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Don’t Sign Documents You’re Not Sure Of – Olukoyede Advises NWDC Leadership

Published

4 months ago

January 14, 2026

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, to pursue the commission’s regional development mandate with diligence, accountability and transparency.

Olukoyede gave the charge on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by Ma’aji and other senior officials of the NWDC to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

“I encourage you to be committed to that mandate. It’s a big mandate,” Olukoyede said, noting that regional development commissions were created to enable each geopolitical zone to develop at its own pace.

“We want to see progress within the next one year after releases have been made to you for your budget.

“We want to see tangible developmental projects that you have put in place so that the trust that the government and the people of Nigeria have in you will not be betrayed,” he added.

He stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in the commission’s operations, urging the NWDC leadership to adopt preventive measures against financial mismanagement from the outset.

“From day one, don’t sign any document that you are not sure of. Do your profiling very well; know whom you are employing as executive directors, particularly in charge of procurement of goods and services,” he said.

Olukoyede reminded the NWDC boss that, as chief accounting officer, ultimate responsibility rests with him. “Whatever they do, scrutinize in the spirit of transparency. Prevention is better than cure,” he added.

The EFCC chairman assured the NWDC of the commission’s readiness to collaborate, emphasising a partnership anchored on integrity and sustained compliance.

“We are ready on our part to work with you in the spirit of collaboration and to ensure that you start on a very good note and maintain the tempo,” he said.

In his response, Professor Ma’aji sought a structured partnership with the EFCC to ensure the NWDC remains on track from inception.

He said the commission was established to drive coordinated socio-economic development across the North West through infrastructure delivery, social interventions, economic empowerment and institutional strengthening.

“As a new public institution entrusted with significant public resources, the Commission recognises that transparency, accountability and strong internal controls are fundamental to achieving its mandate and sustaining public confidence,” Ma’aji said.

He described the EFCC as critical not only to enforcement but also to prevention and institutional strengthening.

The NWDC chief explained that the proposed collaboration would focus on preventive advisory support and capacity building to entrench sound financial management and compliance systems.

“This is to ensure that we don’t start on the wrong footing,” he said, adding that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader governance reform objectives to ensure value for money and insulate institutions from financial misconduct and reputational risk.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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