The National President of the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, at a program with heads of Eminent Ethnic Youth Groups has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate their fellow emerging leader, Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian affairs.
Godstime noted that Betta Edu never did any thing as accused in secrecy but acted in accordance to civil service practice as seen in other ministries and government agencies.
Responding to media men in Abuja, the forum leader emphasized that Dr Edu’s suspension, related to transferring funds to a senior civil servant’s account is not against civil service rule when it comes to project implementation.
Instead of joining the corrupt elders in civil service who are pained that President Tinubu is living up to his promises of giving Youths a chance in governance and policy making to discredit young people’s effort, Betta’s notable achievements and steadfast commitment to addressing poverty and humanitarian crises in Nigeria should be discussed and applauded.
According to Godstime, some of Betta’s achievements include:
1. UNICEF project: Securing a substantial commitment of 270 million USD from UNICEF, bolstering Nigeria’s capacity to integrate humanitarian response and emergencies, aligning with the overarching goal of eradicating poverty.
2. Partnership with foreign development agencies
3. Actively cultivating support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other global partners, emphasizing collaboration to address humanitarian crises and expedite poverty alleviation comprehensively, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. Proactively seeking military assistance to prevent humanitarian crises and expanding the social register to cover vulnerable groups such as families, widows, and impoverished ex-military personnel’s.
Meanwhile, the presidency has released a fresh update on the ongoing corruption investigation in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. It was confirmed that the investigation has intensified, and the anti-graft agencies involved are making headway.
Our investigations have shown that the use of Project Accountants is a norm in the federal public Service. And any such money is expected to be retired by the Project Accountant. Is only where such money are not retired that alarm can be raised. The 2015 Auditor General’s Report on the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs gives credence to this.
Besides Regulation 628 and 619 envisages the use of Project Accountants and the person so used in this case qualifies under Regulation 628 which states that an officer to draw cash or cheque on behalf of his department Shall not be below the rank of Accountant II or Higher Executive Officer
