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Concern Staff Of ITF Drags DG , Oluwatoyin Ogun Before EFCC … How Hundreds of Millions of Naira is being Siphoned …Operates as Sole Administrator

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

 

By George Mgbeleke

Concern Staff of the Industrial Training Funds, ( ITF ), might have concluded arrangement to drag Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), for an alleged Financial infraction since his appointment.

Sources at the Headquarters of ITF, in Jos who pleaded anonymity told our Correspondent that against extant law Mr. Oluwatoyin since he assumed office had acquired official accommodation instead of one, in Lagos, Jos and Abuja for his three wives.
” The DG is entitled to one Guest House, but when he took over he paid for three Houses in Lagos, Jos and Abuja” said our sources.

Continue the sources disclosed that
” You could imagine a retired Director of Finance in ITF still making payments”

” The DG when he assumed office inherited a good number of vehicles , but as we speak, he abandoned them purchased new ones and he is in the process of purchasing another ones with plans plan to acquire a new jeep used by the FCT minister for the Edir Fitr as a status symbol ‘”

While the allegations of financial infractions hangs on his head like the swords of Damascus, the allegations of abuse of procurement procedures against Oluwatoyin stinks to high heaven.
A senior staff in the Maitama office told our Correspondent that” apart from the retired deputy Director ( name withheld), who the DG is using as conduit, several contracts awarded since he assumed office , he did not adhere to the procurement Act, in fact he just a sole administrator ”
” He said he is Tinubu’ boy and nobody can touch him, in fact he threatened Staff with transfer”

Apart from the petition to the anti graft commission, the staff are on the verge of staging a massive protest for the removal of the DG.
His appointment as DG did not come without reservations and apprehension as our checks revealed that he lacked requisite qualifications to manage such agency.

Our checks at the headquarters of the industrial Training Funds (ITF) in Jos and corporate office in Maitama, in Abuja paint a picture of once bubbling institution going down the drain with staff morale on the edge.

The development has turned the once bubbling organisation into one of despair, just as staff morale and attitude to work have hit the lowest mark so far since the establishment of the Fund by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) in the 1970s.

Seven months after his appointment and takeover of the Fund’s leadership, multiple sources in Jos and Abuja told our reporter they are aware that there are grumblings within the organisation.
These are not unconnected with the new leadership style and certain ‘reforms’ and policy tincturing that have amounted to high-level administrative missteps that have dampened the cognate mood of the personnel, and set the Fund on the course of collapsing from within.

According to the staff, “the transfers have led to queries by the Fund’s workforce’’ concerning the plans of the DG for the future of the organization.
According to the insider source, “in the latest round of transfers released on May 13, 2024, by the Administration and Human Resources Department of the agency, several top officials of the Finance and Procurement Departments were redeployed to other departments in an exercise that has been condemned by workers within the organisation as a serious infraction of the organization’s career policy”.
The redeployments indicate that “top Directors in the Finance and Accounts Department were moved to Departments other than their fields of specialization. For instance, Mr. Steve Ivarave, an ICAN chartered accountant was moved from finance and accounts to Administration and Human Resource Department to head General Services”.
The source also stated that “Yusuf Abdulmajid was moved to the Corporate Planning Department while Ibrahim Ahmed Bakori was moved to the Estate Management unit to head Project Management, while Ocheme Linus Agbo was redeployed to the Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department just as John Etim was moved from revenue to Internal Audit with no assigned portfolio”.
Our checks indicated that the haphazard transfers have striped the Finance Department of competent professionals in the leadership of the division.
This was as it was gathered that the redeployment exercise was based on a pattern that is completely alien to laid down rules and career progression in addition to being inconsistent with established rules of assignments and redeployments.
Further checks indicated that on April 3, 2024, 16 officers were redeployed to various offices of the Fund.
What especially stood out in that exercise was the redeployment of the Area Manager of one of the Lagos Offices, a Senior Deputy Director, who was posted to Sokoto Area Office, where he was expected to serve under an Assistant Director who is his junior officer.
Similarly, barely two months into office in December 2023, the new Director General who is hardly on the seat, reshuffled his Management team in an exercise that effectively put square pegs in round holes in an apparent effort to entrench his tribesmen in departments perceived to be lucrative.
A source said; “in that exercise, the Director General transferred Fulera Dikki, a career Administrative officer to the Business Training Department while Suleyol Fred Chagu, a career Public Relations officer was redeployed to the Corporate Planning Department just as Chioma Ogbonna, an ICAN Chartered Accountant was moved from Revenue Inspectorate and Compliance Department to the Research and Curriculum Development Department.
When our reporter visited the ITF headquarters, there was melancholy amidst apprehension as a result of fears of more deployments in the coming weeks.
The Director General could not be reached as he was said to be away from the office even as calls to his phone did not go through.

