News
IDP Agricultural Scheme Exposed as Multi-Billion Naira Scandal
In a shocking revelation, the much-publicized agricultural scheme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria has been marred by alledged gross mismanagement and a staggering waste of public funds.
With a budget of N1.07 billion, the scheme was supposed to provide agricultural inputs and tools for refugees, migrants, and returnees.
However, mounting evidence suggests that the project may have been deliberately designed to siphon funds, with little regard for its success or benefit to the IDP communities it was meant to serve.
The project, which was set to span 150 hectares, aimed to offer displaced persons a sustainable means of livelihood by engaging them in large-scale agriculture. Yet, more than N300 million of the allocated funds were set aside for clearing and preparing the land alone—a task that has barely seen any progress.
Despite the massive expenditure, only 65 hectares have been cleared, less than half of the originally planned area.
”In fact, the area is not a designated IDP center, and the so-called IDP participants are merely residents of the area. I think one should not expect an IDP members from Abuja or else where to come to Loko to partake in IDP agricultural scheme, since farm scheme like this is mostly designed and tied to where IDPs are resettled in order to provide alternative means of livelihood. The source revealed.
Sources familiar with the scheme have raised concerns about its viability, given the current agricultural plans. The project intends to sow soya beans, a crop that, with optimal farming techniques, yields an average of 1.2 metric tonnes per hectare. With the 65 hectares cleared, the anticipated total yield stands at just 78 metric tonnes.
At the current market price of N750,000 per tonne of soya beans, the potential revenue from the harvest would amount to a mere N58.5 million. This is a paltry return when compared to the staggering N1.07 billion that has already been poured into the project, raising alarms about the scheme’s overall financial logic—or lack thereof.
Critics have been quick to label the project a “rogue operation,” calling out the CEO at the helm of the scheme for what they describe as “wanton mismanagement.” With over a billion naira already spent, it appears that the entire intervention was ill-conceived from the outset.
There are growing suspicions that the agricultural scheme was designed not for the benefit of displaced persons but to facilitate the embezzlement of IDP funds under the guise of a development initiative.
The numbers just don’t add up. Spending over a billion naira to achieve a cash output of less than N60 million is not just bad business—it’s a scandal,” one insider shared, on condition of anonymity. “This is a blatant misuse of public resources, and the IDPs are the ones who will suffer the most.”
The scheme, which was initially presented as a beacon of hope for displaced persons eager to rebuild their lives, now stands as a grim testament to the mismanagement that has plagued many IDP interventions. Many are now calling for a full investigation into the project’s finances and the actions of its leadership, warning that if left unchecked, the scandal could erode public trust in future efforts to aid Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
In the coming days, pressure is expected to mount on the government and relevant authorities to take swift action, ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of IDP funds. For now, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: how could over a billion naira be spent on a project with so little to show for it?
News
President Tinubu May Change Cabinet This Week
There are strong indications that the long-awaited cabinet reshuffle may be announced this week.
It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, held a closed-door meeting with his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala-Usman.
The policy coordination office was saddled with the responsibility of coming up with the criteria to determine who to go and those to be retained.
Before his two-week vacation, Tinubu had announced a cabinet reshuffle in the offing last month.
He was expected to announce it in the Independence Day broadcast on October 1. A day after, the President embarked on a working leave abroad.
With his return at the weekend, indications emerged, yesterday, that some of the ministers were in a panic mode over the looming reshuffle.
Sources close to the Presidency had claimed that before the President travelled to the United Kingdom for the vacation, a list containing the performances of the ministers had been compiled by Bala-Usman. One of the sources said the task of compiling the performances of ministers rested on her and that she had diligently done her work.
Guardian
News
Court Orders AIG To Investigate Allegations of Infidelity Involving Suspended Jigawa Commissioner
Kano State Upper Shari’a Court has ordered AIG Zone One to investigate suspended Jigawa Commissioner, Auwalu Danladi Sankara, over allegations of enticing married woman, Tasleem Baba Nabegu
The Judge Ibrahim Sarki Yola gave the order following a Direct Complaint filed before his court by Husband to the 1st Defendant; Nasir Buba, praying the court to order police to conduct an investigation over the alleged relationship between his wife and Auwalu Sankara.
