EFCC Uncovers Additional 400 Ghost Workers In Kwara

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, June 19, 2020 uncovered 400 fresh ghost workers in Kwara state.

At the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Commission, N31,000,000 (Thirty One Million Naira only), meant for the payment of salaries of the ghost workers, was allegedly shared by the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Kwara State, Salihu Idris Toyin and the Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Bayo Audu Onimago, among others.

Other beneficiaries of the money include, Director of Finance, SUBEB, Ahmed Husain, Coordinator, NUJ, Kwara State, Tijani Idris and Controller of Finance, SUBEB, Omole John.

In a confessional account of how the money was shared, Toyin told operatives of the EFCC that "A sum of N12million was paid into an account operated by me and others, the money was actually not supposed to come but when the cash hit the account, I withdrew it and gave it to SUBEB Officials, they gave us N3million for free and we shared it among ourselves."

"We also received another N19million. I withdrew N4million from it, I used N1.5million for clearing and interlocking of our quarters, the remaining N2.5million is still with me".

Toyin also said that the money he used for the clearing and interlocking of the quarters was not receipted.

It would be recalled that the EFCC, last week announced the uncovering of about 1000 ghost workers allegedly smuggled into the payroll of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board.

All the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

COVID-19: Just Like Lagos, Ogun Suspends Reopening of Churches, Mosques

The Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun on Friday announced the suspension of the planned reopening of religious centres across the state.

Recall that Governor Abiodun had earlier fixed June 19 for the planned reopening of the worship centres in the state and had set up a tripartite committee to work out the modalities for the reopening.

The Governor said the suspension became imperative in the face of the rise in the community transmission and spread of COVID-19 in the state.

He made the declaration while briefing journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

On Tuesday, Lagos state, too, had suspended its plan to reopen religious centres.

Abiodun, in his Friday address, announced that the current ease of lockdown from Monday to Friday is still in force while residents are expected to stay indoors on Saturdays and Sundays.

While reading the riot act on further flaunting of the laid down directives on measures to flatten the pandemic, the governor said interstate-travel is still prohibited.

Federal Government Unveils New Highway Development & Management Initiative (HDMI)

• 
  

• "Phase one is for 10 FG Highways: Benin–Asaba; Abuja–Lokoja; Kaduna–Kano; Onitsha–Owerri–Aba; Shagamu—Benin;
  Abuja—Keffi—Akwanga; Kano–Maiduguri; Lokoja–Benin;
  Enugu—Port Harcourt;
  Ilorin—Jebba." 🛣️🚧
  
  The HDMI programme is funded by a series of highly-subscribed SUKUK bonds. The third of which has recently attracted a capital investment of N163.3bn for a provision of N16.3bn for each of the 10 roads. This creates & sustains 23,322 jobs on the construction of the 10 highways.👷🏿‍♂️
  
  SUKUK bonds will be taken annually until Phase one of HDMI is completed by Q1 2023. These capital investments will be paid back through the services provided by investors in the post-construction period, including: Cashless e-Tolling, Rest Areas & Weighbridge Stations.
  
  🛣️🚧💵
  
  Weighbridge Stations will fine/stop overloading tankers/trailers which undermine user safety & road durability. Rest Areas will lessen accidents & offer commercial points for locals.

FG to begin enrolment of third batch of N-Power next week

...Current enrollees to exit July 31st

...Online portal to open for application on June 26, 2020

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has said that it will commence the enrolment of the third batch of N-Power beneficiaries next week.

According to the ministry, the decision to enrol the third batch of the scheme was made following consultations and a review of the submissions on the reform of the programme for greater efficiency.

It also explained that the enrolment will provide opportunities for more Nigerian youths to access the programme, in furtherance of the President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The ministry said the current enrollees of the scheme (Batch A) will exit June 30, 2020 while (Batch B) will exit the programme on July 31, 2020.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday by the Deputy Director Information of the ministry, Rhoda Iliya.

According to the Minister, Sadiya Farouq, “We have commenced the transitioning of beneficiaries from Batches A and B into government entrepreneurship schemes and engaging private sector bodies to absorb some of the beneficiaries after the completion of psychometric assessment to determine competency and placement into various opportunities.

