Author Archives: MOONLIGHT NEWS

…Blasts Ndume for Not Appreciating FG Efforts, Attacking the Minister

Arewa Forum for Good Governance has come out to defend the media statement credited to Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris over the insecurity situation in Borno State after the recent Boko Haram attack in Damboa.

According to the group, the information Minister couldn’t have been ignorant or naive to speak flippantly about the loss of lives of the citizens in Maiduguri with levity.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum had criticised the the Minister he described as “naive” about the country’s security realities following a deadly Boko Haram attack on the Damboa-Maiduguri Road that left eight people dead , seven others injured, and 14 with minor injuries.

In a reaction to the Governor Zulum ‘s statement, Arewa Forum for Good Governance in a statement signed by the Secretary, Comrade Yushau Mahmood disclosed ,”The Minister of Information was not only misquoted by the media, but also misconstrued by Governor Zulum,who faulted the minister’s remarks based on media report and not position of the government about the incident

The statement further reads :”Governor Zulum reacted to the media report which quoted the information Minister to have said “Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram is not taking over Borno.”

“And we have investigated and discovered that such a headline was not only sensational but deliberately crafted as a deliberate act of misinformation to distract the public from the serious work the Federal Government is doing to address security challenges.

“We have known Zulum to be one Governor that has always being passionate and committed about providing security and dividends of democracy for the good people of Borno,but we are worried about his recent reactions to the media headlines.

“There is no doubt that current wave of insecurity in the North needs serious attention, however ,there is a need for Borno Government and federal Government to work together to provide permanent solutions and not fault finding.

Most worrisome is the unnecessary statements of Senator Ali Ndume on the attack . We are surprised that Senator Ndume, a former Chairman ,House Committee on Army,who is expected to more knowledgeable about efforts put in to contain the security challenges in Borno and other past of the North in last twenty months could come out to criticise the Minister of Information , claiming he dismissed warnings from the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, about the resurgence of insurgency in the state.

For us ,as the voice of good governance in the North attributing a title such as ,” Minister of Misinformation” to a hardworking Minister like Mohammed Idris speaks volumes about him as a man with low character.

Angry at the recent relocation to Kaduna , Group under umbrella of Ungwar Sarki/Ungwar Rimi Youth Association have cried out over what they termed “Eight Years of Neglect” by Former Muhammadu Buhari’s to Kaduna.

The group comprising residents and organic supporters of within Buhari’s Kaduna residence said it is highly unfortunate that he never considered anyone of them for appointments or employment during his days as President.

In a statement signed by the leader of the group,Mal Musa Ibrahim Usman, Former President Buhari We are most saddened at manner he abandoned the Yahaya Road mosque he used to pray before becoming President.Not even a praying may was sent to support growth and development of the worship place

The group in the statement lamented, “We can’t believe that with all our support over the years ,there is none amongst the neighbors around Ungwar Rimi and Ungwar Sarki that can boast that Buhari either helped them via any appointment with federal government; empowerment programme or any business initiative .

“It is regrettably that Since Buhari won elections in 2015 and left for Abuja as President, he never looked back to same place that helped to be president until after he lost power and became jobless.

Since 2003 when joined politics and ran for President under ANPP Teeming youths followed and supported Buhari wholeheartedly without financial gains

“We were not only surprised,but dissapointed that When the former Governor of Kaduna,Mal .Nasir Elrufai demolished our shops and houses, Buhari never made any attempt to intervene or prevail over the governor.

“People were killed and injured because of Buhari ,but he got power on a platter of gold only to abandon those who supported him to be there.

“We are therefore telling him to go back to his Katsina hometown and forget about any support from us again.”

… Donates N1m Naira for procurement of Educational Activities

Former Lawmaker,who represented Kaduna Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has urged the group of fulanis that visited him for Sallah homage at his Kaduna residence to tell their people to stop banditry, kidnappings and herdsmen violence in the North and other parts of the country.

Shehu Sani,President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, (CRCN) and leading figure in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, overtly expressed dismay over the tarnished image of the Fulanis over issues of banditry and kidnappings .

“It is unfortunate that most of the Bandits and kidnappers in the North are basically fulanis and that’s the truth you know, but may not like.”he lamented.

Shehu Sani who stated this during the visit by Fulani Group, said its high time, something is done immediately to redeem image of the Fulani ethnic group now because,”The activities of Bandits have destroyed the lives and reputations of even the fulani people.

