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CBN Tops in International Polls on Transparency, Accountability

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been rated top on transparency, accountability and due process in her operations according to a 2020 poll conducted by the Mahatma Ghandi Peace Foundation in collaboration with The Winston Churchill Centre For Investigative Journalism.
About 453 federal government departments, agencies and parastatals were part of the poll, a joint press statement signed by the country director of Mahatma Ghandi Peace Foundation Nigeria, Bishop Abel Kings and and Richard Oduma of the Winston Churchill Centre For Investigative Journalism has said.
The organisations extolled the due process mechanism put in place by the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria stating that as foreign organisations, their focus was to promote and instill probity and accountability virtues in government agencies hence the polls.
“Our trademark is to discourage corruption and ensure due process mechanisms at all strata of public life particularly in developing economies such as Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria as a critical stakeholder in the Nigeria economic project is a prime agency to focus on if we are to achieve our development goals for the nation”, the statement noted.
It further stated that they were satisfied with the nation’s apex bank thorough internal mechanisms put in place to minimize fraud and abuse of internal processes.
” The polls were conducted in about 453 federal government agencies, following independent audit on promotions, award of contracts, recruitments, and general policy direction templates of various organisations including the CBN.
“Among the many organizations covered include, the Nigeria Army, the Department of State Security, National Information Technology Development Agency, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, NIPPS, NAFDAC and the NUC among others.
“The Central Bank has however led the polls based on systematic reviews from the two coordinating international organisations having scored high on all indices and templates for the polls.
“This presentation is imminent especially at this auspicious time for the nation as the country prepares to resume the economy from the intermittent breaks occasioned by the Covid 19 global health emergency. This great feat by the management of the Central Bank Of Nigeria will sure reinforce confidence of investors both at the local and international levels in Nigeria and her economy.
“We are pleased and satisfied if the nations apex bank is leading in due process and accountability reforms, it then means Nigeria is on the right trajectory to economic stability. The statement averred.
The two groups also called on other agencies of government to focus on instilling the values of transparency and due process as championed by the CBN. Every Nigerian has a responsibility to ask questions in the affairs of this country, and only transparency can guarantee those obligations.
“This poll is a product of long weeks of painstaking independent audit and investigations of the nations most critical agencies hence the need for this Press enlightenment. Gentleman of the press, you also have a duty to amplify the positive dimensions of the polls so as to bolster confidence in the Nigeria economic system and her recovery.
“At times such as the country is faced with many challenges, we need to be circumspect in guiding against public misinformation and smear campaign against critical agencies as much as possible particularly from the point of information backed with data and verifiable statistics. This is what our organizations seeks to achieve. The statement further read.
“As independent international organisations with a rich history and great reputation for excellence, the Central Banks performance rating has reinforced our trust in the pursuit of our developmental objectives and principles as unbiased empires in the development agenda.
“By this great feat, the management of the CBN is expected to focus on the challenge of maintaining the tempo so as to surpass current heights as far as due process and transparency reforms are concerned without losing focus amidst distractions.
“The two international groups further announced the nomination of the CBN management for the “Winston Churchill Memorial Award on Transparency” as a mark of honor and symbol for the ideals of the two organizations represent.
“This polls has confirmed that with the current management in place at the Central Bank of Nigeria, the nations economy is sure to achieve the projected heights.
” We urge individuals of influence, opinion leaders, civil society groups to support and insist on transparency rather than seek avenues to drag authorities in the mud without seeking necessary clarifications, the statement concluded.
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Starship to leave for Mars at end of 2026 – Elon Musk

Elon Musk has announced an ambitious timeline for SpaceX’s Mars mission, revealing that the company’s massive Starship rocket is set to depart for the Red Planet at the end of 2026. The mission will include Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, as part of the spacecraft’s payload.
“If those landings go well, then human landings may start as soon as 2029, although 2031 is more likely,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X.
The Starship rocket—considered the world’s most powerful—is central to Musk’s long-term vision of colonizing Mars. However, significant technical hurdles remain before this dream becomes reality.
NASA is also counting on a modified version of Starship to serve as the lunar lander for its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon this decade. But before SpaceX can proceed with interplanetary travel, it must demonstrate that Starship is safe, reliable, and capable of complex in-orbit refueling—an essential requirement for deep space missions.
SpaceX recently encountered a setback when the latest test flight of Starship ended in an explosion. While the booster was successfully caught in its orbital test, the upper stage failed, tumbling out of control before the live feed abruptly cut. The incident mirrored a previous attempt.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation before Starship can fly again, adding another layer of scrutiny to SpaceX’s ambitious timeline.
Despite these challenges, Musk remains optimistic, continuing to push forward toward his goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.
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Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to two Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Imo and Anambra States. The beneficiaries are Holy Rosary College of Nursing, Ogbe, in Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, and College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, presented N10 million cheques to each institution during his visits on Friday. At the Holy Rosary College of Nursing, he handed over the cheque to the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev Simeon Nwobi, at the college’s construction site. Similarly, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala, he presented the donation to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Miss Anigbo Chisom Mary, in the presence of excited students.
Highlighting the significance of his donation, Obi stressed that healthcare and education are critical to national development. He commended the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara for investing in nursing education, describing it as a vital step in securing Nigeria’s future.
“My Lords, what you are doing is a great service to our country,” Obi said. “This donation is not a favour but a recognition of your efforts in nation-building. I will always support this project because it is about securing a better future for Nigeria.”
Obi further urged the government to prioritize quality education, including the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries. He emphasized the need for free and accessible education at the primary and secondary levels, both in public and private schools.
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Tinubu’s administration not running govt in secrecy — AGF Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, stating that government affairs will no longer be conducted in secrecy.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting on the Application of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) in Awka, Anambra State, Fagbemi urged Nigerians to use the Act to demand accountability from their elected and appointed officials. The event was organized by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Represented by Garba Sunday, a lawyer in the ministry’s FoIA department, Fagbemi emphasized that the FoI Act empowers citizens to access government records and information without providing reasons for their request. He encouraged public officeholders to disclose their activities to foster trust and dispel rumors.
“The Act also provides for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to access government records. However, while the law guarantees access to information, there are exemptions and conditions that must be met before certain records can be released,” Fagbemi stated.
He commended the Anambra State government for actively implementing the Act, allowing citizens to stay informed about governance. He further called on Nigerians to exercise their right to information and participate in governance, adding that transparency leads to good governance.
“We appreciate the efforts of organizations like Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) and CTA for making this town hall meeting possible. The purpose of the FoI Act is to promote **transparency, accountability, and good governance—**not to be used as a tool for blackmail or political attacks,” he added.
In her remarks, CTA Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, lamented that many Nigerians remain unaware of their rights under the FoI Act, despite its enactment over 14 years ago.
“The Act allows citizens, including women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs), to track budgets, monitor government programs, and expose corruption. However, those who passed the law have done little to educate the public about its importance,” she stated.
Nwadishi highlighted that the town hall meeting aimed to empower marginalized groups to use the FoI Act in holding government institutions accountable. She also noted the work of the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI) in promoting transparency in the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra State, and Edo State.
As calls for transparency and accountability grow louder, stakeholders emphasized the need for public institutions to proactively disclose information and for Nigerians to actively demand their rights, ensuring that governance remains open and inclusive.
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