The Author, Nigeria’s Manifest Destiny, Vitalis Obidiaghaa has opined on the controversial stories agog social media and other online news about the involvement of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo in the financial misappropriation of the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu through the company New Planet Project Limited, as not only malicious but also a distraction to the minister of interior who has been a shining example in the delivery of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


Obidiaghaa said the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was live on Channel’s Politics Today set the records straight on the consultancy contract between New Planet Project Limited and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

According to the report, New Planet Project Limited was one of the consultants awarded contracts from the N3billion given out by Dr Betta Edu for the National Social Register contract before her suspension by Mr President. After the suspension of Dr Edu for breaching public trust, attention shifted to the Interior Minister for allegedly being a director in New Planet Project Limited.

But enlightening the public while appearing on that programme, Tunji-Ojo revealed that he founded the company 10 years ago, but resigned from directorship of the company in 2019 when he contested for House of Representatives. The Minister of Interior, who described the report as shocking, said he is just a shareholder in the company and not involved in the day-to-day running of New Planet Project Limited.

Giving further details, he said, “I have to say this, I saw it and I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I had resigned my directorship. Yes, I founded the company 10 years ago, but in 2019, when I got to the House of Representatives, when I won the election precisely and I resigned. I resigned on the 4th of February 2019, with a Certified True Copy of Corporate Affairs Commission as far back as 2019 to prove this. I do not run the company. I don’t have any knowledge of the contract. I am not a signatory to any account. I am not a director of the company."

“The company is a limited liability company which is a private entity. So, if the company is a private entity, of course, I am still a shareholder, and to the best of my knowledge, public service rule does not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. What public service rule says is that you cannot be a director, of which I had resigned about five years ago. I have no business with it, absolutely no business. Because I am not involved in the day-to-day running of the company. I do not pursue jobs for the company. I do not bid for the company. I am not a signatory to the company’s account. I am not involved."

“So, the company is an entity on its own. If that is the case, then, the question should be; was the job given to the company? If the answer is yes. Then the question should be; did they follow due process? If it is a yes. Did the company deliver on the job? If it’s a yes. Then the next question is; did they deliver in line with the agreement of the contract? If it is a no, then they should be sanctioned by the book,” said the honourable minister, restating that he came into public office knowing fully well that Nigerians would ask questions and charging relevant agencies to probe the contract processes to ensure transparency and probity.
As we were watching and musing over the programme, one of the two elderly gentlemen who later introduced himself as Mr Ahmed, made a statement that opened the floor for discussions amongst us. The following was his opinion: “I have lived all my life in this country and I had come to a point where I was almost tempted to give up hope on our nationhood. But the bold steps taken by this young minister since he assumed office as the interior minister have given me a reason to believe again."

Speaking further —trying to explain his position — he went philosophical by saying that “…the major limitation to social progress in any society is for the few good men and women who have the courage to make a difference to be bullied into silence by those who do not want things to change for the better.” His words were too powerful to ignore! Responding in the same vein, the other gentleman noted that “Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is one of the shining lights in Mr President’s cabinet. Just imagine what he has accomplished since he came in as the minister of Interior. Infact, he is one of the frontline ministers who is giving meaning to Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” I was speechless!

As I left the barbers shop, I couldn’t stop thinking about the words of these elderly gentlemen and some of the minister’s notable achievements. Coincidentally, it was that same Monday, January 8th, 2024, that the Minister launched an automated passport application process for our citizens, —a fulfilment to the promise he made to all Nigerians when he assumed duty as the minister of Interior. With this launch, Nigerians at home and abroad can now go online to apply for passports without interface with personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

While speaking on the successful launching of the online passport’s portal, Tunji-Ojo ascribed credit for the project to the visionary leadership and support given to him by President Bola Tinubu. The minister was upbeat that the online passports portal would drastically reduce contacts between applicants and immigration officers, adding that it would revolutionise the process of obtaining passports. He also added that it would speed up the entire process of obtaining a new passport by Nigerians in any part of the world. “This initiative is sure to bring relief to all Nigerians who desire to obtain the nation’s passport. The portal has undoubtedly ended the long waiting period for passport issuance. It has also ended the cycle of daily wastage of man-hours by passport applicants” He said.
To better appreciate the strategic import of digitalizing our passport processes, one has to understand the central role the Nigerian passport plays, especially as it serves as passport to the world for many of our citizens. For millions of our citizens who had almost lost hope in our nationhood because of the untold difficulties they had gone through in their quest to obtain their international passports in the past, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has given them a reason to believe in Nigeria again, deepening Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
With his performance so far, he has distinguished himself as a shining example, not only to his fellow ministers, but to millions of young Nigerians whom he also represents in Mr President’s cabinet. He should therefore be commended, not only for setting the records straight, but also for the courage to make a difference.

Wash on!

Voltron,defender of the universe.