While urging the group to commence image minding activities to redeem the tarnished image of the ordinary and good fulanis across the country, he stressed,”You have a moral and patriotic duty to tell your people in your own language to stop the criminality of kidnappings and banditry.

“For centuries,Fulanis have been known to be peaceful and accommodating people…why should you allow your ethnic group become a brand for violence?

Speaking further the said He explained: “Today the fulanis that have become a complete nuisance as herdsmen, bandits and as terrorists,it couldn’t have happened .
“The people we failed to educate three to four decades ago ,have today constituted the major problem for the northwest, northern power of Nigeria and for most part of the country in terms of security matters.

“The North is a victim of its own leaders who failed to educate the nomads in our hinterland that today constitute a problem to the security and peace of the country”

“We failed to give them books and pens and now they are chasing us with Guns.

” The Babangida’s nomadic education program was a visionary idea nurtured by the then minister of education professor Jibril Aminu,a fulani man like you and the commission was deliberately starved of funds and left to die.

“Livestock is a multi billion Naira business.The nation must find a way to harness it. The recent establishment of the federal ministry of livestock is a step in the right direction.

“Most of the leading bandits in Niger state; Zamfara State , Kaduna State have never hidden their identity as fulanis.They killed imams; pastors, Muslims and Christians they even kill leaders of Miyetti Allah.

“Unfortunately,the attack that happened in School of Agric. mechanisation the families paid over 300 million naira;the attack that happened in Bethel Baptist School,the families paid over 250 million naira and the attack that happened in Green Field University,the families paid over 400 million naira as ransom

“Think of the ransom that was paid for Federal Government College ,Yawuri, Government Science College,Kagara, Girls Schools in Jangibe and kankara ,think of all those ransom.

“If you put it together in bulk, it’s in billions Fulanis have collecting billions as ransom but, you can’t see one Fulani man in the whole of this Kaduna with one million naira ,so what takes the money .

“If you are involved in extortion you ought to have been seen the fulanis with wealth,cars businesses and other assets,but none .Today the fulanis are poorer than before the era of banditry.

“Before Fulanis took to banditry you will see a fulani with over a thousand vows .Now however many fulanis have cows, few. So, it means that there is a possibility that the your people ,the fulanis are used as foot soldiers by some forces that are unknown.

“All the bandits when they are arrested you see wretched look ,they don’t even have clothes to wear food to eat .No homes .”
Earlier in his speech, the group leader of the Fulani group, Hassan Lamido thanked Shehu Sani for the warm reception accorded during the Sallah homage and solicited support of funds to procure educational materials for onward distribution to young fulani children in Giwa and Birnin -Gwari local government areas of Kaduna State.

Lamido,who disclosed why the group was established,said the campaign to Create awareness for the “Back to School” amongst the Fulanis was informed by the relative peace achieved and importance of education for development.

Shehu Sani however,donated one million Naira as support for immediate procurement of the educational materials requested.

… Promise to Support Uba Sani

Executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ungwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna, Nigeria, recently visited Senator Shehu Sani at his residence to express their grievances about being neglected by former Governor Nasir Elrufai.

The ward Exco members,who felt abandoned and ignored despite their loyalty and support to the party and Elrufai’s government denied rumours making the rounds that they will join Elrufai in Social Democratic Party (SDP)

In his speech during the visit,the former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Senator Shehu Sani narrated warned them against be deceived to dump APC for SDP.

According to him, how can Elrufai ,who didn’t help them during his 8 years in office as a Governor, do so now ,when his out of power and out of the ruling party.

While appealing to the Ward Exco members to remain in Party and work for Governor Uba Sani during the forthcoming 2027 general elections, he promise to help reach out to Uba Sani Governor to help execute meaningful projects at Ungwar Sarki Ward.

Though the members informed Shehu Sani about their resolve to dump the party over prolonged deprivation , after the meeting today they reversed decision to stay and support Governor Uba Sani.

A member of the Exco lamented , “We (Ungwar Sarki Ward) Exco were neglected for 8 years during the days of Elrufai as Governor. It was really that bad that ‘Not even a dime was given for all our support and loyalty to the party .’

The people of Kaduna saw how Elrufai neglected us and opted for the likes of Muyiwa Adekeye and other persons outside the State, despite all we did for APC .

