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Deputy Speaker Stimulates 2000 Abia SMEs with N1bn
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By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has revealed plans to stimulate economic development in Abia State through a N1 billion support package for 2,000 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking during a town hall meeting of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday, Kalu said that the initiative was part of the Renewed Hope Partners programme to empower residents across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
Kalu also distributed trailer loads of rice, other food items and cash of N100 million to over 100 churches, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and various support groups,
It will be recalled that a few months ago, the Deputy Speaker through the Renewed Hope Partners also donated N500,000,000 to support Abia residents in their businesses.
He said that the programme will partner with financial institutions such as the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to match the N1 billion fund.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that Abia State is an enterprising state with an impressive population of traders and business people, stressing that the initiative is aimed to stimulate economic development.
He directed the Director-General of Ben Kalu Movement (BKM), Pastor Emma Trumps Eke to ensure that the 2,000 businesses in the State are identified and structured for the empowerment.
He said: “A few months ago, about six months ago, we gave about N500 million to the programme. We have been distributing from time to time. Today again, to support the party and the structures, we are giving N100 million.
“Can I have the DG of the Benjamin Kalu Movement? You and your team should help 2,000 businesses in Abia State, small-scale businesses. We want you to raise 2,000 businesses between now and February. Sometime in February, we are going to gather again for empowerment. Today is not for empowerment. Today is to share food and eat rice together. We will do empowerment in the first quarter of this coming year. And between now and that time, we will do empowerment, we want you to collect 2,000 names of small and medium-scale enterprises.
“We are going to support them with N1 billion for 2,000 businesses that will cut across the entire Abia State, all the local government areas in Abia State.
“You should collect the form from the Renewed Hope Office in Ojike Lane, Umuahia. Go there and pick up the form.
Make sure you return it before February. We are only giving 30 days to do this. And all those businesses, each of them will get about N500,000 to start with. And from there, we will invite the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, SMEDAN, Credicorp and all the rest of them.
“They will partner with us to match our fund. If my office is bringing N1billion, I am sure that these other agencies will support. So, don’t get tired of submitting the forms. We might, at the end of the day by February have more than N1 billion to give to you because Abia is an enterprising state. We are traders, we are business people, we want to stimulate economic development.”
Highlighting his legislative imprints, Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State said that he has sponsored 127 bills in the last two years and also delivered over 50 people-oriented constituency projects across the 13 electoral wards in Bende.
“In two years, I have sponsored 127 bills before the National Assembly. They span governance, inclusion, infrastructure, security, economic reform and so on.
“Some, like the SEDC Act, have moved from proposal to institution; other reform-driven bills continue to shape national debate and policy direction, reflecting a legislative agenda that responds to real needs, not abstract ideas.
“Guided by town halls and citizens’ requests, over 50 constituency projects are executed or ongoing across Bende. Schools and ICT centres have been delivered, health centres, access roads and link roads, as well as Agricultural
processing centres such as an ultra-modern rice mill. Electricity restoration, water projects, boreholes, desilted waterways, and skills facilities are also ongoing.
“Collectively, these projects are spread across the wards and communities of Bende, including Item, Uzuakoli, Igbere, Ozuitem, Alayi, Ugwueke, Itumbuzor, and Lohum Imenyi, ensuring balanced delivery that responds to local needs and
everyday realities.
“Beyond infrastructure, over 150 constituents have received employment facilitation, scholarships, and overseas training. About 1,600 individuals accessed the Benjamin Kalu Grants, and nationally, 37 entrepreneurs, one from each state and the FCT, were empowered. Additional support includes livelihoods, youth and women initiatives, and skills training”, he said.
The Deputy Speaker profoundly appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for his invaluable assistance and leadership.
He specifically applauded the President for his economic and financial re-engineering, fuel subsidy and fiscal restructuring, tax reforms and the improvement on power and electricity, education, international relations, security and state police, social protection, agriculture and food security, business, MSMEs, and jobs.
Kalu however called for patience and more support for the President, assuring that the government will not fail the people.
“Representation is continuous, rooted in people’s needs, and our commitment is to keep building until Bende and Nigeria thrive.
