Business

Ministry Records 59 Per Cent Budget Performance

Published

13 years ago

October 8, 2012

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it has
recorded 59 per cent budget performance for 2012.

This was made known by Mr. Stephen Ocheni, Director, Finance
and Accounts, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when the House of Representatives
Committee on Foreign Affairs paid a visit to the ministry last week in Abuja.

Ocheni said that a total of N4.2 billion was appropriated as
capital budget for the ministry’s headquarters, but that a total of N3.2
billion was released, representing 76 per cent.

He also said that a total appropriation of N211 million was
allocated to agencies supervised by the ministry, but that N33 million was
released, representing 16 per cent.

The director added that out of a total appropriation of N3
billion for missions abroad, N708 million was received, representing 38 per
cent.

“The summary of the budget performance for 2012 for Ministry
of Foreign Affairs is as follows:

“For the headquarters we have total appropriation of N4.2
billion.

“Out of this, N690 million was released for the first quarter;
for the second quarter, we have a total of N2.6 billion for ambassadorial
posting.

“Third quarter there is no release at all; then total
release to date is N3.2 billion leaving an outstanding N1.1 billion unreleased
on capital budget for the headquarters.

“That represents 76 per cent of release so far as at
Sept.30.

“For the agencies, total appropriation, N211 million; then
for the total release for the agencies stands at N33 million.

“That leaves an outstanding balance of N177 million
representing 16 per cent.

“Missions – N3 billion is the appropriation then the total
release so far, from first quarter to third quarter, is N708 million.

“This also represents 38 per cent performance.

“On the overall, we have the total performance of capital
release of 59 per cent.

“Overhead release for the ministry as at Sept. 30 is 74 per
cent; then the agencies, 72 per cent.

“Our missions’ overhead is 100 per cent as at today because
the overhead for missions are released half-yearly and the second half for the
year, for the overhead for all our missions, have been released as at last
week, except for personnel.

“Personnel is still at 50 per cent so far.’’

Ocheni added that 75 per cent of budget was received as
personnel cost for the ministry, while 58 per cent was recorded for the
agencies.

“Personnel is handled by the IPPIS in the office of the
Accountant-General of the Federation; for the headquarters, the personnel
release is 75 per cent as at Sept. 30.

“Our agencies are not under the IPPIS, so our percentage performance
of personnel for our agencies stands at 58 per cent.

“Then our missions stood at 50 per cent as at Sept. 30.

Earlier, Mrs. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, Chairperson, House of
Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, reiterated the decision of the
House of Representatives to review the budget release and implementation by the
ministry.

Elendu-Ukeje also reiterated the committee’s resolve to
ensure that areas that posing challenges were addressed.

“In a few weeks you are going to come to the National Assembly
and face us for your budget defence.

“So we want to know what it is that you have done, what it
is that we have appropriated and how far it is that you have accessed those
funds; how much use you have put them to; what have the total releases been and
has it met your expectations and so on.

“Today we decided that as the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
it was imperative that we actually feel your pulse and walk in your shoes for a
couple of hours and understand exactly what the problems are.

“Therefore, we are here to curb wastage and to ensure that
in the area where there is no wastage, we shall put our best foot forward, put
on our persuasive caps and persuade for more appropriation in that sector.

Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State (II) for Foreign
Affairs, expressed gratitude and reiterated the commitment of the ministry to
project the country’s image positively in the comity of nations.

The House of Representatives already asked for a suspension
of the presentation of the 2013 budget by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It declared last week that it had to first do a review of
the medium-term expenditure pattern ahead of the budget presentation.

There had been allegations by the House of Representatives
that the Ministry of Finance had not released up to 50 per cent of the 2012
budget as claimed.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi