There are calls for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe former First Lady and wife of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua over the N10 billion she realized from her per project which never saw the light of the day.
If you recall during the short-lived administration of her late husband, the once powerful First Lady brought together movers and shakers of the Nigerian economy under one roof and sold to them her idea to build a world class health centre, International Cancer Centre, where research and treatment of cancer and other related diseases would be conducted for societal benefit.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata handsomely donated N1.2 billion (the highest donation), while his nephew, Aliko Dangote donated N1 billion on behalf of the Dangote Foundation. Not forgetting the once powerful Governors’ Forum lead by Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger state) who led other Governors’ to contribute N720 million, and many others, who donated handsomely towards building Nigeria’s first International Cancer Centre. At the end, Turai’s fund-raising ceremony was a monumental success. However, years down the lane, Nigeria is yet to benefit from the highly celebrated scheme.
There is no indication that the money realized from the fund-raiser has been put to good use in the interest of the cancer victims across the country in which she sold the idea in the first place.
As the administration continues to re-write the many wrongs of previous governments, it will be interesting to know what has happened to the N10 billion realized by Hajia Turai in pursuit of her seemingly noble venture. It would even be more interesting to know if the former first lady can give any meaningful account of how she utilized the money.
