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Issa-Onilu: FG Used N100bn Recovered Funds For Student Loan, Credit Schemes

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Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), says about N100 billion recovered from corruption cases has been reinvested by the federal government into the student loan and consumer credit schemes.

Issa-Onilu spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the October edition of the joint security press briefing — an inter-agency update on security, anti-corruption, and public communication.

He said the reinvestment reflects the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that funds recovered from corruption directly improve the lives of citizens through social and economic programmes.

“Every kobo recovered from corruption must work for the people — funding education, credit, and health reforms rather than lying idle,” Issa-Onilu said.

The NOA DG also gave updates on the performance of the country’s security and anti-corruption agencies in October, noting a marked improvement in inter-agency collaboration and measurable progress in transparency and accountability.

He said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) received 44 petitions in October, concluded 15 investigations, and secured two convictions, recovering N840 million and $919,000.

Under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, he said, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered an estimated N566.3 billion and $411.6 million between 2023 and 2025, with 1,502 properties forfeited to the federal government.

According to Issa-Onilu, part of these recoveries is now being channelled to fund reforms that directly impact ordinary Nigerians, particularly in education and access to credit.

The government acknowledges the sacrifices of our security forces and reaffirms that data-driven collaboration and citizen intelligence are central to sustaining national peace and safety,” he said.

He added that the government’s “whole-of-government” approach — integrating intelligence, enforcement, and civic participation — was helping to build trust and enhance transparency.

Issa-Onilu also noted that the proactive use of both human and digital intelligence strengthened security responses, leading to a reduction in fatalities from violent crimes across the country.

The NOA DG said October recorded a 12 percent drop in fatalities, from 210 in September to 185, while arrests of major suspects rose by 33 percent and rescues of abducted victims increased by 40 percent.

He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized over 70 containers of counterfeit goods, while the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled 14 drug syndicates, arrested 1,378 suspects, and secured 251 convictions.

According to him, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) rescued 76 victims of human trafficking and processed 15,000 visa applications under its new digital system, while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded an 11 percent reduction in fatal crashes.

Issa-Onilu said the NOA reached about 32 million citizens between August and October through television, radio, and digital platforms to promote civic awareness, public accountability, and national unity.

Accurate information saves lives; misinformation costs them,” he said, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing and to report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

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Nigerian Gov Announces Fresh Public Holiday for Workers Across State

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The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.

Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.

Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.

“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.

The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.

She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.

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BREAKING: Mixed Reactions as Tinubu Announces Fresh Appointment

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The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.

Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.

According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.

Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.

In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.

Below are some of their comments: 

Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country:  “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”

Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”

Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”

Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”

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Tinubu Makes Fresh Top Appointment

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Nigeria, Benin Sign Integration Pact

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kunle Elebute as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Mr. Kunle Elebute

Mr. Kunle Elebute

Elebute is a former Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria and previously served as Chairman of KPMG Africa.

During his illustrious career, he also served on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including its Global Board Audit Committee.

He is an accountant and economist with several decades of experience in auditing, financial advisory, corporate governance, and business consulting.

“Mr Elebute’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the FRCN advances key institutional priorities, including ongoing engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and broader efforts to align Nigeria’s corporate reporting framework with international best practices.

“The Federal Government is confident that his wealth of experience, leadership, and governance expertise will further strengthen the Council’s mandate and support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of building a more transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly economy,” the statement added.

The Financial Reporting Council is the agency responsible for setting and enforcing accounting, auditing, actuarial, valuation, and corporate governance standards in Nigeria.

 

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