News

Reps Query NECO For Spending IGR, Postpones Budget Defence

Published

7 months ago

January 15, 2025

Editor

Professor Ibrahim Wushishi

The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Basic Education Bodies, on Wednesday, queried the National Examinations Council (NECO ) for spending the revenue it generated from selling Senior School Certificate Examination registration forms without permission in 2024.

The poser was raised when NECO Registrar, Prof Ibrahim Wushishi, appeared before the panel to defend the 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal at the National Assembly Complex.

However, the committee was forced to step down the budget defence session by the examination body due to discrepancies in their presentation.

Wushishi told the committee that it realised over N22 billion from the sales of the registration forms at the rate of N22,250 to over 1.3 million candidates for the examination in 2024.

Out of the revenue raised, he said the Federal Government deducted N9.5 billion and the balance was spent on the overhead cost of the agency.

But the account did not add up as the registrar claimed the government deducted 50 per cent, leading the lawmakers to query how it would amount to N9.5 billion.

He said, “Because of the fiscal policy of the government to deduct 50 per cent directly from the source, the government has taken N9.5 billion from the same account, which makes NECO difficult to operate.

“We are still reconciling and following up with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to see how we can reconcile and put our house in order and submit.”

Continuing, Wushishi explained that the balance of the IGR was used to conduct five different examinations.

He said because of the direct deduction by the government, they could not put up a proper presentation to the Committee.

Following this, a motion was adopted by the committee to step down the budget defence due to insufficient documents and the inability of the NECO registrar to give a satisfactory explanation of the 2024 budget.

Wushishi was thereafter directed to provide copies of the approved 2024 budget for NECO, details of the various examinations conducted by NECO, the number of candidates registered, the amount paid and bank statements to date at the next session.

Earlier, the NECO Registrar had said for 2024, the sum of N100 million was appropriated for the payment of outstanding land compensation in respect of the ongoing project construction of the NECO zonal and state office at Dawaki, Kano State.

However, he said as of December 31, 2024, the Council had not received any allocation.

On personnel costs for 2024, he said N9.8 billion was approved for last year of which 97.5 per cent has been utilised.

But the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education Bodies, Oboku Oforji, said the legislature has a public obligation to implement the budget effectively.

He said they were not out to witch-hunt anyone.

“The legislative branch must play an active role in ensuring that these matters are addressed properly.

“The Committee urges all agencies to see us as partners in progress. The agencies should not see the committee as adversaries or conceal any activities. There I urge all to do the needful by implementing projects and programmes of government.

“The Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation should ensure that funds are released promptly to the agencies so they can do their responsibilities,” he said.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

17 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

17 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.