Business

N2.67bn School Feeding Funds Found In Private Accounts, ICPC Confirms …Ministry Feigns Ignorance

Published

4 years ago

September 29, 2020

The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, says the agency has discovered N2.67billion meant for the school feeding programme in private accounts.

The agency, he added, also found over N2.5billion diverted by a deceased worker with the ministry of agriculture, noting that 18 buildings, 12 business premises and 25 plots of land, were also recovered in the ministry.

Owasanoye disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the second National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector, which was organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.

The summit with the theme, “Together against corruption”, also included the launch of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy.

He said under the Open Treasury Portal review carried out between January and August 15, 2020, 72 out of 268 ministries, departments and agencies had cumulative infractions of N90million.

According to him, while 33 MDAs explained that N4.1billion was transferred to sub-Treasury Single Account, N4.2billion paid to individuals had no satisfactory explanations.

He stated, “We observed that transfers to sub-TSA were to prevent disbursement from being monitored. Nevertheless, we discovered payments to some federal colleges for school feeding in the sum of N2.67billion during lockdown when the children are not in school, and some of the money ended up in personal accounts.”

The ICPC chairman also said under its 2020 constituency and executive projects tracking initiative, 722 projects with a threshold of N100million (490 ZIP and 232 executive) were tracked across 16 states.

He noted that the constituency tracking project of the agency compelled 59 contractors to return to sites, adding that the individuals handling the projects worth N2.25billion had abandoned the projects before the ICPC’s intervention.

President Muhammadu Buhari said his regime would not relent in its efforts to eradicate corruption in the country.

He reiterated his position that if corruption was not eradicated, the menace would kill the country.

Buhari spoke at the second national summit of the ICPC and the inauguration of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy to mark the commission’s 20th and Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversaries.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has dissociated itself from reports that N2.67billion meant for the feeding of schoolchildren during the lockdown was diverted to private accounts.

In a statement issued on Monday night by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Nneka Anibeze, stated that the statement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the said funds was twisted and misinterpreted.

“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development hereby informs the public that the Federal Government colleges school feeding in question is different from the Home Grown School Feeding which is one of its Social Investment Programmes,” it said in the statement.

It stated that the school feeding under scrutiny was the feeding of students in Federal Government colleges across the country.

“It is not under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs which only oversees Home Grown School Feeding for children in Primaries one to three in select public schools across the country,” the ministry argued.

It added, “The ministry or the minister does not even handle or disburse funds for Home Grown School Feeding. The money for funding the programme neither passes through the minister nor the ministry.”

It explained that the over N2.5billion which was reportedly misappropriated by a senior civil servant took place in a different ministry and not the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Business

USAID Re-emphasizes Agricultural Collaboration With Nigeria

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The United States Agency for International Development (UNAID) has said its programmes operate transparently and align with the Nigeria’s laws.

A statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria highlighted the significant achievements of its agricultural collaboration with Nigeria, within the week, saying it has supported over five million Nigerian farmers since 2019.

The agency stated that it has boosted food production and strengthened rural economies across the country through its efforts.

“Recent media coverage has presented an inaccurate picture of US agricultural initiatives in Nigeria, such as assisting local agencies’ efforts in strengthening regulatory processes for agricultural biotechnology”, the statement noted.

The US Mission stressed that its agricultural programmes are developed and implemented with Nigerian experts, farmers, and government officials.

USAID explained its initiative’s focus on practical support for farmers, including market access, agricultural training, and research collaboration.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all research findings and programme details remain publicly accessible through official channels.

“Our agricultural partnership represents a shared commitment to addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges through locally-driven solutions”, it stated.

The US Mission also underscored its ongoing consultations with Nigerian stakeholders, maintaining regular dialogue with farmers, experts, and government agencies.

It reiterated its respect for Nigeria’s agricultural sovereignty and traditions.

“We are proud of our record of supporting Nigerian farmers while respecting local agricultural traditions and practices”, it added.

Business

Nigeria’ll Lead In Agricultural Export This Year – Tinubu

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s ambition to position Nigeria as a global leader in agricultural exports as a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He disclosed this recently at the Road to South-South National Convergence for the Renewed Hope Agenda at the Presidential Villa.

Represented by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, he also unveiled the Earn from the Soil Initiative, which aims to transform subsistence farming into a robust, export-driven sector.

“This initiative is a powerful declaration that we are committed to turning our non-oil resources into collective prosperity. Nigeria will be a leading agricultural export nation”, he said.

The Earn from the Soil project was designed to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, creating export opportunities and ensuring national food security.

According to the President, the initiative will empower citizens to become agents of economic prosperity, transforming local farming practices into global economic drivers.

He also highlighted the untapped potential of the South-South region, known for its rich natural resources and talent, and called for more significant investment in non-oil sectors.

“The South-South is open for business just as the whole of Nigeria is ready for business. We are creating an ecosystem of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable growth”, he said.

Tinubu’s administration seeks strategic support from local and international partners to build a resilient economic ecosystem, moving away from reliance on traditional aid.

Tinubu also emphasised the crucial role of young people and women in driving the initiative’s success.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its promise of restoring hope and confidence, with the Earn from the Soil initiative marking a significant step in achieving that vision.

On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Hon Gift Johnbull, has spotlighted the South-South region as a critical hub of untapped economic potential, calling for strategic partnerships to unlock its vast resources and foster national growth.

She underscored the region’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, particularly in oil and gas, while emphasising its underutilised agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

She also called on investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to see the South-South as a gateway to new opportunities, citing initiatives such as the Pitching Den, launched at the event, as a platform to attract bold entrepreneurs and visionary investors.

“This is your moment to recognise the South-South as a hub of untapped potential”, she said.

The event also featured the unveiling of the Impact Report, highlighting milestones achieved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The report showcased how targeted initiatives have empowered communities and driven progress in the South-South.

Business

NDLEA, NIMASA Strengthen Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has recommited to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), emphasized this during a courtesy visit by the NDLEA to the NIMASA Towers in Lagos.

Speaking during the visit, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the NDLEA for its remarkable achievements in combating drug-related crimes across Nigeria.

He pledged NIMASA’s commitment to collaborating with the NDLEA to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain against illicit shipment of drugs.

“We are glad to welcome the NDLEA team, led by Brig. Gen. Marwa, whose exemplary leadership has brought significant progress in the fight against illicit drugs.

“NIMASA is firmly committed to partnering with the NDLEA to tackle the menace of drug trafficking, particularly through our nation’s ports and terminals.

“Together, we can ensure that the Nigerian maritime domain is not exploited for criminal activities”, Mobereola stated.

Responding, Marwa expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the need for collaboration to address the rising threat of drug trafficking through maritime channels.

“As the agency responsible for controlling drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, we recognize that this task requires collaboration with critical stakeholders like NIMASA.

“The global maritime space has increasingly become a conduit for the illegal movement of drugs, and we are keen to work with NIMASA to address this challenge”, he said.

He continued that “Recent seizures of illicit drugs transported through Lagos ports underscore the need for joint efforts to secure our ports. Within the NDLEA, we have established a Marine Command to focus on this emerging threat.

“We propose close collaboration between this unit and NIMASA, particularly through the Deep Blue Project, to enhance the protection of Nigeria’s maritime space”.

The NDLEA Chairman also pledged the agency’s support in sensitizing NIMASA staff and cadets under the National Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) on the dangers of drug abuse.

Mobereola assured Marwa that NIMASA would explore avenues to integrate NDLEA personnel into the existing maritime security architecture, particularly the Deep Blue Project.