Thumb Up For Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye For Condemning Waste Of Funds And Misplaced Priorities In Her Ministry -By Isaac Asabor

In recent years, the role of the Minister of Women Affairs has become increasingly crucial in advocating for the rights and welfare of women across the nation. One minister, in particular, has stood out for her unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability within her ministry. Her consistent condemnation of wasteful spending and misplaced priorities has earned her both respect and admiration from various sectors of society.

Reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as she has made it her mission to ensure that funds allocated to her ministry are used effectively and efficiently. She has publicly denounced instances where resources have been squandered on projects that do not align with the core objectives of promoting women’s rights and welfare. This commitment to accountability is not just a political stance; it reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women in society and the need for targeted interventions.

One of the minister’s most commendable actions has been her willingness to highlight and challenge misplaced priorities within her ministry. In a landscape where funding can often be diverted to less impactful initiatives, she has consistently advocated for a focus on programs that directly benefit women. By prioritizing initiatives that address issues such as gender-based violence, economic empowerment, and access to education, she has demonstrated a clear vision for what her ministry should achieve.

The minister’s vocal stance against wasteful spending has not only garnered her respect but has also helped to build public trust in her leadership. Citizens are more likely to support a ministry that is transparent about its expenditures and prioritizes the needs of the community. By holding herself and her team accountable, she has set a standard for future leaders in her position.

It is imperative that other ministers, Directors General (DGs), and Permanent Secretaries emulate her example to curb waste and corruption across ministries, departments, and agencies throughout the country. By adopting similar principles of accountability and prioritizing the effective use of resources, they can contribute to a culture of integrity and transparency in governance. This collective effort is essential for ensuring that public funds are utilized for the greater good and that the needs of citizens are met.

Without a doubt, the minister deserves a thumb up for her relentless efforts to condemn waste of funds and misplaced priorities in her ministry. Her actions serve as a reminder of the importance of accountability in governance, especially in sectors that directly impact the lives of women. As she continues to advocate for effective use of resources, it is hoped that her example will inspire others in leadership positions to follow suit, ensuring that funds are used to create meaningful change in society. Without a doubt, she has been resilient in cautioning officials of the ministry against organising events without her knowledge.

Recently, the minister is seen in a viral video speaking at an event she said was organized without her input, adding that the programme did not directly impact the people.

She was said to have stormed the event shortly after it commenced in Abuja on Wednesday. The event was a validation workshop for the third-generation national action plan (2024-2029) on the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR), and was reportedly organized by the federal ministry of women affairs and the UN women.

At the event, she said, “Let this be the last time women affairs will organize anything that I am not aware of. You try next time; I will come here and get you people disgraced.I know what I am going through in this country. For a while, this is what we keep on organizing.

“Few weeks ago, there was a hunger protest, and they talked about peace and security. Women are not empowered.

“Children are suffering. Nigerians are suffering, but we waste money all the time on frivolous things that don’t make sense.

“Many people may misunderstand me, but I am ready to be misunderstood. I am ready to be tortured. I am ready. I have changed the narrative; I said no programme without empowerment.

“You are talking about peace and security. With poverty, how can you solve it? You keep talking, doing workshops.

“With poverty, where are we heading to? How do we solve that poverty by directing money to the wrong channels that don’t make an impact on humans? On those people you want them to change and give you peace.

“I have changed the narrative. I said do not do any programme without empowerment. They give money to the ministries, and it is used for travel and programmes.

“Nothing that will impact the nation. If you hear the money the government gives out to ministries, you will be shocked.

“Why should it continue like that? Why should we fold our hands and these things will continue? Who do you think will save you? It’s you that will save yourself. Let them call me names, troublemaker,’ ‘mad woman,’ ‘I am ready to take it.’

“It’s not today. I told them that you can’t bring N100m and use it to do programme. That is the fact, that over N100 million is used for programmes. I said they should always use half to empower the women, and then use the other half to do your programme.”