TheNewsGuru

Tag: Appointments

  • There is palpable anger in the north over Tinubu’s appointments – El-Rufai

    There is palpable anger in the north over Tinubu’s appointments – El-Rufai

    The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his appointments in this current administration.

    El-rufai said on Monday said Tinubu isvfavouring his ‘boys’ from Lagos into political offices and not the Yorubas.

    He made the disclosure during an interview on Arise TV.

    He said, “The president’s appointments are not being made because the appointees are Yoruba, but because they are his own boys. Most of the appointments do not even reasonably cover the South-West.

    “So people should stop confusing the truth. The appointments are not balanced. Yes, definitely, definitely, right? You cannot argue that, but it’s not a Yoruba thing. Please don’t punish the Yorubas as you have been punishing northerners for the sins of the military.

    “Let’s focus on individuals and hold them accountable. President Tinubu needs to do something about that. It’s still not too late. He can correct it, but there is palpable anger in the north.”

  • NOVA bank appoints new Executive Directors

    NOVA bank appoints new Executive Directors

    NOVA Bank has announced the appointment of David Isiavwe as Executive Director, Operations and Information Technology, and Chinwe Iloghalu as Executive Director, Institutional and Commercial Banking.

    These appointments are part of NOVA Bank’s plan to strengthen its leadership team as the bank continues its innovative journey, following its recent transition to a national commercial bank.

    Dr. Isiavwe has over 30 years of banking experience in domestic and international banks. With a Ph.D. in Accounting, Dr. Isiavwe is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Fellow Compliance Institute of Nigeria (FCIN) in addition to other professional certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) amongst others.

    David has attended leadership programs in some major global institutions such as Harvard Business School, MIT and Oxford University. He currently serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), and holds a position on the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria. Additionally, he chairs the Statutory Audit Committee of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

    His appointment underscores NOVA’s focus on digital transformation, with his vast experience playing a crucial role in advancing the Bank’s technology-driven phygital model.

    Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, with close to 30 years of experience in the banking industry, joins as Executive Director for Corporate and Commercial Banking, the key business and relationship management engine of the bank.

    Throughout her distinguished career, she has made significant contributions in business and corporate banking, with expertise spanning sectors such as energy, corporate, commercial and digital banking, where she has consistently created sustainable value and returns for key stakeholders. Holding an MSc in Media and Communications, along with an MBA, Chinwe is a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

    She has attended leadership and executive programs in key institutions such as Said Business School Oxford, Harvard Business School, Wharton amongst others. Her role will be central to enhancing NOVA’s commercial banking rollout across all key business development segments.

    Phillips Oduoza, Chairman of NOVA Bank, commented on the appointments: “The addition of Dr. Isiavwe and Mrs. Iloghalu marks a critical point in constituting the management team that will lead NOVA into its next phase of growth.

    David’s expertise in technology will be key in enhancing our phygital model, while Chinwe’s strong business drive and relationship management coupled with the retail and product engine of the bank will be instrumental in driving the Bank’s strategic intent to become a formidable player in the banking industry.

    Their deep understanding of digital and electronic banking will significantly contribute to our trademarked phygital experience, which seamlessly combines the best of in-person service and bespoke digital solutions to serve our customers. Both leaders bring valuable experience that aligns perfectly with NOVA’s vision to be Africa’s preferred financial solutions provider.”

    These two appointments will further diversify the board and bring about inclusiveness noted by Mr. Oduoza.

    As NOVA Bank continues its expansion and transformation into a national commercial bank, these leadership appointments highlight its commitment to delivering innovative financial services.

    The Bank’s phygital model, combining cutting-edge technology with a physical presence, is redefining customer experiences and setting the stage for future advancements in the Nigerian banking landscape.

  • NDLEA dismisses allegations of lopsided appointments, nepotism

    NDLEA dismisses allegations of lopsided appointments, nepotism

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismissed claims of nepotism and favouritism in its appointments of Directors and Commanders, describing the allegations as baseless and false.

    A statement by the NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Thursday in Abuja, addressed concerns raised on social media about the appointment of top officials, stating that the claims were misleading and intended to create division.

