Politics

New twist in corruption probe as Nigerian Presidency confirms approval of N3bn for social register verification

Published

10 months ago

January 16, 2024

In light of the ongoing investigation over the alleged misappropriation of N585 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the Nigerian Presidency on Monday called for restraint and patience from Nigerians, warning against a media trial.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisor to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorised the release of N3 billion to validate the National Social Register during the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari for cash transfers and other social investment initiatives.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu paid New Planet Project Limited (NPPL), a business owned by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a total of N438.1 million for consulting services from the contract, stirring conflict of interest controversy.

A memo titled, “Conveyance of approval; Re: appeal to use N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) from the Covid-19 palliative fund for verification of the national social register,” dated December 18, 2023, was sent by the Office of Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

It read:

“The above subject refers. Please be informed that Mr. President has approved the expenditure of N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) only from the COVID-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National Social Register. Please accept the assurance of my highest regards.”

Onanuga, while speaking to journalists on Monday, said, “The President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and all these matters are under investigation already.

“I am sure that the EFCC saw that memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff, and they are doing something about these findings.

“Let us allow them to do their work. Let us not do a double investigation on the same issue or a media trial on an issue that is under investigation. Nigerians should exercise patience.

“When the EFCC is done with their findings, they will tender their report to the President, who will then act on the result of the investigation.”

Politics

Mauritius’ Prime Minister to double as Finance Minister

Published

18 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In an effort to maintain a tight eye on the economy, Mauritius’ Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, who took office this month following a resounding election victory, said on Friday that he would retain the position of finance minister for himself.

“We are doing an audit of the economy to see to what extent the outgoing government has destroyed it,” Ramgoolam told reporters in the capital Port Louis after he presided over the swearing-in of other ministers.

Ten years after he stepped down as prime minister, the seasoned politician returned to the position when his Alliance du Changement (ADC) alliance won 60 of the 62 seats in the national legislature.

The 77-year-old Ramgoolam said earlier this week that he would be auditing governmental finances. Before this, he was prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.

Ramgoolam started a campaign in 2006 to streamline taxes and reduce bureaucracy to diversify the $10 billion economy beyond exports of sugar, textiles, and tourism.

Since then, the 1.3 million-person nation, which positions itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia, has developed into a major offshore financial hub and has been rated by the World Bank as the easiest location to do business in Africa regularly.

Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.