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Group Commends Move to Transfer Allocated Fund Directly to Local Governments
Group Commends Move to Transfer Allocated Fund Directly to Local Governments
By: Michael
Mike
A group, Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended the landmark move to ensure the direct transfer of Local Government revenues from the Revenue Allocation Account Committee into the bank accounts of Local Government Councils, noting that this development aligns with the Supreme Court’s historic judgment of July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments, upholding the Federal Government’s suit to enhance their independence.
The group recalled that in a unanimous ruling by a seven-member panel led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional and illegal for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local governments and mandated that local governments must now receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The group said its findings, corroborated by a report by a national daily revealed that a dedicated unit within the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has been established to oversee the direct disbursement of funds to the 774 local governments across Nigeria.
The NCYP however expressed concerns about the preparedness of Local Government Council Chairmen to effectively manage these funds and the readiness of grassroots communities to collaborate with their councils to ensure these resources are optimally utilized for development, as this financial autonomy takes effect.
The group, while commending the federal government’s action to give teeth to the decision of the apex court, however highlights that many Local Government Councils are unaccustomed to managing significant funds independently, noting that to avoid inefficiencies and misuse of resources, “it is essential to establish synergy between council leaders and the people.”
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak urged Local Government Chairmen to organize town hall meetings and engage their communities to identify priority projects that meet the most pressing local needs; ensure transparency and accountability by providing regular updates on the utilization of funds to foster trust and collaboration with their constituents.
It also advised that citizens at the grassroots should form forums, collaborating with their councils to monitor allocations and expenditure; hold local governments accountable by demanding transparency and ensure resources are effectively used for community development.
NCYP also called on civil society organisations and advocacy groups to step in by organizing sensitization programmes and town hall meetings to educate citizens on their role in holding local governments accountable.
It urged financial regulatory bodies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to establish dedicated units to monitor fund utilization and prosecute offenders, noting that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) also has a critical role in reorienting Local Government Councils and grassroots communities on the importance of these funds for grassroots and national development.
Abrak said: “While we commend President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief George Akume, for their dedication to implementing the Supreme Court judgment, we call for periodic training workshops focusing on budgeting and the use of modern IT tools. It is imperative to emphasize to Council Chairmen the importance of publicly disclosing their budgets, as this will not only enhance effective governance and accountability at the grassroots but also protect them from false accusations or political blackmail.
“We also commend the state governors for their support of Local Government autonomy and emphasize that the essence of this autonomy is to drive grassroots development and not to impose a burden on them. However, it is crucial for Local Government Chairmen to exercise prudence and resist mismanagement of funds. Reports of chairmen appointing excessive aides, such as over 100 in some cases, raise concerns about frugality and the proper use of resources.”
The group stressed that the Local Government Councils, being the closest tier of government to the people, have immense potential to drive development, noting that: “The success of Counties (America’s version of our LGAs) in the United States as powerful entities with efficient systems, including education, can serve as a model for Nigerian LGAs.”
It also said: “As a critical pillar of the fourth estate, organized media plays a vital role in ensuring that funds sent directly to Local Government Councils are utilized judiciously. Media organizations should establish dedicated desks to consistently report on the progress made by Local Government Councils and shed light on their challenges. By doing so, the media can facilitate continuous dialogue among the related organs of the Federal Government, LGAs, and citizens, driving the formulation of effective solutions and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots.
“Finally, we emphasize that empowering the grassroots is fundamental to achieving national development. The success of this initiative will strengthen the bond between citizens and the government, fostering a deeper sense of nationalism, patriotism, and the core values needed for Nigeria to realize its potential as a leading force in Africa and on the global stage. This progress will undoubtedly have a positive ripple effect across the continent.”
Group Commends Move to Transfer Allocated Fund Directly to Local Governments
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
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