Betta Edu: Permanent Secretary takes over Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Poverty Alleviation

Following the suspension of Minister Betta Edu, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has assumed leadership of the Ministry’s operations.

This action follows President Bola Tinubu’s direction. On Monday, Edu was suspended due to her suspected involvement in a N585 million scam.

The minister is alleged to have transferred public monies into personal bank accounts.

It was learned that Enitan took over as the Ministry’s head after receiving a letter on Monday night from the Secretary of the Federation’s office stating as much.

Recall that Tinubu had given the suspended minister instructions to “hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation” through his Special Advisor for Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The President has also instructed her to fully assist the investigating authorities in their probe.

Moreover, among other things, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister of Finance are leading a panel that the President has charged with conducting a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs.

Ngelale had stated in a statement that the project was “with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programs in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence.”