to SEC, meme coins are not intended to serve as a medium of exchange accepted by the public as payment for goods and services or as digital representation of capital market products.
The commission listed such capital market products as: shares, debentures, units of collective investment schemes, derivatives contracts, commodities or other kinds of financial instruments or investments.
The regulator said: “The general public is hereby advised that meme coins lack fundamental value and are purely speculative.
“The general public is further warned that investing in meme coins, including $Davido, is highly risky and should be done with a full understanding of the associated risk.
“Capital market operators are by this notice warned not to associate with instruments that fall outside the SEC’s regulatory purview.
“Such instruments should not in any manner be distributed or monitored through any capital market mechanism.
SEC stated it would continue to monitor developments within the ecosystem and would not hesitate to deploy its regulatory powers as needed. (NAN)
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday, announced the deployment of 197 personnel for the peace keeping mission in the Gambia.
The Chief of Operations Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Boniface Sinjen made the announcement in Jaji, Kaduna State, at the graduation of troops of Nigerian Company 9 Economic Community of West African States Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG).
Report says that the 197 troops began Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) on May 4, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji Kaduna State.
According to him, the PDT is in line with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff , Lt -Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in deploying quality peacekeepers in support of international peace and security.
He said that the training had equipped them with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge required for peace support operations.
“It has prepared you for the protection of civilians and the accomplishment of assigned tasks under the ECOMIG mandate.
“You have learned the importance of teamwork, leadership and cultural sensitivity as well as other factors that would ensure your success in the mission area.
“You have been trained in the latest techniques and procedures for maintaining peace and stability in a complex environment and instilled with the values of discipline, respect for human rights and compassion for the people you are going out there to protect.
“Your mission comes at a critical time, as The Gambia faces a period of
uncertainty and instability, “he said.
According to him, the country’s political crisis has affected the lives of many innocent civilians and their presence will sustain the existing peace and stability to the region.
“Your role is crucial in maintaining peace, protecting lives and promoting sustainable development.”
Sinjen charged the troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights.
He advised them to adhere strictly to the ECOWAS’ mandate, which guides your mission and ensure that your actions align with the principles of peace, stability and human rights.
”Remember that your conduct will not only reflect on yourselves but also on your country, the ECOWAS region and the international community.
”Additionally, your training has exposed you to the culture and religious diversity of The Gambia.
“You are, therefore, expected to approach all interactions with sensibility and respect. Be mindful of the local customs, traditions and socio-political dynamics of the mission area.
”You must remain vigilant in the face of potential security threats and avoid any actions that may be perceived as insensitive,” he said.
He said that as peacekeepers in a sovereign nation, they must adhere strictly to the UN principles and guidelines for peacekeeping operations.
“Respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of The Gambia and avoid any actions that may be perceived as interference in the country’s internal affairs.”
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had zero-tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse in line with United Nations’ policies.
”Therefore, any form of sexual exploitation and abuse will be met with severe consequences.
“As ambassadors of the armed Forces of Nigeria and our great nation, you must uphold the esteemed values and enviable image of this country, “Sinjen said.
Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, said the six weeks training had been intense, comprehensive, and was conducted in line with the Standard UN Core Pre-Deployment Training Modules.
Adedoja said the PDT was to equip the earmarked unit with the requisite skills and knowledge to function effectively and efficiently in their deployment to the Gambia.
He said as part of their training, the troops were taken through crosscutting issues like Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Conflict Related Sexual Violence, Conduct and Discipline as well as Protection of Civilians amongst others.
“This graduation is a testament to the capacity and capability of the MLAILPKC as a United Nations accredited Centre to conduct quality training of prospective peacekeepers for deployment to multidimensional Peace Support Operations in fulfillment of her mandate.
“The Centre has within the last six weeks been able to train, retrain and refresh the troops on requisite knowledge and expertise to succeed in a Peace Support Operation environment.
” It is my fervent belief that these men are better informed and equipped to perform their roles in the Gambia, “Adedoja said.
He said the graduation ceremony once more showed the commitment of Nigeria and the Nigerian Armed Forces to global peace and security. (NAN)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories annexed by his country is a prerequisite for any settlement of the ongoing war.
Putin said this during a visit to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow ahead of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland at the weekend.
If Ukraine also renounces membership of NATO, Russia would be prepared to cease fire and enter negotiations immediately.
His speech was clearly aimed at the current G7 summit in Italy and the Ukraine event opening on Saturday in the Swiss mountain hotel resort of Bürgenstock.
The affiliation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson to Russia is no longer in question, Putin said.
Ukraine should withdraw its army from the parts of these regions that it still controls, he added.
The Kremlin leader said he was stating Russia’s minimum demands in order not to freeze the conflict but to resolve it once and for all.
At the same time, Putin repeated the demands he made when he ordered the invasion of the neighbouring country in February 2022: The creation of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free Ukraine.
The country should also be disarmed and “denazified,” said Putin, using a term widely interpreted in the West as meaning the instalment of a Russia-approved leadership in Kiev.
Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014.
Ukraine has so far adhered to its stated goal of retaking the occupied territory, including Crimea.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is also calling for the prosecution of Russian war crimes and Russian reparations for the destruction caused. (dpa/NAN)
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