EduGate: Memo shows how Tinubu’s Chief of Staff approved N3billion to verify Buhari’s Social Register

According to a memo from Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, President Bola Tinubu authorized the release of N3 billion to verify the National Social Register under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration

Betta Edu is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and she is currently suspended.

For the purpose of cash transfers and other social investment initiatives, the social register was established.

From the N3 billion granted to the suspended minister, several companies received contracts; this announcement has since sparked controversy and is being looked into by anti-graft and presidential investigators.

The September 18 letter is headed “Report from Gbajabiamila’s Office,” and it comes from the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“CONVEYANCE OF APPROVAL; RE: APPEAL TO USE N3,000,000,000.00 (THREE BILLION NAIRA) FROM THE COVID-19 PALLIATIVE FUND FOR VERIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL REGISTER.”

“The above subject refers. 2. Please be informed that Mr President has approved the expenditure of N3,000,000,000.00 (Three Billion Naira) only, from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National Social Register. 3. Please accept the assurance of my highest regards. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President,” it read.

This media had reported how a company owned by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was paid a total amount of N438.1 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu for consultancy services from the contract.

The company, New Planet Project Limited was one of the numerous consultants awarded contracts from N3 billion given out by the suspended minister for the National Social Register contract.

Other beneficiaries of the N3 billion contract include Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co. which got N419.5 million. Vintsolve Global Consult was also paid N558.8 million.

Periscope Consulting got N277 million, Blue Trend Enterprise was N277.8 million, Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services got N277 million, Memak Nigeria Limited was paid N277 million, MC Van Management Consult Limited got N275.8 million while Danzinger Nigeria Limited- N275.8 million.

“Other companies that benefitted from the N3billion contracts are: Blue Trend Enterprise-N277.8million.

“Blue trend, has no record of being registered and the owner is unknown. Periscope Consulting-N277million. Periscope Consulting, with registration number 1053019, registered on July 24, 2012, is owned by one Ngozi Maureen Ojiego, known for Interior Decoration. Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services Ltd-N277million.

“Laitop with registration number 1340092, is owned by one Quburat Bolanle Bolanta. It was registered on June 6, 2016. Memak Nigeria Limited with no known ownership and date of registration got NN277million.

“MC Van Management Consult Limited with no records of registration also got N275.8million contract while Danzinger Nigeria Limited with registration number 635448, registered on Sep 23, 2005got N275.8million. Danzinger is owned by one Oladapo Rotimi Mohammed.

“All the contractors claimed they verified 11 million homes in Nigeria under one month,” Ude stated in a Twitter post.

This media had reported how Edu asked the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to send public funds to a private account which belonged to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, identified as a project manager by the minister.

The minister had approved that N585,198,500.00 should be disbursed into a personal account.

This media also reported two Sundays ago that her ministry approved funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for her team from Abuja to Kogi State, even though the latter has no airport.

President Tinubu had suspended Edu and ordered an investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities of the minister.

Credit: Sahara Reporters