Osinbajo, Peter Obi attend US Democratic National Convention in Chicago

Former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, alongside other notable Nigerian political figures, is currently attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a special guest of the National Democratic Institute based in Washington, DC.

Osinbajo, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 polls and former Senate President Ken Nnamani were all invited according to the US-based NDI. The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, was also said to have been invited, but it was not clear if he had honoured the invitation. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a notable non-profit and non-partisan organisation based in the United States that pushes Democratic values around the world.

The attendance of Osinbajo on such an august occasion, some analysts say, further demonstrates his increasing global engagement and international political profiles since his leaving office in May 2023. The presence of these distinguished Nigerians at the Democratic National Convention underscores the importance of fostering global democratic values, and the role that African leaders play in shaping the future of democracy, both on the continent and worldwide.

Their participation in this event also signals a commitment to engaging with diverse political processes and learning from global experiences to enhance governance and democracy in Nigeria. The Democratic National Convention, a significant event in the United States’ political calendar, serves as a platform where key policies and strategies are discussed by the Democratic Party, besides the formal nomination of the party’s presidential candidate, current US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The convention is also an opportunity for global leaders and stakeholders to observe and participate in discussions that could influence global political trends.

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EFCC ARRESTS HAJJ COMMISSION’S CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY OVER N90 BILLION SUBSIDY FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over alleged N90 billion hajj subsidy fraud.

Politics Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu had approved N90 billion for the commission to subsidize the hajj cost of pilgrims.

But the EFCC began inviting top officials of the Hajj Commission for questioning over alleged mismanagement of the funds.

A document by the anti-graft agency showed that a total of SR314,098 was recovered from the NAHCON chairman and other officials.

The anti-graft agency stressed that its investigation revealed that from the N90 billion released for Hajj subsidy, Arabi, fraudulently overpaid himself and others the necessary operational cost.

Also according to the document, the approved 2024 Hajj operational cost for the Chairman/CEO Commissioners, Secretary and Directors/Chief of Staff in the 2024 budget are stipulated as $4,250, $12,750, $3,825 and $15,300, respectively.

“The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost,” the document said.

“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to. The total of SR314,098 were recovered from all of them.”

Another document revealed that the sum of SR8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal out of the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to the commission is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.

“The sum of N90bn was released by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the National Hajj Commission to subsidise the 2024 Hajj Operations by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the document stated.

“The total sum of N1, 764,705,937.62 was deducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria as bank charges.

“The sum of N88, 235,294,063.72 was subsequently converted into United States dollars at the rate of N1,416.13, which amounted to USD 62,307,164.48 and thereafter transferred into NAHCON British SAAB Account in Saudi Arabia.

“The sum of USD 62,307,164.48 was converted to Saudi Riyal at the rate of N3,748, which amounted to the sum of SR 233,527,252.47.

“That the opening balance of the IBAN-E track for 2024 Hajj activities was SR 19,813,810.89 and has an inflow of SR 485,000,000.00 from NAHCON with a closing balance of SR 78,985,266.03.

“That the closing balance is inclusive of the SR20,637,908.23 refunded from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.

“That the total sum of SR 22, 815,367.74 was withdrawn cash from the British SAAB account by one Abubakar Muhammed Lamin in Saudi Arabia during the 2024 Hajj operation.

“The expected cash payment for services and allowances to staff and stakeholders is SR 14,905,910.47.

“That the total sum of SR 8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.”

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President Tinubu Approves N1tn Loan for NDDC, Cites Urgency for Niger Delta Development.

President Bola Tinubu has given approval to the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to borrow an additional N1 trillion to the N1.9 billion budget, to enable it establish and complete other projects in order to fastrack development in the Niger Delta region.

This came as the former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused politicians of meddling with the commission affairs, resulting in the delay of projects’ delivery in the years past.

President Tinubu who disclosed this in his address as chief guest of honour at the 2024 Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said that he has passion for the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu stated that the commission has never had the kind of budget that they are having in 2024, commending the management of the NDDC led by the Chairman, Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for their exceptional performance in the development of the region.

It would be recalled that during the technical session of the summit on Wednesday, stakeholders from the region pleaded with the President to allow the NDDC’s management loan funds to fastrack development in the region.

Speaking on the appeal and request by the Governor of Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, at the summit President Tinubu said with the current approval on the soft loan, the NDDC’s management will no longer give reason for delay of completion of projects or underdevelopment of the region.

He further assured that the Lagos -Calabar Coastal Road project will now start simultaneously from both in Lagos and Niger Delta region, adding that the East-West Road linking Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states will also have immediate attention.

“Even the N75 billion that we secured could not be used. Am saying it is the Niger Delta that sometimes brings down Niger Delta.

“We here the National Assembly members are very satisfied with the work you (NDDC) are doing and with the kind of cooperation the management and the board are having in the Niger Delta Development Commission, ours is to assure you that we will continue to support you to bring development to the Niger Delta region,”Akpabio added.

Earlier in his goodwill message, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Diri, appealed that as the construction of Lagos-Calabar highway is commencing from Lagos State, it should also commence from the Calabar axis.

Diri said, “Our region is in dire need of development, we are suffering. While we appreciate the President for the coastal road project, there is need to complete the East-West Road. If the contractor does not have the capacity, let the contract be given to NDDC.

“I appeal to our own son , Akpabio, to tell the President of the urgent need to act on that road, because our people are suffering,” Diri appealed.

Blessing Ibunge

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A serious government will withdraw government funding of Hajj or Pilgrimage of any kind (whether Islam or Christian).

But because elections in the country are influenced by religion and religious sentiments, they can’t.

A very poor country like ours should not be using state funds to sponsor people to Mecca & Jerusalem who will come back and further destroy the country.

What exactly has been the benefit of such visitations.

Of course, they use it to give “thank you” to the fellows that supported their ambition and will do in the next election. We are not a serious country, we are not ready!

Credit: Mr. Common Sense