News
Agada Urges Enugu to Adopt Research-Based Approach to Partnerships
The need to leverage on the vast developmental resources available through numerous Aid and Donor establishments to use in achieving its newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has been touted as the focus of a recently held One Day Round table Donor conference organized by the Enugu state government in Enugu, south east Nigeria.
The event, which was as a result of the Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led state government’s quest to fast-track critical development activities in the state, was initiated to encourage a mutual relationship between the government of the State and the various global and local Aid and Donor agencies and organizations.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, explained that the conference was informed by the need to strengthen existing bonds between the state and its local and international development partners, and explore areas of further collaboration.
He noted that despite revenue shortfall caused by decline in oil price, his administration had nonetheless introduced development initiatives such as free maternal and child health care programmes, as well as free medical and pyscho-social services to victims of sexual assaults in the state.
According to him, “as part of the state’s development agenda and its efforts to grow the economy of the state, the government organized an investment Summit in April this year, which is already yielding some fruits as some local and foreign investors have indicated their interest to bring their businesses to the state.”
But in his contribution at the same event, Mr. Ejiofor Agada, public image and research strategist and managing partner/CEO of Private Media Mart Limited, however advised the State government to go beyond merely hosting the conference (though commendable) to presenting quality and reliable information that is needed to encourage the desired partnerships.
Citing the fact that all serious minded International donor and Aid agencies rely solely on verifiable information and data gathered using modern research tools and strategies to justify interventions, Agada opined that until the State government and its Agencies prioritize research as a key development approach, they might as well be hosting jamborees.
“When you hear all the global agencies represented at this event lamenting that the dearth of statistics and data in Enugu state is the singular reason why they find it difficult to intervene in the development plans of the State government, they are only telling you to do more in terms of quality research to back up your claims and expectations” he said.
His position was obviously as a fallout of the fact that Enugu State, just like most states in Nigeria, continuously find it difficult to attract the interest of both the major international Aid and Donor agencies as well as private sector investors.
According to him, “Research is what is needed to provide a holistic view, measure attitude, disposition, identify existing gaps and interventions that helps to impact on the lives of the citizens of Enugu State and any other State. “This information properly gathered and communicated, are the only ways to attract the needed investment and partnership for sustainable development and growth in the state” he said.
He added that such critical data can also be applied to improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), needs, impact assessment and sustainability plans of the government.
Decrying a situation where Commissioners of the State at the event were unable to show concrete data as benchmark for their expectations for Aid and Donor Agency interventions in the state, Agada pointedly called on the Governor to mandate every MDA in the state to make it a point of critical importance, to use research to obtain the needed data that’ll showcase the extent of intervention needed as well as measurement index.
Enugu State is currently ranked among the states in Nigeria with the highest potentials for investments, with a landmass that is 98% fertile, huge educated workforce with an international airport to booth.
But sadly, it has never had any meaningful strategies for economic initiatives from successive governments in the State.
Federal government may lose $4 million from a World Bank loan after failing to get a pass mark on key audit standards in its revenue-generating agencies, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service.
This is according to a World Bank restructuring paper dated June 2025.
The amount, which is the equivalent of around N6.2 billion with an exchange rate of N1,568 per dollar, could have helped to address one of Nigeria’s infrastructural deficits.
The fund formed part of the $103 million Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a public financial management initiative financed through a credit facility from the International Development Association.
Accordingly, the revenue assurance audit covering the FIRS and Customs for the 2018 to 2021 financial years was assessed as not achieved because the reports submitted did not meet international auditing standards.
“Revenue assurance audit of Main Income Generating Agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service for FY 2018–2021, with an allocation of $4m.
“These Intermediate Results to be implemented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation were assessed as not achieved by the Independent Verification Agent because the reports submitted for verification did not meet the requisite international auditing standards.”
Also, the unsuccessful audit was one of ten performance-based conditions under the project that the government could not deliver before the closing date of June 30, 2025. Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Finance formally requested the cancellation of $10.4 million in project funds.
