How Ex-Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Diverted UBEC Funds, Abandoned 51 Projects
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The trial of the former Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu, over the alleged misappropriation of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds to the tune of N5.78 billion, continued on Monday, February 17, 2025, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.
Kwara Ex-Governor, Fatai Ahmed
The former governor and his finance commissioner were accused of conspiring to divert funds meant for the payment of teachers’ salaries under the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the provision of basic infrastructure for primary and junior secondary schools, and security initiatives in the state. They were arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 21, 2024. However, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution’s first witness (PW1), Abubakar Hassan, an Assistant Director of Finance at UBEC, while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, testified that a total of 51 projects approved under the 2013 action plan were abandoned due to a lack of funds. According to Hassan, the UBEC project monitoring committee discovered that, despite the approval for these projects, the state government under the leadership of erstwhile governor mismanaged the funds.
“My Lord, the Projects Monitoring Exercise conducted investigations and found that many projects were either unexecuted or abandoned. We wrote to the then-Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, in May 2018 to address these issues, but we received no response,” Hassan stated.
He further explained that the abandoned projects spanned all 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
Additionally, Hassan revealed that on January 6, 2015, N1 billion was loaned from the 2013 UBEC Matching Grant Account with Skye Bank Plc to pay staff salaries and pensions. Addressing the utilization of the 2014 and 2015 State Counterpart Funds, he stated that the Kwara SUBEB had illegally withdrawn N1,829,054,054.06 from funds lodged on February 18, 2016. These funds had qualified the state to access the Federal Government’s UBEC Matching Grants.
Hassan further testified that UBEC had sent a letter of invitation requesting documentary evidence regarding the Kwara State Government’s use of UBEC funds.
“We submitted documents showing the lodgment of funds to the Kwara SUBEB. The projects were categorized into three: early care education, primary school education, and junior secondary school education,” he explained.
He also reiterated that UBEC had written to the first defendant (Abdulfatah Ahmed) in May 2018, drawing attention to the alleged mismanagement of education funds. However, there was no response from the state government.
“State Matching Grants are not permitted to be borrowed or utilized for any purpose outside the approved action plan. The objectives of UBEC were undermined due to these infractions and the failure to implement the action plan,” Hassan stated.
Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the case until February 18, 2025, for the cross-examination of PW1.
JANDOR Congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on His 73rd Birthday
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR), extends his heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
President Tinubu’s contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic landscape remain significant, with a legacy of leadership that has shaped governance at both state and national levels. As he marks this milestone, Dr. Adediran acknowledges his resilience, strategic vision, and dedication to public “I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today.
His journey in leadership has been marked by courage and a commitment to nation-building. I wish him good health, divine guidance, and renewed strength as he continues his renewed hope agenda and the task of leading Nigeria towards greater development and prosperity,” JANDOR stated.
JANDOR Commends Hon. Faleke, Benson, and Badru for Sponsoring Constitutional Amendment Bill to Upgrade Lagos LCDAs
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and former Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR), acknowledge, appreciate and commend the trio of Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Jimi Benson, and Hon. Enitan Badru for their bold and progressive step in sponsoring a constitutional amendment bill seeking to upgrade Lagos State’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to full-fledged Local Government Areas.
JANDOR applauds this initiative, recognizing it as a long-overdue step toward deepening grassroots governance, improving service delivery, and ensuring that Lagosians enjoy the full benefits of decentralization. The move aligns with the aspirations of the people of Lagos, who have long yearned for full autonomy and federal recognition of their LCDAs.
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency), Hon. Babajimi Benson (Ikorodu Federal Constituency), and Hon. Enitan Dolapo Badru (Lagos Island I Federal Constituency), alongside 19 other lawmakers sponsored the proposed legislation which has successfully scaled its second reading in the House of Representative.
“This legislative push is a significant milestone in our collective quest for a more functional and efficient local government system in Lagos State. By sponsoring this amendment, Hon. Faleke, Hon. Benson, and Hon. Badru have demonstrated true representation, putting the interests of Lagosians first,” JANDOR stated.
He further urged all stakeholders, including other lawmakers, political leaders, and Lagos residents, to support the bill’s passage, emphasizing that upgrading the LCDAs will promote equitable development, improve infrastructural growth, and strengthen governance at the grassroots level.
Dupe Olusola, Founder of the Next Generation Foundation and a transformational leader with vast experience spanning hospitality, finance, agribusiness, SME growth, and private equity, delivered a powerful keynote address at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Nigeria Office’s IP & Women Business Summit 2025.
The event, held at the United Nations House in Abuja on Thursday, March 20, 2025, brought together female entrepreneurs and professionals to explore the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and business growth.
In her inspiring speech, Olusola emphasized the importance of personal branding and intellectual property protection as critical tools for women in business. She acknowledged the overwhelming interest in the event, noting how many women were eager to participate.
“That energy speaks to our collective thirst for growth and our commitment to being better,” she remarked.
Olusola highlighted the essence of personal branding, stating that a brand is more than a logo or a tagline—it is an individual’s reputation, voice, and the unique value they bring to the marketplace. She urged women to embrace their authenticity, stand for something meaningful, and remain consistent in their brand messaging.
“Authenticity is key. Your journey, including the challenges, is what makes you unique. Integrity and consistency will set you apart in your industry,” Olusola noted.
She also underscored the significance of intellectual property in protecting personal and business brands.
Encouraging women to safeguard their work, she stated, “We invest years into crafting our stories and expertise—so why leave them vulnerable? Intellectual property protection is not just for corporations; it is for every entrepreneur, every innovator, and every woman who wants to safeguard her legacy.”
Highlighting the financial impact of a strong personal brand, Olusola explained how it opens doors to new business opportunities, leadership roles, and partnerships. “Your network is your net worth.
A well-managed personal brand directly translates into increased revenue and influence,” she said.
She further explored key strategies for brand visibility, emphasizing the need to show up consistently, engage in meaningful networking, and leverage digital platforms to amplify one’s voice.
She encouraged attendees to be bold in advocating for themselves and their ideas, reminding them that success is built through persistence and resilience.
Concluding her speech, Olusola challenged the audience to take ownership of their personal brands and intellectual assets. “Audit your brand today. Do you own your name, your logo, and the content you produce? Have you taken the necessary steps to protect your identity and ideas? Your brand is not just who you are today—it is an asset that will create opportunities and impact for generations to come.”
Her message resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom left the event empowered with new strategies to strengthen and protect their personal and business brands.
The IP & Women Business Summit 2025 served as a crucial platform for knowledge-sharing, inspiring female entrepreneurs to harness the power of intellectual property to secure their businesses and legacies.