They say being in a Nigerian government position changes even the saints, but underscoring her rich resume, pedigree, hard-earned reputation and achievements in the corporate sector, and her outstanding work at the Stanbic IBTC prior to joining government and giant strides in driving impactful investment in Nigeria, it makes it rather unbelievable to mention her name alongside corruption-ridden civil servants. Having conceived such rather spurious allegations being leveled against her, a top hatchet job too dirty her white dress may not be far-fetched.
It’s sad how Yewande Sadiku has become an object of government attack and victimisation, simply because she has stood up for the truth that’s rare in government circles. Her body language and postulation speak all shades of integrity.
However bad it gets for a deserted and lonely man, he is certain to have, even one person, left on his side. But, who that person will be, no one can tell”. In Sadiku’s case, Nigeria’s Corporate elites are on her side. Little wonder these Boardroom Titans and heads of blue-chip companies have risen in solidarity to defend her, under the auspices of the Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One thing stands out clearly: those who know her for who she really is are standing in support of her, and nobody should be put through such torturous experiences for serving her country.
Going by the freedom of information compliance and transparency rankings at (NIPC) under Ms. Sadiku’s tenure, reports show that it was ranked 90th in 2016, 75th in 2017, 17th in 2018, and 2nd in 2019 and 2020. She should not be victimised for doing the right thing.
According to the CEO, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, on his Twitter handle, “If they assume we will standby and watch this happen, they will be surprised. It is often the small things that trigger long-overdue reforms. This lady will not be cowed.’’
Not many Nigerians who have left the private sector to join government institutions can lay claim to the level of public show of solidarity Yewande has received in the last week. This surely counts for something.
With Nigeria in dire straits under this administration and her ilks trying to make a difference, if, indeed, she comes out squeaky clean amidst this investigation, she would have rekindled hope in her kith and kin, supporters, youths, and the possibility of a better Nigeria.
My two cents for Yewande Sadiku, whose integrity is on trial, The import of a lie cannot be lost on two people. If the recipient of the lie is ignorant of it, the liar cannot claim to be. It is needless to bother about the noise of the market when the business of bargaining is afoot.
Without prejudice to the investigative process, corporate Nigeria feels confident that she will, indeed, be exonerated. Madam, keep doing your work.
