Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Michael Akabogu, has said attempts to use trumped up allegation on the National Youth Service to malign his credibility will not stop him from cleaning up the Fund.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, the NSITF Boss described those behind the allegations as “faceless buccaneers” who want him out of office so that they can continue with their business of looting public treasury.
According to him, “What is happening today is that these buccaneer looters who present themselves as contractors and their collaborators inside the NSITF who are bitter that Akabogu stand in their way , are desperate to ease me out by scandalising my name in the media so as to continue the looting.”
Dr Akabogu said his biggest advantage is that having been staff of the agency, he knows where the problems are , where the loopholes have been and how to plug them.
He said, “For the records, I graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri in 1991. My registration number is 86J/01232/A. I was called up same year for the 1991/92 Service year. My call-up number is FUT/91/23402 while registration code at the Ogun State Sagamu camp is OG/91/0903 and my primary assignment at University of Agriculture (UNAB), Abeokuta.
“The following persons were some of my fellow corps members and I’m sure they are alive and gainfully employed in their various endeavours: Nwosu Christopher, male, from Anambra State; Areola Tokunbo, male, from Oyo State; Okeke Amaka, female, from Anambra Stat; Oyemade Yetunde, female, from Lagos State; Yawe Grace, female, from Benue State, and Amisu Saidi, male, from Lagos State, and Late Mr. Emma Ogbonna from Aba, whose younger brother Mr. Okey Ogbonna was a year below my set at FUT Owerri and he could be reach for verification, to mention but few.
“In 2021 , the Minister of labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige recommended me and other members of the present management team to the President as officers who are capable of leading the fund , reform it and stop the massive looting that had become synonymous with NSITF. Our biggest advantage is that having been staff of the agency, we know where the problems are , where the loopholes have been and how to plug them.
“I’m happy I have faithfully discharged my duties to the NSITF in line with the mandate given to us by Mr. President.
“What is happening today is that these buccaneer looters who present themselves as contractors and their collaborators inside the NSITF who are bitter that Akabogu stand in their way , are desperate to ease me out by scandalising my name in the media so as to continue the looting.”
