General
Why I’m Very Popular With Kwara People—Governor
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
**To Receive Another N200m Recovered Looted Funds
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked his administration to receive another N200 million recovered looted funds.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday, said the state government under him will do the right thing so as not to be a regular visitor to the office of the anti-graft agency after his tenure like his predecessors.
“We have to do the right thing and be cautious. We have seen what has happened to those that have been in (this) position before us. Nobody wants to live office and be going to EFCC’s office daily.
“So, we will do the right thing in Kwara State state. We appreciate the EFCC, they had earlier given us over N100 million. They have invited us (again) to collect another N200 million (recovered looted funds); they have made a lot of progress,” Mr AbdulRazaq was quoted as saying when he took part in a marathon anti-corruption walk in Ilorin, the state capital, today.
In the over two-hour walk themed Nigerian Youths Walk Against Corruption and organised by the EFCC in partnership with the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), the Governor was joined by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Yakubu Danladi; zonal head of EFCC, Mr Isyaku Sharu; State Coordinator of the NYSC, Ms Esther Ikupolati; members of the House of Assembly; hundreds of members of the NYSC; artisans; and civil society organisations.
The walk was one of the EFCC’s public awareness programmes to draw attention to the danger of corruption.
Mr AbdulRazaq, who arrived the EFCC office at 7am and joined the walk from the beginning to the end, repeated President Muhammadu Buhari’s refrain that corruption would kill the country if the country fails to kill the cancer that the Governor said was responsible for the slow pace of development.
“We have been walking the talk, now we are walking in support of the war (against corruption). The message is very clear: kill corruption or it will kill us all,” he said.
Asked what he thought was the reason for Kwarans always wanting to catch a glimpse of him at every opportunity he moves around, Mr AbdulRazaq said the excitement apparently flows from his investment in projects that have direct impact on the masses such as water, health, education, and roads, as well as his constant identification with the people.
“We remain popular with the people because we have invested and are still investing in projects that really make the difference in their lives. We have restored water after many years. We have invested in basic health care, education, and road and people can tell the difference,” he said when the walk terminated at the EFCC office.
Mr Danladi said the corruption crusade requires the support of all Nigerians to succeed, asserting that graft is deadlier to the society than HIV/AIDS and must be stamped out, especially in Kwara where he lamented how billions of naira have been diverted to private pockets at the expense of the masses.
He also lamented the negative impacts of internet fraud on the country and called on the youths to shun it.
Mr Sharu, who lauded Mr AbdulRazaq for being an anti-graft crusader, said the agency has recorded 48 convictions and recovered at least N8.5 billion in cash and properties in Kwara since it began operation last year.
Mr Sharu said the agency is also probing the alleged diversion of over N3bn from the controversial Light Up Kwara project.
“We are also on top of the case of Light Up Kwara where over three billion naira was allegedly diverted. Part of the diverted fund was used to buy a property in Guzape Abuja. Some recoveries were also made,” he said.
Mr Sharu called on the youths to stop celebrating corrupt elements and support anti-corruption crusade through the government’s whistle blower policy because they are the worst hit by the effects of diversion of public funds.
“What we saw last Monday at the Federal High Court Ilorin was a show of shame and national embarrassment by some group of youth who came out en masse to show solidarity to an accused person charged for money laundering by the EFCC. The media houses have all carried the picture of the said accused person waiving hands to those shameless youths. This is indeed sad,” according to the local anti-corruption chief.
Ms Ikupolati also urged youths to support the crusade against corruption as their future depends on how much Nigeria is able to grow, warning graft makes development a mirage.
She commended Governor AbdulRazaq for the phenomenal transformation of the NYSC camp at Yikpata since he assumed office in May, recalling how the Governor’s visit and his experience led him to totally improve the facilities at the camp.
“Today, Kwara now has a camp that is like a five-star hotel. It has never been so good. We now have water running and our story has changed completely,” Ms Ikupolati said.
By Dipo Olowookere
The younger sister of the former Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, has been rescued by officials of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The woman was freed from her kidnappers along with her twin sons, Peter and Paul, on Saturday evening.