This is part of reasons we come to visit and reassure you and the Governor about our resolve to remain in PC to ensure we work against Elrufai come 2027 .

(By Comrade Musa Garba Chikaji)

It is becoming increasingly clear that the so-called Kaduna Accountability Group is nothing but a front for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his cronies, whose main agenda is to discredit the administration of Governor Uba Sani with baseless propaganda. Their latest attack, published under the guise of a ‘sponsored exposé,’ is nothing but a desperate attempt to distort facts and mislead the public about the operations of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) and its Executive Chairman, Jerry Adams.

First, let’s set the record straight: Jerry Adams did not concoct figures or make grandiose claims about Kaduna’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He simply presented facts and figures to counter misleading allegations spearheaded by the El-Rufai-led smear campaign. Rather than engage in a factual discourse, this so-called accountability group resorted to blackmail, outright lies, and a deliberate misinterpretation of the Codification Laws governing KADIRS.

Misrepresentation of the Codification Laws

The group falsely claims that Jerry Adams lacks the qualifications to hold the position of Executive Chairman of KADIRS, deliberately misquoting Section 13B of the Kaduna State Codification Law. The law clearly states that a chairman must possess cognate experience in fields such as social sciences, management, accounting, taxation, etc. Adams not only meets this criterion but exceeds it. If the group truly doubts his professional qualifications, they should formally reach out to the relevant professional bodies for verification rather than peddling lies.

The IGR Debate: Facts vs Fiction

Jerry Adams served as the Executive Director of Corporate Services in KADIRS for three years, overseeing the revenue accounting unit of the agency. His knowledge of Kaduna’s IGR from 2015 to date is not speculative; it is backed by direct oversight and operational experience. The reality is that much of the IGR recorded during El-Rufai’s administration was due to one-off transactions such as back-duty audits and sales of government properties. These temporary revenue sources inflated figures and created a false impression of sustainable growth.

Furthermore, before the Consolidation and Codification Laws of 2016, revenue collection and accounting were scattered across various MDAs, meaning each agency recorded its own figures separately. The claim by this so-called group that Governor Sani inherited a revenue system with a huge lift is, therefore, nothing more than a fiction of their imagination.

The Lies About KADIRS Assets

Yes, the current corporate headquarters of KADIRS was acquired under El-Rufai’s administration, but that is just one of 33 offices operated by KADIRS across the state. The vehicles procured under El-Rufai’s tenure account for only 20% of the total fleet currently in use. These are verifiable facts, and anyone in doubt can physically visit these offices and confirm for themselves.

False Claims About Grants and IGR

The claim that KADIRS records federal grants as IGR is not only baseless but a reflection of the intellectual dishonesty of the group. If they had any evidence to substantiate this, they would have presented it. Instead, they rely on blanket statements and innuendos, hoping that mere repetition will make their falsehoods credible.

A Call for Focus and Continuity

The current IGR figures under Governor Uba Sani’s administration are organic, driven by ongoing reforms within KADIRS. Unlike the El-Rufai years, where one-off revenue sources created a misleading picture of sustainability, the current administration is working on lasting improvements.

I urge Governor Uba Sani, KADIRS, and Jerry Adams to remain focused and undistracted by the antics of these paid propagandists. The people of Kaduna deserve factual, issue-based discussions—not poorly scripted lies masquerading as accountability.

Transparency and Budget Monitoring Group (TBMG) has described as “Unfortunate” the failure on side of the former the former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, to remit 62 billion Naira funds generated during his era as the Custom Boss.

The Senate Public Account Committee has again initiated investigation into the alleged under-remittance of N62 billion by the Customs Service under Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , Hamid Ali successor.

The Committee which sat recently gave the current Customs boss a two-week ultimatum to provide a defense against the accusation of under-remittance insisted the Auditor General Report revealed 62 billion Naira unremitted funds .

In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna ,the former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali,had appeared before the then Senate Committee on Public Accounts after he was summoned several times by the panel.

The Statement signed the Secretary, Garba Mohamed Gusau claimed Ali,who appeared before the committee to respond to queries in an auditor-general’s report didn’t remit the funds before he left office .

According the report currently under review by the committee , concerns are raised over the disparity between the NCS’s reported total collection of N691 billion for the federation account and the actual remittance of N629 billion into the account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Statement further reads: “We are therefore urging the Senate to launch investigate the outstanding debts and financial discrepancies and ensure the need for transparency and accountability within the Nigerian Customs Service under the current administration.

