Hadiza Bala Usman not susceptible to corruption

Of recent, the social media has been awash with wild allegations about the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman. Due to the fluid and uncontrollable nature of the social media, and the fact that it is easily accessible, mischief-makers use it to post all manner of stories, good and bad, for […]

Of recent, the social media has been awash with wild allegations about the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman. Due to the fluid and uncontrollable nature of the social media, and the fact that it is easily accessible, mischief-makers use it to post all manner of stories, good and bad, for public consumption.

The falsehood that made the round of recent was how the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, suddenly suffered from an attack of stroke for which they said he was rushed to India for treatment early this month! One gullible subscriber to the social media drew my attention to that unverified story. Thank God, el-Rufai only travelled outside the country for a programme and he is back at his duty post, hale and hearty!

What has, however, jolted me and compelled me to put pen to paper is the so-called “breaking news” circulating in the social media about how the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, was alleged to have doled out $25,000 to APC chieftains so that they could support the emergence of el-Rufai as the Vice President in case the president didn’t return from his medical vacation.

For this reason the so-called “news” further stated that the financial books of the NPA, under the management of Hadiza Bala Usman, were under investigation for fraud. Although, the NPA chief executive,  who had previously  raised the  alarm over threats to her life, reacted by refuting the claim that the NPA was being investigated by the federal government,  any discerning mind would certainly realize, after perusing the message, that the story was crafted to blackmail the young lady.

I formed my impression of Hadiza the first time we met at an airport outside the country in February this year. While waiting for our flight, I asked after her job and she spoke about the tremendous support from her management. I was struck by her sense of humility as we discussed several issues before we made our way to the plane where she joined us in the economy class.

Certainly, this Hadiza that has reiterated her commitment at various times on the need to carry out necessary reforms to reposition the NPA would not compound the situation of her organization by dipping her hands into the public coffers for selfish reasons. Moreso, she is quite conscious of the controversy that greeted her appointment and would strive to justify the confidence reposed on her by President Buhari for which she was given the envious position.

As a fellow woman, the advice I will give to my sister is that she should ignore her detractors and remain focused on sanitizing the ports for improved performance. Considering the high level of corruption that the NPA is noted for, which has over time discouraged patronage, the challenge of creating a conductive environment for business to thrive is enormous. Hadiza should, therefore, remain prayerful and settle down to the task ahead since uneasy, it is said, lays the head that wears the crown.

 

Hajiya Ramatu Ali Ohioma, Abuja