Business & Economy

Pastor Reuben Initiative extols founder’s philanthropic gesture

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Pastor Reuben Wilson

 

By Idibhar Agadaga, Baylesa

The Director General Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability (PRIFGLA), Eseimokumo Frank Soko has commended Pastor Reuben Wilson’s selfless contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on an enlighment program on Royal FM, 95.5, Eseimokumo Frank Soko, highlighted Wilson’s commitment to education, noting that he has sponsored over 200 students across various universities in the region.

According to Soko, Wilson’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond education, as he has also provided monthly stipends to members of the Initiative ànd numerous individuals in need.

He particularly extolled Wilson’s selfless and sacrificial lifestyle which have positively impacted the lives of many Bayelsans.

He emphasized that Wilson’s charitable works is not limited to any particular political party or affiliation as beneficiaries come from diverse backgrounds including PDP, APC and Labour Party members.

On his part, PRIFGLA’s National Secretary and Special Adviser on Student Matters and Scholarships, Ogbomo Erepamowei, shared Wilson’s inspiring personal story, which has driven his passion for helping others.

Ogbomo noted that despite facing challenges in his own educational journey, Wilson has demonstrated remarkable resilience and generosity, supporting students in various institutions across the Niger Delta.

He added that over 200 students are under scholarship sponsored by Pastor Reuben Wilson in various universities across the Niger Delta region.

In a final statement, Soko expressed gratitude to Wilson, describing him as a “sacrificial leader” who has positively impacted the lives of those working with him.

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Business & Economy

Three Oil Coys admit owing FG over $5.5m  *As Reps Issue 2-Weeks Ultimatum For Payment

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By Our Reporter
Following the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to generate revenue for the federal government, three major oil companies operating in Nigeria Chorus Energy, Dubril Oil company limited, and Belema Oil have all admitted to owing $5,543,491.45 to the Nigeria’s Federation Account.
This revelation came during Tuesday investigation by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts prompted by the Auditor General’s annual report.
The committee heard detailed testimonies from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), presented by Mr. Balarabe Haruna, which outlined the outstanding debts of the companies.
According to NUPRC, the debts are as follows: Chorus Energy owes a total of $814,680.06 and N181,954,238.43, comprising $396,907.76 for crude oil by price and $417,772.13 for crude oil by production.
Dubri Oil owes $3,025,193.71, which includes $646,605.55 for crude oil by production and $2,378,588.15 for gas flare.
Eroton Exploration & Production owes $78,486,333.27, made up of $45,094,125.31 for crude oil by production, $33,392,207.96 for gas flare, and $916,027.00 for concession rentals.
Belema Oil owes $1,703,617.68, including $977,793.54 for crude oil by price, $511,870.14 for gas flare, and $213,954.00 for concession rentals.
In response, the Chief Financial Officer of Chorus Energy, Mr. Oluseyi Simon, explained that the company’s debt arose after an increase in the crude oil price rate from 0.5% to $3.5.
He noted that the company has consistently paid its liabilities and that it had already paid $5.3 million in 2024 alone.
Simon assured the committee that the remaining balance would be cleared before the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Mr. Clement, the Acting Managing Director of Dubri Oil, acknowledged the debt and explained that the company’s financial difficulties stemmed from a decline in production during the first quarter of 2024.
He emphasized that the company had been trying to mitigate the situation through workovers on its wells, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
However, Clement assured the committee that Dubri Oil planned to begin drilling new wells and, once production increased, would settle the outstanding debt.
He further revealed that Dubri Oil had been in discussions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and had agreed to a payment schedule, with an expected resolution by the third quarter of 2025.
Belema Oil also confirmed the debt, citing operational challenges as the cause of the indebtedness.
According to the company’s Managing Director, Ahmad H. Sambk said Belema Oil had been unable to meet its production targets since August 2022 due to issues with the evacuation pipeline system, which had experienced significant leakages, leading to the loss of nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil.
These challenges had resulted in a complete shutdown of operations, preventing the company from fulfilling its financial obligations.
Chairman of the investigation sub-committee, Hon. Akinlade Isaq, expressed anger over the failure of oil companies to meet their financial obligations and stressed the urgency of retrieving the owed funds.
“Paying off these outstanding debts is not just a matter of financial responsibility, it is a critical step toward improving governance in Nigeria,” Isaq stated.
The committee then unanimously gave the oil companies a strict two-week ultimatum to settle their debts.
The committee also issued a warning to any oil companies that failed to respond to invitations for hearings, stressing that non-compliance would lead to severe repercussions.
In addition to the aforementioned companies, the committee also disclosed the indebtedness of other oil operators that failed to appear today as follows;
“For Conoil Producing, the company owes $3,884,308.56 for crude oil by production and $708,600.06 for Gas flare and $475,785.40, bringing the total to $4,592,908.62.
Continental Oil has a total debt of $57,053,842.22, which includes  $44,519,936.05 for crude oil by production, $12,533,906.17 for gas flare and $250,650.00 for concession rentals.
Enageed Resources owes a total of $15,001,089.91, consisting of $11,647,300.01 for crude oil by production, $3,353,789.90 for gas flare and $469,552.00 for concession rentals.
Energia limited owes a total of $19,260,982.13, made up of $6,675,524.25 for crude oil by price, $9,768,926.81 for crude oil by production,$10,208.89 for gas sales, $2,806,322.19 for Gas flare and $305,995.40 for concession rentals.
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Business & Economy

