News
Senate, CSOs Review MDAs’ Work On Anti-Corruption Strategy
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CFTIW) has partnered with the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to review the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).
The committee, chaired by Senator Suleiman Kwari (Kaduna North), organised a public hearing on June 9 and 10 for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; and Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Garba Abari appeared at the hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); Ministry of Justice; National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and others sent representatives.
The Vice President’s Office; Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC); Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption (TUGAR); Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA); and other civil society organizations also attended.
In his address, Kyari, listed the establishment of an anti-corruption desk, risk management charter, regulatory compliance and government charter, internal audit charter, and publication of corruption investigation manual, as achievements of the NACS implementation.
“Our transparency policy says we must disclose anybody we are doing businesses with, we are working with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on this. We are required to have transparency in commodity trading, this means the crude oil and the gas that we sell must be fully disclosed.
“Anyone here can simply go to the NNPC website. Every data that is required is in public space. NNPC, for 43 years, never published our audited accounts. But we did for 2018, we have published for 2019 and we are going to publish the 2020 audited financial statement.”
Kyari regretted how Covid-19 and the #EndSARS demonstrations stalled the petroleum downstream deregulation.
He said though the crash of oil prices due to the pandemic gave Nigeria an opportunity to remove subsidies, the protests forced the government to reconsider.
In his presentation, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, announced that the ICPC has been conducting corruption risk assessment of some MDAs.
He said the agency was focusing on the prevention of corruption.
One of the strategies highlighted was the “system survey of the MDAs and corruption risk assessment.
“We have noticed improvement because we published the reports in the newspapers, they are having impacts. We have done intensive review of five MDAs and 104 unity schools across the country.”
Kwari commended Owansanoye for ICPC efforts, and mandated all participants to use the commission’s template for the performance appraisal.
The Auditor General’s Office; Nigeria Customs Services (NCS); Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP); Office of the Head of Civil Service (HOSF); and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); also appeared before the committee.
The NCS mentioned the establishment of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Systems.
The platform grants stakeholders access to update the system from the comfort of their homes or offices.
The agency told the committee that an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) has also been set up at its headquarters, seaports and airports in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines.
The BPP Head of Regulations and Database, Aliyu Aliyu, said the agency had developed a database system, and was streamlining the procurement process of the government.
About 328 government officials have been lectured on the use of Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCPO).
The BPP trained procurement officers in Federal University, Owerri; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and University of Lagos; among others.
On the procurement office management system, he hinted that capacity building to contractor and procurement monitor is just 20 per cent, while the establishment of a national contractor verification team and verification database is 100 per cent.
“We have done full implementation of open contracting and adoption of contracting data standards. MDAs are expected to load their procurement plans and their procurement records on the portal.”
The Auditor General, represented by the Director of Audit, Gandu Magaji, confirmed that staff have been sensitized on the NACS, forensic audit, and that an ACTU unit was operational.
The TUGAR chairman added that he ensures MDAs implement the strategy.
“My office has submitted audited reports up to 2019 to the National Assembly. For the 2020 account, the Accountant General has submitted the statement. In three months, we should be able to submit them.
“We have an annual audit of the recovered assets. We have not been able to do this, but the Auditor General is in the committee set up by the government to manage the sales of the assets.
“Despite the increase in anti-corruption activities to implement the NACS, there was no increase in funding to support the process. NACS did not make the desired impact due to lack of funding”, he said.
Kwari promised that the Senate will look into the funding, and directed all MDAs that made presentations to submit an evaluation of the NASC implementation to the secretariat of the committee.
The VP’s Office, represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Rule of Law, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, called for the adoption of data in the report template of the MDAs.
She stressed that data will help in measuring the impact of the strategy.
“We are happy that this forum was provided to enable us to assess the NASC and to know the level of the fight against corruption. To adequately review the implementation, the MDAs here, who have submitted their reports, should also be requested to provide specific data and figures.
“How many people were trained? How many meetings were done? We need data to measure the impact. We have seen that the funding and structure have not really worked well. That is something we should think about when reviewing NACS for the second time.”
In closing remarks, Senator Suleiman Kwari, thanked the CFTIW, and its Executive Director, Umar Yakubu, for the initiative, the technical support to drive the process, and for serving as a co-secretariat for the event.
“The Senate will work with the centre in different areas. We will continue to assist Mr. President to fight corruption. We thank all those that attended the sessions. We will present the report to the Senate and make it public”, the lawmaker added.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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