The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed it has tracked over 5,000 uncompleted projects since 2019 valued at N74 billion.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu made the disclosure at the weekend after the commission and BudgIT Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Aliyu said the ICPC and BudgIT Foundation have decided to sign the MoU to further enshrine integrity in the execution of publicly funded projects.

He added that the commission has directed the contractors involved to return to the site and ensure the completion of the uncompleted projects.

The MoU was signed at the commission’s headquarters on Friday when the BudgIT delegation, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo paid a courtesy visit to the ICPC.

The ICPC Chairman expressed his satisfaction with the terms of the agreement, adding that it is a testament to a shared vision between the commission and BudgIT Nigeria.

Aliyu explained that the two organisations have continued to ensure that the country’s scarce resources are deployed appropriately.

“The Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group (CEPTG) has tracked over 5,000 projects since 2019 and successfully directed contractors to return to uncompleted projects valued at N74 billion,” he noted.

He said that ICPC would continue to hold defaulters accountable, just as it had arraigned others in the past, maintaining that the commission and other relevant authorities would deal with any issues that Nigerians report regarding their constituency projects.

Aliyu said: “The MoU will stabilise our core working relationship with BudgIT to ensure that we help Nigerians.

“I call on Nigerians to follow the work of CEPTG and also get a copy of the Nigerian budget, track and monitor their constituency projects in order to hold the government accountable.”

Earlier, in a brief address, the Country Representative of BudgIT, Gabriel Okeowo stated that the MoU demonstrated the two bodies’ mutual commitment, as certain clauses within the agreement were already being implemented even before it was officially signed.

Okeowo acknowledged the Commission’s project tracking activities, ongoing simultaneously across the country, and shared that the MoU would add credence to the collaboration of both parties.

The collaboration is coordinated through BudgIT’s investigative arm, TRACKA, which will be useful in sharing relevant information, data, and intelligence concerning fraud in publicly funded project execution.

Ngozi Orabueze, a staunch loyalist of separatist leader Simon Ekpa, has declared that the sit-at-home observed on Mondays in the Southeast should continue, despite Ekpa’s recent arrest by Finnish authorities.

Orabueze, who identifies herself as the Chief of Staff in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), reaffirmed her support for the controversial protest action. Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of BRGIE, was arrested on charges related to terrorism and violence.

Ekpa has been a vocal advocate for enforcing the sit-at-home protest, purportedly in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. His social media platforms have frequently featured posts supporting the violent implementation of the action.

Reports indicate that the Nigerian government is seeking Ekpa’s extradition, despite his Finnish citizenship.

In a recent post on X, Orabueze expressed gratitude to the Finnish government for what she described as protecting “our Able Prime Minister, H.E. Simon Ekpa, from the terrorist Nigeria state headed by President Tinubu, Christopher Musa, and Godswill Akpabio.”

She further stated, “As Biafrans all over the world converge in Finland next week for the Biafra Independence Re-Declaration on December 2nd, we wish to inform Biafrans that the Monday Sit-at-home in all Biafraland, voluntarily agreed upon by all Biafrans, must be maintained.”

Orabueze also praised the Biafra Defence Forces for their efforts to “eliminate terrorists wearing Nigeria army and police uniforms in our land.”

She commended Biafrans for raising awareness globally about alleged atrocities committed by the Nigerian government, including what she described as “gross human rights violations, terrorism, forced disappearances of innocent citizens, and the killing of peaceful protesters in Nigeria and Biafraland.”

According to her, Finland had received evidence supporting these claims, which, she said, highlighted violations of international human rights laws by the Nigerian government.

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has constituted a 14-man state Assets Verification Committee to probe the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki.

A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua on Sunday in Benin, said the committee members would be inaugurated on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Itua listed the members to include: Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Chairman, Anslem Ojezua- Deputy Chairman, Frank Edebor, Secretary, while Prince Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale and Taiwo Akerele, are members.

Others members are, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Mrs. Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Mrs Lyndsey Tes-Sorae and Abass Braimoh.

The statement noted that the committee became imperative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership.

“Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the Assets and Liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government came up with very scanty and limited assets and liabilities of the state.

“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in government, and to deepen the governance process, committee made up of respected sons and daughters from Edo State has to be constituted,” the statement said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the seizure of 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as fuel worth N30.2 million.

Each of the kegs contains 25 litres while the Customs also seized two Mazda 626 vehicles used for transporting the item.

This was disclosed by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu during a press briefing at the Customs Training College, Ikeja on Friday.

The seizure is part of the anti-smuggling operation of the NCS aimed at curbing the smuggling of petroleum products, stabilising fuel prices and preventing artificial shortages within the country.

According to him, the seized items with a duty-paid value of N30.225m at the Nigerian National Petroleum Product Company Limited (NNPCL) retail price, marked the seventh operation by Operation Whirlwind in Zone A (southwest).

