Tag Archives: Appointment

Buhari Lauds Amina Mohammed’s Appointment as UN Deputy Secretary-General

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The new UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday announced the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed as his Deputy Secretary-General.

Guterres made the announcement through the spokesman of the Secretary-General, Mr. Stephane Dujarric.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Guterres also announced the duo of Ms. Maria Viotti of Brazil and Ms. Kyung-wha Kang of the Republic of Korea into high-profile positions at the UN.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be appointing Mrs. Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria as my Deputy Secretary-General, and Ms. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as my Chef De Cabinet.

“I also intend to create the position of Special Advisor on Policy, and to appoint Ms. Kyung-wha Kang of the Republic of Korea to this new role.

“I am happy to count on the efforts of these three highly competent women, whom I have chosen for their strong backgrounds in global affairs, development, diplomacy, human rights and humanitarian action.

“These appointments are the foundations of my team, which I will continue to build, respecting my pledges on gender parity and geographical diversity,” Guterres said.

Prior to her appointment as Minister of Environment a year ago, Mrs. Mohammed had served as the UN Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.

She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

Before joining the UN, Mrs. Mohammed worked for three successive administrations in Nigeria, serving as Special Adviser on the Millennium Development Goals.
She provided advice on issues including poverty alleviation, public sector reforms and sustainable development, and coordinating poverty reduction interventions.

She was also an Adjunct Professor in Development Practice at Columbia University, and served on numerous international advisory boards and panels, including the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Others included the Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development, and the Global Development Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

She was also on the UN Secretary-General’s Global Sustainability Panel, the African Women’s Millennium Initiative, Girl Effect and the ActionAid International Right to Education Project.

Born in 1961, and educated in Nigeria and the UK, Mrs. Mohammed is married and has six children.

Read More: thisdaylive

Another Nominee Rejects Buhari’s Appointment

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The Chairman-designate of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor Akintunde Akinwande, has rejected his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the agency.

The rejection marked the third time an appointee by Buhari would reject his or her nominations in recent days. Mrs. Pauline Tallen (Plateau) and Usman Bugaje (Katsina) recently rejected their ambassadorial appointments.

Indications that Akinwande had rejected his appointment arose when he shunned his invitation to appear before the Senate Committee on Power for screening yesterday and consequently stalling the screening of other nominees.

It was learnt that Akinwande rejected the nomination because he was not consulted before the nomination was made. To underscore his lack of interest in the appointment, he had hitherto failed to appear before the Department of State Services (DSS) for security screening.

It was also learnt that among the nominees whose credentials were sent to the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Akinwande’s credentials was conspicuously missing.

It was further gathered that the professor was not resident in Nigeria but based in the United States where he’s pursuing a project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

“We also learnt that adequate consultation was not made before the man was nominated. We were therefore informed that the nominee may have turned down his nomination,” a source added.

Explaining the rationale behind the committee’s suspension of further screening, the Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said it was impossible to screen other nominees in the absence of the chairman-designate.
Abaribe also said the privatisation of electricity sector was meant to improve the power sector, adding that the inauguration of NERC board was key to solving the power sector problems.

“Regrettably, when members of the committee assembled to screen the nominees made by President Buhari, we were told that the chairman-designate was unavoidably absent. The presidential liaison who brought the nominees informed us that the chairman was unavoidably absent,” Abaribe added.

Abaribe further observed that since Akinwande’s nomination had been made in the past three months, the Presidency should have confirmed the preparedness of the chairman-designate to appear for screening or otherwise. “The commission is vital and cannot function without a chairman,” Abaribe insisted.

Abaribe however, assured those concerned that the committee was ready to screen the nominees but insisted that “we cannot screen them until we have a formal communication from the presidency.”

Credit: thisdaylive

Buhari Approves Appointment Of New Heads For 13 Agencies

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The drought of federal appointments receded Monday, as President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of chief executives for 13 parastatals and agencies.

A statement by the Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, indicated that the president appointed Alhaji Usman Abubakar as Chairman of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Others who got jobs in the fresh wave of appointments are: Princess Gloria Akobundu, named as the National Coordinator and Chief Executive of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); Mr. Ahmed Bobboi, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF); and Mr. Mamman Amadu, Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

According to the OSGF, the president also appointed Mr. Joseph Ari as Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF); Ms. Sharon Ikeazor, Director-General, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD); Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and Mr. Osita Aboloma, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Mr. Simbi Wabote was named the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Monitoring Board (NCMB), while Mr. Umana Okon Umana becomes the Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.
Ms. Sa’adiya Faruq is the new Federal Commissioner for National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; while Ms. Yewande Sadiku will hold sway as Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

At the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau got the president’s assent as the Executive Secretary of the agency.

