Connect with us

Breaking News

BREAKING NEWS: How Nigerian Government Secretary Akume Spent Millions Of Naira On ‘Branded Birthday Towels’ In 2023

Published

on

The payment was made on December 21, 2023.

A SaharaReporters’ review of the public payments portal, Govspend, has revealed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, spent N9.6million on branded towels for his birthday.

Quickly! Watch The Video Before It’s Deleted!

|Download Hot 3:00 Minutes $3x V!de0s Here

| Watch 2:00 H0t $3x V!d0es Now!

The payment was made on December 21, 2023.
for

According to the description, the money was paid to Okwoli Aromeh “to the officer, to enable him produce souvenirs (branded towel gift items) in respect of SGF’s landmark birthday celebration in his home town.”

Okwoli, who received the money, is listed as the Chief Administrative Officer in the office of the SGF.

It would be recalled that Akume celebrated his 70th birthday on December 26, 2023.

He wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on December 27, 2023:

“Today marked a momentous occasion as I celebrated my Platinum Jubilee by hosting a heartwarming 70th birthday celebration and interdenominational service at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in my ancestral home of Wanune, Tarka LGA of Benue State.”

George Akume was appointed SGF in June,2023.

In May, a civil society group, Voice of the Voiceless Nigerian, called for the immediate suspension of Akume over allegations of involvement in an N80 billion fraud.

In a statement released in Abuja and signed by the group’s National Secretary, Oba Adewole Oluwatosin, the organization expressed deep concern over the silence of authorities despite ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group noted that Mr. Torhile Uchi, an aide to Akume, had already been arrested and interrogated, yet no action had been taken against the SGF himself.

“It is unacceptable that verifiable allegations of corruption are being swept under the carpet under an administration that campaigned on anti-corruption,” the statement read.

The group insisted that Akume’s suspension is necessary to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation into the scandal. It cited the EFCC’s reported uncovering of substantial evidence linked to the alleged N80 billion money laundering case.

Drawing comparisons with former SGF Babachir Lawal, who was removed from office over less severe allegations, the group questioned the perceived double standard and called for equal treatment under the law.

Quickly! Watch The Video Before It’s Deleted!

|Download Hot 3:00 Minutes $3x V!de0s Here

| Watch 2:00 H0t $3x V!d0es Now!

Voice of the Voiceless Nigerian issued a seven-day ultimatum to both the EFCC and President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action. It warned that failure to suspend Akume and make public updates on the investigation would lead to nationwide protests.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

National Pension Commission (PenCom) changes price disclosure rule

Published

on

National Pension Commission (PenCom) has directed Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to discontinue the publication of daily unit prices for Retirement Savings Account (RSA) and Retiree Funds on their websites, replacing the requirement with a six-month disclosure of returns based on a three-year rolling average.

The directive was contained in a circular issued by the commission.

Under the new guideline, PFAs must stop implementing Section 2.0 (iv) of the Commission’s March 23, 2013 circular, which required them to display daily unit prices for the last seven days.

Instead, they are to publish on their websites the last six months’ rate of return — calculated as a 36-month compounded rolling average in line with the Circular for the Calculation and Reporting of Rate of Returns by Licensed Pension Fund Operators (LPFOs).

According to the commission, the rate of return must be clearly displayed on the homepage of each PFA’s website.

For instance, the six-month disclosure covering April to September 2025 would reflect the 36-month compounded returns ending in each of those months.

This has however raised transparency concerns in the pension industry.

The 2013 circular on Minimum Information to be displayed on PFA Websites formed part of PenCom’s transparency framework for the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The latest addendum modifies that requirement but does not remove PFAs’ obligation to disclose performance information.

Industry watchers say the development may reignite debate over the balance between long-term investment reporting and real-time transparency in Nigeria’s pension industry.

All enquiries on the addendum, the Commission said, should be directed to its Surveillance Department.

An industry analyst who does not want her name mentioned said the move could reduce contributors’ access to real-time performance data.

She said: “Daily unit prices allowed RSA holders to independently track short-term movements and detect fluctuations in fund valuation.

“With only a three-year rolling average now required, contributors will no longer see recent performance in isolation”, she noted.

The analyst added that while pension funds are long-term vehicles, removing daily disclosure raises concerns about information asymmetry.

“PFAs will still compute daily valuations internally. The issue is whether contributors should be denied access to data that already exists,” the analyst said.

However, another pension expert defended the directive, noting that pensions are structured for long-term accumulation and should be assessed over extended periods.

“A 36-month rolling average smooth’s out short-term volatility and provides a more accurate reflection of sustained performance,” the expert said, warning that excessive focus on daily fluctuations could encourage reactionary fund switching.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

Dollar rises in black market on Monday, traders quote new exchange rate

Published

on

Dollar edges higher against the naira in black market trading Dollar edges higher against the naira in black market trading

The United States dollar at the parallel market increased in value on Monday, Febuary 23 with traders quote at N1,375/$ as the new selling exchange rate.

The new rate is a slight depreciation for the naira when compared to N1,343 a dollar market closed on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Abdulahhi, a forex dealer, told Legit.ng that the new exchange rate follows renew demand in the market.

“I am currently selling dollars at N1,375/$1 and buying at N1,355/$1. The pound is trading at N1,845 to sell and N1,805 to buy, while the euro is also moving steadily in the market.

“It seems this week the dollar will return to over N1,400. I have been getting a lot of request.”

The fall of the naira comes as BDC operators continue to face difficulties in accessing dollars from commercial banks.

BDCs can get dollar

The apex bank had previously issued a circular allowing licensed BDCs to access foreign exchange through authorised dealers at the prevailing market rate.

Under the directive, each BDC is permitted to purchase up to $150,000 weekly, subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements and due diligence checks, Punch reports.

Leadership reported that despite a policy announcement, some operators disclosed that no transactions have been completed under the new arrangement.

A BDC operator, who requested anonymity, said the directive remains largely unimplemented. According to him, the circular provides that disbursements will be made through settlement accounts, a provision that has raised operational concerns.

He questioned the feasibility of seamless, real-time transfers between domiciliary accounts across different banks, noting that such infrastructure may not yet be fully in place.

The operator added that while commercial banks appear supportive of the policy, many are still developing internal processes to align with the CBN’s directive.

He explained that BDCs are required to submit bid orders through their banks, which would then access the market on their behalf.

Naira in the official market

Meanwhile, in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the naira closed against the US dollar on Friday, February 20 at N1,346.32/$1 from N1,341.35/$1 a day earlier.

At the GTBank FX desk, the naira weakened by N7 against the dollar to quote N1,356/$1.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 Naijacoaded | All Right Reserved | Powered by Naijacoaded.com |