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Secret Reporters
Data on the Ekiti State Open Procurement Portal have revealed that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment and Social Welfare had some time in 2018, spent N157, 950,000.00 for the “Production of 30,000 Pieces of Ankara”.
According to the data, the ministry under the leadership of Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade awarded the contract to ‘Romina Company Ltd”.
However, the ministry did not state what the Ankara materials were meant for, and it did not also reveal the duration of the contract.
Findings revealed that Romina Company Ltd was incorporated in Ikeja, Nigeria with Registration Number 434436. It was registered on 13 Nov 2001 and its status is unknown. The Company’s registered office address is 15, Obe Street, Ikeja, Lagos. The company’s directors are Ajoke M. Obe, Busayo R. Aduloju, and Olusegun O. Obe.
Meanwhile, a search on the Corporate Affairs Commission revealed that Romina Company Ltd is not active, an indication of financial crime.
It is imperative to note that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment and Social Welfare is an arm of government saddled with policies/activities that will bring about the holistic speedy and healthy development of Ekiti State Women, children and the disadvantaged/less privileged in the mainstream of the State Development process.
The Ministry ensures the survival, protection, and development of women, children and persons in need of government intervention. The Ministry is divided into Administration and Supplies, Women Affairs and Gender Empowerment, Child Development, Social Development, and Finance & Account Departments.
It is not clear if the production of Ankara is part of the roles of the ministry as evident in the contract above.
