The Federal Government has designed a formula for rewarding any Nigerian that exposes corruption in any form, known as whistleblower.

According to the minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, who dropped this hint on Wednesday shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Aso Presidential Villa, said that the policy is aimed at protecting whistleblowers, adding that five percent of the recovered loot from corrupt public servants would be offered to such Nigerians.

The minister said that the Policy will provide whistleblowing mechanisms and a reward mechanism. She added that it is not only targeted at public servants but also private sector workers.

The Policy is also targeted at strengthening the government’s anti-corruption fight.

The whistleblowing policy is also designed to check fraud in both public and private sectors.

Adeosun said that the policy is to encourage anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacts negatively on Nigerians and government to report it.

She said that the policy is aimed at:

1. increasing exposure of financial or financial related crimes;
2. supporting the fight against financial crimes and corruption;

iii. improving level of public confidence in public entities;

1. enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of public funds;
2. improving Nigeria’s Open Government Ranking and Ease of Doing Business Indicators; and,
3. recovering public funds that can be deployed to finance Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.

According to her, information that can be submitted include:

1. mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets (e.g. properties and vehicles);
2. financial malpractice or fraud;
3. collecting/ soliciting bribes;
4. corruption; diversion of revenues;
5. fraudulent and unapproved payments;
6. splitting of contracts;
7. procurement fraud (kickbacks and over-invoicing etc.)

She defined a whistle-blower as any person who voluntarily discloses information in good faith about a possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur.

The minister said that there is a secure online portal where information could be submitted, adding: “if you have already submitted your information, you can also check the status of your report on the portal.”

She said that the policy does not apply to personal matters concerning private contracts or agreements, adding that whistleblowers could submit their information through the online portal by e-mail or by phone.

On whether a whistleblower is entitled to a financial reward, she responded: “it depends.

“If there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistleblower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5% (minimum) and 5.0% (maximum) of the total amount recovered.

“You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the Government.”

Asked if there is protection from false or malicious claims, she said: “yes. A first level review will always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information received.

“If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution.”

Adeosun said that government will set up a website and provide a phone number and email for people to use and assured that anonymity will be guaranteed.

The minister said that the new policy was developed by her ministry and that of Justice, saying that it would be presented to the National Assembly for debate and approval. [myad]

A former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and also the pioneer and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Professor James Professor James Ortese Ayatse, has emerged as Tor Tiv (paramount traditional ruler) of Tiv land in Benue state.

This came as even President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated him for clinching the coveted traditional rulership, which he said was an affirmation of his strength of character, integrity, and moral authority.

The President, who commended the new ruler for being upright over the years as a lecturer, erudite scholar and administrator, advised his subjects to rally round the new monarch to make his reign as Tor Tiv the fifth, a resounding success.

Buhari asked the paramount ruler to use his revered office as a veritable platform for conflict prevention, peace building and development in the grassroots.

He commended the transparent process that led to the emergence of the royal father after the demise of his predecessor, Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv IV, last year, even as he wished the new monarch well as he prepares to ascend the throne of his ancestors.

President Buhari gave assurance that his administration will continue to recognize traditional institutions as key partners in progress in finding lasting solutions to sensitive issues in the country. [myad]

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no date of manufacture.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Mohammed Haruna, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Christmas gift to members of the public.

Mohammed Haruna said that officers of the unit intercepted the plastic rice along Ikeja area on Monday, and that a suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists. We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.

“I advise those economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.

“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will make them run for their monies and count their losses.”

Mohammed Haruna appreciated well-meaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice even as he advised the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic rice, which he said is no longer a rumour.

He assured the public that the distribution point of the particular plastic rice seized by the unit had been blocked with immediate effect, saying that investigation is still ongoing.

The controller said the unit would hand over the plastic rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for proper investigation. [myad]

The wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has prayed that God would assist mothers in Nigeria to witness successful wedding of their daughters.

Aisha Buhari, on her Facebook page Tuesday, expressed gratitude to friends and well wishers who joined her in prayer during and after the wedding of her daughter, Zahra Muhammadu Buhari.
“On behalf of my family, I express my profound gratitude to friends and well wishers who joined me to celebrate the wedding of my daughter, Zahra.
“It is my prayer that God will make it possible for us to all witness same with our children, thank you and God bless us all.”
Zahra is the seventh child of President Buhari. She runs an NGO, ACE Charity Foundation, which primarily offers free medical care for people with sickle cell anemia.
Zahra’s husband, Ahmed Indimi also expressed his happiness and thanked friends and well wishers who took time to celebrate with them.
Dignitaries who attended the wedding included former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chief Bisi Akande.
The dignitaries also included Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun Srare, Governor Nasir El- Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi Srtate and Governor Aminu Masari of Sokoto States.
The event also witnessed the presence of business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu among others. [myad]