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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over two cheques totalling N11.9 million to a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Rivers State.

The amount was said to have been stolen by a deacon of the RCCG, Cyril Idakwoji.

The South-South Zonal Head of the EFCC, Ishaq Salihu, explained on Wednesday that Idakwoji, a former employee of Access Bank, was the account officer of the church for the bank.

Salihu said the suspect diverted the church funds to private use instead of transferring them to the church’s bank account.

Handing over the cheques to the Pastor-in-Charge of Province 4 of the RCCG, Mark Barango, Salihu said: “He (suspect) forged the letterheads of the church’s Region 5 and the signature of the Pastor-in-Charge of the region.

“He also forged the signature of the church’s accountant to execute his criminal schemes in the RCCG.”

The stolen funds were paid back by the bank, which had sacked the suspect.

Speaking after receiving the cheques from the anti-graft agency, Barango commended the EFCC for ensuring that the money was recovered.

Expressing surprise that Idakwoji, who was a deacon in the RCCG, could be involved in fraud, Barango said: “He (suspect) was the account officer assigned by the bank to us.

“He was also a member of the church.

“EFCC is an agent of transformation.

“I thank the EFCC for helping us to recover the money.”

Salihu also said the EFCC had earlier recovered N36 million belonging to Jephthah International School, which was also stolen by Idakwoji.

Idakwoji, according to the EFCC zonal head, was also the account officer to the school.

Salihu said the stolen money was paid back in bonds by the bank to the private school through the EFCC.

He noted that the bank had reported the employee to the EFCC immediately it discovered the fraud.

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ZITDA Deploys Internet Connectivity at Gusau International Airport Ahead of October 1 Commercial Operations

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The Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) has begun deploying reliable and uninterrupted internet connectivity at Gusau International Airport ahead of the commencement of commercial operations on October 1.

ZITDA team visited the airport to assess the facility ahead of the immediate deployment of the digital infrastructure.

The connectivity will cover critical areas of the airport, including the domestic and international departure and arrival terminals, protocol and VIP lounges, the control tower, the fire station and other operational facilities. Passengers will also have access to free internet from the moment they arrive at the airport.

Speaking on the initiative, ZITDA said its responsibility goes beyond providing internet access, describing the project as part of efforts to build the digital infrastructure required for modern government, seamless public services and a connected Zamfara.

The airport deployment is part of the broader digital infrastructure expansion programme of the Zamfara State Government, driven by Governor Dauda Lawal’s vision of a more digitally enabled, efficient and connected state.

The first phase of the expansion has already been completed and covers the Government House, the JB Yakubu Secretariat Complex, the State House of Assembly Complex, the State High Court Complex, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, the School of Nursing Sciences and the Zamfara Internal Revenue Service.

ZITDA said that as the state prepares to welcome commercial flights to Gusau International Airport, it is equally preparing the digital infrastructure required to support a modern airport.

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[Photo News] Governor Dauda Lawal Joins VP Shettima at UNGA, Positions Zamfara as Investment Destination

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Zamfara State Governor Dr Dauda Lawal was among the entourage of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, where he observed proceedings as world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, addressed the assembly on matters relating to world politics, investment opportunities, and economic development.

Governor Lawal, who is attending the global summit to engage world leaders on behalf of Zamfara State, remained visibly active at the Nigeria Corner and several side events, where he is projecting the state as a prime destination for investment in Nigeria, particularly within the agricultural and natural mineral value chain.

The Governor’s presence at UNGA signals Zamfara’s renewed push to attract foreign direct investment and reposition the state as an economically viable partner on the global stage, despite its recent security challenges.

More photos below:

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

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The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000, respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

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