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Our Budget Is An Avenue Syphone The Nation’ – Dino Melaye

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Senator Dino Melaye, a former federal lawmaker, has bemoaned Nigeria’s budgeting system, which he described as an avenue used to defraud the country and enrich a selected group of people.

 

 

Dino, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the Nation’s Assembly, asserted that the country’s budgeting system has been used to enrich a few elected principal officers through manipulation of budget numbers.

 

NigeriaUpdates reports that the former lawmaker made these assertions in a statement made available to journalists during the week.

 

 

He urged the incumbent Senate to salvage the nation from massive corruption bedevilling the economy. According to Melaye, the latest budget by the incumbent government will be the highest-ever budgetary allocation to the National Assembly, whose initial allocation in the 2024 budget proposal was pegged at N197.93 billion.

 

 

The Senator said: “On an x-ray of some of the budget, it appears that they have no national significance but an avenue to syphon public funds.

 

“Some years ago, I called the attention of well-meaning Nigerians to the most unfortunate and poignant situation we Nigerians have found ourselves in, where our collective wealth has been consistently looted under the guise of budget padding.

 

“I also recalled stating that more than 60% of corruption issues in Nigeria are built into and legalized in the budget. It’s impossible to argue the veracity when, out of 115 countries globally, Nigeria is ranked 90th on budget transparency, according to the Open Budget Index (OBI). With Nigeria’s annual budgets laced with fake items running into billions, budget fraud would be nothing but the real foundation of all corrupt practices in Nigeria.

 

 

“Lately, the news of an increase in the budget that was passed by the National Assembly. On November 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu presented the N27.5 trillion budget to the joint session of the National Assembly. The budget has a recurrent expenditure profile of N9.92 trillion and a capital expenditure component of N8.7 trillion, while N8.25 trillion was set aside for debt servicing. Within 30 days, the lawmakers passed the budget, increasing it by N1.2 trillion and bringing the total figure to N28.7 trillion.”

 

He added: “Obviously, the lawmakers sacrificed diligence on the altar of speed, and so did the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu, who signed the bill into law within 48 hours after it was transmitted to him. The Premium Times reported on December 30, 2023, that the budget was passed after considering a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West).

 

“The lawmaker explained that the increase in the appropriation was a result of a request for additional funding for items that were not listed in the Appropriation Bill as submitted by President Tinubu. He said the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation observed inadequate funding in the budgetary allocation of some ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

 

 

“It was on the basis above that the National Assembly raised its 2024 budgetary allocation by 74.23 per cent to N344.85 billion. May I humbly remind Nigerians that this will be the highest-ever budgetary allocation to the National Assembly, whose initial allocation in the 2024 budget proposal was pegged at N197.93bn? On an x-ray of some of the budget, it appears that they have no national significance but are an avenue to syphon public funds.”

 

Melaye further argued that the new legislative budget is more than what NASS got between 2011 and 2014.

 

He said: “The increase in allocation to the Senate and House of Representatives is happening amidst a cost-of-living crisis in the country, with the government telling citizens that the country is facing tough times.

 

 

“The same cost applies for the Senate car park (109 members) and the Reps car park (360 members). In other words, a 109-car capacity car park costs the same as a 360-car capacity car park. N15 billion for the NASS hospital (a project for 500 people). This project is enough to build one primary health care centre in every local government area in Nigeria. This applies to all the projects listed above.

 

“Sadly, it is the same story through all the ministries, departments, agencies, parastatals, and even the presidency. Our budgeting system is now an avenue to cheat, defraud the country, and enrich a few elected principal officers through manipulation of budget numbers, yet we still try to legalise the act.

 

“The complicity is jaw-dropping, especially when one discovers that the Executive is now defending the actions of the National Assembly. Could it be because the National Assembly is their alma mater? No wonder at the presentation of the budget, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared: “Our old boys are running the executive.”

 

 

Melaye expressed concerns that the Nigerian people have observed a stark contrast in this administration.

 

While ordinary citizens bear the burden of reform initiatives such as fuel subsidy removal and the merging of exchange rates, President Bola Tinubu’s leadership has excessively favoured lawmakers.

 

 

“The National Assembly has failed in its primary assignment of checking the excesses of the executive arm of government. The National Assembly has turned a blind eye to a huge sum of money budgeted for imaginary projects. Both now work in partnership to perpetrate this miasma. It has become the case of chop-make I-chop. Things have fallen apart,” Melaye’s statement, according to Vanguard.

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Shettima urges political leaders to project Nigeria’s cultural diversity

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged political leaders to project the beauty of the nation’s cultural diversity.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson of the Vice-President, in a statement on Saturday said Shettima made the call during conferment of the Chieftaincy title of Asiwaju of Ijebuland on Dr Sulaiman Adegunwa.

According to the statement, the ceremony held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Shettima emphasised the importance of service to humanity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

He conveyed greetings from President Bola Tinubu, describing the new Asiwaju as “a worthy son of the soil, a leader committed to entrenching peaceful coexistence across the length and breadth of the nation.”

