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Interfaith Groups Seek Stronger Unity as Experts Warn Against Divisive Narratives in Nigeria

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7 hours ago

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Interfaith Groups Seek Stronger Unity as Experts Warn Against Divisive Narratives in Nigeria

By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

Religious leaders, civil society organisations and peacebuilding experts on Friday called for stronger national unity and collective action to address rising insecurity and social divisions in Nigeria.

The call was made during an interfaith dialogue organised in Abuja by the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) in collaboration with CONCORD, a non-profit organisation focused on peacebuilding and human security.

The forum, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Religious Pluralism: Faith, Dialogue and National Cohesion,” brought together stakeholders from faith-based organisations, civil society groups, policy institutions and community networks to discuss the growing concerns over religion, violence and national cohesion.

Participants at the meeting stressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation and inclusive governance in tackling insecurity and preventing further social fragmentation across the country.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, said Nigeria must pay greater attention to vulnerable rural communities affected by violence and displacement.

Mr Ngwodo noted that sustainable peace could only be achieved through inclusive policies that address governance challenges, justice, development and community protection.

He added that insecurity in Nigeria remains complex, involving ethnic tensions, sectarian conflicts, organised crime and competition over resources.

According to him, responding effectively would require multidimensional solutions and stronger collaboration among government institutions, community leaders and civil society organisations.

Participants at the dialogue also advocated improved grassroots security, responsive governance and long-term investments in initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen national integration.

Also speaking, Fatima Madaki warned against the spread of misinformation and divisive narratives capable of deepening mistrust among communities.

She said Nigeria’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths and urged faith leaders and civic actors to continue promoting empathy, justice and national unity.

“Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and our ability to coexist despite our differences,” she said.

Organisations represented at the forum included the Islamic Education Trust, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Kukah Centre, Neem Foundation, HumAngle Foundation and the Centre for Peace Studies and Conflict Management, among others.

The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining interfaith dialogue and strengthening partnerships aimed at promoting peace, resilience and inclusive national development in Nigeria.

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National News

Madiba Advocates Push for Presidential Intervention Over Alleged ₦297bn NSITF Fund Irregularities linked to MD Faleye

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2 months ago

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April 6, 2026

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Madiba Advocates Push for Presidential Intervention Over Alleged ₦297bn NSITF Fund Irregularities linked to MD Faleye
Madiba Advocates for Good Governance has criticised what it described as the continued silence of authorities over serious allegations of financial irregularities at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the NSITF Management Board, and other relevant agencies to urgently initiate a comprehensive investigation.

 

The group said the allegations, which have persisted in the public domain for weeks, involve the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSITF, Mr. Oluwaseun Mayomi Faleye, and have yet to receive any clear institutional response despite their gravity.

 

The call follows a series of petitions and public disclosures that have brought increased scrutiny to the management of the Fund, particularly in relation to financial transactions and governance processes within the institution. Madiba Advocates noted that the scale of the allegations and the sensitivity of the funds involved make immediate intervention both necessary and urgent.

 

At the centre of the controversy are allegations involving the management of approximately ₦297,019,145,288.60 in funds collected under the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) between January 2 and October 9, 2025.

 

The Employees’ Compensation Scheme is funded through mandatory employer contributions designed to provide compensation to Nigerian workers who suffer injury, disability, or death in the course of employment. Stakeholders have consistently emphasised that these funds are not government revenue, but trust funds belonging exclusively to Nigerian workers, requiring strict oversight and accountability.

 

₦243bn Allegedly Spent Without Board Approval
Documents referenced in the public domain indicate that out of the total inflow of ₦297 billion, an estimated ₦243,203,518,621.17 was expended within the same period. Sources allege that a significant portion of these expenditures may have been carried out without the approval of the NSITF Management Board, raising concerns about compliance with the NSITF Act and established financial regulations.

 

‘No Approval Limit’ Raises Governance Concerns
Central to the allegations is an internal document reportedly linked to a March 4, 2025 Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting, which outlined financial approval thresholds for officials. While limits were reportedly set for other officers, the Managing Director was allegedly assigned “no approval limit”, a development that has raised serious concerns about internal controls and governance safeguards.

