News

Reps, Women Affairs Minister Trade Words Over N1.5bn Alleged Diversion Of Funds

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

ADVERTISEMENT

…as minister say First Lady told her ‘focus on your work’

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Commitee on Women Affairs and Social Development has been on an intense trade of words with the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy over an alleged diversion of N1.5 billion by officials of the ministry.

The fracas occured during an investigative hearing by the Commitee, when the Minister was asked to give account of how monies meant for contractors paid by the Office of the Accountant General was expended by the ministry.

In response, the Minister said about 30 percent of the total sum meant for contractors where paid to her ministry but she can not give account of how it was spent, especially as she had been advised by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to mind her business.

But the committee members questioned the rationale behind her claim of not been aware of money that was paid to her ministry, especially as the money was in the ministry’s coffers when she resumed Office in 2023.

The Minister however said the total sum was not released which was the reason contractors were been owed.

She said: “If not that the money of this year has been delayed, I’m sure we wouldn’t be here today. Because we could have paid out some of these liabilities. But since this year, no project money has been released to any ministry. And that was a constraint”.

Deputy Chairman of the Commitee, Rep. Marie Ebikake, however questioned the minister on the African First Lady Peace Mission project of about 500 million naira, asking the minster to tell the Commitee how the money was utilized, where the project was located and those involved.

“Honorable Minister and Permanent Secretary with Director Finance and Admin, last time when you came, that was on Thursday, we did raise an issue of African First Lady Peace Mission projects. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any concrete answer to the issue.

“It was carried over to today. So now that we are here, Honorable Minister, could you please educate the committee on the functions of African First Lady Peace Mission projects, taking into cognizance of funds allocated for the project in the past. Year 2020, 500 million,2021, 225 million.2022, 500 million. 2023, 150 million.Where is the office situated and the organogram?”, she asked.

The Minister however explained that the N150 million that was appropriated in 2023 was eventually used for purchase of generator, which was what the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari told her it was meant for.

“About the First Lady’s funds. The 500 million you were talking about, I wasn’t there when it happened. When I came in, I saw it on the appropriation act. And I went to my First Lady. We discussed. She said that particular money was not meant for her.

“That it was meant for the former First Lady because that was when that money was allocated. And the former First Lady later called me and said they wanted to use it and buy generator. And in the process, she was out of the country.

“It took her a while. She came back, called me, and she brought the person that was going to come and organize how they would get the generator. And I introduced that person to the procurement officer then, who is now retired.

“So that they could work it out according to the rules and regulations of procurement. And they’ve been on it. Once in a while, I talk with the First Lady to find out what’s going on. And that’s the last I heard of that”, Kennedy stated.

At this point members of the committee were surprise that the Minister could not identify the contractors or address of the Contractors who executed the African First Lady Peace Mission project.

In her response the Minister said: “Let me explain. This is First Lady’s. My First Lady will tell you, focus on your work. And she focuses on her work.

“She just advises me. And when they came there, I am not a First Lady and I can’t overstep my bounds. All I went to tell her that there is some amount of money on the appropriation act. for her office and I went there to tell her. I have no business much to do with First Lady’s buildings. Because I have to only take directives when given.

Reacting, another member of the Committee told the Minister, “Well, you disburse public funds on First Lady’s issues. Is it not so? The office space, was it not paid with public funds of the Nigerian people? Let the director that is in charge speak, ma’am. Please.

“I won’t answer what is not within my purview, the Minister responded.

The members of the Commitee at this point insisted to know if it was the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu that directed the Minister to hand over the money to the former First Lady Aisha Buhari.

The Chairman of the Commitee, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara in her question said , “when you resumed, you met the money in the account of your ministry. Because you said this money is for the former First Lady, and are you saying it was the former First Lady that requested that the money is going to be used for the generator or is it the current First Lady?

Responding the Minister said “Like I said, I’m not the accountant.I don’t usually know what you have.

The Minister further insisted to explain herself “No, but I’m trying to explain myself, Like I said, I’m not an accountant to know how much cash they have in their bank statements. All I can see is the appropriation paper, the budget. And it was right there in the budget of last year. It was there.

My question is, was the money budgeted for the last First Lady? and I’ll ask you, is it the former First Lady that contacted you that the money is going to be used for the generator or not? The chairman asked the minister

In her response, the Minister said “No, it was budgeted by the ministry.

“I can’t answer that, because I don’t know who requested it was supposed to go to procurement.No First Lady called me. I called. I called. I never said a First Lady called, I called to say this is what I saw on the appropriation paper. That was what I said.

“Let me not be misquoted. Let me not be misquoted. I never said it was meant for the First Lady.

“I said when I saw for First Lady’s mission, that was the name of the corporation. I don’t know whether it has been used or not. We directed them, anything that will be done is supposed to go through procurement, the normal process.

At this point, the Chairman of the Committee asked the procurement officer to explain to the Commitee how the money was spent.

According to him, “The project was awarded. But I don’t know anything about it, it is ongoing.

The chairman of the Committee asked the procurement officer, if the Minister was aware of the project.

While he was about to respond, the Minister interjected by saying “I am not getting very comfortable anymore. Because I don’t even understand this question.

“The procurement do their job. I don’t get myself involved. If anything has been going through on that, it’s supposed to go through the normal process. I don’t get myself involved. Procurement officer.

The Commitee Chairman at this point said due to the confrontation from the Minister to the Commitee, the meeting was adjourned sine die .

“It seems the honourable Minister does want to calm down, she does nit want us to go to the root of this matter. She is challenging the committee, she’s been rude to even Honourable Members and this is very insulting and highly unacceptable. You are interrupting Honourable Members when they are speaking. You are still here, I told you, you will have your ground to speak.

