News

Senate Summons Seven MDAs Over Alleged Lopsided Disbursement Of N500bn Loan

Published

3 years ago

November 25, 2022

Senate has commenced investigation over alleged uneven disbursement of half a trillion naira loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises scheme, (MSMEs) in the six geo-political regions by the Development Bank of Nigeria, (DBN).
The adhoc committee in furtherance of its mandate has summoned seven Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs for interface over the alleged lopsided disbursement.
The MDAs summoned are the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Ministry of Trade and Investment; Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Development Bank of Nigeria, (DBN) Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, (SMEDAN); Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Bank of Agriculture (BoA).
The Senate had constituted an adhoc committee, following a November 16 resolution at the plenary on a motion titled: “Uneven Disbursement of half a trillion naira loan to six geo-political regions by the DBN.”
The mandate of the committee, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) was to carry out a holistic investigation on disbursement of the loan by DBN since inception of the bank.
Speaking at the maiden meeting of the committee on Tuesday, Senator Musa said the purpose of the meeting was to map out strategies and modalities that would assist the committee execute the onerous assignment.
He, however, said although the investigation seems very daunting, with patriotism, cooperation and commitment, the committee would succeed.
Senator Musa explained that the establishment of DBN was to drive the effectiveness of MSMEs and the environment they operate, adding that its establishment was a good idea by the Federal Government and its development partners.
The chairman added that the key objective of the DBN was to tackle constraints faced by MSMES through provision of finance and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries on a market conforming financial sustainable basis.
He, however, said that there are worries on the disbursement methodology employed by the bank and lack of awareness of its operation, saying that not every MSMEs in the regions , especially in the North knows about the bank.
According to him, the committee will effectively and thoroughly investigate activities and operations of the DBN to ascertain if it conformed to its establishment Act, followed due diligence in execution of its mandate.
Senator Musa said the committee was not out to witchhunt any one, but would evaluate the criteria that qualify MSMEs to access the loan and at what interest rate.
He said the committee would also review the total amount disbursed to beneficiary MSMEs from inception to date and total recovery if any.

The chairman also said the committee would examine the source of funding of DBN including contributions from development partners.

Presenting the motion on November 16, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), said the investigation was part of what was happening in the financial sector that government deliberately created to address poverty.

According to him, what happened in DBN was unfortunate, saying that his submissions on the motion on uneven distribution of the MSMEs loan was not an allegation but a fact that has not been disputed by DBN.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.