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UPDATED- N40bn probe: Reps C’ttee summons Akpabio, NDDC MD, others
The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has summoned the Minister of Niger Delta Affair, Sen. Godswill Akpabio to respond to allegation of N81.5 billion irregular expenditure in the NDDC.

The committee also summoned the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and the Managing Director of AHR Global Service Ltd among others.
The resolution was reached at the ongoing investigative hearing on the alleged N40 billion irregular expenditure on Friday in Abuja.
The summoned was sequel to the refusal of the officials to honour invitation to appear and respond to allegations of wrong doing.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo) ruled that they should appear unfailing on Monday, July 20 to answer question.
Earlier, Mr Johnson Kolawole, the Head, Directorate of Research and Programmes, Act for Positive Transformation Initiative, NGO, accused that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC of gross abuse of budget implementation process.
He stated that the IMC had expended over N80 billion between January 2020 and May 2020 as against the N22 billion repeatedly portrayed by the IMC.
He said that the 2019 Appropriation Act as passed by the National Assembly provided for some emergency projects across the state in the region with an additional N800 million as emergency contingency sum.
According to him, the IMC has spent N20 billion on emergency road repairs; there are fraudulent cases of contract inflation and non-implementation.
“How would they explain the payment of N13.6 million for consultancy on the construction of ‘infant Jesus’? The said payment went into a zenith bank account number 1014119683.
“On May 19, 2020, the IMC paid a firm 39.375 Million Naira as consultancy fee for rebuttal. What a waste!
“The company had earlier received 34 Million naira into its Zenith Bank account number 1012613187 for ‘consultancy on reputation management for NDDC’.
“Same day, when businesses and countries were closing their doors, the same company, Clear Point Communication Ltd was paid N34 million for ‘Niger Delta Development Forum in Washington DC, USA’ and another N32.9 million for ‘Summit on NDDC and Investment Opportunities in Dorchester, London’, same day.
“There was no evidence of implementation of above contracts. Money paid went to private individuals; this ad hoc committee can call for the account statements of the firm to verify this.
“Same company received into same account a sum of 536 Million Naira for “campaign to save lives” in the Niger Delta on April 23, 2020.
“The payment was broken into 16 units to divert attention. Again, the money went into private pockets, some staffs of the commission were beneficiaries.
“May 22nd, another N641 million was paid to same company for media support for forensic audit as though forensic audit was meant to be a media affair,” he said.
Kolawale alleged that monies meant for students on scholarship abroad was being diverted into private account of the IMC.
Ms Joy Nunih, former acting Managing Director NDDC told the committee that only N8 billion of the said N81.5 billion spent between October 2019 to May 2020 was spend under her watch.
Nunih said that she was under pressure by Akpabio to abuse processes and to engage in financial recklessness.
She said that she prepared documents for the forensic audit mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari before she was forced out of office.
She revealed that the lead consultant procured to carry out the forensic audit did not follow due process as it breached constitutional requirements.
Nunih also said that no reputable auditing firm in Nigeria is among the nine sub-auditing firms already engaged to carry out the job.
She explained that none of the firms had carried out any forensic audit in the last four years as mandated by the Constitution.
Nunih recommended that the President and the National Assembly should ensure the procurement of forensic auditors should follow due process as otherwise could bring the process to disrepute.
She said that the forensic auditors should look into staff recruitment process and qualifications as professionals and experts in the commission are insufficient.
She urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate and arrest Akpabio for forcing her to take oath of secrecy.
In his ruling, Tunji-Ojo said that the committee had not indicted anybody and that all accused should appear for fair hearing.
He said that the committee is not out to witch-hunt but to bring out the facts and reposition the NDDC for better service delivery. (NAN)
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Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares
President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”
Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.
Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”
According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.
While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.
“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”
Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”
He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.
Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”
“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.
The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”
He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.
Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.
During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.
“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.
In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”
The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”
He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.
“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”
Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.
“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.
News
Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere
By: Fabian Apechihin
In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.
The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.
Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:
“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”
She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.
Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:
“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”
She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.
Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.
With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.
News
Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra
By Fabian Apechihin
A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.
However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:
“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”
He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.
“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.
Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”
He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.
“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.
Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.
“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.
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