“We must give honour where it is due. In the last two and a half years, our nation has navigated turbulent global economic waters. That we are standing strong
today is a testament to the steady hand of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to use this platform to thank Mr. President for his role as the Unifier-in-Chief. He has not only stabilized our great party, the APC, but has also engendered a harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature that is unprecedented in our democratic history. This stability is not accidental; it is the bedrock upon which development is built. Because the centre is holding, we in the legislature can work.
“My people, there are several other programmes in the pipeline, including the unemployment benefits scheme soon to be launched by Mr. President to cater to our unemployed youth. Your legislature is working. Your President is working. And your Deputy Speaker, from Bende to Abuja, is working tirelessly, accountable to you, driven by the conviction that Nigeria’s best days are not behind us but ahead of us. I ask you today: Support President Tinubu. Support our party, the All Progressives Congress. Support the Renewed Hope Agenda. Support Nigeria. We are not just rebuilding a country; we are building a legacy for our children”, Kalu added.
News
Fake Agency: Reps Trace 58 Bank Accounts, 12 Entities to Adeyemi Over Alleged PFIPC
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee investigating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has traced about 58 bank accounts to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, with preliminary findings indicating that more than 30 of the accounts were operated in the names of about nine agencies, companies, foundations and related entities.
The committee also identified more than 12 organisations and entities allegedly linked, directly or indirectly, to Adeyemi, raising questions about a possible network of organisations operating under governmental, international, investment, educational, charitable, foundation and United Nations-related identities.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed the findings on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting the panel’s preliminary report on the need to protect the integrity of the Federal Budget process.
The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the purported PFIPC in the Federal Budget Framework.
Gagdi said information obtained from financial and investigative institutions indicated that Adeyemi’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) and other identifying details were connected to a substantial network of personal, corporate, organisational and foundation accounts.
The names linked to the records, according to the committee, include the Confederation of United Nations Youths, FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership, FCT Investment Promotion Council and Public-Private Partnership, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, United Nations Youth Global Agency, United Nations Youth Global Foundation, World United Nations Youth Global Foundation, World Entrepreneurship University Limited, World Enterprise University Limited, FCT Investment Promotion Act, FCT Promotion Agency and Olubadan of Ibadan Foundation.
Gagdi said some of the entities appeared to operate multiple accounts, while other accounts were registered under personal names or variations of the identified names.
He, however, stressed that the committee had not reached a conclusion that every account, entity or transaction identified in the course of the investigation was unlawful.
“The Committee is reconciling registration records, account mandates, beneficial ownership information, signatories and transaction histories to determine the true nature and control of the identified entities and accounts,” he said.
According to the committee, similarities in the names, objectives, management structures, signatories and banking relationships of some of the organisations had created a legitimate basis for further investigation.
The panel is investigating whether multiple organisations were created or deployed using governmental, international, investment, educational, charitable, foundation or United Nations-related identities.
Gagdi said evidence before the committee indicated that Adeyemi might be connected, either directly or indirectly, to more than 12 of the entities under investigation.
He said the committee was examining whether the organisations were established or used to create artificial credibility, solicit funds, attract investments, obtain official recognition, secure government facilities or persuade members of the public to part with money.
The committee chairman further disclosed that members of the panel had met Adeyemi behind closed doors as part of the investigation, although he declined to reveal details of the meeting.
Gagdi also reiterated that Adeyemi could not be brought before the committee because of a court order keeping him in police custody. He did not provide further details about the order or the circumstances surrounding the custody.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the House constituted the Adhoc Committee following the adoption of Resolution No. 68/07/2026 on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The resolution followed reports concerning the purported establishment and operation of the PFIPC, as well as its alleged inclusion in the Federal Budget Framework.
The House said its action was taken in exercise of its constitutional powers of appropriation, oversight and investigation, particularly in view of concerns surrounding the identity, operations and budgetary status of the purported council.
News
Shettima @60: Speaker Abbas Hails VP’s Service, Loyalty to Tinubu
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has congratulated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his 60th birthday, describing him as a dedicated public servant and a strong ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas praised Shettima for his commitment to democracy and public service.