“We also suggest that the former Custom Boss,Hamid Ali be investigated and prosecuted.”

The Kaduna Good Governance Forum (KGGF) is calling out former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his Commissioners for spreading falsehoods about Kaduna’s revenue generation.

El-Rufai claimed that the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) decreased from N7 billion to N2 billion monthly under Governor Uba Sani’s administration.

However, the KGGF in Statement signed by the Secretary, Comrade Tijanni Usman presented records showing that Kaduna State generated ₦62.41 billion in 2023, with the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) contributing 77.1% (₦48.13 billion). In 2024, the IGR increased by 12.5% to ₦70.22 billion, with KADIRS contributing 73.8% (₦51.87 billion) of the total revenue.

The forum attributed the improvement to Governor Uba Sani’s prioritization of robust revenue sector reforms, including the introduction of an electronic portal for revenue collection. This has helped surpass the best years under El-Rufai’s administration.

“The available records reveal that between January and February 2025 alone, ₦14.16 billion was collected proving that revenue mobilization under Uba Sani is not only stable, but growing.

“It’s worth noting that Governor Uba Sani’s administration has been recognized for its efforts in revenue generation.”it stated .

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kaduna State was ranked as the leading revenue-generating state in Northern Nigeria in 2023, with an impressive N62.48 billion in IGR .

We make bold to say the allegations of secret N100 million withdrawals from the IGR account is nothing short of another falsehood peddled by a drowning man.

El-Rufai and his cohorts in bid to pull down Governor Uba Sani have resorted deliberate attempt to sponsor falsehood and paint a gloomy picture about the good efforts of his predecessor, who is working tirelessly to reverse all his bad deeds while in office .

Highestone Global University, Texas, USA has postponed its forthcoming doctorate degree awards slated to hold on 29th March, 2025 at the University of Lagos.According to the convener of program and Advisory Board Chairman of Leadtimes Africa Magazine,Professor Buba Mshelia in a press release recently said, “The postponement is largely due to the ongoing Muslim Ramadan which has affected our participants.Also, most of our participants received their nomination letters late due to logistics challenges and it is important we integrate them.We however regret the inconveniences caused by this development,” the university don stated.
New date for the ceremony will announced soon by the institution.
Prominent among the awardees are Surv.Mrs Mapaderun Aminat Abiola,Managing Director of Racer Tracers Global Services who is primed to bag Doctor of Estate Management(honoris causa);Managing Director/CEO of Primero TSL,Lagos,Fola Tinubu will bag Doctor of Human Services and Public Leadership during the ceremony;as the speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Hon.Abdulmalik Sarki Daji and the Kogi State Auditor General for Local Government, Hon.Yakubu Adabenege will bag Doctor of Business and Corporate Governance and Doctor of Public Policy and Administration respectively.
At the end of this summit,few selected captains of industries and professionals will be conferred upon with honorary doctorate degrees awards of Highstone Global University,Texas,USA”.Professor Mshelia,further stressed, “the participants of this year’s edition will be a historic event as awardees were selected based on merit by the team of award Selection Committee under his guides.

