***warns the anti-graft agency against making case to be perceived as witch-hunt

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district has lauded Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over efforts to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

She also commended the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the Federal Government and people of Enugu.
To avoid the impression that their actions against Bello are merely a witch hunt, the Senator advised the EFCC to also investigate other corrupt public officials
According to her, she was surprise that Bello failed to attend to the EFCC’s invitation.

In a now-viral video, EFCC Chairman had claimed the former Kogi governor told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.

“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.

“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.

Reacting, Natasha put it to Bello why it is importance for him to respect Nigeria’s laws and constitution, flowing from his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.

“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.

“It’s a well-known fact that “he who comes into equity must come with clean hands”. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.

“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi has challenged privileged Nigerians to help in tackling water scarcity and provide access to western Education for the Almajiri children.
Obi who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja on the need to get Nigeria working again in what he described as water and education challenge, asked 200, 000 wealthy Nigerians to put their resources in the drilling of one borehole each in locations across the country.

This he said will serve as an immediate remedial measure to tackle the dire need for portable water.
He also asked the privileged persons to contribute to an educational approach that will bring formal schooling directly to the Almajiris on-site at the Koranic schools.
According to him,Western education can be given to the Almajiri children, where they learn the Qur’an along with English, mathematics, Sciences and other related subjects.

“It is my unwavering commitment to identify and tackle critical issues impeding our nation’s progress.
“Today, I am pleased to provide updates on my interventions in two pivotal areas: water and education, and to present an empirical foresight on the way to resolve them, earnestly appealing for much-needed intervention.
Explaining further on Water Challenge, he said, “During my recent nationwide tour, particularly in some states in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the continuous dire need for access to water, which costs about 5 million Naira each.
“In response, I have initiated efforts to provide water by undertaking the drilling of boreholes in various communities.
“Recognizing Nigeria’s vast population and the unequal distribution of wealth, I appeal to the goodwill of 0.1 percent of our population, approximately 200,000 individuals, to sponsor the drilling of one borehole per year in any suitable location of their choice.
“I have personally initiated ten borehole projects and will ensure their functionality. Additionally, I commit to overseeing the drilling of ten more boreholes, addressing the critical issue of water scarcity.
On the education Challenge, he highlighted pressing issue of out-of-school children across Nigeria saying that he was privileged on Tuedsy to have visited the Madarasatul Hidayyatul Auladi Muslimima Almajiri school in Kawo, Kaduna State.
“During the visit, like others, I had the opportunity to interact with the young people. I also spent time immersing myself in Quranic learning alongside. “Witnessing their enthusiasm for Quranic education reaffirmed my belief in the untapped potential within these young students, proficient in Arabic reading and writing.
“I am convinced that these students possess the capability to excel in various fields, from medicine and architecture to engineering, artificial intelligence, and beyond.
“I envisioned a future where they would become professors, doctors, lawyers, economists, captains of industries, and competent political leaders. I see the same potential in those on the street selling.
“With a firm belief in their promising future and significant contribution to our country, I strongly advocate for an educational approach that brings formal schooling directly to them on-site.

“This involves providing qualified teachers in English language, mathematics, social studies, environmental sciences, and Quranic Arabic studies, among other essential subjects.
“Looking at the cost implications, it will cost about 10 million annually for each center for 50 people each.

“By investing 10 million if you decide to do 100 of that scattered around the country it will cost a trillion Naira which will be about 5 million each. With 200 thousand volunteers, that’s achievable.

“Through these methods and others that go beyond conventional educational learning, we can draw millions of out-of-school children into the educational system, thereby transforming our society.’
He said having been inspired by the potential he witnessed during his visit and to further his advocacy he supported them with 10 million Naira towards their educational endeavors.
That he said will go a long way in the development of the country.
He also appealed to the government to match the effort and cut waste, especially in the area of education as it unacceptable that a significant portion of the Nigerian youth is deprived of access to education. “Through our engagement with communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria, I have witnessed the transformative power of education in shaping young minds and securing a brighter future for our nation. “Therefore, I propose a collaborative effort to address this challenge. By leveraging the resources and goodwill of 0.1 percent of our population, we can collectively fund the education of out-of-school children.
“With just a fraction of their resources redirected towards this noble cause, we can ensure that every child receives the education they deserve.”
According to him, if his proposal works out, in the next 5-10 years, “Nigeria has the potential to thrive as a developed nation if we collectively address these challenges and change our mindset.

