2 Ex-NTA Chiefs, 3 Others To Cough Out ₦136m

Lamido Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State

The newly appointed Managing Director of Jigawa State Television House, Alhaji Ishaq Hadeja, has vowed to recover over ₦136 million from the former interim committee of the station. The committee, headed by two former Director Generals of NTA, Alhaji Muhamamd Ibrahim and Mr. Tony Iredia, with three other veteran broadcast journalists, Timawus Mathias, Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa, and Aminu Ahmed, were alleged to have received a whopping N136m from the administration of Governor Sule Lamido.

Hadejia told reporters during his maiden briefing, shortly after assuming office, that the Timawus Mathias committee failed to execute what the fund was earmarked for.

The money was set aside for the procurement of gadgets and manpower development (Training) for staff of the television station.

“The former Interim Committee of Jigawa State Television must account for ₦136 million released to them by Lamido’s led PDP administration for the procurement of gadgets and training of the station’s staff,” he said.

Vanguard report continues:

Hadejia frowned on the former Interim Committee for lack of “factual and transparent records indicating how the money was spent, adding that

“When asked, the committee said it was only accountable to the former governor, Sule Lamido.”

The tough-talking new Managing Director revealed that he inherited problems that required urgent attention, left behind by the interim committee.

He said: “They have not retired anything in the record, they supposed to have explained in details how it was utilized, rather they said they could only retire the record to the former governor.”

Hadejia explained further that in line with the spirit and principles of change, he would run a transparent, open door policy and objective leadership where everybody would be given equal treatment, including the opposition parties.

The Managing Director stated the station would air modern and attractive programmes, including sports, which would be transmitted from Dutse station to Andaza onward to Gumel as well as Hadeja stations respectively.

Contacted on phone, one of the NTA DG, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said any allegation should be done with justification and in good faith with concrete reason.

He advised politicians to be just and fair on any allegations and criticism against any person and their co-politicians.