NSITF APPOINTMENT: TINUBU APPOINTS EX-LAGOS LAWMAKER MOJISOLAOLUWA ALLI-MACAULAY WHO LOOTED COVID-19 PALLIATIVES TO HEAD NSITF

 

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a former Lagos lawmaker, Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

Mrs Alli-Macaulay who represented Amuwo Odofin 1 in Lagos at a time was exposed for diverting COVID-19 palliatives meant to alleviate the suffering of poor masses during the COVID-19 lockdown and rebranding the palliatives as her birthday souvenirs in 2020.

A petition by Mrs Alli-Macaulay’s constituents called for her recall on grounds of poor constituency representation and theft of palliatives meant for the masses during the pandemic.

The Nigeria social insurance trust fund (NSITF) is an institution established by the Nigerian government to provide financial and insurance services to employees in Nigeria.

The appointment of Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has ignited significant controversy and public outcry across Nigeria. This appointment comes amidst allegations and public backlash over Alli-Macaulay's involvement in a scandal where she allegedly diverted COVID-19 palliatives intended for public distribution to use as gifts at her birthday party.

The controversy surrounding Alli-Macaulay dates back to October 2020 when photographs of the event went viral, depicting how relief materials meant for her constituents were repackaged into birthday party packs. This revelation led to widespread condemnation and demands for accountability from the public.

Despite these allegations, President Tinubu proceeded with the appointment, citing Alli-Macaulay's previous role as a lawmaker and Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Job Creation. "The decision to appoint her, along with Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSITF, was aimed at repositioning the organization for enhanced social protection and service delivery".

On social media platforms, reactions were swift and critical.

Nigerians expressed disbelief and anger, accusing the government of rewarding corruption and undermining public trust. Many pointed out the irony of appointing someone with a tainted record to a position of responsibility in a key government agency tasked with social insurance and public trust.

The controversy continues to unfold as Nigerians monitor the developments and await further actions or responses from relevant authorities regarding this contentious appointment and the allegations against Alli-Macaulay.

Four years after allegations of grave corruption were levied against her, Mrs Alli-Macaulay, who hails from the same state with President Tinubu, is being rewarded with an appointment as an Executive Director of a federal government agency, a troubling pattern of rewarding controversial individuals within public positions.

The latest development brought to the fore another controversial appointment of ex-Kebbi State governor Atiku Bagudu, an ally of the late despot, Sani Abacha, as minister of budget and planning by the Tinubu-led government.

Last April, the U.S. government expressed concerns that Mr Tinubu was perpetuating the pervasive corruption of his predecessors through such appointments.

Mrs Alli-Macaulay’s appointment has sparked criticisms of Tinubu’s government, raising questions about the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli–Macaulay is a Nigerian politician, lawmaker, and a member of the All Progressive Congress APC. She was a Lagos State House of Assembly legislator, representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency I and the Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli was born in Surulere, Lagos State and she is from Lagos Island, in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

She had her primary education at Subola Nursery & Primary School (1982–84) and concluded at Festac Primary School (1984–90). Immediately after that she began her secondary school education at Festac Girls' Secondary School (1990–93), and completed at Navy Town Secondary School (1993–95), where she obtained the West African School Certificate.

She went on to obtain a Diploma at the Open University Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, in Social science (2003). In 2015, she was awarded a Bachelor Of Arts degree in History & International Relations from Lagos State University. In 2021, she obtained a degree in Law at Lagos State University.

She began her career in Journalism and Broadcast media in 1997 as a Duty Announcer For Radio Lagos/Eko FM (1997–99).  She worked immediately after that as a Newscaster/Presenter at MITV/STAR FM for three years (1999–2001), then moved on to NTA 2 Channel 5 as a News Researcher, News presenter and Producer (2001–2002).

She contested as a Councillor in Ward B1, Amuwo Odofin, under the Action Congress of Nigeria and won (2010-13).  She was formerly the Deputy Leader, Amuwo Odofin Legislative Council, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area. In 2019, she contested and won in the Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1. She was a member on the 9th Legislative Assembly, Lagos State House of Assembly.

Shell-shocked Nigerians are also still wondering what the fate of Betta Edu, the female minister who confessed to mismanagement of public funds totaling billions of Naira meant for grants and palliatives for suffering masses. Edu according to sources, is back in her position asminister, as if nothing happened.

Tinubu’s administration is becoming known for not just encouraging corruption but rewarding sharp practices.