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N585M Payment into Private Account: NEFGAD Asks for Suspension and Investigation of Beta Edu

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N585M Payment into Private Account: NEFGAD Asks for Suspension and Investigation of Beta Edu

By: Michael Mike

Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Decelopment (NEFGAD) a public procurement advocacy group has urged President Bola Tinubu to be impatial in the face of massive corruption allegations rocking the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), insisting that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu should equally be suspended and investigated just as NSIP CEO, Mrs Halima Shehu was treated.

A section of the media has reported how the Minister of Humanitarian Affiars and Poverty Alleviation through a memo dated 20th December, 2023 with reference number fmhapa/hq/ohm/s.208 directed the Accountant General of the Federation to make payments of N585,189,500 into a private UBA account 2003682151 belonging to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

In a statement signed and released to the press in Abuja on Saturday through its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi, NEFGAD said ‘’the recent development in the Humanitarian office has provided president Tinubu a golden opportunity to tell Nigerians and the whole world that he is ready and willing to tackle corruption in a fair, just and impartial manner by also applying same disciplinary measure (suspension) metted on NSIP CEO, Mrs Halima Shehu on the Minister for Humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Mrs Beta Edu’’

Akingunola noted that ‘’apart from the fact that Dr. Edu and Mrs. Halima Shehu are from different geographical divide of the country, the tendency and pattern of the allegations involving the duo are too identical and should not have attracted diffrent approaches and measures in dealing with them by the president.

‘’Directing payment of public fund into private account by a public officer is a serious procurent and fiscal malfeasance that attracts serious penalty under extant laws, regulations and rules including the public procurement, Fiscal Responsibility, Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences (ICPC), Code of Conduct Acts and the Anti-mobey Laundering (prevention and prohibition) Act.

Akingunola further stated that the Minister has serious questions to answer by Instructing payment of public fund into private accounts other than that of a legal entity who have duly participated in a competitive selection process and or are direct beneficiaries of a conditional grant scheme (in the case of vulnerable people as captured in the Ministry’s mandate).

The act depicts pure nepotism, favouritism, undue advantage conferment and criminal diversion, he averred. Hence, the group implored president Bola Tinubu to direct the suspension of the Dr. Beta Edu for thorough investigation by relevant anticorruption agencies with immediate effect failure which may call for massive advocacy and court action.

N585M Payment into Private Account: NEFGAD Asks for Suspension and Investigation of Beta Edu

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National Chairman of APC Arrives in Maiduguri Ahead of APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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National Chairman of APC Arrives in Maiduguri Ahead of APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

By: Our Reporter

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, leading the National Working Committee of the APC and other party stalwarts.

The visit is in honor of the wedding ceremony of the children of Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North) of the APC. Upon arrival, Dr. Ganduje was warmly received by the Borno State Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, Deputy National Chairman, Hon Ali Bukar Dalori and other dignitaries, including the Borno State APC Chairman.

The wedding ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, promises to be a grand celebration of love, unity and family. The event will be attended by prominent politicians, business leaders, and dignitaries from across Nigeria.

The arrival of Dr. Ganduje and other APC leaders is a testament to the strong bonds of unity and solidarity within the party. It also underscores the importance of family and community in Nigerian culture.

As the APC family gathers to celebrate this joyous occasion, we are reminded of the party’s commitment to the values of love, unity and family. We wish the happy couple a lifetime of happiness, love and prosperity.

National Chairman of APC Arrives in Maiduguri Ahead of APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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VP Shettima Arrives In Maiduguri On Condolence Visit To Families Of Slain Soldiers

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VP Shettima Arrives In Maiduguri On Condolence Visit To Families Of Slain Soldiers

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on a condolence visit to the families of soldiers who lost their lives during a terrorist attack in Damboa.

The Vice President is in Maiduguri to extend the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the federal government to the families of the fallen soldiers and to honour their ultimate sacrifice.

The soldiers who died during the attack in Damboa, Borno State, paid the ultimate sacrifice while successfully repelling an onslaught that resulted in the neutralisation of 34 terrorists at a Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari.

In the wake of the tragic event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had called for a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and ensure it serves as a valuable lesson to prevent similar occurrences.

The President extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, saying their sacrifice in defending the nation will forever be honoured and remembered.

President Tinubu also commended the armed forces for their swift and decisive response, particularly the air component, in launching effective retaliatory strikes.

The targeted air raids resulted in the significant neutralisation of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their assets as they attempted to flee.

During his visit to Maiduguri, the Vice President will, at the instance of the President, also pay a condolence visit to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.

On the delegation of the Vice President are federal lawmakers from the state, including Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central), Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis (Maiduguri Metropolitan Federal Constituency), Hon. Usman Zannah (Kaga/Magumeri/Gubio Federal Constituency), as well as the Minister of Transportation, Hon. AjiKolo Ali Gujja, and a prominent politician, Sen. Saidu Alkali, among others.

