The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy has accused former First Lady Mrs. Aisha Buhari of diverting the sum of N150 million meant for the construction of African First Lady Peace Mission project in Abuja to power generator.
The mission was formally inaugurated in 1997, as an outcome of the commitment made by the First Ladies of Benin, Burundi, Gambia, Lesotho, Nigeria and Uganda at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing Conference), to undertake peace missions throughout Africa.
The mission’s Secretariat which is a five-storey building project is being executed by A and K construction company and would be sited along Airport Road in Abuja.
Kennedy disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja this during an investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
A member of the Committee, Hon. Marie Ebikake, queried the minister on the African First Lady Peace Mission project of about N500 million, asking the minister to explain to the committee how the money was utilised, where the project was located and those involved.
Ebikake noted: “Honorable Minister and Permanent Secretary with DFA, last time when we came, that was on Thursday, we did raise an issue of African First Lady Peace Mission projects. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any concrete answer to the issue.
“It was carried over to today. So now that we are here, Honorable Minister, could you please educate the committee on the functions of African First Lady Peace Mission projects, taking into cognizance of funds allocated for the project in the past. Year 2020, 500 million, 2021, 225 million.2022, 500 million. 2023, 150 million. Where is the office situated and the organogram?
Responding, the minister explained that the N150 million that was appropriated in 2023 was eventually given to the former first lady, Aisha Buhari who eventually told her it was meant for the purchase of a generator .
Her words: “About the First Lady’s funds. The Nol.500 million you were talking about, I wasn’t there when it happened. When I came in, I saw it on the appropriation act. And I went to my First Lady. We discussed. She said that particular money was not meant for her.
“That it was meant for the former First Lady because that was when that money was allocated. And the former First Lady later called me and said they wanted to use it and buy a generator. And in the process, she was out of the country.
“It took her a while, she came back, called me, and she brought the person that was going to come and organize how they would get the generator. And I introduced that person to the procurement officer then, who is now retired.
“So that they could work it out according to the rules and regulations of procurement. And they’ve been on it. Once in a while, I talk with the First Lady to find out what’s going on. And that’s the last I heard of that.
Responding, the minister explained that the N150 million that was appropriated in 2023 was eventually given to the former first lady, Aisha Buhari who eventually told her it was meant for the purchase of a generator.
At this point members of the committee were surprised that the minister could identify the contractors or address of the contractors who executed the African First Lady Peace Mission project.
Kennedy added: “Let me explain. This is First Lady’s… My First Lady will tell you, focus on your work. And she focuses on her work. She just advises me. And when they came there, I am not a First Lady and I can’t overstep my bounds.
“All I went to tell her is that there is some amount of money on the appropriation act. for her office and I went there to tell her. I have no business much to do with First Lady’s buildings. Because I have to only take directives when given.