Osun Govt. Denounces NSIP Focal Person, Ibitoye

• Appointee Apologises, Says Action Regrettable

Sodiq Yusuf

The Osun State Government has directed a probe into the activities of the Federal Government appointed Focal Person for the state on National Social Intervention Programmes, Mr. Kehinde Ibitoye, and programmes being planned with Microsoft and Fidelity bank.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Monday said Ibitoye’s recent activities were injurious to the government’s reputation.

The government of Osun also declared that it was not part of any programme involving Microsoft Corporation and Fidelity Bank, and accused Ibitoye of dropping the names of the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the State Government.

The statement read: “The State Government affirmed that Mr Ibitoye was an appointee of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and that his recent activities brought reputational damage to the state government, calling on local and national agencies and private sector organisations to beware of any solicitation from the said Ibitoye in relation to the State Government.

“The State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has also directed an in-depth investigation into the activities of the said Mr Ibitoye with a view to generate a report for action with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.”

Meanwhile, in a Clarification letter by Mr Ibitoye addressed to Wootlab Foundation on Monday and made available to NIGERIAN TRIBUNE said the news about the “partnership on both Nigerian Tribune and Sun News were not intended to misinform the people, it was intended to promote Wootlab and the government, they are however being worked upon to be brought down as requested.”

Titled ‘Letter of apology and Clarification Regarding Press Release and Potential Partnership’, Mr Ibitoye in the letter “tender my unreserved apology for including ‘Microsoft’ in the publication, it was not intended to cause any form of disruption, it was only in anticipation of the partnership we seek to obtain from Wootlab Foundation which I personally look forward to.

“I wish to restate our commitment to securing a partnership with Wootlab Foundation and we understand perfectly that Wootlab serve as Microsoft implementing partner for Digital Skilling Nigeria(DSN) and our partnership is with Wootlab Foundation.”