By :Emmanuel Fateman
In a Press conference held in Abuja by the President of the CSO’s Chief Agakwu Dominic had stated that the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance as a coalition of several CSOs under my watch is totally committed to the improvement of knowledge that will guarantee standards at all levels of service delivery. We are without doubt identify by all and sundry as a voice and accountability platform that liaises with government to ensure a hitch free implementation of government policies and programs, by educating and providing in-depth information to sensitize the public and garner the requisite support for the good intentions and success of government policies and developmental plans.
CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE partners with the government and other stakeholders in the discharge of her responsibilities and confidently tick off on crucial promises, especially entrenching the tenets of democracy that will ensure lasting and sustainable development. Our attention has been drawn to the recent allegations of fraudulent activities besieging the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and her minister, our concern however is the baton of judgement it has on other persons who are in no way connected to the allegations, hence the need for this press briefing with the above-mentioned subject matter. He added that as watchdogs of the society, we are not partisan to social media judgement, court or condemnation, we do not buy into activities of keypad warriors casting aspersions; therefore, we condemn in all its entirety the discordant public opinion regarding the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’ involvement in the N438 million Humanitarian Ministry Contract and we aim to set the record straight for clarity and for the avoidance of public biased perceptions and judgement.
It is a well-known fact that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has repeatedly exonerated himself, providing evidence, from any involvement in the controversial N438 million contract scandal related to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, adding that, During an interview on Channels TV on Monday Night, Mr. Tunji-Ojo, refuted the allegations, distancing himself from the fingered company’s operations. We would not have responded to the public, media brigandage and concoction of lies spewed out against Tunji-Ojo but for the want of unsuspecting public who might want to take the coloration of lies packaged to smear the hard-earned reputation and integrity of the minister who in few months of assumption into office has significantly shown the highest form of commitment to the mandate of the ministry of Interior in accordance with the tenets of national development.
We cannot appoint someone who has measured in integrity, uprightness, dedication, commitment and capacity and in just a flick of the moment, still drag him for what is clearly not within his jurisdiction or his involvement. The effort put in place by a serving public steward should be at all time applauded, this has not been the case on the social media space, the Minister has shown his capacity by emerging as a beacon of transformative leadership in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he has in fact orchestrated a symphony of unprecedented reforms, steadily steering and navigating the various agencies under his purview towards a brighter horizon.
His stewardship encapsulates a tapestry of achievements across various sectors marked by a resolute commitment to enhancing efficiency, professionalism and progressive change. May we use this medium to bring to limelight some of the milestones achieved by this rare gift, so that while the naysayers are being judge and jury passing judgements in the social media space, these achievements of his, should also find a space in the same social medium and other mainstream media.
Without photos, cameras and press conferences, the Minister Tunji-Ojo at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), orchestrated the clearance of an overwhelming backlog of 204,332 passports within a record-breaking three-week period, rescuing the nation from the grip of a dire national crisis, he collaborated with private sectors to raise N500m fines owed by over 4,000 prison inmates in order to free them, thereby decongesting the overpacked correctional centers across the nation. The Minister’s stance on international relations demonstrates his commitment to reciprocity in visa processes, challenging inequitable privileges granted to foreign nationals while championing the rights of Nigerian applicants, in fact he pledged to revolutionized passport processing, promising a two-week timeline, and the introduction of home and office delivery of passports commencing in February, 2024.
The same Minister, introduced technology in the security of our border, he also initiated and introduced the E-gate system in our international airports reducing physical contacts with immigration officers to curtail bribery and other fraudulent practices. We have seen a performing steward, yet we do not want to place value on the effort he is putting to ensure that the four corners of the Ministry of Interior in illuminated positively. The naysayers are already driving numerous condemnations on his person.
Additionally, the Minister, Mr. Tunji-Ojo, presented a certified document from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), confirming his resignation from the company five years ago. He has no business with the said company—absolutely no business—because he’s not involved in the day-to-day running of the company. He also does not pursue jobs for the company, does not bid for the company, and is not a signatory to the company’s account. May we reiterate that “HE IS NOT INVOLVED AND SHOULDN’T BE ROPED IN, THOSE INVOLVED SHOULD BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS ALONE.” CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE wishes to clarify that public service rules do not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. The rule stipulates that individuals cannot be directors, a position from which Minister Tunji-Ojo resigned about five years ago.
The Minister holds no directorship in any company. He serves solely as the Minister of Interior for the Federation and is not involved in the N438 million Humanitarian Ministry Contract.” Conclusively, we want to deeply commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response in suspending those directly involved in the sharp practices exposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, this goes to show that the government under his watch is committed to nipping corruption in the bud to afford Nigerians and Nigeria the giant strides it deserves as part of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration. We also urge the Anti-Graft agencies to be transparent and diligent in their investigation as the general public and the civil society community is actively interested in the outcome of the matter at hand. The group concluded.