The Speaker described the Vice President’s loyalty to President Tinubu as exemplary, saying his record in public office had prepared him for the responsibilities of his current position.
Speaker Abbas eulogised Shettima as a leader of exceptional qualities and described him as one of the most patriotic Nigerians alive.
He also commended the Vice President for his contributions to the Tinubu administration, noting that his experience and achievements in previous public offices had continued to strengthen his performance as Vice President.
According to the Speaker, Shettima’s experience as governor of Borno State, senator and in other public positions had made him one of the most experienced public servants in government today.
The statement read: “The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has extended his congratulations to the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee, praising the VP’s steadfast commitment to democracy and devoted public service.”
Speaker Abbas described Senator Shettima as a “reliable ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, praising his loyalty as exemplary and worthy of emulation.”
The Speaker further said Senator Shettima “continues to be one of the most patriotic Nigerians alive,” while highlighting his “invaluable contributions” to the Tinubu administration.
On the 2027 presidential election, Speaker Abbas expressed confidence in the APC ticket, following the decision by President Tinubu to retain Shettima as his running mate.
“With Senator Shettima returning as President Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket is a winning one”, he said
The Speaker also prayed for the Vice President’s continued good health and longevity.
He prayed to Allah (SWT) “to grant Senator Shettima mercy, grace, longevity, and good health so he can continue contributing value to the Tinubu administration and the nation as a whole.”
News
PFIPC Probe: HoR Panel Clears Gbajabiamila, Says Evidence Shows He Acted Against Fake Agency
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has found no evidence linking Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the establishment or activities of the organisation.
Instead, the committee said its preliminary findings showed that Gbajabiamila acted to alert relevant security and investigative agencies and commenced administrative verification after concerns about the purported agency were brought to his attention.
The committee chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed this while presenting the panel’s preliminary findings at a press briefing on its investigation into the alleged inclusion of PFIPC in the Federal Government’s budget framework.
According to the panel, the matter was first brought to Gbajabiamila’s attention following an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) over suspected fraudulent activities and alleged misuse of government materials.
The committee said the Chief of Staff responded within a day by communicating with relevant security and investigative bodies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It added that Gbajabiamila also initiated administrative checks through relevant government institutions to establish the status of the purported organisation.
The panel said further concerns, including those surrounding a proposed world investment summit, prompted additional communications from the Chief of Staff seeking investigation and appropriate action.
“The documentary evidence presently before the Committee does not establish that the Chief of Staff authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation,” the committee said.
“On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates repeated steps to secure investigation, institutional verification and appropriate administrative action.”
Based on the evidence before it, the committee said it “preliminarily commends” Gbajabiamila for the security and administrative interventions he undertook whenever the matter was formally brought to his attention.
Alleged Fake Appointment Letter
The committee also raised questions over a letter purportedly appointing Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi as Director-General of the PFIPC.
The document was allegedly presented as an official presidential appointment and purportedly carried the authority and signature of Gbajabiamila.
However, the panel said evidence obtained from the State House indicated that no such appointment was made or approved by the Presidency.
It said Gbajabiamila neither issued nor signed the letter.
The committee further said the letterhead used in the document was not an authentic State House letterhead and that the purported reference number did not correspond with the official referencing system.
According to the panel, the format, language and other administrative features of the document also differed materially from established State House correspondence.
The committee therefore made a preliminary finding that the purported appointment letter was fabricated and falsely attributed to the Presidency.
‘Executive Order, National Assembly Act Were Not Genuine’
The panel also said documents presented as a Presidential Executive Order and an Act of the National Assembly establishing the organisation were not authentic.
It said the purported Executive Order No. 5, dated February 24, 2026, was neither issued nor approved through the lawful processes of the Presidency.
Similarly, the committee said the document presented as an Act of the National Assembly was never passed by both chambers, was not assented to by the President and was not gazetted as an Act of the Federation.
It further alleged that portions of an instrument belonging to another institution appeared to have been electronically alter
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