Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye, has declared she has no regrets about the decisions she made during her time in office.
Speaking yesterday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ohanenye defended her actions, despite the controversies that marred her tenure.
Appointed in August 2023, her time as minister was marked by contentious moments, including a public threat to sue the United Nations (UN) over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for Nigeria.
Her tenure came to an abrupt end on October 23, when President Bola Tinubu dismissed her alongside four other ministers: Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), Tahir Mamman (Education), and Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Housing and Urban Development).
Ohanenye, who was replaced by Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim maintained she gave her best efforts during her time at the Women Affairs Ministry.
“I had a responsibility to ensure things were done right, and I wouldn’t have tolerated anyone trying to undermine that. There must be tangible impacts on people, and I’m proud I didn’t compromise. I have no regrets about how I handled my job—it was the best I could do”, she added.
Furthermore, the ex-minister addressed the controversy surrounding donations made shortly before her dismissal.
READ ALSO: Former Aviation Minister, Chidoka dumps PDP
On October 15, generous contributions from Nigerians raised over N200 million to assist vulnerable groups, following her appeal for support.
“The initiatives I introduced, like mobile courts and rescuing young girls forced into street hawking, were not part of the ministry’s budget. I reached out to Nigerians for help, and their response was overwhelming. Many gathered at the villa to contribute,” she said.
However, she revealed that her dismissal came just two weeks after the donations were made.
“When I was sacked, there was no way to utilize the funds. I instructed the secretary to write to the bank and initiate a reversal of the money,” Ohanenye explained.
