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  • FG, World Bank project will strengthen revenue management – OAuGF

    The Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP), a collaborative program between the Federal Government and the World Bank will strengthen revenue management and accountability in the use of public funds.

    The Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mr. Anthony Ayine, disclosed this during courtesy visits to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Abuja.

    In a statement, Ayine said that the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) have started interfacing with key stakeholders to share experiences and come up with a position that will strengthen revenue management, as well as promote transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

    He said the Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP), will see his office conduct Revenue Assurance Audit and IT Audit on the FIRS and NCS, explaining that the project’s activities and priorities will be to strengthen revenue management collection and accounting processes, in addition to strengthening controls and accountability in the use of public funds.

    According to him, “Our engagement here is essentially to ensure that the collection of revenue is lawfully made. We will also verify that procedures and checks are in place and properly applied.

    “We will work to ascertain that accounts are duly kept and appropriate remittances are made to the authorized accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Border closure: Senator urges caution

    “We will verify and evaluate the efficiency of internal controls and accounting systems and also review where applicable, areas where reforms have been made.

    “The essence of the exercise is to improve the revenue of government so as to reduce the heavy financial burden of borrowing on the country.”

    The FGIP was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on June 27, 2018 and has four key components, namely: strengthening revenue management, strengthening controls, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, strengthening economic and fiscal statistics and implementation support.

    The OAuGF is one of five strategic institutions tasked to implement the project. The others are the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Bureau of Public Procurement.

  • OAuGF collaborates with NEITI on revenue management

    The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) is collaborating with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to promote openness and accountability in the management of government revenue from the sector.

    The collaboration is in connection with the Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP), which the Federal Government and World Bank are undertaking to strengthen revenue management and encourage transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

    According to a statement by the OAuGF, the Auditor-General for the Federation, Anthony Mkpe Ayine, who had sought similar cooperation from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service explained that the purpose of the engagement is to ensure that the collection of revenue is lawfully made and duly remitted to government.

    Ayine who paid a courtesy visit to the NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Waziri Adio, said there was also need to harmonize figures contained in the annual reports of both organisations so as to erase doubts and build public trust.

    “NEITI handles very important statistics that is important to the Federal Government and analysts. It is imperative that we work together to reconcile and harmonise the figures that make up our annual reports for our collective integrity as a country,” he said.

    The Auditor-General further explained that the role of his office in executing the FGIP is to conduct Revenue Assurance Audit and IT Audit on income-generating Ministries Departments and Agencies of government to ascertain their level of compliance with set rules for revenue collection and remittance.

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    He also said that as part of on-going reforms in the OAuGF, a new unit that will carry out extensive audits on the extractive industry is underway, and that he will not fail to request for support from NEITI in understanding the operations of the sector for operational efficiency.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary expressed readiness for the collaboration which he said was a welcome development and pledged to support the OAuGF in the quest to begin audit of the extractive industry.

    “NEITI is ready and willing to work with the Office of the Auditor General and other similar agencies to promote integrity, openness, standards and uniformity in data collation, validation management and utilization.

    “It is not just enough to be transparent; it is about being comprehensively transparent to ensure that the information is understood. Anything that will bring about transparency in the management of revenues we will give you all the support,” he said.

    A recent report estimates that Nigeria’s extractive industry loses approximately N4.4trn annually.

  • Buhari departs Abuja for Japan Sunday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Sunday for Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) holding in the City of Yokohama from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30.

    A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Friday, said President Buhari’s participation would be his second, having attended TICAD6 in Nairobi, Kenya, in Aug. 2016.

    “With the theme, “Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future,” the Opening Session of TICAD7 will be performed by the Japanese Prime Minister and host, Shinzo Abe,’’ Adesina said.

    The presidential aide revealed that Buhari would deliver Nigeria’s statement during Plenary Session three in which he will appraise Nigeria-Japan relations and takeaways from TICAD6.

    He said the president would attend a State Banquet and also honour the invitation of Emperor Naruhito to a Tea Reception at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo.

    “In addition to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe, the Nigerian President will also attend some side-events and meet chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with huge investments in Nigeria,’’ he added.

    Formed in 1993, the now triennial TICAD, which has been convened alternately in Japan and Africa since TICAD6, according to the organisers, is the largest international conference held in Japan which “provides an open forum that generates innovative discussion among various stakeholders on African development.”

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Buhari, Northern traditional rulers meet in Aso Rock

    Participants are drawn not only from African countries, but also international organisations, private companies and civil society organisations involved in development.

    TCAD7 is expected to focus on Africa’s “economic transformation and improvements in business environment and institution through private investment and innovation; promotion of resilient and sustainable African society for human security; and peace and stability in support of Africa’s domestic proactive efforts.”

    Nigeria has gained tremendously since her participation in TICAD6 at the highest level, during which Japan pledged 30 billion dollars investment “for the future of Africa combined with the private sector;” 10 billion dollars infrastructure investment, and 500 million dollars for vocational training of 50,000 Africans.

