Embattled former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has
given reasons for her decision to resign from her position in President
Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.
In her resignation letter obtained by The PUNCH, the former
minister noted that she was shocked by the outcome of the investigation done on
the allegation that her NYSC certificate which she had earlier tendered as
Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State was not genuine.
She said not until the scandal broke out she never knew the
certificate was not genuine.
Buhari had, on Friday, accepted the resignation of Adeosun
as minister of finance. He also approved the Minister of State Budget and
National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, as her successor.
Adeosun’s letter read in part,
“Let me commence by thanking you
profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational
leadership.
“It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to
observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.
“I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into
the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from
National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine.
“This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this
administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.
“Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to
this matter.
“I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family
home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four
(34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport.
“I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34)
and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to
me. Upon enquiry as to my status
relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having
exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve.
Until recent events, that remained my understanding.
“On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of
those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary
proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never
worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their
operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but
genuine.
“Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of
Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well
as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone
totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to
resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.”
She also thanked Buhari for his patience in finding the
truth in the matter.
She stated, “Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending
your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter.
“I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your
leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted.
“As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to
improving this nation.”
SOURCE: PUNCH
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