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Re: Betta Edu N3bn sleaze and GVG fund saga

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…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)…

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Soludo Visit President Tinubu, Says ” I’ve been his friend for 22 years”

During the visit today, Soludo for the umpteenth time, declared his support for President Bola Tinubu second term, noting that they have maintained a friendship for over 22 years.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Receives Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Chukuma Soludo,at Presidential Villa Abuja

During the visit today, Soludo for the umpteenth time, declared his support for President Bola Tinubu second term, noting that they have maintained a friendship for over 22 years.

Governor Soludo who wore a white cap emblazoned with Tinubu’s insignia and the inscription “Progressives are working together,” stressed the importance of remaining focused in their shared objectives.

He described President Tinubu as being in high spirits, healthy, and hale, adding, “It was such a pleasure to meet with him; it was a very pleasant meeting.”

Governor Soludo also emphasized that all political parties committed to progressivism are collaborating, and praised President Tinubu’s bold initiatives, particularly his reforms in the economy and structural sectors.

When asked why he boldly endorsed Tinubu despite not belonging to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the President’s party, and being the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, he replied:

“The caps were produced when President Tinubu visited Anambra State, and you saw the billboards proclaiming that progressives are working together. This is a fundamental belief I hold—that all political parties that profess progressivism should unite in a massive coalition to strengthen our democracy and advance the country’s economic and social development,” Soludo.

For me, saying ‘progressives working together’ is a call to those who share these ideals. Regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I have no apologies for my support.

He has been my friend for 22 years and counting—you don’t deny your friend. I fully support him and am impressed by the bold economic and structural reforms he has implemented. We are on the right path, and we need to stay the course.”

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Akinfeleye Now on Obafemi Awolowo University’s Governing Council

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, a renowned communications specialist, to the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Akinfeleye is the former Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and the Chairman of the Centre of Excellence in Multimedia and Cinematography/Unilag Radio 103.1 FM and Television.

Formerly a member of the Governing Council of Yakubu Gowon University of Abuja, Akinfeleye replaces Mr. Wahab Owokoniran, who was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Federal University of Transport, Daura, Katsina State.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu also appointed Prof. Hon. Chisom D. Obih to the Governing Council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State. Obih’s appointment follows the death of a member of the council.

Tinubu also named Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.

The President appointed Mr. Hamisu Yusuf Yelwa as the university’s registrar, Usman Nakazalle Sanusi as the Bursar, and Dr. Shehu Aminu Liman as the Librarian.

A retired Colonel from the Nigerian Army, Prof. Yakasai, is the Provost of the College of Health Sciences at Bayero University in Kano.

He is also the chairman of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria and a governing council member at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State. He obtained an MBBS at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He later won a scholarship from the European Economic Commission to do his postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a membership to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a fellowship at the same prestigious college.

Prof. Yakasai obtained a Master’s in Medical Education at the University of Winchester and subsequently went to the USA to pursue the Fellowship of the International College of Surgeons, FICS (USA), and the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons.

He also served as the Director-General of the Hospitals Management Board, Kano State.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy)August 12, 2025

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Crime

16 Inmates Escape in Keffi Prison Break

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Sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after breaching the facility’s security and overpowering prison staff.

According to a statement by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, the inmates launched a coordinated attack on duty personnel, leading to the breakout. Five officers were injured in the process, with two currently in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.

Abubakar confirmed that seven of the escaped inmates have already been recaptured, while a manhunt is underway to track down the remaining nine.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the general public of an incident… where some inmates breached the security of the facility and attacked personnel on duty, enabling 16 inmates to escape custody,” the statement read in part.

Following the incident, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the Keffi facility and ordered a thorough investigation. He warned that any staff found complicit in the escape would face disciplinary action.

Nwakuche also directed immediate efforts to recapture the fleeing inmates, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The public has been urged to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious movements or sightings of the escapees to the nearest security post.

The NCoS reassured citizens of its continued commitment to public safety and the integrity of custodial facilities across the country.

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