News

Reps Queries WAEC Over N6bn Deficit 8

Published

5 months ago

August 14, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has queried the Head of National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, Josiah Dangut, over N6 billion deficit incurred by the agency in 2023.

Dangut who appeared before the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies on Tuesday in Abuja, at an investigative hearing, was accompanied by the Registrar; Angus Okeleze, Senior Deputy Registrar; Victor Odu, Acting Director of Finance; Segun Jerumeh, Deputy Director of Finance, WAEC.

The Committee also quizzed the examination body over a loan of N5 billion it acquired in 2022 for the purchase of customised calculator.

Dangut provided the cashbook of the Agency to the Committee, but they declined, insisting that the bank statement must be submit.

Following the unsatisfactory response by the WAEC Representatives, the Committee Chaired by Rep. Oboku Oforji resolved that WAEC must submit all its bank statements from 2018 till date within a week.

A member of the Committee, Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, described WAEC as uncooperative, saying they must be held accountable.

“WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians of having value for whatever investment the country has had in that office should submit to this committee in furtherance of this investigation all the bank account statements of his office,” he said.

The Committee expressed displeasure that out of eight submissions demanded from the examination to probe their expenditure, it only submitted one, which was the nominal roll.

The Committee Chairman however demanded they should explain how WAEC generated N34 billion in 2023 but spent N40 billion.

Rep. Oforji also wondered how the examination body could approve a loan of N5 billion when even a Ministerial Board could not approve such amount.

He further queried the WAEC boss on the number of students that participated in the 2022 elections which made them to acquire the calculators.

The Committee alsodemanded that WAEC must provide the expenditures that have led to the N6 billion deficits and all correspondence related to the purchase of customised calculators.

It said evidence of approval for the N5 billion loan to purchase the customized calculators must be provided.

The Committee also demanded for evidence of due process followed for the award of the contract as well as evidence of payment, including payment vouchers and bank records.

The Committee also requested for evidence of submission of accounts to the Auditor General for the Federation from 2018 to 2023; and the profile of the external auditor for the agency and the engagement letters for the past three years.

The Committee also queried WAEC for breaching the financial, public procurement and the financial regulations Acts over the payment of 50 per cent of the contract for the construction of its Taraba state office worth N532 million.

Dangut who pleaded with the lawmakers to give him another date to enable him present the statement of account and other documents requested, explained that he had to pay 50 per cent of the Taraba office contract sum to avoid the astronomical rise on the inflationary trend in the country.

Rep. Oforji said the Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies is not a witch-hunting committee but is focused on fulfilling its constitutional obligations as outlined in the constitution.

“Both the legislative house and WAEC are bound by the Constitution. As such, the committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the timely provision of all necessary documents to expedite our inquiry and report,” he said.

News

Gov. Abiodun commiserates with Ondo gov. over death of SSG

Published

9 minutes ago

January 5, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Governor and the people of Ondo State over the passing of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tayo Oluwatuyi.

Oluwatuyi reportedly died on Saturday at a hospital in the state from the injuries he sustained in an accident while traveling from Akure to Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 17.

Abiodun, in a condolence letter he sent to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described Oluwatuyi’s death as a great loss to the government and the state at large as he prayed for the repose of his soul.

He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Mr. Tayo Oluwatuyi, a consummate public servant, thoroughbred professional, and highly conscientious individual whose imprints and strides in and out of the government in Ondo State have been nothing short of phenomenal.

“The news of his death came as a rude shock, but, as in all situations, we recognize that whatever deep affection and love we had for him pales into insignificance when placed side by side with the love of Almighty God, who has chosen this Yuletide period to call him into His bosom, and whose will remains inviolate.

“He was a brilliant administrator and sagacious politician. He was an embodiment of virtues and a strong bridge between the political class and the career officers. His stabilizing role in government will be missed by all.

“On behalf of the Southern States’ governors, I want to sympathize with His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the entire good people of Ondo State over the sudden demise of Oluwatuyi.

“I urge my brother, the State Executive Council, and the family and friends of the deceased to take consolation in the fact that the deceased lived a life of service for which he will be remembered for a long time to come.

“May God repose his soul and grant his immediate family the requisite fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

News

Gunmen abduct Nigerian Professor, Demand N10m Ransom

Published

8 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.

The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers invaded the professor’s residence in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba, in Dekina Local Government Area, at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.

According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we started hearing gunshots around his gate.”

A family source disclosed that the professor was abducted just as he was about to enter his compound.

“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.

“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout and started shooting sporadically.

“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car.

“Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint.

“His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10 million,” the source recounted.

University officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

However, one of Professor Ebeh’s colleagues expressed shock at the development, saying, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”

News

Sad: Ondo SSG Is Dead

Published

8 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, on Saturday died in an auto crash.

The SSG died in the crash which occurred while he was traveling from Akure, Ondo State capital, to Ibadan in Oyo State.

Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, stated that Oluwatuyi was hospitalised before he gave up the ghost.

“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.

“Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available,” he added.