By Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi, Reporting For Nigerian Concord
Member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Konshisha State Constituency and Chairman, Committee on Education, Mr. Cephas Dyako has alleged that the rogue chairman of the Benue SUBEB, Mrs Grace Adaagba is trying to use fictitious allegations to cover up for the over N2billion public funds she has stolen in her official capacity.
The state lawmakers made this known today in a press statement he personally signed to react to an allegation from Grace Adaagba that his Committee demanded one thousand slots from her in the ongoing recruitment in the Board.
The statement reads:
My attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media alleging that the Benue State House of Assembly, through its Committee on Education, demanded 1,000 recruitment slots from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Specifically, I, Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako, have been mentioned in connection with this unfounded claim.
I categorically deny any involvement in or approval of such a demand. As a legislator and chairman of the Committee on Education, I have built a reputation of integrity over the years and will not allow my name to be dragged into issues that compromise the principles of fairness, merit, and accountability which I hold dear.
To set the record straight, while it is true that a letter requesting recruitment slots was issued by the former committee secretary, Igyundu Fidelis Denen, this letter was not authorized by me or the committee. Upon learning of this unauthorized action, I immediately recommended the removal of the committee secretary for breach of protocol. Such unilateral actions do not reflect the values of my office or the mandate of the committee. The Secretary was de-seconded to Teaching Service Board and has since been replaced by Nguevese Terfa-Mamadu.
These malicious media reports are orchestrated to smear me, the Committee and the Assembly over our insistence that the ongoing recruitment process be conducted in a transparent manner.
I call on the SUBEB chairman, Grace D. Adagba, to appear before the Assembly and answer to the numerous allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process and the public outcry over the manner in which the exercise has been handled by her office
The Chairman should also focus on addressing the allegations of embezzlement of over 2 Billion Naira levelled against her instead of sponsoring media reports to smear the Education Committee and Benue State House of Assembly.
The Benue State House of Assembly remains committed to its oversight responsibilities and will continue to act in the best interests of the people of the state. I reaffirm my commitment to upholding integrity, fairness, and the rule of law in all my dealings.