During the court session today, Tuesday, Counsel to the Complainant, Barrister Haruna Magashi, holding the brief of Barrister Sa’id Muhammad Tudun Wada told the court that they have overwhelming evidences to prove the allegation against the two Defendants, including vedio, pictures, phone conversation, transfer of fund between them among other evidences.
On his side, counsel to Tasleem Baba Nabegu, Barrister Rabi’u Shuaibu Abdullahi dismissed all the allegations against his client.
The counsel informed the court that the couple has been separated for over a year, citing allegations of repeated mistreatment and abuse during their time together.
The defendant claimed that his relationship with the complainant was strictly commercial, as she owned a restaurant and he was merely a customer purchasing food from her
Similarly in his submission, Counsel to Auwalu Danladi Sankara, Barrister Aliyu Usman Hajji alleged that the issue was politically concocted by complainant to tarnish the image of Sankara being a politician.
News
KEDCO Says National Grid Disturbances, Vandalism causes for Power Shortage
The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has attributed the ongoing power supply shortage in its franchise area to disturbances on the national grid and vandalism of critical transmission lines.
In a press conference held in Kano on [Date], Dr. Abubakar Jimeta, KEDCO’s Chief Commercial Officer, and Engineer Kassim Abdullahi Bukulor, Chief Technical Officer, explained that the unstable power supply was due to damage caused to two towers along the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2. These lines are the primary sources of bulk power transmission to the region.
According to reports from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), towers T133 and T136 were found badly damaged at several points, leading to the tripping of the lines. Efforts are underway to reclose the lines after repairs.
To address the situation, KEDCO is engaging with stakeholders, including TCN and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to expedite the repair of the vandalized transmission lines and restore power supply. The company acknowledged the efforts of TCN in emergency restoration of the lines.
KEDCO reiterated its commitment to providing reliable and adequate electricity supply to its customers. The company’s core investor, Future Energies Africa (FEA), is investing in renewable energy projects, network capacity improvements, and MiniGrid solutions to reduce dependence on the grid.
While apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the power shortage, KEDCO urged customers to report any suspicious activities on electrical infrastructure to the company’s hotline at 070055551111. The company has recorded success in apprehending and prosecuting vandals and will continue to collaborate with security agencies to combat this crime.
President Tinubu May Change Cabinet This Week
Court Orders AIG To Investigate Allegations of Infidelity Involving Suspended Jigawa Commissioner
KEDCO Says National Grid Disturbances, Vandalism causes for Power Shortage
Breaking:Court Sacks KANSIEC Chairman
Gagging The Press :Kano Govt. Expels Journalist Hit by Stray Bullet ,13 Others
Government Set To Declare Another Public Holiday
As Nigerians Buy Petrol At Over 1000 Naira,Libyans Buy At 52 Naira
APC Crisis : Chieftain gives Ganduje 7 days ultimatum to resign
Kano Denies Collecting ₦177 Billion Loan
Federal Government Increases Corp Members Allowance
President Tinubu May Change Cabinet This Week
Court Orders AIG To Investigate Allegations of Infidelity Involving Suspended Jigawa Commissioner
KEDCO Says National Grid Disturbances, Vandalism causes for Power Shortage
Breaking:Court Sacks KANSIEC Chairman
Gagging The Press :Kano Govt. Expels Journalist Hit by Stray Bullet ,13 Others
Government Set To Declare Another Public Holiday
As Nigerians Buy Petrol At Over 1000 Naira,Libyans Buy At 52 Naira
APC Crisis : Chieftain gives Ganduje 7 days ultimatum to resign
Kano Denies Collecting ₦177 Billion Loan
Federal Government Increases Corp Members Allowance
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