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Buhari to Adesina: “Our Support For You Remains Intact”, As He Seeks 2nd Term As AfDB President

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President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that Nigeria will stand solidly behind Dr Akinwumi Adesina in his bid to get re-elected as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The president spoke at the State House, Abuja, Tuesday, while hosting Mr Adesina.

“In 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position. I didn’t say because you were a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Minister, and I belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC), so I would withhold my support. I’ll remain consistent with you, because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria,” said Buhari.

The president pledged that Nigeria would work with all other leaders and stakeholders in AfDB to ensure that Mr Adesina was elected for a second term built on the record of his achievements during his first term.

Mr Adesina is facing allegations of corruption at the bank and is being investigated.

Buhari and Adesina

He denies the allegations and had earlier been cleared of the claims raised by a whistleblower group, but the United States, the bank’s second-largest shareholder after Nigeria, has called for an external probe.

The Nigerian government and other African leaders have been rallying support for Mr Adesina who is seeking a second five-year term.

Giving a background to what was happening in the bank, Mr Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister for Agriculture, said the 16 allegations raised against him were trumped up, “and without facts, evidence, and documents, as required by the rules and regulations of the bank.”

He added that the Ethics Committee of the bank cleared him of all the allegations, and calls for fresh investigation by the United States of America, were against the rules.

“My defense ran into 250 pages, and not a single line was faulted or questioned. The law says that report of the Ethics Committee should be transmitted to the Chairman of Governors of the bank. It was done, and the governors upheld the recommendations. That was the end of the matter, according to the rules. It was only if I was culpable that a fresh investigation could be launched. I was exonerated, and any other investigation would amount to bending the rules of the bank, to arrive at a predetermined conclusion,” Mr Adesina said.

Stressing that the motive was to soil his name, and that of the bank, the AfDB president said he was proud to be Nigerian, and thanked President Buhari for his unflinching support.

“You helped me to get elected in the first place, and you have supported me robustly all along, and the African Union unanimously endorsed my re-election” he declared.

While commiserating with President Buhari on the death of the former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, Mr Adesina described Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new Chief of Staff as “a man of integrity, and of global standing.”

In like manner, former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the board of the African Development Bank to ignore calls for an independent investigation of its President, Akinwumi Adesina, by the United States Government.

Obasanjo
Rallying African leaders in support of Adesina

Obasanjo in a letter dated May 26 to Kaba Niale, Chairman of the AfDB board of governors, urged the organisation to follow laid down processes to protect and preserve the bank.

He asked African leaders to speak against introduction of alien practices being recommended by some parties given that such recommendation falls outside the laid down procedures, laws, rules and regulations of the bank.

He said, “Unfortunately, the United States Government, through the US Treasury Secretary, has written a public letter (that was also distributed to the press globally) to disagree with the conclusions of the ethics committee of the board of directors and the Chairman of the board of governors of the bank”.

“Instead of accepting the exoneration of the President of the bank, they called for an independent investigation”.

“This is outside of the rules, laws, procedures and governance systems of the bank. The US Treasury Secretary disparaged the bank and ridiculed the entire governance system of the bank which has been in place since 1964″.

“This is unprecedented in the annals of the African Development Bank Group. If we do not rise up and defend the African Development Bank, this might mean the end of the African Development Bank, as its governance will be hijacked away from Africa.

“As Africa faces COVID-19, Dr Adesina again took bold measures to ensure the bank can respond proactively to support African countries and got its board of directors to approve a $10bn crisis response facility to support African countries. In addition, the bank successful launched a $53bn “Fight COVID-19” social impact bond on the international capital market, secured at 0.75 per cent interest rate.”

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No Payment for Constituency Projects Executed Without FG Guidelines – AGF

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The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has vowed to withhold payment for constituency projects executed nationwide that do not follow the Federal Government’s guidelines and circulars on execution.

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, made this known when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, visited him in Abuja.

Ogunjimi reaffirmed the support of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for the campaign by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to enforce compliance with government guidelines and circulars on execution and payment for constituency projects.