“In view of this, Honourable Members I cannot be here and allow the Honourable Minister to insult any member of this committee. We are going to adjourn sine die, and I hope that when we call the Honourable Minister again and thus team to come together, I hope you will be able to behave yourself.

“We are going to write a report to the leadership of the House that the Honourable Minister is not allowing us to do our jobs. She is interrupting, she’s not answering the questions the way she ought to and the records that we have is what we are sneaking to. We have not manufactured any record here, everything we have, is got from your ministry.

“We are only asking you to account for the money that was paid to you. We are only concerned about these poor Nigerians that their money was not paid”, Rep. Ogbara stated.

News

ADC protesters in Jigawa demand recognition of Mark-led leadership

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dutse, Jigawa State.

They are demanding that INEC formally recognise the party’s national leadership led by David Mark.

The protest comes amid growing political tension in the state, as internal party disputes and defections intensify ahead of party primaries and the next general elections.

According to reports, the protesters marched to the INEC office in the state capital without incident and submitted a petition to the commission.

Speaking after the protest, the Jigawa ADC Youth Leader, Manniru Aminu, accused INEC of overstepping its authority and said the commission cannot determine legal disputes involving court rulings.

“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court rulings. That responsibility lies with the judiciary,” he said.

The group also claimed that INEC is not acting neutrally in handling internal party issues, which they described as a threat to democratic fairness.

They insisted that the leadership of the ADC under David Mark remains the only legitimate and constitutionally recognised structure of the party.

The protesters demanded that INEC immediately restore the Mark-led leadership on its official records and website.

They also called for a public apology from the commission and urged that those responsible for the alleged bias be held accountable.

News

Tinubu appoints Fatima Zuntu as DG of biosafety agency

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Fatima Zuntu as the director-general and chief executive officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

In a statement on Monday, Chris Ugwuegbulam, head of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, said the appointment takes effect from April 16.

Ugwuegbulam said Zuntu will serve an initial term of four years, in line with section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.

He said Zuntu is a public health professional and policy strategist with experience in implementing national programmes.

Ugwuegbulam said the president has tasked the new NBMA boss to deploy her expertise towards advancing the agency’s mandate.

Zuntu’s appointment comes amid ongoing scrutiny over leadership qualifications at the biosafety agency.

In December 2025, a non-governmental organisation filed a freedom of information (FOI) request seeking to verify the academic and professional credentials of Bello Bwari, the former NBMA director-general.

The group raised concerns that Bwari, a lawyer by training, may not have met the statutory requirements for the role, noting that section 5 of the NBMA Act stipulates that the agency’s head must possess at least a master’s degree in biological sciences or a related field.

The NGO’s request, submitted to the federal ministry of environment, asked the government to disclose documents relating to Bwari’s qualifications and the process leading to his appointment.

The organisation criticised the lack of transparency, warning that such issues could undermine public confidence in biosafety regulation and scientific governance in Nigeria.

The group said the outcome of the FOI request could set a precedent for accountability in regulatory agencies, particularly those overseeing public health, environmental protection, and biotechnology.

News

Labour Party Releases Subcommittee Chairmen Ahead Of Nationwide Congresses

Published

4 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The Labour Party has released the list of chairmen and members of its electoral subcommittees ahead of its forthcoming nationwide congresses scheduled across the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, Ken Asogwa, the party announced the constitution of the committees to oversee the conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses.

According to the party, the ward congresses are scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, while local government congresses will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026. The state congresses are fixed for Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The subcommittees, which the party said are composed of “experienced and respected party members”, have been mandated to ensure smooth conduct of the exercises in their respective states.

The appointed chairmen are, “Hon. Iheanacho Obioma (Abia); Francis Kim (Adamawa); Ekong Philip Solomon (Akwa Ibom); Chief Tony Asuoha (Anambra); Malam Mustapha Adamu (Bauchi); Beredugo Ebimonyo (Bayelsa); Chief John A. A. Ochoga (Benue); Comrade Buratai (Borno); Urom P. Iyang (Cross River); Hon. Chuks Onitsha (Delta); Chief Mitchell Nwabueze (Ebonyi); Comrade Dr. Saliu Edogiawerie (Edo); Comrade Usman Mohammed (Niger); Owolabi Ezekiel (Ogun); Charles Afolabi (Ondo); Balogun Ibrahim (Osun); Babatunde Yusuf (Oyo); Fakorede Matthew (Ekiti); Dr. David Ogba (Enugu); Comrade Adoga S. Knaabayi (Gombe); Hon. Chinagorom Nwankpa (Imo); Comrade Mustapha Garba (Jigawa); Dr. Emmanuel Barau (Kaduna); Comrade Kabiru Said (Kano); Pastor Ishaku Izang (Plateau); Hon. Amaobi Ogah (Rivers); Professor Muhamuda Muhammad (Sokoto); Barrister Jesse Williams (Taraba); Mukhtar Hassan (Yobe); Haila Ayuba Baja (Zamfara); Comrade Ismail Bello (Katsina); Comrade Muh’d H. Birnin (Kebbi); Hon. Samuel Ajare (Kogi); Bodunde David Adebayo (Kwara); Chukwuemeka Ogbanna (Lagos); Comrade Dr. Muttaqa Yushau (Nasarawa); and Comrade Rose Uba-Anarah (Federal Capital Territory).”

In her message to the subcommittee members, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, urged them to discharge their duties with fairness, transparency, and integrity, stressing the importance of the party’s core values.

She said they must remain guided by the principles of “equal opportunity and social justice”, adding that the credibility of the party must be upheld throughout the congress process.

The party also reaffirmed that its National Convention will hold on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State, expressing confidence that all arrangements are in place to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.