Beta Edu Failed to Educate Herself

In truth, I have a fondness for individuals whom I perceive as the beautiful ones. However, my experiences with those in public offices have often left me disillusioned, as they tend to act without intelligence. Ayi Kwei Armah’s quote, “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born,” resonates with me each time I encounter such disappointments.

Beta Edu is one such figure who initially impressed me as a public office holder but ultimately shattered my expectations with her lapses in judgment, breach of public trust, gross abuse of power, and grand-style corruption aimed at diverting funds intended for the special needs and vulnerable individuals.

President Bola Tinubu, in line with his campaign promise, may have seen a dual advantage in Edu – her being a woman and a youth. Consequently, he appointed her as the youngest Minister in the cabinet at the age of 36. Edu had previously served as the youngest Special Adviser on Community and Primary Healthcare in Cross River State at the age of 28, eventually progressing to become the Commissioner for Health and later elected as the APC women leader. Edu’s rapid rise in political positions reflects President Tinubu’s recognition of her potential. Nevertheless, Edu’s recent actions have raised questions about her suitability for the roles entrusted to her. Despite her meteoric rise, she refused to take extra care to sustain her ascent and remain at the top.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation holds significant responsibility, tasked with supporting countless individuals displaced by conflicts, affected by natural disasters, or simply struggling against poverty exacerbated by the federal government’s neo-liberal socio-economic policies. Unfortunately, Edu, as a woman and youth, failed to prove that she could outperform her male counterparts in similar positions. Though it initially appeared her appointment was a round peg in a round hole, six months down the line, all it took to prove what Nigerian’s male politicians can do, our women can do better, and what our pot-belly-old-rogues politicians can do, our youths can do better. The little we have read and seen of the activities of Beta Edu is an affirmation of this submission.

Edugate, a scandal involving the alleged diversion of N585.2 million from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) to a private account, and the accusation of looting N3 billion from NSIPA by Edu and her associates, have cast a shadow over her tenure. Hajiya Halima Shehu, the suspended coordinator of NSIPA, accused Edu of siphoning funds through fraudulent schemes such as inflating beneficiary numbers, paying ghost workers, and diverting funds. Edu is further accused of making questionable appointments, including friends and allies, into non-existent Federal Government Programs. One Olubunmi Bello was appointed as the National Coordinator of the Community and Social Development Programme (CSDP), a defunct $415m World Bank-funded intervention project that was launched in 2009 and officially closed in June, 2021 and one Mr. Richard Romanus, was also appointed as the National Programme Manager of the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO); another defunct World Bank-supported project. Edu also approved for herself and aides, N72.3m flight tickets to Kogi State, a state which has no airport for official duties!

While Edu may be driven by greed, it is essential to question how she navigated her actions, especially considering the pervasive corruption within the Civil Service. A friend once shared how he entered the Local Government as a naive Chairman but quickly learned “the game” from corrupt Civil Servants. Edu’s alleged mismanagement of funds and unethical practices demands thorough investigation and accountability.

It remains uncertain whether Edu will return to lead the Humanitarian Ministry, given her current battle with the EFCC. What is evident, however, is that Beta Edu failed to educate herself on due process and the challenges of her office. A well-trained politician could have embezzled more without leaving a trace, emphasizing the need for government policies that prioritize the majority’s welfare over enriching corrupt politicians by keeping too much money in their care of thieving for humanitarian interventions and poverty alleviation caused by the Government policies in the first place.