    Babafemi described as false, insinuations in some social media posts suggesting that appointments into high ranking positions were tilted in favour of Northern Muslims against Southern Christians.

    He said “for the benefit of the reading public, the agency will like to state as follows: Out of the 20 Directors/ Commandant in NDLEA, 14 are Christians and six are Muslims.

    “Of the 14 Zonal Commanders, nine are Christians and five are Muslims; out of 37 State Commanders, 19 are Christians and 18 are Muslims; of the 14 Special Area Commanders, 10 are Christians and four are Muslims

    “Out of 12 Coordinators/Heads of Units, nine are Christians and three are Muslims; while out of 11 Heads of Operation, seven are Christians and four are Muslims.

    “In all, out of the 108 topmost appointments and positions in the Agency, 68 of them are occupied by Christians and 40 are Muslims.

    “This represents a ratio of 63 per cent – 37 per cent as against the perception some mischief makers are trying to create against the leadership of the Agency,”he said.

    Babafemi assured the public that the agency leadership remained focused and committed to the goal of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    This, he said include upholding the tenets of fairness, equity, and merit in its distribution of opportunities for its workforce.

  • Appointments: FEC approves 10% youth, women quota

    Appointments: FEC approves 10% youth, women quota

    The Federal Executive Council has approved the institutionalisation of 10 per cent youth quota in all government appointments and an equitable young women representation.

    Dr Jamila Ibrahim, Minister of Youths, disclosed this at the end of the 4th FEC meeting, on Monday in Abuja.

    She said that council also approved the restructure of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the revamping of the Youth Investment Fund.

    The minister said that the quota would encourage young people to participate in decision making processes and in civic engagements.

    “This will in turn lead to young people’s contributing tremendously to national development agenda.

    “I’m also pleased to announce the second council approval to restructure and institutionalise the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund.

    “This is a fund that was approved in 2020 and on assumption of Office of this administration, we commissioned a technical committee to review this fund and restructure it with the aim of institutionalising it through a legal framework, which will lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Fund.

    “We have secured council approval for the immediate release of N25 billion from the 2023 supplementary Appropriation Act and an additional N25 billion from the 2024 Appropriation Act under the Youth Development Fund for Development provision in the budget.

    “We also received an additional approval from council for a N60 billion release from the Central Bank of Nigeria through the agric. investment of small medium enterprises,” she said.

    Ibrahim said that these schemes would support young businesses and bring a lot of succour to young persons in the country.

    She said that the commencement of the schemes would be done with collaboration from relevant agencies like agriculture and food security, creative economy as well as state governments among others.

  • Yahaya Bello dissolves State Executive Council, makes fresh appointments

    Yahaya Bello dissolves State Executive Council, makes fresh appointments

    The outgoing Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Monday dissolved the State Executive Council.

    Bello disclosed this at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting at the EXCO Hall of the governor’s office.

    The commendation bestowed upon the outgoing Executive Council members during the session echoes the governor’s appreciation for their years of dedicated service to the state.

    Acknowledging their contributions, Bello wishes them success in their future endeavors, a sentiment extended to all heads of agencies and other appointees whose roles are now concluded.

    Government officials affected by this announcement are instructed to ensure a thorough and proper handover process, transferring all pertinent government documents, properties, and materials to the permanent secretary of their ministries or senior government officials stationed in their respective offices.

    However, the governor retained the following members of the council and aides; the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Mrs Ayoade Folashade Arike, PhD, Rtd Navy Commodore Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser, Hon Sunday Faleke, Deputy Chief of Staff, Alh Oricha Umaru Shaibu, Director-General, Government House Administration, Barr Mohammed Sanni Ibrahim, SAN, Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Abubakar Bashir Mohammed, Commissioner for Solid Mineral and Natural Resources, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mohammed Ihiezue Abdulmutalib, Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Asiru Idris Asiwaju, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulsalam Ozigi Momodu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Yakubu Yusuf Okala, State Auditor-General, Musa Bashiru Ohu, Special Adviser to the Governor (government House Imam), Hadi Ametuo, Special Adviser on Political Matters.

