News
RMAFC Applauds President Tinubu’s Directive on Reducing Cost of Governance
…. Urges States to Follow Suit
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Dr. Muhammad Shehu Bello, OFR has commended President Bola Tinubu for his directive to reduce the size of the official convoys of ministers and chief executives in his administration as a means of reducing the high cost of governance, while urging state governments to also follow suit.
RMAFC’s Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in a statement over the weekend, said the decision would go a long way in reducing the high cost of governance, which is partly responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high level unemployment, and rising insecurity in the country.
He added that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximizing the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.
He recalled that RMAFC had over the years not only advocated a reduction in the cost of governance as a way of preserving scarce resources for the sustainable development of the country but also proffered far-reaching suggestions and recommendations to government at all levels on the need to scale down on unnecessary expenditure and to monitor expenses on developmental projects that would impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.
According to Dr. Shehu, the high cost of governance in Nigeria was caused by the expensive nature of
large bureaucracy, the duplication of government ministries, departments and agencies, and endemic corruption.
The Chairman said: “Other factors were the high cost of public service delivery due to infrastructure failure, high security costs as a result of insurgencies, kidnappings, ethnoreligious agitations, armed robbery, multiple salaries and severance allowances, extravagant activities and expenditures, high domestic and foreign debts, as well as weak enforcement institutions.”
The Commission decries the high cost of governance in Nigeria over the years, which is alarming, unsustainable and has continued to generate public concern and discourse due to its negative implications on investment, industrial expansion, infrastructure development, and the growth of the real sectors of the economy.
“The realization that all three (3) arms of government are involved is even more disturbing.The Commission has at different fora made its position known on this matter through paper presentations. It is evident that Nigeria’s cost of governance is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has significantly hindered the government’s ability to fulfill its primary responsibilities such as infrastructural development, providing quality healthcare, improving educational standards, etc.”
In order to effectively reduce the overbearing high cost of governance in Nigeria, the Commission recommends the immediate implementation of the Orosanye report as earlier intended by the administration; a reduction in the number of political appointees as recommended in RMAFC’s remuneration package for Political & Public Office Holders; and ensuring prudent spending of government funds at all levels.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
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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