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How Yahaya Bello Paid School Fees Of Pre-School Child At American International School Abuja Till 2035 In Advance

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Agreement documents and payment receipts have shown details of how the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, paid school fees for his children including his pre-school child, Zayyan Ali Bello, in advance up to 2034/35.
The payments were made to American International School, Abuja (AISA).
The documents released to the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 19, 2023, surfaced on the internet following the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of Bello as governor.
In one of the receipts, payment was made for up to 2034/35 session.
In December 2023, SaharaReporters exclusively reported the EFCC had seized $760,910.84 from the money that Bello paid to American International School, Abuja, as prepaid school fees for four children until graduation, over alleged money laundering.
Documents last December showed that Governor Bello through his nephew, Mr Ali Bello had entered an agreement with the school to pay tuition for his four children up to graduation in advance to secure their future.
The agreement was signed and executed on August 23, 2021. Following the execution of the agreement, a total of $845.852.84 was paid into the school account in varied instalments.
However, the anti-corruption agency as part of its oversight function, subsequently invited the school authorities for a series of interviews connected with the funds through a letter dated September 7, 2023, after about one year.
Sources said that during the interrogation of officials of the school, the EFCC noted that the advanced school fees were proceeds of crime. It said that the school was being used as an unwitting money laundering tool and demanded that it should refund the monies to the agency through a dedicated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“During the interviews, the EFCC further informed the school authorities that the commission was empowered to seize the total funds or any portion thereof.
“Following a review of the academic history of Governor Bello’s children with the school, the EFCC accepted that fees paid in relation to ongoing school sessions at the time did not amount to proceeds of crime and exempted the sum of $84.942.00.
“Subsequently, the commission made a demand for transfer of the of $760.910.84, representing advance tuition payment to its nominated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria,” documents.
Following the development, the school management wrote a letter dated October 27, 2022, to the EFCC, requesting an official written demand for the refund of the monies, but the anti-graft agency provided an account to which the monies should be paid.
The school first paid $1,000 and later paid the remaining $759,91084 to the account.
Meanwhile, Ali Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC over a N3 billion fraud.
Ali Bello was arraigned in February alongside others at the Federal High Court on 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.
It was reported in December 2023 how Ali Bello sued the American International School over an alleged breach of contractual agreement for prepaid school fees until graduation duly executed in 2021.
It was reported that he was seeking among others N100 million in damages against the school authorities for refunding the sum of $760,910.84 paid to the school account towards the education of Governor Bello’s children to a third party, EFCC, without any court order or his consent.
The agreement document titled, ‘Agreement for Prepaid School Fees Until Graduation’, and seen by SaharaReporters was signed on August 23, 2021 by Mr. Greg Hughes on behalf of the American International School, Abuja while Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Mr. Ali Bello, signed on behalf of the Bello family as the family’s representative.
The document stated that “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the AISA (American International School of Abuja) on Friday 13 August 2021 requesting to pay the Bello family school fees in advance until the students graduate from High School.
“The request was forwarded to the Head of School, Mr. Greg Hughes who consulted with the Board President Mr. Kevin Bragg.
“It was decided by the School Management to accept Mr. Bello’s offer with the necessary conditions set out by both parties:
“Names of students and their current grade level for the academic year 2021/22 which commenced Thursday 12 August 2021: Farid Bello Grade 8; Zahra Bello Grade 6; Na’ima Bello Grade 4; Nana-Fatima Bello Grade 2.
“Future student to be enrolled in August 2022 if application is successful and there is space available – Zayyan Ali Bello Pre-School.
“Conditions: The Finance Office will prepare a statement of fees reflecting 100% fees due for the relevant years.
“Payment should be made on installments into AISA’s US account within a period of 4 months from the date at which document is signed by both parties;
“AISA cannot guarantee that the Board will continue granting discounts in the future. As and when changes to discount policies are made and approved by the Board, AISA will communicate these to the Bello family and be taken into account for calculations;
“Subject to clause 3 above, where discounts are granted, the discount component of the full fees will be retained to cater to any increase in fees or any future payments which may arise. It is also agreed that in case the increase exceeds the available retained discount, the family will pay the difference.
“Fees to be charged are as per the current fee structure. These are tuition fees, application fees, annual development levy, English Language Learner fee, Learning support fee and the Capital Building fee.
“The Capital Building fee will only be applicable to Zayyan Ali Bello when he moves into kindergarten. If Zayyan is required by AISA to participate in the English Language Learner or Learning support program when he submits his application next year that would be an additional cost to the Bello family.
“Any unused portions of fees paid in advance, will be refunded to the account provided by the parents of the students in a reasonable time; these refunds can only be done into a U.S. Bank account and no cash refunds will be considered by AISA;
“Incidences that could warrant a refund are as follows but not limited to: Closure of AISA to students due to economic, financial and/or political reasons; Student withdrawal before graduating from AISA etc.; Student expulsion due to behavioral or any other reason taken by the School Administration etc.
“It is understood that refunds are with respect to the balance of pre-paid fees for subsequent years and not the current year in which the occurrence (closure, early withdrawal and expulsion) occurs.
“It is impossible to determine future fee increases, when they will be approved by the Board and what the percentage would be.
“Tuition fees and other related fees will be charged in full and where there is an increase in the fees, the parent will pay any difference that has occurred as a result of the increase in tuition and other related fees.
“The Signatures below are in acceptance of the above terms and conditions.”
News
Zed-Faith Foundation Donates Food, Medical Supplies to Orphanage, Elderly Homes in FCT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to ease the impact of rising food prices and economic hardship, the Zed-Faith Foundation International has donated food items and medical supplies to Ark of Refuge Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Kado, Abuja.
The items were distributed over the weekend by representatives of the Foundation on behalf of its Founder and Chairman, Amb. Daniel Onyeka Newman, a UK-based Nigerian and Chief Executive Officer of SBI.
The Foundation’s Media Consultant, Amb. Victor Atewe, who led the delegation, said the donation was a personal initiative by the Chairman and not funded by government or external bodies.
“These items are intended to directly support the children and elderly, and we trust they will be used solely for that purpose,” Atewe said.
He added that the Foundation plans to continue its outreach efforts across the country, noting that the economic situation has made daily survival increasingly difficult for vulnerable groups.
The Foundation also used the occasion to urge the federal government to collaborate more with credible non-governmental organisations in supporting disadvantaged populations, especially as inflation and food insecurity worsen.
Speaking on behalf of the Country Representative, Mr. Chinnaya Dominic Chikwado, the Foundation’s Administrative Officer, Mr. Udodirim Okorie, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support charitable causes and contribute to alleviating the burden on those most affected by the country’s economic crisis.
Representatives of the Old People’s Home and Ark of Refuge Orphanage expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful. They noted that such support helps bridge the gap in essential services for the elderly and children in their care.
“This donation will go a long way in meeting our daily needs.”
“We thank the Foundation for its continued support, especially during such challenging times.”
“Even the smallest gesture makes a big difference to those who have no one else to turn to.”
“We hope others are inspired to follow suit and remember those most in need.”
News
May Day: Senator Manu celebrates with Nigerian workers

