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Corruption: Ali Ndume Urges Buhari To Sign ‘Unexplained Wealth Order’

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A Nigerian senator, Ali Ndume, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to urgently sign or issue an Unexplained Wealth Order to strengthen the fight against corruption.

Mr Ndume made the call on Saturday, in Ibadan while delivering the 2021 Distinguish Leadership Lecture Series, organized by the University of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture, with the topic: ‘The Unexplained Wealth and the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria’, was held at the Trenchard Hall of the university.

The Senator, who is the Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Army, also urged President Buhari to prevail on the National Assembly to pass the Proceeds of Crime Bill in time “regardless of bickering on the management of the proceeds recovered”.

He said there was a need to look at the incidence of corruption, “most especially, those occasioned by public officers who are in trust of public wealth.

“Our crusade against this monster (corruption) should start from politicians, top public servants, civil servants down to local governments’ staff.

“For the perpetrators, it is not difficult to identify the tendencies exhibited by these officers; acquiring landed property in and outside the country, having fat bank deposits, buying expensive cars, or marrying so many wives,” he said.

Mr Ndume said the fight against corruption was a fight for the nation and must start from the top to the bottom.

“It changes our good culture, it breeds injustice and impunity, every citizen has a role to play.”

Speaking further on how to address the menace, Mr Ndume said the government must go a step further to protect the whistleblowers.

He said that the whistleblower policy must be revisited; stressing motivation for whistleblowers shouldn’t just be the reward, but patriotism.

According to him, the whistleblowers must be active at all levels inclusive of local areas, adding that the blowers must not be scared but be protected by law at whatever cost.

He called on relevant anti-corruption agencies “to take whistleblowers seriously, carry out investigation on whistleblowing reports however casual it may be”.

The lawmaker, however, said that the whistleblower alleged to have lied should be taken to court.

He said that the Code of Conduct Bureau owed it a duty to request every public officer to make a declaration of asset periodically and should verify the claims periodically or when complaints are lodged.

The lawmaker also charged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other relevant agencies of government to embark on a vigorous sensitization against corruption.

Mr Ndume announced the donation of N1 million as a scholarship to assist some indigent students of the institution

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kayode Adebowale, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, said the institution was tackling corruption in an “organic way”.

According to him, “nearly every undergraduate student in the University takes a course in Ethics, either as a compulsory general studies course or as a regular department-based course”.

He said the institution believed that exposure to the courses would go a long way in imbibing in the students the anti-corruption disposition.

Three serving senators- Olubunmi Adetumnbi, representing Ekiti North; Fatai Buhari, representing Oyo North and Kola Balogun, representing Oyo South were among the dignitaries at the lecture.

(NAN)

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President Tinubu Orders Reintroduction Of History In Basic School Curriculum

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Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, says President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that “history” should and will be reintroduced as a subject in Nigeria’s basic schools.

“History,” reports indicate, was removed from Nigeria’s basic school curriculum in 2007, eliciting sharp criticism that spanned years.

In many cases from then on, historical topics were taught with little depth as part of “social studies.”

In 2018, the federal government ordered the nationwide re-introduction of “history” as an independent subject in the curriculum of primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

Adamu Adamu, the then minister of education, had stated that the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) would need to first carry out a disarticulation of “history” from the social studies curriculum.

He said a curriculum would be designed with topics to help students appreciate “history” as a national integration and nation-building tool.

The ex-minister said a total of 3,700 “history” teachers were shortlisted for the first round of training to enhance the teaching of “history.”

Education ministries at the state level, including those of Lagos and Taraba, have since been moving to implement the federal policy.

Tunji Alausa spoke on a Tuesday Channels TV show where he expressed concern that Nigeria’s youth are disconnected from its “history.”

“Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good. What has been missing in the past is Nigerian “history.” We now have people of 30 years disconnected from our “history.” It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” the minister said.

“President Bola Tinubu has mandated that we put that back in our curriculum and that is back. From 2025 our students in primary and secondary schools will have that as part of their studies.”

While validating the federal policy of re-introducing “history” as a basic school subject, the former minister Adamu Adamu argued that its absence had led to declining morals, erosion of civic values, and a disconnection of the citizenry from the country’s past.

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2025: President Tinubu’s Reforms Will Unlock Nigeria’s Potentials — First Lady To Nigerians

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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism about the nation’s future, describing 2025 as a year of “prosperity and abundance.”

In a New Year message to Nigerians posted on X on Wednesday, she called for unity and renewed efforts toward building a thriving nation.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collective investment in rebuilding societal bonds and fostering inclusivity across all regions and demographics.

She urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work toward mutual respect and understanding.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding.”

“It is a year to invest in one another; to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders; to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted the administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

She stated, “I assure you all that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is truly committed to and is already undertaking deepening reforms that will unlock our nation’s economic potentials.”

Senator Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stand together and support one another, pledging that the government remains steadfast in its vision for a prosperous nation.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will. Happy New Year, Nigeria,” she added.

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Federal Government To Establish Credit Guarantee Company, Targets 15% Inflation In 2025

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President Bola Tinubu says his administration will establish a National Credit Guarantee Company before the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during his New Year speech.

The president said his administration would consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting “food production” and promoting local manufacturing of essential “drugs” and other “medical supplies,” he said.

“We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

“The company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.”

Tinubu said the initiative would strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support underserved groups such as “women” and “youth.”

The president also said the company would drive growth, reindustrialisation, and better living standards for Nigerians.

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