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

Published

7 months 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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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

2 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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