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Chairman, MD of NDDC trade allegations of corruption at the National Assembly
ANOTHER round of fresh corruption crisis has bedevilled the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as the Chairman of the commission’s board, Lauretta Onochie and the Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, openly engaged one another in corruption allegations exchanges at the National Assembly.
At an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Unauthoried Spending in the Commission, Ogbuku, who was represented by the Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Charles Airhiavere, accused Onochie of over stepping her bounds by desperately seeking to be a signatory to NDDC’s accounts.
He alleged that Onochie had even written a letter to the Accountant General of the Federation for approval to make her a signatory to the accounts.
Onochie, however, said the decision for her to be a signatory to the accounts, was taken by the board at one of its meeting, adding that it was not a personal decision.
She said that the request for change of signatory was rejected because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed the Managing Director to ensure that her confirmation is sought in every financial dealings.
“The CBN said I should be the confirming authority but they didn’t come back to me. That is why they have been operating the way they like,” Onochie added.
But in a twist of event, Onochie accused the MD and the entire management of running the commission in breach of financial regulation.
She alleged that the NDDC’s management currently operates a total of 367 accounts against the dictates of the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA).
According to Onochie, all these accounts are in foreign exchange (FOREX).
The MD also denied the existence of 367 accounts in the commission but admitted that it operates only four.
Onochie also informed the Senate that since the board resumed in January 2023; it has not enjoyed the cooperation of the management.
She disclosed that the MD had been frustrating attempts to hold board meetings where necessary decisions ought to be taken.
This was rejected by the MD, who disclosed that the main problem arose from what he described as ‘trust deficit’ between the board and the management.
Ogbuku also said that the board never gave sufficient notice of any board meeting as required by law.
Onochie further informed the Senate Committee that part of the abuse of financial responsibilities displayed by the Ogbuku-led management, was the increase of the monthly impress for the Managing Director from N4 billion to N10 billion.
The Senate Committee-led by Senator Yusuf Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central) expressed shock at the disclosures made by the board and the management of the NDDC.
He directed Onochie and Ogbuku to appear before it on Monday to substantiate their allegations.
The original reason for the investigation of how unauthorised spending were made in the commission between 2021 and 2022 despite the absence of NDDC budget was thrown aside when the two parties engaged one another in corruption allegations
… Commends President Tinubu’s track records so far
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON for rescuing Osun from the damning debts inherited from the past administrations while governing the state.
The foremost traditional ruler acknowledged the tremendous achievements made by the former Governor while administering the affairs of the state saying the notable intervention made in offsetting the debts was a significant relief to the economy of the state.
This is even as the imperial majesty lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his track records in the last few months.
Oba Ogunwusi spoke on Saturday while playing host to the Minister’s team in his palace in Ile-Ife. Oyetola and his entourage paid homage to the monarch on their way to the funeral ceremony of the late mother of the State APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal.
The revered monarch who described Oyetola as a meek character with repository of knowledge across human endeavours alluded to the high sense of transparency exhibited by the ex-governor while serving the State.
“I have said it and I will continue to say it that you are a special creature. God created you with very meek character like a dove and yet you are a performer. You are indeed a man of impeccable character, humility, integrity and excellence. Your meek character is applaudable.
“I commend you for your excellent performance while governing the state. It was obvious to all that in spite the meagre resources available to your government then, you did excellently well. We all knew how and what came to the state in term of allocation and other funds that accrued to Osun under your government. We are living witnesses to what your government earned and we all knew how you judiciously expended and managed the resources at your disposal.
“You didn’t give excuse but rather took the bull by the horns. Infact at a point, I was wondering how you were able to scale through the financial huddles and yet achieved great things. At a point, I had to come to you and ask how you were able to achieve that much in the face of socioeconomic realities. So, I commend you for your effectiveness and efficiency in managing the economy of the state.
“It is on record that out of the inherited debt of Osun, you paid over a hundred billion naira. You touched each of the sectors by giving them what it was due to them at that time, and you made everything transparent to the citizens including the royal fathers in the state. I pray God to continue to imbue you with more wisdom, knowledge and understanding to do more and I equally pray Him to continue to grant you ‘divine money management skills’ to do more for humanity.
“This visit is unique. It is only during campaigns that we used to see many politicians like this that followed you to the palace. This is the first time we will be seeing these caliber of people on a visit to the palace. I must commend you all for coming. I thank God for your life we thank God that you are a leader today as the head of a notable ministry. One ministry like a combination of four to five states. We thank God for your life.
“I equally commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his good works and continued support for us in the state, southwestern Nigeria and the country at large. We are proud of him as a people and as a race”, Ooni stated.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS to work towards the establishment and sustenance of a regional standby force for the security and economic advancement of the community.
Tinubu spoke during the opening of the 65th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday, in Abuja, President Tinubu, whwre he was reelected as the Chairman of the regional bloc.
He highlighted the expediency of a standby force in the face of growing security threats.
“The Regional Action Plan against Terrorism has enhanced cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian interventions. In addition to this, the Ministers of Finance and Defence met recently in Abuja to raise funds for activating the ECOWAS Standby Force to boost counter-terrorism efforts.”
“Member countries are also displaying their commitment to combating insecurity by individually increasing their defence budgets in order to acquire necessary equipment and ensure preparedness,’’ the President said.
President Tinubu urged member states to commit more to providing the needed resources for securing the region.
“Let me underscore that a peaceful and secure society is essential for achieving our potential. As we move to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in combating terrorism, I must emphasize that the success of this plan requires not only strong political will but also substantial financial resources.”
“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our Ministers of Defence and Finance, in order to counter insecurity and stabilize our region,’’ the President added.
President Tinubu advised ECOWAS leaders to leverage the capabilities of Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which has been widely acknowledged as one of the best on the continent.
The President said his government has decided to make the NCTC a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states to benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
President Tinubu also advised the management of ECOWAS to re-align and reposition its priorities by reducing overheads and setting up in-country steering committees.
“Difficult economic conditions and inconsistent payment of financial commitments to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight. To ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programmes and activities, I urge all member states to ensure full compliance with the Protocol on the Community Levy.”
“Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example in remitting its collected levies to the organization. Nevertheless, the ECOWAS management must also reduce its overhead expenditures and focus on programmes and activities that directly impact the lives of our citizens.”
“I am aware of the progress report on the implementation of the ECOWAS Institutional Reforms. I therefore call on the President of the ECOWAS Commission to resume and expedite the conclusion of the second phase of the Institutional Reforms, aimed at reducing the organization’s operational costs,’’ the President said.
President Tinubu welcomed a new member of the Authority, Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
“Allow me to further extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal for their steadfastness in the consolidation of democratic governance.”
“Their recently concluded presidential election has been widely adjudged as free, fair, transparent, and credible. This achievement is a testament to our region’s commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and rule of law,’’ the President stated.
As President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS elapses on July 9, 2024, presidents and representatives of 12 member states are currently meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.
The meeting, which began at 1pm, would likely see the West African leaders announce a new chair to steer the affairs of the bloc for the next one year.]
However, there are indications that leaders may extend Tinubu’s tenure to give him time to possibly win back Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into the bloc.
Details later…
Yusuf has achieved alot in Kano – NNPP Chairman
Osun: Ooni lauds Oyetola for repaying close to N100 billion inherited debts as Governor
