By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Shocking revelations have emerged regarding the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, for allegedly withdrewing a staggering sum of N3 billion from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) within one month.
According to insiders in the agency, the withdrawal of the sum sparked a contentious dispute between the Minister and the suspended NSIPA National Coordinator/CEO, Hajia Halima Shehu.
Hajiya Shehu reportedly resisted the unjust depletion of public funds under the guise of National Social Register (NSR) Verification without proper evidence or authorization from the NSIPA account.
Insiders revealed that the funds were withdrawn without the knowledge of the NSIPA boss. To safeguard against further unauthorized withdrawals, the NSIPA Accounting Officer decided to secure the remaining funds in safe custody.
Hajia Shehu, the suspended NSIPA boss, redirected the remaining funds from accounts designated for Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) to protect them from misuse.
However, In an official statement released on Thursday by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the minister, Edu dismissed the reports as the work of mischief makers.
The Minister Edu, fired back amidst accusations of diverting N3 billion, and refuted media claims, accusing her of misappropriating N3 billion in public funds.
Edu asserted that the allegations were orchestrated by fifth columnists aiming to tarnish her hard-earned reputation and integrity, especially amid the ongoing investigations into the NSIPA scandal by the anti-graft agency.
The statement emphasized the lack of substance in the online publication and highlighted the need to set the record straight for the public.
According to Edu, the sponsored ‘Fake News’ was an attempt to generate traffic and sensationalize issues, as has been observed with the proliferation of fake and unsubstantiated news on social media. The minister clarified that she never requested funds, let alone withdrew a substantial amount like N3 billion from the National Social Investment Programme Agency’s (NSIPA) coffers during her four months in office.
The statement clarified that the Verification of the National Social Register (NSR), as mentioned in the publication, was approved by both the President and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in line with the Renewed Hope Mandate.
She pointed out that the verification exercise, which expanded the NSR and initiated payments directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to beneficiaries, was well-publicized.
Edu highlighted the approval of various programs under her leadership, such as the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG), by the President. She stressed that there was no instance where the Ministry withdrew funds from the NSIPA account without due diligence and proper approval from the relevant authorities.
The minister disassociated herself from the ongoing travails of the NSIPA leadership, asserting that her name should not be linked to the suspension and investigations initiated by the President.
Edu reaffirmed her commitment to the mandate of providing support to vulnerable Nigerians and achieving the goal of lifting 50 million people out of poverty within 42 months, aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In conclusion, Edu urged the media, both online and conventional, not to use her name to divert attention from the ongoing investigations and anti-graft efforts. She emphasized her dedication to her responsibilities and the achievable objectives of her ministry.
