₦airaland Forum

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied claims that his administration has slashed traditional rulers’ statutory monthly allocation by 2.5 per cent, saying: “I risked my life to Abuja for Osun State’s sake and I don’t need government money but will rather add to it.”

Adeleke, responding to agitations by traditional rulers, who claimed that the current administration had slashed their statutory during their monthly meeting held at the Finance Building, Abere yesterday, explained that monthly allocation varied, hence it was affecting the five per cent deduction for traditional rulers.

The Nation learnt that traditional rulers during a closed door meeting with Governor Adeleke ahead of the open meeting lamented that the state government was taking from the five per cent meant for the traditional rulers monthly, leaving only 2.5 per cent for the kings.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, must appear at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation, the agency has said.
The minister, who cited health challenges, approached the anti-graft agency through her counsel, requesting that the deadline be extended by three weeks.

But the Commission yesterday asked her to appear before its team within three days for interrogation.

The ex-minister was invited over the alleged laundering of N37, 170,855,753.44 in her ministry during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete.

Although the ex-minister has denied having any link with the implicated contractor, the anti-graft commission insisted that she should come for questioning.

The one-time minister formally wrote to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, that she was indisposed.

A source said: “In her letter, she asked the EFCC to give her three weeks to attend to her health before honouring the commission’s investigation. The letter was delivered by her counsel on Wednesday.

“But the EFCC said it cannot delay the investigation for three weeks. It has given the ex-minister three days to appear or risk being declared wanted.

“Olukoyede has put a new system in place such that you can appear before EFCC detectives and sleep in your home the same day. There is no need to panic at all.

“We are expecting her; our team is on standby. Even if she requires medical help, we will avail her of our first-class facility.”

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said: “We got a letter from the ex-minister that she could not honour our invitation due to some health challenges.

“Since her lawyer brought the letter, the EFCC has also responded accordingly.”

The EFCC letter to the ex-minister reads: “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during your time as minister.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned scheduled as follows: Wednesday, 3rd of January, 2024. Time: 10am.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 & Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

Oyewale, who spoke on the matter when he was featured on television, said the agency has directed her to honour the invitation without further delay.

He said: “It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time, explaining that she had some health challenges.

“She didn’t shun EFCC’s invitation. She actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up.

“Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency on why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation.”

The EFCC spokesman also explained that the N37.1 billion being mentioned might not be the correct amount misappropriated by the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

He said: “On the figure that is being bandied about, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing.

“We are still tracing all the transactions here and there. It may be more than that.

“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking and it may be more than what is being brandished now.”

Oyewale said that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has been released after interrogation.

He added: “She was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure.

“She has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.”

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has listed 58 illegal universities operating in Nigeria.

The names include those claiming to be affiliates of foreign universities in the country.

Also, nine degree mills are currently undergoing further investigations and/or court actions.

The development followed the suspension of degree certificates from two Francophone West African countries after an undercover journalist detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic under two months and was deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

In the list below, institutions that have “other campuses” are indicated with “others”; those ‘”operating anywhere in Nigeria” have “anywhere” as suffix. They are as follows:


University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State, or any of its other campuses; University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses; University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Blacksmith University, Akwa, or any of its other campuses; Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Royal University, Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, or any of its other campuses; Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State, or any of its other campuses; United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses; and United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State, or any of its other campuses.

Others are: Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State, or any of its other campuses; UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State, or any of its other campuses; Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu State, or any of its other campuses; The International University, Missouri, U.S.A., Kano and Lagos studies centres, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria; and Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

The NUC also listed: West African Christian University, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Bolta University College, Aba, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University), Kaduna, illegal campus; Western University, Esie, Kwara State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; St. Andrews University College, Abuja, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; EC-Council USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre; Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Concept College/Universities (London), Ilorin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria; and Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

Also listed as illegal are: Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria; Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State; Open International University, Akure; Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo; Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta State; Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja; Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam), Ndoki, Rivers State; Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State; Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja; Temple University, Abuja; Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State; . University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu Road, Lagos; University of Education, Wenneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating in Nigeria; African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri Study Centre; and Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

The others listed as illegal are: Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus); Career Light Resources Centre, Jos; University of West Africa, Kwali Abuja, FCT; Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State; Kaduna Business School, Kaduna; Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State; West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria, operating anywhere in Nigeria; and Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo Road, Cele bus stop, Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos.

In addition to the closure, the following degree mills are currently undergoing further investigations and/or ongoing court actions.

The purpose of the actions is to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges on subscribers.

They are: National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo. Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State; West Coast University, Umuahia; Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State; Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University; and L.I.F.E Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State.

The NUC said anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of the listed illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.

President Bola Tinubu has said the nation’s security challenge has improved since he assumed office.

He stated this in his New Year broadcast on Monday.

Mr Tinubu assumed office on 29 May 2023, about seven months ago.

The president said his administration has been working silently to free captives from abductors.

He said though it may not have solved all the security problems confronting the country, it is working hard to ensure that Nigerians have peace of mind in their homes.

“Since our administration took over the mantle of office, security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors.

He said though it may not have solved all the security problems confronting the country, it is working hard to ensure that Nigerians have peace of mind in their homes.

“Since our administration took over the mantle of office, security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors.

“While we can’t beat our chest yet that we had solved all the security problems, we are working hard to ensure that we all have peace of mind in our homes, places of work and on the roads,” he said.

President Tinubu’s broadcast is coming about one week after armed men slaughtered over 100 people in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.