*** Faults fake declaration after 16 years

***Says agency existence dates back to 2010

***, Stakeholders blame weak civil service, bureaucratic system

By Eze Nnadi

The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has faulted the declaration of the agency as fake by the federal government, saying the commission’s existence pre dates the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The embattled coordinator, who insisted that all documents that facilitated the creation of the agency were genuinely issued by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), noted that it has been in existence since 2010

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had last week declared the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office as a fake federal agency.

The ICPC declaration followed a wider investigation, following the controversy that trailed the operations of another alleged ‘fake” agency , the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council ( PFIPC).

The ICPC in its investigation, alleged that the office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential authorisation .

It also identified George Nwanieze as the promoter of the alleged fake agency.

Nwanieze has, however, denied the fake proclamation of the agency by the ICPC, insisting that it is legitimate , adding that the existence and office allocation at the premises of the DGF were done with full recognition by the federal government arm.

Nwanieze, who went further to post series of documents on his Instagram and Linkedin pages on Sunday, to justify the agency’s recognition by the federal government, says that the agency has been in existence since 2010,, adding that it pre dates the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Bola Tinubu, while displaying documents issued on July 19, 2010, purportedly by the OSGF to justify its links with the office.

He similarly displayed letters, referenced NIG@ 50/S. 7/C,3/45 and signed by one Dominic Y.E. for the SGF, which was addressed to “Buchi George,” then “Executive Director of The Hats Centre” in Owerri, Imo State.

The letter, titled, “RE: ENDORSEMENT OF OUR PROJECT, MADE IN NAIJA, TO BE HELD IN IRELAND,” the letter acknowledged receipt of a proposal dated July 16, 2010, seeking endorsement of a “Made in Naija” project to be held in Ireland as part of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary..

It read, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16 July 2010 on the above subject and inform you that you should forward your proposal to the Nigerian High Commission in Ireland for possible consideration.

“Please accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

He therefore queried what he described as the sudden declaration of the agency as fake, after its 16 years of existence.

He stated, “History and facts, from Made in naija since 15th June 2010 to made in nigeria project office that is since 16 years in same OSGF Office.

“How can you discover a 16 years programme in 2026, it means you have been blind, we are committed to the national development.”

Meanwhile, Nwabueze subsequently posted graphics bearing the office’s logo and promoting its activities.

One graphic carried the slogans, “Localise national products, industrialise Nigeria,” “Our products. Our pride. Our progress,” and calls to “Create,” “Boost local economy,” “Reduce import dependency,” and “Build a stronger Nigeria.”

The coordinator, who denied the allegation, insisted that the office was a project office under the OSGF and had existed for 16 years.

This is as stakeholders have blamed what they described as Nigeria’s weak civil service and bureaucratic structure for the alleged multiplicity of the operation of alleged fake federal government agencies in the country

A former Permanent Secretary of the Federation Civil Service Commission, Goke Adeboroye, ssid the development exposes significant weaknesses in the country’s bureaucratic system.

Adeboroye, who blamed a decayed bureaucratic system, said the incident raised serious questions about how an individual could allegedly gain entry into the government system, secure an appointment, access budgetary provisions and obtain office space without the relevant authorities detecting the irregularities.

“The exposure of that fake presidential agency is a major lapse to say that somebody can actually come into the system, get in on the budget, get offices, and all of that,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources.

He blamed key offices within the Presidency and government, as well as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service for the lapses, earning that the offices must be sufficiently capable of helping the President implement his policies while also providing the necessary checks to prevent fraudulent or unlawful directives from gaining effect.

“The bureaucracy in those offices are not strong enough to be able to help the President drive the vision at the speed and with the efficiency that he wants

“The political office holders are principals to the bureaucracy, and a lot of times, the bureaucracy takes directives from them,” he noted

By Nkem Okereh (With agency report)

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the recent killings and abductions in parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region as regrettable, warning that Nigeria must not be allowed to be a killing field.

Obi, who made the remarks through a post on his X handle on Sunday, called on governments at all levels to take urgent action to protect vulnerable communities.

The former Anambra state governor described the spate of attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states as a national security emergency, warning that Nigeria must not allow the worsening violence to become the norm.

He said the attacks in the three North-Central states were part of a wider pattern of insecurity across the country and should no longer be treated as isolated incidents.

This is as troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have reportedly foiled an attempted attack on Manja community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident happened on Saturday, after troops received reports of the movement of armed men suspected to be planning an attack on the community.

Obi wrote: “What is happening to our country? In recent days, deadly attacks have struck Benue, Plateau and Niger States, three contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

“In Mangu, Plateau State, at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack, while residents put the toll above 30. More than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.