Shettima said ” the event we are all gathered here to witness is not just one that celebrates the intertwining between leadership and culture but indeed the essence of humanity which is service.

” As beautiful as we all look in the various attires we are putting on, so is the beauty in our diversity, so is the beauty of our heritage, so is the beauty of our cultures which bellies in our age-long tradition.”

He called on Adegunwa to see his new role as a call to service and a reminder that “what we owe this country is a sacrifice for love, tolerance and total dedication.”

Recounting Adegunwa’s inspiring story of success, Shettima noted that “the story of Baba is successful yet very motivational; that for every man that strives to succeed there is no way the doors would not be open.

” On our part, we shall continue to partner with well-meaning Nigerians to ensure that for everyone that sacrifices and strives to succeed despite the challenges we face as a nation, we shall leave no stone unturned in giving them all the support.

“I wish Dr Adegunwa a most meritorious and legacy-filled Chieftaincy. May your era bring bountiful peace, love, and progress to this beautiful land. Thank you and God bless,” he added.

In his remarks, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, congratulated Dr Adegunwa, recounting his journey from a small photo studio to investments in banking, real estate, agriculture, and education.

“Today, Baba Dr Adegunwa is installed with the distinguished title of the Asiwaju of Ijebuland.

” I am confident that the new Asiwaju will bring his wealth of experience and personal attributes, courage and philanthropy to discharge his new role admirably to the Ijebu people.”

Also, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna II, who conferred the Chieftaincy title, commended Dr Adegunwa and his wife for distinguishing themselves in character and their fields of endeavour.

He also applauded their contributions to the community’s economic well-being.

Oba Adetona, who has been on the throne for 64 years, said the palace had observed the Adegunwa with “joy and pride.

According to him, they exhibited uncanny and unblemished sagacity, honesty and integrity and uncommon development in Ijebuland.

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SYNERGY: NSCDC ANAMBRA STATE COMMANDANT ATTENDS PULLING OUT PARADE OF ANAMBRA COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

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The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, Comdt. Maku Olatunde, today Saturday, 27th of April, 2024, attended the pulling out parade of the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Aderemi Adeoye.

The parade, held at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, marked the official retirement of CP Adeoye from the state after thirty five years of meritorious service to the nation, brought together top government officials, captains of industries, service Commanders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

The colourful ceremony, which was attended by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof . Chukwuma Soludo, CFR represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, featured a parade procession, matching bands, inspection of guards and a farewell address by CP Adeoye.

Commandant Maku Olatunde, represented the NSCDC at the event, which showcased the synergy and collaboration between security agencies in Anambra State. He praised the outgoing Commissioner of Police for his dedication and service to the state, and wished him well in his future endeavors.

The pulling out parade is a dignified and respectful way to mark an officer’s retirement, in this case , the outgoing police commissioner CP Adeoye and Anambra State NSCDC is proud to have been a part of this occasion.

The highlight of the ceremony was a ceremonial departure of the CP in a motorcade.

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Olukoyede Restructures EFCC, Appoints Chief Of Staff, 14 Zonal Directors

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Ola Olukoyede, The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has appointed Michael Nzekwe as his Chief of Staff.

He also appointed Zonal Directors for each of the 14 Zonal Commands of the Commission as part of the restructuring of the EFCC.

According to Olukoyede, the ongoing restructuring is meant to reposition and strengthen the EFCC so that it can deliver optimally on its assigned mandate.

The anti-graft agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, announced the new appointments and changes in a statement on Saturday.

Nzekwe, who he described as a top-notch investigator, lawyer and former Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, is a course one officer of the Commission.

He has served in various departments in the Commission, including Legal and Prosecution Department, the Department of Operations (now the Department of Investigations), the Department of Internal Affairs ( the Department of Ethics and Integrity), Servicom, and the Asset Forfeiture Department.

“A seasoned administrator, he has attended several trainings and courses home and abroad, including the Advance Defence Intelligence Officers Course organised by Defence Intel Agency, DIA. The appointment takes immediate effect and he has assumed duties,” the statement added.

In restructuring and repositioning the EFCC, Olukayode upgraded all the Zonal Commands of the commission to the status of departments, with each of them headed by a director.

“To this effect, 14 new Directors have been appointed to head each of the Zonal Commands,” Oyewale wrote in the statement.

“Additionally, to bolster and fortify the security architecture of the commission, the Security Unit of the EFCC has been upgraded to a Department with a seasoned officer appointed as Director, Security and Chief Security Officer.”

Also, a new department has also been created in the Executive Chairman’s office, and it is headed by former Makurdi Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Mr. Friday Ebelo, who also doubles as Director and Coordinator, Special Duties, at the corporate headquarters of the commission.

In addition to that, the former Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed Department of Ethics and Integrity and minor reshuffling effected in some departments at the headquarters.

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