    Others also retained by the governor are; Dr Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, Personal Physician to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sunday Bamidele Ayenibe, Director- General Protocol, Afolabi Joseph Raji, Special Adviser on Special Duties II,Moses Okezie-Okafor, Director-General, Research and Development, and Ahovi Salami Ibrahim. Not affected by the dissolution are all domestic staff to the governor and deputy governor including those of their spouses

    Similarly, Governor Bello makes new appointment of the following persons to fill the vital vacant positions in the state;

    Habibat Oyiza Tijani, State’s Accountant-General, Abdulrazaq Muhammed, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Auditor-General for Local Governments, Kadiri Mohammed Okeji, Special Adviser on Finance, Isah Taofeeq, Director-General, Project Monitoring Agency.

    In order to strengthening the security architecture of the State in the area of intelligence and information gathering, Governor Bello also appoints the following persons as Security Advisers from all the Federal Constituencies of the State;

    Goke Okparison, Zonal Security Adviser, Okene/Ogori Fed Constituency, Mustapha Aliyu Aka’aba, Zonal Security Adviser, Ajaokuta Fed Constituency, Salami Joseph Omuya, Zonal Security Adviser, Adavi/Okehi Fed Constituency, Olorunleke Moses, Zonal Security Adviser, Kabba/Ijumu Fed Constituency, Muhammed Mundi, Zonal Security Adviser, Lokoja/Koton Karfe Fed Constituency, Pius Kolawole, Zonal Security Adviser, Yagba Fed Constituency, Kabiru Adaji Zonal Security Adviser, Dekina/Bassa Fed Constituency, Ayuba Nana, Zonal Security Adviser, Ankpa Federal Constituency, and Abu Odoma, Zonal Security Adviser, Idah Federal Constituency. These appointments take effect immediately.

    Governor Bello charges the newly appointed officials with a clarion call for total commitment, unwavering patriotism, and steadfast dedication in the discharge of their duties. The governor adds that efficiency, competence, and the relentless pursuit of progress must be prioritised

  • President Tinubu approves new appointments [See names, portfolios]

    President Tinubu approves new appointments [See names, portfolios]

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new and returning chief executives to fresh terms in office in the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    (1) EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) — Aminu Maida

    (2)MD/CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) — Nkechi Egerton-Idehen

    (3) DG/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) — Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

    (4) National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) — Dr Vincent Olatunji

    (5) Postmaster General/CEO, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) — Tola Odeyemi

    Ngelale also announced the president’s approval for the appointment of Idris Alubankudi as a Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy.

    He said that Alubankudi’s appointment was in line with the president’s determination to maximally leverage on Nigeria’s proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nation’s economy toward greater financial inclusion.

    According to reports, all the appointments take immediate effect.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointments with special task

    BREAKING: Tinubu makes fresh appointments with special task

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of five persons to serve in the office of the President under the media and publicity directorate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity made this known in a statement on Monday.

    According to the statement, the appointments are with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit.

    Ngelale lists the appointees as Fela Durotoye, Senior Special Assistant to the President, National Values and Social Justice; and Fredrick Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Public Engagement.

    Others are Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Strategic Communications; Aliyu Audu, Special Assistant to the President, Public Affairs and Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President, Special Duties.

    TNG reports President Tinubu further approved the secondment of Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

    According to the statement, the appointees were specially tasked by the President to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public, regardless of any differences.

    The statement reads in full below:

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following men and women to serve in the Office of the President under the Media & Publicity Directorate with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit:

    (1) Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice)

    (2) Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement)

    (3) Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications)

    (4) Mr. Aliyu Audu (Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs)

    (5) Mr. Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties)

    President Tinubu has further approved the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

    The President tasks all new appointees who are serving in the Media & Publicity directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public as they advance the President’s determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society that caters sufficiently to the needs of all, regardless of any differences.

  • Bayelsa LP candidate faults Diri’s last minutes appointments

    Bayelsa LP candidate faults Diri’s last minutes appointments

    Mr Udengs Eradiri, the Bayelsa Labour Party (LP) Candidate for the Nov.11 election has faulted Gov. Douye Diri’s last minutes appointments and hiring of political appointees.