“In Borgu, Niger State, recent attacks reportedly killed over 40 people and abducted more than 100, though the figures remain contested. This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.”

The NDC presidential candidate, who regretted that Nigerians were being attacked in their communities despite the country not being officially at war, urged the government to strengthen security measures, improve intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.

Nigeria is not officially at war, yet citizens are being attacked in their villages, abducted after prayers, driven from their homes and stripped of their farms

“I urge governments at all levels to wake up to their responsibility and take urgent and decisive action to end this madness once and for all,

“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible.

“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen.

“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less. Nigeria must not become a killing field,” Obi stated.

Meanwhile, according to the report, the troops quickly moved into the area and their intervention forced the suspected attackers to retreat into nearby bushes with their cattle.

Security forces also carried out offensive patrols and clearance operations across the area to prevent further attempts to enter the community.

Sources said troops were continuing operations around Manja and neighbouring communities to maintain pressure on the suspected attackers and ensure the safety of residents

***I’ll restore fuel subsidy, Atiku vows

***Says 2027 election will be his last attempt at presidency 

*** This is highest level of desperation, out of touch with Nigeria’s economic realities, says APC

*** FG explains gains of subsidy removal 

By Nkem Okereh 

As political campaigns commence ahead of the 2027 general elections, the federal government and former vice president and presidential candidate of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubarkar have faced serious disagreement over what the federal government has described as the gains it has recorded with the removal of petrol subsidy 

President Bola Tinubu had upon assumption of office in May 2023, announced the removal of petrol subsidy, which together is with other government’s economic reforms unarguably has left some untold hardship on the people 

While the federal government has defended it’s decision, as it rolled out the gains of the removal on Wednesday, the ADC presidential candidate has vowed to return petrol subsidy, if he is elected as Nigeria’s next president in 2027

Atiku, who made the declaration when he appeared on a Hausa-speaking interview on the PAP show on Wednesday, said his administration would ensure that anyone who had stolen funds meant for fuel subsidy returns the money if he assumes office.

This is even as the federal government, through  the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the removal of the petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the naira have generated N15.8 trillion in savings for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

The Federal Account Allocation Committee ;FAAC), had earlier attributed the sharp increase in the states and local government areas monthly allocations to money saved from the subsidy removal policy 

Atiku, at the interview, said despite the removal of fuel subsidy, the Tinubu administration had failed to improve the lives of Nigerians, adding that the APC administration has plunged the country into serious debts with the numerous loans it has obtained across the world 

Atiku acknowledged that he initially supported the removal but said developments since then had changed his position, and therefore pledged to reverse the policy if he defeats Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?

“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money. Now it has been removed. Where is the money? If the funds were used to improve healthcare, education, insecurity, security and youth empowerment, things would have been better.” he said

Atiku also questioned the N15 trillion the Tinubu administration said it had saved, arguing injustice and corruption among political leaders were the main reasons Nigerians are suffering.

The former Vice-President, who has made a record  five attempts at the presidency, since 2007, also declared that the 2027 presidential election will be his final attempt to become Nigeria’s President, ruling out any plan to seek the office again in 2031.

“No, I have said it before, right from this election, I will not contest again

“First of all, I appeal to those who have voter cards, for their own sake, their families, and their future, to go out and vote. That is the solution to the problems they are facing,” Atiku said.

Atiku also dismissed concerns about his age and capacity to handle the demands of the presidency, insisting that he remained physically fit to govern.

“No doctor has declared that I am unfit in terms of health. I know my body, I know I am healthy, and I do not have a single defect,” he said.

But the ruling APC has however carpeted and described Atiku’s pledge to return the petrol subsidy regime as “desperation of the highest order” saying the former vice president has backflipped from his 2023 policy support for fuel subsidy removal to a promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka stated in X, while responding to Atiku that, “This is desperation of the most pitiful kind … an admission he is clueless and out of touch with Nigeria’s economic realities and imperatives of reform … willful blindness to transformative progress recorded by the Tinubu-administration … grossly bereft of ideas of alternative economic policy prescription … a last-ditch grasping at straws of misplaced populism that sets up to what may well become the final defeat, in 2027, of the longest presidential ambition in Nigeria’s electoral history.”

The federal government highlighted the several benefits that have accrued to the nation through the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Giving the breakdown, Oyedele stayed that savings realised from two key policies – the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates – stood at N15.8 trillion.

He added that subsidy savings were largely responsible for stability in the fiscal space, with states now able to meet their obligations to staff and contractors unhindered, in contrast to the previous situation where several states relied on loans to meet basic salary and other commitments.

The  breakdown further indicated that states and councils received about N10.4 trillion, while the federal government got N5.4 trillion from the subsidy savings.