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Former Zamfara officials accuse Dauda Lawal of extra-budgetary spending, call for impeachment

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1 year ago

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Some former commissioners in Zamfara have asked the state house of assembly to impeach Dauda Lawal, incumbent governor, over allegations of corruption.

The ex-commissioners added that Lawal had planted an allegation of a diversion of N70 billion against Bello Matawalle, the immediate former governor of Zamfara, in a bid to conceal his own misconduct.

In May, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probed Matawalle over the alleged diversion of funds through the ex-governor’s proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

Speaking on Thursday, the former cabinet members said the accusations were false and were triggered by mischief and a campaign of calumny by the present administration in Zamfara.
They accused the incumbent governor of extra-budgetary spending without the approval of the state assembly.
The officials were led by Rabiu Garba, former commissioner of finance and economic planning, and Ibrahim Dosara, ex-commissioner of information.

They called for Lawal’s impeachment and asked the state assembly to look into the governor’s “poor administration”.

“We are calling on the state house of assembly to impeach the governor for spending outside the budget of the state,” Garba said.

“He awarded contract that is not in the budget. A budget primarily is a source document where works and services of government are going to be rendered. A budget is an act of the state assembly which the governor violated.

“He awarded the contract that was not in the budget. There was no evidence that the contract awarded was budgeted for because I have a copy of the budget.

“There was no virement to support the contracts that were awarded. There was no evidence that the virement had been received by the State House of Assembly and even, if there is, the state assembly had not attended to that issue, therefore, he was engaged in extra-budgetary spending, which is an impeachable offence and we call on them to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor.”

On his part, Dosara said the EFCC had suspended investigations against Matawalle after finding out that the former governor was exonerated.

“We left the state better than it is today. The state is exposed to bandits and as things are now, the state capital, Guasau, is not spared,” the former commissioner added.

“Since May 29 when this government came into power, unnecessary IDP camps have been created.

“The primary responsibility of protecting lives and property has not been attended to. He should face governance and face allegations that cannot be substantiated.”

According to Garba, the allegations of missing funds are Lawal’s desperate attempts to nail Matawalle.

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Okpebholo, Idahosa sworn in as Edo governor, deputy

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14 hours ago

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November 12, 2024 1:53 pm

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Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State after months he was elected to take over from Godwin Obaseki, who has completed his second term in office.

The Chief Justice of the state, Daniel Okungbowa, administered the oath to the governor and deputy governor at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where they pledged to uphold the constitution and work for the well-being of the people of Edo State.”

Dignitaries including vice president Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo, and other governors from the APC were in attendance as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

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Nigerian Defence Academy opens applications for 77th regular course

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17 hours ago

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November 12, 2024 10:49 am

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The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially opened online applications for the 77th Regular Course, providing opportunities for both male and female Nigerian candidates to enroll in military and academic training programs.

The application window, which began on November 6, 2024, will remain open until April 30, 2025 and successful applicants will undergo both academic and military training as Officer Cadets at the NDA for a period of five years.

Upon completion, cadets will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree in their field of study and will also receive a Presidential Commission into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

NDA is partnering with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the admissions process hence applicants must also register for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB, selecting the NDA as their first-choice institution.

“Candidates applying for admission into NDA must also apply to the year 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board and select NDA as their first choice institution,” they said.

Only candidates who meet the required UTME scores will be considered for further assessment. A score of 180 for Arts, Social Sciences, and Science programs, and 210 for Engineering courses.

Screening test 

The NDA screening test serves as the first phase of the Post-UTME assessment, will be conducted on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Eligible candidates are expected to bring the following documents to the test center:

  • Acknowledgment form
  • Screening Test Admission Card
  • JAMB result slip
  • Two passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 5 inches), showing only the chest upwards with essential candidate information written at the back

Candidates can begin the application process by visiting the NDA application portal at ndaapplications.net and selecting the “Purchase Access Code” option. For more enquiries visit the website here.

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Lagos state government removes 54 illegal shanties, dislodges 84 occupants beneath Eko Bridge

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18 hours ago

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November 12, 2024 9:56 am

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The Lagos State Government on Monday cleared 54 illegal shanties and dislodged 84 occupants from beneath the Eko Bridge in the Ebute-Ero area of the state.

The operation, led by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also saw the removal of eight makeshift toilets identified as contributors to open defecation and unsanitary conditions in the area.

This was revealed by Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, in a statement shared on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“In consolidation of existing efforts aimed at reducing the spate of environmental nuisances to the barest minimum in the metropolis, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI effected the removal of 54 illegal shanties which harboured 84 illegal occupants and 8 make-shift toilets beneath Eko Bridge at the Ebute-Ero area of the State on Monday,” the statement read in part.

The statement further revealed that Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, who led the enforcement operation, explained that the action followed the expiration of a 7-day abatement notice, which had been issued but ignored by the occupants.

He noted that the Elegbeta Water Channel beneath the Eko Bridge had become a settlement for miscreants and illegal occupants, creating significant environmental and security concerns.

The area was characterized by indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the lagoon, its use as a criminal hideout, and widespread open defecation.

The operation was deemed necessary to address these issues and restore order and cleanliness to the affected area.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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