Connect with us

News

Inside Gov Abiodun’s dirty billions of naira fight with local government Chairmen

Published

on

Local government chairmen across Ogun State are set for a showdown with the governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over what they described as a betrayal of trust and non-reward of loyalty by the governor and secretary of the state government, Tokunbo Talabi.

The disquiet, which has now resorted to threats of arrest, jail and kidnapping by some loyalists of the governor against some of the chairmen, may fuel the already tension-soaked state after the governorship election.

Governor Abiodun, whose administration came with the mantra of ensuring the independence of local councils and adequate remuneration of federal allocations to them and ensuring proper discharge of statutory roles, walked back on his promise immediately after the incumbent council chairmen were inaugurated.

Trouble started for the chairmen when they were invited by the governor to open Access Bank accounts for their local councils but were denied the opportunity to be signatories to the bank accounts, according to multiple sources within the governor’s office who pleaded anonymity for fear of being reprimanded.

The accounts which were opened at the Abeokuta branch of the bank were to receive statutory allocations from the federal government. However, rather than have the chairman of the council and director of finance as signatories to the accounts, only their phone numbers were linked to the accounts to receive credit and debit alerts.

A director of finance in one of the councils disclosed that sometimes they receive credit alerts in the morning and, by afternoon, a debit alert withdrawing the amount without any input or authorisation from the council. The director stated that an example of such was when the council received N300 million into the account, and within five minutes, a debit of N295 million was equally received with no knowledge of how it happened and no explanation.

*Ecological Funds*

While the chairmen seem to have gotten used to the system of absolute control by Governor Abiodun, a recent meeting after the governorship election where the governor mandated them to sign for the collection of the federal government-allocated ecological funds without receiving a dime broke the camels back.

“Who does the governor think he is?” a chairman in Ogun central protested in anger while speaking with our correspondent. “We played a significant role in ensuring his reelection. We kept quiet while the public abused us and called us thieves for not doing anything. What do they expect us to do when he has taken all the money? Now he wants us to sign for billions of naira we didn’t collect. At the end of the day, who would EFCC be after? Definitely not him!“

*Money for legal case*

But while the chairmen continue to oppose the move by the governor to corner the ecological fund, a close ally of Mr Abiodun disclosed that the sudden discontent of the chairmen against the governor was selfish and not in the interest of the people.

According to him, the chairmen are aware the governor is done with them and looking to replace them during his second term.

“What do they want from this man? During the election, they were adequately mobilised but kept the money to themselves, the election was a tough battle, and it wouldn’t have been so if they had done what was required.

“Now we are in court. Do they think tribunal cases are free? Where do they expect the governor to get that kind of fund after the election?”

*Thugs taking over functions of local councils*

When asked why local councils could not function with revenues they make from the statutory model, some of the council members disclosed that every rate, levy and ticket that is distributed across the markets and parks, garages and shops, even though bear the local government names, the state government prints them and funds are taking to governor’s office.

The chairmen disclosed that they are at the mercy of transport union members within their vicinity who acts as the governor’s boys and determine when they would meet the governor or discuss matters of the council.

Attempts to speak with the governor were unsuccessful. Multiple calls made to his personal line were unanswered while the state commissioner for information Waheed Odusile’s number didn’t connect.

Advertisement Ad Code
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Abbey Mortgage Bank Host Sustainability Workshop with Non-Profit Stakeholders in Abuja

Published

on

Geared towards boosting impactful investment opportunities for Non-profit organizations, a leading primary mortgage Bank in Nigeria, Abbey Mortgage Bank has organized a sustainable workshop for stakeholders of non-profit organizations to enhance financial sustainability and drive positive change within the civil society sector.

 

The event which was Tagged “Financial Management: A Sustainability Tool for Non-Profit Organizations” held on Wednesday 29th November 2023 in Abuja, is aimed at creating impactful investment opportunities to aid sustainability efforts in line with SDG 17 which supports the implementation and revitalization of Global Partnership for sustainable development in the civil society.

 

The workshop was attended by prominent guests including Jubril Shittu, CEO of PPDC; Dr. Ayodotun Olutola, CEO of CCCRN; Hamza Lawal, CEO of CODE; and Gideon Olanrewaju, CEO of AREAi among other guests.

 

Speaking at the event, The Group Head, Non-Profit Organizations at Abbey Mortgage Bank, Bukola Ewedairo, noted that, “Abbey Mortgage Bank is rightfully positioned to partner with institutions in the civil society by creating opportunities for long-term sustainable investment.

 

“We believe that Non-profit organizations need to be strengthened to achieve their mission and this workshop was our way of collaborating to ensure that they can thrive especially with the volatilities in our local economy.” She stated.

 

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Abbey Mortgage Bank and a key speaker at the event, Mobolaji Adewumi, noted that, ” At Abbey, we are creating an ecosystem where non-profits can flourish, contribute meaningfully to society and drive sustainable change.

 

Adewumi further noted that “We are committed to helping individuals build wealth and attain financial empowerment and we are proud to collaborate with these distinguished leaders to make a lasting impact by supporting financial growth and empowerment” He stated.

