Business

Combating Corruption Is a Collective Responsibility At All Levels of Governance- RMAFC Boss

Published

4 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Joel Ajayi
Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR has reiterated that combating corruption is not the mandate of a single institution; rather, it is a collective responsibility requiring vigilance, integrity, and transparency at all levels of governance

Dr. Shehu made this remarks during a one day sensitisation program, organised by the Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit of the Commission in conjunction with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Tuesday, 9th December, 2025, at the RMAFC headquarters in Abuja.

Represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Commission Nwaze Joseph Okechukwu, the Chairman emphasised that RMAFC occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s fiscal architecture.

He also said, “As the institution constitutionally empowered to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account, we understand the critical role of ethical conduct in safeguarding public resources.”

According to him, corruption in any form undermines development, distorts fiscal planing, erodes public trust, and ultimately denies citizens the social and economic benefits that government revenues are meant to provide.

Dr. Bello who expressed delight over the convergence of key stakeholders who share a common commitment to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity within the national governance landscape further said, “The programme offers an opportunity to strengthen the ethical awareness, understand emerging risks, and recommit ourselves to doing what is right, just, fair and equitable at all times.”

In his opening remarks, the Chairman Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), Mr. Idris Musa Sariki, who welcomed all stakeholders to the programme, expressed appreciation to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission(ICPC) for their continuous guidance and collaboration with ACTU in strengthening transparency and accountability in MDA’s.

He noted that the establishment of ACTU in RMAFC reflects the commitment of the Commission to uphold its core values of integrity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and patriotism. He added that the ACTU unit of the Commission plays a vital role in promoting ethical conduct, monitoring compliance, and building a work environment where corruption has no space to thrive.

Speaking further, the ACTU Chairman explained that the success of the anti-corruption efforts depends not only on policies and systems but on the daily actions and decisions of every staff and management of the commission. “Today’s programme is timely, essential and provides an opportunity for staff to better understand corruption risks, preventive strategies, and their individual responsibilities as public officers.” He said.

In his contribution, the Director Servicom in the Commission, Mr. Olaye Osayemen encouraged participants to take the one day sensitisation programme seriously in ensuring adherence to the civil service financial regulations.

Highlight of the programme was the presentation of papers by ICPC officials on the “Definition of corruption” by Ozor Ijeomah and “Ethical decision making in doing government business” by Dr Anike Adesina.

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Business

TAJBank, NAHCON Seal Partnership to Strengthen Hajj Savings Scheme

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s biggest non-interest bank by assets base and innovative products and services delivery has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) in furtherance of its ethical banking drive to support worthy causes in Nigeria’s sustainable development.

The Managing Director/CEO of TAJBank Limited, Mr. Hamid Joda, who spoke on the pact at the weekend during a virtual chat with journalists, maintained that the pact would further enable TAJBank to extend the frontiers of its socio-economic interventions to aspiring pilgrims nationwide, particularly at a time when airfares are surging and potential pilgrims are finding it challenging to cope with the rising costs of pilgrimage.

He enthused: “Let me say that the MoU with the NAHCON on the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) aligns with our mission to support the needy in Nigeria. So, with this deal, TAJBank will explore its strong digital platforms and physical networks in our branches to take the HSS to the grassroots and enable intending pilgrims to access funds at ease for their travels.

“We are going to avail the opportunity created by our partnership with the NAHCON to demonstrate to Muslims intending to go on Hajj to consider TAJBank as their preferred choice among other lenders as we shall be offering them a truly seamless, ethically grounded savings pathway, and technologically advanced savings solutions, built on the principles of Islamic finance to ensure that the pilgrims enjoy hitch-free Hajj and benefit from our relationship with them on a sustainable basis”, Joda assured.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, the NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman noted that the HSS had created a structured pathway for pilgrims in the country, recalling that in the past, many prospective pilgrims are eager to enroll but limited by inadequate awareness to funding.

According to him, with the collaboration with TAJBank and other non-interest banks on the HSS, the commission will rev up its sensitization efforts through the Ulama, traditional and digital media platforms, to enlighten the public on the long-term benefits of the scheme.

Usman commended TAJBank and the other banks for collaborating with the NAHCON in furtherance of its roles aimed at making Hajj easier for intending pilgrims, assuring that the commission will provide the required platform, guidelines, and regulatory support for the successful implementation of the HSS.

With the signing of the MoU, TAJBank and other non-interest lenders involved in the scheme have now been authorized to deploy their digital and other platforms for the enrollment of intending pilgrims and to invest pilgrims’ deposits in approved Halal ventures for their socioeconomic wellbeing.

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