New Bayelsa Secretariat: Govt Appeals To Host Communities To Maintain Peace

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Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa

 

By David Owei, Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State Government has appealed to the people of Yenagoa and Ovom communities currently locked in a dispute over ownership of the land, where the new 9-storey secretariat is sited, to sustain their age long unity and peaceful coexistence.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the appeal at separate meetings with the leaders and critical stakeholders of both communities in Government House, Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, pointed out that there was no need for both communities to feud over the land as government had acquired it for development purposes several decades ago.

According to the Deputy Governor, every land acquired by government with compensation paid becomes its property, stressing that all the communities lying within 15-kilometre radius from Yenagoa make up the Bayelsa State capital.

While acknowledging the sacrifices being made by the communities hosting the state capital, he assured that government would continue to protect their interests by performing its corporate social responsibility.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, warned that the present administration would not fold its arms and watch any community or group of people cause crisis to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state for whatever reason.

He particularly cautioned the youths of Ovom against the alleged unwholesome practice of going to ministries, departments and agencies to demand a change in the letterheads and signboards of MDAs to reflect Ovom.

His words: “There is no long-term benefit in conflict. People can disagree, but they can reconcile their differences through the roundtable.

“Yenagoa and Ovom communities have a long history of peaceful coexistence as two sister communities in the Atissa Kingdom in the Yenagoa Local Government Area.

“As communities in the epicenter of the state capital, Ovom and Yenagoa have made huge sacrifices, and they cannot afford to fight themselves over land already acquired by government.

“Our position is that none of the communities own the land of the project site for the new state Secretariat; the ownership of that land now belongs to the Bayelsa State Government by virtue of the Capital City Development Law.

“However, government will continue to protect the interest of the communities who have donated the lands for public use and development.

“We are also receiving reports that some youths of Ovom are going to ministries, departments and agencies demanding for a change of address to reflect Ovom. That attitude is not right, and therefore, must be stopped forthwith.

“We should all know that like any other capital city in this country, the name of Yenagoa has influence over all other communities lying within the 15-km radius of the state capital, and as such Yenagoa is reflected in all addresses.”

In her remarks, the Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba, expressed gratitude to the state government for its swift intervention and called on the communities to embrace peace as brothers to foster development and progress.

Others who spoke briefly at the two meetings include the former Technical Adviser to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, Hon. Markson Fefegha, Chief Couple Anyamalem, Chief Stephen Abaribote, and Chief Loveday Abaribote.

Top government functionaries present included the commissioners for works, information, marine and blue economy, lands and survey, and that of community development.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiware, the Acting Surveyor General of Bayelsa State, Geku Tonye Margareth; the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Hon. Salem Vote, among others.

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