For today’s Numbers 2 Ponder, we review fiscal discrepancies, gender inequality and the “Covidness” of it all. Despite many criticising MDAs for fund mismanagement, the government remains aloof, ignoring recommendations from the Auditor-General. And to date, these parastatals bled ₦6.5 trillion from Nigeria. On the note of discrepancies, former registrar for NECO, Abubakar Ghana rebuffed allegations of siphoning over ₦360 million.
₦6.5 Trillion Unaccounted Spending
The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) revealed how ₦6.54 trillion was unaccounted for by MDAs in four years. And of the above sum, 88.5% came from unauthorised deductions from the Federation Account. The Auditor General’s inability to ensure submission of audited reports by MDAs remains a challenge
5 Gender Challenges
Despite inclusive policies, Nigeria has a long road to gender inequality with records of death, poverty and political disenfranchisement prevalent for women. Of 144 countries surveyed, Nigeria ranks 122nd in closing the gender gap. Also, one in every three Nigerian women has suffered physical and/or sexual violence. Worse still, Nigerian women only earn 77 cents for every dollar that men get for the same work.
1 Million COVID-19 Deaths
The number of deaths from coronavirus globally has crossed the million threshold, with more than 1,000,502 deaths recorded as of Sunday evening, according to worldometer.info. That includes over 209,000 deaths in the United States, which has lost more people to COVID-19 than any other country, and more than twice as India, the next most impacted country with about 95,000 dead.
₦368.8 Million Siphoned
Abubakar Gana, former acting registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), has debunked allegations that he siphoned money from the council during his tenure. An online report had accused Gana of siphoning ₦368.8 million generated during the June/July 2018 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration. But according to NAN, Gana said the alleged misappropriation was officially reported to him on assumption of office in 2018.
₦100 Million Fine
As part of the measures to check the spread of coronavirus in Rivers state, violators of the COVID-19 protocol during weddings and burials are now liable to a fine of ₦100 million. This is according to new guidelines and penalties stipulated by the state government during an emergency executive council meeting which was held on Friday. Inime Aguma, Rivers commissioner for social welfare and rehabilitation, said applications for marriages must come with an affidavit stating that there will be no reception.