Npower News: Nigerian Persons With Disability PWD Leaders And Pioneers Call For The Reinstatement Of Betta Edu As Minister For Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

According to Npower News, the Nigerian Persons With Disability (PWD) Leaders and Pioneers have called for the reinstatement of Betta Edu as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation pending the final adjudication of allegations against her.

The Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, in a press release dated May 19, 2024, stated that the suspended Minister,  Betta Edu has been a significant asset to to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in handling the numerous inherited challenges from the previous administration, particularly in the inclusion and responding to the challenges of the Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

The group further explained that the suspended Minister Betta Edu, in her over six months as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the nation witnessed tangible impacts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, especially among 35,500,000 Nigerians with disabilities, including the Almajiris, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s first responders, wounded Nigerian military veterans, with the Police, ICPC, EFCC, DSS, Civil Defense, Customs, and other law enforcement officers who suffer from one of the unrecognized and unaddressed late effects and their direct family members, known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) (psychological or mental disability).

“Unfortunately, these good works with empirical impact on Nigerians across the board were put on hold through her suspension, and while the allegations against her are still pending, we urge Mr President to reinstate her as a Minister in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation so that she can continue the implementation of lofty disability and women-inclusive grassroots initiatives, and community-based village movement Renewed Hope Agenda.”, the group said.

Read the Full Press Release Below:

Nigerian PWD leaders & Pioneers Call for the Reinstatement of Hon Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Pending the Final Adjudication of Allegations Against Her

As Nigerian PWD leaders who are also the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, and the only Nigerians with Disabilities members of the Rehabilitation International (RI), Disabled Peoples International (DPI), International Disability Alliance (IDA), International Disability Caucus (IDC) (Defunct) & the United Nations Eight Sessions Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities [A/RES/60/232] that successfully advocated and negotiated with the United Nations member states to adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2006.

We were the only Nigerians with disabilities who have dedicated over four decades to utilizing high-level diplomacy, round-table meetings, advocacy, and negotiations with the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, as well as both the legislative and executive branches of the Nigerian Government. This includes the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its former ministers, the former Attorney General of the Federation of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, and the Senate President and Honorable Speaker of the 8th National Assembly.

Our efforts resulted in the signing and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol. Additionally, we were instrumental in the harmonization, voting, passage, and signing into law of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari. Furthermore, it is gratifying that through our invaluable effort, Nigeria signed the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa on February 10, 2020, with its ratification approved by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on October 23, 2023, as adopted by the African Union Member States on January 29, 2018.

Moreover, our advocacy contributed to the establishment of 23 state disability rights laws in Nigeria, derived from both the Plateau State Disability Rights Law of 2005 (the first in Nigeria) and the UN CRPD, to promote the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.

Our mission aligns with high-level diplomacy in dismantling decades of outdated systems and man-made barriers that have hindered disability policy progress in Nigeria. These barriers have directly affected the true implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), rendering the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 flawed and in need of correction under President Tinubu’s administration. Our broader vision is for a Nigeria where “Nothing About Us Without Us” and “No One Left Behind.”

Our mission also aligns with High-Level diplomacy advocating and negotiating that every citizen is treated with dignity and equality. We strive to dismantle that bad system and man-made barriers hindering Nigeria from being truthful in her implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), especially, its Article 4, with double emphasis on its Article 4.3 (“In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations”) and its accompanying Optional Protocol, signed and ratified by the Federal Government of Nigeria, on March 30, 2007, and September 24, 2010, respectively, under the UN Charter and its Treaty Agreement signed and ratified by the Federal Government of Nigeria on October 7, 1960.

In addition to advocating for disability Civil and human rights, we also negotiate for Disability and Women Inclusive & Accessible True Peacebuilding, Economic Development, the SDGs 2030 Agenda, Democracy and Good Governance, Political and Electoral Processes, Grassroots, Community-based, STEM-Education, plus Arts and Culture, (STEAC-Education), Entrepreneurship, Blockchain Architecture, Coding, and Robotics, etc., starting from Kindergarten-Primary-Secondary-School of lifelong learning adults continuing educations levels, as well as monitoring and researching on means of combating, Nigeria’s toxic, stressful, traumatic and deadly environment, Climate Change, Transboundary, Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution, and Health among others.