“The FMF has requested cancellation of $0.9m of unused funds for technical assistance and $9.5m, which is the amount allocated to 10 performance-based conditions, which will not be achieved by the close of the project on June 30, 2025,” the document read.
Further analysis shows that $4.5 million was tied to the uncompleted Revenue Assurance and Billing System, while $1 million was allocated to the development of a National Budget Portal.
According to the document, the Budget Office of the Federation, which was responsible for the portal, did not submit any evidence of achievement. In addition, $0.9 million in technical assistance funding was left uncommitted and has also been cancelled.
Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has warned job seekers to be wary of fraudsters circulating inappropriate recruitment information.
The warning came against the backdrop of social media publications that President Bola Tinubu has ordered massive recruitments into some government agencies.
The agencies listed in the report were the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Federal Fire Service (FFS)..
The agencies are all under the Ministry of Interior, headed by Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
However, while responding to the reports, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) cautioned Nigerians against falling into the traps of job racketeers.
The Board acknowledged a Presidential approval for the recruitment of personnel in the four (4) Paramilitary Services under its purview, but insisted that due process would be followed on the matter.
Major Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (rtd), board secretary, said in a statement that “there are series of processes which leads to the actual recruitment exercise.”
“The Board wishes to reiterate that for all its recruitment processes, appropriate notifications would be done via adverts in the national dailies and it would be carried out in a fair and transparent process devoid of payment of any fee.
“To this effect, members of the public should be weary of the activities of recruitment racketeers who may want to take advantage of unsuspecting job seekers to rob them of their hard-earned resources”, Gen Jibrin said.
Adefowora Abiodun, one of the alleged promoters of the CBEX investment scheme, who voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April following a ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, is still languishing in the custody of the anti-corruption agency.
Adefowora Abiodun, one of the alleged promoters of the CBEX investment scheme,
Concerned Nigerians who have been following the matter have urged the EFCC to release him unconditionally since he honoured their invitation without being arrested.
The court had approved the EFCC’s request to arrest and detain six individuals connected to the scheme, including Abiodun.
Alongside Abiodun, five other individuals—Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim—were declared wanted by the EFCC for their involvement in the alleged fraudulent investment scheme, which was valued at over $1 billion.
Fadila Yusuf, EFCC’s legal counsel, had submitted evidence that led to their public declaration as wanted individuals.
After the announcement, Abiodun, who was shocked by the declaration, alongside his legal team, presented himself to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, expressing his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Babatunde Busari, his legal counsel, explained that Abiodun’s decision to submit voluntarily was made in order to clear his name and address the media narratives circulating about the case.
Despite the return of investor funds and CBEX’s assurance that withdrawals would be allowed by June 25, Abiodun has been in detention for over a month, triggering speculation about the EFCC’s high-handedness and rights abuse.
His legal team is now advocating for his release on administrative bail, emphasizing that the ongoing detention is unwarranted under the circumstances since he submitted himself for investigation.
According to one of the family sources, “Keeping him in a cell for over one month would send a negative signal to other Nigerians who would be declared wanted by the EFCC in the future. It would discourage Nigerians who have clear cases from surrendering themselves voluntarily to security agencies if, at the end of the day, they don’t receive mutual respect for surrendering themselves.”
He added that CBEX is not a Ponzi scheme.
Reacting to the agitation by concerned Nigerians, Dele Oyewole , EFCC spokesman hinted that the agency obtained a remand order to keep him beyond 48 hours.
According to him, “Anybody that we are holding beyond 48 hours, be rest assured that we have a lawful remand order from the magistrate court to hold him beyond 48 hours.
“We are a law-abiding commission. Concerning that suspect, we are holding him on the basis of that remand order.”
FG May Forfeits $4m from World Bank Loan over Audit Flop
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Concerned Nigerians Ask EFCC to Release Abiodun, CBEX Promoter
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