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Coalition Lauds Tinubu For Suspending NSIPA National Coordinator

Published

3 years ago

January 2, 2024

Tobi Amusan

The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (NCCSO) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the immediate suspension and investigation of the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, over alleged financial impropriety.

The commendation came shortly after President Tinubu relieved Halima Shehu her position as NSIPA CEO on January 2, 2024, during a press conference addressed by the leader of NCCSO, Abimbola Ademola in Abuja.

Prior to this development, Halima Shehu was said to have made unapproved withdrawal of over N44 billion in collaboration with Director of Finance, Hamza Buwai.

An inside source at NSIPA had revealed to newsmen at the eve of 2024 that over N44 billion withdrawn from NSIPA coffers in the last 5 days by the National Coordinator and Director of Finance was without the approval of the President or the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The source further stated that “the Director of Finance whose last day in office was 29th December 2023 is still presently moving government funds from the NSIPA account. Information reaching us from an insider in the accounts department stated that the accountant is notorious for such and is even presently indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for Monies embezzled in the last administration.

Addressing newsmen over President Tinubu’s suspension of Halima Shehu, the Coalition saluted the president for demonstrating zero tolerance to corruption or fraud in governance, stressing that his swift action will serve as a deterrent to other appointees that it is no more business as usual.

“Before now, we know President Tinubu does not tolerate corruption, we know he will not allow any appointee to set his renewed hope agenda back, so we are pleased that he not only suspended the National Coordinator of NSIPA but ordered investigation, people need to start paying for their deeds.

“This kind of approach is what we need and it is a clear sign that Mr President has zero tolerance for corruption, it is also a sign that it is not going to be business as usual, all ministers and appointees should take note,” Ademola stressed.

It will be recalled that, Halima Shehu oversaw the questionable disbursement of $322.5 million returned Abacha loot during her time as Coordinator of National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), an exercise that was largely described by many Nigerians as “opaque”.

The Senate, had on 18th October 2023, confirmed the appointment of Halima Shehu as the new National Coordinator of NSIPA.

The suspended NSIPA boss was the National Coordinator of Conditional Cash Transfer during the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and a close ally of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, who is facing a probe over N37 billion allegedly laundered under her watch through a contractor, James Okwete.

Meanwhile, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in a short statement posted on her known X handle had dissociated herself from the contractor recently arrested over allegations of fraud and money laundering from the humanitarian ministry under Mrs Umar-Farouk’s watch.

She said in her tweet that the contractor, “James Okwete, was unknown to her and that his alleged association with her was spurious.”

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

Published

21 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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