On arrival, the Vice President was received at the Maiduguri International Airport by the Borno State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur; Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu; Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas-Kolo; Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori.

VP Shettima Arrives In Maiduguri On Condolence Visit To Families Of Slain Soldiers

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Chinese Envoy Advised West Africa Leaders to Resist External Interference

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Chinese Envoy Advised West Africa Leaders to Resist External Interference#

By; Michael Mike

The Chinese envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai has called on political leaders in West Africa to resist all forms of external interference.

Yu, speaking on Friday in Abuja at an exchange programme between students from Tsinghua University of China and University of Abuja, with theme “Civilizational Exchange and Mutual Learning between China and Nigeria.”

He said: “I looked at the security situation now in West Africa. I know that many people are very much concerned. But one principle I believe that is very important is that we should object to any foreign interference in the region.

“But particularly by any major powers. I think, you know, for civilisation, exchange, and mutual learning, there are two principles that we need to follow. Because it’s very important.

“I think we should respect equality, equity, and peace. All civilisation is equal. We don’t believe that there is any civilisation that is secure and empowered. Because each civilisation grows from its own national condition. For instance, the civilisation of the United States. It grows from the real condition of this country.”

Yu also called for improved communication and exchange between his country and Nigeria.

He said: “The first partnership action is the people-to-people exchange and mutual learning. That’s why I believe that today we have to build and improve our communication and exchange in combination to this very important topic. Why is the people-to-people exchange so important? Because countries’ relations eventually boil down to people-to-people exchanges.

“Nigeria is very much blessed with rich resources, huge development potential.
So, I see there is great potential for the development of Nigeria.

“I believe that people-to-people exchange creates the foundation for our bilateral relations. Because while China and Europe are bilateral relations, it’s not only about government-to-government relations. It’s not only about business.
But eventually, it’s people-to-people relations. Over the years, China and Nigeria have carried out a lot of cultural exchanges. For instance, we co-hosted the Cultural Week of China and Nigeria.

“We hosted the Chinese Festival event. And we invited Chinese artists to come to Nigeria to work together with Nigerian artists. And we established a cultural centre in our respective countries.

“And we know the Chinese cultural centre is very active here in our region. And, of course, the universities of our two countries jointly established two cultural centres in Nigeria.”

He stated that China and Nigeria share a lot of similarities, saying “We have a lot of common values. The first one is that I find that in Nigeria and China, we are both disarming countries.

“We do not believe in war. For instance, I have studied the history of Nigeria. Since the founding of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria has never been involved in a war. And if you look at China, it’s the same. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we have never initiated a war with the other countries.

“Both China and Nigeria believe in peace for several decades. 2,000 years ago, there was a Chinese philosopher. You know, who wrote the article? And he believed that the war should always be peaceful and non-violent.

“Security is best when you can thwart your enemies through tele-machines. For instance, if you look at the map of China, it’s very much different compared to the map of Nigeria. Because China, the boundaries exist.

##“You know, because we have 2,000 years of history, we have a lot of issues with our neighbouring countries. So when the People’s Republic of China was founded, we had border issues with each and every neighbouring country we have borders with on the land. And over the past 70 years, we have resolved all these border issues.That’s one level. First, peaceful means.”
“And that actually really reflects that China is a country, a naturalised country, that we love. We don’t believe in war. We don’t believe in conflict.

“And the second similarity is that both China and Nigeria are peaceful. And we have splendid cultures. Nigeria is the region, the culture, the civilisation, the region of Africa.

“And the third point is, both China and Nigeria have very much multi-ethnic cultures. Nigeria has the most ethnic groups in the world. Over 250, I would say.
And China, we have 56 ethnic groups. And these people live together peacefully. People respect this diversity.And we live together in harmony.

“And of course, the fourth one, the similarity I identified is, both Nigeria and China, we won our national independence partly.

“Because both China and Nigeria were invaded, colonised, even divided by the Western powers. And we won our independence with a lot of struggle and fight. That’s why we cherish our sovereignty.”

The envoy also spoke about the gains of diversity, saying respect for diversity is tue beckon upon which unity is built.

“The first one, I believe that we should respect diversity as our nation. The world is diversified. I mean, the beauty of the world actually lies in its diversity.

“Each country is unique. As a diplomat, I have been privileged to travel to over 70 countries all over the world. And being in a travel group in so many places, I always find that each country is unique.

“And each country, the civilisation of each country is inherently tied with the global civilisation. And also make contributions to human civilisation, to the development and progress of humanity. Imagine that if there is only one language, if there is only one music, if there is only one culture in the whole world, what could, you know, how poor could it be? You know, you couldn’t imagine.

“We believe that we live in a global environment. That we live in a world of independence. That’s why the Chinese presidency wants to push forward the idea of building a community with a shared future for all mankind.”

Chinese Envoy Advised West Africa Leaders to Resist External Interference

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