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EFCC presents N76.586 billion budget to House of Reps
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presented a budget of N76.586 billion (Seventy-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Six Million Naira) for 2024 to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crimes on Tuesday.
According to a release by Dele Oyewale, the commission’s Head of Media and publicity, the proposed budget reflects a 53.48% increase over the Commission’s 2023 appropriation of N49.901 billion (Forty-Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million Naira). In the budget estimate, a total of N37.074 billion (Thirty-Seven Billion, Seventy-Four Million Naira) was proposed as personnel cost, N14.513 billion (Fourteen Billion, Five Hundred and Thirteen Million Naira) as overhead cost, and N25.000 billion (Twenty-Five Billion Naira) as capital cost.
Presenting the budget to the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the 2024 proposed estimate of N76.486 billion represented a significant increase over 2023’s N49.901 billion budget, owing to additional funds needed for overhead, personnel, and capital costs.
“This increase is solely attributable to the rise in personnel cost from N36.834 billion to N37.074 billion in 2024, overhead cost from N10.535 billion to 14.513 billion in 2024, and capital cost from N2.531 billion to N25.000 billion in 2024,” he said.
Commenting on the 2023 budget performance, Olukoyede explained that the sum of N36.835 billion was appropriated as the Commission’s personnel cost for the year. “Out of this figure, the sum of N28.452 billion representing 77% has been released for the payment of salary and allowances of staff on the Commission’s payroll between January and November 2023. Additionally, the sum of N7.024 billion representing 67% of the N10.535 billion appropriated for the Commission’s overhead cost in 2023 has so far been released.”
The EFCC Chairman further stated that the Commission’s request for additional funds for overhead is due to the high cost of air travel tickets, motor vehicle fuel costs, diesel costs, and the high cost of maintenance of buildings, operational vehicles, and office equipment in the headquarters and fourteen Zonal Commands.
He appreciated the Committee’s support for the Commission in the discharge of its duties and the successes it is achieving in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
Responding, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Obinna, stated that financial crimes pose a significant threat to the stability and progress of any economy. “In recent years, our nation has witnessed a surge in sophisticated financial crimes that demand our immediate attention and robust defense mechanisms. From money laundering to cybercrimes, the challenges are multifaceted and ever-evolving. We must stay ahead of these threats, adapt our strategies, and equip ourselves adequately to counteract the forces that seek to undermine our economic well-being and that of our nation.”
He stated that the budget’s defense and discussions on issues related to it were a reflection of the Committee’s commitment to creating an environment where citizens can trust the financial institutions that drive the economy and empower the EFCC to carry out its vital duty. “It is a pledge to provide the necessary resources to empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to carry out its vital mission effectively,” he said.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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