I have no regrets about how I managed the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, says Kennedy-Ohanenye

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the former Minister of Women’s Affairs, says she has no regrets about her actions as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The former minister spoke on Wednesday during an interview on television channels.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, who was among five ministers sacked by Tinubu in October, said she could not have acted better than when she was in power.

His tenure as minister was characterized by controversy, including threatening to sue the United Nations (UN) over alleged mismanagement of funds intended for Nigeria.

Responding to why the President relieved her of her ministerial post, Kennedy-Ohanenye said she was not a “witch” to know the reason.

“I am not a witch to know why I was sacked and I have decided not to think about it,” the former minister said.

“The important thing is that I was sacked and refocused on what I was doing before.”

However, she stressed that her commitment to defending the vulnerable in society remains unchanged.

On why some Nigerians believe she was not diplomatic as a minister in handling certain issues, Kennedy-Ohanenye said she dealt with sensitive files which involved a lot of human sympathy .

Kennedy-Ohanenye argued that she was appointed minister to serve the people and not to act as someone greater than the people.

“As Minister for the Status of Women at the time, I dealt with sensitive issues,” she said.

“You can be in the office and they will show you a girl who was raped. You will see the substance of man in it. I wonder what you expect from me.

“Some of them said, ‘She doesn’t act like a minister.’ She goes to the police station herself. Why can’t she be in her office and call the IGP?

“I feel sorry for some people, for the way they think. As a minister, you are expected to be a servant; you listen to people and react quickly before things go wrong.

“I don’t know what people think about being diplomatic when things are detrimental.

“I have no regrets about the way I did my job. I have no regrets. I don’t think I could have done better.

“It was the best way I could have done it. This question of diplomacy is what I don’t understand.

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