Credit: thisdaylive

Edo Govt Withdraws Letter On Appointment Of Oba Of Benin

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The Edo State Government has withdrawn a letter earlier issued on its approval on the appointment of the new Oba of Benin, saying it was issued in error.

In a retraction signed by the Secretary to State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, dated May 25, 2016, the government stated: “In deference to the revered age-long tradition and respect for the sensibilities of the people of the great Benin Kingdom, the Government of Edo State hereby withdraws a letter issued on May 24, 2016 entitled: “Appointment of His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin”

“The said letter was issued in error as the rites of passage of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin are still on.

“The government will, in due course, issue a fresh letter on the installation of the Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin, in line with the age-long succession tradition of the Benin Kingdom and in line with Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended) and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, after all necessary traditional rites are concluded.”

Credit: Thisday

Buhari Approves Appointment Of 18 New Permanent Secretaries

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 18 new Permanent Secretaries in Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service, replacing earlier sacked ones.

The President also approved the deployment of the Permanent Secretaries, collapsed some Ministries and announced the establishment of new ones.

The new ministries are; Information and Culture, Budget and National Planning, Agriculture and Rural Development.

Although no reason was given for the decision, the spokesman for the President, Mr Femi Adesina, said that the appointments and deployments were with immediate effect.

The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, Mr Taiwo Abidogun, Dr. Bukar Hassan, Mrs Wakama Belema Asifieka, Mr Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Mr Sabiu Zakari, Mrs Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi and Mr Aminu Nabegu.

Others are Mr Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele, Mr Alo Williams Nwankwo, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, Mr Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu, Mrs Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa, Mr Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Mr Bassey Apkanyung, Mr Louis Edozien and Dr. Ugo Roy.

A statement by Mr Adesina gave a breakdown of the deployment, as approved by President Buhari.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Read Fayose’s Twitter Rant Criticizing Buhari’s INEC Chair Appointment

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Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, is certainly not pleased with Buhari’s appointment of the new INEC chairman; as reported earlier.

Here are all his tweets, laying emphasis on ethnic sentiments and comparing this administration’s appointment of INEC head to previous administrations.

Fayose Comes For Buhari Over INEC Chairman Appointment

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said on Thursday that the appointment of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission attested to President Muhammadu Buhari’s sectional posture in the running of the country.

The governor, who has remained one of the most vociferous critics of the Buhari administration, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that the appointment had vindicated his earlier position that the President sees himself “as leader of the Hausa/Fulani, and not that of the entire people of Nigeria”.

Mr. Fayose said he had expected the new INEC Chairman to be chosen from one of the three Southern geo-political zones, especially the South Western part of the country being the only zone yet to produce chairman of the nation’s electoral umpire.

“Nigeria has entered a one chance bus and it remains to be seen who will save the country from its sectional President,” Mr. Fayose said.

Mr. Fayose’s statement, signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, noted that even the Yoruba leaders who promoted and made the Buhari Presidency possible had been short-changed.

“Shouldn’t he have considered someone from either South-East, South-South or South-West as Chairman of the Electoral Commission now that we have a President from the North?” Mr. Fayose asked.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Riot In Bauchi Over Appointment Of New Emir, Govt. Imposes Curfew

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The Bauchi State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Misau town following a riot that trailed the appointment of a new emir by the state government.

The curfew, which the government said is parts of measures to safeguard the lives of the people, will last between 6pm and 6am each day.

It has been reported that riot broke out in the town following the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Sulaiman, as the 11th Emir of Misau by Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

Some residents apparently had expected one of the scions of late emir or a close member of the Gwani Mukhtar ruling dynasty to be appointed to the throne.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Abdul Ilelah, said: “Reports reaching the State Government have indicated that after the official announcement of the appointment of the 11th Emir of Misau and the successful conduct of all the traditional rites, some mischief makers have taken advantage of the apparent jubilant mood of the people and instigated youths into smashing vehicles parked at the? emir’s palace.

“Government views this development as the handiwork of the evil doers who are bent on destroying the prevailing peace and security being enjoyed in the state in order to enjoy selfish objectives.”

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Former Speaker Rejects Fayose’s Appointment

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Former factional Speaker of Ekiti State House of As­sembly, Dele Olugbemi, has rejected his appointment as a member of the House of Assembly Service Commission by Governor Ayo Fayose.

Olugbemi shunned the screening and confirmation of nominees Tuesday and yesterday but the other four nominees were confirmed.

While the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi said, the former Speaker had not formally indicated his rejection of the appointment, Olugbemi, however, said: “ I am a member of the appointment committee. I was shocked to hear my name announced on the radio as being appointed as a member without my knowledge.

“ The governor’s action was against the ethos of democracy and he is simply running a one man show. Since he came into office he has been operating without regards to the party…”

Read More: sunnewsonline

Wike Welcomes Appointment Of Amaechi As Minister

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said he is not opposed to the appointment of his predecessor in office, Rotimi Amaechi as minister.

Wike was reacting to claims that he was attacking Amaechi in order to deprive the former governor of a ministerial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wike noted that he is not worried about the possible appointment of Amaechi into President Buhari’s cabinet.

He noted that  has never discussed the issue of whether Amaechi should be appointed by the President or not with anybody.

Wike, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Taria, said he was angry with Amaechi with the way the former governor managed the state’s treasury.

He said it was annoying that when he took over, he met an empty treasury.

Read More: Punch

My Appointment, A National Assignment- New NNPC GMD

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The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, Friday said he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment and called on well-meaning individuals for support instead of sponsoring congratulatory advertisement on his appointment.

Kachikwu, in a statement by the NNPC, appealed to friends and well-wishers to stop placing congratulatory adverts on him in the media.

He said he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment that does not require the frivolity of congratulatory adverts and the celebration they connote.

He added that he would rather appreciate that friends and well-wishers support him with their prayers for divine guidance to carry out the onerous task ahead.

Read More: vanguardngr

Youths Block Highways In Kaduna To Protest Appointment Of Interim Council Chair

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There is currently tension in Kaduna as youths, predominantly Gbagyi, blocked the ?major roads leading to Chikun local government area of Kaduna State in protest of the appointment of Hajiya Hadiza Yahuza as interim chairman of the local government.

The situation attracted heavy traffic jam? as workers were prevented from accessing the road to their work places.

Meanwhile, heavily armed policemen are? presently using tear gas to disperse the angry youths.  About five youths have been reportedly shot by the police,but it is not certain whether they are alive or dead. The area is temporarily cleared now by the police, but no one can tell the next line of action of the protesting youths.

Meanwhile, the Interim Management Committees (IMC) are expected to be sworn in today by the Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

It would be recalled that prior to the screening and confirmation of the said chairman on Friday last week, the youth had on Thursday protested to the state House of Assembly against her appointment and requested that their own be appointed instead.

Credit: leadership

13 Political Parties Blast PDP, Support Buhari On New INEC Boss’ Appointment

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The Coalition of Progressive Political Parties, an umbrella organisation for 13 registered political parties in Nigeria, has condemned the statement issued by the Peoples Democratic Party on the appointment of the acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,

President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed Amina Zakari, acting chairman of INEC, hours after the outgoing chairman, Attahiru Jega, had handed over to Ahmad Wali.

The PDP condemned Mr. Buhari’s action and demanded its reversal.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and signed by the chairman of the coalition, Bashir Ibrahim, the parties decried what they described as “the dangerous precedent whereby a political party is trying to decide for the country who becomes the INEC Chairman”.

Mr. Ibrahim said the appointment of the INEC chairman was constitutionally reserved for the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly.

In reference to a statement made in Abuja on Wednesday by the PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, rejecting the appointment of Mrs. Zakari, the coalition warned that “any interference by political parties in the appointment of INEC officials is tantamount to politicising the process and the Commission itself, which is capable of creating dangerous schism in the Commission and generating unnecessary tension in the country.”

“INEC is an independent election management body which must be insulated from politics and irresponsible politicking,” Mr. Ibrahim said.

“The power of and procedure for the appointment of the Chairman of INEC is a constitutional matter and not subject of bargaining by political parties, especially those who are yet to come to terms with the fact that Nigeria is on a very strong change trajectory. INEC is also a regulator of political parties. It is an anomaly for the parties, which the Commission regulates, to dictate who becomes the its chairman. Obviously, for some parties, it is still midnight.

“Mrs. Zakari was not appointed to the Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. She was appointed as INEC National Commissioner by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 and by the time she was appointed acting INEC chairman, she had the distinction of being the most senior INEC National Commissioner in terms of time served.

“She is well educated and had served the Commission as chairman of a number of its committees, including the sensitive Election and Political Party Monitoring Committee during President Jonathan’s administration. If she is good to be a national commissioner of INEC and chairman of its committees under President Jonathan, then she is good to be the Commission’s acting chairman at any other time.”

