Betta Chimaobim Edu was an extraordinary person with a social impact. He was vibrant, unstoppable and dazzling in his quest for power.

Betta commanded the room and could turn heads with just a smile, what could be called a well-timed joke. For some, he is the embodiment of success; A symbol of what can be achieved with the right mix of charisma, ambition and sharp intelligence.

But for all his genius, his fall was as spectacular as his rise, and far more tragic than anyone could have imagined.

Probably William Shakespeare wrote in his book ‘Julius Caesar’: “Thus must a man of so feeble a temper make the beginning of the glorious world; and carry your palm alone,” he meant the ostentatious woman.

Betta, the deposed minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, ushered in the glorious world; But as issues emerge over alleged £585 million fraud, it’s unclear whether he will carry it alone.

Born on October 27, 1986, Betta sprouted like a sprout and set out to become a medical doctor and politician in the murky waters of Nigerian life.

In his youth, Betta was a bright student who demonstrated his responsibility among his peers. She completed her secondary education at the Federal Government Girls College, Calabar in 2001 and received her first diploma in medicine and surgery from the University of Calabar in 2009.

The ambitious Betta did not rest on her spades as she earned a postgraduate diploma in Public Health for Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a master’s degree in Public Health for Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Doctor of Medicine and Public Health from Texila American University.

Armed with these qualities and experiences, Betta was ready to conquer his world and become the ‘primus among equals’ in their field.

Due to his outstanding qualifications, in 2015, in his 20s, he became the youngest person to be appointed as special advisor on community and primary healthcare to the former governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade.

Also read: EFCC remains silent as Betta Edu allegedly stages comeback

In 2020, he became the chairman of the Cross River State COVID-19 task force. As a result, he was appointed national health chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum in August of the same year.

Betta was Cross River State’s commissioner of health until his resignation in 2022. Following her resignation, she was appointed as the national woman leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), making her the youngest national woman leader of the party.

In August 2023, Betta was sworn in as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, making her the first female minister of Cross River State and the youngest minister of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria in the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

John Adams, one of America’s former presidents, was probably referring to Betta when he wrote his timeless quote; “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and be more, you are a leader,” because it seemed like he was x-raying his personality.

Betta was seen to display characteristics that would make some Nigerians believe that he could be entrusted with positions of responsibility and leadership.

Many people he knows believe that the young, dynamic, energetic and creative Betta is a round peg in a round hole, well equipped and determined to make President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda a success.

The energy, diligence and passion he brings to his duties and work reflects his commitment to service delivery and his love for his country.

However, in the face of all this, Betta was weighed and found inadequate in terms of moral values ​​and accountability jurisprudence based on the history of his supposed treasonous actions.

In 2020, Edu was accused of posting fake photos of ventilators. The Cross River state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association has passed a vote of no confidence in him over accusations of professional misconduct in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was quick to claim that the vote of confidence given to him was political.

Also in 2022, she was accused of procedural abuse during her campaign to become the national female leader of the APC, raising doubts about her character and integrity as a public figure.

Betta’s character was once again questioned on January 8, 2024, and he was suspended from his position as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation by President Tinubu for allegedly diverting ₦585 million in ministerial funds to a personal bank account.

President Tinubu has demanded a thorough investigation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The ensuing investigation revealed an even greater theft of public funds.

The chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukayode, wrote in April 2024: “As it stands now, we are investigating over 50 bank accounts where we traced the money.”

The approximate average amount in each of Betta’s bank accounts that the EFCC has tracked and seized to date appears to be around £600 million, meaning a total of around £30 billion across his 50 or more accounts.

According to the BBC broadcast, the EFCC had recovered the equivalent of $24 million from accounts allegedly linked to the flamboyant Betta.

As of EFCC’s April 2024 update, he has not been legally charged or fired from his position.

Many believe that Betta, as a minister, gives an eloquent portrayal of himself as a defender of the oppressed and someone with a deep love for Nigeria.

He braved dangers and hardships as a minister visiting unstable areas such as IDP camps in Borno, Benue and Niger States, Makoko and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos to interact with the poor and victims of humanitarian crises.

Still, Nigerians wonder who is the architect of Betta’s massive decline. Your guess is as good as mine!