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Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
By: Michael Mike
A public procurement advocacy group, Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has decried that 70 percent of procurement proceedings are being initiated and concluded in the bedrooms of privileged few in the country, even as it
commended the Federal Government over plan to review the public procurement Act 2007 for possible amendments.
The group in a statement, signed by its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi and made available to Saturday in Abuja. said President Bola Tinubu has again demonstrated courage and tact in tackling one of the most vicious enemies of the country’s growth and development.
Akingunola stressed that ‘’the current Public Procurement Act enacted about 15 years ago is due for review in line with global best practices and changing operational dynamics in the public contracting sector.”
He noted that the Public Procurement in Nigeria has become an ‘anything goes’ phenomenon whereby everything and anything is possible maintaining that the Public Procurement Act in its current form is creating veneer of legality to blatant procurement illegality.
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He said: “The Act as it stands has been so bastardised to such an extent that restricted/selective tendency is now a norm rather than exception with more than 70 percent of procurement proceedings being initiated and concluded in the bedrooms of privileged few on whom the Act placed so much supervisory and regulatory responsibilities. The implication of this dastardly act is that 70 percent of the contract sum ended up under the same bedroom through which the procurement proceedings emanated as against solving critical national developmental problems.”
Akingunola emphasised that the Public Procurement Act is not creating any obstruction or impediment to development as what some self serving elements will want the people to beleif, the only timeline set out by the Procurement Act is the mandatory six weeks newspaper advertisement period for bid solicitation, and the wisdom in this is to promote competitiveness that will ensure economy and value for money, all other timeline and processes are at the discretion of procuring entities.
The statement further emphasised that for the country to be littered with over 11,000 abandoned federal projects alone under a regulated procurement system shows that it is the corrupt few that are now regulating their pockets.
‘’One of the major contributing factor for the bastardization of the procurement system in the country is that successive governments are in the habit of enforcing the Procurement Act in breach by the non constitution of the National Procurement Council and appointing Director General for the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) through the back door of non-competitive selection.
Akingunola admonished president Tinubu not to consider the distractive proposal of some people making the President head of National Procurement Council, noting that presidents all over the world only sit to discuss policies and programmes not with contractors to debate contracts either at weekly Federal Executive Council or as Chairman of a National Procurement Council.
He also advised the government to enslaved stiffer sanctions against rampant mis-procurement particularly reverse-procurement whereby procurement proceedings are initiated and sometimes concluded without cash backing.
End
Procurement Act Review: NEFGAD Decries that Over 70% of Public Procurements Done in Bedrooms, Says Amendment of Act Long Overdue
Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade
By: Zagazola Makama
A mammoth crowd of Christian worshippers gathered in Maiduguri for a revival crusade led by renowned Nigerian pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche, General Overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja.
The crusade, titled “Ignited: A Fire of Revival in Borno State,” saw thousands of Christians from across the North East convene for a night of prayers, worship, and spiritual upliftment in the heart of a city once at the center of insurgency.
Symbol of Peaceful Coexistence
The event, held without incident, served as a indication to the improving security situation in Borno and the resilience of the Christian community in the region. Worshippers sang, prayed, and listened to sermons focused on hope, unity, and faith despite past security challenges.
The gathering also comes amid recent clarifications by the Federal Government refuting allegations that Christians are being deliberately targeted in Nigeria especially in the North East.
Government officials have dismissed such claims as misleading narratives aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Faith Over Fear
Many attendees described the crusade as a historic moment for Christians in the North East, emphasizing their right to practice their faith freely.
“This is a sign that peace is returning to Borno. The presence of this large number of Christians, worshipping at night in Maiduguri without fear, is a powerful message,” said Deborah Musa, a worshipper from Yobe State.
Another attendee, Pastor James Buba, praised the Dunamis International Gospel Centre for organizing the crusade, saying it has rekindled hope among believers in the region.
Despite past insurgency threats, Borno State has witnessed religious tolerance and restoration of peace, allowing such large-scale religious gatherings to take place safely.
The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and that violence affecting communities is largely due to criminal activities and terrorism, rather than state-sponsored persecution. Officials have urged both local and international observers to avoid narratives that exaggerate religious divisions in the country.
As the revival ended, worshippers left the venue with renewed faith and optimism, seeing the event as a milestone in Borno’s path to peace and religious harmony.
Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade
Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Borno State have arrested three herders for allegedly allowing their livestock to destroy farmlands in Ajiri Town, Mafa Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as Muhammadan Usman (27), Abba Muhammad (16), and Adamu Bangi (12), were apprehended on March 13, 2025, around 8:00 a.m. during a routine patrol by a combined security team.
It was gathered that the herders’ cattle invaded and damaged sections of the Firgi Guinea Corn Farm. Security operatives swiftly intervened and recovered 46 cows and 30 goats.
Police have taken the suspects and livestock into custody, and the Farmers-Herders Conflict Resolution Committee has been contacted.
Investigations are ongoing.
Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized
Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of 21 armored Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai have successfully raided an Islamic State of the West African Province(ISWAP) enclave in Dalari, Borno State, neutralizing four insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, that the troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force as well as the Hybrid forces conducted the Operation in the early hours of March 15, 2025.
The troops under Operation Desert Sanity 4, engaged the insurgents in a firefight at approximately 7:10 a.m., resulting in the elimination of four terrorists, while several others escaped with injuries.
During the clearance operation, the troops recovered: One RPG tube, one AK-47 rifle, one Dane gun, two RPG bomb chargers, three RPG bombs and 504 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
No casualties were recorded from the side of the troops.
Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs
Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade
Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized
Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs
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