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Lawyer Threatens To Sue Buhari Over Appointment Of Ministers

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A Kaduna-based lawyer, Sunny Akanni, has threatened to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in court if he failed to appoint ministers from each of the 36 states of the federation as stated in the Constitution.

He said it would amount to gross violation of the Nigerian constitution if the President failed to appoint ministers to represent each state of the federation.

According to him, the constitution is so clear on ministerial appointments by the President, wondering why the President would be contemplating reducing the number of ministers in order to cut cost.

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President Buhari To Present Ministerial List To National Assembly Next Week

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Baring any last minute changes, President Buhari is expected to present his ministerial list to the National Assembly members for screening and consideration next week. The ministerial list is expected to be made up of only technocrats who he believes will be very productive in whatever capacity they are to function in.

Names like ex Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, Oby Ezekwesili, Kayode Fayemi, former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Abdurrhaman Dambazau amongst others are rumored to be in the list.

There are also reports that the President will be picking his Ministers from all 36 states which is against his wish as he is reported to have wanted a smaller number of Ministers for cost effectiveness.
The constitution however dictates that all states must be represented in the Federal cabinet.

Court To Hear Suit In Termination Of Appointment Of 110 ABU Staff On May 21

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The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has fixed May 21 for further hearing in a suit against Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, over the termination of the appointment of 110 staff. Justice Peter Lifu (JP) gave the ruling on Wednesday. The suit was instituted against ABU, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Attorney-General of the Federation in December 2012 over the termination of the claimants’ employment between 1996 to 1999.

The Counsel to the 1st respondent, Mr Ewere Aliemeke, in his preliminary objection, argued that the military regime, as the sole administrator of the school, had the authority to dismiss the staff and as such their suit was “statute-barred’’.

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Why Gwandu Was Relieved Of Appointment- Presidency

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The Presidency, weekend, dismissed claims by a former Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, that his sack was an act of witch-hunt for blowing the whistle on underhand deals in waivers granted some telecom companies.

Gwandu who was fired by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 had approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) which declared his removal as illegal. Gwandu, through his lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), challenged the propriety of his removal from the NCC by President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, a letter obtained from the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, with reference 6/S.12/C.4/III/653 dated November 26, 2012, signed by Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Pius Anyim, indicates that the former commissioner was fired for “gross misconduct with effect from November 9, 2012.”

A presidency official said, “There had been heated campaigns in social media and online news portals by a section of the media to undermine the position of the Presidency on the matter. This is rather unfortunate because Gwandu knows the truth, he was given fair hearing and he cannot now turn round to claim he was witch-hunted. If this is how he wants to curry favour from the incoming government, we wish him well but he must not discredit the institution of the Presidency for his personal ambition.”

The source said that contrary to insinuations in the social media and other channels, Dr. Gwandu’s sack was as a result of various acts which amounted to gross misconduct unexpected of a public officer.

The SGF’s letter reads: “Please recall that series of allegations were levelled against you by the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Recall also that the Minister of Communication Technology, on behalf of Mr. President, set up a Disciplinary Committee.

“I am to note that during the course of investigation, you were invited to appear before the committee to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for gross misconduct. You may recall that you made both verbal and written submissions to the Committee, in your defence. I am to inform you that based on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr. President has approved your removal from office for gross misconduct with effect from 9th November 2012. By this letter you are to return all the properties of the Commission in your possession and hand over to the Executive Vice Chairman.”

Credit: vanguardngr

Stop Begging Buhari For Appointment, Kinsmen Warn South East Politicians

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Kinsmen of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State coming under the auspices of Maka Odinma Anambra, have requested the Governor and other South-East leaders to stop embarrassing the zone by seeking to get positions in the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who they refused to support in the March 28 presidential election.

The Igbo social-political pressure group in a press release signed by its secretary, Emeka Nwazue, noted that it was shameful that the governor pledged to give support to the same man whom he had earlier labeled a ‘jihadist’.”

?They called on “Governor Willie Obiano and other leaders of the South-East to stop embarrassing the zone by their cavalier and shameless attempt to jump onto the Buhari victory train, which they naively refused to board only few weeks earlier.”

Read More: dailypost

Bakare Denies Appointment As Head Of Transition Committee

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Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly has denied reports that he has been appointed by President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to head the Transition Committee. Speaking through his spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, Bakare on Monday said the news of his appointment is strange and not true.

He stated that he read the news with surprise just like other Nigerians on Monday. He accused mischief makers of spreading the false news. Bakare was Buhari’s running mate in 2011 under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Read More: DailyTrust