Outrage as Tinubu appoints ex-lawmaker accused of stealing COVID-19 palliatives as NSITF director
Social media erupted on Saturday, July 13, following President Tinubu’s appointment of Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
This announcement was made via a statement by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu expects Alli-Macaulay and the newly appointed NSITF heads to ensure transparency and efficiency in the agency’s operations to achieve its objectives of driving good causes in Nigeria. The statement added that the President anticipates a comprehensive re-positioning of the NSITF for enhanced social protection and qualitative service delivery.
Alli-Macaulay, a former lawmaker and ex-Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Job Creation, has faced significant backlash due to past allegations. In 2020, she was accused of hoarding COVID-19 relief materials and repackaging them as party favors for her birthday. Photographs of the repackaged palliatives went viral, sparking outrage.
Alli-Macaulay denied the allegations, claiming that those spreading the rumors were intent on tarnishing her image.
She stated that the event was a dual celebration of her birthday and a women empowerment program and that the timing of the palliatives’ arrival was purely coincidental.
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Nigerians took to social media to express their disappointment and anger over her appointment:
– @dontee__ tweeted, “This woman diverted #COVID19 Palliatives for her Birthday and now she’s been rewarded with a federal appointment. I know President Tinubu won’t know every appointee but this woman lacks the integrity for any Public Office. SMH!”
– @chukaobi commented, “Nothing to see here, just Pusha T further putting his niggas on. The Palliathief is now in charge of national social insurance money. Thief no go approve thief ke? Alooter Continua.”
– @itsdshow stated, “Part of the People who hoarded palliatives meant for her constituents and shared it as Souvenirs at his birthday Soiree. She was showed the way out of the Lagos HOA by her people. We have more credible people who can occupy such positions rather than her.”
– @bamsdell observed, “This epitomises why Nigeria continues to degenerate. There’s no consequence for bad behaviour. Instead, perpetrators are sought and rewarded with better opportunities & elevations above the previous instances.”
– @tundealuko lamented, “In the height of Covid when people were dying and going through a lockdown, this woman took palliatives donated by agencies and rebranded them for her own birthday, she has now been given trust fund in a federal agency, you know what that means 😭”
The controversy surrounding Alli-Macaulay’s appointment highlights ongoing concerns about integrity and accountability in public office appointments in Nigeria.
