Pulse.ng : Group condemns suspension, demands reinstatement of Halima Shehu as N-SIPA Boss

The Association Of Northern Nigerian Students (ANNS) have condemned the suspension and demanded immediate reinstatement of Mrs Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive of National Social Investment Program Agency (N-SIPA).

The demand was made in a press statement signed by Jabir Aminu -Maiturare, the National President, Association Of Northern Nigerian Students (ANNS) and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had on a January 2nd approved the immediate suspension and investigation of Ms Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Program Agency over alleged financial malfeasance.

Aminu-Maitulare stated that as much as it was imparative to wish Nigerian a happy new year and to pray for more peace and unity in the country, ANNS was appalled to learn about the illegal suspension of Halima Shehu the National Coordinator and Chief Executive of National Social Investment Program Agency N-SIPA.

Aminu-Maitulare said: “According to facts presented to us, Halima Shehu was suspended as the National Coordinator and Chief Executive of N-SIPA without any justifiable reason or adequate explanation.

“This is a clear violation of [Name]’s rights as an employee and is unacceptable in any workplace.
We call upon the President to immediately lift the suspension and reinstate Halima Shehu to her position.

“We also demand that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Services under Hon. Betta Edu to make a public apology to Halima Shehu for the unlawful actions taken against her.

“As an organization, we are committed to upholding the rights of employees in all workplaces, and we will not stand idly by when those rights are violated.

“We urge all employers to comply with the laws and regulations designed to protect employees’ rights and to treat all employees with respect and dignity.

“We extend our full support to the President Commander in-Chief President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR during this difficult time economically and also the insecurities in some part of the country and we also commend the Federal Government on it swift act over the insecurity act,” Aminu-Maitulare added.

He, also, stated categorically that those behind the suspension of Haj Halima Shehu were enemies of the Renewed Hope of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu and that of the ruling All Progressive Congress APC campaign promises to ensure the Nigerian Common man benefited directly from the administration.

“Halima Shehu has already put a blue print to ensure sanity, transparency, accountability and justice within the National Social Investment Program Agency.

“We’ call on the National Assembly who cleared Hailima Shehu for the position to as a matter of urgency to come into the matter if they believe in her to clear her after the President sent her name for proffer scrutiny before her approval.

“At least Halima has been in National Cash Transfer Office which is under the same Ministry and have never been found wanting inher performance”he said.

Aminu-Maitulare, however, urged the Anti-graft agency concerned to do the needful with the fear of God to make their own investigations as enshrined by the law, adding, “we believe in the new leadership of the EFCC under this administration.”