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Nigerians should be ready for more shocking corruption reports -Lai Mohammed

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Lai-Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said Nigerians should be prepared for more shocking revelations on corruption, which is yet to be released.
Mohammed raised the alarm that treasury looters had resorted to fighting back, using various means.
Speaking to chiefs of newspapers on Tuesday,he said

”When I met with the news and political editors in Lagos on Sunday, I said, among other things, that the government is aware that in fighting corruption, corruption will also fight back.

“I also said that those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms, and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption.”Well, I can tell you today that corruption is already fighting back, and it is fighting hard and dirty.

 When we make subsequent revelations, you will be more shocked than you are now.”

Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the social media while ‘Talking Heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this Administration. Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the Administration’s policies generally, tag the President a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget. We know that the sole purpose of these attacks is to distract attention from the war on corruption.

“It is saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of pro-corruption orchestra. They engage in sophistry to try to rally Nigerians against the anti-corruption battle.
“Also, one of those who benefited from the Dasukigate even had the temerity to deride the anti-corruption war as ‘selective’, when in saner climes he should have been so ashamed of himself that he would have apologised to the nation and hunkered down…for good. These sponsored attacks are not about to stop. In fact, they will become more intense and more coordinated in the days ahead. But the good news is that we are winning the war. Nigerians are now talking more about corruption. Nigerians are now counting the cost of corruption to their lives.

“We call on Nigerians not to be taken in by the antics of the sponsored denunciation of the anti-graft war. The treasury looters, who have so much resources in their kitty, and their cohorts will throw everything but the kitchen sink at this Administration, But we have no doubt that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth which, in the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, is that unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.
“This  Administration will neither be distracted nor intimidated by anyone into abandoning or weakening the fight against corruption, which is a war of survival for our nation. No amount of media or other attacks will stop the fight. The pseudo-analysts and hack writers will labour in vain in heir quest to stop the train of this anti-corruption fight.”

The minister said the information on corruption was meant to sensitise the nation on the evil of corruption.

“Let me restate, for emphasis, that when we give instances of mind-boggling acts of corruption, our intention is not to vilify anyone but to sensitise Nigerians as to how harmful corruption is to the country and the people. The truth is that what we have revealed so far is nothing but the tip of the iceberg. Nigerians should stay tuned for more shocking revelations in the days ahead.”
For those doubting the allegations, the minister said they should investigate the information he provided to know if it was true or not.

He added:

“Do you know that What has so far been revealed as per taking in the Dasukigate is about N54.8billion Whereas, in the entire 2015  all the zonal intervention act cost N52 billion. This is the cost of corruption for you.

When the money meant to construct roads is looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and the people suffer and even die in avoidable road accidents. When the money meant to provide electricity is looted, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When the money meant for healthcare is pocketed by a few, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These are the costs of corruption. Let us not just talk about corruption in the abstract, let us be counting its cost to our lives in order to drive home the point that corruption must be tackled decisively for Nigerians to feel the impact of governance.”

The government has been criticized for disobeying court orders or trampling on the rights of accused people. Mohammed disagreed.

He said: “What are we even talking about? Is the human right of the 55 persons more important than human rights of 170 Nigerians? But again, let me make it clear that we do not disobey court orders”.

When prodded to provide information on the 55 persons, he said the easiest way is to go to the court or the EFCC to find out who they are as they all have one pending case or the other in the court bordering on corruption.

 

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Benue Governor Alia Appoints 10 Aides, Assigns Youth, Revenue and Community Roles

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved the appointment of 10 new aides to serve in various capacities across his administration.

The appointments were announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula.

According to the statement, the new appointees are expected to bring their experience and expertise to their respective offices and contribute to the administration’s development agenda.

Those appointed include Kelvin Atsem as Principal Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation, Ulaha Paschal Aondolumun as Special Assistant on Community Relations, and Terhemen Ndiisaa as Principal Special Assistant on Politics.