Thank you President Tinubu for the gift of Hon Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

All these are the work of the wicked ones, they can't stand to see the good work the minister of interior is doing that's why they want to smear his name but it won't work their evil plans has failed.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is one of the few minister delivering the RenewedHope agenda of Mr President. He is a shining light among the ministers.

An intelligent man who knows his onion. He has pressed so many people's necks with policies that didn't go well with them and trust me, this is just the beginning of pressing

Protect Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ar all cost We won't let no one dim his light ✨️

As an ever ready public servant. We need more BTO in the affairs of Nigeria to implement more solutions.

BTO is truly a shining light and a beacon of hope.

There is nothing shinning in stealing public funds

This is pure distraction, but the ministers is not deterred in his effort to continue making life easier for Nigerians.

The minister of interior is a strong catalyst in this administration for bringing about positive change, inspiring others to choose service to humanity and have the interest of the citizens at heart. No propaganda will dim this light 💡

Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has proved his innocent by providing all the evidence, I believe has not to do with the allegation

What’s not to love about Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo? Thanks to President Tinubu for the gift of a vibrant and diligent minister.

If they can defend all Tinubu criminal act they will do the same with this man. Tribalism is a terrible thing

The more bot-like accounts type in support of this guy... the more suspicious I find him.

Unfortunately most his threads carry all these comments.

I don't like it all these image laundering efforts. Let your work speak for you!.

One tip for you guys, make your comments more detailed.

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is an outstanding minister under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Kudos to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his dedication to serving Nigeria with integrity and transparency. His commitment to delivering on promises and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda is commendable. Keep soaring

In my opinion the propaganda is a means to create distractions for Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

If someone tries to take away my pot of soup, I'd definitely resist as well.

No more bribery to acquire a Nigerian passport. Carry on with the good work sir.

I agree with the writer, the Minister has nothing to hide and has set the records straight.

This kind of thread is a testament to the possible culpability of the so-called best minister in the corruption allegations against him.

No matter how good a thief is in his job. No corporate sector board of directors will continue to keep and exonerate him with clear-cut contract abuse.

Even if he shine pass the sun 🌞 if he is found wanting he should be prosecuted and jailed immediately not only sacked but jailed I repeat n insist. This is coming from a Tinubu supporter.

Governancewatc:


The Author, Nigeria’s

TeeMoney99:
I agree with the writer, the Minister has nothing to hide and has set the records straight.

flexybricky:
If someone tries to take away my pot of soup, I'd definitely resist as well.

No more bribery to acquire a Nigerian passport. Carry on with the good work sir.

Zeesugar:
In my opinion the propaganda is a means to create distractions for Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

Yheri:
Kudos to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his dedication to serving Nigeria with integrity and transparency. His commitment to delivering on promises and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda is commendable. Keep soaring

obamiyi:
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is an outstanding minister under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Funmilayo8:
What’s not to love about Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo? Thanks to President Tinubu for the gift of a vibrant and diligent minister.

Laryy360:
Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has proved his innocent by providing all the evidence, I believe has not to do with the allegation

Solape1:
The minister of interior is a strong catalyst in this administration for bringing about positive change, inspiring others to choose service to humanity and have the interest of the citizens at heart. No propaganda will dim this light 💡

Oracben:
This is pure distraction, but the ministers is not deterred in his effort to continue making life easier for Nigerians.

Oluwalosolami:
BTO is truly a shining light and a beacon of hope.

Lifted2000:
As an ever ready public servant. We need more BTO in the affairs of Nigeria to implement more solutions.

Softesst:
Protect Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ar all cost We won't let no one dim his light ✨️

kemzy107:
An intelligent man who knows his onion. He has pressed so many people's necks with policies that didn't go well with them and trust me, this is just the beginning of pressing

Adelekan40:
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is one of the few minister delivering the RenewedHope agenda of Mr President. He is a shining light among the ministers.

Temmy1997:
All these are the work of the wicked ones, they can't stand to see the good work the minister of interior is doing that's why they want to smear his name but it won't work their evil plans has failed.

A thief is a thief is a thief.

Nigerians can now see the true colours of we the tribalistic yorubas, we the yorubas are shameless hypocrites, how can we be so shameless and brazenly defend a common thief because he is yoruba? We the tribalistic yorubas shouted ourselves hoarse to see that Betta Edu was removed so that another yoruba person will assume her position, now Tunji-Ojo has been caught red-handed stealing public funds and we are shamelessly shifting the goal post to suit our narrative. We the yorubas are shameless tribalistic hypocrites and the enemies of Nigeria

Gbogbowa:
If they can defend all Tinubu criminal act they will do the same with this man. Tribalism is a terrible thing

If u want him out because of his trîbè, then u are suffèrîñg from chronic tribaIism, his reforms didn't separate tribes.

Another public relations outfit for Ojo?