The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District, Manu Haruna celebrates May Day with Nigerian workers in Taraba and across Nigeria.
Senator Manu in a congratulatory letter to all Nigerian workers said:
“Your labour towards building a virile nation shall never be in vain as you celebrate May Day today in Nigeria and across the globe.
The former Taraba State Deputy Governor acknowledged the invaluable contributions of workers across various sectors and emphasized their crucial role in driving the nation’s development and progress.
He encouraged continued solidarity among workers while advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and enhanced opportunities.
News
Ibas Pledges Commitment to Workers’ Welfare

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare of workers across the state.
This assurance was given during a meeting with the leadership of organised labour unions held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, the meeting served as a platform for open and constructive dialogue on critical labour matters.
The statement outlined key areas of intervention currently being addressed by the government.
These, he said, included the timely payment of salaries and pensions, as well as the resolution of salary arrears, with approval already granted for the payment of newly employed workers at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the judiciary.
Similarly, he said medical workers in the local government areas would receive their proper wages.
He said the minimum wage was being implemented for all local government employees across the state.
The administrator also noted that his administration was currently reviewing challenges related to the contributory pension scheme, ahead of the July 2025 implementation deadline.
Ibas disclosed that plans were underway to expand the fleet of intervention buses reintroduced to ease the transportation burden of workers.
On capacity building, the administrator announced that specialised leadership training for senior civil servants would begin within the next two weeks.
He also revealed that the government was actively considering the implementation of the N32,000 consequential pension adjustment, along with measures to clear outstanding gratuities owed to retirees.
While commending workers for their dedication to service, he called for continued collaboration with labour unions to ensure lasting industrial harmony in the state.
According to the statement, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor, expressed appreciation to the administrator for the steps already taken to promote workers’ welfare.
Agwanwor also lauded the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged the sustained support and cooperation of labour unions in achieving shared goals.
Meanwhile the NLC has directed its members in the state to observe the International Workers’ Day as a peaceful rally, which is expected to be held within the premises of the union, involving all affiliate unions, and would focus on advocating for the restoration of democratic governance in the state.
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