 

The workshop had informative and interactive discussions, providing a forum for participants to share insights and explore collaborative opportunities. Attendees engaged in dynamic conversations, delving into strategies to enhance financial sustainability and drive positive change within the civil society sector.

 

Abbey Mortgage Bank reaffirms its commitment to fostering continued partnerships with NGOs, furthering its impact on the non-profit sector. The bank looks forward to ongoing collaboration, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals in Nigeria.

Continue Reading

News

Fashola, Kayode Adegbulugbe, Gbenga Komolafe, others bag Honorary Doctorate Degree at 48th Uniben Convocation

Published

on

The Chief Operating Officer, Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe have been conferred with the award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.SC) Honoris Causa, by the University of Benin at the just concluded 48th Convocation Ceremony.

 

In a colourful ceremony staged at the University of Benin on Saturday, November 25, Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe and other award recipients including a former Governor of Lagos and immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, first lady and wife of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Engr. Gbenga Olu Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, among others were honored by the university.

L-R : Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission(NUPRC) with Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe, The Chief Operating Officer, Green Energy International (GEIL), during the award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science(DSC) at the just concluded 48th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Benin.

Commenting on the award, Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe noted that he felt “honored and humbled” to have been recognized for his ingenious contribution to the development of the Nigerian oil and gas sector by the Senate of the University.

 

According to him, “it’s an honor to be considered among the other great recipients of this award like Engr Komolafe and Babatunde Fashola. Their reputation precedes them and I feel very humbled to be recognized by this great University.”

 

Born into a distinguished family of academics and entrepreneurs in Ibadan on August 8th, 1978, he is a high-flyer in the world of Petroleum Engineering, and an entrepreneur dedicated to delivering serial number 1 exploits, a committed philanthropist known for his significant contributions to countless community developments and humanitarian efforts in Nigeria.

 

Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, after which he earned a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.  He went ahead to broaden his horizon by obtaining a Master of Laws (LLM) in Oil and Gas Law with Distinction from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

 

He has achieved remarkable feats in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry in his role as COO at GEIL, the Operator of the Otakikpo oil field. Under his leadership, GEIL has become the highest-producing marginal field operator in the country, currently producing 11,500 barrels of oil per day as of October 2023.

 

One of his numerous standout achievements is leading the construction, installation and commissioning of a 12 million standard cubic feet modular LPG extraction plant at the Otakikpo field. This scale of modular LPG plant is the first to be installed in the country; an achievement that demonstrates that he is undaunted by hitherto serial number 1 exploits.

 

This achievement will significantly contribute to ameliorating the perennial associated gas flares that has bedeviled the several stranded pockets of oil fields in the Niger Delta thus supporting the Nigerian government’s aspiration of combating the issue of gas flaring in the country. Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe hails from Ondo town in Ondo state.

 

Continue Reading

News

Association Of Licensed Private Security Practitioners Of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Holds 3rd Annual Private Security Conference in Lagos Nigeria

Sanwo-Olu, Dr Solomon Arase, Dr Audi, Dr Tunji-Ojo, Others To Grace Summit

Published

on

The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) – the umbrella body of all licensed private security companies in Nigeria – is hosting its 3rd Annual Private Security Conference (PSI) in Lagos Nigeria.

The summit is a convergence of over 1,450 licensed private security companies in Nigeria including government security agencies, regulating ministries, security consultants, business leaders, decision makers and other stakeholders interested in security development.

The theme of the summit, “Redefining Security – The Role of Private Security in a Changing World,” underpins the need for collaboration amongst all stakeholders to have a safe and secure home, businesses and country.

Dr. Chris Adigwu

The National President

Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), in his statement revealed five major reasons stakeholders should attend the Private Security Industry Summit:

 

1. To understand the anatomy of the private security industry.

You’ll understand the different stakeholders in the private security industry and their roles. You’ll equally understand your role in protecting your assets, your immediate environment, and Nigeria as a whole.

You’ll have a mindset shift in how you see private security companies and the industry in the 21st century. This’ll help you know how to source for and collaborate with reliable companies, improve your security, and better prevent avoidable losses.

2. You’ll understand the different ways private security can help improve your bottom line and promotion of productivity.

3. You’ll explore business opportunities with the over 2,000 stakeholders attending the conference.

4. You’ll be updated on the current security conversations, global trends, and strategies in the industry. This way, you’ll be better informed to make the right decisions in your investments in security.

5. You’ll understand how to collaborate and get the best out of your security service provider.

Interestingly, the executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the Chief Guest of honour, while the host is Dr. Chris Adigwu

National President ALPSPN, Dr. Ahmed A. Audi, Commandant General: Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as Co-host, and the Chief Host is Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

 

 

The Keynote Speakers is, Dr. Solomon E. Arase IGP (Rtd.), Chairman,  Police Service Commission (PSC).

 

The host state chairman is Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, Chairman ALPSPN Lagos State Nigeria

Mark Otabor, anchor of the Nigeria popular TV debate show on TVC: “The Big Issue is the MC and the date is 28th November, 2023 from 9am to 4pm at the Civic Center, Victoria Island Lagos.

 

Access fees is N100,000 for Non- ALPSPN members While Members pay N70,000

 

Don’t miss this event.

Continue Reading

Ad

Trending

Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com