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Tag: AGEAD

  • AGEAD Urge Caution Over Minister Nnaji’s Certificate Allegations, Warn Against Political Witch-Hunt

    AGEAD Urge Caution Over Minister Nnaji’s Certificate Allegations, Warn Against Political Witch-Hunt

    • As coalition calls for fairness, restraint, and competence-based evaluation in public service appointments

    A coalition of civil society organizations under the banner of Advocacy for Good Ethics and Accountability for Development has cautioned against what it described as the politicization of the ongoing certificate forgery allegations leveled against the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s Executive Director, Comrade Thomas Henry, clarified that the coalition was not out to defend the minister’s academic record but to demand fairness, objectivity, and restraint in public discourse.

    He expressed concern that the issue had taken a political dimension, pointing to the alleged rift between the minister and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as a possible underlying factor. According to him, “It is worrisome that the first official action of the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon Ortuanya, was to revisit the long-standing allegation — a move that suggests a premeditated agenda.”

    Comrade Henry also drew parallels with past controversies, recalling the certificate saga involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the 2023 elections, which was later resolved. He warned against allowing politically motivated narratives to mislead the public and cause irreparable reputational damage.

    The coalition further criticized Nigeria’s recruitment culture, which it said prioritizes paper qualifications over competence and proven experience. “Sacrificing competence for degrees has cost this nation dearly,” Henry said, urging Nigerians to instead assess public officers by their performance and impact.

    He highlighted the improved performance of several agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology, including the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), and the Project Development Agency (PRODA), describing them as “more functional and innovative than ever.”

    The group also called on Premium Times and other media outlets to uphold journalistic ethics by ensuring balance and fairness in their reportage, warning against being used as tools for political blackmail.

    “We must not let politics overshadow merit. Our democracy must evolve beyond propaganda and personal vendetta,” Henry concluded.

  • AGEAD Dismisses Allegations, Commends Federal Polytechnic Bida Leadership

    A coalition of over 52 civil society organizations, under the umbrella of the Advocacy for Good Ethics and Accountability for Development, has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, following a thorough on-site assessment of the institution’s projects and administration.

    The group executive director, who also occupies the seat of Director of Special Projects at the CSO Budget Implementation Assessment and Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC), with his team, undertook a physical inspection of various projects June 18, 2024.

    Our correspondent gathers that the findings and reports were presented on Monday, June 23, 2025, during a formal briefing attended by members of the media, CBIAMEC leadership, and other civil society members.

    Speaking during the briefing, Comrade Henry Thomas, Executive Director of the organization, firmly dismissed recent allegations leveled against the Polytechnic’s leadership, stating that the projects purported to be non-existent were in fact visible, verifiable, and commendably executed.

    “As a former student of this great institution, I can confidently say the transformation I witnessed during our assessment visit is remarkable. Compared to what the institution was during my time here, the progress is undeniable,” Thomas stated.

    He emphasized that all projects cited in the allegations were not only completed but also reflective of prudent management and commitment to institutional growth.

    The group applauded the Rector and the management team for their professional handling of affairs, highlighting the high level of competence, capacity, and discipline observed throughout the institution.

    Henry further urged fellow civil society organizations and the general public to exercise due diligence before reacting to unverified allegations. “It is important to verify claims before amplifying them. False information can mislead the public and unjustly undermine progress,” he warned.

    He also identified key challenges, notably underfunding, which they say could limit the institution’s full potential, urging both government and private sector stakeholders to increase investment in the Polytechnic, noting the visible prospects under the current leadership.

    He concluded by charging the CBIAMEC, development partners, and media outfits, to continue monitoring, supporting, and publicizing success stories from institutions that demonstrate transparency and results-driven leadership.

  • AGEAD Endorses, Advocates Prudent Oronsaye Report Implementation

    AGEAD Endorses, Advocates Prudent Oronsaye Report Implementation

    A non-governmental organization Advocacy for Good Ethics and Accountability for Development has expressed confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his government’s courage and determination.

    Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, Comrade Henry Thomas, the executive director of advocacy for good ethics and accountability for development, endorsed the implementation of the Oronsaye report but urged caution, emphasizing the need to prioritize stabilising the economy before pursuing further reforms.

    He highlighted concerns about the impact of recent economic initiatives, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, on the nation’s vulnerable populations.

    Thomas urged the government to concentrate on reducing inflation and ensuring affordable food, transportation, and housing for the common man.

    While supporting the goal of cutting governance costs outlined in the Oronsaye report, he called for a focus on reducing the expenditures and allowances of the Executive and the Legislature.

    He further raised concerns about inaccuracies in a recent press presentation, urging the government to adhere strictly to the recommendations of the Oronsaye report and the corresponding white paper.

    He, however, pointed out an apparent error in the statement made by the Special Assistance (SA) to the President of policy coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, regarding the merging of the Project Development Agency (PRODA) with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

    He emphasised the importance of implementing the white paper dated April 8, 2014, without alterations.

    Thomas said the civil society community pledged to closely monitor the implementation of the Oronsaye report, vowing to resist any attempts to modify or tamper with the white paper.

    In conclusion, he reiterated their support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu, expressing commitment to ensuring the success of his government.

  • Diversify Economy By Focusing On Untapped Sectors- Stakeholders Urge FG

    Diversify Economy By Focusing On Untapped Sectors- Stakeholders Urge FG

    Stakeholders from various sectors have called on the Federal Government, FG, to diversify the nation’s economy by focusing on all untapped sectors such as tourismoand also make a significant U-turn from over reliance on petroleum resources.

    The call was made by the executive director, Advocacy for Good Ethics and Accountability Development, AGEAD, Mr. Henry Thomas at its 2nd legacy summit, held, during the week, in Abuja.

    They emphasized that Nigeria possesses vast arable land, a large labour force, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, which could be harnessed to drive growth and create employment opportunities.

    Thomas addressing newsmen, said: “The year 2023 has been a very challenging and difficult year for almost everyone in the country. Nigeria, as a country, has no business with poverty. The country has rich natural and human resources.

    “Nigeria was a leading producer of many sectors such as the apparel, garment, arts and crafts, cosmetics, and the beauty industry and agro-commodities contributed immensely to the growth of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “However, the discovery of oil in 1956 marked a major setback to other important productive sectors of the country’s economy. Oil has been almost like a national anthem ever since my existence, but it is quite unfortunate that leaders have come and gone without a solution. It is on this note that it is imperative to think and proffer solutions because the only way is to know the problem and the solution finds its way.

    “The message I’m trying to pass is that our adventure and expedition into oil for the past 60 years hasn’t led us anywhere and it is time for us to make a U-turn back to where we are coming from, let’s go back to Agriculture, let’s go back to mining, let’s go back to culture and tourism, let’s go back to technical education and production.”

    Speaking on the need for the country to tap into the wealth of the creative industry, the Rector Federal Polytechnic Auchi Edo state, and former Director of Performing Arts, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Sam Agbi said: “Tourism goes for a reason, there must be an attraction. Without attraction, there is no tourism.

    “You leave your house for a purpose. You don’t just travel just like that, there must be a reason and so you marry tourism and culture. But, in the case of Nigeria, it is only cultural tourism that we have a comparative advantage.

    “Nigeria has no comparative advantage when you say you want to develop beach tourism. Which mountain do you have that you can compare with others in the world? Is it wildlife? Is it conferences, I don’t know for now. So, the only tourism we can market is cultural tourism and if we develop that aspect of cultural tourism, Nigeria has to have a huge amount of money in terms of foreign exchange and arrivals.

    “One of the qualities of this creative industry for instance is that some of them are a royal economy, they stimulate the royal economy because they are residing with the people. Whenever I tell my children that I want to travel home, they will say ok because there is a policy of you have to follow me to know your home.

    “So, what I am saying is that the incentives at home are not favorable. Nobody would want to stay in the village and not have facilities but those with wealth, those with creative industries, most of them are in the village, they reside with the people. If you don’t develop it, you’re not developing the rural economy. If a government really wants to develop that aspect of the economy, it is helping to generate income for the people that dwell in that environment.”