The Ministry of Sports Development said its attention has been drawn to a misleading article published on Opera News on 17th September 2024, titled “Tinubu’s Minister Buys New N150m Car Amid Worsening Economy”.
According to the Ministry sources, while such sensational headlines would typically be ignored, the Ministry recognizes the public’s sensitivities at this critical time in our nation’s development, making it necessary to set the record straight.
Mrs. Kehinde Ajayi, the Director (Information and PR) said, “The Ministry of Sports Development was separated from the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development at the onset of the current administration in 2023. One of the challenges the newly independent ministry has faced has been the lack of operational vehicles for key officers, including the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and other officials and civil servants who come to work daily and who carry out official functions on behalf of the ministry.The Honourable Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has had to rely on the official vehicle he met, which has repeatedly malfunctioned. Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, has had to use her personal vehicle for official work while the Ministry’s staff remain in dire need of a staff bus”.
“Contrary to the article’s claim of financial recklessness, the ministry’s 2024 approved budget took cognizance of these needs and provisioned for the purchase of operational vehicles.Importantly, all due process and legal requirements were strictly adhered to in the procurement process. It is worth noting that the Honourable Minister had no involvement in the bidding or contract award processes, as such tasks fall outside his remit..”
“It defies reason that the writer would refer to the purchase of operational vehicles for key ministry officials, duly captured and approved in the federal budget, as “largesse.” This misleading characterization appears to stem from the writer’s intention to stir public controversy.”
“The article further erroneously suggests that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is involved in this ‘largesse’. This claim is utterly baseless, as nothing from both the budgetary provision of the Ministry to the eventual implementation of same ties with the NFF. The NFF operates its own independent budget and procurement processes, separate from the Ministry of Sports Development.”
“The Ministry encourages journalists to uphold the principles of responsible journalism. We maintain an open-door policy, and it would have been more ethical for the writer to reach out for comment before publishing such an inflammatory and sensational piece. Sadly, this was not done.”
“The Ministry remains committed to transparency and accountability and will strive to continue to serve the Nigerian people with the utmost professionalism and adherence to legality.”