 

Multiple Accounts and Financial Flow Allegations
Further reports allege the existence of over 100 bank accounts linked to a single Bank Verification Number (BVN), alongside financial inflows amounting to over $7.3 million and hundreds of millions of naira into accounts linked to the Managing Director and associated entities. Analysts note that such patterns, if verified, would require thorough scrutiny by relevant financial and regulatory authorities.

 

₦5.5bn Commission Payments Queried
Additional concerns have been raised over alleged commission payments totalling ₦5.53 billion, reportedly made without clear evidence of requisite approvals from the Board or the supervising Ministry. The payments are said to range between 15 and 20 per cent commissions and were allegedly executed outside standard procedures.

 

Governance Gap Raises Further Questions
Observers have also pointed to a governance gap between July 2023, when the Managing Director was appointed, and January 2025, when the Management Board was reportedly constituted, raising concerns about the level of oversight during that period.

 

Madiba Advocates for Good Governance stated that the issues have now reached a critical point, requiring decisive action from all relevant authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the Fund.
Call for Urgent Investigation
Reacting to the development, Madiba Advocates for Good Governance, led by its Executive Director, Alhassan Kabiru, expressed concern over the prolonged delay in addressing the allegations and the absence of a coordinated institutional response.

 

The group called on:
•The Chairman of the NSITF Management Board,
•The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment,
•Relevant regulatory and anti-corruption agencies, and
•President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

 

to urgently intervene and ensure a thorough and independent investigation into the matter.
“This matter has lingered in the public space without clarity. It is important that the appropriate authorities take decisive steps to investigate and establish the facts,” the group stated.

 

 

Madiba Advocates emphasized that transparency in handling the allegations is essential to restoring confidence in public institutions and safeguarding workers’ funds.
Responses and Presumption of Innocence
When contacted, Mr. Faleye reportedly stated that he was not aware of the allegations. Officials of the Ministry of Labour were also said to have denied prior knowledge of the claims, while the NSITF Management Board indicated that the issues would be verified.
All allegations remain unproven and subject to investigation.
A Test of Accountability
Analysts say the situation presents a significant test of Nigeria’s public finance accountability framework, particularly for institutions entrusted with workers’ welfare.

 

Madiba Advocates for Good Governance warned that the continued delay in addressing these allegations risks sending the wrong signal about accountability within public institutions. The organisation urged the Presidency, the Ministry of Labour, and the NSITF Management Board to act without further delay to investigate the issues and restore confidence in the system. It added that failure to act decisively could further erode public trust and undermine the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on transparency, accountability, and good governance.
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Fresh Terror in Borno: Insurgents Kill Civilians in Ngoshe, Burn Konduga Military Base

Published

3 months ago

on

March 8, 2026

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Fresh Terror in Borno: Insurgents Kill Civilians in Ngoshe, Burn Konduga Military Base

By Umar Ahmad

Communities in Borno State have again been shaken by fresh attacks from suspected Boko Haram insurgents, with deadly assaults reported in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, and Konduga Local Government Area.

In Ngoshe, residents were jolted awake around 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday when armed insurgents launched a surprise attack on a military position in the town before turning their assault on civilians.

 

Local sources said the attackers overwhelmed the soldiers during the confrontation and then moved into parts of the community, shooting sporadically and setting houses on fire.

Several civilians were reportedly killed during the chaos, while a number of women were abducted by the insurgents.

Many residents fled their homes in fear as the attackers wreaked havoc across the town.

Preliminary reports also indicated that about nine soldiers may have lost their lives during the fierce exchange of gunfire, although security authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualty figure.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, confirmed that the attack resulted in deaths and abductions, adding that many residents are still unaccounted for.

Early reports suggest that more than 300 people may be missing or abducted following the raid.

Meanwhile, a separate security incident was also reported in Konduga Local Government Area.

According to security updates from local sources, armed opposition groups (AOGs) attacked a military base in Konduga on March 5, 2026.

During the assault, the attackers reportedly overpowered the troops and dislodged the base.

Tragically, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Konduga formation was said to have been killed while attempting to escape after the insurgents gained control of the base.

Sources further disclosed that the attackers set the military facility on fire, leaving the base completely destroyed.

Although the insurgents have reportedly withdrawn from the area, the security situation in Konduga remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments.

Security forces have since taken control of the affected areas while efforts continue to track the attackers and provide humanitarian assistance to residents displaced by the violence.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over security challenges in parts of Borno State, with residents calling for stronger military operations and improved protection for vulnerable communities across the region.

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