    Eradiri said this in a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

    He said that the last minutes employment and hiring of political appointees was targeted at deceiving the electorate, ahead of the Nov.11 poll.

    Eradiri however, lauded the governor for appointing some political players from the LP in his desperate attempt to boost his chances at the poll.

    He alleged that the governor was working on plans to use some willing LP executives in the state to create false impression that the party had collapsed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “What is coming on Nov. 11 is beyond party. It is a mass movement and a revolution against bad, incompetent and clueless government.

    “I am happy that LP has become a force to reckon with ahead of this poll and that my participation in the election as the candidate of the party is giving Diri a nightmare.

    “My involvement in the election has provided jobs for people, who ordinarily were not considered fit to work in the government of Diri. In the last three years, the governor did not consider rolling out jobs for people and engaging more political appointees.

    “But today, a few weeks to the election, Diri is hawking appointment letters as a strategy to boost his chances. Unknown to him, Bayelsa people are wiser now.

    They understand his game. Besides, he is not doing them any favour because the money is not owned by the governor. It belongs to the people,” he said.

    Eradiri added: “So, if he invites you, go and take , If he gives you a job, accept it and enjoy it while it lasts. But the truth is that this great state deserves a better alternative and should be rescued from the incompetence of this administration.”

    He said that such deceptive campaign method was used in the past but that those who thought they had secured jobs as appointees of the government were laid off after the poll.

    “Common sense will tell everybody that this is just a campaign strategy, which will fail woefully like a pack of cards. Diri has occupied the office for over three years but did not deem it fit to employ anybody.

    “But suddenly he woke up from his slumber a few weeks to another election and started hawking appointments.

    “It is only a bait to give the people false hope and subject them to making a decision against their will. The truth is that the process is designed to fail immediately after the election. We are calling on our people to be vigilant and not to be deceived,” he said.

  • Obaseki rejigs his media unit, appoints Okungbowa as CPS

    Obaseki rejigs his media unit, appoints Okungbowa as CPS

    Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed a veteran journalist, Mr Andrew Okungbowa, as his Chief Press Secretary, CPS.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, conveyed Governor Obaseki’s approval of Okungbowa’s appointment in a statement issued on Tuesday.

    Mr Okungbowa, until his appointment, had worked as a media consultant and Editor with Daily Telegraph.

    Okungbowa is an alumnus of the University of Benin and UNILAG, where he obtained first degree in Theatre Arts and master degree in English, respectively.

    Okungbowa was President of Association of Nigeria Writers and Journalists of Tourism. As believed, he will be bringing his vast experience in the field of journalism in his new task of revamping the public image of the Obaseki-led government.

  • President Tinubu’s new appointee resigns, gives reasons

    President Tinubu’s new appointee resigns, gives reasons

    President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointee, Taiwo Oloyede, has resigned as a fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

    Oloyede declared that the reason for his action was to allow himself to concentrate on the new role that President Tinubu had appointed him into.

    President Tinubu appointed Oloyede as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

    In a tweet on Wednesday, July 19, Oyedele, recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu, announced the resignation from his position at the organisation on his Twitter page.

    The tax expert explained that his resignation was due to the fact that he needed to concentrate on the new role that President Tinubu had handed over to him

    In early July, President Tinubu approved that a Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms should be established and subsequently appointed Oyedele to chair the committee.

    According to the presidency, the establishment of the committee is a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to address the challenges confronting the country and bring about transformational reforms in the country’s fiscal policy and taxation.

    Objective of Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms

    The primary objective of the committee, as the presidency has said, was to enhance the collection of revenue, ensure transparency in reporting as well as the promotion of the effective utilisation of tax and more revenue of boost the morale of the citizens, enhance heavy tax structure and encourage compliance voluntarily.

    Oyedele’s statement reads in part:

    “This is to enable me to focus fully with undivided attention on my new role as the Chair of the Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reform Committee, which I consider an important national assignment.”