They were abducted on Wednesday morning while the former employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was taking her children to school in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30 am on June 3, 2026, throwing residents of the area into panic. The 43-year-old mother was taken from her vehicle by the gunmen and driven away with her 12-year-old twin sons.
This evening, in an operation by security operatives, the victims were rescued, while two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally shot in a gun duel, and two firearms were recovered from the gang.
The police are now combing the area where the rescue operation took place to apprehend some of the fleeing kidnappers, who are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
The news of the rescue of the kidnapped victims has thrown the family of the former Minister into a frenzy.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government and the Honeywell Group are strengthening a partnership aimed at achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
The company on Thursday held a meeting with the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja. Both parties explored ways to promote economic development, reaffirming the importance of public-private sector cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda and improving service delivery for citizens.
The Senior Adviser to the Honeywell Group, Mrs Oduwaye Nsidi-Sakiri, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting national development through constructive engagement and collaboration.
“We commend the remarkable progress that has been made. These achievements are a reflection not only of leadership but also of the dedication and hard work of the entire team within the Ministry,” she said.
She explained that the visit reflected Honeywell Group’s longstanding tradition of maintaining proactive and constructive relationships with government institutions, regulatory agencies, and other key public-sector stakeholders. She further expressed the group’s willingness to explore opportunities for collaboration in support of government initiatives and national development objectives.
Also speaking, Honeywell Group Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Tomi Ayo-Tugbo, commended the Ministry for reforms that are delivering tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, reiterating the firm’s commitment to supporting the country’s growth and prosperity.
On his part, Mr Tunji-Ojo praised the company for its longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economy and acknowledged the critical role of the private sector in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting national development.
He further assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to engage with stakeholders and collaborate with responsible corporate organisations in advancing initiatives that promote economic development, innovation, and improved service delivery.
The Minister emphasised that the reforms being implemented across the Ministry and its agencies are designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to strengthen national security and enhance public confidence in government institutions.
“Our goal is to build institutions that work efficiently for the people. We are committed to creating systems that are transparent, technology-driven, and capable of delivering services in a manner that reflects the aspirations of a modern Nigeria,” he stated.
“The government cannot achieve sustainable development alone. Strong partnerships between the public and private sectors are essential to building a prosperous nation. We value organisations such as Honeywell Group that have consistently invested in Nigeria and contributed to the country’s growth over several decades,” Mr Tunji-Ojo added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has directed that no new public contracts should be awarded without first getting the funds, as part of efforts to improve project delivery across the country.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Adebowale Adedokun, disclosed this on the sidelines of the Inaugural Hosting of The Procurement Evolution in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Adedokun said President Bola Tinubu had approved measures to raise resources needed to settle outstanding obligations to contractors, describing timely payment as critical to an efficient procurement system.
“Mr President has given a directive on when funds should be raised to address the concerns of contractors who are yet to be paid. With this, procurement processes will be much better because payment is now tied to procurement.
“Meaning that no award will be further issued without resources or funding available. So these are the things that the President has asked us to do.”
The BPP boss said the government was also implementing 23 procurement reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and value for money in public spending.
According to him, committees to drive the reforms will soon be inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He said the reforms were designed to ensure that Nigerians benefit directly through improved infrastructure, healthcare, education and better living conditions.
“The president wants Nigerians to feel the effects of this transformation by having good roads, good hospitals, good educational institutions, and a good living wage for all workers.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr George Akume, said public procurement remained central to the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Akume noted that ongoing reforms, including proposed amendments to the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Nigeria First Policy, Nigeria e-Marketplace initiative, community-based procurement and affirmative procurement programmes, were intended to strengthen local industries and promote economic inclusion.
The SGF, represented by Mr Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the SGF, added that the reforms would enhance transparency, simplify procurement processes and leverage technology to improve service delivery and national development.
“As we move forward, our collective responsibility is very clear.
“We must ensure that procurement processes are simplified. without compromising accountability, that technology is fully leveraged to eliminate inefficiencies and that all stakeholders work collaboratively to achieve shared national goals.
“The federal government remains fully committed to supporting the Bureau of Public Procurement in driving these reforms and ensuring that public procurement becomes a catalyst for economic growth, infrastructure development and improved quality of life for all our citizens.”
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