As President Donald Trump continues to trend global since assuming office 24 days ago, the world has also been rudely shocked with so many cankerworm revelations that the administration has exposed so-far.
As the president’s policies appears not friendly with the global order, its however, if critique closely poses a great wake-up call challenge on Africa, and Nigeria in particular to define it path of development and self sustenance.
The latest from the United States White House is the dismissal of Paul Martin, the inspector-general of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is believed that Martins was fired following his report that criticised the White House for dismantling the agency, #USAID.
Martin’s termination was contained in an email from the deputy director of the office of presidential personnel on Tuesday evening.
“Terminated!, effective immediately” – was contained in the email sent Paul Martin, Tuesday.
Appointed by the immediate past Potus of the United States of America, Joe Biden, Martin was appointed as USAID inspector-general in December 2023.
The office of the Inspector General typically operates independently.
An IG probes the books to unearth potential fraud, waste or abuse by a government agency or its personnel. The office also issues reports and recommendations on its findings.
USAID employs approximately 10,000 staff.
Martin said staff began reporting a sudden loss of access to USAID email and information technology (IT), systems.
The now-dismissed USAID IG said the staffing shortages, and limitations on communications with aid organisations stemming from the cessation of foreign assistance, had consequences.
He said USAID would be constrained to react to, and report allegations of diversion, all of which impacts the agency’s mandatory reporting obligations to congress.
There are reports that Trump intends to issue another executive order that would effectively dismantle USAID and move its operations to the State Department.