By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has alleged that she is facing life-threatening backlash from some government elements for refusing to endorse a $500 million World Bank loan.
This claim surfaces amid a series of allegations and conflicts involving the minister and members of the House of Representatives.
It would be recalled that tensions had escalated on July 10, 2024, when a near-physical confrontation occurred between Kennedy-Ohanenye and some members of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The minister who was allegedly summoned to respond to allegations of misappropriation of about N1.5 billion intended for contractors, did not mince words in crying out to the public.
Speaking during a phone interview, Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed that the confrontation between her and the legislator was as a result of the fact that she rejected both a $500 million loan and a previous $100 million loan. According to her she turned down the loans because some persons were demanding a 40% kickback on the loan which was a World Bank project.
Furthermore , she claimed that she intentionally refused to sign the $500 million loan despite promise made to her that she would receive 5% of the funds as kickback.
The minister said her stance has endangered her life.
Highlighting her concerns about financial mismanagement, she stated that those large sums, if approved, are often wasted on trivial purposes.
She said: “All the loans they collect, including World Bank loans, etc, are you aware that the same World Bank staff in Nigeria takes back 40 per cent and calls it consultation fees?
“These are things you people should look into. You people should focus on where the problem is and let them leave me alone.”
Kennedy-Ohanenye also criticized the proposed use of $100 million for the teaching women on how to save money.
The Minister also advocated for direct financial support for the female beneficiaries of projects.