“The Federal government is committed to the continuation and expansion and as such will now begin enrolment and onboarding of a new Batch of beneficiaries. Skills acquisition for entrepreneurship and job creation are critical for an economy that will require a boost post-COVID-19 and we are gearing up proactively for the challenge.”

On the mode of application, the ministry said: “Applications will be conducted using a hybrid system of enrolment to ensure that all Nigerians are given an opportunity to participate. As a Ministry that caters for the vulnerable, we will also make special considerations for Persons living with disabilities.

“The online portal would be open to receive applications from noon on June 26, 2020 and will provide a level playing field for all applicants.

“As part of the Ministry’s reforms to make the programme more efficient, all applicants must supply their Bank Verification Number (BVN) in their application to ensure a streamlined and transparent selection process.”

The ministry further explained that once applications are submitted, it will review submissions and publish a list of successful applicants.

It also stated that comprehensive details for the new batch will be announced in the coming weeks.

It however noted that past beneficiaries will not be eligible to participate in the application process.

The N-Power Programme was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) with the mandate of lifting citizens out of poverty through capacity building, investment, and direct support.

The programme has enrolled 500,000 beneficiaries so far with 200,000 from Batch A which started in September 2016 and 300,000 from Batch B which kicked off in August 2018.

The beneficiaries were supposed to spend not less than 24 months on the programme and were spread across the key industries targeted by the programme; agriculture, health, education, and tax.

(The Nation)

Fayose is a chameleon - Ekiti APC

Fayose is a chameleon - Ekiti APC

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti state has described former governor of the state, Mr Ayo Fayose as a type of politician that will do or say anything just to attract attention.

Such a politician, according to APC will shout Hosanna! today and crucify him! tomorrow in as much as their daily bread is guaranteed.

 A statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday, signed by the Director of Media and  Publicity of Ekiti APC, Elder Sam Oluwalana on some recent comments by the immediate past governor about the party, noted that the same Fayose has been hob nobbing with leaders of the party across the country seeking for favours.

Elder Oluwalana pointed out that during the four years of misrule of Fayose in the state, he was the executive, legislature and judiciary, as he crippled the other arms from performing their functions 

"It is on record that the mace of the assembly, which is the authority of the legislature was kept at the government house, while the law makers would have to seek permission from Fayose before convening any sitting.

" And he is now shouting that there is no democracy in APC.

"It was during his regime that the minority members of the assembly impeached a Speaker while vocal members were railroaded into indefinite suspension until they succumbed to his whims.

"The people of the state will not quickly forget how Fayose administration equally crippled the functions of the judiciary, while his attorney general was always privy to any judgement to be delivered by Judges, he even led some of his thugs to storm a court in session and physically beat up a presiding Judge.

The people of the state are praying that they will never experience the type of Fayose's democracy in which workers were owed salaries, pensioners were dying of hunger, and citizens turned to beggars.

"The spate of killings in the state became aggravated with people unable to sleep with two eyes closed.

"He has succeeded in disintegrating his party, PDP, leading to the national excos imposing foreigners to administer the party as caretakers.

"Fayose is wandering across the country like someone that has been cursed. He thinks he can cause confusion in the APC as he has done to his party, unknown to him that he is dealing with more matured politicians.

"He should seek divine intervention to wash the curse placed on him by senior citizens of the state he made to suffer when he was governor.

APC also advised Fayose to leave the party alone and stop his divisive tendencies."

"Can democracy be said to be thriving under this one -man show? Fayose has no moral right to criticize democratic practice in this country as he who demands equity must come with a clean hand," he added. 

Oluwalana stated further that Fayose's undemocratic moves are the major problems of his party, PDP as he is single handedly imposing leaders on members.

He advised him to stop his dubious escapades of wining and dining with leaders of the APC across, the country  while also turning back to make unfounded allegations against the party.

Obaseki joins PDP

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki formally joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after his recent resignation from the All Progressives Congress. 

He was received by the leadership of the party led by the state Chairman of the PDP, Hon Tony Aziegbemi. 

 The party confirms the development in a tweet on his official handle.