News

Reps Orders JAMB to Remit N3bn to FG Consolidated Revenue Fund

Published

6 months ago

September 10, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…criticize board for ignoring fiscal responsibility letters

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit the sum of N3,602,605,277 to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in accordance with demands made by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).

This directive was issued during the committee’s resumed hearing on Monday, after the FRC brought JAMB before the committee over issues related to its operating surplus.

The Chairman of PAC, Rep. Bamidele Salam, addressed the matter following claims by the FRC that JAMB had failed to respond to correspondence regarding its financial obligations.

According to Mr. Bello Aliyu, representing the FRC, the agency had informed JAMB about its liabilities, which totaled N390,725,324 in 2021. After receiving JAMB’s audited financial statement for 2022, the FRC recalculated the liabilities to be N3,602,605,277 and notified JAMB of this in March 2024, with a reminder sent on 31st August 2024. Aliyu added that JAMB had not **Reps Committee Orders JAMB to Remit N3bn to FG CRF, Criticizes Board for Ignoring Fiscal Responsibility Letters**

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit N3,602,605,277 to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in accordance with demands made by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). This directive was issued during the committee’s opening hearing on Monday, after the FRC brought JAMB before the committee over issues related to its operating surplus.

The PAC, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, addressed the matter following claims by the FRC that JAMB had failed to respond to correspondence regarding its financial obligations.

Aliyu stated that JAMB had not responded to any of these letters.

In response to these allegations, JAMB’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mufutau Bello, explained that the difference in figures stemmed from the FRC’s attempt to increase JAMB’s remittance rate from 25% to 50%.

Bello noted that, since 2019, JAMB had reduced its registration fee from N5,000 to N3,500 to benefit Nigerians. He emphasized that JAMB has consistently adhered to the 25% remittance rate and has not increased any fees in the last eight years.

According to the DFA, the Accountant General had approved this 25% rate, which JAMB has followed, but the FRC now insists on 50%.

In his remarks, the PAC Chairman emphasized that remittance rules are determined by law and not subject to personal interpretation.

He questioned how the discrepancy between the 25% and 50% remittance arose and what the law specifically dictates regarding JAMB’s obligations.

In response, the FRC representative clarified that, under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, all listed agencies are required to remit 80% of their operating surplus. However, the 2021 Finance Act categorized agencies as fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded. JAMB falls under the partially funded category, meaning it can only use 50% of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for its operations and must remit the remaining 50% to the government’s sub-recurrent account.

At the end of the year, a reconciliation determines whether the actual liability should be 80% or 20%, with the higher amount becoming the agency’s final obligation. Based on this rule, the FRC computed JAMB’s liability at 50% of its gross revenue”, he explained.

The committee expressed frustration over JAMB’s failure to respond to the FRC’s letters and unanimously ordered the board to remit the N3,602,605,277 to the CRF within 30 days, providing evidence of the payment.

News

Ramadan: Speaker Abbas Urges Muslims To Pray For Peace, Prosperity of Nigeria

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

As the Islamic faithful begin the Ramadan fasting today, Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged Nigerian Muslims to pray for the country and its leaders.

Speaker Abbas in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, said Nigeria’s unity is paramount, which is why adherents of all religions must continue to offer sincere prayers for the country.

While noting that Nigeria needs divine intervention, the Speaker stated that the political, religious, and traditional leaders also need divine guidance to lead the people aright.

He specifically called for prayers and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging Nigerians to continue to believe in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the administration.

The Speaker also urged Nigerians to pray for the 10th National Assembly, especially the leadership, saying the federal parliament has many dividends of democracy to offer the people.

Speaker Abbas prayed to Allah (SWT) for a successful completion of Ramadan and acceptance of the prayers and supplications during the Holy Month.

He said: “I wish our brothers and sisters in Islam a successful Ramadan. I urge Muslims and non-Muslims alike to pray for our country, Nigeria, the leaders at the federal, state, and local government levels, as well as our religious and traditional leaders.

“Let us pray for peace and prosperity of our dear country. The skills and competencies of the leaders are not enough; let us pray for divine wisdom for us to be able to steer the country out of the current socio-economic turbulence. Together, we shall overcome our challenges.”

He urged Muslims to imbibe the virtues that come with the Holy month of Ramadan.

News

Just in: Ramadan begins today -Sultan declares

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Fasting in the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth of the 12 Islamic calendar year, begins today, Saturday March 1, 2025, the Sultan of Sokoto and Leader of Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declared on Friday.

The Sultan explained that his declaration followed verified and authenticated reports from various Muslim leaders across the country, which he said had been accepted.

The Sultan said: “Today, Friday, 28th February, 2025, brings us to the end of Sha’ban. Reports of positive sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan were brought to us by various leaders across the country. We have verified and have authenticated such reports and have duly accepted such reports.

“Therefore, tomorrow, 1st March, 2025, makes it 1st Ramadan 1446 After Hijrah,” the Sultan said.

He, therefore, called on Muslims in the country to commence the fasting while also urging them to pray for leaders to enable them to lead the nation and its people well.

He seized the opportunity of the announcement to enjoin well-to-do Muslims to reach out and give to the less privileged or needy during the period.

News

NAFDAC paints popular Indian company black over alleged sale of harmful

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pt Limited, an Indian company, over the illegal production and exportation of dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria.

Opioids are a class of drugs that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief.

Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs.

In a statement on Friday, NAFDAC said investigations revealed that the company, managed by Vinod Sharma on the outskirts of Mumbai in India, is responsible for manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225 drugs containing a harmful mix of tapentadol and carisoprodol.

Tapentadol is a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol is a banned muscle relaxant.

The agency said the substances pose severe health risks such as respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death to users.

“A BBC World Service investigation exposed how packets of these drugs, branded with the Aveo Pharmaceuticals logo, have been found on the streets of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire,” the statement reads.

“Further evidence confirmed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals is also involved in the illegal exportation of high-dose tramadol above 100 mg, a strength not registered or approved by NAFDAC.

“Undercover footage captured Vinod Sharma admitting to the mass distribution of these opioids for abuse as street drugs across West Africa.

“Given the severity of these findings, NAFDAC has taken decisive action to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals and block any future registration of its products in Nigeria.”

NAFDAC said it is committed to protecting public health by enforcing international best practices in pharmaceutical regulation, including stringent product registration, good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections, post-marketing surveillance, and pre-shipment inspections for high-risk imports.

The agency said it has intensified enforcement operations against illicit pharmaceuticals in major drug distribution hubs across the country.

NAFDAC urged the public to avoid unregistered medicines and only use prescription drugs dispensed by licensed healthcare professionals.

“With continued vigilance and public support, NAFDAC will persist in its fight against the circulation of fake, substandard, and dangerous pharmaceuticals in Nigeria,” the agency said.