UK newspaper honour Jibrin for exposing budget padding

Abdulmumin Jibrin, suspended member of the house of representatives has been honoured with the African Voice Leadership in Legislative Governance Award by African Voice, a London based newspaper.

Jibrin was given the award for his commitment to legislative duties and fight against corrupt.

Mike Abiola, publisher/editor-in-chief of the newspaper, said the award recognised individuals who have shown dedication to developing their countries.

“The African Voice Leadership in Governance Awards recognises African leaders who have shown dedication to developing their state/countries, by demonstrating exemplary leadership,” Abiola said in a letter.

“The attention of the international community has been drawn to your commitment to the people of Nigeria and Kano state in particular. Your effort in helping to eradicate corruption is commendable.

“The 20th African Voice Newspaper Leadership in Legislative Governance Awards Investiture ceremony will take place on Saturday 5 November, 2016 and will be attended by foreign and commonwealth officials, African diplomats in the UK, British politicians, members of parliament and influential business leaders.

“The event has a dedicated followership of high net worth individuals and the crème de crème of the British diverse community.”

On his part, Jibrin said the award is a huge morale booster because it was coming at a very difficult and challenging time.

“Thank you African Voice Newspaper for this award. The award is a huge morale booster because it is coming at a very difficult and challenging period,” he said.

“It’s a period I had to leave my post as appropriations chairman of the house of representatives, suspended through subterranean means by Speaker Yakubu Dogara and received several threats to my life by the highly placed public officials I accused of corruption.

“My offence is disagreeing with some corrupt leaders of the house including the Speaker over the 2016 budget fraud and insisting that the right thing must be done,  exposing individual and systemic corruption in the house and rejecting immunity for principal officers of the house.

“Despite the difficulties I am going through, I will never be cowed to silence. I assure you I will never retreat from this worthy line of action. I shall remain committed to the fight against corruption in the House of Representatives and Nigeria as a whole.

“I dedicate this award to millions of Nigerians home and abroad who are suffering today because of the massive theft of our common wealth, budget fraud and monumental corruption in the house of representatives which assumed an unprecedented dimension under the leadership of speaker Yakubu Dogara.