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By Chika Nwachukwu, Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund) has raised alarm over a recent surge in the activities of fraudsters impersonating it.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi on behalf of the Executive Secretary on Monday.
The Fund said it was witnessing myriads of fraudulent attempts and malicious allegations over a non-compromising stand against it by some unscrupulous individuals and groups.
The statement stated that in recent times, the Fund has witnessed a surge in the activities of fraudulent individuals and groups who devise all sorts of means to defraud stakeholders and unsuspecting members of the public in the name of the Fund.
”Also prevalent is the attempt by certain individuals and groups to malign the leadership of the Fund and disrupt its activities over Management’s determination not to succumb to frivolous requests which are grossly in violation of the Agency’s mandate.
“Some of the antics employed by these individual and groups include:Allegation of Contract Fraud & Procurement Racketeering what could be considered as the first attempt or springboard aimed at maligning the current leadership of the Fund came to light via a publication by Sahara Reporters dated 20thJuly 2022 titled “Disquiet in Nigeria Education Agency, TETFund over Contracts Fraud, Procurement Racketeering, Others under New Head, Sonny Echono”,it said.
In its statement on Monday, the Fund noted,”These spurious and unfounded allegations which came up barely four months after the assumption of office of the Executive Secretary were addressed by the Fund in a Press Release titled “Corruption Fights Back as Echono Implements Sweeping Reforms” issued on 22nd July, 2022.”
The statement further added, ” Suffice to say that the allegations were not only proved to be lacking in merit, but discovered to have been sponsored by self-seeking individuals/groups who felt aggrieved at the sweeping reforms introduced to eliminate corruption and promote accountability at the Fund.
“Once again, we use this medium to assure our esteemed stakeholders and the general public that we shall remain focused; more so that we are encouraged by the positive feedback from our stakeholders. There will be no let-off in our efforts to constantly improve efficiency and sustain the Fund’s reputation as a role model intervention agency.”
