News – Page 39 – Democracy Radio

NIRSAL MFB Denies ₦215bn Anchor Borrowers Disbursement Claim

By Oluwakemi Kindness NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) has denied recent reports alleging that it disbursed ₦215 billion under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), describing them as misleading and factually incorrect. According to the bank, the actual amount disbursed through its verified ABP loan interventions stands at ₦51 billion, a figure it has consistently presented in public disclosures. This clarification corrects what NMFB describes as a "significant discrepancy" in media reports that risk misleading stakeholders and the general public. “For the […]

June 20, 2025 1

Hamzat Lawal delivers CODE’s 2024 Annual Report in Abuja, highlighting civic engagement, transparency, and education reform.

Business

CODE Launches 2024 Report Highlighting Civic Impact Across Africa

By Julian Osamoto Connected Development (CODE), a leading civic organisation, has launched its 2024 Annual Report, spotlighting a year marked by grassroots advocacy, civic engagement, and democratic accountability across Africa. Speaking at the event in Abuja, the organisation’s Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, described 2024 as “The Year of the Active Citizen,” citing widespread community mobilisation, education interventions, and climate advocacy as central themes. “This report reflects our deepened commitment to empowering marginalised communities and advancing transparency across Africa,” Lawal said. […]

June 19, 2025

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Economy

FAAC Distributes N1.66tr Revenue

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared a total sum of N1.659 trillion to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils. The N1.659 trillion being revenue for May 2025 was shared at the June 2025 FAAC meeting held in Abuja. The sum comprised statutory revenue of N863.895 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N691.714 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N27.667 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N76.614 billion. A communiqué […]

June 19, 2025 2

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Uncategorized

Employees’ Compensation Scheme: NSITF Presents N18.6m Cheque to Family of Deceased Employee

By Chinedu Echianu Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, has appealed to all employers of labour to enroll their staff into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) and fulfill their obligations; so that more families can benefit from the Scheme's essential safety net. Faleye made the appeal on Wednesday when the Fund presented a cheque of N18,652,908.20, as death benefits to the family of an employee who died in the course of official duty. […]

June 18, 2025 2

PTAD officials finalizing pension disbursements to 148,625 retirees across Police, Civil Service, Parastatals, and Immigration departments.

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Economy

PTAD Pays ₦8.6bn Arrears to 148,000 DBS Pensioners

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has finalized the payment of another instalment of pension arrears arising from the ₦32,000 increment approved by President Bola Tinubu, in 2024. The latest instalment, which totals ₦8.6 billion, covers all 148,625 eligible Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) pensioners across the Police, Civil Service, Parastatals, as well as the Customs, Immigrations and Prisons Pensions Departments of the Directorate. According to a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, PTAD, Olugbenga Ajayi, this payment […]

June 18, 2025 2

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Economy

CPS Retirees to Benefit from ₦30bn Gratuity Plan

By Oluwakemi Kindness The National Pension Commission (PenCom), in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), is set to introduce a ₦30 billion annual gratuity scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)." Director General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja to discuss ongoing pension reforms and initiatives aimed at […]

June 17, 2025 9 3

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General

Oxfam Nigeria Calls for Stronger Government Action on Plastic Pollution

By Oluwakemi Kindness Oxfam Nigeria has called on the federal government to take decisive action in the fight against plastic pollution. Oxfam's Head of Climate Desk, Dr. Kenneth Alkpan, who made the call on Tuesday in Abuja said this should be by enforcing a ban on single-use plastics and holding producers accountable for the full lifecycle of plastic products. He emphasized the need for policies that support a circular economy, youth-led recycling enterprises, and small-scale industries that can turn plastic […]

June 17, 2025 2 2

Uncategorized

NCPC Debunks Reports of Stranded Nigerian Christian Pilgrims in Israel

By Chinedu Echianu The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has debunked circulating reports claiming that Nigerian pilgrims are currently in Israel for pilgrimage activities. Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, made the clarification Tuesday in a statement signed by the Commission's Head, Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka. The statement insisted that not a single Nigerian Christian pilgrim is in Israel, adding that the Commission's 2024 Main Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan concluded in March 2025. The clarification […]

June 17, 2025

Vice President Shettima speaking at the Nigeria PPP Summit 2025, promoting private sector collaboration in infrastructure development.

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Economy

FG Reaffirms Infrastructure Drive Through Private Sector Partnerships

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating infrastructure development through strategic collaboration with the private sector. Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known while declaring open the Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit 2025, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The two-day summit is themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of PPPs in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.” Shettima emphasized the importance of the National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan (2020–2043), which he described as Nigeria’s […]

June 17, 2025 2 2