Femi Pedro, the former deputy governor of Lagos state, has called on Nigerians to give a second chance to Betta Edu, the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation. Edu has faced scrutiny following a leaked memo where she allegedly requested the transfer of N585 million to a private account. President Bola Tinubu suspended her and ordered a probe into the financial transactions of her ministry.
In a statement on Wednesday, Pedro recounted his positive impressions of Edu when they first met in early 2022. He praised her confidence, articulation, and dedication during the party’s election campaign, where she became the Women Leader.
Acknowledging Edu’s current challenges, Pedro stated, “Betta Edu is like a daughter to me, and I feel really sorry for her for the mess she finds herself in.” He questioned how he would react if she were his daughter and emphasized her potential to serve the nation in higher capacities.
Pedro expressed hope that Edu would learn a valuable lesson from her mistakes and advised young Nigerians appointed to public offices to seek credible mentors. He encouraged them not to be discouraged by the challenges but to continue pursuing their dreams, emphasizing the need for more dedicated young individuals in public service.
“My advice to all young people who are called to service in public office is to seek out a mentor of a public officer serving or retired with some measure of credibility and good pedigree who will guide and mentor them on how to navigate the murky waters of public office,” Pedro advised.
He concluded by reassuring young individuals interested in public service that there are still many smart, focused, and dedicated young men and women willing to serve the country genuinely.