Others are Galim Terhide, appointed Special Assistant on Revenue; Ankpo Tarvershima, Special Assistant on Sanitation; and Job Tseagh, Principal Special Assistant on Power.

Lubem Mbabov, Terwase Aondoakaa and Charles Tema were also appointed Principal Special Assistants on Community Engagement.

Governor Alia charged the appointees to familiarise themselves with his administration’s blueprint and ensure their activities align with its policies and guiding principles.

He urged them to demonstrate commitment, integrity and dedication in carrying out their responsibilities, stressing that the interests of Benue State must remain their priority.

The governor also expressed his expectation that the new officials would contribute meaningfully to service delivery and the implementation of government programmes.

The latest appointments come days after Alia approved 23 other appointments to fill vacant positions left by officials who resigned from his administration. He also constituted a five-member Benue State Primary Healthcare Board as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare administration.

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Makinde Loses Budget Commissioner, Two Other Appointees Ahead of 2027 Elections

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Three political appointees serving under Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have resigned from their positions, adding to a series of departures from the state government ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The officials are the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo; Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke; and a member of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Sunday Olugbenga Falana.

Their resignations were communicated on Monday, November 2, 2026, with all three officials indicating that their decisions would take immediate effect.

Ojo conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to Makinde through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde. He referred to his appointment letter dated June 22, 2026, but did not disclose the reason for leaving the position.

The former commissioner thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and the opportunity to serve Oyo State.

Similarly, Oyeleke, a former two-term member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and former local government chairman, tendered his resignation in a letter dated November 2.

Unlike Ojo, Oyeleke gave an explanation for his decision, stating that he was no longer comfortable with the working environment in the administration.

He said the circumstances had made it difficult for him to effectively pursue and fulfil the aspirations of his people while serving in the government.

Despite his decision, Oyeleke appreciated Makinde for his leadership, encouragement and support, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the administration’s policies and development programmes.

Falana, who hails from Ogbomoso, also resigned his appointment as a member of OYSIEC through a letter addressed to the governor via the Chief of Staff.

He did not state the reason for his departure but described his experience serving on the state’s electoral management body as worthwhile and expressed appreciation to the governor for the opportunity.

The latest resignations come weeks after the departure of Makinde’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, who stepped down in October after serving in the position for more than five years. The former Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, also resigned around the same period.

Other officials have reportedly left the administration in recent months, including political appointees and members of the governor’s advisory team.

The developments are taking place as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the three latest appointees did not collectively attribute their resignations to the forthcoming elections.

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NACC Introduces Nigerian Entrepreneurs to US EB-5 Investment Programme

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The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has introduced Nigerian entrepreneurs, business executives and investors to an investment programme that offers eligible foreign nationals a pathway to permanent residency in the United States.

The chamber organised an executive roundtable in Lagos on October 22, 2026, to explain the requirements and opportunities under the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme. The engagement was themed “Exploring the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme: A Strategic Pathway to U.S. Permanent Residency and Global Mobility.”

According to the chamber, the session was designed to help participants understand how qualifying investments can provide a route to US permanent residency, alongside opportunities for international business expansion.

The EB-5 programme allows eligible foreign investors to apply for permanent residency by making qualifying investments that meet requirements established by US immigration authorities. These include conditions relating to job creation and other applicable investment criteria.

The event was hosted by NACC National President, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, while Moussa Ndiaye, Vice President of Business Development and Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at U.S. Immigration Fund, spoke on the programme and how prospective applicants could navigate its requirements.

Grace Adeyemo, chairperson of the chamber’s Trade and Investment Committee, also participated in the discussion. The roundtable was sponsored by U.S. Immigration Fund and brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs and prospective investors interested in learning about investment-linked immigration options.

The NACC said the initiative formed part of its broader efforts to promote investment education, encourage international business engagement and strengthen economic relations between Nigeria and the United States.

The chamber added that it would continue to provide platforms for business networking, investment facilitation and bilateral trade cooperation.

However, participation in the programme does not guarantee permanent residency. Prospective applicants must meet the relevant investment, job-creation and immigration requirements set by US authorities.

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