The recently reinstated Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme,NHIS, Yusuf Usman, on Thursday, accused corrupt individuals of trying to deter him from fighting against graft.
The controversial ES who was recently reinstated by President Muhammadu Buhari after having been deposed by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewale, stated this in reaction to criticisms against his reinstatement.
Mr Usman, who spoke at a public hearing on a bill to provide for a Contributory Healthcare Management Scheme for all residents held in Sokoto, appealed to Nigerians to disregard the misinformation against him in the media.
According to him, corrupt individuals are bent on destroying his career.
“Disregard the misinformation in the media. It is corruption that is fighting us and we will fight them back.
“People should not be distracted by what they hear in the media. In fact, when I came in as the NHIS Executive Secretary, I realised that we can help our people especially the poor to access health care services.
“We are working for the people in order to make sure that they get what they deserve. So, we will never be deterred by the antics of corrupt interests,” he said.
It could be recalled that President Buhari had, on Wednesday, February 7, overrided the recommendation of the minister of health and reinstated the suspended E-S.
Mr Usman was suspended by Mr Adewole in June 2017, following allegations of gross misconduct.
He was found guilty of alleged offences that ranged from nepotism to theft of public funds.
However, the letter of reinstatement was reportedly sent to Adewole on Tuesday evening.
Mr Adewole confirmed receipt of the reinstatement letter, simply saying: “It is true that the president has reinstated him”.
The reinstatement letter urged Mr Yusuf to work closely with the minister upon resumption.
Mr Adewole had set up a committee to probe Mr Yusuf and in a correspondence, the minister stated that the investigative committee found him culpable in the discharge of his responsibilities.
