Why my position is under attack – NSITF boss

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Dr. Michael Akabogu has expressed his determination and steadfast to discharging his duties and responsibilities, as well as ensuring the Fund is elevated to a pedestal where it is pristine from all form of corruption.

In a statement, Akabogu said his focus is towards entrenching efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of the Fund, therefore he shall not be deterred by what he described as sponsored articles by persons who are looking for loopholes get him out of office because of his efforts to block and end the usual looting of NSITF funds.

He hinted that Nigerians would be shocked the day he opens up on the reasons those he described as “buccaneers” are using trumped up allegation on the  National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) to malign his credibility.

“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.”

Furthermore, Akabogu said his biggest advantage is that having been a staff member of the agency, he knows where the problems are , where the loopholes have been and how to plug them. 

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 at University of Agriculture (UNAB), Abeokuta.

“The following persons were some of my fellow corps members and I’m 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 reached 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 stands in their way are desperate to ease me out by scandalising my name in the media to continue the looting.”