    Since the Nairobi Conference, Japanese government and companies have been very active in supporting Nigeria’s agriculture, healthcare, electricity and youth empowerment.

    The president and his delegation are expected in Yokohama to push for broader Japanese assistance in the areas of science and technology, innovation, human resource development, education, agriculture, power, health and disaster risk reduction, among others.

    Buhari will be accompanied by governors Babagana Zulum, AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Borno, Kwara and Lagos States, some ministers and other top government officials.

    The president is expected back in Nigeria on Aug. 31.

  • BREAKING: Renew Shell’s OML 11 for 20 years, Court orders FG

    The Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the Minister of Petroleum to grant the renewal of the Oil Mineral Lease 11 to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria for 20 years.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that renewal would be for 20 years and not 30 as Shell requested in its suit.

    ‎The suit by Shell was instituted against the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Minister of State.

    Details shortly…

  • PHOTOS: Buhari, Northern traditional rulers meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with traditional rulers from the north.

    Among those at the meeting include the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, the Emir of Bida, and Emir of Daura.

    Buhari, Northern monarchs meet in Abuja

    Buhari, Northern monarchs meet in Abuja

    Buhari, Northern monarchs meet in Abuja

    Buhari, Northern monarchs meet in Abuja

    Buhari, Northern monarchs meet in Abuja

  • UPDATED: Tribunal sacks Dino Melaye as Kogi West Senator

    The Kogi State National Assembly/State Assembly Election Tribunal has voided the election of Dino Melaye as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

    The three-man tribunal was unanimous that the election that produced Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a Senator was flawed.

    The tribunal, led by Justice A.O. Chijioke, upheld the petition by Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ordered that a fresh election be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Read Also: Dino Melaye joins Kogi governorship race

    Adeyemi’s lawyer, Dapo Otitoju had, while making his final submission on July 23, 2019, prayed the court to nullify the election on three grounds.

    The first ground, the lawyer argued, was that INEC’s decision to collate and announce the election’s results in Lokoja despite a judgment of the Federal High Court identifying Kabba as the headquarters of the senatorial district, was a negation of the Constitution and Electoral Acts, which constitutes a substantial ground to nullify the election.

    The lawyer argued that INEC’s failure to abide by the judgment of the Federal High Court, which it did not appeal, showed it had a hidden agenda.

    Secondly, Otitoju argued that the presentation of the certified true copy of PVC distribution in Kogi West which revealed 48,200 excess votes in the result declared for the senatorial district was enough reason for the tribunal to nullify the election.

    He urged the tribunal to take note of the mutilation of votes that was visible in the result sheet and argued that the mutilation was occasioned by INEC’s change of venue of collation centres.

    The lawyer prayed the tribunal to void the election on the grounds that it was held in substantial non-compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and against the wishes of the people who voted.

    Lawyer to Melaye, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), who made a counter-argument, prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petitioner, and argued that the documents presented by the petitioners were “mere hearsay documents.”

    He urged the court to hold that his client was validly elected.

    By the judgement on Friday, Melaye is allowed, under the Electoral Act, 14 days within which to appeal the decision.

    The Court of Appeal, which is the final court in national and state legislative elections cases, has 60 from the day of judgment, to determine the appeal.

    In a statement he issued in reaction to the judgement, Melaye described the tribunal’s decision as a total miscarriage of justice.

    He said: “The judgement is full of importation of informations that are alien to the case.

    “I however commend the courage and moral strength of the chairman of the tribunal for resisting evil and standing on the path of justice.

    “I have confidence in the Appeal Court to right the wrongs contained in the pronouncements of the judgement.

    “I also want to tell those jubilating that their jubilation will be short-lived while appealing to my teeming supporters to remain calm as their mandate is safe and secured and cannot be taken through any mischievous means.

    “However, our legal team is already working on appealing the judgment and I assure all that justice will prevail.”

  • Civilian JTF critical to ending insurgency, Zulum insists

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Friday insisted that Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) is critical to ending insurgency in his State.

    He canvassed for supports for the CJTF in collaborating with security personnel to end the insurgency.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He also blamed the increasing insurgency in the state to its bordering three countries and its desert climate difficult to man.

    Details Later…

  • Magodo residents commend Ikeja Electric over improved supply

    Residents of Magodo Estate have applauded Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) for providing stable electricity to customers within the Estate following the signing of the Premium Power Agreement.

    The Premium Power initiative is a power purchase agreement under the Willing Buyer, Willing Seller initiative issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    It entails a commitment to specific service level standards while the customer agrees to pay a tariff that is above the current MYTO tariff.

    Speaking on the improved power supply, a resident of the Estate, Mr. Innocent Nwankwo, expressed satisfaction at the level of supply currently from Ikeja Electric.

    He said: “We currently enjoy 24 hours supply and we believe this initiative is giving us value.

    “We have a mixed development in Magodo estate. There are those who operate business and there are residential.

    “We all need adequate supply. And we were able to agree on this. In my opinion, if other communities show interest I think Ikeja Electric can replicate this initiative.”

