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FCT Seeks RMAFC’s Backing To Access Funding For Infrastructural Development

Published

1 year ago

May 9, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Wednesday 7th May 2025 received a delegation from the Federal Capital Territory who came to make a presentation to the Fiscal and Efficiency and Budget Committee as a prerequisite to access funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF).

The delegation which was led by the Acting Chairman of the FCT – IRS Mr. Michael Ango, who represented the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, CON was received by the Chairman of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State Ambassador Desmond Akawor on behalf of the Commission at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ambassador Akawor, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, praised the developmental strides of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, CON.He said, “The Commission welcomes the innovative approaches of the Honourable Minister to develop some of the natural resources of the FCT through Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Tourism sectors on order to accelerate the socio-economic development of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole”.

These are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of economic diversification drive under the President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Ambassador Akawor informed that the 1.68% Development of Natural Resources Fund is one if the items under Special Fund establishment by the Revenue Allocation (Federation Account, etc) Act CAP A15 LFN, 2004. He further said that the Fund receives direct Allocation from the Federation Account on monthly basis which is added to the share of the Federal Government to be kept in trust for the three tiers of Government.

Speaking further, the Committee Chairman revealed that the Fund was meant for economic diversification through agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism development. He explained that to access the fund, the Commission established a procedure where the requesting entity i.e., the three tiers of government are required to make a formal presentation to the Commission through the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee.

Ambassador Akawor added that the Committee would thereafter carry out a physical assessment visit to the requesting entity to certify the viability of the issues raised during the presentation.

This, according to him will be followed by a report with recommendations on what is appropriate to be given to the requesting entity and finally a letter containing the recommendations will be sent to the President and Commander in Chief for his approval.

Ambassador Akawor, therefore, assured the delegation that the Committee would ensure fairness and equity on making sound recommendations to the request by the FCT while being guided by the objectives for the establishment of the Fund.

In the presentation, the Acting Chairman of the FCT-IRS Mr. Michael Ango, who represented the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesome Wike CON, explained that the fund was being sought to enable the FCT execute projects such as:

Construction, rehabilitation, and desilting of dams across the FCT to enable year-round crop production, including Lower Usuma Dam, Pedan Dam, Jabi Lake Dam, and Kilankwa Dam; Installation of solar-powered irrigation systems to support dry season farming and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Establishment of six mechanization service centers and procurement of tractors, harvesters, and other equipment to support smallholder farmers so as to boost agricultural output; Provision of crop-specific harvesting and on-farm storage technologies to reduce post-harvest losses and extend market access;

Modernization of grains and cattle markets and improvement of animal breeding and veterinary services, and Development of the FCT’s tourism sector and exploration of its solid mineral potential.

During the interactive session, members of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committeeappreciated the giant strides of the Hon. Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike since his assumption of office.

On the request by the FCT to a access funds from the NRDF, the members engaged the FCT team with questions aimed at clarifying the objectives, implementation strategy, and expected outcomes of the proposed projects. In his response, Mr. Ango assured the Commission that the Funds would be judiciously utilized if the request to access it is granted.

The visit by the delegation from the FCT was coming as a follow up to the letter written by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesome Wike seeking to access funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund.

In his vote of thanks, the Federal Commissioner representing the FCT, Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, commended the FCT-IRS for its forward-looking vision in improving the internally generated revenue of the Federal Capital Territory.
He applauded the agency’s strategic approach to economic development and emphasized that such initiatives are key to sustaining national growth.

Ambassador Ngbako also reiterated the unwavering commitment of RMAFC to ensuring fiscal responsibility, accountability, and due diligence in evaluating the request for funding from the Development of Natural Resources Fund.

He solicited the support of his colleagues to make a sound recommendation to the FCT given the testimony of the achievements of the Hon. Min. of the FCT, H.E. Nyesom Wike.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

11 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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