Ejibunu stated, “About five weeks ago, similar PMS products were displayed here at the college parade ground. Our operation has tightened the grip on smugglers, leaving no room for their illegal activities across the country.”

He highlighted the operation’s success in improving the availability of fuel at filling stations, adding that Customs will ensure all illegal PMS smuggling routes leading to neighbouring countries are permanently blocked.

He concluded by expressing gratitude to the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their continued support.

Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued in shocking fashion as Tottenham Hotspur delivered a resounding 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite Pep Guardiola recently renewing his contract, his team’s form remained in free fall, with this match marking their fifth consecutive league defeat.

The match began with early intent from City, but their talismanic striker Erling Haaland squandered two golden opportunities to open the scoring.

The visitors made no such mistakes. With their first meaningful attack, Spurs capitalized, as James Maddison coolly converted a well-timed cross from Dejan Kulusevski to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

City were stunned, and things went from bad to worse just moments later. Tottenham struck again with Maddison doubling his tally.

The midfielder expertly clipped the ball into the net after a precise through pass from Son Heung-min.

The Etihad was left in disbelief as City’s defense crumbled under Spurs’ rapid counterattacks.

Heading into the second half, Guardiola would have expected a response from his team. However, it was Tottenham who extended their advantage almost immediately. Pedro Porro unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box that rifled past Ederson, making it 3-0.

The home side looked shell-shocked, and their attempts to mount a comeback were met with resolute defending from Spurs and an inspired performance by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

City pressed forward with urgency but lacked precision and belief in the final third.

Their efforts were further thwarted by Vicario, who made several crucial saves to preserve his clean sheet. With City committing players forward in search of a consolation goal, Tottenham delivered the final blow on the counterattack. Substitute Timo Werner, who came on to exploit City’s high line, raced clear and unselfishly squared the ball to Brennan Johnson.

The young forward calmly slotted home the fourth goal to complete the rout.

This emphatic victory for Spurs underscored their sharpness and tactical discipline under Ange Postecoglou. Maddison’s creativity, Porro’s striking ability, and the collective resilience of the team shone brightly.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s City look increasingly vulnerable, their dominance shaken by a string of uncharacteristic performances.

Tottenham’s victory sends a clear signal to the league, propelling them further up the table, while City must urgently address their defensive frailties and regain their confidence if they are to salvage their season.

For Spurs fans, it was a night to remember, and for City supporters, a moment of deep concern.

Confirms host of Afrobasket men and women events …Madagascar’s Jean Michel appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa

By Maxwell Kumoye The governing body of the game of basketball on the continent, FIBA Africa has given the seven zones under it structure more responsibilities and power as it seeks to reposition the slamming and dunking game on the continent.

FIBA Africa Central Board at its meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire between the 17th and 19th of this month said each of the Zones should take more interest in the various National Federations under their watch.

The meeting which was the first to be attended by the new FIBA Africa Executive Member and President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, charged the Zone Presidents to carry our an audit of all the National Federations facilities under their watch to see which of the can host top class FIBA competitions.

This move is born out of the fact that among the 54 membes of FIBA Africa, some big National Federations like Nigeria cannot boast of world class facilities for major competition.

In the last five years, all major FIBA Africa competitions have been held in just eight National Federations countries like:✓ Angola✓ Cameroon ✓ Cote D’Ivoire ✓ Egypt✓ Mozambique ✓ Rwanda ✓ Senegal ✓ Tunisia It’s instructive to note that all the host for FIBA Africa major competitions until 2027 have been designated.

Your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, understands that FIBA Africa has also confirmed Abidjan the capital of Cote D’Ivoire will host the 2025 Afrobasket Women’s Championship while Luanda, Angola will host the men’s event the same year.

The Women Afrobasket takes place in July and D’Tigress of Nigeria are the defending champions and Afrobasket for men will follow in August.Meanwhile, Mr. Julien Farran has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of FIBA Africa. He is expected to take over from Mr. Yira Yacouba who is retiring.

In a related development, Mr. Jean Michel of Madagascar, a member of FIBA Central Board and President of FIBA Africa Development Commission has been appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa.

We gathered that BAL Elite 16 East Division will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th Nov to 3rd December, 2024.

If there is one issue that is giving FIBA Africa sleepless nights is the deadly, damaging and prevalent practice of using overaged players in aged grade competitions like the U-16 and U-18.

To this end, a TASK FORCE will be set up to curtail this ugle trend and the TASK FORCE will not only spell out the punishment for using overaged players in aged grade competitions but will also be presented with a sledge hammer to deal with offenders.

The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu said, “Training for Secretary Generals of National Federations was proposed and approved during the FIBA Africa Central Board Meeting and that National Federations should ensure more organization and participation in 3×3 activities.”