    Another resident, Adewale Anthony, also pointed out that initiatives such as Premium Power will enhance growth and economic development within the community.

    According to him: “What we really want is now possible – and that is constant power that enables us to use it when we need it.

    “By giving us the opportunity to enter into this agreement, we were able to make a choice of what we want in terms of supply availability. Since the signing of the contract, we have been enjoying the supply.”

    Since the implementation of the agreement on August 15, residents of the Estate have been on 24- hour supply.

    Under the agreement, there will also be access to dedicated Customer Care and Technical teams for prompt resolution of queries or technical issues within the Estate.

    At the contract signing ceremony two weeks ago, the Chief Operating Officer of Ikeja Electric, Mrs. Folake Soetan, expressed confidence in the success of the trend-setting agreement, which she noted was in line with the Federal Government’s “willing seller, willing buyer” policy.

    Read Also; Ikeja Electric, Mojec roll out meters, sensitise customers on registration

    “We are confident that this agreement will serve as a model for other power agreements in the power sector because while it is in line with the Federal Government policy.

    “It also reflects our unwavering commitment to our customers. This has also been made possible by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s directive to DisCos to provide an enabling environment with exceptional service delivery,” she said.

    The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Magodo Residents Association, Chief S.A. Owojori, also commended the technical teams for a job well done.

    He described the signing ceremony as a significant achievement in the community’s efforts at enjoying uninterrupted power supply.

    He stated the agreement, if judiciously implemented, will strengthen the relationship between the community and Ikeja

  • NYSC takes three dead Corps members home for burial

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Katsina on Friday announced that it has concluded arrangements to ferry three dead corps members who died in a road accident that occurred between Katsina-Funtua road last Sunday to their respective homes in Imo, Ebonyi and Delta states for burial.

    It said they will be buried on Saturday.

    The State Coordinator of the NYSC Alhaji Ahidjo made the disclosures in his office while welcoming the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Dioceses, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kuka and his entourage.

    He stated each of the vehicles conveying the corpses will be accompanied by a Deputy Director and a Senior member of the Catholic Church in Katsina to the mortuary in the respective states for proximity pending when their parents or next of kin are ready for the final burial.

    He said: ’’NYSC is pained by their deaths; we loved them so much and have been maintaining cordial relationship with them, both staff and the corps members.

    ‘’We thank the Katsina Catholic Church and its members because of their timely response to the news about their deaths by hosting and ensuring that they get the needed medical and humanitarian attention.

    READ ALSO: Katsina deaths: NYSC restricts movement of corps members

    ‘’Three hospitals were involved in giving medical attention to the injured. We shall convey the bodies of the dead on Saturday and each of the vehicle will be accompanied by a Deputy or Assistant Director and a Senior Church member.

    ‘We have already communicated with the next of kin and parents of the dead.”

    NYSC also released the identities of the deceased Corps members.

    They include: Edadakpoye Alfred Simon from Delta State; Amarikwa Innocent from Imo State and Ndem Jecinta Chinenye from Ebonyi State.

    Bishop Hassan Kukah had earlier visited the recuperating corps members at the Federal Medical Centre and General Amadi Rimi Orthopedic hospital.

    He prayed for repose of the souls of the dead.

  • Why I shunned PFN panel on Busola Dakola, by Fatoyinbo

    Founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo has explained he shunned the panel set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to probe the rape allegations against him by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo because of legal advice.

    He said he failed to honour the panel’s invitations because his lawyers realised the sitting might be partial.

    The PFN announced on Thursday that its probe into the allegations against Fatoyinbo was inconclusive because the preacher refused to appear before it after several invitations.

    Senior Assistant to the COZA Pastor, Ademola Adetuberu, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, disclosed that the legal advice was also premised on the statement issued by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, “where our Pastor was publicly disowned.”

    According to him: “We recall that when Pastor Fatoyinbo was invited by a phone call few days ago by Pastor Akinola Akinwale, who is the National Administrative Secretary of PFN, we explained that our Pastor would not honour the invitation due to legal advice hinged on the ongoing police investigation.

    “The legal advice was also premised on the press statement issued and personally signed by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, where our Pastor was publicly disowned.

    “Based on the foregoing, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the PFN was already prejudiced and may not conduct an impartial session.

    Read Also; Fatoyinbo snubbed PFN’s investigating panel on rape allegation

    “According to the report, Rev. Omobude, whom we hold in high esteem, went further to crucify our Pastor without seeking to know his side of the story on the matter.

    “With all due respect, we consider this a prejudicial position in dispensing justice and fairness.”

    He added: “Even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was given an opportunity for a fair hearing by the Kangaroo panel set up with the prime motive of condemning Him to death.”

    He however denied there were written invitations from the panel or PFN leadership aside from the phone calls requesting for his presence.

    Fatoyinbo promised to appear before the panel as soon as the police probe into the allegation was concluded.

    The statement clarified: “Once the police investigation is over, our Pastor is ready to honour the invitation.

    We have also been legally advised to deploy judicial intervention to clear our Pastor as soon as possible, and the process has commenced in earnest.”