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FCTA gets Shortfall in Allocation, as it disburses N2.6b to area councils, stakeholders

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FCTA gets Shortfall in Allocation, as it disburses N2.6b to area councils, stakeholders

By John Danjuma

 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has recorded a shortfall in allocation as it disbursed N2,648,651,923.16 to six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of August 2022.

FCTA gets Shortfall in Allocation, as it disburses N2.6b to area councils, stakeholders

Dr Ramatu Tijani Aliyu

Special Adviser on Media To FCT Minister of State Austine Elemue in a statement presented a breakdown analysis to indicate the shortfall to be N243,430,007.13 as against the N2,892,081,930.29 disbursed to area councils and other stakeholders in the month of July 2022.

FCT minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who presided over the 169th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), used the occasion to challenge the area council chairmen on the need to make judicious use of the allocation despite the shortfall.

Aliyu, also emphasised the need to improve sanitation and primary healthcare in the area councils, especially now that political campaigns are declared open.
The minister said; “I know the revenue allocation for this month is small, but you should make judicious use of what you have.

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“I say this because this is the era of political campaigns whereby opponents are out to seize every little opportunity to blackmail those in power. Therefore, I urge you to pay attention to sanitation and primary healthcare in the area councils”.

However, a breakdown of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicates that the sum of N370,280,634.39 was made available for distribution to the six area councils. In contrast, the sum of N2,278,371,288.77billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N2,648,651,923.16billion.

Similarly, disbursement to area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N77,916,414.47million, while Gwagwalada got N52,800,000.91million and Kuje received N91,066,291.32million.

Other area councils include Bwari Area Council which received N47,017,877.83million, Abaji got N59,050,970.93million while Kwali received N42,429,078.93million, bringing the total sum to N370,280,634.39million disbursed to the six area councils.

The disbursement to other critical stakeholders includes Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,917,556,374.33billion, 15 per cent of Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57million, One per cent of Training Fund gulped N26,486,519.24million, while 10 per cent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,278,371,288.77billion.

Those present at the 169th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting include the representative of FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, Director Human Resource Management Mallam Mohammed Bashir, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, FCT representative in Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mallam Abubakar Hussain, and Director Finance and Administration FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun.

Others include the chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi, Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Zaka, Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sabo, Vice Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, amongst others.

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FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Contempt: Four SANs to be Served by Courier

Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).

Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.

READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.

The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.

He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.

Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.

Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.

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Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

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To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.

This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.

Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”

Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”

READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women

Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”

The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.

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Katsina Students Get ₦689.79m Bursary as Gov Radda Doubles Allowances

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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the disbursement of ₦689.79 million in bursary payments to 19,318 continuing students across 97 institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The disbursement follows a 100 per cent increase in academic bursary rates, marking the first adjustment since 2007.

The latest payment forms part of the state government’s broader investment in education and student welfare, with cumulative bursary disbursements and related student awards under the administration reaching ₦3.29 billion.

SEE ALSO: Dikko Radda Of APC Wins Katsina Governorship Election

More than 174,000 beneficiary payments have been recorded across successive payment cycles.

Increased Allowances for Veterinary and Law Students

Under the revised scholarship support framework, allowances for Veterinary Medicine students have increased by 150 per cent for students in the 300 and 400 levels and by 200 per cent for those in the 500 and 600 levels.

Support for Nigerian Law School students and academic excellence awards has also continued.

The state government has also approved a scholarship programme for 1,700 students, with 50 beneficiaries drawn from each of the state’s 34 local government areas.

The programme is designed to support tuition fees, registration and other educational expenses.

₦6bn Scholarship Trust Fund

The government has made provision for ₦6 billion in seed funding for a scholarship trust fund intended to strengthen educational financing.

The fund is expected to support specialised scholarship opportunities in fields including engineering, medicine, Artificial Intelligence and mechatronics.

The state’s foreign scholarship initiatives have also supported 118 students studying Medicine, Artificial Intelligence and Bioengineering in Egypt, Ethiopia and China, with approved educational and living expenses covered by the government.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Other educational support initiatives include 34 maritime scholarship beneficiaries and seven students receiving 50 per cent financial support at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.

The state has also nominated 34 candidates for MBBS studies in Russia, identified 70 prospective master’s degree candidates and selected 10 candidates for Qur’anic Sciences scholarships in Ghana.

These initiatives form part of the state’s broader efforts to expand access to education across different fields and levels of study.

Scholarship Board Strengthens Accountability

The Katsina State Scholarship Board has also strengthened its application, verification and payment systems.

As part of its accountability measures, the board interviewed more than 14,925 fresh applicants and returned approximately ₦86 million in unclaimed funds to the state government.

The state also acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in expanding access to educational financing and digital learning resources.

Radda Inaugurates Tinubu/Dikko Education Beneficiary Network

As part of the activities, Radda inaugurated the Tinubu/Dikko Education Beneficiary Network (TDEBNET), a voluntary organisation comprising parents and beneficiaries of educational programmes.

Members of the organisation expressed support for the re-election bids of Radda and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

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