News

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

Published

4 months ago

July 10, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…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

Core Public Servants hail Tinubu for appointing thoroughbred Procurement officer, Adedokun as BPP DG

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Austin Ojomah

A group under the aegis of Core Public Servants, CPS hail President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr Adebowale Adedokun, a thoroughbred Procurement officer as the Director General of Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

CPS in a congratulatory letter signed by Kudirat Akindero to Adedokun lauded President Tinubu for following due process and picking the most qualified to run the affairs of the soecialised agency.

In the letter, the ADSC said:

“Congratulations to Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, PhD (MCIPS, CMILT), on his appointment as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

“This significant achievement reflects his extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to advancing public procurement in Nigeria.

“With over 20 years of robust experience in public service, Dr. Adedokun has made substantial contributions to procurement reform.

“His distinguished academic background includes a doctorate in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, complemented by four master’s degrees in Procurement, Finance, Technology, and Transportation Management.

” This diverse educational foundation equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in procurement processes.

“In his career, Dr. Adedokun has held pivotal roles, including serving as a National Consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on public procurement reforms.

“He represents Nigeria in the International Research Study on Public Procurement (IRSPP) and serves as a World Bank Resource Person on Sustainable Procurement. His commitment to capacity building is evident in his training of over 4,000 federal and state government procurement professionals nationwide.

” Additionally, he has been instrumental as the focal point officer for the UN Women Project aimed at empowering women in procurement in Nigeria and as the Project Coordinator/Procurement Node for the SPESSE – World Bank Project.

“Dr. Adedokun’s professional affiliations are extensive, including membership in the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), UK; Chartered Membership in the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT); Fellowship in the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMN); Fellowship in the Institute of Management Consultants (ICMC), Nigeria; membership in the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACArb); Fellowship in the Nigeria Institute of Training & Development (NITAD); membership in the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM); and membership in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

In recognition of his consistent contributions to reform, Dr. Adedokun was honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition by USAID’s Nigerian Reforms Project in July 2009.

As he assumes the role of Director-General of the BPP, Dr. Adedokun’s extensive knowledge and experience are anticipated to significantly contribute to the agency’s strategic repositioning.

” His leadership is expected to advance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within Nigeria’s public procurement system.

Once again, congratulations to Dr. Adebowale Adedokun on this well-deserved appointment.

News

Brain Drain, Infrastructure, Resource Allocation Challenges Of Health Sector – Reps

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has highlighted the detrimental impact of the mass migration of health workers from Nigeria, describing it as a major challenge to the country’s healthcare system.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions, Rep. Amos Magaji, stated this during a public hearing on 16 bills aimed at establishing various health institutions, on Thursday in Abuja.

Rep. Magaji underscored the need for better distribution of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to address population growth and healthcare gaps.

He noted, “Recently, there has been an enormous migration of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in search of ‘greener pastures,’ leaving Nigeria’s health sector severely understaffed. To improve the sector, we must invest in human resources, medical intelligence, and the administrative appointment of capable persons based on merit.”

The Chairman also brought to light the infrastructural deficiencies in healthcare institutions across the country, citing inadequate funding, lack of maintenance, and insufficient equipment as recurring issues.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, in his submission warned against the duplication of health institutions, and stated that such efforts would strain the already scarce resources.

He explained, “Existing Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centers in Nigeria, including those in the North West, already provide cardiovascular care and related services. Establishing a new institute would add financial burden without addressing the core issues.”

Pate also acknowledged the migration of health workers and the need for a stronger workforce to handle emerging health challenges.

“The Federal Ministry of Health supports the establishment of new institutions but insists on considering geographical spread, population density, and disease burden in proposed locations,” he added.

The hearing emphasised the need for balanced development in the healthcare sector, adequate funding for existing institutions, and policies to retain health professionals in Nigeria.

News

Access Bank (UK) Limited to Acquire AfrAsia Bank Limited

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Access Holdings PLC has announced that its subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited (“Access UK”), has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, the third-largest bank in Mauritius by total assets.

Mauritius, known for its strong financial sector, which contributes 13.4 per cent to its GDP, offers Access UK a strategic base to grow its personal and corporate banking services.

This was contained in a statement by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, made available to Naijablitznews.com on Thursday.

According to Ekwochi, the acquisition will also position Mauritius as a hub for Access Bank’s trade finance operations, enhancing its ability to manage cross-border transactions across Africa and internationally.

AfrAsia Bank, as of June 30, 2024, reported total assets of over $5.7 billion and a net profit after tax of $152.4 million, underlining its solid financial position.

**Key statements on the acquisition:**

– Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, speaking on the acquisition said: “This acquisition is a crucial step in our African growth strategy, strengthening our position as a top Pan-African financial institution. Mauritius’ role as a financial hub aligns with our vision to unlock opportunities that drive trade, support businesses, and promote economic inclusion across the region.”

Also Managing Director of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, stated: “AfrAsia Bank’s strong balance sheet and established brand in Mauritius give us a solid platform for sustainable growth. This deal supports our strategy to diversify earnings and provide clients with seamless access to global markets.”

Access Bank UK aims to promote sustainable growth, deliver innovative financial solutions, and support trade between Africa and the world.

The acquisition process will be finalized in the coming months, with updates provided as needed.