BREAKING: Betta Edu Fingered In N3bn NSIPA Fraud Scandal; A Tissue Of Lies, Spurious Allegation To Divert Anti-Graft Agency's Attention, Says Spokesperson

In response to recent claims implicating Dr. Betta Edu, the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in a purported N3 billion fraud scandal involving the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), her office has vehemently dismissed the accusations.

The Minister's spokesperson, Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, categorically labeled the allegations as "spurious" and orchestrated by unidentified individuals seeking to tarnish Dr. Edu's reputation amidst the ongoing anti-graft agency investigation into NSIPA.

While acknowledging the usual practice of not dignifying unfounded claims with a response, the Minister's office emphasized the necessity of setting the record straight. They highlighted the prevalence of fake news circulating on social media platforms and the need to clarify facts for the public and followers of the NSIPA developments under the Ministry.

Contrary to the allegations, the Minister's office asserted that Dr. Betta Edu had never requested or withdrawn any funds, especially the quoted N3 billion, from the NSIPA's coffers during her four-month tenure. The office also clarified that the National Social Register (NSR) verification process, cited in the allegations, had received approval from both the President and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The verification exercise led to the expansion of the NSR, with subsequent payments directly facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria to beneficiaries. The press release emphasized that all programs initiated by the Ministry, including the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG), had secured approval from the President.

The Minister's office maintained that Dr. Betta Edu bears no responsibility for the ongoing leadership issues at NSIPA and urged the media, both online and conventional, not to associate her with the investigations. The statement concluded with a reminder of the Minister's commitment to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to uplift vulnerable Nigerians and alleviate poverty.