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Nigerians reject Tinubu’s nomination of former Lagos MP Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, accused of diverting COVID-19 relief funds, as NSITF chief

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Nigerians reject Tinubu’s nomination of former Lagos MP Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, accused of diverting COVID-19 relief funds, as NSITF chief

  • Mitigation funds donated as birthday mementos by Hon. Mojisola Kehinde Alli-Macaulay in 2020

By Emma Ogbuehi

President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of former representative of Amuwo Odofin 1 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, who repackaged COVID-19 relief measures as birthday souvenirs in 2020, as the Executive Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is distasteful to a cross-section of Nigerians.

The former news presenter was among the new appointees to the position, as announced by Ajuri Ngelale, spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, on July 13, 2024.

Ngelale’s statement titled “President Tinubu appoints new managing director of Nigerian Social Security Fund” reads as follows:

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Social Security Trust Fund (NSITF).

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“Mr. Faleye is a specialist in law and corporate finance.

“President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mrs. Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigerian Social Security Trust Fund (NSITF).

“Mrs Alli-Macaulay is a former legislator and former Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Poverty Alleviation and Employment Creation at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“The President envisages a comprehensive reorganization of the NSITF with a view to enhancing social protection and quality service delivery to the Nigerian people.”

But Nigerians who spoke to him were not impressed Niche said the appointment was further evidence that the Tinubu administration was rewarding corruption rather than tolerating it.

At the height of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the government launched several packages including bags of rice, noodles and cooking oil as relief materials for families whose livelihoods were threatened.

But instead of distributing relief funds to those in need, some state governors and legislators hoarded supplies, leading to nationwide looting of stores where the supplies were stored.

Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, then a lawmaker in the Lagos House of Assembly, repackaged her district’s share of relief materials and distributed them to celebrate her 43rd birthday. Her actions drew a negative response from her constituents and Nigerians in general.

  • Repackaged Soothing Products Used as Birthday Souvenirs

Alli-Macaulay, born on October 10, 1977, represented Amuwo Odofin 1 constituency from 2019 to 2023. She chaired the Committee on Women, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation of the Lagos House of Assembly.

She was one of the most influential grassroots supporters of Tinubu’s presidency during the 2023 general elections and remained the voice of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Lagos.

In a letter dated October 31, 2020 addressed to the Chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), BudgIT Foundation and Connected Development (CODE) called for an investigation and prosecution of Ms. Alli-Macaulay for abusing her position and diverting COVID-19 relief materials for personal use.

Part of the petition read: “A case in point is the accusation against Honorable Mojisola Alli-Macaulay. On October 28, 2020, a report surfaced on social media that she allegedly diverted CACOVID relief items for personal use as part of her birthday mementos. We believe that these corruption allegations are a blatant violation of Nigerian laws, which amounts to using public office to appropriately support vulnerable Nigerians for personal gain.”

  • BudgIT and CODE Petition

BudgIT and CODE are two non-governmental organisations in Nigeria that promote fiscal transparency and accountability in public finances.

However, almost four years after the petition was filed with one of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, there was no news on the matter until the former legislator was given a new position in the Tinubu government as the executive director of the Nigerian Social Security Trust Fund.

Her agency will be responsible for planning welfare for Nigerian workers who suffer accidents and injuries at work while serving in the country. NSITF ensures that employers comply with workers’ compensation in the event of injuries.

The International Anti-Corruption Commission (ICPC), which received the petition in 2020, had not yet responded at the time of publication.

One person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “This is further proof that corruption pays in this country. And it explains why the country is where it is, seemingly stuck in the mud of abuse. The people who should be in prison are the ones giving the orders. What a shame.”

A resident of Amuwo-Odofin said: “I remember exactly when it happened. It was proof of how heartless our so-called leaders are. Now she has been elevated. And people wonder why the country is not progressing. Any country that tolerates such cruelty can only stagnate.”

Mr. Adegoroye Ishola, a resident of Lagos, said: “Corruption is our hallmark. Our leaders have destroyed our beautiful and rich country, leaving the youths hopeless and exposed to crime and violence. Only God will judge you heartless and wicked leaders.”