Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

In her evaluation and submission on quality leadership and administrative skills, the former Prime Minister of Philippines, Gloria Aroyo, posited that:”The greatest test of a leader is ability to be at the fore-front leading with vision; at the middle inspiring with passion; and at the back defending with courage”.

The above submission of the “Iron Lady” of Philippines, undoubtedly defines Dr. Tinuade Sanda, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Transforming the Eko Electricity Distribution Company with vision and inspiring productivity and quality delivery with passion, Dr. Sanda has also defended the integrity and sanctity of the company with courage; although, with huge price of character assassination and smear campaign.

Since she came into the saddle in 2022, the woman of high moral values and energy has taken EKEDC to an enviable heights, which automatically elicited profound applause from critical stakeholders across Nigeria, including the Federal Government and various reputable organisations such as VANGUARD and AFRISAFE among others.

Driven by excellence and aggressive consciousness for speedy growth, she has orchestrated a remarkable increase in monthly collections, reaching an impressive 17.1 billion Naira. Her strategic reforms, including the reduction of ATC AND C to 1%, have not only curbed electricity leakages but also boosted operational efficiency for EKEDC.

However, despite these successes, Dr. Sanda has been the target of dangerous attacks and criticisms from certain divisive elements within EKEDC, aimed at tarnishing her reputation and diverting attention from her laudable achievements, especially the humongous fraud she uncovered about ghost workers and payment of salaries to exited staff, which she reported accordingly.

The latest attacks on her personality is the satanic and unfounded claims about her qualifications, which practically defies logic and common sense; it is nothing but blantant lies of unimaginable magnitude, compelling one to doubt the sanity of the paddlers.

Putting the record straight, Dr. Sanda’s educational background is incontrovertible and impressive, with degrees from renowned institutions across the world. She completed her undergraduate studies in Accounting with second class upper honours at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Subsequently, she pursued her MBA in Strategy at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and received certifications from Harvard Business School, Executive Education in “Finance in Senior Executives” in 2015 and “Management Essentials” in 2023.

Furthermore, the contradictory assertion that Dr. Sanda studied at Harvard Business School while her certificate explicitly indicates Harvard Business School, Executive Education, exposes mischief of highest order, it reveals a deliberate and desperate attempt to smear her reputation by her traducers.

These peddlers of falsehood against Dr. Tinuade Sanda know quite well the difference between Harvard Business School, Executive Education, which offers professional development programs, and Harvard Business School, a renowned academic institution where Postgraduate degrees are conferred, since a simple email or website verification with these institutions would confirm the veracity of her academic achievements.

Additionally, her graduation photographs, highlighting these accomplishments are conspicuously displayed on her page @Tinuade_Sanda on Instagram, dating back to the times when she acquired these degrees, providing further credence and refuting any claims suggesting otherwise.

Dr. Tinuade Sanda’s PhD was conferred in 2020 by the University of Management Science and Technology, Republic of Benin, before the concerns regarding accreditation by the National Universities Commission emerged in 2023, an issue faced by some other international institutions including Volta University College, Volta region Ghana, Columbus University, UK, among others. With Dr. Sanda receiving her doctorate in 2020, two years before her appointment as Managing Director in 2022, it is evident that her academic qualifications were attained independently of her professional advancement. It is also imperative to know that a Ph.D. was not a prerequisite for her MD position, rendering any speculation about the desperation for a Ph.D. totally senseless.

The timeline clearly demonstrates that her academic achievements were obtained legitimately and independently of her career advancements. These facts show the lack of credibility and decisively counters any unfounded allegations regarding the authenticity of her certificates.

Furthermore, Dr. Tinuade, a Fellow of ICAN, one of the most prestigious institutions in her field, is the President of the Old Students Association of Accounting, class of 2001 of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, demonstrating her strong affiliation and connection to her alma mater. Her career is well-documented, including her tenure at organizations such as, Chartered Bank that later merged with Stanbic IBTC and Access Bank, prior to joining WPG and being seconded to EKEDC. Each of these firms conducted thorough investigations before appointing her at various times.

To this end, the less cognitive and illogical narratives of fifth columnists, who are hell bent to defame the towering antecedents and pedigree of Dr. Tinuade Sanda because of her conviction to be open, just and transparent have clearly failed, as the Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company remains resolute and standing tall against every shenanigan of bunch of criminals within.

Obviously, these cowardly acts of cyber-bullying and personal attacks, orchestrated to distract the general public from her sterling achievements have been unmasked and exposed, it must now be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Dr. Tinuade’s dedication to EKEDC is unwavering, unprecedented and exceptional; her leadership style encompasses integrity, transparency and accountability as organisational standards, while she is being guided by principles of equity and probity as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

We, therefore, celebrate an amazon of inestimable value, a pride of womanhood and an exemplary figure for the girl-child, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, as she continues to bring her transformative power of ethical leadership to bear in the management of men and resources at EKEDC, for the benefit and good of all Nigerians.

Comrade Sulaimon Suberu (National Coordinator)

For: Advocacy for Advancement of Peace &Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI)