by ‘Jola Sotubo

The former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, is said to have stated that she acted with dignity while in office and did “the right thing”

Ms. Oduah made the declaration yesterday during a meeting of aviation sector stakeholders including pilots and civil servants.

The ousted minister, whose tenure was trailed with controversy due to the purchase of 2 bullet proof cars for N255 million, also added that there is dignity in labour while admonishing the aviation workers to do their jobs right.

The event occurred at Protea Hotel in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The minister arrived at about 12 p.m. and was said to have ignored the speech her media aide, Joel Obi, prepared for her.

Oduah said :

“I want to thank everybody in the ministry for their support. It was Einstein that said I am strong as I am because you allowed me to stand on your shoulders, and all of you here allowed me to stand on your shoulders and so I want to say thank you.

“Most of you don’t know Obi. He likes to write and he has given me five pages to read. Obi, my apologies, I want to decline.

“I am not going to read this because I really don’t have anything to say but to say that what we did, we did it collectively.

“And what we did, we did for our people, and I say Nigerian people deserve what we have done and I believe that anyone who is coming next will do far better than what we have done because the structures are there, the roadmap is there, the compass is there.

“They cannot but follow what is already in place. Anything other than that will be disservice to Nigerian people, and aviation is pivotal to our growth.

“Therefore, the next coming person, I believe with your support will do the needful. Most people don’t understand what the needful means…

“Today is a day for me to tell Nigerians that there is dignity in labour. You must do anything and everything in prioritising what Nigerian people need and what they deserve, and when you do that, posterity will not judge you unfairly.

“Also when we started, we did not play to the gallery. We did not prioritise the media because it was not about them; it was about Nigerian people; it was about doing the right thing. And without being immodest, I think we did the right thing, I think we have done our beat and we pray that the next people will do their bit. And if all of us continue doing our bit, Nigeria will become transformed.

“I want to thank Mr. President for the opportunity given to serve in spite the large population, it is a privilege and I am indeed privileged to serve Nigerians and i thank everyone for their support.”

Princess Oduah’s sack was announced on February 12 after series of calls from various parties calling for the President Goodluck Jonathan to relieve her of her duties.