The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered debts owed to the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) amounting to over N9 billion.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of NLTF, Tosin Adeyanju, disclosed this recently in Abuja when he led the management team of the Fund on a courtesy visit to the EFCC boss at the commission’s corporate headquarters.
He described the recovery “as a big feat,” stating that it has ensured the Fund can assist the federal government in delivering on its promises of providing social and physical infrastructure across the country.
He said, “I want to thank the EFCC Chairman for the excellent outcome of our collaboration on the recovery of outstanding lottery liabilities to the federal government, which has led to a significant improvement in remittances by lottery operators to the Trust Fund.
“I must commend and thank you for providing leadership and recovering over N9 billion for the National Lottery Trust Fund. This is a big feat for us. It has ensured that the Trust Fund played its role in fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in spreading good causes across the country.”
The NLTF boss further commended Olukoyede for the results achieved in the anti-corruption fight within the short period he has been in charge.
He said,”I must also commend you generally for what you have done in 10 months. I am aware that you have recovered over N200 billion and over $58 million of looted funds within this period. There is no better person to occupy this position than you, and we thank the President for appointing a man of integrity like you to drive the anti-corruption fight.”
He appealed to the Commission to sustain its recovery efforts of lottery proceeds shortfalls, noting that NLTF interventions in various areas of need in the country can only be sustained when operators and stakeholders in the industry remit what is due to the government.
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Olukoyede, in his response, noted that although Adeyanju was new in his role, he had shown early signs of focus and determination to tread the path of probity.
“I want to congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment. I see the steps you have started taking as quite commendable.
“I see in you someone who is important for us to collaborate with and strengthen our relationship so that we can encourage you to do more because there is so much trust reposed in you. And from what we have seen since your appointment, nobody can say that the trust has been betrayed,” he said.
Olukoyede admonished him that, being in a position of trust, he should be mindful of the legacy he would leave behind at the end of his tenure.
He said, “I want to advise you to be careful in the application of the funds available to you.
“Like they say in Nigeria’s local parlance, ‘shine your eye.’ Don’t put your signature on what you are not sure of.
“Read every memo that comes to you and make sure that your people in the field monitor the execution of the projects that you are allocating money for. Be guided by your conscience.
“Always do what is right. We are here today, but we are not going to be here forever. A day will come when we will be called to account for our deeds in office, so let that guide your disposition to work. I say the same thing to members of your team.”
The Chairman, who assured the delegation of enhanced EFCC collaboration in the area of debt recovery, stated that it was a statutory obligation of the Commission to do so.
He said, “Every kobo we recover goes to you. We don’t mind those who say that we allocate recovered loot. We don’t allocate money here.
“We recover for the government and all the relevant agencies whose books we decide to look into, or those that partner with us to help them recover their funds.
“Being a government agency as well, we are funded with government money, so we owe all MDAs the duty to collaborate with them in that particular area. We are, therefore, doing our job. It is part of our mandate.”
