News
Benue Yet To Access N3.8Bn UBEC Funds – Chairman
Toryila KAJO, Makurdi
Benue state government in the past has not been assessing funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the provision of infrastructural development of primary education which has piled up to the tune of N3.8 billion in the past eight years.
The Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Philip Tachin who disclosed this in Makurdi said the federal government has allocated funds but states are to give their counterparts so as to match it together for the development of schools.
“These funds were not accessed in the past because the then government has been failing to pay the required counterpart in order to claim it. Today, governor Samuel Ortom is making efforts to raise another N3.8billion to match it so that together, we will have about N7.6 billion so as to begin in primary schools in honest”. He said UBEC has the percentage that goes to infrastructure and other areas and the Benue state have to work strictly in those directions.
The SUBEB chairman disclosed that at present, the primary teachers’ population is put at between 20,000 to 24,000 but that investigation is ongoing so as to ascertain the exact figure since there is high suspicion of ghost teachers in the system; pointing out that he has devised a method to get an accurate data for proper planning.
On the issue of free primary education as canvassed by the Ortom administration, Dr. Tachin noted that he has not seen any complication in it. According to him, “the first thing is that when you compare with the private schools, it receive fees from children in order to run their schools such as payment of teachers salaries while government pay teachers’ salaries, provide chalks, teaching and learning materials.
He continued that when such funds are received, the Ortom administration will ensure the availability of materials to primary schools for free text books and other essential materials and there will be no point asking parents to pay money since government has made provision for everything a pupil needs to study from the beginning to the graduation point.
Responding to a question, the SUBEB chairman explained that since assumption of duty some three months ago, he has issued out letters of normalization to some deserving teachers who have professional NCE and later acquired degree for them to earn their rightful grades; pointing out that some Education Secretaries in the habit of demanding N3,000 from teachers before releasing the normalization letters to them to desist or face sanction
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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