Photo: NCFRM commissioner accused of diverting Saudi date meant for IDPs, breaks her silence | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

LI_Leaderboard_4

LI_Leaderboard_1

LI_Leaderboard_2

LI_Leaderboard_3

Friday 23 June 2017

Photo: NCFRM commissioner accused of diverting Saudi date meant for IDPs, breaks her silence

Sadiya Farouq, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons, NCFRMI, has broken her silence over her alleged role in the diversion of dates gifted to Nigeria by Saudi government to be distributed to IDPs.

Last week, the Saudi Arabian government raised alarm over the sale of the date weighing 200 tonnes which were given to Nigerians who are on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia or obtained from the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Nigeria.

The fruits has been marked either "Free" or "Not for sale" were given for free based on the agreement that those taking it are going to give it to the poor, especially those in the Internally Displaced Persons camps. The fruit were found on on sale in markets in Borno State.

Dr. Yahya Ali Mugram, the Chargé de Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria and the current Acting Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, who confirmed the report had expressed displeasure at the development.

Mrs Farouq said the allegations were baseless and aimed at tarnishing her image. Read her full statement as obtained by Daily Nigerian:

SAUDI DATES: STOP THE CHARACTER ASSASSINATION
Malicious falsehood against the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons and my person has gone viral on social media alleging diversion and sale of the gift of Dates by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to our Persons of Concern.

Since the presentation of the Dates to us for onward delivery to the Internally Displaced Persons and the subsequent complain by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to the effect that the Dates have been sighted at the markets, the rumour mills and talebearers went to work spewing all manner of false and unsubstantiated allegations of the Commission’s involvement in the alleged diversion of the Dates.

The latest is the attack on my person simply because the persons displaced by cattle rustling and armed banditry in Zamfara state, where I happen to come from benefitted from the distribution of the Dates. Curiously, some “reliable sources in the Commission” are being quoted in this desperate campaign of calumny. The “feeding frenzy “which greeted the twisted allegation on social media that I have diverted the Dates and stored them in Zamfara has remained vicious. A press release earlier issued by the Commission, detailing how the distribution exercise was carried out has been ignored hence did not abate the frenzy. In fact one of the online media houses which contacted the Commission, The Daily Nigerian, seeking answers was supplied with photographs of the distribution exercise but they never bothered to publish them.

On the accusation that Dates were taken to traditional rulers, indeed they were. Primarily because the IDPs live in their domains as host communities. We have no doubt that the royal fathers carried out the assignment of Distribution diligently.

For the avoidance of doubt let me restate that the allegations are as false as they are spurious. And their conveyors and their sponsors should desist in the interest of the image and integrity of our great nation. It is rather unfortunate that a kind gesture intended to bring succour to our internally displaced brothers and sisters has turned into a weapon of subterfuge by shadowy figures to achieve sinister motives.

It is on record that, since my assumption of duty as the Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, I have put in my modest efforts towards turning things around and putting the Commission in the best possible shape and form to deliver on its mandate. Is it not mind boggling that upon all the interventions the Commission has carried out towards improving the conditions of its Persons of Concern, why is it that it’s only Dates that will be diverted?
I wish to state that despite this round of malice and campaign of calumny, I refuse to be distracted. I remain resolute in the quest to turn the Commission into a first class humanitarian service deliverer whose impact will continue to be felt by its Persons of Concern.



14 comments:

Manuel Kunmi said...

They were meant for freaking IDP'S not some over-fed bigot royal fathers !!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

She did not address the most important question which speaks volumes. How did the dates end up in the public domain if they were diligently dispersed by the unit heads.
What are you doing to curb the mess and ensure it never happens again and bring those involved to justice as a deterant?? This should be her closing line.

Anonymous said...

Thief. Ole. Barawo.

Anonymous said...

This is utter stupidity, dates meant for idp taken to the royal father's to distribute hmmmm how many trailers of idp rice have you also given to them to share for You? Then what is your job? Resign and get the hell out. I'm sure you also have the royal fathers money along to use in the distribution exercise.
Hajia pls shamefully resign.
You have failed Nigeria
You have failed the IDPs
You have failed Nigerians

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, thats one of the reasons y'all are not regarded as muslims when you go for prayers in Saudi☺ . ole

Anonymous said...

Dates kwa? Why tarnish your image over something like that? Is it becos they are from Saudi?

Unknown said...

CRIMINAL
-D great anonymous now as Vivian Reginalds

Anonymous said...

Madam commissioner, This is a clear case of man inhuman treatment to fellow man. In other clime, you would have resigned your appointment and made to face panel of enquiry.

Anonymous said...

Useless hausa Fulani people.always claiming rights.empty skull.just resign you the if!!!

Unknown said...

Less than 24hrs after the glenfell tower fire in London, relief materials had to be rejected because according to officials they had more than enough...the outpouring of aide was overwhelming! In Nigeria, the north-east that has felt the major brunt of Boko haram attacks has received relief materials in cash and kind frm: the Federal Govt.,the United Nations, Dangote, Borno state govt., Bono the musician, Bill Gates, Saudi govt., the United States, the EU...and the list goes on. Guess wat, Nigeria still hasn't said "enough", thank u. No! They take and sell. Take and sell. In Nigeria, every form of aide is another man's paycheck..every misfortune is another man's Fortune. All hail Nigeria...the shame of Africa!

Unknown said...

Less than 24hrs after the glenfell tower fire in London, relief materials had to be rejected because according to officials they had more than enough...the outpouring of aide was overwhelming! In Nigeria, the north-east that has felt the major brunt of Boko haram attacks has received relief materials in cash and kind frm: the Federal Govt.,the United Nations, Dangote, Borno state govt., Bono the musician, Bill Gates, Saudi govt., the United States, the EU...and the list goes on. Guess wat, Nigeria still hasn't said "enough", thank u. No! They take and sell. Take and sell. In Nigeria, every form of aide is another man's paycheck..every misfortune is another man's Fortune. All hail Nigeria...the shame of Africa!

Anonymous said...

Hadjia, you are a shame to womanhood. Your defence has conveniently left out how the items got to the market.
What then is your job if the so-called Royal Fathers are giving the items for distribution without your supervision? It is because of characters like you that Nigeria had no International credibility. Who will again give donations to Nigeria when the whole thing will end up in the private pockets of Agencies' officials? Shame.

Unknown said...

This so called northerners are heartless. Despite the worse condition of there people they still have the heart to treat them inhumanly.sorry for them

Anonymous said...

shameless woman.. you should bury your head in shame.. you shared what meant for your poor co northerns in the IDP camp to emires that took the stuffs to the market n sold to the traders.. laughable.. and now the royal fathers sold it n pocket the money for their personal n family use.. another laughable.. and those ppl the money meant for re dying in hunger.. clap for yourself moron

Recent Posts