House of Reps summons Women Affairs minister over N1.5bn diversion – Newstrends
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House of Reps summons Women Affairs minister over N1.5bn diversion

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Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye

House of Reps summons Women Affairs minister over N1.5bn diversion

The House of Representatives is investigating allegations that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, under its minister, diverted N1.5 billion meant for contractor payments. 

The House Committee on Women Affairs launched the investigation in Abuja in response to contractor petitions regarding non-payment of contracts.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, stated that the ministry initiated new contracts not included in the 2023 budget.

She went on to say that while owing contractors, the ministry issued new contracts in 15 states of the federation, which she said was not included in the 2023 budget.

According to her, ”money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors?”?

She stated that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related offences are currently investigating the ministry’s overhead release of N1.5 billion in November/December 2023.

According to Ogbara, the petitioners also claimed that the ministry had purchased seven tricycles for an Abuja military barracks.

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She claimed that the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, to fund the Chibok girls’ education expenses for seven years.

Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, Director of Finance and Administration in the ministry, stated that he merely followed formal directions from his superiors and that the records are available.

He said, “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023; I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.

“The individual contractors have their files; they can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote.”

Mr. Gabriel Aduda, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, exonerated himself, stating, “In 2023, we had a total budget of N13.6 billion, while the total release was N3.4 billion.”

According to him, this represents 25% budget utilisation, with an unpublished balance of N10.2 billion.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed that the N1.5 billion had been released to the minister.

Meanwhile, the committee has asked Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, Minister of Women Affairs, to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9.

The committee also directed the ministry to halt all contract processes in 2024 until the situation is handled, while requesting a dedicated account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.

House of Reps summons Women Affairs minister over N1.5bn diversion

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Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.

Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.

Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.

“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.

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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.

Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.

He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.

The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.

Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.

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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.

Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:

Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.

Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).

In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.

Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.

“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.

The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.

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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.

Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.

There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.

In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.

 

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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