We extend our gratitude to you, Mr. President, and your administration, particularly the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, under the leadership of Suspended Honorable Dr. Betta Edu, an International Physician Scientist and thoroughbred Humanitarian, who comprehensively understands our humanitarian, disability, social, health, legal, human rights and other needs while respecting and implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 4.3; and utilized her healthcare and humanitarian skills effectively.

It Is gladdening to note that the strategic work plan of the “At-Risk Children Program,” under the National Social Investment Program in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation before Honorable Dr. Betta Edu was suspended was put together with the effort of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, led by the Office of the JONAPWD BoT Chairperson, Center for Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc (ERPWDI) (aka Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI) based in Houston Texas USA and the Foundation for Nigeria’s Wounded Military Veterans, as consultants.

Mr. President, we sincerely appreciate your open-door policy and commitment to listening to critical issues affecting our society. Your pledge, as articulated in your inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, to consult and dialogue rather than dictate, underscores your dedication to representing the wishes of the citizenry of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. President, Sir, we thank you for appointing Mr. Mohammed Abba Isa as your Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Needs and Equal Opportunity (Disability Matters). To date, this is the only appointment given to our community of over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities, a political constituency of significant consequence. On their behalf, I plead for an improvement with more appointments of persons with disabilities as soon as possible.

Sir, your reputation as a keeper of promises and a leader who values the sacrifices of his followers precedes you. On March 4, 2024, His Excellency, we officially presented a publication Titled: “Unveiling the Nexus: Urgent Need to Start Recognizing Disability, Persons with Disabilities & Mismanagement of NCPD/JONAPWD-National as Major Causes of Nigeria’s Insecurity” and to Inaugurate Annual Disability & Women Inclusive PEACEBUILDING for curbing Nigeria’s Insecurity, et al …,” dated February 26, 2024, directly to your office and through the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunity, the Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Federal Government of Nigeria’s Servicom, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and others. In this publication, we highlighted your statement on January 3, 2023, during a town hall meeting with Muslim leaders from the North-west region. You pledged to collaborate in establishing a Commission to address the Almajiri problem if elected President.

Mr President, we humbly move to resubmit an Amendment of the original copy of the publication Titled: “Unveiling the Nexus: Urgent Need to Start Recognizing Disability, Persons with Disabilities & Mismanagements of NCPD/JONAPWD-National as Major Causes of Nigeria’s Insecurity” and to Inaugurate Annual Disability & Women Inclusive PEACEBUILDING for curbing Nigeria’s Insecurity, et al …,” dated February 26, 2024, which is now titled was amended to now read, “Unveiling the Nexus: Disability, Mismanagement, and Insecurity in Nigeria Pathway for Disability and Women Inclusive PEACEBUILDING in Nigeria,” as attached.

We are delighted to note that on March 18, 2024, in recognition of the aforementioned, you fulfilled this commitment by establishing the National Commission for the Almajiris and out-of-school Children’s Education and appointed Brigadier General Lawal Ja’afar Isa (Rtd.) as the Chairman of the Board, while Dr Idris Mohammad Sani assumes the role of Executive Secretary/CEO. This decisive action demonstrates your dedication to addressing critical issues affecting our society, especially, our 35.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities, including the Almajiris At-Risk Children who were childhood victims of traumas, who always end up suffering from one of its mysterious and debilitating late effects, called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Psychological or mental health disability).

The establishment of the National Commission for the Almajiris and Out-of-School Children’s Education, aligns well with the At-Risk Program, especially its Grassroots, Community-based STEM-Education, plus Arts and Culture, (STEAC-Education), Entrepreneurship, Blockchain Architecture, Coding, and Robotics, etc., starting from Kindergarten-Primary and SecondarySchools. The At-Risk Children Program is a component of the National Social Investment Program within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, overseen by Hajia Zaliha Sanusi Yusuf, as the National Manager.

Mr. President, before the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, demonstrated remarkable foresight by restructuring the National Social Investment Programs, implementing disability inclusion, and appointing capable individuals who have already made significant impacts nationwide. One such program is the At-Risk Children initiative, led by Hajiya Zaliha Sanusi Yusuf, as National Program Manager.

It is our pleasure to inform you that the strategic work plan of the At-Risk Children Program was put together by the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers under Disability-Inclusion and Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 4.3. It was our effort in collaboration with the National Program Manager of the At-Risk Children, Hajia Zaliha Sanusi Yusuf under the leadership, and the tireless effort of Dr. Edu that we developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the At-Risk of Children program which we are still conducting its reviews and amendments. The Strategic work plan was carefully scripted to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. This plan, which prioritized disability inclusion, highlighted the commitment of all programs under the National Social Investment to serving individuals with disabilities.

Mr. President to give strength and create awareness of the legacy programs as stated in the At-Risk Children Program, we were able to present a well-researched publication titled: “Unveiling the Nexus: Urgent Need to Start Recognizing Disability, Persons with Disabilities & Mismanagements of NCPD/JONAPWD-National as Major Causes of Nigeria’s Insecurity” and to Inaugurate Annual Disability & Women Inclusive PEACEBUILDING for curbing Nigeria’s Insecurity, et al …,” dated February 26, 2024. It was in this publication that we reminded you of your promise on the 3rd of January 2023 to the northwest region leaders, and we are glad that you immediately responded by establishing the National Commission for the Almajiris and out-of-school Children’s Education.

Also, Your Excellency, our performing President, all these lofty doable legacy initiatives which we started under the suspended Hon. Dr. Betta Edu, aimed at helping the administration and Renewed Hope Agenda achieve true Disability & Women’s Inclusive economic developments, peace, and unity. We were able to propose and initiate an Annual Disability & Women Inclusive PEACEBUILDING scheduled to be held on February 29, 2024, but because Hon Dr Edu was still in suspension, it could not be held. Mr. President, in our well-researched Publication, we highlighted valid, debatable, and verifiable concerns regarding the intersection of disability and insecurity, impacting over 35.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities and Nigerians in general, including the Almajiris, First Responders, wounded Military personnel, Police, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, Civil Defense, Customs, and other law enforcement officers, as well as our family members. Please see the quoted excerpt below and the attached full copy:

“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited the ongoing Nigeria’s epidemic of Insecurity, Terrorism, Kidnapping, bandits, Irreconcilable Community Disputes, food insecurity, illegal manning and sales of Natural resources, and a toxic, stressful, traumatic, and deadly environment. These are caused by a few of our 35.5 Million Nigerians with Disabilities, who were neglected or ignored by former and current At-Risk Children. They were poor and helpless childhood victims of Traumas, who ended up suffering from one of its mysterious and debilitating late effects, called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Therefore, in our nation’s aforementioned current security challenges, which we, the original Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Activists, Advocates, Educators, and Policy Changers, have classified as a serious state of emergency, lies a critical aspect often overlooked, which are valid, arguable, and verifiable intersections of: – ‘DISABILITY’ and ‘INSECURITY’ – ‘PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES’ and ‘INSECURITY’ – ‘CENTURIES-OLD HISTORICAL TRAUMAS’ and ‘INSECURITY’ – ‘CLIMATE CHANGE, POLLUTION, et al …’ and ‘INSECURITY’ – ‘POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)’ and ‘INSECURITY’

We, the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, led by Miss Omotunde Ellen Thompson, Board of Trustees Chairperson of JONAPWD-National, and Chief Eric NdububezeUfom, President/CEO, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc (ERPWDI) (aka Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI), based in Houston, Texas, United States of America, including Dr Lengnen J. Jikukka, the Executive Director of Plateau State Disability Rights Commission, the Convener Job Napoleon Agbor, among others are concerned Nigerians, who are driven by a commitment to your Renewed Hope Agenda, and the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative. We have unwavering strong enthusiasm to see you succeed in taking our nation out of the present economic doldrums, which is characterized by insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, bandits, irreconcilable community disputes, toxic, stressful, traumatic, and deadly environment, lack of true implementations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and all other UN Treaties, disability-inclusive PEACEBUILDING, and SDGs, 2030 Agenda mess, which you inherited from the previous administrations, to our promised land.”

As we clearly stated above, Mr. President, you can observe that Hon.Dr. Betta Edu, with excellent use of her medical and healthcare professional experience, fully understood the needs of over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities, including the Almajiris, first responders, wounded military veterans including the Police, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, Civil Defense, Customs, and other law enforcement personnel, as well as our family members. She has been a significant asset to your administration in addressing the numerous inherited challenges from the previous administration. Her efforts contribute to finding lasting disability and women-inclusive sustainable solutions, embodying unwavering dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda. She brings together not only local expertise but also a wealth of international experts on disability inclusions and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and all other UN Treaties, brimming with innovative ideas and strategies, especially with the proposed establishment of feasible grassroots, community-based STEM education, arts, and culture (STEAC education), entrepreneurship, blockchain architecture, computer coding, and robotics across all 36 states/FCT and 774 LGAs communities and towns’ primary, secondary, and higher institutions, showcasing your administration in a favourable light.

The suspended Hon Dr. Betta Edu, in her over six months as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the nation witnessed tangible impacts of your administration, especially among 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities, including the Almajiris, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s first responders, wounded Nigerian military veterans, with the Police, ICPC, EFCC, DSS, Civil Defense, Customs, and other law enforcement officers who suffer from one of the unrecognized and unaddressed late effects and their direct family members, known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) (psychological or mental disability).

Unfortunately, these good works with empirical impact on Nigerians across the board were put on hold through her suspension, and while the allegations against her are still pending, we urge Mr President to reinstate her as a Minister in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation so that she can continue the implementation of lofty disability and women-inclusive grassroots initiatives, and community-based village movement Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr. President, drawing from our decades-long experiences, and looking at particularly her predecessors including the past Ministers in Federal Ministers of Women Affairs, and their Federal Directors of Rehabilitation under the Social Department, none was a trained medical doctor or professional clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social workers, and experts on clinical health care, like Honorable Dr. Betta Edu. She is a physician Scientist and Humanitarian per excellence who is committed, competent, and understanding of our multiple, complex disability issues including social, healthcare, equal rights to justice, and constitutional needs.

Sir, we humbly and respectfully state and declare our doubt that it be a daunting task and a waste of time to find another committed and understandable Physician Scientist and Humanitarian expert like Honorable Dr Betta Edu who in her short tenure as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was bold in upholding and fixing the numerous volumes of inherited previous administration’s damages, and fraudulent implementations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), notably its pivotal article 4.3, “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, and Disability and Women Inclusive SDGs, 2030 Agenda. Her vast public healthcare and medical knowledge experience was able to navigate the complexities and fix the problems of over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities, including the Almajiris, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s first responders, wounded Nigerian military veterans, and the Police, ICPC, EFCC, DSS, Civil Defense, Customs, and other law enforcement officers who are under our direct care. Honourable Dr Edu possesses a profound understanding of our Nigerian citizens with disabilities, direct family members, and community, and these are the winning ingredients that make her stand out strong above her equal and others.

Sir, reviewing her massive disability-inclusive and accessible multiple legacies grassroots, community-based projects, and programs accomplishments within six months, working in collaboration with us, the pioneers of Nigeria’s national and international disability civil rights movement and policy changes, they are valid and verifiable evidence that, under your guidance and approval, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the At-Risk Program under the suspended Medical Doctor Edu, expertly initiated pioneering disability-inclusive grassroots, community-based village movement programs with enduring impacts on Nigerians, transcending the duration of your administration.

Highlights of her initiatives include pledging to allocate 10% of all intervention programs by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to persons with disabilities, significantly enhancing the budget for the Commission for Disabled Persons in Nigeria, and spearheading the establishment of 40 modern toilet units for the Alheri Leprosy Colony in Yangoji Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Furthermore, through collaborative efforts with the Federal Government, state entities, and UNICEF, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, under Dr. Betta Edu’s stewardship, played a crucial role in establishing transit schools for 11,000 out-of-school displaced children in Niger State. These achievements underscore Dr Edu’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians, especially those marginalized by disabilities, and her invaluable contributions to your administration’s legacy of inclusive governance.

Our collaboration with Hon Dr. Betta began on December 30, 2023, during her welcome event in Abi LGA of Cross River State. Through the support of her community leaders, we presented our program proposals, which she swiftly acted upon by coordinating relief efforts with the Nigerian Military following the tragic events in Plateau State on January 2, 2024.

One of our flagship initiatives, the Nigeria Women and Disability Inclusive Peacebuilding Summit scheduled for March 2024, unfortunately, did not materialize due to Dr Edu’s suspension. Additionally, our upcoming Inaugural Annual Peacebuilding Summit and Ambassadors of Peace Awards Ceremony in May 2024 aim to emphasize disability and women’s inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economic development is in top gear and we will appeal to you to allow Hon Dr. Edu to participate in this upcoming program that will demonstrate the commitment of your administration to peacebuilding including the overlooked population of our nation.

On behalf of the Nigerian PWD leaders, Pioneers, and over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities, we appeal to you, as a fair and just leader, to reconsider Honorable Dr Edu’s suspension. Her contributions during her tenure, including her strategic policies aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, her grassroots engagement, and her effective representation on the international stage, demonstrate her dedication to the nation’s progress.

We implore you Mr. President to kindly reinstate Honorable Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to enable her to continue helping in fixing the mess you inherited. Sir, as you have boldly executed policies for the greater good of the nation, we trust you will recognize Honorable Dr Edu’s achievements and provide her with a fair opportunity to continue her impactful work.

https://sentrytimes.com/2024/05/20/nigerian-pwd-leaders-pioneers-call-for-the-reinstatement-of-betta-edu-as-minister/

Npower News: The EFCC and Betta Edu

According to Npower News a social commentator Ugoji Egbujo has taken online to express his opinion with respect to EFCC and Betta, the social commentator said "the president suspended Betta Edu in early January. The EFCC must have seen something fiery in the smoke of the Betta Edu scandal. The initial investigation and suspension seemed swift and decisive. But those who applauded are now bemused. Because, four months after the president handed the minister to the EFCC for sifting, the woman has neither been charged nor exonerated. Looting can be a complex enterprise requiring meticulous dissection, but the EFCC hasn’t sufficiently informed the public exactly how far it has gone and where the case is headed. And rumours are flourishing."

"The EFCC needs to understand that when it handles politicians, the public wants it to extend to them the hospitality it gives to Yahoo-Yahoo suspects. If ruthlessness is deemed necessary to stem the slide, then it must apply to high-profile cases with greater deterrent potential. The concept of the rule of law is founded on treating ‘like cases alike’. The embezzlement of public funds is advanced Yahoo-Yahoo. The law is neither a respecter of persons nor a predator for small prey. The EFCC must concentrate on big fishes and leave the fingerlings for the Divisional Police Officers." Ugoji Egbujo said.

"The difference between Bobrisky and Better Edu isn’t much. Both are fair-complexioned, feminine and stylish. One is a suspended minister for Humanitarian affairs. The other is a convicted minister of gender ambiguousness. But if the EFCC can’t handle Betta Edu with the speed of light it used to process Bobrisky, then let the EFCC use the methodology it’s applying on Emefiele. An anticorruption agency seeking to stamp out impunity and restore moral values must be predictable."

Furthermore Ugoji Egbujo said "so, in keeping with the Emefiele Charge-as-you-go protocol, the EFCC can prosecute Edu if any infractions are already in the bag. Like for signing cheques for hiring airport taxis in a phantom Kogi airport as alleged. And when and if the EFCC finds more charges, then it can arraign her again and again. This is not an endorsement of prosecutorial rascality. We can’t teach EFCC ethics. But we can ask it to be consistent with whatever ethical model it chooses. We can’t teach the EFCC it’s job, but we can remind it that the public’s confidence in law enforcement wanes with arbitrariness and inconsistencies."

"The EFCC says it is taking its time with Betta Edu. That’s allowed. Perhaps it is taking its time to scour the files and connect multiple dots. It wants to make sure it has inviolable proof. So that it doesn’t get to court and the lady nutmegs it, leaving the agency the butt of silly jokes. And as the Chairman said, the country needs the EFCC to survive. However, the EFCC must be mindful that the public isn’t as gullible as it always appears. The public knows when institutions are monkeying about. The public knows when delay means a lack of seriousness. Many commentators have suggested that the tardiness in Betta Edu’s case, where most material witnesses and evidence are readily available in Abuja, buttresses long-held public suspicions that politicians are generally spared the scorn and venom of the agency."

"The EFCC has done well in many respects. However, it should also be known that the public trusts neither the agency nor the government. In the recent past, governments have made the EFCC look like a willing tool in the hands of politicians. At other times, governments have made the EFCC look like an agency riddled with corruption at the highest level. So the EFCC must always know that the initial fingering of a politician must be followed by a quick and thorough transparent investigation and prosecution. The EFCC must remain acutely conscious of the institutional reputational damage it has suffered."

"The last two EFCC Chairmen have suffered disgrace. Some time ago, Ibrahim Magu, Chairman of the EFCC, was arrested. The presidency said he was a money launderer. The government said it had earth-shaking evidence. That was the justification for sending two truckloads of police officers to arrest Magu as if he were a drug dealer. The government dusted up Justice Salami from retirement to head an inquiry panel. Some saw through the ruse early and called it an expensive fishing expedition. After sitting for almost a year and wasting taxpayers’ funds, the tired panel submitted an underwhelming report and melted away. The report hasn’t been made public. A few months later, Magu was promoted by the Police Service Commission. The public doesn’t like witch hunts, but the EFCC can’t regain trust by being soft and dragging its feet around suspected corrupt politicians only to regain courage with Bobrisky." Ugoji Egbujo stated.

"The EFCC must know that it needs public trust. To rebuild and retain public trust, it must be honest, forthright, transparent and purposeful. It must not treat the Better Edu’s with ambivalence. It must find the same professional animosity it deploys against Emefiele. It must not pick and choose whom to accord backdoor courtesies. It must come to conclusions quickly while carrying the public along. When a high-profile investigation is concluded, the public must know the outcome. So it should never be like the DSS investigation against Mr Bawa, the former EFCC chairman. In that case, the DSS arrested a sitting EFCC chairman.

It said it had good cause to detain him for four months. It must be assumed that the four months were used for probing and digging. After four months, the man was released. The anxious public was left to speculate. The next thing we saw was Bawa in a triumphant entry into his village in Kebbi; men were drumming, and women were dancing. Months after the man was released, neither the DSS nor the presidency that supervises it has bothered to tell the public whether the man was found culpable or not. And why a citizen was detained for four whole months during the reign of a president who had suffered under a dictatorship and championed a return to democracy. The EFCC must act speedily to counter insinuations that Betta Edu’s is a political smokescreen.

Often, the EFCC can’t tell the public everything. That might jeopardise sensitive investigations that require secrecy. Sometimes, the details the public must not hear are political hurdles from above and beneath, which the agency must navigate to survive. However, the EFCC should know that it must tell the public just enough to prevent debilitating rumours from sprouting to fill the gaps left by lack of information and suspicious silence. The government hasn’t filled Betta Edu’s position in the cabinet. That could be ominous. Often the public can’t appreciate what the EFCC suffers under chameleonic political bosses. But as much as possible, the EFCC must prioritise institutional pride over ass-licking if the agency must survive."

"The EFCC exists to promote accountability and banish impunity in financial dealings. When politicians who have been fingered by the EFCC strut out of office and immunity and walk into other high govt positions, the public expects the EFCC to defend its integrity by speaking out. When the EFCC sits and watches in silence as corrupt politicians get appointed into higher offices, or distracts itself from the humiliation by chasing after fingerlings, it becomes complicit."

"Hopefully, someday, we will reach the point where senior bold EFCC officers will resign their positions publicly rather than sit on files with their hands tied by their political bosses. The EFCC was designed to lead and disrupt, not to play second fiddle and comply with entrenched sordid traditions. At that point, after such resignations, we will know that the EFCC has survived." Ugoji Egbujo said.

Source: Vanguard

Npower News: Only Applicants From Federal Institutions Can Access Student Loan

According to Npower News, the Managing Director of Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has revealed that a maximum of 1,200,000 students across federal tertiary institutions will have access to the student loan in its opening phase.