“By mobilizing well-meaning Nigerians to invest in water provision and education, we can lay the foundation for a prosperous future for all.
“The indices are clear: with the support of 200,000 individuals, we can annually provide for the needs of 5,000,000 pupils, enabling access to education, clean water, and basic necessities.
“I urge all Nigerians to join hands in this endeavor. Together, let us work towards a Nigeria where every child has access to quality education, clean water, and a brighter future.”

***condemns campaigns to remove chair

***Urges Bello to be courageous to face charges

A Civil Society group, Vanguard for Credible Representation has raise the alarm over plots in some quarters to remove the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Olanipekun Olukayode from office.

The chairman of the group, Comrade Akintoye Oyeniyi while addressing a press Conference in Abuja on Wednesday accused some elements in the Northern part of the country for masterminding the persistent push to remove the EFCC boss from office in their believe that the Chairmanship position of the anti-graft agency is the “birthright” of the North.
He said before the emergence of Comrade Akintoye the North have been holding sway in rotating the position among themselves as if it is their exclusive preserve.
The chairman fingered those at the receiving end of the redefined war against graft in the country by the new czar as being behind the plots.
He condemned the attacks on the EFCC boss, cautioning strongly that push for sectional interest portends grave danger for Nigeria’s fragile body polity and unity, stressing that it could also diminish the integrity of the fight against corruption in the country.

“The Vanguard for Credible Representation seizes the occasion to call on the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to toe the part of honour by making himself available to face charges of alleged corruption leveled against him by the EFCC
Akintoye Oyeniyi cautioned the immediate past Kogi Governor to desists from the antics of deploying delay tactics to hide from the law.

“We are all aware that the leadership of the country’s focal anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has experienced shake-up since the assumption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office on May 29, 2023.

“This shake-up began on June 14, 2023, when the President suspended the then EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa indefinitely as the anti-graft agency boss, to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office following weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
“Consequent upon the suspension, the President subsequently directed the Director of Operations at the Commission, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, to step in as Acting Chairman, a position the Borno State-born administrator served in for four months before the President, on October 12, 2023, eventually appointed Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede as the substantive Chairman.”
Explaining further he said the anti-graft agency of recent, has justified the confidence reposed in it through its newly invigorated war on corruption on all fronts.
He said that renewed vigor which has not only yielded more repatriation of stolen funds and convictions but ultimately geared towards rehabilitation of convicted offenders and enlightenment of Nigerians, to turn away from actions inimical to the economic prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 
He express sadness that while everyone is expected to appreciate and stand behind the new EFCC in its renewed commitment and approach to the war against corruption some corrupt elements now feeling the heat are surreptitiously weaving machinations, including  politics of geographical divide, to remove the new EFCC czar.
He said the RFCC boss and his team have brought on board courage, fecundity of fresh ideas, vision and clear-cut focus to pilot the affairs of the agency for national development.
“It is pertinent to inform the public that this ploy will not only bring about direct chaos on the fragile body polity of the country but also a solid support for corruption to continue to feed on our country’s economy and thereby exacerbate the already exorbitant living in Nigeria. 

He called on the EFCC not to be distracted by the shenanigans of the few corrupt elements, but to press on with the current energy, resolve and enthusiasm in its pursuit of efficiency in its statutory mandate.
“W are equally sending notice to those behind the plot, to drop their ploy and instead, repent and join other Nigerians and the government in giving necessary support to stem corruption in our country. 

“For us at VFCR, we shall continue to mobilise Nigerians in support of the Commission on its fights against corrupt practices and appropriately caution it if ever and whenever it is found wanting.”