Hadiza Bala, sacked managing
director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has continued to come under intense
criticism for her statement lamenting the ongoing insecurity crises in Nigeria,
THE WITNESS reports.
Hadiza spoke in the context of
the commemoration of eight years after the Chibok girls were abducted in Borno
State by Boko Haram terrorists.
The former NPA chief was
suspended in May 2021 over the allegation of failure to remit the N165 billion
operating surplus to the coffers of the federal government. Though she was
later cleared of the allegations, President Buhari, however, did not reinstate
her to office.
In recent times, several states
in the country, including Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, Benue and others, have
witnessed large number of terrorist attacks.
The volatile security situation
made northern elders demand the immediate resignation of President Buhari.
Hadiza, who reacted through her
verified Twitter handle, condemned the situation and demanded swift actions
from the government to secure the release of victims.
According to her: “It is eight
years today since 276 girls were abducted in Chibok Secondary School, 109 still
remain in captivity. Many more girls, boys and indeed citizens of all ages have
been abducted from schools, communities and while enroute journeys,” she wrote.
Usman, a co-coordinator of the
#BringBackOurGirls movement, which came to life on the heels of the Chibok
abductions had been very active in the movement’s activities until she was
appointed the managing director of the NPA.
She had thereafter gone silent on
issues around activism, or matters critical of the government.
She was, however, recently shown
the way out of the appointment after a fallout with the minister of
Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
*Her comments have however sparked
criticisms, with some Nigerians labeling her as a ‘shameless hypocrite’ and
fresh attention seeker for not speaking out while she was in office as NPA*
0 Comments