General
Senate Probes FG’s Spending On North-east Crisis
By Ebitonye Akpodigha
The Senate on Tuesday set-up an adhoc committee to probe spendings by the Federal Government on the humanitarian crisis in the North-east in view of the allegation of massive diversion of relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Adhoc Committee chaired by Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna State is also to hold a public hearing to unravel the funds already committed to ameliorating the plight of the IDPs, and how the fund is being expended by the agencies of government saddled with the responsibility. The Senators also resolved to donate N32.7million to be contributed by the 109 Senators in support of the IDPs in the area of welfare.
These and other resolutions of the Senate followed a motion titled “Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno Central) and co-sponsored by 18 other senators.
Senator Garbai in his lead debate urged the Senate to note with grave concern the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the North Eastern part of the country which has continued to be of concern to the international community and the media.
He noted that according to UNICEF report, about 4.5million people are in dire need of assistance, while one million of the number were in danger of extreme malnutrition.
He lamented that about two million people are beyond the reach of aid and presently at the risk of starvation, thereby making Western diplomats to describe the response of the Federal Government to the crisis as a “disgrace.”
He urged his colleagues to note the disturbing development on the prevailing degrading condition in the various IDP camps, and added that “already we are losing so many of our children under five years to this extreme conditions in the affected areas.”
He stated that in spite of the earlier resolution of the Senate that raised the budget for the IDPs from N6billion to N10billion in recognition of the dire situation in the North East, the Presidential Initiative on the North East is yet to show tangible result on ground with half of the appropriated sum released.
“…Notwithstanding the huge budgetary allocation by the National Assembly, and the various releases by the executive…including significant donations from many donors, the situation on ground is not cheering,” he said.
He further called on the Red Chamber to be “worried that rather than use the money appropriated for the IDPs and the North East to ameliorate the problems, the focus of the disbursement so far made have been used to feather other interests.”
The Senator insisted that the “incoherent and largely fragmented state of procurement in the usage of the released funds so far points to a vague and corrupt scheme that is not in tune with helping our people in the North East out of their present harrowing experience and misery.”
He added: “the government has made concerted efforts at ameliorating the sufferings of the IDPs, some other people are working towards undermining same efforts; there are some allegations of diversion of 63 trucks of grains released from the strategic grain reserve allocated to IDPs in Borno State by the Federal Government.
“The gap in the state of affairs, where so much money has been made available by government with very little to show for it, has created and overburdened the cash strapped states and local governments in the affected states. Also, the intensity of the crisis was exemplified in August when IDPs took to the streets to obstruct vehicular movement and grounding business activities along the Maiduguri- Kano/Jos Road – the major road leading into Borno, to protest what they claimed was a shortage of food”, he stated.
Other Senators in their contributions to the debate on the motion, decried the pitiable plight of the IDPs and urged the Senate to stand up for the suffering, displaced persons.
Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, lauded the sponsors of the motion and those who made contributions during its debate. He described the revelations emanating from the handling of the humanitarian crisis as serious and portraying poor coordination, lack of transparency and slow response among those entrusted with the care of the IDPs.
“As a serious chamber, we cannot fold our arms and let these things continue to happen. This investigation, I believe, will give hope to the IDPs and the international community that the country is ready to do something to stop the diversion of aids and misapplication of appropriated funds meant for the upkeep of the IDPs,” Mr Saraki said.
Related articles across the web
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have launched a £15 million growth programme aimed at unlocking investment and accelerating economic transformation as both nations deepen their partnership.
This was announced as the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Ms Jenny Chapman, concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria, during which she announced the new £15 million Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.
The visit, spanning Abuja and Kaduna, underscored the breadth and depth of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership and marked a significant step towards both countries’ shared priorities.
According to a statement, the centrepiece was the meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. During their meeting, they discussed the new UK–Nigeria Growth Programme.
Over three years, it will accelerate economic transformation, unlock private investment and support Nigeria’s transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustained, reform-led growth. Alongside the Growth Programme, the UK announced deeper collaboration on Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative, delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme. SPRIRET will support digital governance reforms across five Nigerian states, reducing regulatory barriers and enabling greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services and emerging technology.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr Oyedele said, “We continue to value the UK–Nigeria relationship, one of the most important partnerships for both our countries. Today, that relationship extends beyond traditional ties and now focuses on development, growth, and shared prosperity.
“The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life—supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses, and technical assistance. We look forward to seeing how these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries.”
During the visit, Ms Chapman met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole and discussions covered progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), including boosting exports via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, fintech and capital markets links.
In Kaduna, she met with Governor Uba Sani to take stock of over 20 years of UK–Kaduna partnership and explore how cooperation can deepen shared priorities.
She also heard from the business community and key institutional investors about their investment aspirations and the role of the UK in supporting investment mobilisation and enabling climate finance, and met with community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss the UK’s support on breeding techniques, animal health and livestock vaccines.
The UK minister also visited Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves approximately 20,000 people in Kaduna South, hearing directly from patients and frontline health workers about the impact of UK-supported health programmes.
At the end of the visit, she said, “This visit has reinforced everything I believe about the UK–Nigeria partnership. That it is deep, it is real, and it is moving in the right direction. From launching our new Growth Programme with Honourable Minister Oyedele, to meeting from frontline health workers in Kaduna — every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition and a partnership that is genuinely delivering for both sides.
“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside and I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this partnership is its most exciting yet. The UK is here for the long term, and we are ready to grow together.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has noted that his reforms have restored investor confidence in the Nigerian economy, marked by growing investments in sectors as diverse as agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative industries.
In a nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, he said the reforms pursued by the current administration since its inauguration have restored stability and credibility to economic management.
“Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security,” the president said in his address.
“Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities,” he added.
The president said upon his assumption of office in May 2023, he implemented an array of reforms aimed at speeding up economic growth and attracting international investors. These include the abolishing of petrol subsidies and unifying the foreign exchange market by collapsing multiple, segmented exchange rate windows.
On security, he threatened bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism, declaring that those who continue to destabilise Nigeria’s peace and security will face the full force of the law.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” President Tinubu declared.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he added.
His comments come amid recurring debates over the identity of criminal groups and concerns that insecurity could deepen ethnic divisions in the country.
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite against a common enemy.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he declared.
The President expressed confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome its security challenges and emerge stronger.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to reject pessimism and embrace a shared vision of progress.
“Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence,” Tinubu said.
“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Three suspects are cooling off in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano for their alleged involvement in bulk cash and mineral resources smuggling.
They were intercepted on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a routine surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the agency, following a directive by the chairman that all directorates intensify efforts to tackle smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash at international airports.
The main suspect, Mr Ali Baffa, who is an Inspector 1 with Aviation Security (AVSEC), and his accomplices, Mr Aushabu Nasidi and Mr Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
According to a statement from the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars estimated at over N4.4 billion in his trousers, with the intent to bypass security checks and hand over the precious minerals to overseas-bound passengers for illegal export out of Nigeria.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa. Upon arrest, Mr Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including: 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Peso, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.
The investigation also led to the arrest of Mr Dan Zaria, who allegedly gave the gold bars to Mr Nasidi.
While being interviewed, Mr Dan Zaria revealed to the commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026, using the same modus operandi.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court once investigations into the matter are concluded, the anti-money laundering organisation promised.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn