Time To Reinstate Betta Edu As Minister For Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation

As concerned citizens, we cannot ignore the urgent need for action in addressing the critical humanitarian and social welfare challenges facing our nation, especially in the wake of recent events such as the Kuriga kidnapped students’ ordeal.

It is evident that since the suspension of Betta Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the subsequent investigation into the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Poverty Alleviation, no indictment or guilt has been found against Betta Edu. Yet, the absence of Betta Edu's leadership has left a void in addressing pressing humanitarian crises, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and disasters.

The reinstatement of Betta Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is not just a matter of administrative procedure, it is a vital step towards ensuring that the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation can effectively fulfill its mandate of providing relief and support to vulnerable households across the nation. In times of crisis, we need experienced and dedicated leadership to navigate the complexities of humanitarian interventions and social welfare initiatives.

The Renewed Hope initiatives, and other social investment programs initiated under Honorable Betta Edu’s leadership have demonstrated tangible benefits for communities facing economic hardships. It is imperative that we resume and strengthen these programs to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians grappling with the harsh realities of the current economic downturn.

Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider and act swiftly in reinstating Honorable Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Betta Edu's proven track record, commitment to service, and dedication to uplifting the most vulnerable members of society make her the ideal candidate to lead the ministry during these challenging times.

Let us prioritize unity and humanitarian gestures by recalling Honorable Betta Edu to continue her invaluable work of bringing hope and relief to those in need. Together, we can overcome adversity and build a more resilient and compassionate society for all Nigerians.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/03/time-to-reinstate-betta-edu-as-minister-of-humanitarian-affairs/

When Will The Trial Stop Over $1,500,000 Spent On The Media By Those Struggling To Sell A Negative Narrative Against Betta Edu

 

The bad attempt at fanning the flickering embers of media warfare against Betta Edu, by some disgruntled individuals who now know Betta Edu committed no crime, and is being cleared, but still feel that they have an axe to grind, is really disturbing, maliciously and inexplicably puerile. Since the reported sleaze within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation that led to the unfortunate suspension of Betta Edu, the media like a gluttonous baby, has fed fat on lies hurriedly concocted by mischievous elements within and outside the corridors of Power. So far, it is said on good account that a whopping sum of over $1,500,000 has been stupendously spent on the media by those struggling to sell a negative narrative against Betta Edu. Infact, it is been alleged in some quarters that some media houses, Newspapers, Presenters and even editors had their palms heavily greased to have them carry negative headlines on the front pages of their newspapers against Betta Edu.

While the media will remain an integral and invaluable tool in the hands of professionals, I am worried that quackery and yellow-journalism, especially from netizens is gradually eroding and bastardizing the true essence of the Media. Unfortunately, unfettered access to the media is absolutely becoming a bane and a clog on the wheel of progress.

Following the suspension of Betta Edu as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), one would have thought that the media trial was over, at least to give room for the EFCC to dutifully investigate the matter and present their reports. But, it does appear that they are still individuals who have sworn to always place the cart before the horse, and stop at nothing in their obnoxious quest to destroy and suffocate Betta Edu. To this individuals, the best way to manipulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation permanently nail the coffin is to indiscriminately plant malicious publications against her with the intention of swaying the opinion of the public since there’s a strong belief that the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can be controlled easily and manipulated at will by media onslaught. At least, the unceremonious suspension of Betta Edu by President Bola Ahmed following an outcry by a section of heavily paid media, lend credence to the fact that these individuals believe that by spending more money on media trial, they can get President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to do their bidding. As a way of furthering their enterprise, they have found ways of publishing lies claiming to get information from sources within the EFCC as though the EFCC does not have an official media desk to speak for itself or a website to address issues. Notwithstanding that available report shows clearly that the EFCC has cleared Betta Edu of any malfeasance, they are people who are still paying heavily to secure front pages of newspapers to continue their barren media trial.

Clearly, the final decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Betta Edu will show if this Government can be swayed easily by media manipulation or if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can stand up for his foot soliders who are presently demoralized and badly battered by negative media reportage– especially the social media. There’s hardly any active official in this current administration, even the Service Chiefs who have not been exposed to malicious media trial or had their balls kicked by the media in one form or the other. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must see beyond this smokescreen, rise to the occasion and protect his lieutenants against the demonic fangs of those hell-bent on sabotaging the effort of this administration by the deployment of media trial.

Unfortunately, no one is willing to speak up in defense of this administration anymore for fear of being maligned and verbally torched by the media. Most public officers now shy away from the media while the attacks are falling directly on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since January when the flange of this administration was opened to heavily paid media trials. Should President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continue to indulge this illogical nattering from rabble-rousers, i am afraid that the gathering conflagration may consume even himself, especially with the horse-trading already going on ahead of 2027. Therefore, it is my earnest desire and appeal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu end this media trial against Betta Edu, by making public the EFCC fundings, recalling and reinstating her forthwith.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/betta-edu-when-will-the-media-trial-stop-over-1-5m-usd-spent-in-futility/

Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance Writes Open Letter To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Over Suspension Of Betta Edu, Npower And Disturbing Silence Of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu For Over Eleven Weeks

According to Npower News , Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance Writes an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the letter goes thus, Your Excellency Sir, the Leadership of Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance, a Pan-Nigerian Sociocultural group, is constrained to write to you this open letter. First, we resolved to make this an open letter because the issues we are about to raise are, in our opinion, very weighty and of significant interest to all concerned Nigerians.

To be explicit and without equivocation, Mr President, we are deeply worried that eleven (11) weeks after, the National Social Investment Programs and Humanitarian Response are still shutdown in Nigeria, despite the nerve-racking hardship, insecurity and humanitarian crises faced by a vast majority of our nation’s populace. It is without gainsaying that one of the major spinoffs and accelerants to the many humanitarian issues bedeviling us, remains the subsisting suspension of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. To be emphatic, Mr President, we reckon that the continuous treatment of this matter with cuddling gloves and delays births disturbing signals that shows injustice for Nigerian youths where performing young people become targets of political network if the “do not cooperate”. The whole situation is insensitivity to the plight of the nation where kidnapping, banditry and social tension can be directly linked to deep rooted poverty!

We are very much worried that our nation is on the precipice and slowly moving to a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Few weeks ago, we woke up to a disturbing news of a stampede at the Nigeria Custom Zonal Office, Yaba Lagos, that led to the unfortunate demise of many innocent Nigerians. What exactly was their crime? They only sought to fight the hunger that is ravaging our land by coming out to buy “cheaper” food from the Nigeria Custom Service. While we were yet to recover from that experience, we were again greeted by another tragic incident in Nasarawa State University, following a stampede that occurred during the distribution of palliatives by the state government. Most of these will be better handled by a Ministry that has a formal structure all the way to the grassroots in every village or community in Nigeria, and indeed the poorest of the Poor will testify to the Renewed Hope impact.

It’s trite to say that, never in the history of our land have our people been this hungry and ready to face death, just to get their next meal. As a result, a very onerous cloud is gathering over our heads, and the downpour of frustration, destruction, violence and lawlessness can only be the outcome. The clock is ticking and the patience of our countrymen running out, nothing should be taken for granted anymore. It is time to confront this threat headlong, and in a manner that is entirely holistic, inclusive and effective. We know you have the solutions!

In the spirit of Ramadan and Lent, we beseech Mr President to hearken to the yearnings of Nigerians especially the young people and forgive the minor administrative errors and reinstate Betta Edu. To most Nigerians who are better informed now, Betta Edu’s crime was to report unapproved transfer of huge funds from an account of the Ministry, her Crime was that rather than compromise she decided funds should be used sincerely to serve Nigerians, More importantly, if truly there was no financial crime committed on Betta Edu’s part as all approvals came from the presidency, then we enjoin Mr. President to act swiftly as a father figure and reconsider the subsisting suspension of Betta Edu, and also make public the report of the EFFC investigation, in order to clear the name of this exceptional lady, whose passion to work is unrivalled. For us, it has become a miscarriage of justice for Betta Edu to remain at home with her matter undecided for more than 11 weeks. The future of this 37year old lady–whose only crime as a medical doctor, is staying back and contributing her quota to the overall development of our nation, while others are leaving the country in droves–is currently at stake, and the President cannot continue to keep quiet 11weeks after. At least Mr President, if not for anything, and if nobody else cares about Betta Edu’s mental health, and what this inaction can do to young Nigerians who aspire to truly serve the nation, who would rather not compromise but speak truth and get embattled by systemic corruption. Our compassionate President, you should think of the negative effect on your daughter and on the minds of young Nigerians, because you are first of all a father before a President.

More so, we are perturbed that available records from World Bank, show that only about 69,000 households out of the proposed 12million households have received the Conditional Cash Transfer you promised over one month ago. Kindly Recall that While as active Minister Dr Betta Edu successfully paid verified 3.1 million Nigerians Conditional Cash Transfer, About 60,000 Grants for Vulnerable groups and 300,000 NPower beneficiaries their one month entitlement. This funds got to real beneficiaries, the poorest of the poor in the grassroots with proven evidence and the ongoing social tension in the country did not exist as at then. Barely two Weeks after she was suspended the entire nation bursted out in cries for hunger and hardship, something definitely felt different, the hope that if you didn’t get some government intervention today, you would get tomorrow was lost. The RENEWED HOPE for the poor man was no longer there. No one came down to communities to engage with the poor masses any more on your behalf Mr President, a huge lacuna was created. If all these report is anything to go by, then there is an inescapable need for her to be reinstated and allowed to continue her good works. It is worthy of note that her subsisting suspension, marks the automatic suspension of over 15 new Renewed Hope Programs and their Managers she brought on board to help her justify the onerous task conferred on her by Mr. President, most of whom have already kicked off assiduously in various States, Local Government Areas and Wards. ( for instance the renewed hope shelter for Poor and IDPs which they laid foundation for over 40 houses that could have been completed by now in Benue state through donor funding is lying waste) These Programs and its managers are the fastest means to reach the vast majority of over 50 million Nigerians even in hinterlands. Therefore, we must not continue to chase rats while our houses are razed down by fire, nor should we throw our house to flame just to prove a point. It is time for Mr. President to act in the interest of the citizens, and we beseech him to act fast. We plead with Mr President to end this unhealthy media manipulation and trial on this administration. We believe as a father you will listen to the yearnings of true Nigerians who are out there needing help urgently.

Signed.

Abdulkadir Abubakar

(National President)

Comrade Adelola Poju

(National Secretary)

Source: https://sunnewsonline.com/betta-edu-subsisting-suspension-and-the-disturbing-silence-of-the-president-11-weeks-after/

Make Report of Betta Edu Investigation Public – Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance

According to Npower News, Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make sure the report of the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission’s investigation on the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, is made known to the public.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January suspended Betta Edu following widespread outburst over an alleged ₦585,000,000 scandal in her ministry.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu further directed a comprehensive investigation into the alleged ₦585,000,000 scandal in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation vowing to “decisively punish” those involved in any breaches and infractions unravelled during the investigations.

The group, Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance, which appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate Betta Edu as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on the heel of pervasive hunger and suffering in the country, most especially as it affects the less privileged and vulnerable groups, The group, Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end the media trial against Betta Edu.

This was contained in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed by the group’s National President and National Secretary, Abdulkadir Abubakar and Adelola Poju, respectively.

The statement partly read, “If truly there was a negligible financial crime committed on Betta Edu’s part as all approvals came from the Presidency, then we enjoin Mr President to act swiftly as a father figure and reconsider the subsisting suspension of Betta Edu, and also make public the report of the EFFC investigation, in order to clear the name of this exceptional lady, whose passion to work is unrivalled.

“For us, it has become a miscarriage of justice for Betta Edu to remain at home with her matter undecided for more than 11 weeks.”

The group, Youths Vanguard For Democracy and Good Governance further said, “It is without gain saying that one of the major spinoffs and accelerants to the many humanitarian issues bedeviling us, remains the subsisting suspension of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

“A few weeks ago, we woke up to the disturbing news of a stampede at the Nigeria Customs Zonal Office, Yaba Lagos, that led to the unfortunate demise of many innocent Nigerians.

“While we were yet to recover from that experience, we were again greeted by another tragic incident at Nasarawa State University, following a stampede that occurred during the distribution of palliatives by the state government.

“Most of these could have been better handled by a ministry that has a formal structure all the way to the grassroots in every village or community in Nigeria.”

Source: https://punchng.com/make-report-of-betta-edu-probe-public-group/

Beneficiaries Of Npower Batch C Clamour For The Reinstatement Of Betta Edu As Minister For Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation

According to Npower News, beneficiaries of Npower Batch C on Wednesday 27th of March 2024 clamoured for the reinstatement of Betta Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the beneficiaries of Npower batch c called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Prior to Betta Edu's suspension, Betta Edu was regarded as the poster minister of the administration with her vibrancy and the manner in which she attended to the welfare and well-being of beneficiaries of Npower and citizens of Nigeria which is the primary responsibility of the government.

Like a round peg in a round hole, the aggregate opinion of those interviewed including beneficiaries of Npower, was that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has to step up the reputation of his administration in deciding what to do with Betta Edu in order to meet up with the social intervention need of the Nigerian youths.

Speaking to a cross section of the public on the need to quickly reinstate Betta Edu, Chief Imaam of Agbure Central Mosque at Ojodu Abiodun, stated that the issue goes beyond mere obligation as it speaks to both moral imperatives and economic imperatives that are crucial for the country’s progress and stability.

Chief Imaam said: “At the heart of the argument for meeting Nigeria’s social intervention needs lies the moral imperative to uphold human dignity and social justice. Betta Edu deserves better because for the short while that she came to political limelight, she has paid her dues.

Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwokolo, a business tycoon and a distributor in Lagos also described Betta Edu as an all round humanist who should be reinstated as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwokolo, said: ” I have never met her but from what I read and watched on television, she is a charismatic woman. Her compassion and humility made market women all over the country to love her. She has the solutions to the people’s social needs. So I am calling on the wife of the president, Senator Remind Tinubu, to intervene and forgive her of the little administrative error she made.”

Alhaji Tunji Adunbarin, a pensioner said meeting Nigeria’s social intervention needs is essential for fostering social cohesion and mitigating the risks of social unrest.

Cross section of traders at the Isheri/Olowora market under Kosofe local government area unanimously echoed and begged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bring Betta Edu back to continue her good work.

Source: https://blueprint.ng/nigerians-clamour-for-betta-edus-reinstatement/

Npower: Betta Edu And Payment Of Stipend To Npower Batch C

According to Npower News on Betta Edu and payment of stipend to Npower batch c, the House of Representatives has intervened into the matter of Betta Edu and payment of stipend to Npower batch c. The House of Representatives have urged the Federal Government to lift the suspension placed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the payment of beneficiaries of Npower batch c and other social investment programmes in order to reduce the untold suffering of beneficiaries of Npower and vulnerable Nigerian youths respectively.

According to Npower News before Betta Edu was suspended as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and prior to the removal of Hajiya Halima as the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, there were preparation to start the new Npower also known as the Renewed Hope Job Creation program under the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

Contrary to this, the suspension of the managers of Npower created a delay in implementing the new Npower and has further increased the untold suffering faced by beneficiaries of Npower and other social investment programmes.

According to Npower News, weeks ago beneficiaries of Npower, Npower batch c in particular had a peaceful demonstration in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory demanding that the Federal government lift the suspension of Npower and other National Social Investment Programmes.

The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to speed up the ongoing investigation of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and suspend the planned establishment of the Steering Steering Committee Board to oversee Npower.

In conclusion, the House of Representatives condemned the planned steering committee Board overseen by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, as Npower and other social investment programmes was an act of Parliament that requires legislative amendment before it could be supervised by another body.

Npower: Lattest Npower News Of Payment To Npower Batch C

According to Npower News, in February 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu placed on hold, the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which includes Npower, conditional cash transfers (CCT), Government Enterprise And Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). This suspension of Npower by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was as a result of the ongoing investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds by Betta Edu the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the minister in charge of Npower.

According to Npower News, the suspension of Npower and Betta Edu boils down on misappropriation of public funds meant for the poor and vulnerable groups and how the National Social Investment Programme which includes Npower were being run. Millions of Naira was reportedly unaccounted for within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

According to Npower News, the government has formed a committee to review the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) which includes Npower and recommend improvements. Additionally, investigations are ongoing between EFCC and Betta Edu to determine if she might be responsible for any financial mismanagement.

Regrettably while the suspension of Npower by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is yet to be lifted and investigations yet to be concluded, Npower payments to beneficiaries of Npower batch c is on on hold. It is uncertain when Npower will commence or if beneficiaries of Npower batch c will get pending Npower payments. Beneficiaries of Npower are advised to stay informed for lattest Npower News updates.

Millions of Nigerian youths, particularly those who are most vulnerable, depend on Npower. The suspension raises concerns about Npower’s effectiveness and the need for greater transparency and accountability. The implications of the suspension of Npower is that payments will not be made to Npower batch c.

The government’s swift action against suspected corruption demonstrates a commitment to cleaning up Npower. However, this also creates difficulties for those who depend on Npower.

Source: https://tucnigeria.org.ng/npower-stipend-newss/

Betta Edu Allegedly Awarded The Contract For The Grant Program Which Was Valued At ₦3,000,000,000

 

According to Npower News, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo the Interior Minister of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is seen as a star in this new administration, because of the many achievements he has achieved in his first six months in office. Some of the achievements include the completion of the collection of people's passports and the implementation of the new passport renewal system without a person going to the ministry's office.

However, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo the Interior Minister of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has three major scandals in his history that most Nigerians are aware of.

The following are the list of the scandals:

A) Betta Edu Scandal: Few days ago, the Interior Minister was accused of accepting a contract of ₦438,100,000 from Betta Edu the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Reports have it that the Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo allegedly received the contract through a company New Planet Project Limited, which he allegedly owns. New Planet Project Limited was one of the many companies that Betta Edu allegedly awarded the contract for the grant program which was valued at ₦3,000,000,000. In his response, the Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that he is not involved in this scandal because he is not among the leaders of the company now.

B) NYSC Certificate Invalidity: In a report, Senator Sadik Umar expressed concern over the invalidity of the Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo National Service Certificate (NYSC). The senator who disclosed this during the screening of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to become a minister, asked why the appointee started serving under the age of thirty seven, but the NYSC document showed a different date. However, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo dismissed the MP's point, stating that a person can serve the country at any time after completing their education as long as they complete it before they reach the age of thirty. In his NYSC certificate , Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo claimed that he started NYSC November 2019 and passed out from NYSC, November 2020. However, the senator expressed his surprise that Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo did his NYSC at the same time he was a member of the House of Representatives.

C) Akpabio And Parliament: "Shut up talk": Before being appointed as Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Akoko Constituency in Ondo. Many Nigerians do not know that the Interior Minister is the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of the Niger Delta Development Authority (NDDC). Reports have it that Godswill Akpabio, the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs at the time, appeared before the committee on allegations of misappropriation of funds belonging to the commission. While defending himself before the committee, which was broadcast live on television, the current Senate President pointed accusing fingers at Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and other members of the National Assembly of accepting contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). However, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo denied the allegations and challenged Akpabio to testify.

In conclusion there is a plan by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve some of the ministers of his government from their duties. Some sources from the presidential palace of Nigeria made this known and said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to dismiss any minister who is not performing his or her duties.

Source: https://hausa.legit.ng/mutane/1584254-olubunmi-tunji-ojo-ministan-tinubu-da-ake-zargin-ya-aikata-manyan-laifuka-3/

Npower: Absence Of Betta Edu Slows Down Federal Government's Humanitarian Drive, Says Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura

Kano-born business tycoon, politician and philanthropist, Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known asAA Zaura, says the continued absence of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Betta Edu, has slowed down the humanitarian momentum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura said the suspended minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu was touching lives of ordinary Nigerians in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu until her suspension as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier in the year suspended Betta Edu over alleged misappropriation of public funds and directed her investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, as the investigation continues, well-meaning Nigerians and supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration have called for transparency and fairness, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give Betta Edu the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation a second chance, considering Betta Edu's competence and humanitarian disposition towards ordinary Nigerians, in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

According to Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura, candidate for Kano Central Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections, “the absence of Betta Edu in the ministry has reduced the visible impact the ministry made across Nigeria within a short time that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into power.”

Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura therefore expressed dismay why the investigation has continued unending, adding that “this matter should not be politicised and if Betta Edu is found innocent, she should be reinstated quickly to continue the good works of using that ministry to touch the lives of the masses, especially under privileged Nigerians.”

“I think something should be done quickly because that ministry is a sensitive office and it means so much to the people of Nigeria.

“We all saw Betta Edu's efforts across Nigeria when Betta Edu was in office, every Nigerian could testify of her impact within such a short time of this administration.

“Whenever there was natural disaster, Betta Edu was always there, wherever there was issue of hunger, you saw Betta Edu there; so Betta Edu was a passionate agent of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Every Nigerian saw what Betta Edu was doing as a minister, so Betta Edu's investigation should be fair and objective, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should speed up the process for Nigerians to know if Betta Edu is coming back to office,” Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura said.

According to the founder of A. A. Zaura Foundation, a humanitarian NGO, “as Nigerians are faced with hunger and biting economic challenges, someone in the capacity of Betta Edu, the suspended minister, is needed to steer the Humanitarian ministry.”

Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura added that “despite being the youngest among all the ministers Betta Edu demonstrated uncommon competence and passion in less than six months, and I think Betta Edu is needed more in times like these.”

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/03/19/betta-edus-absence-slows-down-fgs-humanitarian-drive-says-zaura

Npower: Betta Edu Missing

At the meeting between First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and women leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, two weeks ago at the Presidential Villa, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu’s absence was not just a sad reminder of the fate that has befallen her but also the reality of power.

Many of the women at the event held to mark the International Women’s Day – six zonal leaders and thirty six others from across the states – were led by the National Women’s Leader, Dr Mary Idele Alile and her deputy, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim.

Months ago, some of these women had stormed Aso Rock to see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what they described as the domineering posture and inaccessibility of Betta Edu as National Women’s Leader of the governing party. They wanted Betta Edu the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to be called to order and told to “always carry the women along.” That was shortly before Betta Edu was appointed minister. And the disaster that befell Betta Edu and made her a person non-grata before the powers that be. Suspended from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a messy disbursement of N585,195, 500.00 into a private bank account, Betta Edu has not been seen and nothing has been heard of her. Betta Edu appears to have gone scot free with a slap on the wrist for an offence that generated intense public outrage barely six months into the life of the administration, in spite of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to carry out a “thorough investigation” of all the ministry’s financial transactions.”

As a follow-up, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the suspension of the National Social Investment Programmes, NSIP, such as Npower, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme pending investigations.

Betta Edu however has denied any wrong doing, with her office insisting that she had approved the transfer into a personal account for the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.”

Like a bolt from the blue, Edugate reverberated at the House of Representatives last Wednesday.

Representative Billy Osawaru (PDP, Edo) on Wednesday during plenary moved a motion stating that the suspension of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) during “this period of increasing hardship is “heightening the challenges of the vulnerable population relying on its assistance and could lead to a rise in poverty levels, social unrest and “ultimately impacting negatively on the overall stability and development of the country.”

Even the movement of the social investment programmes to the Federal Ministry of Finance was unlawful, Billy Osawaru argued.

“The alleged recommendation suggesting that a new steering committee board under the leadership of the minister of finance should henceforth oversee the social investment programmes is not only an anomaly but contravenes the extant law which situates the implementing agency and programmes under the purview of the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation,” Rep Billy Osawaru said.

Rep Billy Osawaru stated that until the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2023 is amended and enacted, decisions taken so far by the executive was a mere exercise in futility.

Against the background of the prevailing hardship in the country, Billy Osawaru prayed the House to “urge the government to direct a serving minister of state to oversee relevant approvals and implementation of the social investment programmes to minimise the adverse implication of increasing hunger and sufferings experienced by vulnerable Nigerians relying on the programme.”

Interestingly, representatives adopted the motion when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen put the motion to voice vote.

Investigations conducted however shows that until Edugate is sorted and resolved, it will continue to reverberate in different forms as it did at the House of Representatives last week. For one, Betta Edu is said to have been ‘banished’ from the Presidential Villa and public affairs circles, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) carry on with the presidential directive to thoroughly conduct investigation into the matter.

When approached for comments on Friday, a presidential source disclosed in confidence that the government was not in a hurry to conclude the issue as it has allowed due process to take its course.

“The Ministerial Committee set up to look into the Social Investment scheme is not an investigative panel. We want the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to do their work. This should not in any way be seen to be as if Betta Edu has been left scot-free. No rush. As soon as the relevant agencies finish their work the final decision will be taken.”

Source: https://thewillnews.com/suspended-betta-edu-still-missing-in-action/

House Of Representatives Urged Federal Government To Resume Npower

Nigeria's House of Representatives has persuaded the federal government to resume Npower. The call comes two months after the suspension of Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over allegations of misappropriation of funds. Reports suggest the anti-graft agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has submitted interim reports suggesting prosecution for Betta Edu and Ms Halima Shehu, the suspended coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency. 

According to Npower News, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's panel, led by Finance Minister Wale Edun, suggested moving the social investment programmes including Npower from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry of Finance. Despite ongoing investigations and proposed reforms, the House of Representatives clamours for the resumption of these social investment programmes including Npower.