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NSITF will not give money to blackmailers despite fake allegations-Mgt

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The management of the Nigeria Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, has vowed that individuals and groups seeking to extort money from the organisation through unsubstantiated allegations and innuendos are wasting time as the Fund would never succumb to such blackmailers, no matter how hard they try.

The Managing Director of the Fund, Maureen Allagoa, who made the vow Tuesday in Abuja, said corruption allegations against the management of the Fund, were nothing but falsehood and the handiwork of extortionists, blackmailers and detractors.

The NSITF boss who was reacting to a statement by a civil society group: Anti-Corruption, Good Governance and Human Rights Watch Network (AGHRWN), that rot of corruption oozes in the agency under her watch.

She said that NSITF has nothing to hide, and went on to say that the agency’s books are open for public scrutiny since she was appointed in 2023.

Contained in a statement signed by the Fund’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Nwachukwu Godson, Allagoa, further said there have been orchestrated waves of uninformed and baseless publications by phantom groups and persons sponsored to tarnish the image of NSITF and vowed that no amount of falsehood, blackmail, and threats  will stop her management  from taking the ongoing transformation of  the agency along the 8-Point Agenda of the Tinubu administration to fruition.

“We have nothing to hide, and our books have been open for public scrutiny since I was appointed as the Managing  Director/Chief Executive of the NSITF in 2023. Upon appointment, my EXCO set a target whose thrust lies in the  reform of the agency to fully implement  the Employees Compensation Scheme.

“The truth is that the NSITF at the moment is probably one of the most scrutinized agencies of government and no verdict of guilt has been established  beyond the usual nebulous tattletales and beer parlour gossip that lack logic and facts.”

“Following  petitions from Nigerians, among  whom are those with genuine concerns and others  with undisguised mal fide, the anti-corruption agencies have been investigating those petitions but are yet to  pin any wrong doing to me or  my EXCO.

“We therefore dare those behind these publications to make available to the public, one proven case of corruption against the NSITF since I assumed office in February 2023.

“Urging  the ICPC and EFCC  to investigate the NSITF with indictment in mind is an exercise in vain for we  fear no scrutiny.  We went the extra mile  to revive the anti-corruption unit in the fund, resourced them to effectively discharge their duty, and thereby  primed all  staff towards transparency.

“In the past one year, the fund has held only one procurement process, apart from an  ongoing one which  is for the procurement of the internet-based information technology facilities, without which the day to day running of the Fund  will grind to a halt.

“We convened  the Parastatals Tenders Board to endorse and transmit same to the Ministerial Tenders Board to equally approve or reject. When a certain phony Anti-Corruption, Good Governance and Human Rights  Watch Network accused the fund of “violating public procurement process,” we wondered where and how.

“Even though we have restrained ourselves from descending into the vortex of recriminations with faceless persons and groups, there is no better time to call the bluff of these amorphous people.  Prove your allegations or stay away! Nigerians are not wet behind the ears or ripe for the picking. Nigerians are not gullible to buy into unsubstantiated sweeping allegations, punctuated with threats.

“Yesterday there was a deliberate distortion of facts about the N47m payment which the committee set up by the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Simon Lalong investigated and found no wrongdoing.” She said.

She also said; “The detractors were not tired as they went on to allege that PAYE deductions as well as National Housing Fund under the previous administration were not remitted to the appropriate bodies. This also failed at the consistent knocking of facts as we showed evidence to the contrary.”

“ Why have our traducers not investigated hundreds of dependent and disability beneficiaries on our monthly payroll? Are they aware of the number of deceased dependents who are under the care of the NSITF until the last child graduates from a high institution or attains the 21 years of age?

“What then is this “oozing corruption” as alleged by AGHRWN and cohorts? Is it that despite challenges, the NSITF in the last one year, conducted 5,592 Occupational Safety and Health Awareness exercises to reduce accidents in  workplaces across the nation?

“ Is it that we dispensed social security benefits under different compensation packages to 20,531 beneficiaries in one year?  For the benefits of critics, these first two steps of the Employees’ Compensation are interdependent or inversely proportional. Topnotch occupational safety and health brings down the incidence of workplace accidents, hence , reduction in amount paid out as claims and compensation.

“With all these achievements and more, I wonder the reason some persons are determined to continue casting the NSITF in bad light.”

 

 

 

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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