By Dapo Falade
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has declared that its management remains functional and operational, saying it was untrue that it has been sacked.
There was a reported suspension of the NSITF, on Thursday, by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who reportedly claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the indefinite suspension of its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr Adebayo Somefun.
The president also said to have approved the suspension of four directors of the agency, including the Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Mr Jasper Ikedi Azusalam; Executive Director, Operations, Mrs Olukemi Nelson and Executive Director, Administration, Alhaji Tijani Darazo Sulaiman.
However, the NSITF Management, in another statement, also on Thursday, declared that it was not suspended, adding that the president did not make such announcement.
It further stated that Ngige only over-reached himself as he was not a staff of the president by acting against the instruction of the president to the effect that no minister can sack or suspend the head of any agency appointed by the president.
“We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari has not suspended the management of NSITF and did not make such announcement. The person mentioned in the media report is not a staff of the president.
“For clarity, we need to mention that we received a letter from the Hon Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, stating that he is doing a procurement audit on NSITF and that management is suspended.
“We note that the minister’s action is against President Buhari’s directive, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, that stated clearly that no minister should suspend or sack any head of agency appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The memo stated that ministers should follow procedures by going through the governing board of the agency that will now make recommendations to the SGF to act if there is need. We are sure that President Buhari will not be part of any illegality and lack of due process.
“Meanwhile, the management of NSITF is open to any form of investigation by the appropriate agency as there is nothing that the management will hide or is hiding.
“We have been in receipt of several letters by the minister and several petitions written against NSITF by the Minister of Labour, Sen Chris Ngige and we will make all communications available to the public and relevant authorities.
“The Management of NSITF is still discharging its duty as appointed by Mr President,” the statement added.
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