They were drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.” Mshelia further opined, “apart from the honorary doctorate award conferment,this year’s edition of the program will also recognize few selected Nigerians for Leadtimes Africa Grand Leadership Prize for Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in Service, conferment of fellowship award as Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arts Professional(FCIAP), and conferment of the prestigious Leadtimes Africa Businessman of the Year respectively.”According to the university don,
“The theme of this year’s event is titled:Taming Poverty & Hunger through Good Governance in Leadership-Pathway to Curbing Security Challenges and Enhancing Sustainable Peace and Development in Africa,” Mshelia stated.
Prominent among the honorees include the co-Founder and Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Irvine Global Investment Group, Barr. Mrs Efehi Sylvia Nwangwa who will bag honorary doctorate degree in International Law and Diplomacy;Mr Emeka Michael Ayaunor, a UK- based Nigerian business magnet is expected to be decorated with honorary doctor in Business and Corporate Governance(honoris causa)by the Highestone University, Texas, USA later this month.
Interestingly, the Chairman/CEO of Gemnka Limited who also doubles as current chairman of Ship’s Bunkers’ Association of Nigeria Chief Dr.Kelechi Madugba will be conferred with honorary doctorate degree in Petroleum Economics of the institution as Arch. Dr Aisha V. Dawal will be honored with doctorate degree in Financial Engineering by the institution this month at the University of Lagos.
Others to be honored during the ceremony include the Managing Director/CEO of Accion Microfinance Bank,Mr.Taiwo Joda will be conferred with Doctor of Banking and Finance(honoris causa);two other reputable Nigerians including the Director of finance in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Mr. Ayodele Olatiregun and the Managing Partner of Blueshied Financial Services Ltd, Mrs Amaka Onwughalu will be decorated with doctor of Financial Management(honoris causa) respectively.Shehu Usman Osidi,MD/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN) will bag doctor of Banking and Finance(honoris causa);as Florentina Agu, founder and Creative Director of Hertunba is expected to bag doctor of Fashion and Designs(honoris causa).Also listed for the honor by institution includes the Managing/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Engr.Abba Aliyu is expected to bag honorary doctorate degree in Human Development and Strategic Management at the summit.Also, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, the chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria will be conferred upon with doctor of Human Development and Strategic Management (honoris causa).The CEO of FON APPLE Integrated Services Limited will be decorated with honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration at the ceremony at the University of Lagos.Added to the list of honorary doctorate degree awardees include a prominent Nigerian including the rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Navy Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effeduo(rtd)a who will bag honorary doctorate degree in Human Development and Strategic Management(honoris causa).
Other notable Nigerians listed for honor include the State Controller of CBN, Kaduna State, Mr. Ahmed M. Wali;Bauchi State Controller of CBN, Bauchi, Alhaji Halidu A. Idris;Controller of Jigawa State CBN, Dutse,Mr.Bazallahi Mohammed;and Kano State Divisional Head of Keystone Bank, Mr. David Obasa will all bag Doctor of Banking and Finance during the ceremony respectively.

Arewa Progressives Elders Forum(APEF) took a swipe at the Former Youths and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung for failing to settle the overpayment of 135 thousand Dollars made to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) during his days as Minister.

According to the Forum, the failure to pay the funds erroneously credited into account of Athletics Federation of Nigeria,no doubt dented the country’s image .

The IAAF in 2017 erroneously sent $150,000 to the AFN instead of the annual $15,000 it usually gives to its affiliates. And subsequently on May 13, 2018 wrote to AFN asking for a refund when it discovered that the whereabouts of the excess could not be traced.

However, the then Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung who acknowledged receipt of the funds failed to refund until he left office in 2019 .

In a press statement made available to journalists in Kaduna today, the Forum described Dalung as a “Political Misfit” who brought shame to his country.

The statement signed by the Chairman Mal. Mustapha Jalingo, said, ” It’s unfortunate that same Dalung that damage Nigeria’s reputation with such despicable financial scandal could come out to accuse Tinubu of making a historic mistake by worsening economic hardship in the North.”

While stating that the likes of Dalung should be languishing in prison for misappropriating public funds and act of corruption, the Elders Forum noted,”He who must come to equity must come with clean hands.We are pretty sure it was that act of National disgrace that informed President Muhammadu Buhari decision to drop him as a minister.”

The group however, commended his successor ,the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, who later approved the refund of the $135,000 IAAF Misappropriated Funds.

Meanwhile, the Forum which said it’s not to late to take legal action against Dalung ,urged the relevant anti graft agencies to immediately arrested and prosecuted him for bringing shame to the country .

A staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and prosecution witness (PW15) in the ongoing trial the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, Wednesday, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the apex bank managed what she described as project account on behalf of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

A deputy manager, domestic payment division at the bank, Okoroafor Chinyere, stated this while being led under cross-examination by the defendant’s  counsel, Femi Atte, SAN.

Under cross-examination, she confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote a letter to the bank, demanding for details on the Ministry of Power and it was given to them.

While speaking on the project account which documents were tendered and admitted as exhibit, Okoroafor confirmed that the bank manages the account on behalf of the Accountant General Office.

On whether she is familiar with the remittal payment process, she answered in the affirmative.

But when asked whether it was possible for the former minister or his office to make approval, she said: “I cannot say.”

“We don’t receive instructions to make payment on remittal, we only get a directive from OAGF,” Okoroafor said.

When asked whether he would be carrying out a re-examination, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN declined and the witness was subsequently discharged.