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Re: Betta Edu N3bn sleaze and GVG fund saga

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2024

Charles Flames

570 Views

…An Effort In Futility By Desperados, By Omogbolahan Babawale

With the hoopla from the recently unearthed large scale sleaze from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) and its concomitant obstreperous cacophony, one thing I’ve observed, very keenly is the adroit adept application of some rules of the best-seller book by renowned Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power. The spinners, while jettisoning Rule 26 which states that, ‘Keep Your Hands Clean’, and which invariably implies if you must do anything untoward, get others to do it on your behalf so you do not take the blame went straight for the jugular of their adversary.

These desperados went straight for Rule 39 which states that you, ‘Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish’. By implication, the rule suggests that you create chaos to take advantage of the opportunity it provides. Of course, people’s attention will be diverted and their focus will be off the major problem at hand which overtly is what is obtainable now in the case involving the suspended former Head, Nigeria Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). And truth remains they will stop at nothing as they might have learnt from Rule 3 to always, Conceal Your Intentions. This affords you the opportunity to always lead people astray when it comes to your intentions. They will hardly realize your plans too soon.

Their desperation has finally led them to apply Rule 15 so quickly. What does Rule 15 say? It says, ’Crush Your Enemy Totally’. And who is the enemy here? Of course, Betta Edu. They believed they had the chance, hence, their decision to ‘destroy’ her completely with phantom, far-from-reality and unfounded fraud allegation. Robert Greene suggested that you show your enemy no mercy, so that they’ll be less likely to try to cross you in the future. This aptly captures the current campaign of calumny against the person of Dr. Betta Edu.

If the analogy were not to be, how come then it was possible for somebody alleged to have peculated a whopping sum of N30bn, stashed in several private accounts within few weeks of her appointment now spined the story such that N3bn was thereafter the major talk-of-the-town while the public speaks less of her humongous and esurient ‘annihilation of our common wealth’? Such spin needs be studied at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom or Harvard Business School in the United States. I shudder when people turn logic on its head. They have practically turned the attention solely on the Minister. Some have even almost turned it to an ethnic thing – North vs South. I wonder how many Southerners defended Dr. Abati, Sen. Obanikoro, Amb. Ayo Oke (the NIA man) among others during the #DasukiGate experience.

To think President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former auditor of high repute, trained by one of the best audit firms in the world – Deloitte would allow such shenanigans is to undermine his intelligence and his resolve to right the many wrongs bedeviling us a people. Meanwhile, Betta Edu, through her aide, Rasheed had said she got approval for the Grants for the Vulnerable Group (GVG) fund moved into a personal account. As a man with financial background, a former auditor with 10-year audit experience, I can say authoritatively that it is not the duty of Betta Edu as a minister to put in internal control mechanisms. That overtly falls within the purview of both the Accountant-General of the Federation and Auditor-General for the Federation. If both officers or their offices through which the payment was made did not raise any objection, why should Edu take the fall? The last time I checked, I remember, Betta Edu as a Minister does not have such powers as to open official account other than the statutory recognized accounts – salary, overheads and revenue (where necessary)…

Related Topics:Betta Edu Sleaze and GVG Fund saga

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Senate confirms Vanguard’s Editor, Eze Anaba For National Human Rights Commission Board

President Bola Tinubu had in April written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of the nominees as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s human rights protection framework.

Published

1 hour ago

October 28, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Eze Anaba, and 15 other nominees to the governing board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The NHRC is mandated to promote and protect human rights, investigate alleged violations and encourage compliance with national and international human rights standards.

The confirmation followed the consideration of a report presented today by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN, APC, Ondo Central).

The Senate also confirmed Dr Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman as chairman of the board and Dr Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) as Executive Secretary.

Other confirmed nominees are Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Edmund Chinonye, Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Patience Patrick Udoh and Hawwa Ibrahim.

President Bola Tinubu had in April written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of the nominees as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s human rights protection framework.

The letter was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

In the letter, Tinubu sought the reconstitution of the commission’s governing board in line with statutory provisions.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board, subject to Senate confirmation.

The nominees were drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

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MultiChoice Says Subscribers To Now Choose From Four DStv, GOtv Packages

Under the new structures scheduled to take effect on November 5, 2026, DStv subscribers will choose from four packages: Starter, Select, Sports and Premium, while GOtv customers will have Easy, Starter, Select and Sports.

Published

4 hours ago

October 28, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

Lagos| Pic: Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Kemi Omotosho, flank by other executives after the press briefing held at the company’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

MultiChoice Nigeria, a CANAL+ company, has structured it’s DStv and GOtv channels saying that they are aimed at giving subscribers more choice and better value through packages tailored to their viewing preferences.

The announcement was made at a press briefing held at the company’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, where executives outlined

Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Kemi Omotosho, said that the restructuring forms part of CANAL+’s broader strategy to develop a more unified, customer-focused portfolio following MultiChoice’s integration into the group.

Omotosho emphasised that the changes were driven by customer feedback and shifts in how audiences consume entertainment across television sets, smartphones, tablets and laptops.

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Leadership Names Obaigbena, Rabiu Persons of Year 2026

According to Leadership, the duo are being honoured for “building influential institutions, nurturing talent, challenging convention, and breaking new ground” in their respective fields.

Published

5 hours ago

October 28, 2026

OCHEFA

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Lagos |Pic: Presentation of Leadership Newspapers Person of the Year 2026 to Prince Nduka Obaigben, at the Ikoyi Offices of Arise News Channel in Lagos. In picture at the event were: Ombudsman, Kayode Komolafe; Leadership Newspapers Vice Chairman & Editor in Chief, Azu Ishiekwene; Leadership Newspapers Chairman, Mrs Zainab Sam Nda Isaiah; THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello and Arise News Director of Politics, Akin Osuntokun.

Leadership Newspapers has named the Chairman of THISDAY Group and founder of Arise News, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, and the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, as its Persons of the Year 2026.

The newspaper announced the recognition, while citing the businessmen’s contributions to institution-building, talent development, innovation, investment, job creation and philanthropy.

According to Leadership, the duo are being honoured for “building influential institutions, nurturing talent, challenging convention, and breaking new ground” in their respective fields.