NYSC Certificate Scandal: NSITF Boss Vows Not To Bow To Blackmail

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 Corps (NYSC) to malign his credibility will not stop him from cleaning up the Fund.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists yesterday, 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.

He urged journalists and individuals to investigate the NSITF to find out how he has managed to plug loopholes where some contractors were using to embezzle  funds from the agency.

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.”

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.

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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 was at University of Agriculture (UNAB), Abeokuta.

“The following persons were some of my fellow corps members and I am 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.

“You guys are reporters; go and do your investigations. Use your undercover reporters to investigate, even enquire from NSITF staff about what I have said. My hands are clean.

“They can continue with the trash they sponsor against me in the papers and social media, but as far as I remain the managing director, I will keep making things difficult for looters. That is the mandate Mr. President and the minister of Labour And Employment gave me when I was sworn in. ”