Minister In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu Allegedly Withdraws ₦3bn In One Month, Causes Dispute Between Former CEO of the NSIPA And The Minister

According to Npower, reports have emerged regarding Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister in charge of Npower, who allegedly withdrew ₦3bn from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) the agency in charge of Npower, within just 1 month.

According to a reliable source, this withdrawal caused a dispute between the Minister in charge of Npower, and the former National Social Investment Programme Agency boss Ms. Halima Shehu. Ms. Halima Shehu the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Agency the agency in charge of Npower, opposed the use of public funds by the Minister in charge of Npower, under the guise of National Social Register (NSR) Verification, without proper evidence or approval from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) account.

According to Npower, a reliable source reported that the funds were withdrawn without the knowledge of the former NSIPA boss Ms. Halima Shehu. To prevent against further unapproved withdrawals, the National Social Investment Programme Agency Accounting Officer decided to secure the remaining funds. Ms. Halima Shehu, the former NSIPA boss, redirected the remaining funds from accounts dedicated for Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) to protect them from misuse.

Minister In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu Denies Allegations Surrounding ₦3bn National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) Scandal

According to Npower, Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister in charge of Npower, has disproved allegations linking her with an alleged ₦3bn National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) scandal the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) is the agency in charge of Npower. 

According to a statement made by Mr. Wasiu Olarewaju, the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu, this claims were intended to shift attention from the ongoing Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigations.

According to a statement made by the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, "Dr. Betta Edu stressed that no ₦3bn was withdrawn from the National Social Investment Programme Agency's fund during her tenure. The verification exercise for the National Social Register (NSR) had approvals from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to enhance credibility and expansion of the register."

Stressing further, according to the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, "all Ministry programs, including the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG), received approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Ministry in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu neither withdrew nor handled ₦3bn from the NSIPA account without proper diligence and approval from relevant authorities."

"Dr. Betta Edu the Minister in charge of Npower, categorically denies any involvement in the current issues faced by the National Social Investment Programme Agency's leadership and pleads that her name should not be linked to ongoing suspensions and investigations sanctioned by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

According to Npower, remaining steadfast in supporting vulnerable Nigerian youths, the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu reaffirms her dedication to uplifting fifty million Nigerian youths out of poverty within forty two months, this is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Job Creation Program, that is the new Npower. According to Npower, the media, both online and offline, are implored to stop using the Minister's reputation to divert attention from the ongoing EFCC's investigations.