“We will give bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that these guidelines are projected adequately and that they become part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects,” the AGF said.

He noted that the guidelines on constituency projects will be made an important part of discussions at all OAGF engagements with its stakeholders and that the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs will be given the opportunity to make presentations at such occasions.

Ogunjimi stated further that in OAGF circulars on closure and capital projects, emphasis will be made on compliance with the guidelines on constituency projects.

He advised the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to continue the engagement with relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and the National Assembly to increase awareness of the guidelines and circulars.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ihemelandu, requested that no payments should be made for constituency projects that are not executed in line with the Federal Government guidelines and circulars and duly certified by his ministry.

The permanent secretary observed that despite the federal government’s guidelines and circulars, many agencies have executed and paid for constituency projects without adherence to the guidelines and circulars and due verification. According to him, this practice does not allow the government to get maximum value for the funds spent on these projects.

Ihemelandu called for collaboration between his ministry and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to guarantee that the guidelines are implemented fully and no payments are made for constituency projects unless after verification by his ministry.

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TINUBU EULOGISES ARCHBISHOP JOHNPRAISE DANIEL AT 65

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By Ojone Grace Odaudu

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Archbishop Johnpraise Daniel, the presiding Bishop of the Dominion Chapel International Church, on his 65th birthday on May 2.

The President has also commended Archbishop Daniel’s contributions to nation-building, peace and unity in his current role as Chairman of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum for 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the  President also nnoted his active participation in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), and the Interfaith Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

Tinubu further acknowledged the Archbishop’s mentoring of ministers of the Gospel and his humanitarian efforts through the JohnPraise Foundation for Peace and Human Development.

He specifically eexpressed his appreciation for the Archbishop’s inspiring sermon, “Better Together in Renewed Hope and Restoration,” delivered during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Service.

“Archbishop Daniel’s life has been one of faithful service in the Lord’s vineyard, marked by unwavering dedication, scholarship, and impactful ministry across Nigeria and beyond”, President Tinubu said, praying for continued strength, wisdom, and divine grace for the cleric as he advances moral leadership in society and spiritual guidance to the faithful.

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Kogi Professionals Applaud Lawmaker’s Bold Move to Regulate Mining in Omala

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By Elizabeth Okwe| April 30, 2025

In what many have described as a timely and courageous step, Hon. Yahaya Umar, the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, is receiving accolades for raising the alarm over the environmental and public health crisis caused by coal mining in his constituency.

The motion, which called for an immediate suspension of all mining activities in Omala Local Government Area, has drawn commendation from across the state — most notably from the Convener of the Kogi Professionals Network and seasoned development administrator, Dr. James Odaudu.

Reacting to the motion, Dr. Odaudu described Hon. Umar’s action as “a courageous stand in defence of environmental justice,” saying it was refreshing to see a legislator so passionately defending the health and welfare of his constituents.

According to him, “These mining companies were licensed to support Nigeria’s electricity development goals, yet instead of power, they have brought pollution, contaminated rivers, and destroyed farmlands in host communities.”

He praised the Kogi State House of Assembly for backing the motion and setting up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter, describing it as “how democracy is supposed to work — responsive and people-centered.”Dr. Odaudu, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, also issued a passionate appeal to the Government of Kogi State to move swiftly beyond legislative action and implement practical relief measures for affected communities.

Dr. James Odaudu
Convener, Kogi Professionals Network

“We urge the State Government to begin immediate clean-up of polluted water sources in Omala and surrounding areas, while putting in place a sustainable plan to provide potable water as a long-term solution,” he stressed.

He further emphasized the need for mining companies operating in the state to honor their corporate social responsibilities and sign enforceable Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with the local government administrations in line with global best practices.

“Profiteering must not come at the expense of our people’s lives and their future, We trust that the government of Governor Usman Ododo will  do the needful as usual ” Dr. Odaudu added.

The coal mining controversy in Omala and other parts of Kogi State has stirred increasing public concern, with calls for stronger regulation, corporate accountability, and community protection gaining momentum.

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