Speaking ahead of the student loan application launch on Friday, Akintunde Sawyerr, stated that students enrolled in federal tertiary institutions whose institutions have finished uploading their data would be able to apply for the student loan in its first phase.

According to Npower News, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, stated that potential candidates can start the student loan application process as early as May 24, but emphasized that the student loan application process has been made easy to provide easy access for all eligible students in federal tertiary institutions.

According to Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, the student loan program is an essential part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The purpose of the student loan is to give students in financial needs financial assistance so that they can pursue their academic aspirations, goals and objectives without thinking about the financial challenges.

According to Npower News, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr also added that the Fund will pay 100% of institutional fees directly to the institutions of learning account while also providing stipends to the students monthly based on when school is in session.

Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr emphasized on the importance of some of the key features of the student loan including, no physical contact between the student loan applicant and Nigerian Education Loan Fund, a user-friendly student loan application portal, comprehensive support where the student loan applicants can access online assistance to assist and flexible repayment plans.

Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr said: “We encourage all students in federal institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to secure the required financial assistance for their education. Applicants must submit their applications as early as possible to ensure timely processing.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-only-applicants-from-federal-institutions-can-access-student-loans-fg/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Npower News: Student Loan Application Portal Opens Friday May 24th 2024

According to Npower News, the management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund chaired by its Managing Director, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr have fixed Friday 24th of May, 2024 as the official kick off date for the student loan application.

This student loan marks a significant milestone in the dedication and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students. 

Through the student loan application portal, students can access loans to support and pursue their academic aspirations without financial limitations and setbacks.

According to Npower News, the student loan application portal provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications easily.

Mr Akintunde Sawyerr encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation Nigeria.

Students can access the student loan application portal on Friday 24th May 2024.

Npower News Monday May 20th 2024

According to Npower News Monday May 20th, 2024 the suspension of Npower will be lifted this month and Npower payment to beneficiaries of Npower batch c will commence by June, this was a statement made yesterday by the National Coordinator of Npower. Kindly watch details in the attached video.

Npower Payment News Today Sunday 19th May 2024

According to Npower News on payment today Sunday 19th May, the Npower national coordinator in a video was seen advising beneficiaries of Npower that while awaiting their nine months Npower payment, beneficiaries of Npower batch c should engage themselves with cryptominning.

The National Coordinator of Npower said that the suspension of Npower will be lifted in the next one to two weeks and Npower payment to beneficiaries of Npower will resume by June.

Kindly watch video below.

Npower News: Federal Government Grant Disbursement To Be Completed Next Week

According to Npower News, the federal government grant disbursement will be concluded by next week as each local government area gets closer to the 1290 maximum number of beneficiaries, beneficiaries of the federal government grant can confirm receipt of their federal government grant by visiting the federal government grant portal and clicking on the 'view beneficiary' tab. The federal government grant is not repayable and will be disbursed to one million beneficiaries across 774 local government areas nationwide.

According to Npower News, their are no other ongoing federal government grant except for the digital skill and innovation program for micro small and medium enterprises whereby beneficiaries are trained on digital skills and awarded certificates of completion and a grant of ₦500,000 by the federal government and a reputable financial institution. 

Npower News: Ongoing Loan Application Form From Nirsal Microfinance Bank Is Fake

According to Npower News, there is an online form requesting individuals to complete a loan application form from Nirsal Microfinance Bank please kindly ignore the loan application as this is totally false. The only loan application is from BOI, consumer credit scheme, federal government student loan and the federal government loan, beneficiaries of Npower as well as other individuals are advised to desist from completing this form, kindly view image of form below, please this is a fake information. Nirsal Microfinance Bank is not currently requesting for loan application from the public.

Npower News Sunday May 19th 2024

According to Npower News Sunday May 19th 2024 Npower payment to Npower beneficiaries according to the National Coordinator of Npower will start by June, Npower will also resume by June, other National Social Investment Programmes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer will also commence next month.

According to Npower News, the consumer credit scheme an initiative rolled out by the federal government of Nigeria has closed the consumer credit scheme at the moment is only available for civil servants, the private sector registration has not started yet. The federal government student loan will start in roughly 6 days time, the federal government student loan is an initiative by the federal government whereby students can apply for students loan, the federal government student loan is repayable and not a grant, students will be provided with loans to fund their school expenses, students in tertiary institutions can apply for the federal government student loan.

According to Npower News, the federal government loan is still ongoing and will end soon, individuals are encouraged to apply for this federal government loan. The bank of Industry BOI empowerment program whereby individuals are given loans of up to ₦10,000,000 is still ongoing, individuals and even beneficiaries of Npower are encouraged to apply for this Bank of Industry initiative.

Federal Government Grant: How To Update Your NIN For Applicants Yet To Receive The Federal Government Grant

It has been observed that some applicants applied for the federal government grant when the NIN column has not been provided, if you applied for the federal government grant and you did not put your NIN on the federal government grant portal you can follow the steps below to complete your NIN verification process. Kindly note that this NIN verification process is for applicants that applied successfully for the federal government grant but have not received their federal government grant.

Steps To Update Your NIN On The Federal Government Grant Portal

The following steps below can be used to complete the NIN verification process:

1) The applicant should click Here

2) The applicant should enter his or her phone number used for the federal government grant application, once the phone number matches then the NIN of the applicant will be updated, in some cases the applicant might be required to enter an one time password (OTP) sent to the applicant's text message inbox, once the OTP is entered then the NIN will be updated successfully.

Npower News Saturday May 18th 2024

According to Npower News Saturday May 18th 2024, there is light at the end of the tunnel with respect to Npower payment as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, has taken charge of the operations of the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation following the suspension of the former minister, Betta Edu.

According to Npower News, the minister of finance, Dr. Wale Edun is demanding for Npower payment list, for the payment of all beneficiaries of Npower as the Federal Government lifts restriction on the accounts of Npower Staffs that worked in the Npower situation room and Npower monitoring inspectors.

According to Npower News, Npower and Npower monitoring staffs' accounts can now receive Npower payment “Only those that were indicted in the investigation that we are conducting, those are the people that we have their accounts suspended.” One of the Npower situation room staff, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, had said: “We are all aggrieved over the ongoing investigation that has made innocent persons victims by freezing the accounts of mere contract staff that worked all through the year from May 2023 – December 2023, without any form of payment of salaries.

“The last payment that was made was in April 2023 till a few days after Christmas when they managed to pay the backlogs of eight months (May to December) to the tune of ₦640,000 at ₦80,000 per month. “We were all excited to receive our long awaited salaries after suffering all through the year only for the salary to be paid, and immediately our accounts were frozen to date by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“We are appealing that our accounts be unfrozen so we can have access to them, as the situation is unbearable for every one of us.” Providing an update on the matter, the source, obviously excited, disclosed the “unfreezing of our accounts that were (allegedly) frozen since December last year.” His words: “I would like to give you an update on the over fifty-five bank accounts of Npower Situation Room staff that were restricted in the aftermath of the ongoing investigation of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the NSIPA.

“I am pleased to inform you that we now have access to our respective bank accounts, and this happened a few days ago. “However, a few of my colleagues have not been able to withdraw and that is strictly their banks’ problem”

According to Npower News, this development is in line with the directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who suspended Betta Edu on over her alleged involvement in a ₦585,000,000 misappropriation of public funds scandal.

Furthermore Dr. Wale Edun who is also the head of the investigating panel set up to investigate the alleged misappropriation of funds in the humanitarian ministry hinted that a total of 400,000 npower beneficiaries will be paid by June 2024, as the anti-graft agency concludes its investigation.

Dr. Wale Edu, the head of the panel, recommended that the presidency should relocate Npower from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Economy.

This move by Wale Edun has ignited controversy, especially in light of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s earlier directive to investigate the activities under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, aiming to address the current challenges faced by the nation.

The panel also recommended that the suspension of Npower should be lifted in order to reduce the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians, but that a new board under the leadership of Wale Edun should oversee Npower.

According to Npower News, the Npower National Coordinator of Npower has said that Npower payment to eligible beneficiaries of npower batch C will start by June next month. All beneficiaries of Npower batch c will be paid their 9 month stipends as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, have now assumed the position of Betta Edu.