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Reps Summon Minister of Women Affairs, Vows To Trace Alleged N1.5bn Diverted By Officials

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye to appear on Tuesday.
 
This is as the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development on commenced the investigation of N1.5 billion meant for the payment of contractors but allegedly diverted by principal officers of Ministry of Women Affairs.
 
Committee Chairman, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara said, “We are giving till Tuesday for the ministry to bring all documents to come and defend where the N1.5bn disappeared to”.
 
During the interactive session with a Director of of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu said he only comply with official directives from his superiors, even as he assured that the records are available.
 
Naijablitznews.com reports that the investigation was sequel to a petition by contractors of the ministry to the House of Representatives over none payment of contracts executed running into billions of Naira.
 
Rep. Kafilat Ogbara said that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted N1.5bn being funds for old contractors.
 
She added that the ministry while owing contractors, awarded fresh contract in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation.
 
“Money for contractors have not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors” She asked?
 
She said there is an ongoing probe of the ministry by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on overhead release of November/December, 2023 to the tune of N1.5bn.
 
The petitioners, according to Ogbara also alleged that the ministry purchased 7 tricycles for a military Barack in Abuja, an allegation a procurement officer of the ministry denied.
 
The committee further noted that the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the America University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls school fees for seven years.
 
Responding to some of the allegations, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda who exonerated himself, explained that in “2023 we had total budget of N13.6billion, total release was N3.4billion, translating to 25 percent, budget utilization N3.4billion, while unreleased balance stood at N10.2billion”.
 
However, the DFA, said “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.
 
“The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote” he said.
 
Amidst the controversy, correspondence from the office of the Accountant General of the federation revealed that the said N1.5 billion has been released to the ministry.
 
“Since the minister came on board, no payment has been made, the permanent secretary said the minister ordered him not to pay any contractor” the petitioners said.
 
The committee also ordered the ministry to stop all contract process in 2024, “until we resolve this matter”.
 
Additionally, the committee also sought to see the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.
 
“We want to see the account and documents”, Ogbara added.
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Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria

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The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.

Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.

He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.

A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.

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According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.

“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.

“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.

Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.

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Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.

The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.

The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.

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The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.

Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.

He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.

He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.

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“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.

“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.

“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.

“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.

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“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.

“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.

Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.

“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.

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“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.

“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.

“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.

He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.

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“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.

“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”

In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.

Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.

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He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.

On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.

The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.

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Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation

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The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.

This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.

The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

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Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.

“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.

“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”

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