The so-called bogus National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had a structure that covered numerous states and two foreign countries, with an acclaimed national co-ordinator, zonal directors, state co-ordinators and representatives in China and the United States. Geographic Reference
A visit by our journalist today showed that the office’s website had Hon. Saturday PUNCH learnt that Nwabueze George is its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” with a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representations to the United States and China.
Recall that the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences panel, Musa Aliyu stated on Friday that President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, who the panel designated as “the promoter” of the purported phoney office.
Tinubu also directed the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries – M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah – following the discovery of the office, which the ICPC said had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
The ICPC said the promoter was also found to have operated under numerous versions of his name including, George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
Zonal Directors and Nwabueze
Nwabueze was described on the website as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”
Also on the list were Dr Bassey B. Unaowo, Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni, Director, National Administration; Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua, Zonal Director, Southwest; Hafsat Sahabi Dange, Zonal Director, North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu, Zonal Director, Southeast.
The website also mentioned that the project was run under the OSGF. On its framework page, it said the initiative was under the supervision of the OSGF’s Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs.
However, the said government link is noteworthy given the ICPC’s determination that the office was operating without presidential approval.
20 co-ordinators for state
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The state coordinators featured on the website were:
Katsina: Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma
Kaduna: Hon Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim
Delta: Hon. Dr. Godwin Adolor
Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi Esq. FSI
Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adelowo Adelowokan
Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake
Nasarawa Dr. Osolafia Muhammed
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Governor Geographical Reference Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda
Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon
Ondo: Amb. Benedict G. Orioye
Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNS
Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu Sokoto
Hon. Mrs. Nwosu Chinyere R. Abia
Hon Ibrahim Bello Marafa (Zamfara State)
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Niger: Hajj. Zainab Mohammed.
Kano: Hon Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)
Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu.
Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar FCA
Bauchi: Hon. Faruq Siyi
Kogi: Hon. Bidemi Olorukooba
Our correspondent’s checks also revealed indications that several of individuals listed had previously held public office or had links with established political, governmental or communal structures in their respective states. Political Science
Tyopuusu was recently named in Taraba as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy and the State Coordinator of the Made in Nigeria Special Project.
Our correspondent said we have not been able to independently verify their involvement in the agency.
Their presence on the internet does not, by itself, prove that they were aware that the organization purportedly did not have government approval.
The phone numbers of the acclaimed agency on its website have been shut off while efforts to reach its management failed as at the time of reporting this news. Our correspondent has messaged the famed national cordinator but has not been replied.
The website also named Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China”.
The alleged international structure was shown alongside the state and zonal network as part of the organisation’s alleged nationwide and international operations.
ICPC challenged the office’s website which listed its operations as trade fairs, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and help for small and medium-sized firms. GeographicReference
The development is the latest in an inquiry into supposed fake government entities.
Previously, the ICPC had named the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and two additional alleged bogus groups, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
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